Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

May 2021

CONSTRUCTIONMAGUK.CO.UK

FIBRELITE PROVIDE CABLE COVERING SOLUTION INSIDE LONDON’S HAMMERSMITH APOLLO THEATRE

Henry Brothers completes new £9m centre for enterprise at Nottingham Trent University

COUNTRYSIDE BECOMES FIRST HOUSEBUILDER TO COMMIT TO £800 MILLION FAIRHAM SCHEME

Work gets underway on National Portrait Gallery redevelopment

Winvic Lifts 440 Tonnes of Concrete Bridge Beams Over the A5 at DIRFT III Rail Project SCHÖCK MODULAR CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR BALCONIES AND FAÇADES

Contents May 2021

04

Willmott Dixon appointed for £19.7m Oldham School

06

Gleeds expands team as it wins cost management role on multi-million pound TfGM framework

12

Bellway invests nearly £60 million in London communities

16

Vistry teams up with heylo to give buyers a more affordable route to homeownership

20

City Centre ‘Biophilic Swansea’ scheme ‘a first for the UK’

26

Clowes Developments agree on landmark deal with NFU Mutual

30

Winvic Lifts 440 Tonnes of Concrete Bridge Beams Over the A5 at DIRFT III Rail Project

34

Help to Build - Rated People urges government to learn lessons from Green Homes Grant

38

Countryside becomes first housebuilder to commit to £800M Fairham scheme

40

Work gets underway on National Portrait Gallery redevelopment

44

Willmott Dixon to deliver a further 382 homes in Barking estate transformation

48

Henry Brothers completes new £9m centre for enterprise at Nottingham Trent University

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44 Lapthorn Media Ltd 5-7 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PB Tel: 01843 808 106 Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@constructionmaguk.co.uk Editorial Assistant Francesca Amato editorial@constructionmaguk.co.uk Features Editor Paul Attwood paul@constructionmaguk.co.uk

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Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 03

Company News The project follows our successful handover of Dixons Trinity Academy in 2020, where we were recognised by Department for Education at their Capital Awards through winning their prestigious ‘Going Above & Beyond in Covid19’ award.

WILLMOTT DIXON APPOINTED FOR £19.7M OLDHAM SCHOOL Willmott Dixon is following its completion last year of Dixons Trinity Academy in Leeds with another scheme through the Department for Education framework; the £19.7m Brian Clarke Church of England Academy in Oldham.

The project for The Cranmer Education Trust will create a 1,200 place school situated on an easily accessible, town centre site on Booth Street, benefitting from existing public transport links, providing catchment for young people across a wide geographical area.

It is the Trust’s ambition that the building will include an original and unique piece of art, potentially a stained-glass window, designed and produced by the school’s patron Brian Clarke, the Oldham born and world renowned artist.

Cranmer Education Trust CEO Julie Hollis said: “We are very excited to announce our proposed site and also let the people of the borough of Oldham take a look at these impressive images and plans. We are so pleased to be working with Oldham born artist Brian Clarke, whom the school is named after, and Oldham based contractors Willmott Dixon. We anticipate a whole range of events and opportunities for those interested in the Brian Clarke CE Academy to learn much more about the new school.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with The Cranmer Education Trust and the Department for Education on their vision for a bright and inspiring place to learn at the Brian Clarke Church of England Academy. The project follows our successful handover of Dixons Trinity Academy in 2020, where we were recognised

by Department for Education at their Capital Awards through winning their prestigious ‘Going Above & Beyond in Covid19’ award.

With our local supply chain, coupled with our coronavirus safe working practice knowhow, we look forward to progressing with the build and generating prosperity in the local area.”

As an Oldham based contractor, the delivery of the Brian Clarke Church of England Academy is the latest in a series of local projects the business has secured. In March, the company handed over the £9m Construction Centre at Oldham College five weeks ahead of schedule.

KIER TRIALS CARBON-SAVING TECHNOLOGY IN UK-FIRST Kier has held a UK-first trial of a technology to support its strategy delivering net zero carbon emissions.

trial showed that the fuel consumption was reduced by 40%, which also resulted in 40% less carbon being produced.

Through its work with procurement partner, Sunbelt Rentals, it is using PUNCH Flybrid flywheel technology on its Shakespeare North site, to assess if the innovation could reduce the energy required to power a static crane.

Gary Wintersgill, managing director at Kier Regional Building North & Scotland, said: “At Kier, we are passionate about becoming a more sustainable business and an important element of this is working collaboratively with our supply chain partners to trial brand-new innovative technologies. We are continuing to use the PUNCH Flybrid flywheel technology on the Shakespeare North site and are assessing other sites that could also benefit from it.”

The innovation is derived from a similar technology used in Formula 1 and is a flywheel energy storage system which decreases fuel usage by reducing the generator size needed to power the crane on site, while still providing enough power for it to be used correctly.

The main objectives of the trial were carbon savings and a reduction in pollutants, as well as providing social value benefits to the surrounding community, including reduced air pollution and less traffic movements and congestion. The

Mark Bown, national account manager at Sunbelt Rental, said: “Sunbelt Rentals and Kier have been working together in partnership to reduce CO2 impact and provide social value to local communities of Kier sites.

This technology is a large step in the right direction to move towards net zero carbon.”

Tobias Knichel, managing director at

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PUNCH Flybrid, said: “Deploying a single flywheel system with this tower crane removes the equivalent emissions of 17 road cars from our city centres. I applaud Kier and Sunbelt Rentals for being the very first innovators to operate the flywheel energy storage system on a live construction site.

Such forward thinking leadership deserves the very positive results achieved during this trial.”

Kier launched its brand-new sustainability framework, Building for a Sustainable World, in October 2020. The framework focuses on both environmental and social sustainability and as part of this, it has committed to achieving net zero carbon across its own operations and supply chain by 2045.

Company News MORRISON ENERGY SERVICES & JACOBS JOINT VENTURE APPOINTED TO NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION (NGET) FRAMEWORK An unincorporated joint venture (50/50) between Morrison Energy Services, a part of M Group Services, and Jacobs, has been awarded a place on National Grid Electricity Transmission’s (‘NGET’) six-year Substations Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) Framework.

IGPP ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BENTLEY SYSTEMS, THE INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING SOFTWARE COMPANY The Institute of Government & Public Policy, a leading independent think tank based within the University of East London, has announced it has entered into a partnership with Bentley Systems, the infrastructure engineering software company, that will establish a long-term relationship and synergy between IGPP’s areas of interest and Bentley’s expertise.

IGPP and Bentley will facilitate the sharing of expert knowledge and information between the public and private sectors, as well as government departments, to influence and inform public policy across the supported communities.

The partnership provides the opportunity for Bentley to access, co-design, and contribute to IGPP live events, research, resources, and share their unique insight and expertise with members and key stakeholders.

Mark Coates, Bentley’s director of strategic industry engagements, becomes a member of the IGPP Corporate Advisory Board, demonstrating Bentley’s commitment to improving how government is run and public policy is made. With Coates’ presence on the board Bentley is able to share knowledge with key stakeholders, helping inform the public policy debate from its experience providing innovative applications and services

for the enterprises and professionals who design, build, and operate the world’s infrastructure.

Marc Davis, CEO of IGPP, said, “We are incredibly excited to have Bentley Systems come on board as a key partner and look forward to growing our relationship with them in the coming years. We are fortunate to be working with a company of their stature, expertise, and history. Their core values centred on their people and their commitment to improving quality of life are admirable and are areas which we look forward to positively contributing as we embark on our journey together.”

Coates said, “As a global market leader of engineering software solutions that help industry partners design, deliver, and maintain major projects around the world, Bentley is honoured to be asked to help guide and promote the launch of the IGPP. In the new world in which we live, it’s important to underpin organisations— such as IGPP—to drive collaboration, connectivity, and, especially, clear communication among all sectors.

The framework has been established for the design, engineering, manufacture, supply, project management, build, erection and commissioning of high voltage electricity substation works. Under the terms of the agreement, Morrison Energy Services will lead on operational delivery and Jacobs will focus on design and integrated programme management.

The scope of works will include, but not be limited to: • New build air-insulated switchgear (AIS) / gasinsulated switchgear (GIS) substations • AIS/GIS substation extensions • Major AIS/GIS substation asset replacements The framework will cover the RIIO-T2 regulatory period, running from 2021 to 2026, and includes the option to extend for an additional two years.

Peter Carolan, Morrison Energy Services Executive Director, commented: “We are delighted with this significant contract win that adds to our growing electricity transmission portfolio. We look forward to working with Jacobs and National Grid throughout the RIIO-T2 period.”

Kenny Clark, General Manager – Transmission for Morrison Energy Services, commented: “This contract award extends our established and successful relationship with National Grid and provides another opportunity for Morrison Energy Services and Jacobs to join forces to provide value-engineering solutions that will support National Grid’s substation build and refurbishment programme over the next six years.”

The framework has been awarded by National Grid on a non-exclusive basis and is divided into three Lots with the MUS/Jacobs joint venture awarded a place on EPC Lot 3 – Substations.

“Working with the esteemed members of the advisory panel, we hope to guide, support, and influence future public policy for both the industry and the country with a focus on more resilient, less expensive, and greener infrastructure systems.”

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Company News

GLEEDS EXPANDS TEAM AS IT WINS COST MANAGEMENT ROLE ON MULTI-MILLION POUND TFGM FRAMEWORK TfGM oversees transport and travel across Greater Manchester, home to the UK’s largest regional economy outside London and a diverse population of over 2.8 million people. It is vital that its transport system is efficient, able to support sustainable economic growth, and ultimately improves the quality of life for all by being accessible, affordable and reliable in line with the region’s wider Transport Strategy

International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has announced that it has been selected for the Cost Management Lot on Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) £88 million Professional Services Framework.

Bids for the four-year programme were invited across ten strategic lots and associated specialist sub-lots (A-Q), covering a range of services from transport systems to engineering consultancy provision and quantity surveying. The framework was originally slated to begin in 2020, however its commencement was postponed by TfGM as a result of the exceptional challenges facing the industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The latest incarnation of the Professional Services Framework is intended to provide an efficient, quick and compliant procurement route to help meet TfGM’s consultancy and advisory support needs as it works toward realising its long-term plan of creating an integrated, modern public transport network across the region. To that end, the services of successful bidders will be available for use by more than 20 local councils in the north of England, as well as Transport for the North, Nexus, and The Urban Transport Group, amongst other bodies.

Paul Knighting, head of UK infrastructure for Gleeds based out of the Manchester Office, said, “This is a significant win for our team in the north and I am delighted that Gleeds’ expertise and experience of working with a varied roster of clients in the infrastructure sector shone through during the highly competitive bid process.

“TfGM oversees transport and travel across Greater Manchester, home to the UK’s largest regional economy outside London and a diverse population of over 2.8 million people.

“It is vital that its transport system is efficient, able to support sustainable economic growth, and ultimately improves the quality of life for all by being accessible, affordable and reliable in line with the region’s wider Transport Strategy.”

BRIGGS AND FORRESTER ENGINEERING SERVICES AWARDED OLEASTER REFURBISHMENT PROJECT WITH ENGIE Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services have been appointed by Engie Regeneration to deliver the MEP services contract on The Oleaster building located at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Campus in Birmingham.

The scope of works includes the MEP refurbishment of the current ground floor assessment area including lighting, small power, security, fire alarm, ventilation, domestic water services, nurse call and feature lighting.

The development formed part of the overall Queen Elizabeth hospital construction and provides mental health care for inpatients and outpatients. The refurbishment will include a new urgent care centre providing a therapeutic environment for adults and children of all ages.

Adrian Nicholls, Regional Director said: “Briggs & Forrester look forward to working with Engie Regeneration in the Midlands region, further enhancing our healthcare experience on the Queen Elizabeth campus.

Engineering Services will begin fit-out on site in May 2021 and the project is due for completion November 2021.”

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As a result of its continued growth in the north, Gleeds has confirmed that Paul Mann is to join its senior leadership team as regional director for cost consultancy, covering the business’ offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle. Paul joins the company from Mace, where he spent 13 years looking after its northern cost consultancy offering, predominately focusing on commercial property and regeneration.

Regional director for the North of England, Brian McArdle, added, “Paul is joining the team at the ideal time, with the successful bid for TfGM, major Healthcare Project successes, new schemes underway for Nexus, and a further appointment under Homes England for the York Central Partnership recently secured, he joins an already buoyant team which is expected to continue to grow throughout this year and beyond.

His experience and reputation in the region speaks volumes and I am certain that he will prove to be a valuable addition to the team, working with other recent senior recruits like Paul Knighting, as we continue to increase our presence across the North.

Unfold the complexities Whatever your construction business size, you will need professional, tailored support if you want to chart a prudent and profitable path.

To help you remain resilient in an industry characterised by high risk and great rewards, our specialist property and construction business advisers and chartered accountants can support you in achieving your objectives and planning for the future.

The services our comprehensive business support packages can provide you with include:

→ Tax and VAT → Accountancy and auditing → Compliance → Finance

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Partner nick.haines@hazlewoods.co.uk

DAN TOWN

Director dan.town@hazlewoods.co.uk

Speak to a member of our team 01242 237661 www.hazlewoods.co.uk We strongly recommend you take professional advice before making decisions on matters discussed here. No responsibility for any loss to any person acting as a result of the material can be accepted by us. Hazlewoods LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC311817. Registered office: Staverton Court, Staverton, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51 0UX. A list of LLP partners is available for inspection at each office. Hazlewoods LLP is registered to carry on audit work in the UK and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Latest News

DIGITAL TIME CAPSULE UNVEILED

BY HOUSING ASSOCIATION An initiative which aims to provide a snapshot of people’s experiences during the pandemic has been launched.

Organised by Platform Housing Group – one of the UK’s largest social landlords – the digital time capsule received submissions from across the country, including Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Worcestershire; they included images, poems and films.

The housing association is now encouraging people to visit the project which ran from November 2020 until last month.

The memories will be visible online for one month starting on Wednesday 21 April; on

21 May, the page will be ‘buried’ and then uncovered again on 21 May 2024.

Tim Marsh, Digital Transformation Office at Platform Housing Group said : “The year 2020 will go down in history as one of the most difficult years many of us have lived through. We therefore decided to take a snapshot of the year, recording the experiences of Platform customers, local schools, Board members and our own colleagues in the form of photos, poems, art, letters and films in an online digital time capsule which will be buried for 3 years and then dug up in 2024.”

Once up and running, people can access the capsule at https://www.platformhg.com/ time-capsule.

CLEAN AIR IN BUILDINGS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY Jamie Cameron, Director of Digital Solutions at Johnson Controls UK & Ireland “To ensure our workplaces, schools, and hospitals are healthy and safe for everyone, clean air needs to be the top priority. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of ventilation and improving indoor air quality, to reduce the chance of virus transmission and help ensure the safe return of employees to workplaces. This is good news – but the focus on clean air comes too late. It should have always been a priority, clean air is not just about reducing the transmission of this virus, but also lowering CO2, Particulate matter, and VOC’s, all of which are proven to impact our health and productivity.

“Air quality in the buildings where we live and work has a huge impact on our lives. In workplaces, it often goes unnoticed – but

this is a dangerous oversight. Organisations are always looking for ways to increase performance, happiness, and comfort, and lower the number of sick days staff take. Now, they need to mitigate the risk of infections too. This begins with a focus on clean air, improving indoor air quality to make the places we work truly healthy buildings.

“The critical first step in making clean air a reality is a focus on building occupancy.

Using technology to measure occupancy levels in real-time, via apps or central dashboards, means businesses can adjust air change levels accordingly. Variable air conditioning systems and sensors can also provide flexibility depending on the occupancy of a room – if more people enter, more clean air gets pumped in.

“This is an industry-wide issue: developers and building owners need to do better

Air quality in the buildings where we live and work has a huge impact on our lives. In workplaces, it often goes unnoticed – but this is a dangerous oversight.

Organisations are always looking for ways to increase performance, happiness, and comfort, and lower the number of sick days staff take. Now, they need to mitigate the risk of infections too. This begins with a focus on clean air, improving indoor air quality to make the places we work truly healthy buildings.

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Tim concluded : “Our Communities team is all about engaging with our customers; with the onset of COVID-19 we couldn’t do this in the normal way. Encouraging people to create their own memories of this time has been deeply moving. It has also been fascinating to see how talented and imaginative our customers and colleagues have been.

“Our hope now is that when we reveal the digital time capsule in 2024, the world will be a very different one.”

Platform Housing Group’s operating area is from Herefordshire in the West to the Lincolnshire coast in the East, and from the Derbyshire Dales in the North to the Cotswolds in the South.

The critical first step in making clean air a reality is a focus on building occupancy. Using technology to measure occupancy levels in real-time, via apps or central dashboards, means businesses can adjust air change levels accordingly.

Variable air conditioning systems and sensors can also provide flexibility depending on the occupancy of a room – if more people enter, more clean air gets pumped in. than designing ventilation systems around minimum occupancy levels, and thus minimum air change levels. Research shows that the greater the air change levels, the more productive, happy, and healthy workers and students are. For businesses who want to get the most out of their people, indoor air quality needs to take precedence. Clean air is a cornerstone of healthy buildings, especially now – but we must not leave it by the wayside once the pandemic is over.

“The counterintuitive problem with clean air is around sustainability and leading to significant increases in heating and cooling costs. Therefore, analytical platforms are needed to use AI to provide building owners with the data around the real time costs for increasing the flow of fresh air into the spaces.”

Latest News RAIL INDUSTRY SETS OUT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPCOMING DEVOLVED NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS

‘BUILD TO RENT’ CONTINUES APACE IN SOUTHAMPTON National Regional Property Group and PMC Construction have completed Southampton’s second Build to Rent (BTR) scheme, and have now handed over the landmark building in the heart of the city to residential landlord, Grainger plc.

The Railway Industry Association, the voice of the UK rail supply community, has published five manifestos ahead of the devolved national and regional elections taking place next month. The Manifestos can be found here.

Grainger plc agreed to forward-fund and acquire the Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme of 132 one and two bedroom apartments in Southampton’s city centre in 2018, in a deal worth £27 million.

The Manifestos highlight the ‘key asks’ the rail industry would like to see from political decision makers in Scotland, London and the South East, Midlands, the North of England and Wales & Western over the coming years. The North of England manifesto has been produced jointly with Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL).

The development, known as Gatehouse Apartments, has now been handed over to Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, who will own and manage the 14-storey building which boasts a range of resident amenity spaces including roof terraces, a gym, communal lounge area, and co-working space, as well as 462 sq ms of commercial space at ground floor level.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said:

The upcoming Devolved National and Regional Elections offer the opportunity for candidates, across the political spectrum and in all parts of the UK, to affirm their commitment to a strong, vibrant rail sector that can lead the economic revival following Coronavirus. Rail is green; it’s a catalyst for economic growth and its geographically spread across the country, making it a prime candidate for continued investment, at such a critical time for the economy.

“The Railway Industry Association has published five manifestos today setting out what rail businesses need from policy makers in order to best support the economy and jobs.

“Whether in Scotland, the North, Midlands, London and the South East or Wales & Western, the rail industry needs a consistent and visible profile of work, support to decarbonise and digitalise the network, commitments to major projects and backing to develop innovation and skills.

“We look forward to working with all parties, both before and after the elections, to ensure our railways continue to act as the economic backbone of the country.”

Grainger Chief Executive Helen Gordon said: “The launch of our Gatehouse Apartments scheme in the centre of Southampton is an important milestone for Grainger. We identified the city for investment owing to its excellent potential and Gatehouse Apartments is one of Southampton’s first build to rent developments.

city’s run-down fruit and veg market into apartments and retail space. Known as Bow Square, this now thriving community comprises 280 one and two-bed apartments for private rent.

Shaun Adams, Chief Executive Officer at National Regional Property Group, based in Portsmouth commented: “We’ve been instrumental in bringing build to rent schemes to Southampton and continuing to invest in the ongoing regeneration of parts of the city.”

Matt McGee from Cosham-based contractors, PMC Construction, who led the construction of the building, comments: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with National Regional Property Group and Grainger plc. As well as providing high-quality housing for the people of Southampton, we were able to provide significant employment for our specialist local supply chain and opportunities for young people to gain experience and qualifications working in construction.”

Southampton has recently been tipped by CBRE as one of the top 20 future rental hotspots, due to a variety of factors, such as its strong transport links, excellent employment opportunities and relatively young population.

“We believe the high-quality finish and professionally managed service, delivered by the inhouse Grainger team, will attract a range of residents from across the city and beyond.

“With Southampton being confirmed as one of the new Freeports and its bid for City of Culture 2025 under consideration, we see Southampton as a key destination for those looking to rent as a lifestyle choice. We look forward to welcoming our first residents in the next few weeks.”

This is the second BTR scheme that National Regional Property Group and PMC Construction have completed in Southampton, the first being the £60m transformation of the

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 09

Latest News NATION COUNCIL CHAIR VACANCIES: HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION SKILLS The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has Nation Council Chair vacancies for England and Scotland.

CITB is looking for senior, experienced and knowledgeable industry representatives who can demonstrate a consultative and collaborative approach to partnership working within the Nation Council and with the CITB Board.

The Nation Councils have an important role in supporting the CITB Board in its strategic leadership, by providing insight into industry challenges, across nations, regions and sectors and acting as a sounding board for Trustees.

Applications are invited from across the sector, including SMEs, large employers, and independent consultants.

The Nation Council Chair will help shape the future of construction as the sector begins to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic and adapt to new challenges, including Brexit and achieving Net Zero targets. They will: • Capture and articulate to the Board key issues affecting or likely to affect industry; • Assist the Board to accurately prioritise support for key issues affecting industry across Great Britain; • Help review and advise the Board on CITB’s Business Plan to ensure that it addresses industry opportunities, pressures and priorities; • Shape individual Nations Plans and to review performance against them; and • Make recommendations to the Board about extraordinary matters arising that may impact on the ability of the Board to deliver the Plan.

Interested candidates should have a wealth of senior level experience in the sector and represent the voice of industry. It is essential that the Chair has a sound knowledge and understanding of both their nation and the wider construction landscape.

CITB Policy Director Stephen Radley said: “The role of Nation Council Chair is challenging and incredibly rewarding and represents the perfect opportunity for someone with industry insight and an understanding of the challenges facing the sector to make their mark. To fill the shoes of our current Chairs will be no easy task but we know the construction industry is full of incredibly talented people who I know will rise to the task.”

CITB is also recruiting independent members of its Audit and Risk, and Industry Funding committees.

Anyone interested in applying for the vacancies should visit: http://sscl-innovation.com/ CITBmicrosite/volunteering/

NEW CAMPAIGN AIMS TO CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF SURVEYORS Yorkshire-based geospatial professionals, Elaine Ball (43) and Elly Ball (33), have today announced the launch of their new Get Kids into Survey global recruitment campaign to help save the future of surveying.

The project will introduce and educate the younger generation to the relatively unknown world of surveying and encourage them to consider it as a possible career path, creating a new generation of surveyors responsible for protecting the world.

Inspired by their father, industry legend Steve Ball, a hydrographer and mine surveyor, siblings, co-founders and inheritors of the Ball surveying dynasty Elaine and Elly set out to change the perception of survey by teaching budding geospatial experts that there is more to the profession than simply measuring distance and angles of land and natural features.

Take for example, Indiana Jones, primarily thought of as an archaeologist, Indi in fact employs many of the skills associated with surveyors in Raiders of the Lost Ark, including cartography (maps) and understanding land formations in order to uncover the Ark. It’s the mission of the Ball ladies to inspire and educate the next generation that surveying is an exciting and lucrative career choice.

There has been a recruitment problem within the industry for decades, resulting in the sector being dominated by white males with an average age of 55. Elaine and Elly, along with their team of dedicated professionals are now setting out to resolve that problem and secure the future of this vital industry.

We want to educate children in exactly what surveying is and the many exciting career options available within the geospatial industry. It’s our aim to help parents and teachers to understand what surveying is and to be able to talk about it with their children.

“It’s a scary thought, but if we don’t educate children about surveying now, the industry will die out, resulting in devastating consequences. After all, without survey, we wouldn’t be able to detect bombs, study planets, find diamonds, monitor wildlife, build bridges, measure earthquakes and volcanoes, carry out CSI forensics, design golf courses, create video games - the list goes

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on! Education really is our passport to the future.”

To help address the recruitment issue, Get Kids into Survey is launching The GeoSquad Comic; a 40-page digital download. The comic currently has one chapter available online, and is set to be released as a six chapter book, complete with activity sheets, on Monday 17 May, just in time for half term and the summer holidays.

The GeoSquad Comic is an illustrated introduction to the world of survey, created in collaboration with primary school teacher and children’s book author, Mat Sullivan. The comic is designed to appeal to children aged 8-12 in a fun and action-packed way.

The comic strips are based on a group of four friends; Maddison, Setsuko, Kwame and Miles as well as the ‘The Last Surveyor’ - loosely based on Elaine and Elly’s father, Steve. Together, the characters visit a career fair and enter a virtual reality world where they are told the story of what a world without surveyors would be like and the devastation that would occur. It goes on to show surveyors as the heroes of the future putting the world back together, which could be a very real possibility if the recruitment problem is not addressed now. It has everything a good kids story could need; time travel, robots, virtual reality, and of course, relatable and inspiring characters.

Elaine concludes “We are dedicated to showing young people that surveying can be fun, interesting and a rewarding career choice. On top of that, surveyors of the future could be responsible for protecting and even saving the world, or they could be helping to create computer games for their friends’ kids or the next CGI landscape in a Hollywood movie*, and that’s pretty cool too!”

The Get Kids into Survey project first took shape in 2017 when Elaine created a poster for the AGM of The Surveyors Association, UK. Designed to teach the surveyors children what their parents did for a living, the poster was an immediate hit, with requests for more flooding in.

Get Kids into Survey has now expanded to include an online hub of free resources with lesson plans, quizzes and colouring sheets, ‘SurveyFest’ events, an Education Fund to support ambassadors and school visits, and an educational comic strip.

To find out more about Get Kids into Survey visit: www.getkidsintosurvey.com

Case Study

FIBRELITE PROVIDE CABLE COVERING SOLUTION INSIDE LONDON’S HAMMERSMITH APOLLO THEATRE Fibrelite cable trench covers

The architects (Foster Wilson Architects LLP) who project managed the refurbishment of the London Hammersmith Apollo theatre were tasked with providing a discreet and practical method of housing multicore cables that ran from the stage to the control desk during music concerts. Previously the cables had been run above ground subsequently causing damage to the beautiful interior of the theatre.

To accommodate the multicore cabling, two underground cable routes were cut into the floor. The cable routes needed to be covered with a lightweight maintenancefree, cover that was readily removable by simple manual handling techniques Fibrelite covers have an anti-slip surface

but also sufficiently strong enough to withstand imposed loads from MEWP’s (mobile elevating working platforms) as additional refurbishment work on the building was required. In addition to these requirements anti-slip/skid was also a factor that need to be addressed.

Fibrelite supplied a bespoke encapsulating frame for both multicore cable routes along with a 1.5 tonne load rated trench cover to cover the cable trenches. The design was extremely challenging as not only did the cable trenches change in direction but they also changed in elevation. The Fibrelite cover incorporates an anti-slip material within the top treaded surface of the covers which provides unparalleled antislip/skid properties for a composite cover.

Fibrelite attended the site regularly throughout the installation and liaised with both the architect and principle contractor to provide a solution to the highest possible standards within the projects build time frame.

The lead architect, project managing the refurbishment commented on the solution provided by Fibrelite: “Overall I think Fibrelite is a great solution to a difficult design problem for us of achieving both a robust and high load capacity cover to the multicore cables running for stage to control desk whilst maintaining low weight and easy access” For more case studies, click here to visit the Fibrelite website

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Company News

BELLWAY INVESTS NEARLY £60 MILLION IN LONDON COMMUNITIES Bellway London has delivered a funding boost for local communities across the capital through financial investment of almost £60 million since 2018.

Significant growth has led to the housebuilder successfully delivering 14 new developments across London in that time, with contributions to those areas totalling £58,847,989.

Financial support has been provided through planning agreements to boost facilities in the local area, as well as through the funding of affordable housing and infrastructure improvements as part of the developments.

The contributions across London include: • £29 million in Nine Elms, including £10 million towards affordable housing • Over £6 million in Hornchurch, including £1.5 million towards education • Over £6 million in Dartford • Over £4.9 million in Bexleyheath • Over £2.5 million in Greenwich, including £1.5 million towards education and community projects • Over £2 million in Beckton • Over £1.5 million in both Stratford and Sydenham.

As well as affordable housing and education, the funding has supported projects including local employment in Poplar, Croydon, Nine Elms, Old Isleworth and Sydenham and carbon offsetting in Croydon, Woolwich and Hayes.

Regional Chairman of Bellway London and the South East, Ian Gorst, said: “The money that we have contributed to various areas across London since 2018 is part of our commitment not just to building homes in communities, but helping to shape them as well.

“We have invested money across London to help regenerate areas and improve local infrastructure that will benefit local residents now and for future generations. Our funding has also helped to create local jobs and boost the wider local economy.”

GODWIN DEVELOPMENTS APPOINTS SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS LEAD TO SUPPORT EXPANSION PLANS UK residential and commercial property developer Godwin Developments has strengthened its marketing and communications team with the appointment of senior communications manager, Catherine Hems.

consultancy and reputation management agency New Century Media, based in London, where she held the position of account director and supported a variety of property investor clients, financial service businesses and international companies.

Based out of Birmingham, Catherine steps into a newly created role to lead the developer’s strategic communications and boost its stakeholder engagement across a growing portfolio of residential and commercial projects across the country.

A graduate from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Russian studies and international relations, she previously worked at Instinctif Partners, where she specialised in capital markets communications.

Catherine joins the multi-sector property developer from communications

Commenting on her appointment, Catherine said: “I am delighted to have joined Godwin Developments at such an exciting and busy time for the business. The company’s clear ambition and demonstrable momentum presented an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. With the support of Godwin’s marketing director, Krassi Stoyanova, and the wider team, I am looking forward to playing an active role in growing the business, leading on strategic communications and stakeholder engagement, while also working closely with external partners to showcase Godwin Developments’ extensive project portfolio and pipeline.”

Catherine has also recently been accepted onto the 2021 mentorship programme from Bloom Network, which seeks to

12 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

provide equal opportunities for women in communications, while also spearheading industry change and empowering future female leaders.

Stephen Pratt, co-founder and board director at Godwin Developments, added: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine to the business. Her work to support the wider development team and Board will help us build awareness of the many transformational opportunities we are seeking to deliver through our schemes across the country.

“Catherine’s appointment is also further evidence of our commitment to expanding our in-house expertise and working closely with customers, communities, partners and extended stakeholder groups. I wish Catherine every success in her new role.”

The announcement of Catherine’s arrival follows a period of rapid expansion for the developer which included the appointments of Michael Jones to the position of construction director, Robert Birch and Lindsay McCombe as senior development directors, Owen Michaelson as regional chairman – London, and the promotion of James Mulcare to the position of head of residential capital markets.

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Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 13

Company News

VITAL ENERGI COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE TO DELIVER BESPOKE RENEWABLE ENERGY APPRENTICESHIPS Vital Energi are delighted to be working in collaboration with The City of Liverpool College to deliver bespoke renewable energy and heat network apprenticeship programmes.

The new apprenticeship programmes demonstrate Vital’s commitment to developing the key industry skills required to achieve net zero and create a sustainable workforce for the future.

Having pledged to recruit 20 apprentices across the UK, Vital are proud to be joining forces with The City of Liverpool College, which will deliver the curriculum from the £2m state-of-the-art Training Academy located at Vital’s Blackburn headquarters, for two pathways: Craft and Technical.

Both pathways will take apprentices on an energy journey where they will learn and work within the renewable energy and heat networks market. They will discover how energy is generated and distributed, and how to manage and reduce consumption for residential and commercial clients. Apprentices will also learn how carbon emissions are reduced through Vital’s renewable technologies and the innovative products they have developed.

The programmes will be delivered via a blended mix of virtual online teaching and a minimum of 25 days curriculum learning each year within the Training Academy.

Apprentices will spend the majority of their time on-site working on exciting projects, where they will pick up a wealth of skills through hands-on experience and support from Vital’s experienced and knowledgeable team.

Vital Energi’s Manging Director for the North & Scotland, Mike Cooke, completed an apprenticeship at The City of Liverpool College and he believes this formed a great foundation for his successful career path.

I loved the apprentice programme at The City of Liverpool College,” said Mike.

“At 18 years old this was my first opportunity to experience independence and life in the city. My apprenticeship provided me with social, interpersonal, and technical skills which have been the platform of my career, and even though the pay was significantly less than Vital’s offer today, I’ve been able to progress through my career without being saddled with tuition fees and student loans. A real and genuine upside.

Liverpool City Region has an ambition to reach net zero carbon by 2040 and The City of Liverpool College is focussed on developing its curriculum around the needs of industry, creating a workforce for the future by developing the skills needed to enter the world of work in sustainable careers.

Sophie Park, Director of Workforce Skills at The City of Liverpool College, said: “Our partnership with Vital Energi is built on the knowledge and skills of its engineers and our

innovative curriculum leaders at The City of Liverpool College. Working with progressive, exciting organisations such as Vital Energi helps us to continue to innovate and provide our students with the skills they need to enter the workforce and forge successful, sustainable careers.

“This new state of the art training centre will play an essential role in developing the skills needed to deliver our low carbon future.”

“Vital are forward-thinking, agile and strategic in the deployment of our resources,” added Mike. “As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 creates an opportunity to support apprentice recruitment and shape the workforce of the future, enabling a journey to net zero for our customers and the UK as a whole.

We’re really excited to be working with The City of Liverpool College to deliver our new renewable apprenticeships, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first cohort in September.”

During the three-year Craft programme, apprentices will study for a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Craftsperson qualification. They will learn a range of key skills from pipework fabrication and jointing techniques such as electro fusion jointing, to welding, the installation of plumbing and heating systems, and more.

At the end of the Technical programme, apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Building Services Design Technician qualification, after developing their understanding of building services design principles.

As well as using project management systems to ensure timeframes and budgets are adhered to, apprentices will work alongside the commercial team to understand contractual agreements and review the financial performance of a project, produce technical reports, plus more.

Vital Energi are working on nationwide projects and are looking to recruit apprentices from all over the UK. The curriculum learning will take place in the North West, so depending on your location, this may require residential attendance which will be funded by the company.

For more information about Vital Energi’s apprenticeship programmes, visit: www.vitalenergi.co.uk/careers/ apprenticeship-programmes/

14 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Company News

SAINT-GOBAIN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH CHARITY PARTNERSHIP WITH BARNARDO’S Saint-Gobain commits to supporting the construction of more high-quality homes for care leavers as well as further construction training for young people through renewal of its charity alliance with Barnardo’s.

During the partnership that has been in place since 2017 Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland and Barnardo’s have built high-quality homes to help young people transition from care to independent living and provided facilities for young people to train, develop new skills in construction and find employment in the construction sector.

The new homes, part of Barnardo’s ‘Gap Homes’ plan, are purpose-built highperforming homes in Renfrewshire, Scotland which provide a lifeline to young people like Mary* facing the transition between leaving care and a permanent tenancy.

traineeship in multiple construction skills, as well as pursuing qualifications in literacy and numeracy - working towards the City & Guilds Level 1 Construction Skills qualification.

brand Scotframe and materials were supplied by Jewson, Graham, Weber and a total of 21 Saint-Gobain brands to ensure the homes were energy efficient and comfortable for care leavers.

As part of the ongoing partnership more high-quality Gap Homes for care leavers are planned across the UK.

Mary*, who spent most of her life in care and was struggling with looking after her newborn baby has flourished while living in a Gap Home, maturing into a confident young woman and mother - she has since moved into her own home.

The Barnardo’s YouthBuild Academy supported by Saint-Gobain, which launched in 2017, will also continue to help young people achieve independence and employment, while equipping them with skills to boost their future careers.

The two Gap Homes were constructed using timber frame kits by Saint-Gobain

Young people attending the Lewishambased academy will complete a six-month

Mike Chaldecott, Chief Executive, SaintGobain UK and Ireland, said: “Our charity partnership with Barnardo’s has had a deeply profound and lasting impact on the lives of young people and is a great example of how business can work with charities to blend experience, expertise and fundraising to create a lasting legacy and make a transformational difference”.

We are proud to have raised £1million for Barnardo’s over the last decade and our commitment to supporting care leavers into the construction industry is reflected in our purpose; Making the World a Better Home – providing the necessary skills for the next generation of construction professionals to innovate and build better living spaces.

GALLAGHER APPOINTED BY LEADING CONSTRUCTION FIRM HIGGINS GROUP PLC Gallagher has been appointed as the professional indemnity insurance (PI) broker for leading construction and development firm Higgins Group PLC. The Higgins Group was established 60 years ago and is one of the largest family-owned construction companies in South East England. It employs 260 people and is headquartered in Essex. It has two operating companies; Higgins Partnerships which is a well-respected construction contractor and developer working with a wide range of clients, and Higgins Homes which designs, builds and manages a significant portfolio of new build and sensitively considered conversion and restoration projects. The business operates across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Kent.

The firm transferred its professional

indemnity insurance to Gallagher having chosen the broker as a result of the strength of Gallagher’s dedicated PI capability within its construction practice and the clear understanding of the Higgins Group’s businesses and its varied risk exposures, meaning it was well placed to support the business in navigating the challenging market.

Gallagher is one of the leading providers of insurance and risk management advice to construction firms, through its 60 strong team, with a client portfolio which includes a broad range of UK and international contractors and property builders.

Julie Scott, Adviser, Gallagher’s Specialty construction practice, commented: “In recent years, the construction PI insurance market has seen narrowing coverage and

increasing costs. Effectively managing PI insurance in this tricky market requires a specialist broker who understands the impact changes have on premium, risk management, policy coverage and claims, and can provide tailored advice and ensure competitive quotations from a range of markets and insurers.”

Mark Francis, Group Finance Director, Higgins Group, added: “We knew the PI insurance market had become particularly challenging so it was important we could be confident that we had the right partner in place who we felt would go the extra mile for us. Gallagher’s team of construction PI specialists took the time to understand us as a business, and our future plans, to ensure that it could support us with obtaining the right cover. We are looking forward to working with them as we develop and grow our business.”

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 15

Company News

VISTRY TEAMS UP WITH HEYLO TO GIVE BUYERS A MORE AFFORDABLE ROUTE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP Vistry Group has partnered with leading homeownership programme provider heylo to offer buyers a more affordable way onto the property ladder in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

The housebuilder is now offering heylo’s Home Reach scheme at several of its developments across the two counties.

Home Reach enables buyers to purchase up to 75 per cent of their new property and pay rent on the remaining portion.

The Government-backed scheme offers an alternative buying option for people who do not wish to take out a full mortgage or are unable to do so. It is available to first-time buyers and people forming a new household who cannot afford to purchase on the open market. To qualify, buyers must have an annual household income of below £80,000 and must not own another property when the sale completes.

The part buy part-rent programme has been introduced to six developments within

Vistry’s East Midlands division - part of Vistry Group which comprises Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Vistry Partnerships.

Buyers can already apply to use the scheme at Linden Homes developments The Boulevards in Northstowe and Springfields in Deeping St James, with future availability at St Mary’s in Biddenham and Falcons Lodge in Cardington, as well as the Bovis Homes developments Pemberton Park in Witchford, where the scheme is already available, and Judith Gardens in Sawtry which will soon introduce the scheme as well.

Nic Chapman, sales and marketing director for Vistry East Midlands, said: “We are keen to support buyers onto the property ladder and our partnership with heylo will help put the dream of homeownership within reach of many more people across the region.

“Home Reach offers an affordable route onto the property ladder for people who may not be able to secure a 90 per cent mortgage, with the opportunity to purchase their home outright in the future. Customers using the scheme can increase their share of the property – or sell - at any time.

AMEY COMMITS TO CUT CARBON AND ACHIEVE NET ZERO Amey, the leading infrastructure services and engineering company, has committed to reducing its carbon emissions and will reach carbon net zero by 2040.

The business is marking world Earth Day today by setting out its roadmap to achieve this goal.

Amey has set itself two ambitious targets: • Achieve Scope 1 and 2 Net Zero by 2035 with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on a 2019 baseline • Be fully net zero including Scope 3 by 2040 To achieve these science-based targets, Amey will be following four principles: reduce, transition, innovate and engage.

As an engineering company that delivers vital services across the built environment and transport infrastructure, as well as energy and utilities management, Amey recognises the importance of reducing its impact and supporting clients to achieve their carbon and climate change ambitions.

Emily Davies, Head of Social Impact, Amey, commented: “We believe every organisation must demonstrate leadership by both committing to net zero and putting greater pace into reducing absolute emissions.

“Globally, there is an increasing urgency to reduce our collective impact on the world’s climate. We support the UN Global Goals and call for action on climate change. We share their ambition for investment in low carbon innovation and infrastructure. We recognise the importance of focusing that investment on sectors that support sustainable growth, create fair and employment and accelerate decarbonisation of the economy.

“Our Roadmap to Net Zero sets out our commitment to this global challenge and our approach to achieving our own carbon goals.”

Amey’s progress so far includes establishing a carbon and climate change working group, realising a company car option list that comprises only of full electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids or petrol/ electric hybrids and procuring 100% renewable energy.

16 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Buyers interested in finding out more about the scheme can contact the sales consultants at one of our participating developments. They will be able to explain the process and answer any questions that customers may have.

Vistry East Midlands already offers a range of schemes to assist buyers looking to move on or up the property ladder.

The Home Exchange scheme removes the need for purchasers to find a buyer for their existing property, avoiding the potential complications of being in a buying chain.

Instead, the housebuilder will offer the customer a fair price for their house based on three independent valuations. Another advantage is that the buyer don’t have to pay estate agent fees.

Help to Buy is also available at Vistry developments. The Government-backed initiative allows first-time buyers to purchase a new-build home with a five per cent deposit and a 75 per cent mortgage, with the remaining 20 per cent provided in the form of an equity loan which is interest free for the first five years of homeownership.

The new scheme, officially launching this month, will be exclusively available to firsttime buyers and will be restricted to homes priced at £407,400 or below in the East of England region.

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Efficiency In Construction Feature

THE FUTURE OF EFFICIENCY IN CONSTRUCTION As the construction industry starts to look beyond Covid-19, Matt Newman, Head of Construction at Timico, examines how technology will be vital in helping businesses face new challenges and drive efficiency at every turn.

When the UK lockdown ends in June and restrictions are lifted, the construction industry needs to consider what new challenges will be on the horizon. Firstly, businesses will no doubt see an increase in workloads and projects, tighter deadlines might be placed on workers to meet ambitious Government targets and employees will be spread across various locations, whether that be in the head office, on site or working from home.

To adapt to these new challenges, driving efficiency across the business will be key, and this is where technology will have an important role to play. By updating legacy software and introducing smarter IT solutions, businesses can ensure they are increasing employee productivity and encouraging collaboration to drive future success.

Driving efficiency with connectivity It is expected that in a post-lockdown era, employees, having become accustomed to remote working, will prefer hybrid working practices. However, in construction, when it comes to remote working, there are several elements to consider. The employee working from home, not only has to be able to contact and collaborate with the office, but also building sites and a wider geographical spread of workforce. The technology needs to be flexible and reliable enough to connect every employee, so they can work and be productive from anywhere without issue.

Connectivity solutions will be paramount to this flexibility, especially in construction, as the digital infrastructure can host some or all of a business’ applications and resources in a cloud platform. The benefits of Cloud solutions are many, but, in particular, it enables each employee to operate, share and access documents from any device and location. For instance, a site manager out in the field can access plans on a portable tablet, but an employee working in admin will find it easy to access the same document on a laptop working at home.

Helping workers to be productive with time Despite ‘stay at home’ orders and Government restrictions being lifted, businesses will see less of a need for planners, architects or developers to visit construction sites post-Covid, unless absolutely necessary. This is because technology has now evolved to the point where virtual calling and video conferencing can be just as productive and efficient as being on site in person; something that became evident during the lockdowns when restriction prevented some employees from visiting sites. Video tools, such as Microsoft Teams for instance, allows virtual meetings to be held with employees calling in from any location, saving invaluable time that would have been spent travelling to site.

Most notably though, video conferencing tools enable contractors and managers

to observe walk-through tours and see progress without being there in person.

They can provide observations, offer advice and make recommendations. This saves invaluable time, helping to ensure a greater probability of successfully completing each project on time and on budget.

Data is king In construction, data is now everywhere, and it is the new gold. It can be the value and intelligence of a business, helping businesses to be more efficient by forecasting the needs of specific projects and providing real-time information in regard to BIM, finance and operations. It can also migrate risks by providing quality checks and analytics to ensure projects are finished on time and to a high standard.

By investing in data and network capabilities, construction businesses will be in a better position to meet new project demand post-Covid. They will be able to achieve a better understanding of where the marginal gains are and make smarter plans for the future. Construction leaders can work with IT managed service providers, like Timico, who recognise the value of data and invest millions of pounds in managing and running data and application workloads in Hybrid Cloud environments.

Stay secure However, while data is king, the continuous sharing of large data files, blueprints and sensitive information between sites and offices, means protecting a construction company’s IT infrastructure has never been more important. As businesses start to adopt hybrid working practices, increase data sharing and open new building sites post-Covid, cyber criminals will take advantage of the additional locations and service users, seeking out opportunities for attack and any breach can severely impact operations and efficiency.

Therefore, many construction businesses, will need to enhance their cyber security solutions in order to protect important data, with ongoing threat monitoring and detection. IT solution providers can provide additional protection through firewalls and managed security applications. Full service MSPs like Timico, have a Network Operations Centre with experts on hand monitoring infrastructure and potential threats 24/7.

As we enter a post-Covid era, smarter technology will prove to be pivotal in helping the construction industry shift and adapt to new challenges. Reliable IT solutions will ensure businesses are efficient and agile enough to be more dynamic than ever before, helping them build a strong and successful future.

For more information about Timico, or to book a free consultation for your multi-site organisation, please visit www.timico.com.

18 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

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Project News

CITY CENTRE ‘BIOPHILIC SWANSEA’ SCHEME ‘A FIRST FOR THE UK’ An innovative mixed-use regeneration development in the heart of Swansea city centre has been hailed as a first for the UK. The Biophilic Swansea project will transform the site of the former Woolworth store on Oxford Street, providing affordable new homes and workspace alongside a community urban farm.

The project will be delivered by Hacer Developments, with Wales’ largest provider of affordable homes, Pobl Group, joining as its residential partner.

The pioneering scheme is the result of extensive collaborative working among a range of local organisations, including Swansea University, the Active Building Centre, Public Health Wales, and a number of local community groups.

Funding awarded through the Welsh Government Innovative Housing Programme will enable Biophilic Swansea to incorporate innovative technologies and community features, to explore a new way of inner-city housing in Wales.

David Dolman, Head of Development of Hacer, said: “There is an urgent need for

housing and mixed-use developments that are sustainable in terms of their environmental impact and economic viability, as a response to the climate emergency and to ensure greater resilience and well-being for urban communities.

“Thanks to the support of Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme and the approach of the local authority, this project will incorporate innovative technologies and community features to illustrate a new way of urban living across Swansea city centre and beyond. Launching the biophilic model here requires a huge collaborative effort. But the work of our project teams, designers, stakeholders and legal teams already demonstrates that Wales can lead the way in revolutionising how we design our living and working environments.”

The project will feature two south facing greenhouses at roof level, the largest of which will be serviced by an aquaponics system designed to produce up to 4.5 tonnes of fruits, vegetables, salads and herbs per year.

The aquaponics system will create a continuous cycle where waste produced by fish, living in onsite tanks, adds nutrients

This demonstrates the confidence in the ongoing regeneration of Swansea from the private sector and a commitment to our regeneration, restoration and repurposing agenda.

20 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

to the water which feeds the greenhouse plants. The water is then filtered and recirculated back into the system.

Biophilic Swansea’s aquaponic fish tanks and associated equipment will be developed in partnership with Swansea University’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research (CSAR) and will form part of an education and public display on the ground floor of the tower.

The vision for Biophilic Swansea includes residents running and managing the urban farm as a social enterprise. This is founded on research demonstrating that reconnecting with nature is essential to our well-being, and that there are positive community and health outcomes from growing food and living more closely with the natural world.

The project is a mixed-use development that includes affordable and shared ownership housing, as well as retail and low carbon commercial office space. High quality inner-city apartments will be attractive to families, professionals and older people, balancing the recent trend for student housing with a more varied mix of accommodation.

Project News The existing building, formerly Woolworth, will be redeveloped with new floors added above and a new build tower element to the rear. This will open into a new multi-use public realm, which will become a vibrant public and cultural space and a destination for events and street markets. The public realm effectively links the Biophilic Swansea project with the new Council led development at 71-72 The Kingsway on the site of the former Oceana nightclub, which will provide high tech workspace.

Pobl is a not-for-profit organisation that has over 17,600 homes under its management across Wales. The Group currently has 36 developments ongoing with the construction of over 1,200 new homes in progress with many more in the pipeline.

TIDEWAY EAST SECTION BARGES AHEAD WITH WALSH AND LAND & WATER London marine freight specialist Walsh has begun removing more than one million tonnes of tunnel spoil arising from the eastern leg of the capital’s super sewer scheme this week.

The material coming from Tideway’s Eastern section, from Bermondsey to Stratford, is being transported down river to a pioneering wildlife habitat creation scheme being delivered by leading wet civil engineering company Land & Water.

In Swansea, Pobl’s development of 52 apartments in Orchard House has recently completed, while work continues on 33 affordable apartments as part of Phase One of the Copr Bay regeneration project.

Work is also about to commence on a collaborative project with Coastal Housing to develop a new community of 144 zero carbon homes to the west of the city.

Walsh, in partnership with Land & Water, is carrying out the major muck-shift and restoration scheme – believed to be the biggest project of its kind on the Thames – for Eastern section joint venture delivery partners Costain, Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche (CVB).

Andrew Vye, Managing Director Pobl Homes & Communities, commented: “Pobl has a growing reputation for delivering forward thinking housing solutions that push the boundaries. We are excited to be working with Hacer on such an innovative project that will deliver much needed high-quality homes for Swansea and support the council’s wider regeneration plans for the city centre.

Over the next 14-months, chalk and clay from Tideway sites at Chambers Wharf, Greenwich Pumping Station and King Edward Memorial Park Foreshore in Shadwell are being loaded onto Walsh river barges for transport to the Land & Water restoration project at Rainham Marshes.

“Hacer have shown a real passion and commitment to deliver this project and the support from the Council and Welsh Government has been critically important.”

Pobl has recently exceeded its target of creating 3,000 much needed new homes in the five years to 2021 and has recently outlined its ambitions for the new decade that includes investing in a further 10,000 new homes by 2030.

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “This development is an impressive innovative concept and another landmark development for our city.

“This demonstrates the confidence in the ongoing regeneration of Swansea from the private sector and a commitment to our regeneration, restoration and repurposing agenda. It a great example of partnership working, and I’m grateful to the Welsh Government for the funding it has provided to make this happen.

“In future more people will live, work, and enjoy spending time in our greener, more peoplefriendly city centre – so the lifestyle, wellbeing, quality standards and greening principles of the Biophilic Living development reflect what the council is committed to creating.”

Using river freight for the scheme is helping to reduce road congestion by keeping around 100,000 lorry movements off London’s streets, producing a fraction of the carbon dioxide and other emissions compared to road haulage. The material is helping to create much needed habitat for wildlife along the Thames Corridor, enhancing local ecology and increasing biodiversity.

Joe Gifford, Walsh Managing Director, said: “We’re extremely proud to be playing such an important role in the delivery of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The Walsh marine business is uniquely positioned to move materials to and from major infrastructure schemes that support development and regeneration in London.

“The fact that we have such a huge capability to move freight by river means that we can add real value to major projects like Tideway, especially when spoil can be put to good use in land restoration elsewhere along the river.”

Tom Melhuish, Project Manager at Land & Water, said: “Having already received over 450,000 tonnes of material from the west section of Tideway, we are looking forward to supporting the tunnel drive from

the east section. This will enable us to make significant progress with our restoration at Rainham, helping to create an oasis for wildlife. The Tideway project has highlighted not only how the River Thames can be used as a sustainable and reliable transport system but also shown the benefits of re-using waste to create substantial new habitats and foster biodiversity.”

To ensure successful delivery of the project, Walsh made major investments in its marine fleet worth almost £6 million, including the state-of-theart Damen CS2010 pusher tug (SWS Endeavour) which went into service at the end of 2020 and the adaptable Damen Multi Cat 1908 (SWS Endurance) delivered in 2019. Along with the existing fleet, and eight new barges, the new vessels ensure the Walsh fleet is the largest and most versatile of its kind on the Thames, operated by a highly skilled 25-strong crew.

As London’s premier provider of bulk material freight solutions, Walsh has already shifted more than 600,000 tonnes of material from other parts of the 25km Tideway project. Another company of the GRS Group, RFS (a joint venture with construction materials producer Aggregate Industries), is carrying out all the spoil handling from Tideway sites onto Walsh barges.

Land & Water first became involved in the Tideway project in January 2018, supporting the transportation and unloading of clay from the main drive site for the west section at Carnwath Road in Fulham. On that part of the scheme the use of river barges prevented over 25,000 lorry movements from the roads of London transporting 850,000 tonnes of material to Land & Water’s Jetty at Coldharbour Lane. This demonstrates Land & Water’s ongoing commitment to implementing forward-thinking solutions which reduce carbon and benefit ecosystems.

The Thames Tideway Tunnel recently won Infrastructure Project of the Year in the ‘edie’ 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards. The awards’ judges said: “Despite its scale, Tideway has integrated environmental and social impacts into its core approach from day one, championing a number of innovative approaches which really push the boundaries and to show a positive way forward for future infrastructure projects.”

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 21

Project News HUB SOUTH WEST AND CONTRACTOR, BAM, SET TO REVIVE AYR TOWN CENTRE WITH CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LEISURE FACILITY Work to develop a new leisure centre in Ayr is progressing following South Ayrshire Council’s appointment of hub South West, the construction and infrastructure-focused partnership which operates alongside local Authorities and private sector enterprises in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

Together with Tier 1 contractor, BAM Construction, work will begin on the £35.5m project later in 2021.

The new leisure complex, which is expected to revitalise the town centre by bringing more economic activity into the area, will replace some of the services currently provided by the existing Citadel Leisure Centre located at Ayr Harbour.

Sited in the centre of Ayr, the project will create a major public building for the people of South Ayrshire. The inclusive development will enable people to be more active more often, and will target improvements to the community’s social, mental, and physical wellbeing.

The new facility is to be located on the site of the existing Arran Mall and the former Hourstons department store. Dating from 1896, the historic elements of this building are to be retained and incorporated into the emerging designs.

Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of hub South West said: “hub South West procured a design team, led by renowned architect Mike Lawless of LA Architects on behalf of South Ayrshire Council to deliver a Strategic Support Services Report, a feasibility study which outlines high level design proposals. As a result, hub South West, BAM and its design team have been appointed by South Ayrshire Council to develop the proposals and deliver

this innovative new leisure centre for the people of Ayr. “We have now started the process of public consultation for the project and look forward to hearing a wide-range of views on the design and opinions on what this facility could do for the local community.

Jim Ward, Regional Director of BAM, said: “This is an imaginative project for Ayr town centre. BAM is delighted to be joining the team as its construction partner. We are currently engaging with all parties about the design of the new facilities before we can move onto the construction phase towards the end of the year.

This is hub South West’s second project with BAM following its appointment to the hub South West supply chain in Spring 2020.

“We will work with the local community in Ayrshire to create great opportunities for jobs and training from this scheme. It is exciting for us to be working with South Ayrshire Council, hub South West and a talented design team and, together, we will create a positive facility for people in Ayr.”

“BAM is a company highly experienced in delivering high quality leisure projects and together we are looking forward to giving South Ayrshire residents a new facility of which they can be proud.”

Mike Lawless, Design Lead at LA Architects, said: “This is a real opportunity for the Council, and the whole team, to provide South Ayrshire with a building that can bring beneficial change to people’s lives and help regenerate Ayr.” Councillor Brian McGinley, South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for resources and performance, said: “I am delighted that we have now appointed a contractor and are able to progress work on this exciting new leisure centre project.

“We want to make South Ayrshire a better place to live for everyone, and I’m sure this will come as welcome news to residents and local businesses as we take further steps towards breathing life back into Ayr town centre. This is a major investment in South Ayrshire, and we want to work with the public to get their views on what they would like to see in this eagerly anticipated new facility.

“I should like to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the series of consultations we will run to make sure the new centre is designed to help us all get fit for our future.”

22 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

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ULTIMATE PROTECTION, FULLY COMPATIBLE – JSP’S EVO®VISTA® HELMET AND FORCE™8 HALF MASK Compatibility in PPE is not only about products fitting correctly, but also working correctly when worn together. Some products that fit together are not necessarily compatible in terms of performance.

To ensure products are suitable for use in combination, it is best to buy all PPE from the same manufacturer, who have developed the products to work together. JSP PPE is designed to be compatible across the range, offering complete above-the-neck solutions.

The popular EVO®VISTA® helmet is fully compatible with other JSP PPE, such as the award-winning Force™8 PressToCheck™ respirator and Sonis® helmet mounted ear defender range. JSP’s Research and Development team were inspired by feedback received from users who regularly wear head and eye protection together. In addition to problems with compatibility, a common theme in the feedback was the amount of eyewear lost or damaged on site after being issued.

EVO®VISTA® is an innovative, feature-rich helmet incorporating optical class 1 faceshield or overspectacle. The eyewear is fully integrated, allowing users to retract and deploy as needed, which helps to prevent traditional safety eyewear being lost or damaged, saving companies money, time, and worry, whilst also allowing prescription spectacles to be worn safely.

The EVO®VISTA® helmet is manufactured in the UK for immediate delivery with option to brand. When combined with the Force™8 half mask you can rest assured you are getting the ultimate in head, eye, and respiratory protection with complete compatibility, plus the option to add Sonis® ear defenders for a 4-in-1 solution.

Website: www.jspsafety.com

27/01/2021 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 2313:21:04

CM0121006 JSP Safety QP.indd 1

INTEGRITY – EXCELLENCE – INNOVATION heightec is a leading authority within the professional height safety and rescue industry, designing and manufacturing innovative equipment and delivering specialist training.

Their mission - to be the most sophisticated supplier for specialist work at height, by joining values of elegant, innovative products and expertise in methods of use. heightec was founded in 1997 by people with extensive practical experience of rope access, caving and mountain rescue. It was clear existing equipment for work at height was not sufficiently adapted for more technical or industrial applications.

The first significant innovation was the Phoenix advanced rescue harness designed for UK Fire & Rescue Services and industrial rescue teams.

The Phoenix earned a UK Design Council Millennium Award for innovation and remains the most widely used harness by UK fire services. heightec has since developed the most advanced combination of height safety rescue systems available anywhere. The Rotor automatic rescue and evacuation descender was developed for demanding environments and is a core product in their Rotor Tower Crane rescue system. The Rotor is designed for self-evacuation or recovery of a casualty from a tower crane cab, jib or ladder.

The Rotor descender has a number of safety features and significant advantages over other similar devices. It automatically controls descent speed and allows a greater number of people to evacuate rapidly by making repeated two person descents (250kg).

Our approach is to work very closely with customers to ensure designs achieve exactly what they need to in terms of functional performance. For heightec, innovation is not merely a route to new products but a core competence at the heart of everything we do. This is a continuous challenge for our design team.

24 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Our strength as a manufacturer lies in our ability to respond rapidly to users’ needs and changes in industry.

We continue to pursue excellence at every opportunity, ensuring our products go above and beyond the norm where performance and safety are concerned.

The Rotor has both lifting and lowering capabilities and has been shown to be up to five times faster at lifting compared to competitor manual models. Changeover between modes is simple and more importantly can be done under load with no risk of accidental release. Unlike other devices, the Rotor has no external moving parts that could be snagged, preventing risk of injury or entanglement during descent or evacuation. It also has an integral load indicator pin at the attachment point which shows if the device has been loaded, extremely useful when undertaking periodic safety checks.

Keith Jones, Managing Director, stated “Our approach is to work very closely with customers to ensure designs achieve exactly what they need to in terms of functional

performance. For heightec, innovation is not merely a route to new products but a core competence at the heart of everything we do. This is a continuous challenge for our design team. Our strength as a manufacturer lies in our ability to respond rapidly to users’ needs and changes in industry. We continue to pursue excellence at every opportunity, ensuring our products go above and beyond the norm where performance and safety are concerned”. heightec is also the largest provider of height safety and rescue training delivered via their UK national network of centres based in Aberdeen, Kendal, Leeds, Birmingham, London. They launched their specialist Tower Crane Rescue course over a decade ago, it is their most popular course for the construction industry and

remains in high demand for delivery on client sites.

Subsequently heightec supported the CPA’s (Construction Plan-hire Association) Tower Crane Interest Group by contributing to the development of the Technical Information Note on “Rescue of Personnel from Height on Tower Cranes”. This document provides guidance on the planning for rescuing persons from height on tower cranes.

Tel: +44 (0)1539 728866 Website: www.heightec.com

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 25

Latest News

CLOWES DEVELOPMENTS AGREE ON LANDMARK DEAL WITH NFU MUTUAL Clowes Developments Directors, James Richards and Paul Shanley have exchanged contracts on the groups’ largest deal to date. They have agreed a transaction to develop six logistics facilities throughout the UK with a landmark deal worth in the region of £100 million with UK insurance giant NFU Mutual.

The deal will deliver six new Grade A logistics facilities, five of which will be speculatively built with the sixth building being a new pre-let facility. Totalling in excess of 1 million

sq ft, NFU Mutual are investing substantially across three Clowes Developments premier logistics sites including EMDC, Castlewood Business Park and Centrix Park. The size of the units will range from 58,586sq ft at Centrix Park to a unit of close to 250,000sq ft at EMDC. One of the properties included in the deal is the brand new Deichmann-Shoes UK Ltd building at Centrix Park, Corby. The 162,500sq ft design and build property has already been granted planning permission

and contractors, Winvic Construction, are on site building the unit. Deichmann will take possession of the purpose-built facility as early as January 2022.

The remaining five units include a 58,586sq ft industrial/warehouse/distribution building located opposite to the Deichmann building at Centrix Park. The wider site is home to BakeAway, MKM Building Supplies and several national trade counter retailers.

At Castlewood Business Park two units will be delivered. On Plot 1, a unit of 176,817sq ft and on Plot 8 where a unit of 134,192sq ft will be delivered. These sites being the two remaining large plots on the 120-acre Business Park at Junction 28 which has already attracted a good number of highprofile names and occupiers including Co-op Food, Alloga and the specialist furniture manufacturer Parker Knoll.

At EMDC there will be two larger buildings with 3a EMDC delivering 189,573ft² and 3b EMDC delivering the largest single unit of 249,418ft². EMDC is accessed from the A50(T) and J24, M1 and has attracted the 1 million square foot e-commerce M&S distribution centre, the UK HQ of Moran Logistics, one of the largest e-commerce furniture providers Birlea Furniture,

HONEYWELL RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS Honeywell has announced that many of its safety products were selected as winners in the world renowned 2021 iF Design and Red Dot product design competitions, recognizing Honeywell’s best-in-class and user-centric designs that keep workers and workplaces safe globally.

“As Honeywell continues to innovate our portfolio, we are constantly striving to marry technology and design to deliver premium products that serve our customers with function, durability, comfort and style. Research and development of each Honeywell product keeps the end user top of mind, and we obtain customer feedback at every development checkpoint. Our goal is to understand the product features our customers wish to see and deliver solutions that exceed their needs,” said Pete Holdcroft, director of User Experience Design, Honeywell.

The iF Design and Red Dot awards received thousands of entries worldwide and were judged by an international panel of design experts. Honeywell won five iF Design

and six Red Dot awards within the Safety and Productivity Solutions business and was recognized as an iF Design finalist for four additional products. The Building Technologies team secured three iF Design wins.

“A core component of Honeywell’s culture is elevating product design at every stage of the development process, shepherding in the next generation of innovative tools that help shape and move with the future of the global workforce and community,” said Holdcroft.

Winning products from Honeywell included: Honeywell Dual-Layer Face Covering (iF Design and Red Dot winner) This face covering with replaceable inserts features a seamless three-dimensional knit construction providing 4-way stretch, minimizing gaps and enhancing overall comfort. Its chic design combines different yarn options that allows customization for customer branding, styling and other functions.

26 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Honeywell H500 Series (iF Design and Red Dot winner) The H500 safety harness range sets new standards in ergonomics and safety for workers-at-height. The stretchflex webbing around the legs and shoulders accommodate the body’s movement and contours for optimum comfort.

Patented shoulder and back padding minimize overhead muscular fatigue and overexertion, while the pressure-relief breathable paddings quantifiably keep workers drier and cooler.

Honeywell Vertex Edge (iF Design and Red Dot winner) Vertex™ Edge is a toxic gas monitoring system which detects ultrasensitive gases in high-tech operations. Mainly used in silicon wafer foundries, it can detect extremely low levels of toxic gases by continually drawing air from up to 72 source points and passing it through patented Chemcassette detection technology.

Honeywell North PA500 + PA910 PAPR (iF Design winner) The PA500 blower and PA910 headpiece have been combined into the Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR). The equipment provides respiratory protection to industrial workers in dusty environments. It is durable, slim and compact to allow access in narrow spaces,

Latest News Interlevin Refrigeration and the regional head office for Redrow Homes.

James Richards, Director at Clowes Developments commented, “The deal demonstrates confidence in the marketplace.

For NFU Mutual to entrust a significant amount of capital in Clowes Developments is recognition for how far the group has come.

This deal is by far the biggest transaction we have concluded as a group to date, but we have other deals in the pipeline, and this is an exciting time for the company.

It is said repeatedly but with little emphasis of its significance, that the success of a deal is down to teamwork.

I can whole heartedly say, our in-house teams at Clowes HQ, dedicated legal representatives Heather Dixon and Chris Hawrylak at Geldards, Architect, Ben Hall at IMA Architects and our agent John Proctor at FHP Property Consultants have all played a vital role in getting this deal over the line.

Paul Shanley, Director at Clowes Developments added,“The deal with the NFU Mutual is a departure from our groups normal internal funding arrangements, primarily due to the size of the proposal.

and the backpack configuration allows users to carry tools on a belt or to sit on a chair.

Honeywell BW Flex (iF Design winner) The Honeywell BW Flex features a single-button operation and an intuitive user interface design to make it easy to configure and use. Paired with a smartphone, users and safety managers can review in real-time and analyze data history to ensure full compliance is met.

Verishield 300 (Red Dot winner) The VeriShield™ 300 headband provides workers with lightweight, slim-profile hearing protection, ideal for environments where earmuffs can be uncomfortably hot. They enable work in confined spaces and around machinery, offering greater compatibility with other PPE. VeriShield™ 300 reduces background noise to safe levels and continuously collects and transmits noise-related data to Honeywell software, allowing the reporting of critical safety intelligence.

Honeywell North PA920 (Red Dot winner) The Honeywell North PA920 PAPR headpiece protects industrial workers where there’s a risk of inhaling harmful dust, vapors and gas. It is a hard hat that provides head protection against falling

“The financial strength of our group and reputation for delivery was a major factor in us being approached by NFU Mutual. It soon became apparent we share similar values and ideas, resulting in agreement to move forward together. We set our joint teams a tight timescale to get the deal over the line which, thanks to a total commitment from all the team involved, we made it happen in a record time.

Clowes Developments to bring through the development of these six prime industrial buildings in three prominent locations around the M1.

“Planning applications, where applicable, are ready to go and we expect to see site activity from late summer onwards. With the current shortage of good quality ‘big shed’ stock, the timing would appear just right to take advantage of market conditions.”

“I too would like to thank the whole team involved in this transaction, including those acting for NFU Mutual; Gowlings WLG, PSK and Burbage Realty.”

Jon Brice, NFU Mutual added, “NFU Mutual are delighted to be working with

objects. The replaceable visor protects against splashes, projections and impacts, with optimal optical quality. The highly adjustable head suspension fits all workers without discrimination for outstanding comfort and stability. PA920 is compatible with earmuffs, as well as prescription eyewear.

IH25 UHF RFID Reader (Red Dot winner) The Honeywell IH25 RFID reader pairs with a Honeywell handheld computer to help store associates complete retail inventory management tasks. Its large battery and advanced power management means more uptime on a single charge allowing uninterrupted all-day use.

Honeywell VARIODYN ONE (iF Design winner) VARIODYN ONE is a global notification platform designed to enhance in-building voice communications to improve response to emergency situations and general public address announcements.

The IP-based public address and voice alarm (PA/VA) system delivers exceptional usability and sound performance to address daily operational and safety needs of a building. It can be used for emergency response to support faster egress from a building and general day-to-day announcements and notifications.

“This project forms a key part NFU Mutual’s strategy and we are excited to be partnering with Clowes Developments to deliver best in class space to the market.

The five speculatively built properties will be submitted to the relevant local authorities for planning consent with a view to start work on site this year.

Honeywell TC500A-N Commercial Connected Thermostat (iF Design winner) The Honeywell TC500A-N provides the advanced features small and medium buildings need to meet commercial building code compliance and rigorous energy efficiency standards. Its features include fast and easy commissioning, the flexibility of wired or wireless connectivity, integration with existing building management systems, high user security and integrated energy-saving features for rooftop and heat pump units.

NOTIFIER by Honeywell INSPIRE™ Panel (iF Design winner) NOTIFIER INSPIRE is a next generation fire and life safety system platform that offers a common design language across the panel portfolio, spanning different geographies. The modern and intuitive touchscreen of the network control display minimizes human error and features contemporary and cost-effective hardware. The new annunciators are more versatile and can be programmed as LED indicators, action buttons or a combination of both. It allows for faster installation, commissioning, maintenance and overall productivity improvement for system installers.

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 27

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Project News

£30M CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SECURES LONG-TERM GLASS SUPPLY IN THE UK Saint-Gobain Glass has commenced a £30m investment in its glass manufacturing factory in Eggborough, East Yorkshire.

The company is carrying out a major construction programme to completely re-build and install a new state-of the-art float glass furnace, as well as upgrade other areas of the factory, which will secure the long-term supply of consistently highquality, high-performance glass used in the UK construction sector.

The project represents the largest industrial investment in the UK by the Saint-Gobain Group since the Eggborough plant was built in 2000.

Due to be completed by late summer, the installation of the enlarged capacity furnace will replace the existing furnace that has

reached the end of its design life. The new furnace will use less energy and will help the company to optimise manufacturing efficiency, increase production capacity, and further enhance Saint-Gobain’s already market-leading environmental and sustainability credentials.

Steve Severs, Managing Director at SaintGobain Glass said: “This is a major milestone in the history of our business. It demonstrates our commitment to the long-term future of glass manufacturing in the UK and our confidence in the wider construction industry.

The new facility is designed to manufacture high-performance products developed in the UK to meet the specific needs of the UK window industry”.

“The project has been several years in development and planning to ensure continuity

of supply for our customers throughout the construction process. This has involved a high level of stock build-up in advance and imports of glass from our Saint-Gobain sister plants in Europe which will help to fulfil orders throughout the process. I am grateful for everyone’s support and commitment and look forward to the official opening later in the year.”

Site preparation works have been underway at Eggborough for several months, creating a contractor village and making the site ready to receive the components and specialist equipment. The project requires 250 contractor personnel from 30 companies from the UK and across Europe who are working to dismantle the existing furnace and build and commission the new one.

The components for the new furnace are already on site and include more than

WINVIC LIFTS 440 TONNES OF CONCRETE BRIDGE BEAMS OVER THE A5 AT DIRFT III RAIL PROJECT On Saturday, 17 April, Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, successfully lifted eight railway bridge beams into place over the A5 – 2km north of M1 J18. It is one of three bridges that Winvic is constructing for Prologis at DIRFT III in Northamptonshire, as part of a £29 million contract to deliver a new state-of-the art Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal.

The A5 railway link bridge that will carry two tracks has an effective span of 30m over the highway and is a fully integral, single-span, prestressed concrete structure. The line will be networked to the existing DIRFT terminal and the West Coast Mainline at one end and the new Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal at the other. The terminal will comprise a fivetrack, 800m long siding with a rail traverser and a 79,000m2 concrete terminal slab. The facility will be capable of receiving up to 24, 775m long trains each day.

The concrete beams were lifted into place on to the reinforced soil abutments and wing walls during a single day under a

43-hour road closure. A 50m tall Liebherr LTM 11000D crane arrived on site on Friday evening and was rigged on the usually busy trunk road in under ten hours. The first internal beam was sailed and bolted into place at approximately 10.30am and the eighth and final edge beam was installed at 8:30pm, followed by the edge protection works. Multiple GRP (Glassfibre Reinforced Plastic) permanent formwork panels were also installed to the bridge deck throughout the day by the Winvic team. On Sunday morning, the crane was demobilised and traffic management removed, then the road was reopened on schedule at 3:30pm.

While safety is always a priority for Winvic – a firm which has an enviable HSEQ track record and a comprehensive safety initiative called ‘Doing It Right’ – such a complex activity required a vast amount of engagement with the safety team. Extensive planning, risk assessing, coordination and collaboration took place months in advance between a wide number of Winvic staff, subcontractors and stakeholders, such as Highways England. Regular programme reviews, on-the-day monitoring and Winvic’s one team approach ensured the 440 tonnes of concrete beams were installed safely.

The project started in June 2020, with earthwork re-engineering of the plateau, and the scheme will be completed in summer 2021.

Rob Cook, Winvic’s Director of Civils and Infrastructure, commented: “Every project has its challenges but as you can imagine there has

30 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Project News STONEWOOD PARTNERSHIPS STARTS WORK ON COMMUNITY OF 88 LOW-ENERGY SUSTAINABLE HOMES Work has begun on a new community of 88 sustainable homes on the edge of a Gloucestershire village.

7000 tonnes of specialist ‘refractories’: the building blocks used in the construction of the furnace. Many of these refractories are manufactured by Saint-Gobain’s own manufacturing business, illustrating the expertise that exists within the group.

Saint-Gobain has a long history of glass making, stretching back over 350 years. It is very experienced in delivering these complex high-value engineering projects, supported by highly skilled in-house technical and engineering teams, all of whom will be operating in a COVID-19 compliant way.

been years of planning, design and hard work to get to where we were this weekend, seeing the country’s newest railway bridge come to life. It has been the whole team’s skills and impeccable partnership work with Prologis and Highways England that have made the journey to this point a smooth one. I couldn’t be more proud of them for reaching this key project milestone at DIRFT III, and that they executed the very complex beam lift without any hitches, to schedule and – most importantly – safely.

It has been an exciting and impressive thing to watch, but now our focus is primarily on the other two bridges and the rail track installation, and we look forward to completion this summer.

The homes, at Orchard Field in Siddington, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, have been designed to be as low energy as possible without compromising the high standards of finish and craftmanship housebuilder Stonewood Partnerships has produced in its other award-winning developments.

The Tormarton and Castle-Combebased company is developing the environmentally friendly community as joint venture with retired architect Nicholas Arbuthnott, whose vision inspired the scheme.

The new homes have been designed by award-winning architects Stonewood Design, with input from leading environmental engineer Greengauge Building Energy Consultants.

Each Cotswold stone or red brick home will have solar panels embedded into the roof, 45cm thick walls filled with eco-friendly insulation, triple glazing and airtight interiors to eliminate draughts and allow the energy-efficient heating system to cut bills by up to 70 per cent compared to standard -new-built houses.

Each of the 11 contemporary Cotswold styles of home in the community has designed to meet stringent Association for Environment Conscious Building standards that demand excellent construction and low energy consumption.

Ground-floor underfloor heating fuelled by an air source heat pump and the use of mechanical ventilation heat recovery, which removes warm air from the kitchen and bathroom and uses it to heat air flowing into the living room and bedrooms, will keep the homes warm in winter and cool in summer.

Small-bore pipes will deliver rapid hot water to sinks and showers to reduce heat loss and water waste.

Up to 12 solar panels integrated into each traditional slate-tiled roof will be able to work with smart technology in fridges, freezers and hot water cylinders to maximise the energy generated throughout the day. Every home with a driveway will have an electric car charging point and other charging points will be available in communal parking areas.

The woodland-bordered site is 35 acres in total but just 11 acres will be developed.

Hundreds of trees will be planted across the community, beginning with an orchard to the west of the development and dozens more lining the parkland road into Orchard Field.

Two new ponds have already been built on a two-acre nature reserve away from the homes to provide a haven for Great Crested Newts, birds and other wildlife.

A new dropping off point will be created for parents bringing children to school. The new community is expected to provide at least 30 new pupils for the 110-pupil school.

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 31

Procurement Feature SMES OPERATING IN THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SECTOR HAVE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES In December 2020 the UK Government published a green paper outlining changes to its procurement procedures. The paper holds that these changes will transform the process by enabling the Government to achieve increased value for money, benefitting small businesses.

The changes outlined in the document are good news for SMEs operating in the construction and civil engineering sectors however there is still an opportunity for the Government to further close the gap between Tier 1 contractors and smaller businesses. James Maclean, CEO at Land & Water Group takes a closer look at how the Government’s proposal could go further.

“As an SME operating in the construction and civil engineering sectors my team at Land & Water is only too familiar with the red tape and bureaucracy that can come hand in hand with bidding for Government tenders. We also understand only too well how much the Government, and in fact Tier 1 contractors, can gain by working closely with SMEs. Our experience often means that SMEs within this sector are specialists in what they do, our smaller teams allow us to be agile, think collaboratively and ultimately innovate on the projects that we work on. It also means that we can strengthen the offering of Tier 1 one contractors, often working hand in hand with them to deliver infrastructure projects such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel. There is no doubt that we are vital to our sector and in turn vital to Government contracts.

As a result I feel that we need to seize the opportunity that the Government has presented us with to ‘shake up’ the procurement process. The Government is seeking change so we must communicate the changes we wish to see in order achieve a procurement process that we can all benefit from.

It is estimated that the Government spends £292billion with the private sector each year, funded by the tax payer so it is only right that they are looking for the most cost effective solutions for Government projects.

The Government website states that the aim of the green paper is three fold: to deliver

value for money for the Government, to increase the social value of works and to enable SMEs to win Government contracts.

It is brilliant to see that the Government has recognised the contribution of SMEs to its projects and wants to actively encourage them to take part in the tender process. It is due to this that I feel now is the time for businesses to speak up and let the Government know how its procurement procedure could be further enhanced. For me it comes down to clarity.

Whilst the three objectives outlined above are an excellent starting point, if we scratch below the surface they are still somewhat problematic. Whilst it is only right that the Government is recognising the importance of the social value of works this can be contradictory to aiming for low cost contracts. For Land & Water social value on construction and engineering projects comes in numerous forms, from using local tradesmen, encouraging biodiversity, creating green spaces for communities and reducing the carbon footprint of projects.

This is one of the greatest selling points of SMEs, we are experts in our speciality, we can take a project and innovate in order enhance the value that we deliver. However, whilst these innovations ensure a better end result, they are not always the ‘cheapest’.

Take for example our habitat creation scheme in Rainham – the Land & Water team has been taking spoil from projects, such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel, and repurposing it to create the largest habitat area within the M25. As part of this we have opted to run our plant using HVO fuel, which is 90+% carbon neutral. Whilst this fuel is slightly more expensive than traditional diesel, the benefits to the environment are vastly improved.

What we see time and time again is that enhancing the social value of projects can drive up the price. In addition to this, SMEs are also having to futureproof their businesses in order to meet additional Government targets such as being net carbon neutral by 2050. Businesses all over the country will need to instigate behavioural changes, upgrade kit and make the switch from fossil fuels to renewables to name a few. This also needs to be funded through orders.

32 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

With this in mind the Government approach to procurement needs to strike a careful balance between measuring the ‘cost’ and the ‘value’ of its projects. Whilst ‘cost’ represents the monetary value of what we do, ‘value’ is the success of the social and environmental gains we deliver. The two can at times appear to pull in opposite directions making it vital that the Government’s procurement process assesses them in a carefully balanced way.

Furthermore, as SMEs we must make our voices heard and ensure that the Government is aware of and understands this potential pitfall of its new approach.

Whilst we are on-board with the new approach and share the Government’s objectives it would be naive to consider the current proposed procurement strategy a silver bullet solution. One solution would be to push for the Government to provide a clear overview of how tender submissions will be scored in order for businesses to bid successfully. Perhaps a simple formula that scores “costs” and “value” in equal measure will give inspired SME’s the forum to really extend their thinking and offer more inspired engineering solution? Perhaps the industry’s future is a marriage between “Civil and Social” engineering in equal measure. It’s certainly a way to stimulate “responsibilities” that go on long after the project is delivered.

Whilst we will not realise the perfect procurement strategy overnight I am enthused by the fact that the Government is trying to create a more level playfield.

As businesses I think we have an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively and ensure that our collective voices are heard.

Only by doing this will we realise a Government procurement strategy that is fair and effective and delivers results all round.

This can be further bolstered through the creation of a body or authority to oversee public procurement. This organisation should be given the authority to review, intervene and improve the commercial capability of contracting authorities. By combining these approaches the UK will achieve a leading approach to procurement which will deliver results for both the Government and businesses.”

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Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 33

Latest News

WILLMOTT DIXON AWARDED £22.9M GATESHEAD QUAYS MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK Willmott Dixon’s team in the North have been awarded a £22.9m contract to deliver a futuristic multi-storey car park in the Baltic Quarter of Gateshead.

Appointed by Gateshead Council through the Scape National Major Works framework, the project will deliver 1,000 parking spaces as part of an extensive regeneration of the area, which also includes a landmark

Arena, Conference and Exhibition centre, anticipated to create around 2,000 new jobs and transform the Gateshead quayside.

The development will mark the 12th project delivered for Gateshead Council by Willmott Dixon, following the recent completion of the £12.8m ‘Riga’ office development in 2020, also located in the Baltic Quarter, which provided the first Grade-A office building

in the Gateshead Quays area for over a decade.

Providing vital parking space to support the new £260m Newcastle Gateshead Quays development, this latest project for Gateshead Council includes the delivery of a 10 storey steel framed facility. There will also be 50 Electric Vehicle charge points, with the future potential provision of a further 300.

Other features include a new pay on exit parking management system, a dedicated disabled parking area and spaces for motorcycles. To reduce the carbon footprint of the building, a large array of photovoltaic (PV) panels will be situated above the top level of parking.

Additional biodiversity measures are being implemented including a net gains adjustment.

It is important that the government learns from the challenges of the recent Green Homes Grant, another scheme centred around accessibility. While the Green Homes Grant was popular with homeowners, its success was hampered by a complicated registration process that led to poor uptake and, ultimately, its cancellation.

HELP TO BUILD - RATED PEOPLE URGES GOVERNMENT TO LEARN LESSONS FROM GREEN HOMES GRANT Adrienne Minster, CEO of Rated People commented: “Building your own home is something many people have dreamed about, but few have been able to achieve.

It’s great that the government’s new Help to Build scheme aims to support more people to realise this dream. And if the initiative can deliver the 30-40,000 homes a year, it will be a big boost for the UK’s economy.

“It is important that the government learns from the challenges of the recent Green Homes Grant, another scheme centred around accessibility. While the Green Homes Grant was popular with homeowners, its success was hampered by a complicated registration process that led to poor uptake and, ultimately, its cancellation.

“The government will need to make it easy for qualified tradespeople to join the

scheme, without compromising on quality checks, to ensure that enough are available to build these new homes. We look forward to receiving more details about how this will work in the summer. Building a house from scratch is exciting but daunting, and anyone thinking about building their own home should do their homework and make sure they are working with trusted, vetted builders.”

The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has announced a new ‘Help to Build’ scheme that will – • Make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes • Offer £150 million to make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes • Aim to deliver 30-40,000 new homes a year

34 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

The Car Park will link to a new road running through Baltic Quarter, which will connect Gateshead Quays with the A184 Felling Bypass. The road will contain a 30m wide landscaped corridor, lined with a generous boulevard of trees and contains sustainable urban drainage (SuDS). The plans also include walking and cycling routes, and the provision of habitats that encourage biodiversity.

Both the Link Road and the MSCP have been supported by £7m from the North East LEP through the Get Britain Building Fund.

Peter Udall, Strategic Director Economy, Innovation and Growth, Gateshead Council said: “We are very excited to see this crucial piece of the Newcastle Gateshead Quays infrastructure work start on site. The car park is essential to Arena, Conference and Exhibition centre development, but will also provide much needed parking for the new Grade-A Riga office building and further developments on Baltic Quarter into the future. This is an important piece of a larger jigsaw that will be a catalyst for further development and the opportunities for new jobs and local businesses.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Gateshead Council on this exciting and integral project as part of the transformation of the Gateshead Quays. Supporting local jobs and generating prosperity is at the heart of our business and through our extensive portfolio of work in the region, we have developed an expert local supply chain. Across the 11 projects we have previously delivered for Gateshead Council, we’ve invested more than £63.8m with local businesses within 20 miles of our projects and look forward to furthering this.”

Latest News DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY TAKES KEY ROLE IN INDUSTRY ALLIANCE TO IMPLEMENT BUILDING SAFETY BILL A digital construction consultancy is working with some of the country’s leading social housing organisations, architects and developers in a Government-led initiative to ensure there is never a repeat of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Operance is providing both practical expertise and software to the Golden Thread Initiative (GTI), a collaboration of industry professionals launched to trial Government proposals on the “golden thread”.

The golden thread is a digital way of working to enable a systematic, controlled approach to the management of building safety information throughout the design, construction, refurbishment and management of occupied buildings.

It was one of the key recommendations of the Hackitt Report into the failures that led to 72 people losing their lives in the Grenfell tragedy.

The process will produce an audit trail of information about a building, the decisions made about it and who made them. In doing so, it will provide increased accountability and ownership of decisionmaking through the design, build and occupation phases.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the purpose of the GTI is to bring together industry professionals to work collaboratively for the benefit of the built environment and to trial methods of producing a standardised digital golden thread for building safety information that will satisfy the requirements of the future Building Safety Bill.

The eight-month initiative, led by housing association L&Q on behalf of the MHCLG, launched in November and is split into specific working groups.

Participants from the GTI will produce a report for the Government later this year revealing the findings of its work, sharing lessons learned, and potential options on implementing a digital golden thread.

As a leading digital estates software developer and consultancy practice, Operance was invited to join the GTI and is represented across several of the working groups.

digitalising their portfolio, Operance is also providing strategic digital transformation and Building Information Modelling (BIM) consultancy services to enable them to define and articulate their digital estate ambitions.

Operance’s Digital Transformation Lead, Tom Oulton, one of the country’s leading BIM professionals, is a member of the GTI Project Management working group.

Information Management Platform working group.

He said: “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise with the GTI to help transform the construction industry, making buildings safer and protecting lives.

“Our vision to create a digital golden thread is completely aligned to that of the GTI. A disaster like Grenfell must never be allowed to happen again and for that to happen, it’s imperative leading industry professionals come together in this way to drive fundamental and lasting change.

“As well as being able to provide our own insights through this forum, Operance’s participation in the project means we can listen and learn from all of those involved to understand fully what the industry needs.

He said: “We’re on the cusp of revolutionary change to the design, construction and management of our built environment.

“Following Grenfell, we must take this opportunity to work collectively to ensure it’s never repeated. This is a chance to affect change that we must not let pass us by.”

The Hackitt Review was published in May 2018 following an independent review of building regulations and fire safety at Grenfell, led by Dame Judith Hackitt. It included 50 recommendations on how to improve the design, build and operation of buildings and facilities to make them safer and more efficient.

“This will be a huge benefit to the development of our platform, ensuring it is truly revolutionary.”

A public inquiry into the Grenfell disaster is ongoing. The first phase focused on the factual narrative of the events on the night of 14th June, 2017. The second phase of the inquiry is examining the causes of these events, including how Grenfell Tower came to be in a condition which allowed the fire to spread the way it did.

Operance’s new information management platform, Operance O&M, is a purposebuilt desktop-application to define, curate, audit and maintain information about a building from design to occupation.

Any social housing association or other organisation that would like to take part in the beta test of the Operance software can register their interest by emailing beta@operance.app.

Accurate and easy to understand building and asset information will be shared with owners, operators and occupiers via the pioneering Operance FM mobileapplication, providing users with crucial detail in real-time.

The Operance team is also available to provide advice and guidance about the implementation of the golden thread and what it will mean for the construction industry. Email info@operance.app to get in touch or, for more information, go to www.operance.app or follow @OperanceApp on Twitter or Operance on LinkedIn.

With this building information in the palm of their hand, users can easily search, share, update and utilise their data to operate and maintain their facilities, whilst managing risks and continuously developing the golden thread.

The company is developing its own pioneering software to define, coordinate and audit building operations and maintenance (O&M) information.

Both the Operance O&M and Operance FM applications are currently in beta-testing with a full release planned for the summer.

Operance is offering a limited number of social housing associations and other organisations the opportunity to test the software and help shape features to suit their needs.

Scott Pilgrim, Chief Product Officer at Operance, is a member of the GTI’s

To help social housing associations get ready for the new legislation and begin

Any organisation that would like further information about the GTI should contact the Programme Manager Kirsty Villiers by emailing kvilliers@lqgroup.org.uk.

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 35

People On The Move TILBURY DOUGLAS APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF DIGITAL TO FOCUS ON TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY

MULTEVO STRENGTHEN CIVIL ENGINEERING DIVISION Multevo has appointed Luke Dean as Civil Engineering Contracts Manager to support recent service delivery successes across the UK. The Constructionline Gold company are a multi-faceted organisation with the civils arm of the business originally established to supplement their popular nationwide highway maintenance operations using the Multihog to deliver highway maintenance services.

Multevo are also the UK distributor for the Multihog product range and own the World’s largest hire fleet of multipurpose machines.

Today, their in-house civil engineering contracting division has gone from strength to strength as a stand-alone business unit working with local authorities, principal contractors, and housing developers on a range of collaborative projects.

Luke joins the team bringing 15 years of experience and knowledge of the industry with him having managed and been involved in construction and civil engineering projects up to the value of 24 million pounds.

Previously working for the Eric Wright Group, Luke’s experience includes site/ project management and monitoring site progress on a range of public and private sector projects, from junction improvements and land regeneration to transport infrastructure schemes and public realm projects to name but a few.

Tilbury Douglas has announced the appointment of a new Head of Digital to focus on the company’s digital transformation strategy and Modern Methods of Construction.

Aneesa Mulla, who is currently Digital Construction Strategic Lead at Tilbury Douglas, will take up the new role focusing on the company’s evolving digital transformation strategy. This will include Tilbury Douglas’s response to the Government’s Construction Playbook and the increased focus on Modern Methods of Construction and Design for Manufacture. The new role will include responsibility for standardisation, digital twin and the new ‘Asite’ platform.

Aneesa has over ten years of experience working in the construction and design sector as a BIM specialist and team leader. Prior to this Aneesa worked as Assistant Lecturer in CAD at Birmingham City University.

“We are delighted to welcome Luke to the Multevo team and are confident his experience within the construction and civils sectors will not only benefit our existing highway maintenance partnerships but significantly strengthen them and form new ones too.” Nick Carter, Director, Multevo.

The new role will report into Mark Buckle, who was appointed as Technical Director in February this year.

JUSTIN MOORE JOINS PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS GLEEDS Gleeds, the leading construction and property consultants, has appointed Justin Moore as its Project Director for Wales.

Justin has worked in construction for nearly 25 years, initially with Carillion as an operations manager and then Bouygues UK, where he worked in numerous roles, including Wales regional operations director.

In his role at Bouygues UK, Justin oversaw the building of many of Wales’ most innovative education buildings. These include the award-winning Penarth Learning Community in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff University’s state of the art Innovation Campus, which will house the world’s first social science research park and start up hub, as well as two world-leading scientific research organisations - the Institute for Compound Semi-Conductors and the Cardiff Catalysis Institute.

Justin, an active member of the CBI in Wales, has joined Gleeds to lead on all education projects in Wales, building on his expertise in the education field to further develop the company’s offering in this market.

Speaking of his appointment, Justin said: “Having worked with major contractors for most of my career, I am really looking forward to the challenge of working on the project management and consultancy side of construction projects.

“Seeing education projects come to fruition has always been one of the parts of the job I have really enjoyed - being able to see the building come to life, handed over and be used day in day out by students and teachers.

So, I am looking forward to the change of working on projects from day one, from scoping out a building to its design, managing costs and its construction, and then onto the completed, working building.”

36 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Justin added: “One of my biggest passions is around social value and how construction companies can improve how they work within local communities.

“There’s such a huge opportunity for these businesses to integrate themselves into the communities where they operate and I am keen to take what I have learned in the past ten years around social value and bring it into my consultancy role.”

SCHÖCK MODULAR CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR BALCONIES AND FAÇADES After the devastation of the Second World War, the Elephant and Castle district of London was clumsily redeveloped during the 1950s. Although impressive in its time, the result is very outmoded today and has led to the £2.3 billion Elephant Park regeneration project. Overall there are five phases, the third of which is currently live with eleven buildings over two plots – Park Central (North) and East Grove – providing 829 homes in total. There are brick-finished midrise blocks to 11 and 12-storeys throughout, with each plot also featuring a main tower. One at 24-storey, the other 25-storey. Construction of the towers uses around 19,000m2 of aluminium unitised façade panels, delivered complete with integrated sliding doors and openings ready for connecting ventilation devices. There are hundreds of pre-fabricated cantilever steel balconies throughout the project too.

Avoidance of thermal bridging is critical With steel having such high conductivity, the avoidance of thermal bridging is critical throughout the project. Local heat loss is a major factor, resulting in more energy being required to maintain the building’s internal temperature. Also, low internal surface temperatures local to any thermal bridge can cause condensation. This is likely to result in structural integrity problems with absorbent materials, such as insulation products or plasterboard and mould growth is also a possible risk. Which in a residential situation can cause asthma and allergies.

The thermal performance at the connectivity points throughout – involving both the balconies and the commercial façades – needed careful consideration.

Although the Schöck Isokorb structural thermal break is universally recognised for its capability with balcony design detailing

Thermal breaks and end plates in position ready for the balconies to be connected

– it is less widely known for its ability to dramatically improve façade engineering thermal performance. On this project, as the thermal zone sits outside the slab zone, the Isokorb offers the ideal solution. The particular product offering so many benefits is the Schöck Isokorb T type S. Unique and versatile This versatile structural thermal break is the ideal connectivity solution for steel-to-steel applications. There are two variants, the T type S-N for tensile force and the T type S-V for transferring compression and shear forces. It is the only approved thermal break product that satisfies the load-bearing and thermal insulation requirements for steel design. Also, being a modular unit, it can be adapted to all profile sizes and load bearing capacity requirements – plus it can be used

in both new construction and renovation projects.

Totally verifiable performance Although the Schöck products used at Elephant Park are for steel-to-steel connectivity, the comprehensive Isokorb range also offers solutions for concrete-tosteel, concrete-to-concrete – and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets. Products meet full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations, have NHBC approval and offer LABC Registration. There is also the security of independent BBA Certification.

Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.schoeck.com for full details of the Isokorb T type S and all other Isokorb solutions

The T type S product variants

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 37

Latest News

COUNTRYSIDE BECOMES FIRST HOUSEBUILDER TO COMMIT TO £800 MILLION FAIRHAM SCHEME Housebuilder Countryside has been announced as the first company set to develop new homes at Fairham, the new £800 million neighbourhood for Nottingham.

Countryside is the UK’s leading mixedtenure developer specialising in placemaking and regeneration. It plans to build 332 new homes on 20 acres of land south of Nottingham Road at Fairham – the new 606-acre mixed use development is being delivered in partnership by Clowes Developments and Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator.

A planning application will be submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council before the summer for a mix of housing types, including three and four bedroom houses and one and two bedroom apartments. The homes will comprise a combination of affordable housing through a registered partner as well as homes for private rent and open market sale.

Subject to planning permission, it is anticipated that work will start on site this summer, with the first properties available to occupy from late Spring 2022.

The proposed new homes will use sustainable timber frame construction methods, utilising Countryside’s own modular factory, based just 20 miles away in Narborough in Leicestershire.

Glyn Mabey, Managing Director, Partnerships East Midlands, Countryside said: ‘Fairham is set to be an extraordinary new neighbourhood and we believe that our mix of house designs and tenures will play an important part in creating this new community

for Nottingham. Working in partnership with Clowes Developments and Homes England is perfectly aligned to our guiding principle of working collaboratively to create diverse and sustainable communities that become places people love.

“We have received more than 350 awards for design and sustainability excellence since 2000 and have recently been awarded the 5 Star Rating by the Home Builders Federation – a mark of our dedication to creating high quality and sustainable communities that are built to last. Our values and ways of working fit perfectly with the approach at Fairham and we’re proud to be part of this stunning new neighbourhood.’

Fairham will create 3,000 new homes to be built by a number of housebuilders to ensure choice and individuality across size, style and tenure, but all tied together by a common purpose governed by a holistic design code that ensures the different parts of the new neighbourhood compliment and support one another.

These first new homes mark another important milestone for Fairham as activity across the site begins to ramp up following

the £83m Homes England funding package announced in March 2021 to accelerate the creation of new homes and jobs for the area.

Construction and civil engineering contractor Winvic has already been working to deliver the first phase of infrastructure works at Fairham over the winter, including improvements to Nottingham Road, drainage and further preparatory works for future construction phases.

Fairham is being delivered by Derbyshirebased Clowes Developments in partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator, who instructed Savills’ Nottingham development team as the agent to assist in marketing the site. £100 million of infrastructure investment is due for the 606-acre Fairham development, which was awarded outline planning permission at the start of 2018.

In total, as well up to 3,000 new homes, 1 million sq ft of commercial space and a neighbourhood centre will be built as well as community, health and educational facilities and 200 acres of green space.

Fairham has been designed around a highly sustainable, ultra-connected location set amid the green landscape of south Nottinghamshire. With all amenities colocated alongside one another, it will be one of the most accessible and sustainable communities in the country.

Fairham, to the south of Clifton, sits alongside the A453 Remembrance Way that links directly to the M1. It is also next to the NET tram terminus at Clifton South, within a 15-minute drive of East Midlands Airport and is a 20-minute drive or tram ride from Nottingham city centre.

Fairham also forms a key part of Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Local Plan and will help meet the borough’s housing need for 13,500 new homes over the next decade.

38 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

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Project News

WORK GETS UNDERWAY ON NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY REDEVELOPMENT Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has embarked on a historic project which will frame the redevelopment of the National Portrait Gallery for future generations.

The award-winning company has begun work onsite after being appointed as the main contractor on the £35.5 million project.

STEELWORKS UP ON SECOND PHASE AT ST. MODWEN PARK GATWICK St. Modwen Logistics is continuing to grow its portfolio with the commencement of steelworks for a new 64, 752 sq ft unit at St. Modwen Park Gatwick.

Once complete, St. Modwen Park Gatwick – which has been designed to meet the growing demand for big box and urban warehouse space in the area – is expected to create around 75 jobs across the region.

The unit forms part of the second phase of development at the site and is expected to be ready for occupation by mid-July 2021.

Strategically located adjacent to Junction 10 of the M23, serving both Gatwick and Crawley, St. Modwen Park Gatwick also

offers easy access to the M25 and the south coast. The scheme is expected to help meet employment demand for the industrial and logistics sector across the region and has a gross development value of £31 million.

David McGougan, Senior Development Manager at St. Modwen Logistics, said: “This second phase of development at St. Modwen Park Gatwick will cater for the significant market demand for schemes of this nature within the region.

“With such a prime location close to the neighbouring airport and with outstanding road transport links, we’re confident in pressing on with our development plans.”

BNP Paribas Real Estate and DTRE are joint marketing agents for the site.

Jake Huntley, Partner at DTRE, added: “The plans St. Modwen have in place will be sure to attract many high-quality businesses to the area. The location and quality of the proposed unit means St. Modwen Park Gatwick is likely to be a highly sought-after site and we anticipate significant demand for this second phase.”

William Merrett of BNP Paribas Real Estate added: “The demand for logistics space in this region continues grow, so it is great to see St. Modwen working to meet that demand with a new, innovative, design led commercial unit.”

40 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

Project News Inspiring People, the Gallery’s biggest ever development since the building opened in 1896 at St Martin’s Place London, will include extensive refurbishment of the existing Grade I listed galleries.

The project, due to complete in 2023, will also include a new entrance and forecourt, which will transform the original building.

The designs, by Jamie Fobert Architects working in partnership with Purcell, will also encompass a complete re-display and re-interpretation of the Gallery’s Collection across 40 refurbished galleries, presenting a wider and more diverse selection of portraits.

Additionally, the works will create new retail and catering facilities and a new Learning Centre for visitors of all ages with studios, break-out spaces and high-quality practical facilities.

Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson said the company is proud to be working in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery on this hugely prestigious and extremely high-profile project.

He said: “The redevelopment, which is in line with our track record of taking on projects which require innovation to succeed, presents a great opportunity for Gilbert-Ash to further cement our profile in delivering outstanding

landmark buildings of international significance.

We look forward to working closely together, and indeed imaginatively, with the National Portrait Gallery, the architects and the other disciplines and our trusted supply chain to deliver this prestigious project.

The National Portrait Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Our team has the knowledge and experience to make a lasting difference to this iconic building for future generations and we are really excited to start works this month.

In addition, the Gallery’s Inspiring People project also incorporates its most extensive programme of activities nationwide with plans to engage audiences onsite, locally, regionally and online. Activity will include a UK-wide schools programme for teaching history and art through portraiture, new partnerships with museums and organisations throughout the country, and a national skills-sharing collaboration with other museums and galleries.

Ros Lawler, Chief Operating Officer, National Portrait Gallery, London said: “We are delighted to be working with Gilbert-Ash to help us realise our goal of transforming the National Portrait Gallery through our Inspiring People project.

The renewed building will allow us to be more welcoming, engaging and accessible to all, with new and refurbished galleries for exhibitions and the permanent Collection and better quality learning facilities.

BELLWAY FINISHES WORK ON NEW HOMES IN ASTON CLINTON Construction work has now come to an end at a new housing development in Aston Clinton, where all the homes have now been sold.

who have been looking to move out of nearby cities to a more rural location – especially as we’ve seen people’s priorities shifting in the wake of the pandemic.

“This part of the world also has good transport connections, near the A41 for Aylesbury or London and with direct rail links into the capital from Aylesbury or Tring.”

Bellway has built 95 new homes at Estone Grange, off Chapel Drive in the village, with a range of three, four and five-bedroom houses provided for private sale and 27 affordable homes available for local people through rent or shared ownership.

“With our houses becoming not just places to sleep but also places where we work, study and exercise, residents at Estone Grange have appreciated the flexible and spacious interiors of their new homes as well as their scenic surroundings and proximity to countryside.

Although all homes are now sold at Estone Grange, Bellway has properties available in nearby Leighton Buzzard at Lestone Mews, where a variety of two, three and fourbedroom homes are being built, including detached and semi-detached houses, apartments and maisonettes.

Work on site started in 2016 and, as part of the development, Bellway Northern Home Counties has injected more than £2.9 million into local services.

Designed with family lifestyles in mind, the homes at Bellway’s Estone Grange development have been popular with buyers from both the local area and further afield.

With all the houses on site now complete, the final residents at the development will move into their new homes shortly.

Sales Director for Bellway Northern Home Counties, Luke Southgate, said: “Over the past four years, as we’ve been providing much-needed homes in Aston Clinton, we’ve seen a vibrant new community take shape at Estone Grange. The lovely village setting has been a key point of interest for those

Construction UK Magazine - May 2021 41

Feature

EXPERTS CALL FOR SMART LAMPPOSTS IN CITIES TO FIGHT COVID A new generation of smart lampposts that can read body temperatures and detect overcrowding could stop the spread of Covid-19 and regenerate cities, according to a new report.

These 21st century lamp columns go beyond street lighting by incorporating sensors that can receive and transmit information about crowd density, and even the body temperature of individuals.

They can also incorporate CCTV, air quality sensors, flooding monitors, digital signage, and 5G wifi hotspots.

Shining a Global Light – commissioned by city transformation experts UrbanDNA, Hydro, Itron, Lucy Zodion, Signify and the Smart City Infrastructure Fund – draws on case experiences from Barcelona, Copenhagen, LA, London, Munich and Singapore, to demonstrate how smart lampposts are being used to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

In Barcelona, the City Council has developed a camera-based solution attached to lampposts in the Las Ramblas area to ensure public health on beaches and implement crowd control measures to help tackle Covid.

Marc Perez-Batlle, innovation manager at Municipal Institute of Information and Technology at Barcelona City Council, said: “We used scanning devices to get the images and a bit of artificial intelligence to analyse them to find out what portion of the beach was free in terms of lack of people.

We analysed the proportion of sand rather than identifying people’s faces. This enabled us to look at the capacity that was free.

Due to privacy concerns we anonymised the images.”

Westminster City Council in London is looking at ways of using lighting to nudge people away from potentially crowded

tube exits around Oxford Street to help with crowd safety management.

A street lighting London expert said: “It’s simply about putting lights on the ground to either make people stand there or make people avoid it. This helps with crowd control when you are coming out of the train and out of tube stops to help curtail people mingling around exits.”

Los Angeles already has more than 400 smart street lights, equipped with electronic vehicle chargers, and the city is looking to pilot air quality sensors, fire spotters, gunshot locators and earthquake sensors. Although LA is not yet using smart lampposts to tackle Covid, its street lighting department maintains that smart lampposts could help them to detect if someone has a high temperature.

James Quigley, Senior Engineering Manager, at Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) Los Angeles, said: “Are people congregating where they shouldn’t be and how many of these people are exhibiting symptoms? A temperature sensor that is mounted on a lamppost is something that could be easily done. If your temperature is above 100 you can flag it up.”

Globally, there are 326 million street lights. A quarter of these have been converted to run on energy saving LEDs, with more than 10 million lamp columns already set up as smart lampposts.

A street light column, by definition, has electricity running to it, which can power additional sensors, mounted alongside the lamp. Street lights naturally follow where people and businesses are, and therefore are ideally placed where gathering sensor data is most useful to the provision of ‘Smart Applications’.

After more than a year of restrictions, coronavirus is still thriving as many

We have seen forward-thinking cities such as London, Barcelona, and Copenhagen leading the way, and individually they are only accessing a small proportion of what the ‘humble lamppost’ can offer. Imagine the potential for other cities. With this new alliance, we are learning all the time and discovering new initiatives in which the lamppost can play a role in our recovery.

42 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

The pandemic has been highly revealing regarding smart city infrastructure, and the need to improve our way of working to drive further efficiencies. The key takeaway from the report is the amount of untapped potential that exists. countries try to tackle their third and fourth waves. Lockdowns have cost Europe €2 billion per day[1], equivalent to the cost of investing in 2 million smart lampposts every day.

Richard Perry, Lucy Zodion’s Smart Cities Head of Business Development, said: “The pandemic has been highly revealing regarding smart city infrastructure, and the need to improve our way of working to drive further efficiencies. The key takeaway from the report is the amount of untapped potential that exists.

“We have seen forward-thinking cities such as London, Barcelona, and Copenhagen leading the way, and individually they are only accessing a small proportion of what the ‘humble lamppost’ can offer. Imagine the potential for other cities. With this new alliance, we are learning all the time and discovering new initiatives in which the lamppost can play a role in our recovery.

“We don’t know when we will be finally Covid-free, but as we slowly ease restrictions, new measures will be needed to keep everyone and the economy safe.

“By using their existing infrastructure, local authorities can smarten their lighting assets making their public spaces safer, healthier and bag the bankable financial savings that result from smart lighting upgrades – which typically exceed 50%.”

Graham Colclough, founding partner of UrbanDNA, said: “The paper highlights the progressive cities that are leading the way in using smart technologies to tackle Covid. It highlights a second group that have implemented the technology. However, they have not yet fully exploited its potential to address Covid recovery. The real opportunity lies with the third larger group that can reap huge energy and cost savings from installing LED smart lights, and benefit at the same time by making those lights ‘smart’ to address Covid-related needs. Our report shows how they can do so to best effect.”

Project News

WILLMOTT DIXON TO DELIVER A FURTHER 382 HOMES IN BARKING ESTATE TRANSFORMATION Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Be First to deliver the next segments for Phase 2 in the regeneration of Gascoigne estate’s east side in Barking.

Known as ‘E2’, ‘F1’ and ‘F2’, the combined development is worth £135 million and will create 382 new homes, including 57% affordable, as well as providing public realm open space.

In the case of ‘E2’, this will see 159 homes constructed as part of the regeneration of Gascoigne East. The £56 million development will connect four blocks, with a courtyard situated between. The £79 million development of ‘F1’ and ‘F2’ provides a further 223 homes across five blocks, as well as public realm space and infrastructure for residents.

Willmott Dixon was appointed by Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration company, to its delivery framework in 2019 to help transform the east side of the 1960s Gascoigne estate into a modern, environmentally friendly community. As part of Phase 2, the company is currently constructing the £22 million ‘C1’ block which comprises of 52 affordable homes and extensive infrastructure.

A key aspect of the development will be its sustainable and cycle-friendly credentials, with a targeted 40 per cent cut in CO2 emissions from energy produced by the homes against what normally would be expected by Building Regulation, thanks to an array of rooftop photovoltaic cells and connection to the district

Construction work has completed on a development near Birmingham

heating system. There are also plans for over 1,000 cycle parking spaces.

Iain Ferguson, Commercial Director at Be First, said: “It’s great to continue working with Willmott Dixon on the next exciting phase of our pioneering redevelopment of the Gascoigne neighbourhood. The new Gascoigne will provide quality homes at rates ordinary working people can afford and will be one of the most healthy, sustainable places to live in east London.”

Chris Tredget, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in London and East said: “We are delighted to begin work on the next part of Phase 2 and to continue working alongside Be First to create a fantastic new living environment for hundreds of people on the east side of Gascoigne Estate.”

The redevelopment of Gascoigne estate is part of a wider strategy to create a sense of ‘place’ for the area that includes attractive, tree-lined public spaces and the 5,000 square metre Gascoigne Square park.

Willmott Dixon has been working with Barking and Dagenham College to secure a future pipeline of talent as part of its commitment to employ local people and provide opportunities for those wanting to work within construction. It has also teamed up with the Department for Work and Pensions to hold virtual mentoring circles within the local borough, helping unemployed residents learn about personal branding, interview skills and CV guidance and advice.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED NEAR BIRMINGHAM A housing association has completed work on a social housing development near Birmingham.

Platform Housing Group – which has its headquarters in the Midlands – has finalised 10 new homes in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield. It is the social landlord’s latest development within the area, which offers 3 bedroom homes for shared ownership.

The Padstone Drive scheme - just off Douglas Road – cost £3.1million and was made possible by grant funding from Homes England and also Group funds.

Those involved in the new development include the developer and architect Village Partnerships Ltd, employer’s agent and construction, design and management advisor Baily Garner LLP; the local authority is Birmingham City Council.

Matthew Topping, Regional Development Manager at Platform Housing Group explained: “These new homes in Sutton Coldfield form a high quality and sustainable affordable housing development that will meet the needs of local people. Our homes and communities have become increasingly important to us during the last year; and this development of shared ownership homes will help provide local people an affordable route to home ownership.”

Work started on the site – which was formerly garages and caravan storage - in August 2019 with construction complete last month. All the homes are now either sold or reserved.

Mark Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Village Partnerships said:

We have a strong and well established relationship with Platform Housing Group and were delighted to be appointed to deliver this much needed housing scheme in Sutton Coldfield.

We are all justifiably proud of the outcome and look forward to working with Platform in the future.

The new development is less than 1 mile away from Sutton Coldfield town centre and local amenities including shops, retail, schools, bars, restaurants and parks.

44 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

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Road Infrastructure Feature

THE HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS: HOW TO IMPROVE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE People and goods need to be transported for economies to grow, prosperity to be spread evenly, and sufficient wealth to be created. Essentially, the dynamics of an economy depends on the smooth movement of goods and services. Roads are crucial to our everyday living. Even though there are other transportation modes, road transportation remains the most popular.

If road constructions are not correctly carried out, it may lead to the loss of lives and property. Road construction companies can get advice from Vemco Consulting on how to make proper road construction plans and execute them effectively.

However, building a network of roads and highways can be very demanding. Road networks require the combined efforts of different skilled professionals. To build roads, construction companies must put together numerous pieces of a puzzle.

Utilities and drainage have to be sorted out, fibre optic and electric works have to be put in place, and pedestrian bridges have to be erected, traffic signs, junctions, walkways, road cameras, also have to be factored in.

The solutions we will be discussing are a little complex since there is no quick fix. However, practising these solutions may just be the key to unlocking road infrastructure improvement. In no particular order, they are;

The world is getting more connected than ever. This would mean a lot more highways and roads need to be constructed and maintained to keep up with the human race’s overall growth. Construction companies should not allow themselves to be left behind as the future of road infrastructure lies in their ability to innovate.

So, how can road infrastructure be improved?

Making the most of the existing road infrastructure: Most governments believe the way to improve road infrastructure is by launching new construction projects now and then. But they are quick to forget that maintaining the existing roads may be a better and easier way to go about it.

Building a strategy to maintain existing roads would ensure that the existing roads do not deteriorate, thereby saving costs on building new roads. Also, pricing mechanisms can be effected to improve road networks’ utilisation and economic effectiveness.

Ensuring enough funds are made available for building projects: Even though road projects’ funding is primarily done with government budgets, there are other ways to raise more funds to ensure quality delivery of road projects.

Tools like infrastructure bonds, toll stations, congestion charges, build-

Image: © Ashleigh Robertson

operate transfers, public-private partnerships, real-estate appreciation capture, and other methods can effectively raise funds to fuel road infrastructure improvement.

In this context, all hands should be on deck; the government set up a sufficient flow of funds, owners of infrastructure can come up with more effective investments and maintenance plans, companies can come up with better innovations, and even citizens can give their input on ways to better the road projects.

Maintain transparent and rigorous project selections: Every project cannot be carried out simultaneously. This means that there should be a project selection based on what should be done and in what order.

This selection should be based on transparency and fact evaluation. Every project to be undertaken should align with society’s overall strategies and goals. Performing such assignments will positively impact both the citizens, the government, and businesses in the economy.

Improve sector governance: It is imperative to state that improved governance plays a significant role in improving road infrastructure.

Project managers and the skilled workforce have to be on point for any road project’s success. Getting and maintaining the best for road projects is paramount to its success.

Secondly, there has to be a collaboration between the different stakeholders in the projects. There are stakeholders from the public and private sectors in every project, and there are also the citizens. These stakeholders have to agree and share a common goal for road infrastructure to be improved.

The world is getting more connected than ever. This would mean a lot more highways and roads need to be constructed and maintained to keep up with the human race’s overall growth.

Construction companies should not allow themselves to be left behind as the future of road infrastructure lies in their ability to innovate. Simply put, with the right technology geared toward collaboration, search for the right solutions, and growth, these companies and even the government can improve road infrastructure considerably soon.

46 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

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Project

HENRY BROTHERS COMPLETES NEW £9M CENTRE FOR ENTERPRISE AT NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Contractor Henry Brothers has completed a new enterprise centre on Nottingham Trent University’s City campus, providing highquality facilities and extensive business support to entrepreneurs, start-ups, small to medium-sized businesses and larger enterprises.

The £9m Dryden Enterprise Centre (DEC) is set over four floors utilising the latest technology and modern facilities including open-plan desk areas, private offices, meeting rooms, event space and communal areas to encourage networking.

The DEC will be the new hub through which staff, students, graduates and external businesses can benefit from a range of support, mentoring, networking and training programmes delivered by NTU’s Enterprise team, business experts from

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and associate partners.

Ian Taylor, managing director of Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands, main contractors for the development, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege for Henry Brothers to have worked once again with Nottingham Trent University to create another first-class development on campus.

“The Dryden Enterprise Centre is an incredible building, with superb detailing. It’s been a fantastic team effort to build this high quality facility which will have a positive impact not only at the university, but also on the wider economy of Nottingham and the East Midlands. Henry Brothers is proud to have played a key role in developing the Dryden Enterprise Centre and I’d like to thank everyone on the team for their vision, skill and hard work.”

Other members of the construction team included architect Evans Vettori, engineers Mott MacDonald, Edge as project manager, Robinson Low Francis as quantity surveyor, with Couch Perry Wilkes handling the M&E elements.

The building itself has been constructed to meet NTU’s sustainability credentials.

It utilises features such as plants to add

oxygen, remove CO² and promote wellbeing as well as the use of concrete for its thermal mass benefits.

The Dryden Enterprise Centre – the third facility built by Henry Brothers for NTU will link industry and academics, enabling them to work together on projects and challenges, creating a community of collaboration and connectivity.

Businesses will also have access to tailored support to help them achieve their business goals such as funding support, access to upskilling opportunities or recruitment help.

The Dryden Enterprise Centre has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, who will continue to support the work of the DEC until March 2022.

Michael Carr, Executive Dean of Enterprise at Nottingham Trent University, said: “After three years in the making, I am very excited that Nottingham Trent is opening the doors on our new Dryden Enterprise Centre.

The work of the centre will build on our success in creating and supporting enterprises to grow, utilising a purpose-built building and state of the art facilities. We look forward to welcoming a range of co-locatees as we open and then see this develop into a flourishing enterprise community over the next couple of years.

48 Construction UK Magazine - May 2021

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