UK Construction v16n08

wood goldstraw yorath 'Perfecting Professional Practice From Concept to Completion' page 3

V16 N08

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NEWS, REPORTS, COMMENTS, PROFILES AND SITE PROJECTS HISTORIC MARY ROSE MUSEUM Now open to the public p42

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wood goldstraw yorath

Wood Goldstraw Yorath LLP – long standing Stoke-on-Trent practice investing in additional staff due to continuing success in acquiring new commissions Wood Goldstraw Yorath LLP is the largest and longest standing professional multi-disciplinary Architectural and Quantity Surveying practice in North Staffordshire.

Established in Stoke-on-Trent in 1874 where we remain true to our roots but operating nationally. Our core disciplines are Architecture, Quantity Surveying and CDM Co-ordination complimented by a whole range of additional services including conservation, adaptation, rehabilitation, project management, cost in use analysis, value engineering and breeam assessments, to identify a few of them.

The current partnership is a well-established and long serving team comprising four equity partners each heading up their own team, three Architectural partners being Andrew Capper, Dave Rhead and Steve English, and Jeremy Mellor who is the Quantity Surveying partner. There are no prevailing egos and each partner sees his role here as custodian of this long standing practice and our intention is that when we leave the practice it will be in a better and stronger position to serve generations to come.

The practice currently has three Architectural teams and one Quantity Surveying team, each headed by a Partner assisted

by Associates and loyal conscientious staff. Each Partner, along with his dedicated design and technical staff, remains with the project from inception to completion and beyond if our client wants further guidance with planned maintenance.

This maintains continuity of the personnel and of the design and technical disciplines essential to every successful project.

Each team operates independently and small enough to be competitive and offer a personal service even on the smallest domestic projects. However by grouping together the individual teams we are able to assemble considerable resources capable of dealing with the many multi-million pound projects the practice has undertaken. The practice covers all aspects of the profession dealing with Education, Industrial, Commercial, Ecclesiastical, Residential, National Health Service, Registered Social Landlords and Leisure to name a few. Over the years we have built up a nucleus of long

serving suitably qualified staff who themselves specialize to a greater or lesser degree and therefore are able to offer a professional and efficient service based on a wealth of experience.

Some of our latest commissions, amongst many others, include a ten million pound expansion and rebuilding programme involving four schools for Birmingham City Council, three factory and warehouse projects in Stoke-on-Trent each amounting to two million pounds for private companies with potential over the next two years for further projects amounting to approximately eight million pounds, a five million pound housing project in Stoke-on-Trent for a national Registered Social Landlord and a master planning exercise for a blue chip client. Due to our continued successes we have just recruited a further three members of staff to work within our very busy technical teams.

Our commitment to regeneration and growth is reflected in our participation as a ‘business’ partner of the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP), where we, together with other businesses from within the Stoke and Staffordshire LEP area, work in partnership with our City and County Council partners to encourage and facilitate regeneration bringing real growth and jobs to our LEP area and the UK as a whole.

The practice was formed on the principles of professionalism, service and commitment, and throughout its long existence it has endeavoured to uphold these principles, these principles are fully endorsed by each one of the present partners.

Our mission statement reflects our belief that you can build on the past to create a rewarding future, ‘Designing the future, respecting the past….since 1874’.

Further details of past and current projects and contact information are available on our web site www.woodgoldstraw.co.uk.

Churchill House, Regent Road, Hanley, Stoke On Trent, Staffs ST1 3RH t: 01782 208000 f: 01782 208712 e:info@woodgoldstraw.co.uk www.woodgoldstraw.co.uk

PROFILE 38 40 46 50 58 66 67 70 72 83 86 94 99 99 104 110 113 126 131 136 138 140 144

National Outdoor Events Association Bullock Construction Carvers National Insulation Association London Underground M2 Construction (South Wales) Ltd Brighton & Hove City Council Secured By Design Cody Park Crossrail BUFCA Northgate Vehicle Hire IDeA Architects WW Martin Schofield and Sons Ltd Skin Health Spa Southdale Homes Digital Realty Creative Construction Ltd Defence Doors Russell Hughes CYF FETA Robson Construction Ltd

EDUCATION 35 64 80 93 101 109 117

Notre Dame Catholic College Gloucester House Hertford Regional College Waltham Forest Schools Royal Greenwich UTC Brooksbank School Sports College St Vincent College Learning Resource Centre 125 Flying Bull Primary School

COMMUNITY 65 Bede Tower

HEALTH 81 92 95 102 132

Southmead Hospital, Bristol Airedale Hospital Hatherlow House Agnes & Arthur Care Home Seacroft Grange Care Home

COMMERCIAL 82 James Durran & Sons Ltd 84 Halfpenny Winery

HOUSING 39 64 95 134

COMMENTS 22 23 26 27 28 30 31 32 56 145

NHBC – Mark Jones Buck & Hickman – Ian Lofthouse Sheridan Gold – Jonathan Marvin Thomas Eggar – Kasia Dickson Construction Specialties – Simon Hunter Maxim Eyes – Shamir Jiwa Daikin – Matt Blanchard LYTAG – Gareth Moores Government Construction Summit 2013 Turley Associates – Claire Semple

City Glade, Exeter The Junction, London Bellway Homes Lomax Halls, Stoke

LEISURE 42 45 100 112 117 130

Mary Rose Museum Colchester Castle Museum Airkix, Basingstoke The Ageas Bowl Hilton Hotel University of Kent Sports Facilities The Sands Hotel, Margate

CIVIL 34 Morestead Wastewater Treatment Works 36 Foryd Harbour Scheme 41 Tipner Interchange 52 Cardiff Energy form Waste 85 Lincolnshire Energy from Waste 96 Network Rail Operating Centres 114 Lancashire Triangle 118 London Array

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KOTA is the latest innovation in MDF mouldings, a fully finished product requiring no priming or painting. Stairways offer ResiDor with KOTA linings, door stops and architraves.

Complete with revolutionary concealed fixing clip system RapidFix, this eliminates the need for face filling, making it the ideal partner for KOTA. ResiDor and KOTA improve procedural efficiencies significantly, reducing the time and costs of installation and finishing.

Providing a smooth, silky, ready-painted finish that is both tough and elegant, KOTA enhances Stairways’ internal door set portfolio, available with many door finishes and lining options.

KOTA is also available in skirting and window board to complement the ResiDor with an ‘easy fit’ KOTA Fill and KOTA Krayon to achieve the desired finish.

Contact Stairways directly for samples and further advice: www.stairways.co.uk

A right to light and compensation?

If your neighbour is thinking of building an unwanted skyscraper next to your downstairs loo, don’t worry - your right to light might just stop the development in its tracks or allow you to charge potentially significant levels of compensation in exchange for giving permission for the development to go ahead.

Under English law, a right to light is a form of easement that gives a long-standing owner of a building with windows a right to maintain the level of illumination. An easement is a right to use property that is not your own. An example of an easement is where a statutory authority is granted a right to enter onto land it does not own in order to effect a repair to a sewer or electric cable.

In effect, the owner of a building with windows that have received natural daylight for 20 years or more is entitled to forbid any construction or other obstruction that would deprive him or her of that daylight. Neighbours cannot build anything that would block the light without permission of the owner.

It is possible for a right to light to exist if granted expressly by deed or granted implicitly by prescription; that is, the enjoyment has continued for a period of 20 years without interruption.

If you are a developer and you want to extinguish your neighbour’s right to light, short of getting your cheque book out and throwing yourself at the mercy of the neighbour, you could have a real problem. A Local Authority has statutory powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to sell, lease or use land or build on it even though it might interfere with a neighbour’s

interest or right, including a right to light, but these powers are rarely exercised.

If a party is affected by a neighbouring development that is going to infringe that party’s right to light then the remedy is to apply to the court for an injunction to restrain the development. The granting of a restraining injunction is not a guaranteed outcome but it is the default remedy available to the Court. As an alternative, the Court may elect to award damages in lieu of granting an injunction if it deems this to be appropriate or it decides that the granting of an injunction would be oppressive.

In reality, parties affected by a loss of right to light may seek to negotiate an appropriate level of compensation leaving the threat of a restraining injunction hanging over the head of a developer.

Assessing the level of damages is based on the loss of amenity caused by the loss of light. The Court is unfettered in assessing what the level of damages ought to be. However, if the development is one in which investors are likely to make a significant amount of profit then it may well be more inclined to grant an injunction or to award an appropriately high level of damages.

Conversely, if the loss of light is minor or the profit to be gained by the development is modest, the Court may well be less inclined to grant a restraining injunction and more likely to award a modest level of monetary compensation.

The final issue to consider is the cost of legal representation and the commercial bargaining position of the parties in dealing with disputes over right to light. A good friend of mine once

commented that everything is for sale, even the wife and children he would say. So, if you are a party whose right to light has or is about to be affected, instead of throwing caution to the wind and applying for that restraining injunction at least think about negotiating compensation in parallel with Court action. Similarly, if you are a Developer thinking of trying to ride rough-shod over your adjoining land owner’s rights to light, perhaps a sensible discussion and a negotiated settlement on compensation, inside or outside a formal mediation, might be a better way of proceeding than investing, indirectly of course, in your lawyer’s new Bentley.

Peter Vinden is a practising adjudicator, arbitrator, expert and mediator. He is Managing Director of The Vinden Partnership and can be contacted by email at pvinden@vinden.co.uk.

Regent House, Folds Point, Folds Road, Bolton BL1 2RZ t. 01204 362888 f. 01204 362808 tvp@vinden.co.uk www.vinden.co.uk

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CDM CHANGES IN UK WILL IT BE THIRD TIME LUCKY? Although the exact details of the new UK regulatory package are not going to be known until September 2013 at the earliest, the new Construction (Design & Management) Regulations look like they are going to go well beyond the conclusions in the Health and Safety Executive’s CDM Evaluation Report published last year. In this article, James Ritchie, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Association for Project Safety looks at the unfolding issues.

For those of you who undertake construction work in Northern Ireland or mainland Britain, we now know that the likely proposed changes to the CDM Regulations seem to fly in the face of the UK’s Health and Safety Executive’s CDM Review and also do not reflect the Government’s acceptance of the recommendations in the 2012 Löfsted Report. Both of these reports suggested that the CDM2007 Regulations were working well, were not broken, and only required minor changes in the way they were understood and being implemented. It would now appear that the Government’s policy on revising regulations and dealing with an infraction of the European Temporary Mobile Construction Sites Directive (TMCS) ‘demand’ a complete overhaul based on a copy-out of the Directive, irrespective of the quality of the existing CDM Regulations. We clearly don’t know everything that will be in the package – but the suggested headline changes include the removal of competence regulations; omission of an ACoP; design phase co-ordination duties being placed with the lead designer, possibly with a new title, plus the introduction of CDM duties for all projects where more than one contractor is to be working. This last point aims to bring CDM into line with other European countries where domestic projects are not exempt from the requirement to have a coordinator for health and safety.

Maintaining the highest standards of health and safety in the construction industry is what keeps me and my colleagues at the Association for Project Safety motivated. I am sure the same is true of our partners at the HSE. We agree on that, but the proposed revision of the Construction, Design and Management Regulations may

find us disagreeing on how that is best achieved. Unnecessary paperwork is a bad thing. You won’t find many in the construction industry who would disagree.

It does nothing to reduce safety and health risks on building sites, but does impose extra costs on everyone, from the client to the sub-contractors. That’s the last thing the industry needs right now as it struggles to regain its feet and help the economy grow. There is a government-wide effort to reduce bureaucracy through the BIS one-in-two-out initiative for new regulations. The proposed revision of the 2007 CDM Regulations is likely to be portrayed by the HSE as their contribution towards this anti-bureaucracy initiative. But in practice the effect may well be the opposite.

that would fall at the first hurdle. So gains on the one hand, balanced by big losses on the other.

The HSE is thought to be actively considering weakening the competency requirement for all dutyholders in the revised regulations. They might argue that this will reduce the amount of paperwork in the system, but my experience of nearly 30 years in the construction industry is that additional paperwork is actually generated in inverse proportion to the competence of the person. A competent designer, co-ordinator or contractor ensures that only the really necessary paperwork is generated. Less competent practitioners tend to generate more paperwork than necessary in an attempt to cover themselves for any eventuality.

At the last APS Convention, the Chief Inspector of Construction observed that new regulations would need to avoid gold plating – but is it “gold plating” to design something that works – or should we simply produce regulations that ‘comply’ with the TMCS Directive and the Government’s ‘copy out’ instruction? We might well argue that we should not care a fig for the ‘notion’ of ‘copy out’ – if in so doing the protection afforded the workforce by the CDM Regulations is diluted by omitting elements that could make the European Directive work across the UK. If we had the courage to do so, the whole industry should simply tell our politicians that they should think again. It’s not politics they are playing with but the health, safety and lives of those who work in our industry. For that reason, the forthcoming APS Convention in Belfast will be looking closely at the proposed changes, hearing the opinions and learning from the experiences of construction industry leaders and comparing the UK construction industry with other European countries.

Potentially the most effective regulations change being put forward seems to be the introduction of ‘full’ CDM for all commercial or domestic projects on which more than one contractor will be working.

But this will only be worthwhile if those involved have sensible and competent CDM advice available – if they know what to do and how to do it. Evidence to date does not engender great confidence in this! So it must be a matter of serious concern that the provisions for CDM Co-ordination may well be emasculated, with no certainty that those who will carry out those functions, in both preparation and construction phases, will necessarily know what they are doing, are to do, or are competent to deliver – especially if the competence issue is hidden away by reference to the Management Regulations. As an attempt to simplify and make the regulations clearer

The sad thing in all of this is that the construction industry felt that the last set of regulations was a vast improvement on the first set – which the latest suggestions seem to be harking back to. We must simply hope that those producing the ‘third time lucky’ regulatory package are more successful than those who were equally convinced that what they were doing would ‘work the Directive trick’ for the UK construction industry last time around.

(After all some of the changes last time stemmed directly from the reluctance of designers - and especially lead designers to pick up the CDM ball and run with it!).

We have not heard the last of these proposed changes and let’s hope that the final set of regulations do retain a requirement for the appointment of competent health and safety co-ordinators and other duty holders. There is much the HSE could learn from the way the European Directive has been implemented in Ireland.

annual convention 2013 BELFAST

THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY WHAT COMES AFTER CDM 2007?

WED 9 & THURS 10 OCTOBER 2013 Find out more or book your place for this year’s convention at: www.aps.org.uk/aps-convention-2013

Shaping and sharing best practice in construction health and safety risk management

UKC NEWS

Desco designs special space for Lindisfarne Gospels The Lindisfarne Gospels, a 1,300 year old manuscript, has gone on display in Durham. The exhibition at Durham University’s Palace Green Library offers visitors a rare opportunity to view the priceless book outside of its usual home at the British Library in London.

Much preparatory work has gone into welcoming the Lindisfarne Gospels to Durham and in particular into creating the exacting conditions required for the storage of such a priceless document. Specific designs for special lighting and precise climate controls to the gallery where the manuscript is being displayed have been delivered by Desco, who have been

working closely on the project, alongside the Durham University Estates team.

The manuscript, Europe’s oldest surviving intact book, contains the four Gospels of the New Testament and is commonly regarded as one of the greatest achievements of British medieval art. It is also the oldest known version of the gospels written in the English language.

Whilst only two pages of the gospels will be visible at the display, visitors will be able to flick through and zoom into pages using a specially created digital version of the whole manuscript.

The three month exhibition of the Lindisfarne Gospels at Durham will also

display the jewelled cross, travelling altar and sapphire ring found in St Cuthbert’s coffin with items from the collections of Durham University and Durham Cathedral and loans from national institutions including items from the Staffordshire Hoard.

The programme of events celebrating the manuscript’s visit to the North East will feature exhibitions, performances, concerts, pilgrimages and retreats and runs from 1st July to 30th September.

Durham University is hosting the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition on behalf of the North East of England in partnership with the British Library, Durham Cathedral and Durham County Council.

Cedral Weatherboard helps create luxury holiday home The aesthetics and low maintenance benefits of Marley Eternit’s Cedral Weatherboard made it the perfect choice for prestige leisure home manufacturer Lissett Homes at The Warren in Gwynedd.

With the exclusive holiday home on sale for £500,000, it’s hardly surprising that only the best materials were specified throughout the contemporary design.

The holiday home was sold within days of being placed on the market.

Lissett Homes was initially drawn to the appearance of fibre cement Cedral Weatherboard because the textured surface echoed the aesthetic characteristics of timber. However, being made from fibre cement, means that it provides a long term low maintenance solution, which was particularly beneficial as The Warren is located on the coast at Gwynedd.

Justin Beharrell, Managing Director of Lissett Homes, explained: “We decided to use Cedral Weatherboard at The Warren because we thought its aesthetics were the best we’ve seen, plus it doesn’t have any of the maintenance

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issues associated with other materials.

It was an added benefit that the range is offered in a variety of colours that suit the contemporary design of our homes.

“The visual and performance benefits offered by Cedral Weatherboard are a key part of making a Lissett holiday home an excellent investment that can be enjoyed by owners all year round.”

The luxury home is clad in a subtle Blue Grey Cedral Weatherboard,

which was chosen from a palette of 23 colours and four woodstain finishes.

Marley Eternit supply a range of high quality, coated aluminium trims in matching colours to provide easy installation and greater design flexibility, which helped enhance the visual appeal of their exclusive holiday homes.

Cedral Weatherboard is now used by York based Lissett Homes for their other luxury seafront properties around the UK.

“Women can fill construction skills gap” says Hugh Baird College Principal Yana Williams Women could hold the key to closing the skills gap in construction and engineering but only if more are actively encouraged to look seriously at the industry.

That is the view of Hugh Baird College Principal Yana Williams. The Further Education College in Bootle runs a programme of construction and engineering courses for both school leavers and those already working in the sector, but the majority of those applying for places are still male.

With around 8,000 students each year graduating nationally from university with engineering related qualifications and a market with the capacity to absorb 30,000 there is a yawning skills gap.

Ms Williams believes that Merseyside could lead the way in closing that gap by encouraging more women to opt for a career in construction.

Ms Williams said: “There are tremendous opportunities for women to make a career in construction but many never even consider the prospect. Frequently we hear girls say construction is ‘man’s work’. The industry however is hungry for skilled workers, male or female, to bridge the current shortfall.”

Hugh Baird College runs BTEC and National Diploma courses in basic construction, carpentry and joinery, brickwork, painting and decorating and wall and floor tiling.

In 2013/14 Hugh Baird will be holding female-only work experience opportunities in construction for Year 10 students.

With the support of Liverpool Education Business Partnership female students will try construction for the first time.

The college will also show them how construction qualifications can offer an alternative route to university and management. Hugh Baird itself is planning to launch degree courses for construction and engineering and sponsored Higher Apprenticeships in 2014.

Ms Williams continued: “There is a virtually untapped well of potential female construction workers and engineers which could help meet the growing needs of the industry. If women can be encouraged to seriously consider careers in the construction sector it could be a great benefit to the region.”

World’s first iron framed building secures £12.8M Heritage Lottery Fund investment Shrewsbury’s historic Flax Mill Maltings has received a confirmed grant of £12.8M from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to support the conservation and redevelopment of the world’s first iron framed building.

The funding will be put towards the first phase of the redevelopment of the Flax Mill Maltings site, which will restore and bring back into a third century of productive use some of the main historic buildings on the site, including the Main Mill, which is the world’s first iron framed building, the Kiln, the Dye and Stove House, and the Office and Stables.

Space will be opened up for commercial and community use, including exhibition space for visitors to learn about the building’s place in social and international history.

Work is set to begin on site in October 2013 and be completed in early 2016, meaning that the site could be open to the public, and be the workplace for hundreds of people, by spring 2016.

Situated on the northern edge of Shrewsbury, the internationally important

Flax Mill Maltings site reflects a time when Shropshire led the way in engineering innovation. It comprises seven listed buildings, including the Main Mill, which was built in 1797 and, as the world’s first iron framed building, is the forerunner of the modern skyscraper.

The funding bid was submitted by a partnership of Shropshire Council, English Heritage, the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Reyahn King, Head of HLF West Midlands, said: “The listed buildings at the Flax Mill Maltings encapsulate the very best of British innovation and excellence in engineering and as the forerunner of skyscrapers the Main Mill is of international architectural importance. Shropshire Council’s plans are now set to transform this historic site into a centre for learning, leisure and business enterprise.

“I can’t think of a better use of Heritage Lottery Fund money than to celebrate and reuse our industrial past in such a well thought out and exciting project.”

MP praises retirement development progress Retirement Villages Group Ltd gave Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP for Saffron Walden, a sneak preview of its latest development in Great Easton, Essex during a recent visit.

Members of the Retirement Village Group met Sir Alan where he was shown the site and talked through the progress being made. Once compete, the £15M project will offer 26 individual luxury retirement apartments as part of this unique scheme, each one slightly different to the next. The properties are expected to be complete in spring 2014 and the first opportunity to reserve one will be at a launch event in September.

Sir Alan Haselhurst MP said: “Maynard House has been described as a jewel in the crown and from my initial impressions it will certainly provide a dazzling lifestyle for retirees and those looking to retire in the coming years.”

The local MP has been a regular visitor

to the Moat House Care Home on the same site over the years, which was redeveloped 18 months ago. The addition of the luxurious apartments along with superb communal facilities will create a proper retirement village which is what Retirement Villages Group Ltd is known for.

Sir Alan added: “It’s was a great pleasure to visit the site and to see the progress being made to what will clearly be a fantastic retirement village. I found it interesting to talk to the developers and gain an insight into the benefits this development will bring to the area and how it will meet the sophisticated needs of those in later life.”

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UKC NEWS

Cementos Portland Valderrivas reduces losses by 99% to e0.6M

World Architecture Festival Awards 2013 shortlist announced A giraffe house in New Zealand, a monastery in Taiwan, a treehouse in the USA and a research station in Antarctica are among the 302 projects that have been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2013 – the world’s biggest architectural awards programme.

Taking place at this year’s sixth annual World Architecture Festival, the WAF Awards 2013 have attracted entries from almost 50 countries. The festival’s organisers, i2i Events Group, saw projects submitted from as far afield as New Zealand and Denmark, via Mexico and Azerbaijan. The geographic spread of entries in the shortlist is further complemented by the variety of projects, from The National Arboretum in Australia, to a media centre in Kazakhstan and an opera house in South Korea.

This year’s festival is being held in Singapore for the second time, and whilst the organisers have again seen huge interest in entries from South East Asia, entries from Europe and North America have increased by almost 40% and 14% respectively.

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Buildings designed by global architects such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, and Robert A.M. Stern Architects feature among projects by smaller, local practices.

Practices will compete across 29 individual award categories, spanning completed buildings, landscape projects and future projects, presenting their shortlisted designs live to international judging panels and festival delegates.

Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director, said: “Following such strong competition at last year’s awards, expectations were understandably high for the WAF Awards 2013, and the entries did not disappoint.

From the subtle to the spectacular, from a four room house to an 80-storey tower, the sheer quality and diversity reflected in the array of projects shortlisted today demonstrates the increasingly global nature of the event. All eyes are now on the festival’s venue, the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, where the architects will battle to win their individual categories, with the victorious projects competing for the coveted World Building of the Year award.”

In a context of a sharp decline in demand in Spain, Cementos Portland Valderrivas (CPV), part of the FCC Group, has reduced losses by 98.9%, to e0.6M, compared with losses of e48.6M in the first half of 2012. CPV also swapped assets with Irish Company CRH, which provided capital gains of e104.8M. An agreement was reached on 25 February whereby CRH transferred its 26.34% stake in Corporacion Uniland to CPV. In consideration, CPV transferred its 99.03% stake in Cementos Lemona to CRH. As a result of this operation, Cementos Portland controls 99.99% of Uniland.

Additionally, CRH acquired the cement terminal in Ipswich (UK) from CPV for e22.1M. This deal generated pre-tax capital gains of e104.8M: e89.8M from the asset swap and e15M from the cement terminal sale.

According to José Luis Sáenz de Miera, Chairman and CEO of Cementos Portland Valderrivas: “Results for the first half reflect efforts last year to reduce costs in Spain, where demand continues to shrink and to improve efficiency in operations in the US, where consumption of construction materials is on the rise.”

In view of this decline in activity in Spain, the Group is implementing additional measures to adapt production capacity and the business structure to the current market situation. This includes a revision of the 2012-2021 business plan, and new measures as part of the NewVal Plan. To this end, the Group booked e60.8M in provisions for asset write downs and workforce restructuring.

Other measures include the temporary shut-down of plants, which will lead to temporary redundancy plans, set to commence in the coming months. The Company presented a redundancy plan in June, which affected 318 plant employees.

Plasterer gets royal seal of approval A plasterer from Harrogate has been given the Royal Seal of Approval having graduated from a prestigious course run by the Prince of Wales Heritage Scheme that teaches apprentices about traditional building techniques and gives them the chance to work alongside master craftspeople on heritage sites across the UK. Adrian Wintersgill, who studied at Leeds College of Building, was one of just ten apprentices to be selected for the eight month Building Craft Apprentices programme. He was presented with an award by HRH The Prince of Wales at a ceremony at Dumfries House Estate in Scotland where he worked to build a summer house within the walled gardens of the Estate.

Adrian says: “I had several placements during the course including one at Cornwall’s Old Duchy Palace and the project at Dumfries House. I also worked at several heritage sites across Yorkshire honing my skills and learning traditional techniques which have taken my plastering skills to a whole new level.”

Adrian is no stranger to success having previously won a string of national competitions including SkillBuild, the Plasterers Association Award and the FMB Apprentice of the Year Award whilst at Leeds College of Building.

He has now set up his own business, Wintersgills Plain & Decorative Plasterers, and is the only Company in Harrogate to offer cornice services, ornamental plasterwork, decorative ceilings, ceiling roses, traditional lime plastering as well as more standard plastering work.

Leeds College of Building’s Principal Ian Billyard says: “We are incredibly proud of Adrian, he is a shining example of what can be achieved through a combination of hard work and dedication to his chosen profession and I am sure that his skills and natural talent will make for a very successful future.”

Support given for new garden village in Lighthorne Heath Stratford-on-Avon District Council has given full support to consult on a sustainable new settlement at Lighthorne Heath.

The site, promoted by Commercial Estates Group (CEG) and the Bird Group, will deliver up to 4,800 new homes with shops, services and facilities on a concept based on a Garden Village.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s members and officers have given their support as a sustainable and deliverable way of meeting local housing needs on a 700 acre self contained site, bounded by the M40, B4451 and B4100.

Richard Burke from CEG said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a vibrant new community. It will have its own distinctive local identity founded on the urban design principles of the garden village concept.

“We can create three unique neighbourhoods offering high quality

lifestyles by incorporating employment, cultural opportunities, a mix of housing types, shops, schools and facilities, as well as a Country Park and other biodiversity opportunities throughout the site. Through good planning, walkable neighbourhoods and green travel planning we will promote a healthy village.”

Garden Cities date back to the 1900s with the delivery of Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City. This new settlement would deliver three neighbourhoods in total and when completed will include up to 4,800 dwellings of which 1,900 would be built by 2028.

Stratford District Council, CEG and the Bird Group will now undertake extensive community engagement between the 1st August and the 13th September in order to encourage residents to get involved in shaping the plans, to create a vibrant place which local people can be proud of.

Hope Construction Materials recognised by World Economic Forum Hope Construction Materials, Britain’s newest and biggest independent supplier of concrete, cement, aggregates and asphalt has become the UK’s first construction firm to join the World Economic Forum’s Global Growth Companies (GGC) community.

The Company has been recognised by the Forum after demonstrating strong growth potential during its first six months of trading. Hope Construction Materials is also one of just two European construction firms to show it meets membership criteria.

Formed in 2007, the GGC has accepted more than 370 companies worldwide, seeking out businesses it believes have the potential to not only become leaders in their field, but also to drive greater economic and social change.

Criteria for inclusion include double digit annual growth rates, a substantial turnover of between $100M - $5Bn, executive industry leadership and the ability to demonstrate significant growth potential.

It is believed Hope Construction Materials’ unique contribution to what has historically been a traditional British construction

industry is one of the key drivers behind its inclusion. The Firm, which recently celebrated the production and delivery of its first 1,000,000cu m of concrete, is currently developing a range of innovative concretes for the construction industry.

David Aikman, World Economic Forum Managing Director, said: “When choosing entrants to our community of Global Growth Companies, we assess companies on their business model, annual revenues and growth rates, executive leadership and market position.

“Hope Construction Materials is a dynamic group with clear potential to shape the future across the many markets in which it operates and so is a perfect fit for our GGC community.”

15

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Helping the construction industry with all aspects of substance misuse and harmful substance monitoring

Services include policy writing, sample collection or supply of testing kits, laboratory analysis and training & education.

Contact us today on 0845 0505590 or email us at enquiries@screensafe.co.uk

Keeping your workplace drug and alcohol free The use of drugs and alcohol can be a serious workplace issue, especially in the construction industry. Impaired senses and judgement from the use of drugs and alcohol can have extreme consequences not only to the individual, but also on other employees and the business.

Drug and alcohol misuse can lead to significant health problems and it is not only illegal drugs that cause problems at work. Legal ones, including prescription drugs and alcohol, can be misused. A study at Cornell’s University ‘An evaluation of drug testing in the workplace’ found that construction companies that introduced drug-testing programs experienced a 51% reduction in injury rates within two years of implementation. Furthermore, the National Institute on Drugs state that employers

with drug-free workplace programs have also reported improvements in morale and productivity, and decreases in absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover and theft.

Involving employees is important when implementing and maintaining a drug and alcohol policy. It can help employee understanding that whilst the employer should not interfere in an employee’s private life, if it starts to impact on their work, it’s the employers ‘duty of care’ to all employees to ensure that no one is put at risk. Employees should also be reassured that the policy is there to help ensure that the issues are dealt with as legitimate workplace matters in a way that will aim to support any workers who have a problem.

To help prevent drug and alcohol use from becoming a problem in the first place,

employees should be educated about the consequences of impairment, especially when on a construction site.

It is also important that supervisors/ managers receive training to understand and recognise the indicators of drug and alcohol use and abuse while on the job, or whose substance abuse outside of work hours is having an impact on their ability to perform at work.

If you are concerned about the effects of substance abuse on your business, ScreenSafe are offering readers a free noobligation consultation to discuss their needs and concerns. Please call 08450 505590 and quote UK09.

By Matt Taylor, Managing Director at ScreenSafe

UKC NEWS

Turner & Townsend to deliver largest residential project in post-Soviet Russia The global programme management and construction consultancy Turner & Townsend has been chosen by SPb Renovation to assist with the delivery of Russia’s most extensive residential construction project in modern history.

The £10Bn, 15 year project takes in 22 sites across St Petersburg, involving the construction of 1,200 new buildings and the redevelopment of over 900 hectares.

SPb Renovation is replacing the city’s Soviet-era buildings to create a more modern and sustainable living environment, while also upgrading the standard of new build accommodation within the city.

Providing new apartments for 450,000

residents – 10% of the population – this is a substantial commission, with Turner & Townsend providing consultancy services for the commercial infrastructure needed to support these new neighbourhoods. It will be offering cost modelling, option appraisal, procurement support and systems development on behalf of SPb Renovation and its development partners throughout the programme’s 15 year period.

Commenting on the appointment, Turner & Townsend Russia/CIS Managing Director, Paul Grace, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this significant project which will begin with the transformation of a 65 hectare site on the banks of the River

Mayor of London backs London Gateway as global trade hub The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, was welcomed to DP World London Gateway

by Vice Chairman Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah and London Gateway CEO, Simon Moore, as new figures show that the development will deliver 27,700 jobs in London and the wider South East region as well as contribute £2.4Bn to its annual GDP. The visit comes just weeks after the announcement that Marks & Spencer will build a 900,000sq ft distribution centre on the site, which is just 25 miles from Central London. London Gateway’s logistics park will be Europe’s largest and will see deep-sea cargo sent directly

18

to the market from distribution centres at London Gateway, removing the time and cost associated with movement of goods via inland distribution centres.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “London is set to regain its position as one of the world’s greatest ports, and establish itself once again as a gateway to world trade. This gargantuan site will create tens of thousands of jobs in our capital and the South East, whilst helping to drive continued prosperity for the rest of the UK. DP World’s investment is a huge boost to the economy and a massive vote of confidence in London’s future.”

Neva, dubbed the Gutenborg project.

“This is one of the largest projects of its kind in Russia and will have a marked benefit on the city’s residents, creating employment in the region as well as establishing the benchmark for comfort class living for its residents. We look forward to the coming years’ progress.”

Arthur Markaryan, General Director, SPb Renovation, said: “We are delighted to have Turner & Townsend as our dedicated commercial management partner for the delivery of this new residential quarter in St Petersburg. The team not only shares our vision but bring an unrivalled depth of experience to the programme.”

Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, DP World Vice Chairman said: “London Gateway is a unique development for the UK, bringing DP World’s values of delivering excellent supply chain solutions for our global customers.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome the Mayor of London to see for himself the scale of the site, which is three times as large as the City of London. With some 3,500 construction workers employed every day and thousands of long term jobs to be created, this is a huge inward investment by DP World into the UK.”

Keltbray completes complex Phase One at London Bridge early Keltbray has successfully completed the first phase of the main demolition work at London Bridge Station. This work is part of Keltbray’s £25M contract for Costain and Network Rail to create an improved and more spacious station for passengers with more frequent and reliable Thameslink train services by 2018.

More specifically, Network Rail’s plans involve improvements to the rail infrastructure around the station, a vast new concourse that is bigger than the pitch at Wembley and two new station entrances at street level.

During the first phase Keltbray had over 100 people working on the demolition of three platforms and 12 existing brick viaducts.

Keltbray Project Manager on site, Nick Smith, said: “Our biggest technical challenge was to ensure the stability of the remaining structures during the demolition process. We solved this through the installation of temporary works including a gravity concrete retaining wall to support the live platforms and tracks.

Four machines worked simultaneously along a 150m long face to progressively demolish the arches in 1.5m strips.

Maintaining this sequence was essential to avoid an uncontrolled collapse. During the works over 25,000 tonnes of material was removed from site with wagon movements peaking at over 150 loads per day.”

Keltbray has contributed positively to the good health and safety record on site by running cycle safety events for the public. The Company has also run training for Costain, including asbestos and plant awareness courses, the latter of which saw more than 200 people attending over a three day period.

About Keltbray’s performance, Costain’s Project Director Mark Howard said: “I am pleased to say that Keltbray has successfully completed the first stage of the complex arch demolition. They have demonstrated their commitment to deliver, have a ‘can do’ attitude with a positive safety culture and display the right behaviours to succeed within a collaborative environment.”

mæ Architects’ largest housing development reinterprets Waltham Forest mæ was appointed in 2010 to design Hammond Court following a framework competition to design a 43 unit residential scheme comprising a mixed tenure – social rented and shared ownership units.

Hammond Court is an estate regeneration replacing a series of 1970s buildings. Built by housing association, East Thames Group, it provides new high quality affordable homes in Waltham Forest and has provided important regeneration for residents and the local community alike. mæ’s architecture is outward facing, addressing the community. A perimeter block of houses, maisonettes and apartments step up from three- to five-storeys and enclose a quiet, south facing landscaped communal garden.

Inspired by the ‘Half House’ type developed by Warner, mæ created its own housing typologies that allow high densities whilst offering front doors to the street. All dwellings have private amenity space in the form of balconies, winter gardens or private gardens. mæ has designed a development with

a strong sense of place and a distinct typography that includes clean lines, sharp gables and pitched roofs. It draws on qualities of the local vernacular: good proportions, large picture windows and attention to detail. Bold red brick throughout the scheme references the architecture of the Warner Estate, while buff brick has been used on Mission Grove to visually link the development to the Grade II listed Clock House built by Courtenay Warner in the late 19th century.

The units have been designed to the generous space standards of the East Thames Design Guide and have achieved Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4.

In addition, 10% of units are designed to accommodate wheelchair access.

East Thames Assistant Director of Development, Trevor Burns said: “We have seen Hammond Court transformed into an impressive development, with a design that compliments the character of the area. With an emphasis on family homes, the site has provided attractive and high quality homes for local residents.”

Tel: 01278 780586 www.prodeck-fixing.co.uk 19

Employee Tracking timecard GPS

is a mobile tracking and time sheet solution that works from a wireless device. Data is transferred from a field worker’s handset to Econz web-based software for real-time backend management capabilities.

Construction Companies that use Econz timecard can expect to Benefit in the following ways: Increased worker productivity Decrease in Time-Theft by Employees Manage workforce more efficiently Reduced paperwork and time spent doing it Streamline Mobile Time and Attendance into preferred Accounting and Payroll Systems Increase Profits by saving on everyday costs (fuel, administration, overtime, etc.)

timecard GPS consists of:

Easy to use cell-phone software that allows your workers to be tracked through a business day. Mobile workers are able to clock-in, take a break, change tasks and clock-out; all directly on their standard cell phone, smart phone or tablet.** Employee Tracking (GPS Location, Movement, Speed and Direction, with over 12 Triggers) Over 20 Reports (Time, Attendance, Tasks, Sub Tasks, and many more) Custom and Editable Fields on Handsets (Mileage, Weather, Anyone Hurt on Job?, etc.)

View locations of multiple employees on Google Mapping Clock in and out multiple field workers from a single device (Team Clock In/Out) Office Employees Web log in/out- Administrator log in/out

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View individual worker details including The ‘Breadcrumb’ trail view shows Mutiple rules can be setup based on Smart fences can be setup around activity and current position. speed, direction, location, and status triggers such as entering or exiting any mapped location. of workers. area, speed and movement.

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UKC COMMENT

NHBC

By Mark Jones - Head of House-Building Standards In recent times, basements have become a relevant and attractive addition to many houses, but as new claims figures and experience show basement claims by their very nature are difficult to investigate and costly to repair, which can result in significant disruption to homeowners.

A relatively small number of basements – just 14 – resulted in disproportionately high claims expenditure of £3M in the last year alone, according to our latest figures.

Claims on basements built since 2005 have cost the industry a total of nearly £21M – affecting nearly 890 homes.

Changing weather patterns, a growth in the popularity of basements and a push for more sustainable urban drainage mean that basements present an ongoing risk which needs to be effectively managed.

NHBC figures show that large loss claims in relation to basements – those costing over £250,000 – have risen from £400,000 in 2010 to £1.5M in 2011 and £1.7M in 2012.

When combined with other smaller claims, the total costs have risen from around £3M in both 2010 and 2011 to £4.8M in 2012. These figures are expected to rise further as some claims are still ongoing.

NHBC has undertaken two recent surveys of around 1,700 sites which highlighted key problems surrounding the construction of basements, resulting in advice for builders to ensure problems are avoided.

Main causes

The research found that tanking defects were the main cause of claims – accounting for 66% of volume and 62% of basement claims since 2006. These related mainly to the detailing of joints at ground level, floor level finishes and openings for services, pipes and cables.

NHBC found that over a quarter (28%) of sites surveyed reported high or unknown water tables, but still proposed a Type A (tanked) or Type B (Water resisting concrete) basement which may not be suitable for the site. The majority of the large claims from 2012 were as a result of water ingress and incorrect installation of the damp proof membranes.

NHBC is now looking to revise its standards and guidance on basements working closely with the industry in general to help improve basement design and construction.

It has advised the housing industry

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to carry out suitable desk studies and ground investigation reports before construction as water levels are critical to the structural design of basements. The surveys also highlighted the importance of adopting the correct waterproofing system and water stops to provide enhanced resistance at joints.

Podium slabs accounted for 12% of volume and 17% of cost of basementrelated claims, making it the secondlargest category. Recent large losses have involved properties adjacent to the deck surface suffering from rising damp and failed tanking where the membrane was cut to allow for drainage.

Podium decks generally have a greater exposure to the environment, often with decorative features, including paving and planters. As a result it is vital that builders ensure podium decks have a suitable drainage system with allowance for maintenance, especially when using planters or within the vicinity of trees.

One of NHBC’s team of project managers will be involved in any development incorporating a basement, to assess the proposals and help in achieving satisfactory construction; to avoid the risk of delay, sites with basements or Damage to car due to build up of calcium carbonate deposits as a result of water ingress from the above podium slab

semi-basements (for example, on sloping sites where only part of the lower storey forms a basement) should be clearly identified on the Site Notification and Initial Notice (SNIN) when the application for Buildmark warranty is made.

Working with the industry

NHBC will continue working with the industry to help drive down the number of basement related claims and improve standards for those homeowners living in a property with a basement.

This new guidance, as a result of surveying hundreds of live sites, will hopefully inform the industry and help reduce the risk for homeowners having to endure problematic basements and inconvenience - at a significant financial cost to the sector.

For enquires on basements, please call 0844 633 1000 and ask for ‘Special Risk’ for general technical enquires or ‘Engineering’ to discuss structural issues.

You can also email technical@nhbc.co.uk.

Technical Extra is available online at http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/ ProductsandServices/TechnicalExtra/

COMMENT UKC

The Height Of Good Sense: ‘Best Practice’ in Working at Height Ian Lofthouse, Buck & Hickman More than 4,000 people a year in the UK suffer major injuries from falls while working at height and it is a major cause of workplace death. While the majority of these incidents occur in construction, other sectors of employment are also affected.

Most of the major injuries are associated with falls of less than two metres. The practice of working at height is also risky for those who might be standing below, through objects such as tools being dropped onto them and causing injury.

The Work at Height Regulations (2005) state that employers have a duty to assess the risks and plan and supervise all workers who work at height. The Regulations require all employers to ensure that any task which is to be carried out at height has been properly planned, is fully supervised and that it is only carried out by those who are competent to do the work. They must also ensure that operatives receive thorough instructions and training, and that they are given all the necessary information required in order to carry out their tasks. The Regulations cover everything from how workers access working at height to how they and their tools are prevented from falling to the ground.

It is essential that appropriate work equipment is selected and used and that people working at a height are competent to do so. Equipment used for work at height must be properly inspected and maintained, while risks from fragile surfaces must be properly controlled.

Work must be planned, organised, supervised, and carried out by competent persons, using the following hierarchy of controls: ••Avoid work at height wherever possible where there is a risk of significant injury ••Prevent falls where work at height cannot be avoided by using suitable measures, such as guard rails or work platforms, that protect all workers ••Mitigate falls: minimise the distance and consequences of a fall where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated by using personal protective equipment such as fall arrest systems ••Take additional measures if it is not reasonably practicable to avoid, prevent

or mitigate falls, such as the provision of additional instruction and training, and the demarcation of edges with painted lines ••Set up protection schemes to prevent injuries to people below from dropped tools, securing all tools from falling and taking every precaution underneath workers to prevent any objects that are dropped from falling on those standing below (a claw hammer dropped from 6m is equivalent of being dropped from the second floor of a building, attaining 24 mph/39kph on impact with an impact weight of 117kgs) ••If the workplace contains an area in which there is a risk of someone being struck by a falling object or person, ensure that the area is clearly indicated and that, as far as is reasonably practicable, unauthorised people are unable to access it For those who do not work at height very often or are unsure about which type of access equipment to use, it is important that the risks are assessed and the right equipment for the job is selected.

If it is a light duty task that will take less than 30 minutes and the task can be completed mostly with one hand, or temporary access to a fixed working platform is needed, a ladder, step ladder or combination ladder may be appropriate.

If the task is less than 3.8m high and two hands are needed to complete the job, a podium step or folding platform may be required.

For tasks above 3.8m or which need access in the same place for an extended period, a prefabricated scaffold tower may be suitable.

If the work comprises several tasks up to 15.9m high and not all in the same place, the best solution may be a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) or powered access equipment For longer duration work at height in a fully guard-railed work zone with a larger work area and work load capacity, towers may be needed.

The overriding criteria when selecting equipment for work at height are: use the most suitable equipment; give collective protection measures (eg. guard rails) priority over personal protection measures

(eg: safety harnesses); take account of the working conditions and the risks to the safety of all those at the place where work equipment is to be used.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. It places duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person who controls the work of others (e.g. facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height) to the extent they control the work. It is the responsibility of all companies involved in working at height to know the law surrounding worker safety and dropped objects, and to follow it accordingly.

For more information on the range of products and services available from Buck & Hickman, visit www.buckandhickmanuk. com or call 08450 510 150.

23

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UKC COMMENT

Pre-Action Disclosure: Seeing Your Opponent’s Hand?

Jonathan Marvin, Sheridan Gold LLP The English courts have a “cards on the table” approach to documentary evidence. Standard disclosure requires that a party must disclose not only the documents on which they rely but also the documents that adversely affect their own case and the documents that adversely affect or support another party’s case. A “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded. This definition therefore includes electronic documents, such as emails, text messages and voicemails.

Documentary evidence is normally disclosed after proceedings have started.

It is, however, possible to make an application to the court for disclosure even before a claim form has been filed.

This is known as pre-action disclosure.

There are some obvious advantages in seeing the other side’s documents before making a claim. The court is not, however, meant to allow mere “fishing expeditions”. Pre-action disclosure should not be used by potential litigants to find out if there is a claim somewhere within the documents they want to see.

In the recent case of Mi-Space (UK) Ltd v Lend Lease Construction (EMEA) Ltd [2013], Mi-Space asked for pre-action disclosure of a substantial number of documents by Lend Lease. Mi-Space had been appointed by Lend Lease as the primary sub-contractor for the redevelopment of residential units for the Ministry of Defence. The subcontract was a cost plus arrangement with pain/gain provisions. Mi-Space agreed to receive a share of any cost saving under a Prime Contract between Lend Lease and the Secretary of State for Defence and that it would pay an agreed share of any cost overrun.

In the event, completion was delayed and issues arose between Mi-Space and Lend Lease over the operation of the Prime Contract and the pain/gain provisions.

Mi-Space issued an application for preaction disclosure. It sought various documents from Lend Lease that would

26

enable it to check some aspects of the pain/gain calculations under the Prime Contract. This became an academic question because the judge concluded that Mi-Space and Lend Lease had agreed to refer disputes to arbitration rather than litigation. The court therefore had no power to order pre-action disclosure.

However, the judge provided a useful review of the law and considered what he would have done if he had come to a different conclusion on arbitration.

The three basic tests for preaction disclosure are that: i) the Respondent and the Applicant are likely to be a party to the proceedings; ii) if proceedings are commenced, the Respondent’s duty by way of standard disclosure would extend to the documents of which the Applicant seeks disclosure; and iii) disclosure before proceedings commence is desirable to dispose fairly of the proceedings or to assist the dispute to be resolved without proceedings or to save costs.

It must be clear what the issues in the litigation are likely to be, to ensure the documents asked for are the ones that will adversely affect or support the case of one side or the other (Black v Sumitomo [2002]).

The judge formed the view that it was difficult to be clear about the likely issues.

Mi-Space could only say that Lend Lease “may” be in breach of contract. This was insufficient to persuade him that the application was more than a fishing expedition. Mi-Space asked for documents relating to the pain/gain provisions but there was little evidence to support its allegations that it had suffered or faced an immediate reduction in payment under these provisions. This was not, therefore, a case where pre-action disclosure would assist with the disposal of the proceedings or the resolution of a dispute without proceedings. The only remaining ground for pre-action disclosure was the saving of costs but the judge considered Mi-

Space had not shown how costs would be saved. Furthermore, many of the heads of documents sought were too widely drawn. These would result in the disclosure of an enormous amount of documentation, much of which would be irrelevant. It was not for the court to weed down the wide categories of documents sought. Applicants should instead make proportionate and focused requests.

The applicant came unstuck because they cast their net too widely and without sufficient certainty. Pre-action disclosure remains a useful tool but it requires careful preparation to identify the likely issues in the litigation and, in connection with these issues, why particular documents are sought.

Jonathan Marvin

COMMENT UKC

Set-off in adjudication enforcement Kasia Dickson, legal assistant, Thomas Eggar In a recent judgment in Thameside Construction Company Ltd v Stevens and Another [2013] EWHC 2071 the ability of the losing party to a construction dispute to set-off any payments due pursuant to an adjudicator’s decision has once again been addressed. Akenhead J decided that, in the circumstances, the employer under a building contract could not set off liquidated damages against a sum due to the contractor pursuant to an adjudicator’s decision. Although the case does not create, amend or overrule any existing principles, it provides a useful summary of those already in practice.

T submitted an interim application which was treated by both parties as a final account. S paid the majority and T referred the matter to an adjudication seeking payment of the remaining amount, S counterclaimed for damages for defective work and LADs for failure to complete. The matter was complicated by uncertainties surrounding the final completion date and liquidated damages. The adjudicator noted that he was not asked to determine the date of practical completion and therefore he decided that the only way to deal with this dispute is to treat it as an interim valuation dispute (although he said that he would bear in mind that the parties have intended this to act as final account). He decided against S. The payment was to be made 14 days from the decision, however 6 days later, S issued a withholding notice stating that they intended to set-off an amount of liquidated damages and pay the rest, which they did. They treated the decision as an interim certificate and argued that they were therefore contractually entitled to withhold. T applied to TCC to enforce the adjudicator’s decision.

Akenhead J confirmed that to determine

the issue of set-off, following an adjudicator’s decision, one needs to consider the terms of the decision itself and to interpret what the adjudicator decided. In doing so one could look at the dispute referred to adjudicator and pleading type documents submitted but a distinction was made between a decisive and directive parts of the decision (Hyder Consulting v Carillion Construction).

Akenhead J confirmed, as a general principle, that an adjudicator’s decision that directs a party to pay a sum to another is to be honoured and no set-off against that payment should be permitted. As with all general principles, however, there are exceptions. Firstly, where there is a set-off provision contained in the contract document which does not conflict with the statutory requirements; secondly, where a decision is of a declaratory type and it simply confirms the amount that is owed (Squibb Group v Vertase); and thirdly, where the adjudicator’s decision permits a further set-off to be made against the sum otherwise decided as payable (Balfour Beatty Construction v Serco Ltd).

This case did not fall within any of the exceptions. It was not a simple question of interpretation of the decision as to whether the adjudicator permitted setoff. The confusion was created because adjudicator stated that practical completion, liquidated damages and extension of time issues should be left to “another day”.

Akenhead J decided that the adjudicator erred in deferring issues to another day.

It was within his jurisdiction to look at liquidated damages and that would have involved at the very least determining the dates possession was entered into.

Nevertheless if the adjudicator intended for set-off to be permitted he would have said so, he directed that a payment is made

and made no allowances for any set-off.

No set-off was permitted and therefore the full amount of the award was due.

This decision summarises the principles on set-off against an adjudicator’s decision and it is likely to be cited in the future. It also reinforces a general principle that an adjudicator’s decision will rarely fail on enforcement because on the adjudicator’s defective reasoning.

Kasia Dickson

27

UKC COMMENT

Sustainable vision of louvres

Simon Hunter, Product Manager Louvre systems can help improve a building’s efficiency and play a key role in sustainable design, says Simon Hunter, Product Manager of Louvres at Construction Specialties.

Public and private sector clients are seeking ever-higher sustainability ratings for their buildings, with increasing use of natural light and ventilation as well as higher levels of insulation, combined with more energy-efficient building systems.

While renewable energy can help improve efficiency, these other ‘fabric first’ solutions can often prove to be more cost-effective over the building’s life. For example, a well-designed louvre system, which will already be needed to provide air flow to building systems, can help raise energy performance. If air flow is improved, less energy is consumed in moving the volumes of air required. In the case of HVAC, this can sometimes mean a smaller and less powerful system is required.

There are three main types: screening louvres, standard drainable louvres and storm-resistant (or performance) louvres.

Screening louvres are the simplest, suitable where water penetration will not cause significant problems and economy is the primary consideration, such as screening of rooftop plant.

Standard drainable blades give good air flow and some rain defence but do not perform so well with wind-driven rain.

They are used when occasional ingress is not a major concern and where some drainage of cascading water is needed.

Performance louvres typically provide moderate to good air flow with excellent defence against wind-driven rain. They are used with sensitive equipment such as HVAC plant.

Louvres are often specified on free area

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(typically 50%), the clear distance between the blades multiplied by the width of the louvre panel (or height, if the blades are vertical). Commonly a 1m by 1m louvre is used to quote free area but, in reality, louvres are never precisely this size. In fact, the smaller the louvre, the lower the proportion of free area, as it is affected by the space taken up by the head, cill, jambs or mullions. Free area is also affected by other factors, for example if bird screens or insect meshes are fitted.

Crucially, free area alone does not take into account how the air flows through a louvre. All louvres restrict the passage of air. This resistance, the pressure drop, dictates how much air gets through the louvre and therefore how much can effectively be used. Too high a pressure drop and not enough air will be allowed through, which can cause a rapid temperature rise inside a building, in turn causing problems with plant such as generators and HVAC equipment.

Coupled with this, louvre design and performance characteristics have changed in response to demand for better water protection. As a result, specification should also consider site location, prevailing weather conditions and the location and exposure of the louvres (which will dictate air flow rate and the amount of potential wind-driven rain).

However, it is essential that performance is not compromised at the expense of aesthetics. Louvres can be hidden behind features or perforated but this can increase resistance to air flow. Additionally, most louvres can be shaped but this can impact on drainage capabilities.

A well-designed louvre will reduce the pressure drop, allowing a larger volume of air through and thus cutting the amount of

fan power needed to deliver the required air flow. Conversely, a poorly designed system can lead to rainwater ingress, inadequate ventilation, wasted energy and a drop in performance, not only of the equipment being ventilated but of the whole building.

Louvres are an excellent way of helping to meet demanding environmental legislation and client requirements for sustainable buildings. However, careful design and specification, balancing ventilation, rain protection and aesthetics, is critical, to ensure improved efficiency, lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions.

Simon Hunter

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UKC COMMENT

UK Energy Crunch in the Next Five Years Part Two - ‘Cutting Costs & New Technology’ Written by: Shamir Jiwa, Managing Director of MAXIM Eyes energy consultants Previously we looked at the looming energy crunch that is threatening the UK and how we are behind the Europeans on sustainable technology as well as being way over on the cost of energy. So, what measures can be taken to reduce costs?

In the first instance, the UK must become less dependent upon the grid, as that is where the major cost increases will come from. Generating power for own consumption is the second most proactive step one can take, with packages available for most sizes of businesses in the UK. Managing waste and how energy is used is crucial to reducing overall costs, with every business in the UK capable of making reductions, whilst putting measures in place to be more efficient consumers.

Creating a long term purchasing plan is vital in ensuring energy prices are fixed and immune to price rises. Energy brokers are capable of securing 5 year fixed price tariffs and many at the similar rates as one year fixed tariffs. Working towards being carbon neutral is another consideration and in many cases businesses or institutions in the UK can achieve this comfortably within 10-15 years.

What are the possibilities in the UK for new energy sources such as shale gas? The conservative estimate is that the natural gas reserves on Planet earth are expected to last 63.6 years (Reserves to Production ratio according to BP) but those figures could be significantly improved with the introduction of Shale Gas. While many see this as a silver bullet solution, nobody quite knows what the cost of extraction is going to be and, more to the point, what the cost to the consumer will be. And whilst fracking, the extraction of gas from shale is seen by many as being disruptive to the environment, already 50% of BP’s gas extraction uses fracking techniques.

Such is the appeal of Shale Gas, Centrica, the owner of British Gas, is investing

30

£160 million into the exploration and development of Shale Gas fields at Bowland in Lancashire, just miles from Blackpool. A recent report from the British Geological Society has estimated that there could be as much as 1,300 trillion cubic feet of gas trapped in rocks under Lancashire and Yorkshire, twice as much as previously estimated. However, it is not yet certain if extraction is viable and only 10% of the overall resource may be recoverable. A report from the Institute of Directors in May estimated that natural gas from shale could reduce the amount of gas the UK has to import in 2030 from 76% to 37%, with UK investment reaching £3.7bn a year and providing 74,000 new jobs across the industry.

Energy from waste is one of the most exciting new developments that could see the UK reduce the gap with Europe.

Combined Heat & Power (CHP) can take waste destined for landfill and incinerate it producing power and heat. With the landfill tax of over £80 per tonne being introduced in 2014 this presents a real alternative to conventional power generation. One such private enterprise is the new CHP plant in Runcorn, Cheshire. This Solid Recovered Fuel Thermal Power Station is part of a Private Finance Initiative waste management project driven by the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority. Capable of treating up to 810,000 tonnes of solid recovered fuel derived from household waste, delivering 174,000 MWth and exporting 100MW of electricity and 500,000 tonnes of steam per year to the local networks. To better understand the efficiency of the plant, a similar facility is planned for construction in Beddington, South London which will recover heat and electricity from up to 60,000 tonnes of organic waste per year, generating renewable electricity to power around 3,500 homes in the area.

In terms of the future, the answers are out there and all we need is a little bit of faith in new technologies. New entrants into the energy sector bring new ideas and a will to make a difference; that’s what we need and with the proper backing we can close the energy gap on Europe.

About Shamir Jiwa Shamir Jiwa is founder and Managing Director of MAXIM Eyes (UK) Ltd - Energy Consultants & Connections Specialists.

An entrepreneur and philanthropist with a keen interest in the well being of global society, the Maxim Eyes concept is to take a 360 degree view of any company’s energy strategy, identify where the gaps may be and create solutions to collectively fill the gaps. MAXIM Eyes works with corporate clients in over 4000 locations across the UK. Web; www.maximeyes.net Email: info@maximeyes.net Tel: 0844 871 7711 Shamir Jiwa

COMMENT UKC

Strip and rebuild

The easy solution for ‘builder’s headache’ Designed to simplify the logistical side of putting in HVAC equipment, a ‘strip and rebuild’ service can take the stress out of installation and cut costs, says Matt Blanchard, Manager, Technical Helpdesk and Workshop, Field Quality Services Desk at Daikin UK. Installing or specifying HVAC equipment is not an easy task. Many factors need to be considered – from the ability to fulfil the heating/cooling requirements and energy efficiency to BREEAM guidelines and building regulations.

And that’s not all. The logistics surrounding installation can also have considerable financial and time implications on a particular job. Crane hire, road closures, time delays for processing applications with local authorities and adverse weather conditions can bring cost levels right up.

This is one reason why many forwardthinking suppliers, including Daikin UK, are now offering a strip and rebuild service.

Designed to help relieve some of the administrative burden and to simplify the

logistical side of installation, strip and rebuild, as its name suggests, involves organising to ‘strip’ your chosen unit off-site and ‘rebuild’ it, so that it can be installed with ease at the customer’s convenience.

This kind of service not only helps to solve many of the site-logistical problems, but also helps keep money spent to a minimum. If you consider the cost of crane hire, for instance, and factor-in application costs for full or partial road closure in London and other major cities – which can cause undue stress when meeting tight project deadlines – then your lifting costs soon start to soar. A strip and rebuild service is likely to save you money – and costs are transparent so that you can keep track of your budget.

Another issue to consider is that councils advise applicants to allow eight weeks’ processing time for road closure applications. Add in the site survey from your lifting company, along with possible cancellation due to weather conditions, and arranging a crane lift,

which can be a long process. A quality strip and rebuild service will have your unit stripped, delivered and rebuilt at a time to suit you, providing peace of mind.

It might be required, too, because of health and safety regulations that your site is closed or cleared prior to and during the lifting process, thus leading to downtime and lost labour hours.

There is no need for site closure with a quality strip and rebuild service.

One of the most attractive features of Daikin UK’s strip and rebuild service is the peace of mind and the sense of satisfaction it affords when you know that your unit has not only been rebuilt, on time or even ahead of time, but has been tested by the trained and qualified engineers provided as part of the service. The service is fully covered by the supplier’s warranty – and carries a full CE declaration. www.daikin.co.uk

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UKC COMMENT

Lightweight concrete savings Gareth Moores, Managing Director of Lytag Ltd, discusses the findings of a report into the savings that can be made by using LYTAG lightweight aggregate in structural concrete...

High quality lightweight aggregate (LWA) is a valuable tool for contractors and structural engineers, and can help meet a number of engineering challenges in the construction process. Now, contractors and engineers have new information available that shows exactly what weight savings can be found by using lightweight aggregate in structural concrete, including decreased timescales, lower costs and increased design flexibility.

Lytag Ltd has recently undertaken comprehensive research looking at the potential weight savings that can be secured from using LYTAG LWA. This is a tried and tested secondary material which is up to 50% lighter than traditional aggregate and can be used in a range of applications including screed, fill and as a drainage medium.

The material has been used in high profile projects across the UK including the Shard and the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station, and now the picture is clearer than ever for construction teams regarding the savings that can be made, and where.

The research looks at a 6 storey design and a 30 storey design, with both concrete and steel frames. The findings show that there are substantial savings to be made across both building designs and both frame types. Each design model was generated using RAM 3D modelling software and these were then inserted in Tekla 3D modelling software.

What the report found The report showed that significant savings could be found across the board by using concrete made with LYTAG LWA in the place of traditional aggregate. In the 6 storey concrete frame building, substantial savings could be secured in the overall

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reduction in dead load. By using LYTAG LWA in the place of traditional aggregate, reductions of 25% are possible, bringing significant design and engineering benefits.

However, the research showed that the most considerable reduction in this type of building design is in the foundations.

The volume of concrete required when LYTAG LWA is used can be reduced by as much as 56%. There are further reductions in the volume of steel required, including in the reinforcement of the beams (21%) and foundations (53.5%) In the 30 storey steel frame building, the weight savings are equally great.

The volume of concrete required in the foundations can be reduced by 18% and in the floors by 9%. The requirements for steel foundation reinforcements are reduced again, by 25% and the volume of steel framework needed can be reduced by 8%.

What does this mean for contractors and engineers?

Significant cost benefits can be generated through using LYTAG LWA. The reduced weight of the aggregate means that there are substantial savings to be found from reduced project time frames and the reduced need for reinforcements and piling.

Reduced deadload also brings greater flexibility in terms of design. It can mean a reduction in the amount of reinforcements required, and therefore more open plan layouts and floor plans are possible.

This enables less obstructed views and maximises the use of natural light.

When contractors and engineers are required to meet strict design criteria like this, LYTAG LWA can provide valuable quick wins. A prime example of this is the use of LYTAG LWA in the Shard.

The composite floors of the building were constructed using a steel frame and corrugated metal topped with the

lightweight concrete. By using LYTAG LWA to make the concrete rather than traditional aggregate, the dead load of the floors could be lowered by up to 11% – reducing the number of concrete columns needed to support the floors, and helping to realise the design objective of open office spaces.

This new report shows how considerable the weight savings can be from using LYTAG LWA. For project teams increasingly faced with time and cost constraints, as well as sustainability targets, knowing the role that materials such as this can play in providing quick wins will help them to meet all these requirements.

For more on LYTAG LWA and its applications, visit www.lytag. net or call +44 (0)1904 727 922 Gareth Moores

South West Regional Projects Ltd www.southwestregionalprojects.co.uk

Project Management

Building

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South West Regional Projects Ltd (SWRP) was established in 2010 and provides all forms of electrical, plumbing and gas works.

It benefits from the expertise of two former companies, which were combined as one to give greater experience to the customers who benefit from work.

SWRP is always looking to expand and grow, and counts customer care and service as one of its main priorities, taking pride in the quality of workmanship, which continues to build the Company’s reputation and leaves clients satisfied.

No project is too big or small for SWRP, who also carry out general building works on some of the contracts developed on, such as partitioning, flooring and ceiling works.

The Company and its employees have many years of experience in project management of a wide variety of projects, from small domestic jobs to very large construction and engineering projects.

SWRP employs qualified and experienced tradesmen to carry out a wide spectrum of jobs necessary for a quality building service.

At the moment, SWRP is involved in three live projects in Bristol and has a further three that are ready to start. This follows on from the high quality mechanical and electrical work carried out on the Quasar project in Bath.

SWRP is an NICEIC registered contractor and both directors are qualified electrical engineers who have had many years of experience in this field, from domestic rewires to large commercial installations.

Control panels are also designed and manufactured for different industries, including the water authorities, which showcases the wide range of the Company’s expertise.

Other services provided include plumbing, with SWRP employing fully qualified and trained representatives to carry out all plumbing work to the highest standard, which also complies with all safety standards.

SWRP also has skilled painters and decorators with experience in all aspects of the trade, proud of providing a truly professional and excellent finish. This service is provided on a range of projects including homes, offices, factories and shops.

In addition to this, the Company’s loft conversions allow customers to seamlessly and cost effectively extend their living space by converting a loft or attic, which adds value to a home.

The Company is flexible with this service, catering for all needs and budgets to create that extra living space, whether it is a bedroom, bathroom, office or simply somewhere to relax.

Based in the Chew Valley near Bristol, SWRP covers the whole of the UK and Europe and will continue to provide quality service in electrical and building contracts for both the private sector and construction industry.

Whatever your domestic or commercial needs you can contact us today for a free no obligation quotation.

Call us today on 01275 331 031 or alternatively email us at mark@swrpltd.com South West Regional Projects Ltd. Poole Farm, Top Sutton, Bishop Sutton. Bristol. BS39 5UW

UKC CIVIL

Morestead Wastewater Treatment Works

Multi-million pound improvement on quality of treated wastewater Work is progressing well on Southern Water’s £9M upgrade of the Morestead Road Wastewater Treatment works in Winchester.

Southern Water is carrying out an extensive upgrade of the treatment works to improve the quality of the treated wastewater returned to the environment.

The modifications to the wastewater treatment works are required in order to meet new Environment Agency discharge consent requirements. Specifically, the consents require an increase in the treatment capacity, as well as a reduction in levels of nitrogen and phosphorus present in the flow discharging into the onsite soakaway system.

A major part of the work is the construction of three aeration lanes. These are used to pump oxygen into the wastewater to help the waste-digesting bacteria to thrive.

The other improvements include the construction of new pumps, settlement tanks, generators and treatment systems, and the installation of a new ferric dosing plant to remove phosphate, which is present in wastewater from a variety of sources including washing powders.

Project Manager Jon Kenrick, said: “We are really pleased with the progress at Morestead Road. Despite the terrible weather we’ve had recently, the project is forging ahead and well on track to complete by the end of the year.”

The design, scale, layout and appearance of the developments and relationship to established features in the landscape

will ensure that the character of the area will not be adversely affected by the development. It will not have a dominating presence, and measures to screen the project will ensure it will not have a significant visual impact on the surrounding area.

The development location is within an operational wastewater treatment works where public access is restricted for health and safety reasons, including uneven surfaces and automatically operating mechanical equipment. Access to the development has been designed to meet operational requirements.

Maintenance and operation staff will continue to visit the site following the development, in light vans.

Public transport arrangements will not alter but are largely irrelevant as staff need to carry equipment with them and visit multiple remote sites, so tend to be forced by practicality to travel in light vans.

The work is being carried out by Southern Water’s supplier, 4Delivery, which is a consortium comprising Veolia Water, Costain and MWH.

From optioneering, design and construction through to optimisation, operation and maintenance, the Company offers global expertise to deliver integrated, local outcome based solutions to the water industry.

Incorporated in 2005 to deliver a part of Southern Water’s AMP4 (2005-2010) programme of works, 4Delivery has since successfully delivered more than £1Bn of environmental improvements across AMP4 and AMP5, including a £240M scheme to build a new wastewater treatment works and associated infrastructure to serve the Bright and Hove catchment.

Work on the project will be completed by December 2013.

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Our modular half-bridge scraper design with dragged stainless steel scraper blade array was selected for the 22.5m diameter Final Settlement Tank at Morestead Road, supplied to site pre-assembled, pre-wired and factory tested.

The scraper mechanism is controlled by a purpose made local control panel and protected from damage by a torque limiting device and loss of rotation sensor. Surface scum is removed by a combination of a pumped spray bar system together with scum blade and dipping scum box.

All associated tank peripheral GRP components were supplied and installed by A&J as part of a two week installation programme.

EDUCATION UKC

Notre Dame Catholic College Part of a £75M council investment plan Construction on the new £15M building for Notre Dame Catholic College in Liverpool is progressing rapidly and is getting ever closer to its completion date of this summer.

This will enable the college to open to staff and students in September 2013.

The new design incorporates the best of the traditions and heritage of Notre Dame Everton Valley such as beautiful legacy items including the chapel’s stained glass windows, and combines them with 21st century teaching and learning spaces.

These spaces will be equipped to ensure flexibility and the highest standards of teaching can take place, whether that is one-to-one tuition in English or maths, small group work, class work or whole year activities.

The new site will boast state-of-the-art science, computer and design spaces fitted with high specification equipment and hardware. In addition to this, the college’s existing strengths in humanities subjects will be enhanced by a purpose

built geology laboratory and multi-wall projection and immersion facilities in history, allowing students to access these subject areas in greater depth.

This project is part of a £75M plan to construct 12 new schools. The scheme is part of the newly elected Mayor’s Investment Plan for Secondary Schools, devised as a rescue package following the scrapping of Wave Six of Liverpool’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.

Operations began following Cabinet approval for the scheme, subject to the formal awarding of the £15M contract.

The college is being built on a site adjacent to Everton Park Lifestyles Centre on the edge of the Project Jennifer regeneration scheme, and the school will use the sports facilities at the site. The college is being co-located with Everton Park Sports Centre, so students will have access to a lifestyles gym, swimming pool, sports hall, exercise studios and newly

installed, external 3G sports pitches.

As would be expected, the performing arts facilities will be of a professional standard and will include two separate auditoria and two recording studios. The college will also host the Resonate Music hub that facilitates the music tuition and programmes across Liverpool.

Bespoke staff and student work areas have been included in the design to allow students to further their studies before and after school within their preferred curriculum areas with specialist support and materials close to hand.

All students already have their own personal electronic device/notebook or iPad and these will integrate fully with an environmentally friendly ‘follow me’ printing system – allowing students tot print from any terminal and avoiding the waste created by traditional printers.

The Architect for the project is Sheppard Robson, and the Main Contractor is Willmott Dixon.

We are proud to have been involved with the Design and Installation of the complete Mechanical and Electrical Services on this fantastic new building and to have enjoyed such a close working relationship with Willmott Dixon and all the team to deliver a quality installation of the following services:

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UKC CIVIL

Foryd Harbour Scheme

Rhyl regeneration

Work on the Foryd Harbour scheme has continued to progress, and August saw the completion of two of the four contracts.

The project follows on from an initial development of the harbour that was completed in 2009.

The current project will see development of a new quay wall and a ten metre wide slipway adjacent to the existing quay wall, a pedestrian and cycle bridge, which will provide the vital connection in the existing coastal footpath between Rhyl and Kinmel Bay, and complete the North Wales Coast section of the National Cycle Network.

The bridge has a feature lighting scheme.

A new extended quay wall has been built to the seaward side of the new bridge, which has pontoon facilities and provides a small section of quay wall for boats to tie up. There is also be a mooring pontoon for a maximum of ten boats in the centre of the river.

A public square will be created with access points from the site entrance, and the bridge, as well as the provision of a footpath route through the public square from the pedestrian and cycle bridge to the existing coastal footpath, and a vehicular access route around the outside of the public square to the extended quay wall.

A new quay side building on the public square will accommodate a cafĂŠ, a business unit, public toilet, and a shower/toilet facility for boat users on the ground level and an operational base for the harbour and

36

maritime service on the upper level.

The project is an ambitious plan to transform the fortunes of Rhyl. At the heart of the regeneration for the town is the concept of recreating Rhyl as a place where people choose to live and stay here, discovering Rhyl as a place to visit.

As a result of the project, Denbighshire County Council has established a harbour and maritime service to operate and maintain the harbour and to develop a strong maritime offer in Denbighshire.

The operation and maintenance will enable boats to access and egress the harbour three hours either side of high water, allow the ecology and natural beauty of the area to be managed and protected, and visitors to the site educated in respect of the area’s natural habitat.

It will give new and improved facilities for existing users, and facilities from which to develop further water and land related activity, which will attract and retain tourists and increase the footfall within the harbour area.

The bridge is a twin bascule bridge hinged from the central caisson, with a design consisting of two mirroring 30m long decks hinged on a central caisson and lifted by cables running up to a central mast.

Almost 50m tall, the mast is stayed by a rigging similar to a sailing boat. The mast houses the pulley mechanism and lifting cables.

The whole development will result in new launch facilities for trailer boats

and personal leisure craft from the new slipway, and in the future a park and launch scheme is planned.

New employment opportunities will be available at the harbour and maritime service and new business opportunities will be associated with the new facilities thanks to the increased use of the boatyard.

There will be increased economic activity in the locality associated with an increase in visitor numbers, and the ecological enhancements through the project have already attracted new species to the site, enriching the natural habitat and providing further ecological interest.

The Main Contractor for the pedestrian and cycle bridge was Dawnus Construction Ltd, who had a design and build contract. Work started in July 2012 and completed at the end of August 2013.

Dawnus was also the Main Contractor for the enabling works of quay walls, boat facilities and access routes, for which Denbighshire County Council was the Architect; this also finished in August 2013.

Wynne Construction Ltd is the Main Contractor for the quayside building development, while none has been appointed yet for the public square finishing works, which was also designed by the Council and commenced in August 2013. Wynne Construction also designed the quayside building.

Work has not commenced on this yet, but will be completed in May 2014, as will the public square.

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UKC PROFILE

National Outdoor Events Association

Educating and enhancing professionalism The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) is the UK’s leading outdoor events trade association covering the whole of the UK. There is also a Scottish division, NOEA Scotland active north of the border.

It is dedicated to enhancing professionalism in the outdoor events industry through education, networking, lobbying, advice and creating business opportunities.

The NOEA membership comprises event suppliers, event production professionals, event and festival organisers, entertainment agencies, local authority events departments, venues, universities and freelancers.

Established in 1979, NOEA is the only trade association specialising in the outdoor events industry and has more than 500 member organisations.

NOEA’s policy to educate, advise and enhance professionalism and business opportunities clearly works. The regional workshops, conferences and annual convention & tribute celebration evenings offer opportunities to find out about the latest developments – to learn about topical issues such as the Licensing Act, Disability Discrimination Act, and the Security Industry Authority.

NOEA is involved in training event managers and working on the British Standard for the sustainability of event management. NOEA is represented on the business visits & events partnership, The Genesis Initiative, The Event Industry Forum and the International Festivals & Events Association – Europe. The purpose is to debate issues, share information, network, meet new business contacts,

renew old friendships and have fun. creativity, attention to detail, and created By becoming a member of NOEA, a valuable networking opportunities. company becomes part of a specialist ‘club’ He is also looking forward to the rest of of outdoor event professionals. The ethos this year with excitement. He said: of the Association is to bring together like“2013 is looking good with more events minded people for business-to-business being planned and promises to be a networking, education, the sharing of busy year for us all. The Purple guide problems and to enhance professionalism. will be completed and the National Benefits of NOEA membership include: Stewarding council launched.”

••Entry in NOEA’s annual yearbook.

Tom Clements, NOEA Scotland Chairman ••Entry on NOEA’s website. is pleased that the NOEA AGM will be ••Attend/exhibit at the annual conference. held in Scotland in the autumn. He said: ••Receive electronic newsletters.

“This will give our NOEA Scotland ••Network with all other members. members a chance to network with a ••Free legal advice relating wide range of industry professionals to outdoor events. and to showcase the vibrant outdoor ••Discounts with the Holiday Inn, Holiday events industry in Scotland.”

Inn Express and Crowne Plaza hotels.

••Discounts with Arnold Clark Van Hire. www.noea.org.uk ••Access to All Parliamentary Group for events.

••Special rates for exhibiting at selected shows.

••Advice helpline.

••Use of logo for promotional purposes.

Last year was a successful one for most people working in events, with the Olympics showing how people excel when it comes to staging events.

Richard Limb, 20 Eton Place, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 3EP NOEA President, Tel: 0161 724 8072 Fax: 0161 724 8072 Email: derekhackett@btinternet.com said it showcased

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City Glade, is a quiet and exclusive new development of family homes created by Linden Homes.

This fine selection of three- and fourbedroom homes combines tranquil surroundings in a sought after riverside location, with the convenience of being close to Exeter city centre. City Glade enjoys all the advantages of a brand new Linden development, with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, spacious accommodation and high quality fittings.

The beautiful homes at City Glade have been individually created

by Linden’s experienced team of dedicated specialists, backed up by the reassurance and guarantees of an award winning housebuilder.

Set back off the Topsham Road, City Glade is situated in a stunning location. Nestled in a hidden leafy setting with the River Exe nearby and the Riverside Valley Park beyond, the heart of Exeter city centre is less than two miles form the doorstep.

Exeter is full of character and ancient history, yet also provides residents with all the amenities and facilities of a vibrant modern city.

City Glade is also close to open countryside and is ideally placed for Dartmoor National Park and the unspoilt beaches of two coastlines.

The are provides it all from good education, lively shopping destinations and fantastic leisure opportunities, as well as good transport links to many parts of the buyers. Stand out properties include; country and an international airport.

The Bovey, a four-bedroom home with Linden Homes is a market leader with master ensuite, conservatory and useful a truly impressive brand, offering a kitchen with attached utility space. Rooms distinctive and diverse product range, both are generously proportioned, with a in terms of house style and specification. lounge of 6.1m by 3.5m and bedrooms Dedicated to regenerating brownfield land, ranging from a large master suite to Linden is a responsible, award winning comfortable three further bedrooms. housebuilder with a reputation for quality and creative sustainable developments in prime locations.

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39

UKC PROFILE

Bullock Construction

Laying the foundations for a sustainable future Bullock Construction has been delivering a number of services for almost 60 years while building up a unique expertise to offer a holistic service to all clients.

As a market leader in developing communities where people want to live, work, learn and invest, Bullock is skilled and experienced in regenerating neighbourhoods, from retrofit to new build, redevelopment to refurbishment.

The Company’s care division has been busy of late, with many new developments constructed.

It includes Chestnut Grange in BurtonUpon-Trent. Working with Trent and Dove Housing Association, Bullock delivered a new extra care sheltered housing scheme comprising of 67 new apartments situated around a central communal area.

The apartments were developed for shared ownership and rent, specifically designed to make life comfortable for people in later life.

The site is surrounded by lots of terrace housing, and had limited access to site and on site storage, which provided some challenges during development.

A complex roof structure was required due to recessing of elevations incorporating standing seam, central glass atrium and single ply membrane to allow for maintenance access.

The glass atrium required a steel frame and the first floor structure is pre-cast concrete planks with the roof being timber.

It is an extra care facility with a BREEAM

‘Very Good’ rating, where residents have the privacy and pleasure of their own home within a friendly community.

Chestnut Grange has the latest safety and security, 24-hour specialist care and support, and gives residents the type of environment they need in order to live life to the full.

Another new development is Bluebell Park. Situated in Huyton, it comprises the traditional construction of 101 new build extra care apartments for rent and 21 new build apartments for sale.

The facility includes various communal areas that will include a restaurant, lounge areas, hairdressers, activity and hobby rooms.

Consultation with the local community in Huyton took place before construction work began on new roads, pavements, pavement crossings and other works to public footpaths, which had to be created.

It will help to keep energy bills low for residents, with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) boilers that capture and re-use the heat produced in day-to-day electricity usage. They have helped reduce energy bills by ten per cent.

A targeted recruitment programme by providing 624 weeks of training (52 weeks per £1M turnover) was implemented.

Commitment was also made to contribute at least five pounds of community benefit for every one pound of construction spent.

It has resulted in major investment in the local community, leaving a lasting legacy,

while at the same time providing local employment and training opportunities.

These are high quality homes that provide lifetime homes for residence with communal indoor and outdoor spaces as well as their own private space.

Lancaster Grange Care Home at Fernwood Park Estate in Newark was completed in August, and is a much needed and welcome addition to the area.

Designed to provide the highest quality 24-hour residential and nursing care for older people, including those living with dementia, the children of Claypole Primary School took part in a competition to name the care home.

From more than 70 entries, Lancaster Grange was chosen in honour of the brave airmen who flew Lancaster Bombers from Newark in World War Two. Continuing the theme of completing care homes this year, Bullock also finished work on the 28-bed complex care facility at Little Bloxwich in Walsall.

The welcoming facility is designed to create a cluster of apartments, which creates a safe courtyard for the residents. Apartments are accessed through a central communal building, which is a welcoming entrance and is part of the main shared facilities.

Work on this development completed in summer 2013.

T: 01922 458311 www.bullock.co.uk Example of a Bullock Construction Care Home

40

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A high profile project is currently underway on the M275 Tipner main access corridor to Portsea Island.

A Colas and VolkerFitzpatrick Joint Venture is undertaking the main contract and works are well ahead of the official completion date in February 2014.

The multi million pound motorway interchange project will kick start a comprehensive regeneration programme of the Tipner area in Portsmouth.

The improvements will include the construction of a Park & Ride comprising 1,800 parking spaces next to the new junction; a housing development of 770 new dwellings; 25,000sq m of employment space providing 1,500 new jobs; a 150 bed hotel; new retail units; and a waterside public open space.

After a two year tender process the Colas and VolkerFitzpatrick Joint Venture saw off competition from four other tenders, and both companies are delighted with the win, which followed other recent successful collaborations of the two businesses.

The work itself is not only key for the regeneration of the Tipner area, but will also benefit Portsmouth as a whole by helping to reduce congestion on the roads and encourage visitors to the city.

The works involve the construction of a new roundabout located at Tipner Lane, with associated verging and di-verge slip roads, a new bus lane, the removal of the existing single-span gantry and the installation of a new replacement fullspan gantry and the installation of new advanced warning signs to replace the existing ones to the southern gantry near to Rudmore Interchange; plus the development of the Park & Ride facility.

The well-managed project is ahead of schedule due to the true partnership between the Client, Stakeholders and supply chain. Constant value engineering on drainage, cross carriageway ducting and earthworks retaining structures has ensured the project will come in on budget. While further benefits have come from combined utility diversion works and an efficient traffic management programme.

Colas Associate Director, Graham Martin, said of the project solutions: “There is a high voltage cable running alongside the motorway and we did not want to divert it. Our suggested solution was to replace the traditional central reservation with a concrete barrier which needs less set back. This gained us

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41

UKC LEISURE

Mary Rose Museum

Allowing visitors to experience the 16th century The new Mary Rose Museum opened to the public in May at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – the very same dockyard where the warship was built more than 500 years ago.

Its historic opening was marked by a symbolic event of following the journey of the ship’s bell – the last artefact to be installed – in to the new museum.

A host of museum ambassadors were featured at the day-long opening including historians Dan Snow, David Starkey and presenter Sandi Toksvig.

A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the wreck site, a flaming arrow volley by period costumed Tudor archers from Southsea Castle – where Henry VIII watched the sinking of the Mary Rose – and a Tudor festival, and the day culminated in a revealing of the new museum from behind a great Tudor Standard flag, set to a fanfare from the Royal Marines Band.

Located just metres from Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, and the ships of the modern Royal Navy, the new museum provides one of the most

significant insights into Tudor life in the world and from the new centrepiece to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The Mary Rose is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world. The £35M heritage project to build the museum and complete the current conservation programme on the ship and her contents has received £23M from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

In addition to its £23M investment, the HLF has awarded a number of other grants totalling £9.5M over the past 18 years.

The ship that captured the world’s imagination was raised from the seabed in 1982, where it lay since its sinking in 1545 while leading the attack on a French invasion fleet during the Battle of The Solent.

The new museum finally reunites the ship with many thousands of the 19,000 artefacts raised from the wreck. The excavation of the Mary Rose created a milestone in the field of maritime archaeology and remains the largest underwater excavation and recovery

ever undertaken in the world.

Each object in the new museum – from human fleas to giant guns – was raised from the seabed and carefully conserved through a groundbreaking process that is still ongoing.

For the first time, visitors are able to see the facial reconstructions of seven members of the ship’s crew based on forensic science and osto-archaeology on their skulls and skeletons found at the wreck site. Faces are displayed beside the crew members’ personal belongings, providing an insight into their status, health and appearance.

Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and Pringle Brandon Perkins+Will for the interior, the museum was built around the hull of the ship. The building takes the form of a finely crafted wooden ‘jewellery box’ with the hull at its centre and galleries running the length of the ship, each corresponding to a deck level on the ship.

Artefacts are displayed in such a way to provide visitors with an insight into Continued page 44 > Credit Gareth Gardner

42

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what these decks would have looked like moments before the ships sank.

All artefacts, such as the skeleton of Hatch – the ship’s dog - are arranged in galleries by theme to help reveal some of the personal stories of life on board.

Visitors can see the fine pewterware of the officers, musical instruments, books, accessories and clothing through to simple leather sandals, nit combs and even rat bones as hundreds of objects are laid out to be explored.

Through DNA research, precise reconstructions and through the careful use of human remains, the harsh reality of Tudor life is revealed – including the skeleton of an archer with the repetitive strain of pulling huge longbows still etched on his bones.

The groundbreaking building design has created a special environment to protect the unique and priceless artefacts and hull, and also displays them in a manner that enables visitors to experience the ship in the best possible way.

The Main Contractor is Warings for the museum, which opened officially on 31st May, and 8 Build fit out the museum.

Credit Gareth Gardner

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LEISURE UKC

Colchester Castle Museum Displaying some of the country’s finest collections Thanks to the help of many generous funders, Colchester Castle Museum will benefit from a complete redevelopment.

Work was required because over the last decade, visitor numbers had started to decline and after the museum received a very successful major redevelopment in the early 1990s, a new redevelopment will help to increase the visitor numbers once again.

In addition, building improvements will be made at the Grade I Listed Norman Castle, which is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The roof, which was installed in the 1930s, was never fully insulated and the castle also had lightwells that used to leak.

The central lightwell remains but subsidiary lanterns have gone, and the roof is now insulated. The museum will also have underfloor heating with a raised floor.

Visually, the building will look much better in terms of the historic fabric thanks to the removal of intrusive wiring that has built up over the years.

Overall, the project will cost £4.2M. This was raised through a number of contributions. Some £3,267,400 was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £265,000 from the European Union’s ERDF for a project called Norman Connections.

In addition, £30,000 came from The

Friends of Colchester Museum, £5,000 from the Essex Heritage Trust, £1,100 from The Friends of Colchester Roman Wall, and £45,500 from Renaissance, which is a Government museum fund.

The project will reveal more of the castle’s historic interior, with brand new displays that tell the 2,000-year story of Colchester in a new and exciting way.

A full-size reconstruction of an Iron Age burial is being created, along with audio character stories, video projections and plenty of interactive displays with objects to handle.

Redevelopment will also ensure that the castle is safer and more watertight and will include improvements to the shop.

A second lift is being incorporated and the public toilets are being revamped, while there will be a new shop and reception area.

A condition survey of the inside of the castle has also resulted in a programme of repairs to the internal and external walls.

Part of the external wall had already been completed in 2012, but the north, east and south walls are being undertaken this year.

Once the castle was completely empty, the opportunity was taken to having a full archaeological survey of the inside so there are proper digitalised scans of the

inside, and there will be a stone-by-stone drawing of all the internal elevations.

When complete, the museum will present the archaeology and history of Colchester from the origins of the town in the Iron Age to the Civil War Siege of Colchester in 1648 in a series of exciting new displays that increase visitors’ understanding and enjoyment.

All the latest archaeological discoveries will be put into displays and with the flexibility built in to the project, it will allow for future changes to the main displays in the light of new discoveries.

Colchester Castle will have its displays as a starting point and a link to discovering other heritage sites in Colchester and will encourage visitors to participate actively in the museum experience, which in turn it is hoped will encourage repeat visits by local residents.

The Architect is NPS South East and the Main Contractor is Hutton Construction.

Work started in January 2013 and the castle will be reopened next spring.

Visitors can look forward to collections going on display that are some of the finest in the country, and the archaeology collections at Colchester are Designated, meaning they are of national and international significance.

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UKC PROFILE

Carvers

Rising from the ashes with a brand new warehouse facility Based in Wolverhampton, Carvers was established in 1896 in Willenhall by Harry Carver.

Trading as a successful builders’ merchant, Carvers operate from two ten-acre sites. The one on Littles Lane has the Company’s full stock range and is conveniently situated next to Wolverhampton’s ring road, while the Neachells Lane site is a specialist timber production unit and not open to the public.

It is the Littles Lane site that is undergoing work because the original building was the victim of a fire, which destroyed the whole structure of what was a very high specification development.

Following the fire, Henry Carver, who is the fifth generation of the Carver family to run the Company, vowed to ‘regroup and rebuild’ the family business, and worked around the clock along with his executives around the clock to help the Company recover from the devastating fire in February 2012.

The fire resulted in 90% of stock being destroyed and 80% of trade lost, and it took approximately 90 firefighters to extinguish the inferno. Immediately afterwards, Henry transferred operations to the timber engineering premises in Neachells Lane.

Two months after the fire, a temporary trade counter opened at the site and other temporary buildings were put in place to replace the warehouse, offices and shop lost in the blaze and

46

85% of sales were recovered.

Plans for the new 6,000sq m warehouses were unveiled in January. The Company wants to create a builders’ village following the devastating fire.

Henry Carver said the majority of the expense of rebuilding the Head Quarters would be covered by insurers, though he also put in more of the Company’s money to improve Carvers’ offering to customers.

He said: “Our overall budget is in the region of £4M. When the fire happened it provided an opportunity, desperate as it was, to think about how we could do things differently. Our new building will have different franchises on offer.

“We certainly hope however that having to rebuild after something like that is a once in a lifetime experience.”

Carvers is bouncing back in fine style with a new drive-through warehouse for all products that builders go to the likes of Wickes and B&Q for.

When in those places, people have to use trolleys and push them around in a selfselection. These are awkward and the not all large products can be kept easily inside, such as plain timbers, mouldings, the MDF boards, sheet materials, ply woods, chipboards, hardboards, all the plasterboard range, all the bagged plasters, all cements and the insulation slabs.

The drive-through warehouse means that the customers can drive right up to what they need, put them in their

vehicle and drive off. It will speed up the efficiency of collection for the builder, which will in turn save them money, and result in the creation of an efficient level that wasn’t evident before and with most other merchants in the country.

The previous building was very well built but such a disaster has allowed Carvers to look at ways to change. With that in mind, the Company has looked at the logistics and efficiency of the whole operation, which has resulted in the new development having a different shape to the old, and less steel, as the previous building had four times the amount of any modern building.

A huge amount of demolition was required before the new building could be constructed. It comprises a steel frame structure with steel sheets on the side and wooden slats on the wooden side, and its location has been moved slightly in relation to the original structure.

The single-storey structure will be eight metres high with all the racks designed so that pallets can be placed up to seven metres high. The new building isn’t joined in the middle because it makes work considerably cheaper while also meaning air extraction is not required.

The Main Contractor is Niken Construction Ltd – a well-established Walsall-based contractor carrying out all aspects of construction work. PJ Barnett Associates is the Architect for the project. continued page 48 >

Dixons looking forward to the opening of their new store at the new & improved Carvers in Spring 2014!

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RAYTON

Electrical Wholesalers Ltd Rayton Electrical Wholesale are a well established wholesale business with over 20 years experience in the field of supplying to Electrical Contractors Shops etc. As a member of AWEBB, a bulk buying group with over 50 members nation-wide, we are able to offer a comprehensive stock range at the most competitive prices available.

Our stock range includes; T.V. aerial & distribution equipment, commercial/industrial/domestic lighting, fire & burglar alarm panels & all accessories, a vast range of electrical accessories including a budget range, cables & flexes including Armoured, tools etc.

All local deliveries are free of charge Rayton House, Mander Street, Wolverhampton, West Mids, WV3 0JZ Tel: 01902 424084 Fax: 01902 422407 Email: sales@raytonelec.co.uk www.raytonelec.co.uk 47

Because of the circumstances behind the need for the new warehouse for Carvers, it was always going to be a challenge. Putting together everybody’s ideas and coming up with a practical solution is an example of this.

Care has had to be taken to work out the distances that cars and forklifts need, the length of this for the products that will be stocked, and the height of it.

In the end, for every single product, Carvers will put in a specifically worked out area down to the pack to give space for as big an amount of stock possible. It has to be this specific because otherwise it would cause major logistical problems in the future, so Carvers has planned for every rack and every product on every rack.

Carvers has worked with many different companies, including Greenhous, who is a DAF truck main dealer for the west Midlands and Shropshire. The Company has a long-standing relationship with Carvers, who use the parts department a lot because of Carvers running its own workshop to look after trucks.

Greenhous supplies Carvers with parts as well as selling trucks to them, and undertaking MOTs, so there is a lasting relationship between the two companies.

Robert Binnion, Retail Sales Manager of Greenhous, spoke in glowing terms about Carvers and the work being undertaken.

He said: “It’s great that they (Carvers) took the option to restart again and rebuild. It’s obviously good for the local economy and obviously good for the local businesses that deal with them as well. It’s fantastic news that they chose to do that.”

The contract was placed for January 2013 but began a month after. It is scheduled to complete this summer, at a cost of £1.5M. It will be finished right on time.

This will ensure the Company continues to be successful, since it has been from 1896 when Harry Carver set up the firm, with the help of his brother Horace, and the backing from their father, John, and they rented premises from the railway at the Dale in Willenhall, which is now known as Bilston Street.

Originally they set up a partnership, but in 1900 Horace left the Company and the business continued to prosper with Harry and the reins, and he soon bought the land he occupied, as well as some additional land.

In 1914 the business opened a branch in Queens Street Good Station in Wolverhampton and four years later, Harry’s son, Roland, joined the Company.

Six years later, Carvers became a limited company, continuing its steady progression.

The Wolverhampton branch flourished and new premises were erected in Horseley Fields in place of the original depot, and a slate and tile roofing department was then set up.

In the 1920s a further branch of Carvers was opened in Heath Town in Wolverhampton. In 1947 John Carver, Roland’s elder son, joined the Company after completing his military service and Carvers expanded once more, taking

48

advantage of the requirement for new housing in the post-war years. In 1953, the Company’s turnover was £127,000 and Carvers moved to 54-60 Stafford Street, leaving Wolverhampton Technical College, which is now Wolverhampton University, to acquire the previous premises.

By 1964 the turnover had reached £500,000 per annum and John and Roy Carver started Oils Ltd, which specialised in the distribution of oil to domestic and commercial customers.

In the early 1970s, Carvers was requested to move once more for the expansion of the Wolverhampton Polytechnic, which is now Wolverhampton University, and new premises were acquired at Littles Lane in Wolverhampton.

Growth continued in the 1970s with the creation of Carvers Gases and in the 1980s, more personal changes took place with Roy’s son Henry and John’s son David both joining the Company. The turnover in 1985 was approaching £2.2M. In 1983, Roy Carver was approached by the Man Power Services Commission with a view to setting up an employee based Youth Training Scheme. This soon established itself as a very successful scheme, training staff not only for Carvers but also for some 450 local companies, which has supplied 60 trainees each year.

Three years later, Carvers entered the timber business by acquiring the stock, staff and machinery of the Maiden Timber Branch in Featherstone and moving them onto the Littles Lane site.

Despite the harsh economy of the time, Carvers had grown to £7.6M turnover – boosted by setting up the CashBuild Sales department specialising in serving jobbing builders. The timber division has continued to grow and accounts for almost 40% of the Company’s turnover, of particular importance to its growth has been the establishment of its importing facilities with a dedicated dock at Keadby, near Scunthorpe and a dedicated dock in Riga in Latvia.

In 1993 the Company successfully achieved BS5750 quality management and is currently certified to ISO9001-2008 – its successor. It was a busy year for Carvers, which saw the acquisition of S Jackson & Company Ltd, who specialised in the sale of timber to major house builders.

The same year also saw Bryan Purslow join Carvers as Operations Manager. Over the years, his responsibilities have increased to managing all self-service and warehouse staff, the transport operation, health and safety, hire centre and cooker centre. His Images courtesy of PJ Barnett Associates

hard work was rewarded in 2000 when he was promoted to Operations Director.

In 1998 Carvers established a hire centre facility for customers at Littles Lane and this together with associated power tools sales has been another successful diversification within the building industry. The board at Carvers was also strengthened in 1996 with the recruitment of Neil Kendrick as Finance Director.

Six years later, the Company established Engineered Timber Solutions Ltd with Phil Sankey as a 50/50 joint venture to design, manufacture and sell timber roof trusses.

Based in Roddington, the business has developed steadily and is well respected for its technical ability and short lead times.

Much of the business now comes from customers placing repeat orders.

This is the ultimate accolade for a company specialising in technical design and production one-offs.

In 2008, with sales up to £34M and more than 220 sales staff, Ivan Savage retired as Sales Director and Andrell Dinham was appointed Construction Materials Director, Steve Moore Timber Operations and Sales Director, and Richard Boult appointed Purchasing Manager.

Steve Moore and Richard Boult had both started their working careers with Carvers in the early 1980s on the Youth Training Scheme and Andrell Dinham had also started in the 1980s with Carvers as a trainee, which shows the care and attention the Company pays to trainees.

Today, Carvers in common with most builders merchants, have to deal with the severe recession that has affected the building industry.

However, the Company’s strong financial position enables them to continue to invest in business. In late 2008, Timber Kit Solutions was established – a specialist timber frame manufacturing business in which Carvers has a 50% share with three other shareholders who all have extensive technical knowledge of timber frame construction.

Despite the difficult trading circumstances, Carvers continues to look for opportunities to develop in the wider building supplies industry.

As when dealing with the recession and the changes that had to be made to stay competitive, Carvers and its staff also took the same tenacious approach when the Littles Lane warehouse burnt down, and this will result in a state-ofthe-art facility and continued success for all associated with Carvers.

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Congratulations to Carvers from TDP

Polytank Group Limited, Naze Lane East, Freckleton, Preston, Lancs PR4 1UN

TDP Limited, Derbyshire Tel: 01629 820011 Fax: 01629 820022 e-mail: info@tdpltd.com website: www.tdpltd.com

Telephone 01772 632850 Facsimilie 01772 679615 sales@polytank.co.uk www.polytank.co.uk

Tel - 01922 642499

Stan Wall & Son

(Timber) Ltd. Timber Merchants & Sawmillers

OAK FRAMED SPECIALIST We are pleased to be associated with Carvers and wish them continued success for the future

Ref: 23012

Polytank products are the single most recognized brand for cold water storage in the UK. This recognition is based on quality and innovation and provides a solid base for the development of new products such as Polyred & Polyblue, as the company looks to the future.

Carvers stock a wide range of TDP’s brand leading products including Plantex Landscape Fabric, TDP50 and TDP Fibres.

Fax - 01922 639135

Email - info@walsallbrickcutting.co.uk

Wa l s a l l B r i c k Cutting Solutions We are a Midlands based brick cutting company with over 50 years of combined experience within the industry. We offer friendly advice, a professional service and supply the construction industry with a high standard of special building products. We carry out cutting and bonding of bricks and blocks to form special shapes to suit your needs out of materials from your home, site or yard stocks. Many different shaped specials are produced using our methods from any make of brick. We also manufacture prefabricated Arches and offer a general cutting service to trade and public.

Walsall Brick Cutting was formed in 1992 close to the centre of Walsall in the West Midlands making us easily accessible from the motorway network. Solutions was added at a later date to reflect the service we have to offer to the construction industry.

OAKLEIGH, BLAKESHALL, WOLVERLEY, NR. KIDDERMINSTER, WORCESTERSHIRE DY11 5XR

We have been a supplier for Carvers for many years & I would like to say how well all the staff coped with the unfortunate incident which occurred last year. As a team, from management to shop floor, they continued to serve their loyal customers. Well done Carvers.

Steve Jones Managing Director

Tel / Fax: 01562 850625 Mobile: 07989 344 912

WBCS

Unit 7 Fieldgate Works, New Street, Walsall, WS1 3DJ

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UKC PROFILE

National Insulation Association working to maximise the opportunities under the Green Deal and ECO The National Insulation Association (NIA) is the lead trade body in the insulation Industry representing the manufacturers, system designers and installers of cavity wall and loft insulation, draught proofing and solid wall insulation (SWI) including external, internal and hybrid (external and internal wall in the same property) wall insulation.

There are around seven million uninsulated solid wall properties in the UK and under the new Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) SWI is a key area of focus and there needs to be a major increase in installations to support the achievement of the Government’s climate change targets.

With over 20 SWI manufacturer/system designer members and over 70 SWI installer members, the NIA is recognised as having a key role to play in bringing about this market transformation and is committed to doing this in a controlled and sustainable manner, ensuring the highest levels of quality and standards and consumer protection are maintained.

To this end the NIA has established a dedicated SWI Steering Group, the NIA Solid Wall Group, within the association to take forward the industry’s strategy.

Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA, commented: “The Group comprises specialist external and internal wall insulation manufacturers, system designers and contractors and is focusing specifically on the development and implementation of the NIA’s SWI market and supply chain development plans.”

Marshall added: “The NIA is uniquely placed to shape the SWI market as it covers both external and internal wall insulation and the NIA Solid Wall Group has the specialist knowledge, experience and technical expertise to engage effectively with Government, external bodies and consumers in developing the market.”

The group is focusing on a number of key areas including: ••Educating consumers and raising awareness of the benefits of SWI ••Providing support and guidance for specifiers of SWI including Green Deal

50

••Providers and Assessors, Energy Suppliers and Social Housing Providers ••Industry training ••Quality standards/consumer protection As part of the work on consumer protection, the NIA has also been working closely with the Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (SWIGA) which will be providing consumer protection and an independent 25 year guarantee for internal, external and hybrid wall installations carried out under the SWIGA framework by accredited installers.

The Solutions Solid walls can be insulated with either External Wall Insulation (EWI) or Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) and either option will greatly increase comfort, while also reducing energy bills and the associated environmental impact.

IWI typically consists of either dry lining in the form of flexible thermal linings (commonly known as thermal wallpaper), laminated insulating plasterboard (known as thermal board) or a built-up system using fibrous insulation such as mineral wool held in place using a studwork frame.

Flexible thermal linings come on a roll and are applied like wallpaper and, with some at only 10mm thick, will not cause significant disruption during installation.

These products can be applied to ceilings as well as walls and provide a solution for properties without a loft space as well as those with solid walls. It can also be applied to the underside of floorboards in a cellar/ basement. It is applied using a special adhesive using a roller or a brush and can be easily cut to size using wallpaper shears or scissors. Once the product has been applied it can be painted, papered or even tiled. These products are only applied to the exterior facing interior walls of the property.

Another solution is laminated insulated plasterboard which normally replaces existing lath and plaster and is fixed directly to the existing brick. Depending on the system, thermal boards can either be screwed or glued using a dry wall adhesive directly onto the brick work just like

standard plaster board. It has the advantage that it can be installed room by room with the tenants in situ. It increases internal surface temperature within a room and also improves response to heating input when heated intermittently. It has the lowest thermal conductivity available and allows installation on damp surfaces without drying periods because it’s hydrophobic.

EWI comprises of an insulation layer fixed to the existing wall, with a protective render or decorative finish. Dry cladding offers a wide range of finishes such as timber panels, stone or clay tiles, brick slips (brick effect finish) or aluminium panels. EWI increases the thermal quality of the building – particularly relevant when refurbishing non-traditional housing. It also overcomes moisture and condensation issues, protects

the existing building envelope can reduce heating bills by up to 25% as well as greatly improve the appearance of the building.

EWI is a tried and tested method of upgrading the thermal performance and external appearance of existing properties which are literally transformed into warm, energy efficient and attractive homes and buildings. Improving appearance is of particular significance to many local authorities targeting housing projects in poorer areas. Adding EWI on a whole street basis will raise residents’ morale and give a sense a pride in their community.

There are many benefits of EWI including the fact that no living space is lost. There is minimum disruption for the residents as the work can be carried out while they are in their homes and there is no risk of condensation within the property as it is moved to the outside of the system that is being put in place. Also there is minimal maintenance once installed.

In addition to its work on SWI, the NIA is working with the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) and British Board of Agrément (BBA) in addressing hard to treat cavity walls which are a priority area in ECO. It is estimated that there are around three million of these cavities including those that cannot be treated with standard techniques or Systems, those requiring remedial works prior to installation and timber, steel and concrete frame, narrow cavities and random stone walls.

Through CIGA and the BBA there are already robust established consumer Guarantee, technical guidance, System approval, installer accreditation Surveillance and Competent Persons schemes covering standard cavities.

The NIA is therefore supporting work to ensure that occupiers of hard to treat properties can also benefit from the installation of cavity wall insulation.

This will involve additional System research, development and testing coupled with development of specific Best Practice Guidance to installation to augment that already published by the BBA and CIGA. As part of this work the NIA has also been in discussion with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) regarding additional training for assessors/installers and consumer targeting and marketing.

Neil Marshall commented: “We have been preparing plans to support our members in exploiting the new opportunities in solid wall insulation and hard to treat cavities and 2013 is all about working with our members in the implementation of these plans to ensure that we realise the opportunities.”

Marshall added: “Organisations looking for insulation installers to work on their Green Deal and ECO projects should contact the NIA as our members, many of whom are Green Deal accredited, have considerable experience of working with energy suppliers, other funders and organisations in delivering high quality installations

on energy efficiency schemes and sign up to the NIA’s Code of Professional Practice. They have a key role to play in the delivery of insulation measures under the new Green Deal and ECO. Organisations interested in these services and membership opportunities should contact: Bev Coombe, Membership and Communications Manager; on 01525 383313 or email bev.coombe@nia-uk.org

A brighter warmer future Network of local depots Technical support and advice Products manufactured in the UK One of industry’s largest range of BBA approved systems SPSenvirowall continues its national drive supporting communities by providing energy efficient external wall insulation solutions.

Call 01535 661633 Call 01535 661633 www.spsenvirowall.co.uk www.spsenvirowall.co.uk 51

UKC CIVIL

Cardiff Energy from Waste Plant

Providing capacity for residual household waste Viridor’s Energy from Waste (EfW) plant on Trident Park is being built with the ability to supply a renewable energy district heating system for Cardiff that will be the first of its kind in Wales.

Chris Jones, Viridor’s Head of Strategic Development, said that the Company was very pleased to be working in partnership with E.ON and Cardiff Council to explore this innovative solution and make it a reality for buildings in Central Cardiff areas to receive a non-fossil fuel, green energy that can be used for heating or cooling.

In addition to the 30MW of electricity the facility will generate, enough to supply the equivalent of up to 50,000 homes, the heat and high-grade steam to support a district heating network will add an additional 20MW to the plant’s energy output.

Schemes like this are common across Europe and can help communities meet the challenge of keeping energy secure, affordable and lower carbon.

The combined heat and power facility is designed predominantly to provide capacity for residential household

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waste with a proportion available for waste from local businesses.

Cardiff City Council granted planning permission for the plant in June 2010.

Construction is expected to last 37 months.

An EfW facility is a purpose built building that treats residual waste by combustion to generate steam and electrical energy. Residual waste is everyday waste from homes, businesses and industry that remains after all practical efforts have been made to extract recyclable and compostable material.

The Welsh Assembly Government has been strongly urging local authorities to work together to achieve regional solutions to meet their long-term waste management needs. Cardiff and its neighbouring authorities have formed a sub-regional partnership known as Project Gwyrdd.

The partnership is working to provide a long-term solution for the treatment and disposal of residual wastes. The aim is to provide a sustainable waste management alternative to the historic practise of landfilling and to ensure compliance with

the legislation now regulating the landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste.

Viridor has always considered that with the Trident Park development, it would be well placed to respond to the anticipated procurement process with a high technology solution offering maximum sustainability.

There will be some increase in road traffic at the Trident Park site throughout development. Most traffic will use offpeak hours during the working day and routing agreements can be implemented.

A traffic management plan for the construction phase has also been developed in liaison with Cardiff City Council to minimise the impact of vehicle movements on the local area.

The gas scrubbing technology employed in modern EfW plants is extremely effective.

The emissions from the plant will be strictly regulated by the Environment Agency and the entire treatment process is designed to meet the requirements not only of local air quality standards but also of the European Waste Incineration Directive (WID).

The WID sets very low limits for emissions to air from such facilities, to ensure the protection of human health and the local environment.

At the peak of the construction phase, there could be as many as 300 people employed on site, with an average of 150 at any one time during the build programme.

There will also be 40 permanent positions once the plant becomes operational.

Lagan Construction is the Main Contractor for the EfW plant in Cardiff. The Company is working in Joint Venture with the French-based process company CNIM to design and build the facility for Viridor.

Situated less than two kilometres to the south east of Cardiff City Centre and north of the Cardiff Docks, all of the waste accepted at the facility will be non-hazardous.

The facility will incorporate modern reliable and well-understood technologies and is designed in accordance with the latest standards will employ Best Available Techniques.

The civil engineering elements which will be carried out in this prestigious contract represents approximately 25% of the contract value.

Colin Loughran, Lagan Construction Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious

contract and look forward to working with our Joint Venture partner CNIM in delivering this state-of-the-art Trident Park EfW facility for our Client Viridor.�

Another important Company within the contract is Tata Steel Projects, a multidisciplinary solutions business that provides a full range of services from consultancy, design and engineering to manufacture, installation and onsite project management.

Tata Steel Projects is the Lead Designer for the new EfW facility in Cardiff, providing: structural and civil design; architectural design; highways and drainage; buildings services; geotechnical (including all ground investigations); environmental BREEAM; fire strategy; acoustics and access design.

One of the main challenges on this project was the design of the substructure and the 22m high reinforced concrete bunker. Tata Steel Projects’ geotechnical review identified poor ground conditions across the site. As a result, the buildings required piled foundations, and a combine soil structure FE model was produced for areas sensitive to movement.

In addition, due to the proximity to Cardiff Bay and a high groundwater table, the 12.5m deep waste bunker needed to be water retaining. A number of design solutions were considered including diaphragm walls; and the design team

settled on using a secant wall bunker with structural reinforced liner in order to overcome this design challenge.

The Concept Architect is SLR Consulting Ltd. Construction commenced in 2012 and the facility is expected to be operational in 2014.

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TSP – Multidiscipline Design Consultancy Overview

In the last two years, Tata Steel Projects (TSP), alongside their prestigious EPC Clients and partners, have successfully completed the design of four high profile EfW projects: following this TSP have commenced work on a further two EfW projects.

The Ardley, Oxfordshire and Trident Park, Cardiff plants are both owned and operated by Viridor and are currently under construction. TSP are Lead Designers and responsible for all non process design on both of these plants.

Typically, in-house design services include Architectural, Geotechnical, Civil, Structural, BREEAM and Mechanical and Electrical. TSP work closely with concept architects to develop the schemes and provide support to achieve planning proposals. In doing so, they deliver solutions that enhance the functionality and buildability whilst ensuring compliance with building regulations and all statutory requirements. As a licensed BREEAM and CEEQUAL Assessor on a number of EfW schemes, TSP have achieved both BREEAM Very Good and Excellent ratings.

Significant investment has been made over the last few years in new technology and training.

Investing in people has been central to their success in achieving an industry wide reputation for delivering complex and innovative multi-disciplinary BIM centred solutions.

TSP are clearly at the forefront of Building Information Modelling, and have completed the design of all EfW schemes within a BIM environment. This has provided benefits such as clash detection, quick and accurate material

scheduling; assisting pricing at tender stage, management of subcontracts, programme integration and buildabilty reviews. TSP lead the BIM coordination and associated clash reviews, managing the building and process interface. Moreover, automating material and architectural scheduling by making full use of Revit Structure, Architecture, and MEP has led to design efficiencies.

Project Challenges

Structures Both Ardley and Trident Park have curved steel superstructures and a multifarious arrangement of high specification cladding materials. Ardley geometry is extremely complex and difficult to draw and visualise in traditional 2D CAD. As the BIM design developed, it became evident that the double curvature shown on the original concept was not easily buildable and required modification which TSP completed in consultation with the Client. Further to this, the structural engineering challenges around the bunker cranes was not underestimated. Given the difficulties experienced by the wider industry on similar EfW projects, TSP brought in their expert knowledge of heavy crane structures and fatigue design. The craneage in the bunker is highly utilised and careful consideration and coordination with process and crane manufacturers was undertaken, to agree deflection and fatigue criteria. This was made more difficult due to the height that the crane beams are supported, 35m above ground.

Geotechnical At Trident Park a 48m x 16m x 12.5m deep rectangular waste bunker was required. The key challenges included ground water management, temporary bunker stability during construction, retention of the 48m long wall without use of internal permanent props, temporary and perm wall deflections and permanent water retention.

The final solution used secant piling with a permanent ring beam prop and base slab (lower

prop). Successful excavation and construction of this bunker was completed in June 2013.

Highways and Drainage Effective vehicle circulation is vital to the operation of EfW facilities which is often made difficult due to compact site footprints. Careful planning is required at the early project stages.

Late changes can have significant impacts on planning consents and design. Early planning allowed TSP to establish a master plan and determine drainage principles, cut and fill balances, threshold levels and finished floor levels. Coordination Coordination with the process provider is the biggest challenge. Information transfer and programme alignment are essential for a successful project. Delay in procurement or release of design information can have significant impact on finalising designs. The overall EfW design and construction programmes are often demanding. Programme float is scarce with many design activities on the critical path. The design often feeds directly into procurement of materials on site. Although BIM provides greater flexibility to respond to changes and late information, it cannot be relied upon exclusively. TSP collaborate with the Principal Contractor from the start of the tender process, which often takes 3 to 4 years before contract award. A combined design and construction programme is developed including procurement, planning material lead times, process interface and information requirements.

What next?

Having completed the challenging task of designing four projects in the last 2 years, TSP has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise from planning and tender design through to full construction and are developing future EfW projects. This includes plants in both Leeds and Teesside.

PARTNERSHIPS BUILT UPON RELIABILITY AND INNOVATION Tata Steel Projects are market leaders in the multidiscipline design coordination and integration of complex multidiscipline projects across a wide range of sectors. In Energy from Waste, we are sector leaders in the use of BIM to integrate all facets of plant, equipment and building construction.

Working in partnership with our customers we deliver high quality, innovative and responsive solutions to meet individual and bespoke requirements.

For more information contact: T: +44 (0) 1904 454600 E: tatasteelprojects@tatasteel.com www.tatasteelprojects.com Energy and Power

Defence and Security

Steel

Transportation

Construction

Industrial

Nuclear

UKC COMMENT

Out of the Ashes Last month industry leaders and top level figures from Whitehall came together to discuss the long-awaited Industrial Strategy for Construction. This new policy suite is intended to set the tone for construction methods between now and 2025 . . .

Last month the latest GDP figures showed construction has started to outperform the rest of the economy again – up 0.9%.

Readers of this magazine won’t be jumping for joy, however – construction output is still 16.5% off its 2009 peak, and public sector construction is down by more than 20%. It’s against this challenging backdrop that the Government Construction Summit (GCS) took place in early July. The industry needs contracts fast. Companies dependent on public sector build projects have had a really tough time since 2010.

While GCS is not a place to hand out tender docs, the government has vital messages that need to be heeded by those aspiring to win government work in the future.

GCS came a week after George Osborne and Danny Alexander outlined budgetary plans and clarified where infrastructure spending is going to be directed. It was a case of ‘we’ve shown you the money, now comes the method’. The Government is changing as a client and wants something different from industry – it wants projects to be delivered faster, for less money and using less carbon. And aside from its own client needs, it wants to suppliers raise their game to narrow

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the trade gap in construction products .

Michael Fallon MP outlined the four key policy aims of the industrial Strategy: ••A 33% reduction in both the initial cost of construction and the whole-life cost of assets ••A 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment ••A 50% reduction in the overall time from inception to completion for new build and refurbished assets ••A 50% reduction in the trade gap between total exports and total imports for construction products and materials These aims build on the initial targets laid out by the first Chief Adviser for Construction Paul Morrell. Morrell’s agenda is now being advanced by his successor Peter Hansford, who was at pains throughout the day to stress that the strategy is the beginning of a long term collaborative dialogue. All of the targets are challenging but the mood amongst conference speakers from both public and private sectors was optimistic. One of the most obvious impediments to projects starting on site is finance however Lord Deighton revealed that the Treasury underwriting scheme was left undeployed as many target schemes secured the necessary funding without help. Morning panellists such as Simon Kirby and Andrew Wolstenholme, both handling multi-billion pound budgets for rail infrastructure both said money wasn’t an issue for them.

This year’s GCS was far more interactive than previous summits and the afternoon was given over to the concerns of the audience. The two major themes of the afternoon session were skills and the SME’s role in large projects. The skills shortage looms larger than ever and despite the launch of several construction UTCs it was pointed out by Judy Lowe of CITB the number of school leavers and graduates entering the industry is set to be eclipsed by the number of retirements.

Prompt payment remains a sore point for many firms at the bottom of the supply chain, an issue acknowledged

by Chloe Smith MP. The Government says it is getting tough on contractors, compelling them to pay subbies within a matter of days, GCS came at a tricky time for the Government – there is a lag between Labour legacy projects and Coalitionsponsored ones, and the slump in public sector construction was cited as a reason for poor GDP figures last year.

For those fixated on the project pipeline, the Government isn’t doing enough.

However the event is establishing itself as a useful forum – both for the industry to gain a greater understanding of the Government as a client, and for the Government to get a reality check on how the industry is faring in today’s economy.

A construction lifecycle management solution for purchasing and construction teams, to manage tendering and procurement cycles with contractors and suppliers BIMProject enhances and optimises your use of BIM through construction projects.

BIMProject sets new standards in post design project controls, supply and cost management to deliver projects on time, in budget and with reduced risk to stakeholders.

With its open solution, delivered in a real-time collaborative environment , BIMProject can be used in conjunction with BIM design, project management and ERP software.

Architects, contractors, engineers, suppliers and construction teams can utilise BIMProject to complement traditional work processes, with high value content, through integrated BIM design import and data processing capabilities into the tendering, procurement, QS, and construction phases of the project.

BIMProject also incorporates BIMReview to enable effective collaborative review and visual communication. It includes powerful visualisation tools for decision support, clash verification, enquiry, mark-up, construction sequencing and planning.

System Summary • • • • • • • • • • •

Collaborative BIM project review, aids decision support Improved Construction lifecycle management Managed Estimating, QS, Tendering and Procurement Integrated processes, brings time and cost savings Managing the cost base, ensures project budget control Accurate and real-time status to all project stakeholders Understanding impact of change, reduces costs Complete traceability and accountability Full construction database for handover & FM Reduces project risks, costs and construction schedules Extremely low cost/high utilisation for rapid ROI

Visit www.acecadsoftware.com/en/bim_construction_management_software to take a look at our BIM Interactive Tool and see how BIMProject can fit within your role.

UKC PROFILE

London Underground

Celebrating 150 years

On 9th January 1863, the world’s first underground train pulled out of Paddington station to make its 3.5 mile maiden journey to Farringdon.

This previous January marked the 150th anniversary since that first Tube journey took place, and a huge range of activities will be held this year to explore London Underground’s fascinating history and the vital role it continues to play – both in the lives of Londoners and to the economic life of London and the UK. The Tube has always played an important role in the success of London – from growth of the early network, which led to the expansion of the suburbs in

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the last century, to the development of Canary Wharf’s financial powerhouse in the 1980s, and on to today’s system that successfully moved record numbers of people during the Queen’s Jubilee and London 2012 Games.

Over the next 20 years, London’s population is expected to grow by well over a million people, underlining the crucial importance of continuing to improve and upgrade the Tube network.

A massive Tube upgrade programme, one of the largest and most complex engineering projects in the world, is now delivering huge tangible benefits for passengers. Journeys on the Jubilee

and Victoria lines have been improved through massively boosted capacity and faster journeys.

Stations like King’s Cross, Green park and Blackfriars have been rebuilt. A fleet of new air-conditioned trains has been introduced on the Metropolitan line, and over the next few years will be introduced to some two fifths of the Tube network.

Reliability on the Tube is now 40% improved on 2007/08 levels and this is the best in the network’s history.

Further improvements to come this year include higher frequency services on the Victoria and Central lines. continued page 60 >

By the end of next year, the Northern line will be completed, with higher frequency services and shortly afterwards key stations in central London such as Victoria and Tottenham Court Road will have been rebuilt.

The number of step-free stations is being expanded, alongside the use of ramps, platform humps and other accessibility improvements, an extension to the Northern line to Battersea is being planned, and Crossrail will be delivered – transforming travel across London.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The arrival of the Tube was truly revolutionary and today it is still admired around the world. It annihilates distance, liquidates traffic and is the throbbing cardiovascular system of the greatest city on earth.

“Our massive upgrade programme builds on the engineering ingenuity of our Victorian forefathers and through new signalling, trains and track, millions of Londoners and visitors will continue to benefit from what is arguably the best and most iconic, underground transport system in the world.”

Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “As we mark the 150th anniversary of the world’s first underground railway we are also building for the future – transforming stations and replacing trains, signals and track.

“Our passengers are already seeing the benefits, with more frequent and reliable services on the Jubilee and Victoria lines among many other improvements.

“This year will see even more – with a greater frequency of services on the Central and Victoria lines and more of the new air-conditioned trains, which will soon serve 40% of the Tube network.

“It is this sustained investment that will enable us to create a network able to support London’s growing population and maintain our city’s vital role in the UK economy for the next 150 years.”

As part of the events to mark the enduring role of London Underground, the first Tube passenger journey was recreated on Sunday 13th January, with a series of specially restored trains including the Metropolitan Steam Locomotive No 1 and the Metropolitan Railway Jubilee Carriage No 353 – the oldest operational underground carriage in existence, which was restored with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A series of additional heritage rail trips, including use of steam trains will be available, which will enable many members of the public to experience the Tube’s rich heritage, and a comprehensive new history of the Tube underground, How the Tube shaped London, co-authored

by Sam Mullins, Director of the London Transport System, has been published.

There will be new two pound coins issued by the Royal Mint that will go into circulation this year to celebrate the anniversary, and from February, Poster Art 150: London’s greatest designs, will be unveiled at London Transport Museum.

This exhibition will focus on the iconic poster art that has been a feature of London Underground for much of its history.

One of Britain’s great transport stories is the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which carries more than 80 million passengers a year with consistently high levels of reliability and passenger satisfaction.

Since opening in 1987, it has extended to Bank, Beckton, Lewisham, London City Airport, Woolwich Arsenal, and Stratford International.

DLR Ltd owns the railway’s assets apart from the Lewisham extension.

Part of Transport for London, its role is to oversee the operation of the railway and plan development that meets the needs of east and south east London.

DLR Ltd works with franchise operator Serco Docklands, a concessionaire responsible for building and maintaining the Lewisham extension and contractors for maintaining the Woolwich Arsenal, London City Airport and Stratford International network. Their aim is to deliver a safe, reliable and cost effective continued page 62 >

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Is your message getting lost to the residents and businesses of London?

Iris Collection is a specialist commercial door to door solution provider, focused on providing managed communication services for local and central government, utility companies, and the railway industry.

We have tailored our service offering to specifically meeting the communication demands resulting from implementing Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act (1974).

Over the course of the past 13 years, we have worked closely with London Underground and their contractors to help them meet their Section 61 requirements.

We fully understand the importance of the work we do on behalf of our clients and we appreciate that it is central to the maintenance of good relations between them and their stakeholders, as well as ensuring legislative compliance.

We focus on the Greater London Area and have a detailed understanding of the variety of residential conurbations within the same.

Our primary focus is customer service and we have the best response time in the marketplace, while offering a genuinely 24/7 service.

So, next time you need guaranteed same day delivery at short notice from a brand that understands the importance of maintaining good community relations in a positive and effective manner, ensure your message doesn’t get lost by using Iris. find out more at:

www.iris-collection.com

IRIS Collection, 64 Upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam, Surrey, SM2 7AJ, United Kingdom | t; + 44 (0) 208 408 7168 | f; + 44 (0) 208 408 7122

www.echobarrier.com

The Echo Barrier range of noise reduction solutions have been used to great effect on several London Underground projects.

We are delighted to have played an important part in the upgrade to Tottenham Court Road Underground station on behalf of Vinci/BAM Nuttall, providing a solution to works noise which was impacting on the thousands of commuters passing by every day.

Echo Barriers were erected around the construction site allowing work to continue during unsociable hours without negatively impacting the community. They not only helped keep noise output to a minimum, but they also helped reduce dust and debris spilling out onto the street, keeping the site tidy.

A thin green line keeping the peace.

Designed for quick and easy installation, the Echo Barrier ‘H’ series of temporary acoustic barriers are aimed at sites where it is important to reduce noise levels and maintain good community relations, such as in busy high streets and rail stations. Barriers literally soak up sound around them rather than reflecting it, attenuating noise by up to 30dB. Barriers are lightweight and so easy to transport and fit, they are waterproof and can be designed to include the logo of the contracting organisation, helping to make a site more aesthetically pleasing and offering a marketing opportunity to the user. They are flexible and so easy to store, and work with any type of metal fencing product.

To enquire about a free trial, information on costs and company news please see our website at www.echobarrier.com. To contact us please email info@echobarrier.com or follow us on twitter @echobarrier.

Email: info@echobarrier.com Tel: 0208 408 7107 www.echobarrier.com

service for east and south east London which also provided more comfort residents, commuters and visitors. during and after the Games, three car During the Olympic Games, the DLR trains, extended platforms and upgraded carried over seven million passengers stations that allowed the DLR to handle – an increase of over 100% compared more passengers than previously, the to the same period last year – and new station at Woolwich Arsenal that ran services with an average of provided access to the Royal Artillery 99% of trains running on time.

Barracks for London 2012, which created This was only possible after a programme a new river crossing and interchange of investment since 2007 ranging from with the national rail network. new line extensions and additional Additional new stations like Langdon Park rail cars to crucial projects including and Smith Quay help more passengers lift upgrades and improvements to make the most of the improved DLR, real-time passenger information. and a new staircase and improved The DLR’s £850M project – ‘INVESTING platform and concourse at Shadwell has IN…a better railway’ – has been the biggest increased comfort for passengers. package of work and is now complete. It is There is also an additional entrance at thanks to this and other behind the scenes Bank, speeding up connections and work that the railway now has 45 stations, improving platform crowding, two new 40km of track and 149 rail cars and escalators for Custom House for ExCeL expects to carry an estimated 100M passengers by 2015.

The long-term Chartered Quality Surveyors benefits of investment in The Hobley Nesbit Partnership is an independent firm of Chartered the DLR for Quantity Surveyors providing quantity surveying and commercial 2012 will be management services to client and contractor organisations in the felt for years private and public sectors. to come.

These Suite 4, Crystal House, New Bedford Road, improvements Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1HS include 55 new rail cars (01582) 480 480 (01582) 457 118 providing E-mail: hobleynesbit@aol.com increased www.hobleynesbit.co.uk capacity,

Hobley Nesbit Partnership

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that delivers a better, faster experience and more frequent services, a second entrance at Royal Victoria reduces passenger congestion and shortens the walk from the new Emirates Airline, and increased platform space at Canning Town helped to reduce overcrowding during the Olympics.

New stations and extensions, station enhancements, additional trains and improved passenger information have left a lasting legacy for everyone to enjoy now and into the future.

IPS would like to congratulate London Underground on its 150th anniversary and is proud to be associated with the vision of delivering a World Class Underground for a World Class City.

IPS has over 15 years of Railway communication system design, development, integration, delivery and support experience. We have worked closely with London Underground to ensure that Station Management, CCTV, Public Address, Radio, Telephony and Passenger Information Display systems are state of the art and able to meet the performance demands that a modern railway has in a vibrant, exciting and dynamic city.

IPS can provide solutions on both analogue and IP digital platforms and have extensive experience in system integration, implementation and support ensuring compatibility with existing systems and the operational needs of our customers.

Tel: 0208 655 6060 Email: sales@ips-ltd.co.uk www.ips-ltd.co.uk IPS is part of the Elippse Group of Companies

JMN Construction

• • • • • • • •

Design Drawings Fabrication Installation Mobile Workshops (Welding/Drilling etc) Temporary Canopy (Paddington) New Escape Bridge (Paddington) TFL Approved Vendor

3 Morgan Le Fay Drive, Chandlers Ford, Hants. SO53 4JF T: 02380 274974 F: 02380 271356 M: 07836 234910 E: Info@jmnconstruction.co.uk www.jmnconstruction.co.uk

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UKC HOUSING

The Junction A world-class location for a Taylor Wimpey property

UKC EDUCATION

A fantastic new range of apartments have been completed in London and are all already sold out.

The Junction, located at 243 Junction Road in London comprises 25 contemporary one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The £4M bespoke development is situated only 70m from Tufnell Park tube station on the Northern line so is in a fabulous location for residents.

The hub of Tufnell Park is a dynamic meeting point of five roads and within the immediate vicinity of The Junction is a diverse collection of cafes, gastro pubs and restaurants serving a varied choice of cuisines.

Picking up the daily essentials is easy thanks to the wide range of excellent shops and amenities within Tufnell Park, including a Sainsbury’s Local, chemist, doctor’s surgery, dry cleaner and fitness centre.

An Odeon cinema, the Pleasance Theatre and Nag’s Head Shopping Centre are all within walking distance.

With an innovative and contemporary design, The Junction is an exciting landmark building which perfectly

A professional and imaginative landscape design service

028 9086 7337

Gloucester House Upgraded boarding house for St John’s School This summer has seen the completion of a new girls’ boarding house that will provide facilities of equal status to the boys.

Gloucester House, formerly known as Churchill House, was identified for an upgrade so it meets the requirements set out in the National Minimum Standards Boarding School Regulations.

In addition, the twin requirements for a girls’ boarding house and the need to refurbish this particular one were combined in the proposal to make the alterations.

Gloucester House provides the base for pupils during the school day, each having a place in their house where they can keep their belongings, while Upper Sixth can use their studies during private study lessons.

Refurbishment has included alterations to create protected lobbies to the single staircase that serves the building. These alterations will make the building safe and compliant with statutory requirements and is fundamental to the continued use of the building by the new school.

In addition, there will be services to provide new sanitary facilities. Other works include the removal of the 1980s single-storey brick extension to the rear of Gloucester House and its pair, Montgomery and North House, which were detrimental to the rear

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complements its natural surroundings. private space. The desirable gardens, The external façade is a fusion of terraces and balconies are perfect glass, metal and timber with a varied for entertaining or just to relax. palette of colours. This striking design The Main Contractor for this Taylor creates a stimulating visual experience Wimpey project was McAleer and that exudes confidence and quality.

Rushe, and the Architect was White Meticulously designed interiors with Ink. Work commenced in March 2012 flexible open plan living areas maximise and was completed in June 2013. floor space whilst the contemporary kitchens and designer bathrooms provide a luxurious finish.

Many apartments are dual aspect or face the communal courtyard and have been designed to maximise the natural daylight.

645 Shore Road, Whiteabbey Village, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT37 0ST In addition to the communal courtyard, each Email: info@david-clarke.net apartment benefits from www.david-clarke-landscape-architect.co.uk its own outside

elevations and setting of these buildings.

Partitions are lightweight with appropriate The boarding house is for St John’s acoustic separation and can be removed School, which was founded in 1851 by at a later date should the needs of a clergyman, Ashby Haslewood, who pupils and the school change. was vicar of St Mark’s, Hamilton Terrace Space is divided into three bays in St John’s Wood, north London. by the roof trusses and the rooms St John’s is a community of more than will be divided on these lines.

600 pupils and it continues to remain Designed by Architect Design loyal to the principles of its foundations, Partnership, the Main Contractor is while also offering subsidised education Beard Construction, and work will to the sons and daughters of clergymen be complete in September 2013. as well as children from low-income backgrounds.

Large spaces on the second floor are subdivided which allows the building to accommodate up PEST PREVENTION AND CLEANING to 40 boarders and continue its original designed use as a boarding house.

For pest control solutions The ability to call Mark on 02392 468822 add partitions and sub-divide space illustrates the inherent www.pestpreventionandcleaning.co.uk flexibility of these historic buildings.

COMMUNITY UKC

Bede Tower

Community hub for Bethany City Church Residents of Burdon Road in Sunderland will soon benefit from the conversion of a 19th century Italianate villa, as well as other 1950s and 1960s buildings, into a community hub that will also house Bethany City Church.

Until recently, the site was owned

by Sunderland High School, who approached the church because they wanted to sell this site.

Bede Tower will also provide the first home for the church’s 230-strong congregation who have met at various venues around the city since the church was established almost nine years ago.

It was imperative for the congregation to have more than just a church building.

The church wanted worship space because it does many communitybased activities so wanted a place that is adaptable and flexible.

This site is ideal because it is located right on the edge of the city centre just opposite the civic centre, which is the Council’s home. It also has space for a meeting room, a café, restaurant, worship space because of its wide variety of rooms and spaces.

There is a need for a high quality community space because there are no medium-sized auditoriums in Sunderland. The church has a big theatre that seats 3,000 and smaller venues for 60-70 people but nothing in the middle that can seat approximately 250.

This new worship space will be of use as a theatre and performance space that will seat 250 people, which is a real asset to the church.

Previously, the church has been meeting in a variety of places for Sunday and midweek activities. This includes The Stadium of Light – in the conference centre, then the Quayside Exchange, as well as borrowing other churches, offices and youth group facilities.

There is even a regular event in Starbucks, with tea and coffee, and a music evening. These will continue but will be quarterly events, and many of the meetings and events can now be consolidated into Bede Tower.

Designed by Red Box Design Group, a new glazed entrance and public foyer has been created as the focus of a group of buildings feeding into the auditorium.

There will also be a coffee bar, children’s play areas and multi-use spaces for sports and an international student café.

The end result of Bede Tower will be that it gives Bethany City Church a headquarters to operate from so that offices and activities can be based there.

Extra space means that new activities can be developed, with the idea of a Day Club being looked into, which will be for the elderly and unemployed.

Meetings and conferencing for local businesses will also be an option and other community groups will have the option to look at Bede Tower as a potential base.

The original building had a lot of asbestos within it, which needed removing, and a challenging aspect of development is that all buildings are on different levels, which was a potential problem for disabled access. However, lifts and ramps were installed, without losing vital space.

The Main Contractor is Whitfield Building Services Ltd. Work started in January 2013 and will be completed at the end of September.

Our client list is long and varied; local authorities, housing associations, large corporate companies as well as working closely with many local builders. We pride ourselves on our friendly and reliable service, with customer care that goes way beyond your "first job".

We offer an extensive range of electrical services in the commercial and industrial sectors which includes:

Electrical Design and Installation ● Maintenance Inspection and Testing ● Fire Alarms and Emergency Lighting Security Systems and CCTV ● Lighting Design and Controls Central Vacuum Systems

We are a company that is constantly involved with energy saving projects, and as a firm we believe, that any new installation shouldn't be designed without it. We constantly strive to lessen our carbon footprint as well as those of our clients. We return as much of our waste material to local transfer stations as often as we possibly can as we are registered waste carriers.

43 Norton Road, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland TS18 2BU

We always bring a high level of service which explains why much of our work comes from word of mouth and recommendations. We pride ourselves on the quality, effectiveness and craftsmanship of everything that we do.

Mob: 07977 469 353 Mob: 07970 803 269 Office 01642 675 757 Fax: 01642 675 657 Email: info@swelectrical.co.uk www.swelectrical.co.uk

We offer our services to the whole north of England, so you stand to benefit from the years of experience behind us. We are fully qualified electrical contractors, so whatever your needs, why not contact us and see if we can help?

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UKC PROFILE

M2 Construction (South Wales) Ltd Construction by collaboration Formed in November 2011, M2 Construction (South Wales) Ltd specialises in construction and refurbishment work in the private and public sector, on commercial, retail and residential projects.

The Company was established in response to a number of clients asking M2 Construction to carry out work that it had been involved in through the cost planning stage, allied with some success in creating development opportunities with land owners facilitating and tailoring opportunities with businesses looking for premises.

Set up by Martin Price and Martin Williams, the Company also benefits from the integral contribution of Martin Hill, who is key to the construction work.

M2 Construction is based in Swansea and also offers environmental products such as Durisol wood block construction.

Also part of the Group is M2 Homes Ltd t/a M2 Consultancy was formed in 2007 and was intended to provide consultancy services and develop starter homes. But, the Company held off from purchasing land and instead concentrated on the consultancy side of the business, which has successfully maintained a good workload through the recession through customer recommendations.

The Company is currently working to provide a new two-storey clubhouse, training facilities, alterations and refurbishment of existing changing facilities at Swansea Uplands RFC Clubhouse.

Providing increased and upgraded facilities for this thriving club, new facilities will include new bar and lounge areas upstairs with balcony view to the pitches, improved catering facilities and storage areas, training room and refurbished team changing facilities.

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Externally, there will be improved and expanded car parking areas, improved drainage, regarding and reseeding of the pitches, and new floodlighting.

The club partially demolished the existing clubhouse to make way for the new two-storey facility, which will require less maintenance and with current building regulations, will be more economical to run in the future.

M2 Construction is the Main Contractor for the development, which will benefit from strip and pad foundations, powerfloated concrete slab and structural screed to the first floor, a structural steel frame, curtain walling and cladding to upper walls and the roof.

Work started in February 2013 and

will be completed in October 2013.

The Company has just finished work on the refurbishment of an existing stonebuilt school at Garnswllt Activity Centre.

It has provided re-cladding and refurbishment of the old timber frame school kitchens and dining hall, and construction of infill block to extend the cafĂŠ, and provide changing facilities.

The project has provided new kitchens and cafĂŠ area, changing facilities, and an activity hall for the community of Garnswllt and for ramblers, whom the area is popular with.

Work was completed in July 2013, and is another first class project undertaken

by M2 Construction, which will further enhance an already flourishing reputation. www.m2cbc.co.uk

Green Oak Structures, Barn Conversions and one-off Dwellings / Extensions

PROFILE UKC

Brighton & Hove City Council Further development in the city Brighton & Hove City Council is working hard to achieve the targets set out by its corporate plan 2011-2015.

The plan is structure according to the Council’s four priorities: tackling inequality, creating a more sustainable city, engaging people who live and work in the city, and modernising the council.

The first three priorities are outward looking, focusing on the Council’s aims for the city, while the fourth concerns the Council as an organisation and how it must operate in order to deliver the corporate plan.

Of the recent developments undertaken by the Council, plans for a development of 45 self-contained one- and twobedroom flats offering 24-hour social care support for vulnerable people took a massive step forward last month.

Brighton & Hove City Council has won almost £2.5M of government funding for extra care housing. The scheme will be built on Brooke Mead, and an outdated block of council bedsit accommodation

in Albion Street will be demolished.

It will provide 45 self-contained flats for older people who wish to continue to live independently, safe in the knowledge that care and support is available when needed. The total cost of the scheme is almost £9M, with the rest of the money coming from council budgets.

The new Brooke Mead has been designed to national ‘Lifetime Homes’ standards, to meet residents’ changing abilities and circumstances. Particular care has been taken in the design to cater for the needs of people with dementia, and ten per cent of the accommodation will be fully wheelchair accessible.

Councillor Rob Jarrett, Chair of the Council’s Adult Care and Health Committee, said: “We’re very keen to increase the amount of specialised housing for older people and adults with disabilities.

“Extra care housing is a win-win because it enables vulnerable people to maintain their independence but in a supported environment. It has proved very popular

so this is a massive step forward for us.”

Funding for this is subject to planning approval, with the application expected to be considered by the Council’s planning committee in October.

Should planning permission be granted, it is hoped that work on the development will start at the end of the year with residents moving in at the end of next year.

The Chair of the Council’s Housing Committee, Councillor Bill Randall, said: “The Brooke Mead scheme will help meet the growing demand for extra care housing in the city. 30% of the Council’s sheltered housing tenants are aged 80 or more and 49% are disabled.

“Extra care housing provides a cost effective way of helping them and other older people in the city maintain their independence.”

One of Brighton & Hove’s major parks has is undergoing restoration for the general public to enjoy.

The public will have access to the south end of the park at The Level, which

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Photo courtesy of V Lee

includes the children’s play area and the new skate park. While the full renovation is not yet complete, the city council was keen to open the recreational facilities in time for the school summer holidays.

The project is transforming the city centre park with a package of improvements.

When complete, these will include the skate park and children’s playground, plus ‘dancing’ fountains, a sensory garden, tables for board games and ping pong, a petanque terrain and a new environmentally friendly café, complete with a chalk grassland green roof.

Historic features from the early 1920s have been restored, including the park pavilions which will now be used to provide community rooms and exhibition spaces. Extensive new planting and landscaping have also been carried out and additional seating provided.

The restoration is being carried out by the Council with a £2.2M Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund grant.

An Aiming High Grant of £65,000 has also been awarded to help make the park more accessible for all to enjoy.

The skate park also received £150,000 grant funding from Sports England Inspired Facilities and £50,000 from Veolia Environmental Trust.

The playground has many pieces of equipment suitable for children with disabilities. New public toilets will be wheelchair accessible and will include a changing places facility with enough space for disabled people and their carers.

Improvements in lighting, CCTV and the presence of a full-time park manager will help to deter anti-social behaviour.

A Sussex Police Community Hub will also be available at The Level for a three-month trial. Members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be working from the building for part of the day and will always be available between 9am to 10.30am, 12pm to 1pm and between 4pm and 6pm.

Some parts, such as the new café and north lawns, will open in September.

The park’s official Grand Opening Event will take place at the end of September or early October.

Local people have been involved in the restoration in a variety of ways. Some have

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shared their pictures and memories for a The new medical centre will provide much history project charting their memories of needed larger premises for Dr Sagar and The Level; others have given their ideas Partners, enabling the practice to offer for a new piece of artwork in the park or more facilities and services, plus better got involved in a new Communities of the access for anyone with limited mobility.

Level Forum; and bricklaying students Geoffrey Bowden, Chair of the Economic at City College Brighton and Hove have Development and Culture Committee, gained practical experience helping to said: “I am really pleased that this project restore a 19th century stone wall. will shortly start rising out of the ground.

Councillor Pete West, Chair of the City “When other local authorities are Council’s Environment, Transport and closing their libraries, Brighton & Hove Sustainability Committee, said: “We is bucking the trend and building a are really proud of this fantastic newfacility that will be double the size of the look park where local people, visitors, former 50 year old temporary library.” and people working in the area can relax The new library and medical centre is and unwind in the heart of the city. expected to be open in April 2014.

“Previously The Level was tired, underused and in need of investment and many people simply didn’t go there. Now it will have something for everyone, it will be an attractive, vibrant and welcoming area and one of the best parks for miles around.

“It is so important for many people who don’t have an open space of their own to have a top quality park to enjoy.”

August also saw the demolition of Woodingdean’s old library as contractors prepare the ground for the new combined library We are pleased to be associated with and medical centre.

Brighton & Hove City Council The library will and wish them continued success. be almost double the size of the previous one. It will feature a separate computer suite, small meeting room and an out-of-hours entrance, enabling the community to maximise use of the building.

UKC PROFILE

Secured by Design

Creating minimum security standards Owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers, Secured by Design (SBD) blends criminology, design against crime and security technology into a police standard that has been proven to reduce burglary by more than 75% and car crime and criminal damage by more than 25%.

With independent research constantly reviewing the scheme, SBD keeps up to date with trends in crime and burglary.

SBD was started in 1989 against a backdrop of a rising tide of burglary and a lack of consistency in crime prevention advice.

According to the British Crime Survey, burglary peaked in the UK in 1995 at 1,770,000 with people living in rented accommodation two times more likely to become a victim.

The initiative was originally formed by Police forces in the south east before its adoption by all the UK Police services by 1992. At the same time, SBD started working with the glass, glazing and hardware industries on product standards that reflected current crime trends.

By combining minimum-security standards, building design and layout crime, burglary has been reduced to current numbers of 633,000 (ONS 2012).

ACPO SBD creates national minimum standards for security products and urban design. Those recommendations seek to be reasonable, realistic and risk commensurate. With independent research constantly reviewing the scheme, SBD keeps up-to-date with

trends in crime and burglary.

The local Crime Prevention Design Advisor or Architectural Liaison Officer works with the developer and architect from the planning stages to interpret the minimum standards to the development in question.

Not all sites need the same level of security so it is not a one size fits all approach.

The correct windows, doors and locks can make a difference between someone gaining access to a property. With 30% of all burglaries still being through the front door, it is evident that there is need to specify products that are Police Preferred Specification and are more resilient.

The principles of SBD have been proven by university research over many years that it will reduce crime by 75%, by combing minimum standards of physical security and well-tested principles of natural surveillance and defensible space.

With approximately 450 member companies, they all benefit from the SBD logo, which is trademarked and shows that products have reached a high level of security that meet Police Preferred Specification.

The logo shows that products have been tested and certified to a higher standard and will reduce the opportunity for crime.

SBD controls the use of its logo so that only members and those reselling their SBD products can use the logo.

Standards are often complex and for some unique products where standards do not exist, evaluation processes have been developed. The SBD accreditation

enables specifiers and the public to have confidence in the effectiveness of the product without having to understand the technical standards.

Due to the success of events such as the London 2012 Olympics, where SBD provided the benchmark for developing the security principles for buildings, the Company is aware that there is a demand for people outside of the UK Police Service to offer all, or part of, SBD. It is important that all individuals delivering these principles and guidance are registered, experienced and skilled consultants.

As a result, a licensed consultants scheme has been introduced to create a legitimate community of security consultants throughout the UK and centralise a secure way for those in the construction and design industries to search and ensure they only employ the skills of a true SBD licensed consultant.

SBD was a requirement for all legacy buildings for the Olympics and as a result, the principles of addressing security and testing products and designs prior to the build stage were adopted. It now forms part of the government drive to export excellence in security overseas.

SBD was also incorporated in the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009, as well as Westfield City Stratford Shopping Centre last year, and has now been adopted in many other countries.

Redrow, Davenport

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Secured by Design doors beat the burglar...

Sliders UK guarantees its ‘Ultimate’ Police-approved patio, bi-fold and composite doors will defend homes against break-ins.

Leading manufacturer, Sliders UK has pioneered security across its Ultimate range of patio, bi-fold and composite doors, all of which carry the highly regarded Secured by Design stamp of approval.

Sliders’ Ultimate PVC-u patio and bi-folding doors were the very first to achieve Secured by Design accreditation, ahead of the competition, back in 2009 and 2010.

The company’s Ultimate Aluminium Bi-folding doors, launched in 2013, were also a first for Secured by Design status. In fact, they are still the only aluminium bi-folds on the market to carry this official mark of security – meaning that they are the ‘Police Preferred Specification’.

Sliders’ range of Ultimate composite doors complete its line-up Secured by Design products.

Official Police initiative Secured by Design is the official UK Police initiative, which focuses on the crime prevention of homes and commercial premises, and promotes the principles of ‘designing out crime’.

Backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers, the scheme tests products and awards official Secured by Design ‘Police Preferred Specification’ status to those that prove capable of preventing crime.

“We felt it was important that we adopted the Secured by Design principles for the benefit of the homeowners we serve. It took a great deal of investment in research, design and testing, but we are proud to offer this high level security on all our Ultimate range doors,” says Mike Spain, Joint Managing Director of Sliders UK.

Homeowner thanks Sliders Mr Griffin from Crosby was relieved when his Secured by Design Ultimate Patio Door recently kept would-be burglars at bay.

The homeowner had an intruder late at night. Firstly, they tried to prise open the patio door, but the locking system held firm. Once that had failed, they damaged the handle with a hammer with a view to gaining entry by disabling the locking system. But after several attempts, they gave up on this as well.

Mr Griffin told Sliders: “There was no one in at the time, so the burglar had plenty of time. Plus they did not have to be to be quiet, hence the attempt to smash the handle.”

Security guarantee According to official statistics, the use of Secured by Design approved products reduces crime risk by up to 75%. Sliders is even more confident in the security of its doors – so much so that all of its Ultimate Secured by Design doors come with a 10-year security guarantee.

Mike explains: “If our SBD door is indeed beaten by a burglar, we’ll cover the cost of the replacement and hand over a £500 goodwill gesture by way of compensation for the disruption we promised wouldn’t happen.”

Sliders UK T : 01772 698222 W : www.sliders-uk.com

Mike Spain concludes: “Having controlled tests and awarding standards is all well and good but in the real world, the ultimate test you can have is a real burglar trying his best to break in. This not the first time that a burglar has been foiled by our Ultimate doors.”

UKC COMMERCIAL

Cody Park

Part of Ark’s high integrity data centre vision August saw the completion of Ark Data Centres’ latest facility at Cody Park, A101, which was finished ahead of schedule.

The first module, a two-storey facility consisting of two separate and secure data rooms each supporting 750kW of IT load, is set in its own compound within a secure campus adjacent to Cody Technology Park, which is home to Data Centre A9, another Ark facility that has been operational since December 2011.

Cody Park is one of Ark’s high integrity Data Centre Campuses and was conceived and designed to complement the local environment and is ideally located for data centre occupiers seeking secure, low carbon data centre facilities within replication distance to London.

As part of the planning consent for A101, Ark has met stringent noise conditions, while noise attenuation steps have been taken and tested to ensure there is no operational noise impact on the nearest receptors.

It comprises of a state-of-the-art data centre with six data rooms providing space for up to 1,176 cabinets at an average of 4.2kW per cabinet, over 42 discrete Aisles.

It follows the same model as P1 which was built at Spring Park, both being a stand-alone modular facility, not

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housed within another building.

This modular approach ticks all the boxes from a planning point of view – from visual impact to energy efficiency and the standard footprint simplifies planning approvals and civil construction.

Each module construction occurs in phases and does not affect the existing modules in any way. Built aligned to Ark’s sustainable principles, the facilities at Cody Park will receive a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

Module one will deliver 1,520kW, and modules two and three of the data centre are being deployed using the same methods, resulting in a final facility IT load of 4.5MW. There will also be an ancillary area hosting a secure control room, loading bay, build area, offices and operations centre.

Each floor includes seven aisles, two air optimisers, an operations centre, a security office a communications room and ancillary office space. The ancillary area has goods lifts, stairs, a loading bay, build rooms, technical support office, building control centre, security office, kitchen and rest rooms.

The final day of integrated systems testing took place on 12th July, three days ahead of schedule and in the presence of BCS CEEDA accreditors. In what is a

rare occasion in the industry, a customer was also present for this event.

Following the successfully completed IST, a two-week period of training and famliarisation took place for the operations live service team prior to customer handover. This handover was undertaken as contracted.

Ark provided access to customers for installation of cabinets in advance of the handover. Kevin Bone, Director of Business Programme & Client Change at Ark, said in August: “We are very agile, flexible and understand the needs of our customers.

“We assisted with the pre hand over and fit out of cabinets and structured cabling for two customers, in two separate data rooms, to ensure their occupation goes smoothly and they achieve their go live dates.

“For the last two weeks, these installations have been running concurrently with the on-site operations team training.”

Fenton Bard, of SOURCE, one of A101’s initial occupants added: “This latest addition to the SOURCE portfolio with BIL3 status allows us to satisfy public sector and high security enterprise data centre requirements within just 24 hours of order.

“Ready connected, SOURCE delivers high continued page 74 >

Global Expertise, Local Knowledge Our Critical Services team have enjoyed a positive working relationship with our Clients for many years based on trust and integrity working on various projects throughout the world.

Through our dedicated experienced specialists, we are able to respond quickly with effective project management, cost management, procurement and health and safety advice from day one to assist our Client in meeting their overall objectives on these technically complex and demanding projects. We add value through an in-depth understanding of the sector and appoint highly experienced teams to every project.

We have been working with Ark on their Cody Park and Corsham sites delivering a number of projects. At Cody Park this has included the construction of A101 Modular Data Centre phases 1 and 2 and

the associated new Energy Centre, the fit out of 3 data halls at the A9 Data Centre with upgrade to the existing A9 Energy Centre and at Corsham the construction of shells for 6 data suites.

We are delighted to have recently been named by Ark as their Project and Cost Management Partners.

Bruce Shaw provides nearly 40 years experience in property and construction consultancy across a large number of sectors including critical facilities, offices, retail, residential, mixed use and urban regeneration.

Our priority, through our solution driven approach, is to help our Clients and their teams successfully deliver their projects and realise maximum value from their activities.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our client care approach and this is reflected in the repeat commissions we are awarded, which accounts for over 70% of our business.

Bruce Shaw have offices throughout the UK, Ireland, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America

Bruce Shaw, Artillery House, 11-19 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RT t +44 (0)20 7799 1100

www.bruceshaw.com

speed tier one Internet and point-to-point network services just a cross-connect away. We are really delighted to be working in true partnership with Ark and look forward to expanding through this and the Spring Park campus in the near future.”

Ark’s Design & Build Director Pip Squire, said: “The BCS official expressed amazement that we would carry out such an important test in front of a customer – as this is something that seldom happens in the industry.

“But this is what we do at Ark. We are open and transparent in our approach to delivery. We have confidence in our products, our systems and our delivery team, which we will continue to demonstrate at every stage of our partnerships.

This is just business as usual.”

Huw Owen, CEO of Ark, said: “This is another step forward for Ark’s plan to take the company to the next level and achieve our aggressive expansion plans.

The team has put in a sterling effort and should be very happy with the result.”

A101 is designed to Tier three highavailability standards with very low additional energy used in the cooling and power systems, resulting in an annualised PUE of less than 1.3 within an IL3 security environment.

Data Centre A101 is the first facility situated on the 36-acre Cody Park – one of Europe’s premier data centre campus locations.

Strategically positioned to meet customer requirements for synchronous data replication in a high security environment, it is adjacent to Cody Technology Park, which is the secure headquarter campus for

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QinetiQ and the location of A9 data centre.

Site enabling works at Cody Park began in December 2012 and eight weeks later, at the end of February 2013, the deployment of the data rooms commenced.

Despite the challenging weather conditions throughout the cold, wet winter and spring, Ark delivered module one of data centre A101 in just 18 weeks from release of the concrete slab, on programme and to budget.

Established in 2005, Ark is rapidly expanding to serve the needs of organisations that require nothing short of operational excellence.

Ark’s experienced team understand the IT service and business critical requirements of customers and work in partnership with them to deliver the data centre solutions they need on a non-transactional basis.

As well as Cody Park, Ark has another dedicated data centre campus location in the south of England. Spring Park and Cody Park house high integrity, high security data centres offering an agile approach to organisations who appreciate the need for security, flexibility and sustainability.

With an aggressive expansion programme in place, Ark will continue to deliver sustainable, secure and flexible data centre solutions.

Every Ark is secure to the minimum of Business Impact Level 3 (BIL3). However, customers can increase security as required at data centre, data room, suite or aisle level as part of the company-wide zero tolerance approach to anything that puts a customer’s business at risk.

The Company’s culture is to be 100% committed to their customers. Ark is

continuously and responsibly delivering tomorrow’s data centre needs today, enabling the digital capability that underpins modern economy and public services.

A101 is an evolution of the ‘volumetric’ data centre Ark deployed at Spring Park during 2012. With the volumetric solution, the entire data centre module is constructed off site and then transported as a series of units for assembly on site.

The steel required to transport these rigid boxes was more than that needed for the construction and operation of the data centre altogether. This led to the development of a ‘flat pack’ or ‘Armature’ solution that has been implemented as a method of standardising the complex elements of the BladeRoom into a more cost effective solution by reducing the amount of structure within the modules while maintaining the functional performance of the facility with no compromise on the operation of the data centre.

Having undertaken site preparation including groundworks, foundations, the concrete structural slabs and the provision of site utilities, the assembly saw the delivery of four air optimiser units to the site, complete with roof sections.

These were then craned into position before external cladding to the north gable end wall was delivered to the site and installed.

This allowed the commencement of the ancillary block and energy centre steel frame to begin, which is a traditional steel frame building with insulated cladding.

Data rooms comprising of 16 prefabricated continued page 78 >

of our work is via existing clients or referrals Does that mean we’re resting on our laurels?

No; quite the opposite, in fact. We enjoy what we do and are always looking for new challenges. It was our founding philosophy in 2004: to attain the highest standards in building engineering services – and exceed them. Since that time, we’ve developed business relationships based on trust and integrity with a prestigious, blue-chip client base. These have given us an excellent reputation in the marketplace.

It’s our mission to achieve ever-higher standards for both new and existing customers in every business sector: from mission-critical IT installations to commercial, financial, retail, leisure and premium residential.

As a leading provider of mechanical and electrical maintenance solutions, we’ll support your business from day one. With electrical systems at the heart of every building, JCA can also help you design, install and maintain the optimum levels of electrical performance, economy, functionality and safety.

Moreover, JCA provides a range of professional support services including facilities management systems, bespoke software development, reporting, regulatory compliance, CDM-C and HSQE consultancy.

To find out how JCA could benefit your business, call us anytime to discuss your project on 01438 847020, or email us at info@jcagroup.co.uk

www.jcagroup.co.uk

modern thinking traditional values

Natta has been trading as a specialist groundworks contractor for over 40 years, renowned for its innovation and expertise in a wide range of sectors. As one of the most versatile and experienced construction companies in the South East, and drawing on our four decades of experience, we are now taking on more Main Contractor roles, as well as continuing as a traditional Sub Contractor.

90% of Natta’s work is repeat business, so we are confident in the outstanding service and impressive results we provide to our clients. We are proud of our open nature and transparent work ethic, which inevitably results in a close and productive relationship with our clients.

With no reportable accidents since August 2011, it is evident that Health and Safety is one of our highest priorities. Natta is Achilles accredited and holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. All our site managers are SMSTS or SSSTS certified, and fully qualified first aiders, and all our workers are 100% CSCS qualified. Our own in-house training centre runs at the forefront of current industry Health and Safety standards, providing training not just to our own team, but to the construction industry as a whole.

Natta Building Company Ltd, ‘Rose Court’, Rye Common Lane, Crondall, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5DD

T: 01252 851155 F: 01252 851150 reception@natta.co.uk

www.natta.co.uk

• Data Centres • IT Centres • Refurbishment • Interior Fitting Out • Dilapidations

Mountfield Building Group Ltd Delivering Quality Construction

• Specialist Builderswork • Ceilings / Partitions • Raised Access Flooring • Joinery

Mountfield Building Group Ltd No. 9 Hurricane Close, Wickford Business Park, Wickford, Essex. SS11 8YR

Quality

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t: +44 (0) 1268 561516 f: +44 (0) 1268 561082 e: mail@mountfieldbg.com www.mountfieldbg.com

units, fitted with all services installed at the factory were then delivered to the site and 16 additional units were delivered as skeleton units only. They were craned into position and fitted to precast bolts within the structural slab and the first floor of modules one and two were sealed and constructed section by section.

External cladding continued to the data room sections as the units were assembled and plant decks for modules one and two were delivered to site and craned into position.

After this, the internal fit out began, and internal bay-to-bay junction trims were installed throughout to prevent cold bridging. Fire, power and data services were fitted before external services such as water, drainage and power were connected.

At all stages, strict quality assurance procedures were followed and detailed installation guides produced for each element.

Spring Park has also made rapid progress at its dedicated data centre site in Wiltshire.

The steelworks for the second phase of data centre SQ17 have been erected in just two weeks, following the resolution of an issue concerning unexpected ground conditions that caused an initial delay.

Work commenced in early April 2013 and the entire shell and core are due for completion in December 2013.

Pip Squire, Design & Build Director for Ark, said: “We are rapidly expanding our data centre estate to meet the growing demand for high integrity data centres.

“Module one of SQ17, one of our first facilities, has been operational since 2010, and two years on the shell will be ready for a further four modules and administration block.”

Module two’s energy centre slab was released ready for mechanical and electrical

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deployment from the 19th August 2013.

In keeping with Ark’s sustainable principles and procurement programme, local suppliers and contractors have been utilised to reduce the carbon footprint and to attribute towards a BREEAM certification of ‘Excellent’ as part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

Once complete, SQ17 will comprise six 2MVA modules, all supporting four BIL4 (or up to BIL6 if required) data suites which can each hold up to 75 cabinets with average power 2.66kW. SQ17 is located in its own secure compound within the external, secure boundary of Spring Park in Corsham, Wiltshire; a site previously owned and still surrounded by the Ministry of Defence, which was selected by Ark for the levels of security it affords and its position relative to an intermodal point on the national grid.

The campus is also home to Data Centre P1, module one of which has been operational since November 2011.

Modules two and three were recently completed and the facility boasts a tested and proven low PUE of 1.25.

When compared against a traditional data centre running at 2.5, Ark’s solution can save occupiers £1.1M per megawatt of It and 6,000 tonnes of carbon per year, for every year of the contract.

As well as being highly energy efficient, Ark continues to roll out its landscape and environmental management plan to increase biodiversity at both Spring Park and Cody Park.

Ark has also met stringent noise conditions as set out during planning; noise attenuation steps have been taken, and tested, to ensure there is no operational noise impact on the nearest receptors.

Stephen Hall, Executive Sales & Marketing Director, said: “We have an aggressive growth strategy and have seen our

sales pipeline expand exponentially since our recapitalisation last July.

“The continued development on both campuses to meet customer demand is a true reflection of Ark’s commitment to deliver data centres that enable the digital capability underpinning our modern economy and public services.”

Ark’s world-class team of industry professionals understand the complexities of delivering and operating business critical infrastructure deployed to meet each occupier’s individual requirements, and this is apparent with the A101 and A9 data centres.

The quality of work has been recognised in the past year. Ark was a finalist in the Uptime Institute Green Enterprise IT Awards 2012 in the category of Modula Data Centre Product Deployment, and also at the Datacenter Dynamics EMEA Awards 2012 in the innovation in the Mega Data Center category.

Spring Park and Cody Park data centre campus locations house a variety of Ark’s high integrity data centres offering a flexible approach to organisations who appreciate the need for secure, available and sustainable data processing, storage and communications solutions.

Both sites are also aligned with the UK government’s policy of reducing the environmental impact of ICT by ensuring improvements in energy efficiency – in particular focusing on the UK’s CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Together, Ark and its industry partners continue to be instrumental in the enhancement of industry standards and is associated with many thought-leading and best practice collaborations in the public and private sector including the Intellect Data Centre Council and the Data Centre Alliance, resulting in full compliance with the EU Code of Conduct.

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UKC EDUCATION

Hertford Regional College Enhancing learning environment for Children & Care services Pupils joining Hertford Regional College in autumn 2013 to study Children, Care and Health courses will be treated to a brand new learning environment following a £1.3M construction project.

A new extension to the existing High Trees Children’s Centre and Squirrel’s Day Nursery building is currently underway at the college’s Broxbourne Campus.

With the development of the new twostorey extension, learners will be able to work closely with the children and staff in the centre and nursery which will enhance their learning even further.

The extension will have a total floor area of 510sq m and there will also be an external area of approximately 250sq m. It will

provide five additional classrooms for the Children, Care and Health courses already on offer from the college. Two of the five rooms will be practical teaching spaces, one for teaching specific childcare skills and the other for specific health care skills.

Other spaces within the building will be used for staff training, tutorials and storage.

The building will be entered from the North West corner, close to the entrance to the existing children’s centre, with a glass fronted entrance and large lobby area.

There will be toilet facilities on both levels.

The design of the extension has been intended to match the existing Children’s Centre, with render on the majority of the building, some aspects of curtain

walling and an exposed brick feature on the front elevation facing ground floor.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects the exposed brickwork is to create a differential between the care services classroom block and the children’s centre.

The Main Contractor on the site is Cosmur Construction. The project will also include the creation of an additional 60 car parking spaces and an external children’s play deck to the rear of the extension.

We are pleased to be associated with Cosmur Construction on the Hertford Regional College project and wish all involved continued success for the future

Spurling Works, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0DB

Tel: 01992 711717 Mobile: 07831 588 235 Email: john@glscaffolding.com 80

HEALTH UKC

Southmead Hospital Bristol State-of-the-art Brunel building The countdown is on at Southmead Hospital Bristol, as it is now less than a year until the £430M hospital will open.

North Bristol NHS Trust will take over the ownership of the hospital in March next year and the first patients will be moved into the state-of-the-art new building in mid-May 2014, with all the other patients, teams and departments moving across during the following two weeks.

Staff at the hospital were asked for suggestions as to what they wanted the building to be called. The shortlist came down to Bristol Brunel, Elizabeth Blackwell and Prince William.

These were then opened up to the public and staff, and a poll was launched on the Trust’s website and in a local newspaper, which resulted in more than 3,700 votes.

The most popular choice was to keep the hospital name as Southmead and the second most popular was to name it after Brunel, because he was an innovator and forward thinker, and these are two important elements shared with the new hospital and what it will provide.

As such, the Trust listened to the community and decided to keep the hospital site as a whole as Southmead Hospital, but to include the word ‘Bristol’ in the title, so it will be called Southmead Hospital Bristol.

This is in recognition of the significant increase in the number of services provided, with staff and teams moving across from Frenchay, and to help patients and those referring to the Trust who live outside the local area.

The Trust also decided that the new hospital building will be called Brunel.

The redevelopment will result in an 800-bed new acute hospital with 24 operating theatres that is designed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

It will provide greater privacy for patients, with 75% of beds in single rooms with ensuite toilet and shower rooms and the

other 25% of beds will be in four-bed bays. accessible for the disabled thanks The scheme, which will have all medical to detailed consultation undertaken, services and expertise under one roof, and the Brunel building benefits from also saw complex demolition on the CCTV, alarm and a sprinkler system. site to maintain clinical operations The Main Contractor for the project is while creating a building site.

Carillion. Work began in February 2010 and Designed by BDP, the hospital has three the hospital will open on 28th May 2014. linked atria, the largest of which, at 27 metres high, would be able to fit the Angel of the North inside.

The atrium structure is complete and the internal fit out process is nearing completion.

The structure comprises a steel frame and composite deck on the ward side, while at the technical block there is flat slab insitu concrete.

Externally, the building is made up of prefabricated elements, with reconstituted bathstone panels, BDP is proud to be architect, master planner and public realm designers for the new Southmead Hospital. roughcut pennant stone base on the Our design for the 113,000m2 BREEAM Excellent rated Brunel Building integrates a stunning public concourse, intuitive wayfinding, flexible treatment spaces and a ward side, with hotel quality naturally ventilated patient environment. glazing/terracotta and louvre to BDP specialises in all aspects of healthcare design from the largest acute facilities to intimate cancer treatment centres, refurbishment projects, site masterplan and estate ward windows. strategy reviews and business case support.

The building is We believe in listening carefully to our clients and putting users first with imaginative focused on a public and responsive healthcare design. concourse running the length of the If you would like to discuss any opportunities with us please contact: building, with 1 North Bank bedroom facilities Sheffield to the east side and S3 8JY treatment facilities chris.green@bdp.com to the west.

It is fully

Healthcare by BDP

81

UKC COMMERCIAL

James Durrans & Sons Ltd

New office development September will see the completion of the design and construction of the new contemporary office headquarters for James Durrans & Sons Ltd in Penistone.

It will consist of three-storeys of contemporary office accommodation and a new integrated basement garage facility and this office development will replace the existing buildings that currently occupy the site.

The result will be a sustainably designed building that is energy efficient, highly functional and of strong architectural merit.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary later this year, the Company appointed leading design specialists HTC Architects in March last year to design a state-of-theart headquarters that can symbolise the growth and development of the Company.

When completed, the development will provide high quality office accommodation, staff facilities, meeting rooms and a feature full height entrance atrium and reception area.

HTC Architects has specifically designed the building according to the site constraints, ensuring it can be accessed from both the north elevation off Saville Lane at first floor level or from the south elevation at lower ground floor

level and at basement level throughout The south elevation houses the main the integrated basement facility. entrance into the office development The existing site has also been redesigned and will boast high quality glazing to enhance its functionality, and includes and feature balconies. a renovation of the existing parking Built by JF Finnegan, the building is on area to create a safer and more secure course to achieve a BREEAM ‘Good’ rating. staff car parking area, the creation of Work started in November 2012 and dedicated pedestrian routes to ensure will be complete in September 2013. continued permeability through the site, and implementation of feature landscaping areas to enhance the look of the site.

The east and west facing elevations feature full height glazing to maximise natural day lighting, providing a Chartered Building Consultants; contemporary feel to Project Managers; Development and Cost Consultants the development.

Utilising more stone and feature Howell Goodfellow are delighted to support local ‘punched’ windows Yorkshire businesses, successfully project managing provides balance the delivery of James Durrans & Sons’ iconic, cutting to the north facing edge new corporate headquarters in Penistone. elevations while the contemporary sloped roof and Tel: 01484 722 777 Fax: 01484 722 555 secondary entrance admin@howellgoodfellow.co.uk canopy provide architectural flair.

Watsons BUILDING SERVICES LTD

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82

PROFILE UKC

Crossrail

Redeveloping major transport hubs Crossrail’s new Liverpool Street station is making good progress with key works completed and the project moving into an important stage of delivery.

The station will be located between the existing Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations, and Crossrail will build two new entrances and ticket halls, creating new interchanges.

The construction of the new Liverpool Street Crossrail station is divided into four main sites, with good progress made on each.

The Moorgate site’s western ticket hall is on the way to being constructed, which involves enlarging the existing Moorgate Underground Station.

A 55m deep shaft is being excavated next to the existing station with reinforced concrete panels installed 60m below the surface to form a box below ground.

Work on the Moorgate shaft is taking place in one of Crossrail’s most constrained sites with Hammersmith & City line to the north, the Northern line to the east and the

existing Moorgate station ticket hall nearby.

Work on the Liverpool Street site will see a new eastern ticket hall constructed, with work starting early next year.

A substation ticket hall will be constructed to link into the existing London Underground ticket hall at Liverpool Street.

Another part of the work is the Finsbury Circus shaft, which has seen a temporary 42m deep shaft built to act as the ‘nerve centre’ for the construction of Crossrail platform tunnels, concourse and passages to link the new eastern and western ticket halls at Moorgate and Liverpool Street.

More than 600m of temporary and full size tunnels have been built, with the tunnels expected to be complete in 2015.

Once work is complete, the Finsbury Circus park area will be restored.

At the Bloomfield Street shaft, foundations have been completed on box structure for ventilation, electrical and mechanical equipment.

Up to now, more than 250 piles have been completed, including all high

level foundation works and two thirds of the main shaft piles installed.

Adjacent to this, a new Communications Equipment Room, power substation and switch rooms for the Liverpool Street London Underground station are being constructed. These should be completed later this year.

Crossrail’s development has been helped thanks to the work of Reader Grout, based in Nottinghamshire, and has supplied 1,000 tonnes for grouting at the Liverpool Street site and also the Whitechapel development.

Crossrail is also providing a £1Bn redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road Station, with 60% of work completed.

Civil engineering work has been completed for almost 300 metres of new passageways, as well as a new entrance, and the new ticket hall, six times the size of the existing.

Fitting out has begun at Phase I, including two new entrances and expanded Northern line access, which will open in 2015.

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83

UKC COMMERCIAL

Halfpenny Green Vineyards

Further extension to the South Staffordshire vineyard A distinctive winery at Bobbington in Staffordshire will benefit from a new extension that will be completed this month.

Halfpenny Green Vineyards has an extra portal frame bay extension along the east side, gable fronted to match the existing building.

The materials and floor level also match the existing and rainwater will now be taken to soakaways.

The extension also comprises an education centre, linked to the winery on the east side. The roof is flat and walls are clad in stained timber externally to give a more rural appearance. The education centre has been painted cream to match other units.

Internally, there are viewing windows in the wall adjoining the winery, and the total floor area is 134sq m.

There were previously three storage vats, but they have been moved to allow the education centre to be moved forward by six metres, which in turn provides an increased amount of open space in front of a craft unit.

The tractor and machinery store is located opposite the winery and the walls and roof match. The highest part has been kept to less than four metres, so does not adversely affect the views from the existing adjacent house.

The floor area of this is 151sq m.

Halfpenny Green Vineyards has been open to the public since 1990, and since this time, the vineyard area in production has risen to almost 30 acres.

Along with the increase in the range of wine produced, sparkling wine production has become an increasingly important aspect with many awards being achieved.

But with sparkling wine, there is need for longer term storage for second stage bottle fermentation and maturity, therefore the extension of the winery area was necessary.

In addition the bottling line, which has

84

been upgraded to top specification, with objections to the project, has got to be completely enclosed in which delayed the work. its own building with positive airflow.

Objections were made to the planning As the vineyards have grown, additional committee of South Staffordshire Council tractors and machinery have been required. who visited the site after the revisions were For security reasons and maintenance, made to the scheme and then approved it. these need their own designated building D J Builders, Plastering Ltd has provided and work on this will commence next year. work on the education centre.

The tasting and education centre Work will be completed this month. was required to accommodate an increasing number of guided tours and particularly for the use of the craft centre tenants for demonstrations and classes.

Some trees had to be removed prior to construction of the extension, and the storage vats have been moved to the west of the existing winery.

Work on the project, which has sustainable features such as u-values of the floor, walls and roof to be compliant with building regulations, is the second extension to the winery. There was a previous Very experienced in architectural design and detailed drawing for extension on the Planning and Building Regulations applications. Specialist in housing west side and this from small extensions to new large detached houses and estate layout is on the east side, design. Other work has included projects at Halfpenny Green and also includes the Vineyards, flats, care home, cricket pavilion, golf teaching headquarters education centre. and work for an agricultural college.

The Architect for the development was Tel:01902 736191 Fax 01902 865875 Robert Pickering E-mail: jp004f4753@blueyonder.co.uk Building Design, who experienced some problems

ROBERT PICKERING BUILDING DESIGN

CIVIL UKC

Lincolnshire Energy from Waste Project Treating 150,000 tonnes of waste each year Construction of Lincolnshire’s first Energy from Waste (EfW) facility to treat household waste is well underway.

The landmark project, which will dramatically reduce the amount of waste Lincolnshire sends to landfill, has been led by the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership (LWP), which appointed Waste Recycling Group (WRG) to design, build and operate the EfW facility for the county.

The facility – on 3.1 hectares of land at north Hykeham, will be operational by autumn 2013.

The facility will provide a sustainable, safe and affordable waste treatment solution and allows energy to be recovered from waste that isn’t recycled or composted in the form of electricity.

The contract between Lincolnshire County Council and WRG, now FCC, was signed in March 2011 after being appointed by the Executive Committee to design, build and operate a new EfW facility at the end of 2010.

It forms part of Lincolnshire County Council’s solution to meet environmental targets set by the Landfill Directive.

As a key member of WRG’s bid team for the project, CNIM Clugston Lincolnshire Ltd was selected to design and construct the facility.

Working in joint venture with process partner CNIM, Clugston is working to provide the £40M civil engineering works package incorporating structural work, associated offices, control rooms and a visitor centre to cater for the 150,000 tonnes per annum plant. The project is designed by Studio E Architects.

Waste transported to the facility is to be stored within a large underground bunker before being used as a fuel to power a hot water boiler. This in turn drives an 11 MegaWatt turbine.

Electricity, which is generated, is then exported to the National Grid thus reducing the need to burn fossil fuels to create electricity.

As a by-product of the process, IBA or Incinerator Bottom Ash is produced, which can be used in different applications such as aggregate replacement in road construction.

This complex project involves heavy civil engineering works, undertaken in testing conditions. The waste storage bunker was constructed using secant piles in order to obviate ground water ingress into the underground structure.

Founding seven metres below ground level in an old gravel

extraction quarry, heavily reinforced concrete walls surround the bunker and continue from the level to terminate at a height of 20m above ground level.

These were formed on site using a proprietary metal framework system, lifted and positioned using the site’s tower crane.

The structure’s huge primary steelwork frame measures 190m long, 30m wide and at its peak, reaches 45m high. Supported by piled foundations, the steelwork has provided phasing challenges to meet the delivery dates.

Phasing the different facets of the construction is key in order to hand over different areas to allow the installation of the process equipment. Managing these key interfaces has been challenging, but has been managed by the site team to the commendation of the client.

Opportunities are being explored to make use of the heat produced by the facility in local homes and businesses in the future. Not only will this facility reduce the nation’s overall carbon footprint, but it will dramatically reduce the need for landfill.

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It is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work legislation that Employers ensure all persons are suitably trained and given information, instruction, training and supervision.

PUWER Regulations 1998, Regulation 9 Section 1 stipulates that “Employers must ensure no person operates or uses work equipment unless they have been suitably and adequately trained Section 2 requires that line managers or supervisors receive the same training.

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Mobile: 07572-875762 Tel: 01777 703195 Email: steve@tms-int.co.uk www.tms-int.co.uk Affiliated Awarding Bodies

85

UKC PROFILE

Superior insulant for a wide range of applications

By Leonie Onslow, Executive Director, British Urethane Foam Contractors Association With Building Regulation standards rising in April 2014 builders, developers and specifiers need to find new ways to ensure that new buildings not only meet relevant standards but also outperform similar projects when it comes to saving energy and carbon dioxide.

The revision to Building Regulations Part L is estimated to cut ÂŁ200 from the fuel bill of a typical new home and over ÂŁ60,000 from the fuel bills of large businesses, when compared to pre-2010 standards.

86

To meet the increased standards increased energy saving measures will be necessary including better fabric insulation, coupled with energy efficient heating and lighting.

The Part L revisions will result in a 6% cut in carbon emissions for new build homes with a 9% cut for non-domestic buildings.

The use of a high performance spray applied or injected polyurethane foam can help achieve these targets. One of the major benefits of spray-applied polyurethane foam is its ability to produce

a seamless blanket of insulation, which is joint free, bonding strongly to most building materials. Jointed systems give rise to a potentially weak point, leading to a significant loss of insulation value.

The two-component liquid system produces a highly-efficient blanket of insulation with a thermal conductivity approximately twice as efficient as fibreglass. It is particularly cost-effective and easy to apply to a wide variety of continued page 88 >

Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Foam Insulation Installers

Glas-Craft was awarded Leading European Distributor Status by Graco in 2012 for its performance supporting Foam Insulation Dispense Equipment.

Supplying Cavity Wall Foam & Spray Foam Insulation Dispense Equipment.

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Exceptional after-sales Service is provided as standard.

Dispensing Excellence:- for Foam Insulation Dispense Equipment your key Supply Partner is Glas-Craft.

Glas-Craft (UK) Ltd Unit 5B Lowercroft Business Park, Lowercroft Road, Bury, Lancs BL8 3PA Tel: +44 (0) 161 764 2977 Fax: +44 (0) 161 764 2963 e-mail: sales@glascraft.co.uk

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substrates. Its closed-cell nature renders it very resistant to moisture ingress and grades are available which achieve both Class 1 and Class 0 fire ratings when tested to BS 476 Part 7 and 6 respectively. The urethane foam can be applied in any thickness to suit the insulation requirements of the building.

Polyurethane foam systems provide the ideal solution for industrial and commercial buildings as large areas can be insulated quickly for insulation and condensation control. Factories, warehouses, exhibition halls, football stadiums and offices can all be insulated.

Where buildings have been subject to a change of use spray-applied and injected polyurethane can achieve high U-values outperforming many other insulants. The insulant can be applied to most building substrates and will fill voids which might otherwise be difficult to reach with other materials.

The British Urethane Foam Contractors Association (BUFCA) is the national trade association representing the spray applied and injected polyurethane foam industry. The association has specialist installers who are expert in the installation of PU foam in a wide variety of applications. Material and equipment suppliers are also part of BUFCA. The objectives of BUFCA are to ensure that high standards are set and maintained

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within the industry, that installers coming into the industry are properly trained and monitored and that installers adhere to the association’s Code of Professional Practice. Installers are expected to maintain high standards of quality and service to protect the industry’s credibility.

There is a twenty-five year insurance warranty which BUFCA installer members can offer for domestic and commercial projects to offer reassurance to prospective customers. The warranty becomes effective if there is a fault with the installation and the installer has ceased to trade or cannot honour the guarantee.

Many differing applications can benefit from sprayed, or injected polyurethane foam. Domestic roofs can be treated for insulation and stabilisation purposes where nail fatigue exists. This is subject to site survey as the roof needs to be structurally sound prior to installation.

The underside of commercial roofs can be treated for insulation, stabilisation, or for condensation control. This prevents surface and interstitial condensation on building surfaces.

The application of PU foam can help seal a building providing a barrier to the ingress of airborne sound. It can also prevent the sound from plumbing stacks to reduce the sound of water rush.

For wall insulation injected polyurethane foam can be used in the cavity for a

superior performing insulation which also helps to bond the inner and outer leaves providing strength to the building. This is particularly useful where wall ties are failing in existing houses. Polyurethane foams are resistant to flooding and are therefore normally preferable over other materials which may have decreased insulation values once they are wet.

These systems are approved under BBA certification for masonry cavity wall constructions in all exposure zones.

In barn conversions spray-applied polyurethane foam can provide the most cost effective method of converting loft and barn roofs and walls meeting the demand for increasingly energy efficient buildings.

Root crop stores and livestock buildings in the agriculture industry can easily be insulated to provide good U-values and completely seal the building, which is important for gassing and fogging.

Other applications include the marine industry where all shapes and sizes of boats can be seamlessly insulated with no voids or joints for condensation or cold bridging.

The Green Deal scheme is the Government’s funding mechanism for boosting the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock, as it provides upfront funding for insulation and renewable measures with the loan being repaid out continued page 90 >

Our Insulation Solutions for Your Property Our Installation and Management Teams are enthusiastic, experienced, committed and knowledgeable Insulation Experts who strive to make the customer journey trouble free….

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PAS 2030 APPROVED * We are a PAS 2030 Accredited Installer. * We supply expertise & capacity to GREENDEAL & ECO funded projects. * Our capabilities have been gained over 20 years+ in all market sectors. * We take pride in dealing with those hard to treat and older properties.

…to discuss your Insulation & Energy Saving requirements, please contact…

James Ramsay, Insulation Division Manager E mail: jamesramsay@hepburngroup.co.uk Phone: 0131 654 4409 Mobile: 0780 301 8086 A&R Hepburn (Engineering) Ltd, Colliery Court, 32 Sycamore Road, Mayfield, Dalkeith, EH22 5TA

of the ongoing savings made. This will form part of the Government’s plans to reduce energy consumption and take a step towards self-sufficiency by producing a proportion of energy domestically. This will also achieve reduced carbon emissions and a more secure energy infrastructure, as importation can be reduced.

Householders who are classed as being in fuel poverty, whereby a large proportion of their income is required for heating their homes may take advantage of the

Energy Company Obligation scheme.

This is a parallel scheme to the Green Deal which will operate to assist those fuel poor households. An estimated ÂŁ1.3Bn of funding will be supplied by the energy companies for these occupiers.

The Green Deal scheme may not be applicable to these householders as fuel bill savings may not be feasible if the housing is poorly heated beforehand.

Instead the benefit lies in the subsequent ability to better afford the heating of the

home, ie: following the installation of insulation and/or renewable measures.

A series of technical datasheets are available at www.bufca. co.uk to help specifiers meet current Building Regulations.

Further information, or a brochure and list of installers, is available from the British Urethane Foam Contractors Association, Tel: 01483 209666; e-mail: info@bufca.co.uk.

Foamspray Technology Tel: 0113 293 0068 Tel: 0800 158 3648 Mobile: 07976 267422 Web: www.foamspray.co.uk

Foamspray Technology, insulation & condensation specialists. Specialising in sprayed polyurethane foam insulation for industrial & commercial uses. Concrete soffits, typical uses. Underfloor, Undertile, block & beam. Specialising in hard to treat cavities.

Foamspray Technology is a family run firm of professional spray foam contractors, based in the heart of the UK. With a team possessing more than 45 years combined knowledge of the spray foam industry, led by an MD who has undertaken contracts both training and spraying all over the world working for the likes of, Sulem Voe oil terminal on the Shetland Isles, oil rigs in the North Sea, working on behalf of the National Guard in Saudi Arabia and in Switzerland & Europe for Dura Plastic, you can have the confidence that you are working with the very best.

Whatever your requirements you can be assured that Foamspray Technology are able to advise and follow through the contract to first level standard. With a work catalogue dealing with many County Councils, MOD bases, large Manufacturers and Farmers UK wide, Foamspray Technology has really grasped the commercial spray foam market and due to the level of our experience, contracts run smoothly and effectively no matter how large or small.

Moving with the times and constantly keeping abreast of new technology and technique, our aim is the same as always, in that we apply the highest standards of quality and service in both design and application to all our clients. To this day our principles remain the same as day one. We still remain a "hands on" company.

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All our works are carried out to a documented quality standard to ensure a high quality of work carried out with minimum disruption and minimal environmental impact and come with a 15 year Guarantee.

For more information on our services or to discuss your requirements call a member of the team now.

01942 497 977

UKC HEALTH

Airedale Hospital

New endoscopy unit

The £2.4M new endoscopy unit opened for business in July 2013, which offers better facilities for patients including greater privacy and an extra procedure room so that more people can be treated in the future.

Airedale Hospital’s endoscopy unit needed work to upgrade its facilities to address previously existing capacity issues.

The existing unit carried out approximately 9,000 procedures a year. With the new facilities, this number will increase by a third.

Endoscopy services throughout the UK are facing accreditation issues so they comply with a joint accreditation regime – Joint Advisory Group (JAG). All Trusts are looking at endoscopy, which is a key service due to changing medical requirements that now see none invasive surgery becoming more important to the NHS. It’s a key part of surgery and a key part of the service hospitals have to provide it’s increasingly important.

Because of the upgrade, endoscopy services at Airedale Hospital are in compliance with JAG standards.

Designed by Capita Symonds, the unit consists of partial refurbishment of an existing nuclear hospital unit with an extension because there are extensive plant requirements due to the fact there are three treatment rooms and a complete sterile processing area for the endoscopy equipment.

The new sterilising unit has been located with the endoscopy unit, which is next to the existing sterilising and disinfecting unit.

The main purpose of the extension was to build the sterile/clean area for the endoscopes, comprising of a wash area, sterilising pass-through, and an area for keeping all of the expensive equipment.

This links to the endoscopy unit, which has to sit within the existing floorto-floor height of three metres.

The complex unit encompasses many of the functions of a whole hospital, with its patient waiting and reception area, patient

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records, a changing area, investigation site when it was operational, meaning and preparation areas, treatment areas, there were constraints to work, and patient recovery wards, sterile disinfecting patient flow had to be maintained. units, cleaning areas and staff facilities.

Fire separation had to remain too, so Capita Built by Willmott Dixon, the extension Symonds worked with the fire code, which comprises a lightweight metal frame aligned the fire strategy accordingly. construction with a rendered elevation to Work started in October 2012 and match the existing hospital, which was built was completed in June 2013, with the in the 1970s, so the design ties into that. new development opened in July.

Julie Blackburn, Sister on the endoscopy unit, said: “All our visitors have been really impressed with the new unit and the state-ofthe-art equipment it offers.

“Our aim is to make sure our patients have the best experience possible during what can be uncomfortable procedures.

“Patients were We are pleased to be associated with represented on our working group Willmott Dixon and the which looked at the design of the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust unit and it now on this project and wish all addressed privacy and dignity issues involved continued success for the future and has features to help people with dementia.

“We hope to encourage even more people to Jewitts Joinery Rotherham Ltd, come to Airedale 19 Wentworth Road, Kilnhurst, Rotherham, and be seen South Yorkshire S64 5TN more quickly following referral from their GP.” Telephone: 01709 571774 Fax: 01709 577807 The development Mobile: 07970 186349 provided challenges due to the Email: gary.jewitt@btinternet.com fact work was undertaken on the

EDUCATION UKC

Waltham Forest Further educational improvements in the area Waltham Forest Council is currently implementing a plan to increase the number of places at some of its primary schools for the start of term in September.

Schools affected are Gwyn Jones Primary School and Oakhill Primary School.

Rooff Limited was awarded the contract as Main Contractor for both jobs and has worked in collaboration with the council and its team of consultants at NPS to deliver the projects. A family owned business, Roof has built an enviable reputation for delivering complex and high profile construction projects efficiently and to the highest standards of quality and service.

Over 100 years old, the Company is based in Barking and has recently won Green Business of the Year and was the overall winner of Business of the Year at the Barking and Dagenham Business Awards.

Rooff specialises in Primary School schemes as well as a vast range of other projects covering other areas of Education, Commercial, Health, Performance Space, Public Space, Residential and Development. It is within these

environments that Rooff has established a reputation for quality workmanship, reliability of service and a company ethos of working in collaboration.

Rooff was awarded the contracts for Gwyn Jones Primary School and Oakhill Primary School after submitting the most advantageous tender for the projects, which comprise both new build and refurbishment work.

Both schemes have been run on an intensive fast track basis to achieve completion to allow the schools to function in the new academic year without disruption.

Work at the Gwyn Jones Primary School has involved internal remodelling including refurbishments to various parts of the school such as the admin area, ICT suite, hall and kitchen. These works include renewal of walls, floor and ceilings and a new partition wall to the hall. There are also a number of alterations being made such as new doors and windows, and a staff kitchenette. Work has also included overlaying the roof covering to the main

Rooff operate from our award winning headquarters, The Granary, in Barking. Winners of a Civic Trust Award; The Granary is not only a fantastic example of industrial heritage restoration project, but a wonderful building to work in.

Rooff’s home is a prime example of our expertise across traditional and contemporary construction techniques spanning Commercial, Education, Health, Performance Space, Public Space, Residential and Development sectors.

school and replacing roof lights, as well as coloured rainscreen cladding to be fitted to isolated areas of the main school.

Associated Mechanical and Electrical works were also involved in the project.

Earlier this year an initial phase of expansion was carried out at Gwyn Jones Primary School, designed to benefit people with disabilities; which upgraded accommodation and access requirements.

At Oakhill Primary School a number of areas have been refurbished including external areas. Oakhill is not being expanded on a permanent basis, but took in an additional reception class of 30 pupils in September 2012. These additional pupils will need to be accommodated throughout their time at primary school. Works were carried out in 2012, with further works to be carried out during this contract. Works have involved an extension to the rear of the existing school to create a new classroom, plus additional toilet facilities.

The fire alarm has also been upgraded, while replacement windows have been fitted to the rear of the existing building.

The Granary, 80 Abbey Road, Barking, London IG11 7BT T 020 8709 1777 F 020 8709 1778 E enquiries@rooff.co.uk W www.rooff.co.uk

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UKC PROFILE

Northgate

Vehicle Hire

New market research suggests the construction sector will increase demand for LCVs by 18%.

Following research carried out by Northgate Vehicle Hire into the construction and civil engineer sector, the market leader in flexible vehicle hire and complete fleet management solutions has discovered the sector is set to increase demand for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) by 18% within the next three years.

The rise in demand for LCVs was attributed to a predicted rise in the forecast of output (GVA) annual growth rate, which is expected to lead to over 616,000 vehicles in use by businesses operating within the construction and civil engineering sector by 2016. The research also revealed a rising demand for fuel efficiency amongst fleets.

Jonathan Pearce, Head of Marketing, at Northgate Vehicle Hire, commented: “When growth is predicted in an uncertain economic climate, it is often difficult for businesses to fully prepare without parting with large chunks of capital. It’s important for business owners to look at smart solutions to managing outlay of capital. As a company’s fleet is often one of its more costly expenses, it is essential that businesses within the construction and civil engineering sector seriously consider how their fleets are managed. Opting to hire vehicles as part of a flexible fleet management package is a solution that will see win-win results across the board.”

He continued: “We have already experienced a rise in demand for flexible vehicle hire and complete fleet management solutions within the industry and feel assured that this will continue as the sector continues to grow over the next three to five years.”

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More and more businesses within this sector are opting to outsource the management of their fleets to ensure they meet the demands of a growing industry. As a result, the popularity of flexible hire and fleet management has been soaring, due to its ability to support businesses with seasonal fluctuations.

Having the ability to add to or remove vehicles from their fleet at any time without penalty, could be the make or break factor for many businesses within the construction and civil engineering sector.

The needs of businesses within this sector change with the seasons – and the extent of this can’t always be anticipated – but, for financial reasons, a fleet (which could be anything from one vehicle to one thousand) needs to be utilised 100% of the time. If it isn’t, then it is a significant financial cost to the business. This is often why hiring rather than purchasing fleets makes more business sense.

There is no depreciation, no need to worry about residual value, risks are removed, and the support of the supplier is guaranteed should emergency back up or replacement vehicles be required.

Hiring all or a proportion of your fleet completely removes any of the constraints associated with contract hire or purchase.

The benefits of flexible vehicle hire are currently growing at a similar rate to the spiralling external costs that are currently seen in the market, for example fuel, tyres, oil and lubricants, making it a smart option for business owners looking to operate in a cost effective way.

Northgate Vehicle Hire has sites across over 60 locations in the UK & Ireland, with its head office in Darlington.

For further information please visit: www.northgatevehiclehire.co.uk Follow Northgate on Twitter at: twitter.com/northgatevhire.

HEALTH UKC

Hatherlow House Independent living with total peace of mind Work to replace a Victorian red brick villa with a new care home development in Southport is closing in on completion.

Each of the 33 properties will offer generous living areas, fully carpeted and double-glazed throughout, with specialised flooring in the kitchen and bathroom to reduce slip hazards.

The well-designed kitchens are fitted with contemporary units and quality integrated appliances and include design features to make life easier.

All properties incorporate a 24-hour emergency call system linked to the on site team of the client, Methodist Homes Housing Association (MHA).

For added security, a state-of-the-art entry system enables the residents to see and hear visitors before opening the door.

Hatherlow House consists of purposebuilt one- and two-bedroom apartments with telephone and broadband access, a facility for satellite TV, patio and balcony to many apartments, level access showers and ensuite facilities to all apartments.

There is a lift to all levels and car parking is available for residents who have a car, while there is also a buggy store with recharging facilities within the development.

MHA is a charity and so it’s important to

the Association that the apartments are affordable. To this end, there are a range of property options to purchase, part purchase or rent. Tenure options include outright purchase, shared ownership and rent.

The four-storey development also has communal areas, guest bedrooms, stores friendship with like-minded couples. and plant rooms and staff rooms.

Designed by AA Design, and built MHA’s specialist dementia care values

by Seddon Construction, work each older person, their life experience will be completed this month. and personal preferences. It focuses on the well being of each individual.

Staff members are available 24 hours Providing the best in quality and service a day, chosen for their compassion RAILINGS - GATES - AUTOMATION - JULIET & STRUCTURAL BALCONIES and respect for older people, and Established in 1992, we are provided with manufacture and install for major full training. construction companies across The care home the UK, specialising in both new offers a range of build and regeneration work amenities including hair salon/therapy suite, café bistro 0161 763 4145 for a choice of www.georgiangates.co.uk - email: georgiangates@btconnect.com drinks and snacks Unit 2, Irwell Works, Lower Woodhill Road, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 1AA and lounge for company and

GEORGIAN GATES & RAILINGS LTD

Bellway Homes is a name synonymous with classic and stylish new housing, and is a developer well recognised across the UK for providing quality properties that are tailored to the buyer’s needs and requirements.

As one of the UK’s most successful housebuilder, Bellway Homes recognises the importance of freedom of choice which is why Bellway is committed to building a rich variety of homes to suit individual tastes, lifestyles and localities.

The Company’s unique philosophy of building only those homes which reflect local needs and environments, rather than rolling out a national property range, is the secret behind its continuing success.

Recent developments by the Company include: The Asters, Sunningdale Now Berkshire’s most sought after address, The Asters, is set in quiet and secluded rural surrounds. This exclusive development of just four magnificent six-bedroom detached homes, with gated access is set in private mature landscaped gardens.

Grand and exquisitely elegant, these magnificent properties have been individually created to offer nothing less than the very finest in contemporary living.

Nestling in a delightful rural landscape of the Berkshire village of Sunningdale, the setting is quite exemplary.

The homes themselves are unashamedly luxurious, with an imposing presence that also doubles as a superb family home.

Designed by the finest architects and built to the highest standards. Each of the properties has its own distinctive exterior design complemented by an exquisitely planned interior.

Throughout, the emphasis is on expansive space. On the ground floor you will fins desirable features such as a room explicitly designed as an office/study, a welcoming drawing room, separate dining room and family room and a luxurious openplan designer kitchen leading to a breakfast area and a snug.

On the first floor are four generously appointed

HOUSING UKC

Bellway Homes classic and stylish homes bedrooms, designer ensuite facilities, dressing rooms, even a sitting area complete with balcony. On the next floor is a spacious fifth bedroom and a huge sixth bedroom or a private cinema. Some properties also offer separate Au Pair facilities too.

INFO@SIMONCOOPER.NET

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UKC CIVIL

Network Rail Operating Centre

New centre in Gorton part of Network Rail’s five-year strategy Network Rail’s latest operating centre will be up and running by the end of the year.

Based in Gorton, Manchester, the operating centre will provide a base from which all of Network Rail’s operations in the region will be run and will accommodate its personnel and control equipment.

The three-storey steel-framed building is designed to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating and is a composite structure, including a variety of specialist design and construction methods and techniques. These include the use of laminated, strengthened glass panels and curtain wall cladding.

The development will see approximately 110 people working on site at the busiest period of construction, including a number of specialist contractors.

A key feature of the building will be its ‘green roof’, which will be planted with sedum vegetation to absorb rainwater and provide insulation. The building is also highly insulated to avoid energy wastage.

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It is part of Network Rail’s huge investment plans to develop the UK’s railway infrastructure between 2014 and 2019, involving the centralisation of its signalling operations to save millions of pounds and drastically reduce its frontline workforce over the next 15 years.

Network Rail took over the running of Britain’s rail infrastructure in October 2002 with a mandate from the Government to improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of the railway.

When this happened, the immediate priorities were restoring public confidence in the safety of the railway, reducing the number of late trains, which at the time, almost a quarter were late, and bringing the costs under control was a huge priority.

Despite the money being spent, the railway was still suffering from lack of investment. Therefore, Network Rail set about a massive and sustained programme of renewing track, signals, power and telecoms equipment.

Other pressing issues included the need to create a single way of working across the Company, rather than having the same task done differently in different parts of the country. When maintenance was brought in-house in 2004, it was the biggest single change of the first five years, almost doubling the number of employees.

It brought many benefits, including new standardised ways of working and economies of scale. The underlying approach also changed from ‘find and fix’ to ‘predict and prevent’, for example predicting where problems were likely to happen before they happened and preventing them before they caused delays to passengers. It was supported by the introduction of new technology.

Equal importance and effort was attached to investing in Network Rail’s people.

The Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme was established, which is now the largest of such schemes in the country, continued page 98 >

Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Genlec was established in 1990 by Owner and Managing Director, Jonathan Twentyman, and has over the years progressed from undertaking small residential contracts onto being a preferred M&E Services Partner for a number of major players within the Construction and Development sectors.

We are proud of the reputation that we have built throughout the North and North-West of England providing Electrical & Mechanical Installation Services from the smallest of projects to the most complex design and build schemes.

At Genlec, we pride ourselves on providing innovative solutions and delivering client satisfaction as we are very passionate about what we do. Our in house design team works closely with our clients during tender stage to assist them in gaining a competitive edge when securing work. As one of the first M&E contractors to fully adopt building information modelling (BIM) for all projects, we are able to produce detailed coordinated 3D models. The BIM process gives our client a true understanding of the finished installation, reduces abortive work and speeds up the on site installation process.

In order to achieve our objectives, we recognise that our success depends entirely on the contributions of our employees and their commitment to providing our clients with a level of service that never falls short of outstanding.

Operating out of offices in Leigh, we employ in excess of 40 qualified electrical and mechanical tradesmen; we are a client led organisation with a reputation for always bringing contracts in on time, on spec and on budget.

1st Floor Brooklands Mill, English Street Leigh, Lancashire, WN7-3EH Tel: 01942 262 008 Fax: 01942 262 505

and a partnership was also set up with Warwick Business School to develop future leaders, run from Network Rail’s leadership centre at Westwood.

From 2005, the Company also took on responsibility for planning for the future, principally through the Route Utilisation Strategies which, in partnership with the rest of the industry, set out strategies for the network over coming decades.

This strategy delivered and by March 2009, punctuality had reached 90.6%, and rail was unquestionably the safest form of transport.

Today, rail is a success story. There area more journeys than at any time, with the exception of the two World Wars – 3.25M every day and 1.3Bn a year. Though the network is half the size it was before the 1960s, more trains run every day than ever before.

Network Rail runs, operates and invests in Britain’s rail network – 20,000 miles of track, 32,000 bridges and tunnels, 17 major stations, 2,500 other stations and 8,200 commercial properties.

The mammoth Strategic Business Plan for England and Wales places heavy emphasis on the role of technology in improving the railways for customers and stakeholders, as well as driving down costs and efficiency for Network Rail.

One of the core technology changes that the document highlights is

Network Rail’s plans to centralise its control of the network.

Currently, the railway is operated from over 800 disparate locations using a range of technologies from computer workstations to mechanical lever frame signal boxes.

Network Rail plans to bring these all together under 14 operating centres that use common technology platforms, which will save the Company £250M a year once complete.

The strategy document also outlines that Company’s overall IT expenditure for the period between 2014 and 2019, where previous estimates, which were detailed in September 2011, were significantly below the average levels experienced by other organisations.

It has therefore set aside £237M over this period and Network Rail states that: “continued investment in IT will be essential if we are to continue improving the service that we deliver to our customers as well as reducing costs.”

During 2014/15 it will invest £66M, £94M in 2015/16, £67M in 2016/17, £54M in 2017/18, and £55M in 2018/19.

The five year strategy also recognises that consumers will need to interact with the railway network differently to how they do currently, with the increasing rise of smartphones, and finally, the document states £100M will be invested in new technology to provide remote alert of

QG has been specialising in the manufacture and installation of architectural aluminium glazing in the commercial sector for 25 years, during which time we have built a reputation for excellence.

QG's corporate policy is to liaise with Clients, Architects and Main Contractors from project inception to completion. Our service is based on the principle of responsibility and the maintenance of the highest standards in design, manufacture and installation.

We have a clear understanding of our products and clients and our approach to project management is simple; we ensure that each project has a dedicated team working on it with every individual striving to achieve customer satisfaction.

approaching trains in order to improve the safety of employees working on the tracks.

The new operating centre in Manchester is being built by Morgan Sindall and when the Company was awarded the contract, Area Director, James Morgan, said: “We are delighted to have won this significant contract, which is a testament to the combined expertise of our rail and construction teams.

“Our collaborative and full BIM level two approach will deliver a bespoke solution to Network Rail and provide them with a state-of-the-art home for many years to come.”

Car parking for 137 cars will be provided at the western end of the site, including nine parking spaces for disabled users.

There are also provisions for motorcycle parking and covered bicycle stands providing shelter for 72 bikes.

Work on the Ashbury Rail Operations Centre will be complete in December 2013.

QG offers clients a full service approach that enables us to ensure that quality and integrity is maintained throughout design, manufacture and installation. Achievement of BS EN ISO 9001 confirms our commitment to quality and service.

Our business has been built on client reference and repeat business giving you the reassurance of our ability to deliver the level of service required every time.

With experience in a wide range of sectors, including education and health associations and commercial, retail and local government buildings, QG is Constructionline approved.

Quality Glass (Stroke-non-Trent) Ltd, Leek New Road, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 2JY

Tel: 01782 289700 - Fax: 01782 262656 - enquiries@qualityglass.co.uk 98

PROFILE UKC

IDeA Architects Innovative Design and Architecture IDeA Architects was founded in 2007

by Kevin Thompson and Chris Evans.

The Directors had a shared vision to focus on the national housing need and ways in which the growing crisis could be addressed through innovative design, and improved methods of construction and delivery.

The Practice name ‘Innovative Design and Architecture’ (iDeA) encapsulated the objective to provide a total approach to the design and delivery of new buildings, housing in particular, whereby bespoke design could be combined with the benefits of off-site modular or flat pack construction to provide adaptable low-energy homes.

To achieve this the Directors registered a separate company called HouseKit to manage and deliver package homes using approved suppliers under licence.

Despite the need for new homes being greater than ever, the Practice has had to evolve, and now works on a range of community and residential conversion projects.

With less movement in the housing market, adapting existing properties has become a more attractive option than selling for many homeowners, but those thinking of making improvements to their homes are

A reputation for quality Established in 1877, WW Martin has built a reputation for providing a quality service with a non-confrontational approach. The Company prides itself on achieving an extremely high proportion of repeat work. WW Martin has the right attitude and balance of working to the traditions and ethics of a company formed over 130 years ago together with today’s modern construction techniques and ever changing legislation.

With a reputation for quality since 1877, WW Martin is completely reliant upon the quality and commitment of its people.

The Company boasts a multi-disciplined team of Directors, Managers, Commercial, Construction and Administration staff, together with its own directly employed tradesmen. WW Martin provides excellence, satisfaction and quality from project commencement through to completion.

The new £4.5M Folkestone Primary Academy is an extremely high profile and architecturally challenging project which was secured by WW Martin in 2012. The building comprises a new primary academy adjacent to the secondary education facility comprising three circles, which has been designed to mirror the ‘drum’ shape of the houses in the Secondary

satisfying regulatory conditions can soon become the objective, rather than taking a more holistic view of the project through guiding principles.

IDeA Architects intends to stay innovative and to seek appropriate solutions by applying sound design principles which are sustainable and ecological, as well as affordable and economic in the long term.

Ecological Building Products Tel: 01952 728611 www.lime-green.co.uk Email: sales@lime-green.co.uk

Academy. Through the ‘drums’ runs a ‘self learning’ street, providing all years shared access to library, ICT, art and food technology facilities. Breakout quiet zones are located at the core of each drum and provide each classroom with direct access to focused learning environments for group learning and one-to-one tuition.

Facilities in the new build will allow for smaller class sizes (20 children per class) with an emphasis on outdoor learning and creative play, with the very best outdoor a young person’s school life. W believe play space and equipment installed. that our contribution to the architecture An open plan kindergarten and exciting helps to reflect the ambition of the outdoor play space and equipment are school to provide a successful foundation complemented by an ‘Eden project’ interior for the future of young people whop garden and soundproof music rooms. attend the All Age Academy.”

All areas feature the latest ICT throughout. www.wwmartin.co.uk The buildings will be light and airy and fitted with the latest teaching equipment.

Architect, Mike Pearson, of Guy Holloway Architects, said: “It represents a unique opportunity to design a building The PGS Glass glazing team can offer expert, creative and functional that compliments solutions for all your glazing projects, whether internal or external. an existing structure to create an All Age Academy, with all Great Cauldham Farm, Cauldham Lane, Capel-le-Ferne, Kent CT18 7HQ the possibilities Tel: 01303 227070 Email: sales@pgsglass.co.uk that brings to www.pgsglass.co.uk allow for seamless transition through

PROFILE UKC

WW Martin

often simply not aware of the added value an Architect can provide. IDeA Architects have for several years supported the ‘Architect in the House’ scheme run by the RIBA, in association with Shelter Cymru.

Registered practices are matched with homeowners seeking advice, and the Architect gives an hour’s free consultation to meet and share ideas, in exchange for a charitable donation to Shelter.

The Practice has also worked with a number of local communities on proposals to upgrade and extend their community halls. The design solutions not only improve the layout and facilities, but also upgrade the fabric, making the buildings economic to run and maintain.

Nowadays there is an increasing trend towards more and more regulation, but too much focus upon

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UKC LEISURE

Ready for take off

Airkix Basingstoke

Autumn 2012 saw building work on the highly anticipated indoor-skydiving centre and drive through Costa Coffee bar at the Basingstoke Leisure Park finally get underway. Planning approval was granted and the project tendered in July 2012 and the successful contractor, Winvic, commenced on site in September 2012.

The new facility is situated within an existing leisure park in Basingstoke, which didn’t come without challenges.

Space and existing buildings constrained site activities, so expert planning and sequencing of works were critical. On top of this, the project has included 20m high return air towers, a service deck up at 20m with four ten tonne fans and a five metre deep basement to accommodate the airflow for the wind tunnel. The project required purpose made wind tunnel components to be shipped over from America in 20 steel shipping containers.

The complex, which is one of three in the country alongside Manchester and Milton Keynes, also includes a ‘skiplex’ skiing simulator and drive through Costa.

It is hoped that the centre will attract some 75,000 people each year.

The new Airkix development provides four great activities, alongside the indoor skydiving with its super-smooth, superfast wind tunnel, are two Skiplex slopes, overlooked by a mezzanine viewing gallery, where anyone at any level from complete novice upwards can learn to ski or board, plus a Brushboarding slope– which is ‘surfing without the wet stuff’ – the UK’s first permanent slope.

For petrol-heads, the Basingstoke complex offers Sim Car Racing, with two state-ofthe-art, full motion sims where you can choose from a wide selection of tracks and

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cares. Add to this a number of party rooms, base, understanding Clients’ needs, and you have the perfect leisure venue. and a strong focus on carefully planned Councillor Elaine Still, said that the construction solutions at all levels, ensures development is “breathing new life” into ‘best in class’ delivery for the Company. the ageing leisure park: “It is a fantastic investment in the leisure park ... It is going to be great t: 0845 450 7475 | e: info@spi-appleton.co.uk | www.spi-appleton.co.uk for all our residents, but equally, as it is the only one in the south, it will bring people from all over the place.”

Winvic Construction, formed in 2001, is highly prominent Specialist Steel Piling Contractor in the Industrial, Distribution and Commercial sectors, Vibratory Leader Rig widely known as the Hydraulic ‘Silent’ Pile Press UK’s leading ‘shed’ specialist, millions Movax ‘Side Grip’ Hammer of square feet have been delivered to Vibratory Hammer an excellent and Impact Hammer growing client base.

Winvic’s strategic growth and client NATIONWIDE SERVICE demand has seen diversification into a number of other sectors. Winvic Build and Civils allow the group to deliver many exciting projects in Healthcare, Education, Public Sector, Retail and infrastructure.

Operating from GROUP a sound financial

Appleton

EDUCATION UKC

Royal Greenwich University Technical College New £10M facilities for students Due to open in time for the new term this September, University Technical College will offer a specialist professional and technical education, in a businesslike environment, to 600 students studying their GCSEs, A Levels and other qualifications. It will focus on careers in engineering and construction, including transport and new ‘green’ technologies.

The UTC, which includes the University of Greenwich amongst its partners, has recently been built in Woolwich by Main Contractor BAM Construction, with designs provided by Architect Walters & Cohen.

Royal Greenwich UTC has invested over £10M to provide students with an ultra modern educational environment and industry standard facilities. All resources and equipment provided will be used to ensure that students can excel at their GCSEs and A levels as well as learn employability and technical skills. The college will also provide facilities for students so that they can relax, socialise and take part in extra-curricular activities, including a fitness suite, break out ones and both internal and external recreation areas.

The UTC has been arranged to maximise the use of a compact site. A new threestorey building forms the entrance, admin and general; teaching building.

It has been carefully designed to fit in to its local context: with a simple palette of robust materials it has a contemporary feel and provides a bold presence on Woolwich Road.

Some existing buildings on the site have been demolished to create external areas for sport and learning, and a singlestorey industrial warehouse has been refurbished to provide for the majority of accommodation. The building with a sawtooth roof and north facing rooflights, dates from 1957 and was in need of

extensive repair, but was considered highly appropriate for its intended use. The structural steel frame will be retained, with a new roof, floors and walls introduced to make the best use of space and respect for its original heritage.

A key feature of Royal Greenwich UTC is the innovative Apprenticeship Centre where students and employers meet and interact.

There is space for discussions on job opportunities and career paths with industry experts, a jobs board and careers guidance materials will always be available.

The building provides separate construction and engineering theory and project zones, together with a covered external project zone for large projects; two computer aided design zones; a computer aided manufacturing zone; electronics zone; high specification science laboratories; graphics and art studios; learning resources space and

library. All classrooms are modern and equipped with the latest IT facilities.

Principal-designate, Mike Sharp said: “Our focus will be on providing an education based on real-world business issues and employability skills in a hands-on learning environment.”

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UKC HEALTH

Agnes and Arthur

New care home in Bradeley Village Safe Harbor is providing its expertise in the residential and nursing care to provide a new care home in an ideal location.

Agnes and Arthur, based in the Bradeley Village area, which has a retirement community, will initially consist of 40 bedrooms but there is provision to increase this to 52 bedrooms.

This centre of excellence is situated close to local amenities, a bus stop, community centre and a church next door.

Work was necessary on the house because when it was purchased, it was run down and the bedrooms were not fit for purpose, and needed to be expanded by a quarter.

In addition, internal configuration was required and a number of pods have been incorporated. All of this work has led to the interior being completely changed, which will make it a high specification care establishment in the future.

Many of the windows were single glazed and when the pods were incorporated, so were other insulation techniques such as double-glazing windows.

Designed by DEP Architects, the twostorey building has a light, airy and very welcoming entrance, and the previous entrance has been turned into bedrooms, while the laundry has also been relocated.

The previous laundry space, like the kitchen, was old and out of date.

Safe Harbour has replaced this with brand new equipment that is more efficient and functional.

Agnes and Arthur will also have wireless networking throughout with standard network points, and eventually, Skype will be available for every room. All residents will have a smart TV, which have webcams and wireless access too.

Speaker cables are being incorporated so that throughout the corridors, there will be music playing and can include the requests of residents, which will bring a great atmosphere to Agnes and Arthur.

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Renewable and sustainable energy is important to the project, and along with double-glazing, insulation in the walls and pods, Agnes and Arthur will also benefit from biomass boilers if the roll out at Cloverfields Care Home in Whitchurch is successful.

Safe Harbor is wholly committed to sustainability.

This push towards a more sustainable business model will continue, as will Safe Harbor’s support of local suppliers, which in turn will support the local economy.

One of the many satisfying aspects of the project is being able to reinstate something that everyone is proud of. When Agnes and Arthur was closed down, people were upset.

But the new care home will benefit those in need within the area, while also employing staff from the area, which boosts the local economy.

The building is developed to all the latest building standards and is fully accessible for the disabled, and security is guaranteed with alarm detection, and emergency lighting systems are also incorporated.

The Main Contractor for the development is Project Newbuild Ltd, who has built a fine facility for the people of Bradeley Village, and made the vision of Safe Harbor reality Project Newbuild Ltd and DEP Architects also work for Safe Harbor’s other sites in Stoke on Trent, which are New Park House, Haversham House and Florence House.

Safe Harbor is committed to being at the forefront of providing quality personalised residential and nursing care – to create a homely environment that respects each individual’s independence, protects their status and enables them to achieve as full a life as possible.

With more than 20 years of experience, the management of Safe Harbor is proud of being able to offer a highly professional care service for the elderly, with a personal touch.

Safe Harbor is steadfast in the belief that when people have worked hard throughout their life and been committed to helping others, they deserve to be cared for, and at Agnes and Arthur, this will be guaranteed.

For more information, please visit www.safeharbor.co.uk

Project Newbuild Ltd was established in 1985 by its present Directors, Pete Wedge and Andrew Yates. Pete is an electrician and Andrew is a joiner by trade but both have an eye for detail and quality which sets their work apart from other builders.

Project Newbuild Ltd is a Manchester based firm having projects all over the North West and Midlands. Our scope of work can be anything from loft conversions, new build properties and refurbishments, with contract sizes up to £1.5 million. We provide an efficient and effective service from beginning to end of contract and beyond no matter how big or small the project is. Our team has more than 100 years of combined experience in the building sector so we can offer our clients a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise across a wide variety of building work.

Project Newbuild Ltd prides ourselves on all aspects of our work and all our projects are completed in a clean and methodical way, focusing on quality, reliability and innovation.

We offer a complete range of services from groundwork to brickwork to roofing and also internal work from joinery to electrical work to plastering to finishing.

Why choose Project Newbuild Ltd? •Superb reputation •Free quotes and estimates •Large service area •Competitive rates •Domestic and commercial OUR AIM ‘To provide an EFFICIENT and TRUSTWORTHY service through our extensive KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE via effective COMMUNICATION, with you our client from tender stage to project completion’ We would be delighted to discuss your building requirements with you and if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Pete Wedge, Director on 07970 895 404 or 0161 705 1614 or email petewedge1@hotmail.com.

Alternatively you can visit our website http://www.newbuild-manchester.co.uk/

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UKC PROFILE

Schofield and Sons Ltd

Celebrating 35 years of successful trading With more than 30 years of experience, Schofield and Sons Ltd is a local authority approved contractor with great experience of working closely with local authorities and schools.

The Company also works within the industrial and commercial sector, having an excellent working relationship with CHEP, Urban Vision and Derwent Holdings Ltd. Based in Eccles, Schofield and Sons provide a professional and reliable building service with a strong workforce who keep clients happy, which is one of the reasons they continue to work closely with the Company and retain its services.

This reputation has meant that advertising has never been necessary, which has grown through word of mouth and repeat business.

Services are primarily aimed at schools, local authorities, housing associations, blue chip companies and universities, with a small proportion of high-end private work.

The Company has 27 members of staff who all work to their own high standards, are professional at all times and their approach is a huge reason

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as to why customers are happy and return to Schofield and Sons due to the excellent service received.

In-house training is given to any employee who is interested in progressing, and the Company actively encourages employees to participate in further training courses.

This treatment of employees means that there is a very low turnover of staff.

This is supported by a dedicated team of subcontractors for larger projects where required. The relationship with these subcontractors is long-standing, has been used for many years, which in turn has helped some to grow their own businesses.

The origins of Schofield and Sons stretch back to 1978, when Peter Schofield set up P. Schofield, a name which was changed following the arrival of his two sons.

This family-run business continued that theme in 1983 when Peter’s wife, Sue, came in to help with the paperwork and still takes an active and integral role within the office. Sue’s late Father, Tommy, also provided great experience in assisting with accounts, payroll and day-to-day running of the business.

Eventually, Peter’s son Dan took his first steps into the industry by studying joinery, and running small construction sites, which gave him the experience and exposure to take over Schofield and Sons in a more professional capacity.

At that time – around 2005 – the Company looked into becoming members of CHAS and Constructionline, which gave it the opportunity to enter into other sectors, and that has remained to this day.

The Company offers a comprehensive range of building services including principal contracting on large sites, new build, residential extensions, conversions and also partnering with authorities across Greater Manchester.

Schofield and Sons is committed to providing superior workmanship and good service, where customer satisfaction is a main priority. The Company works hard to complete projects with minimum disruption to the client and try to provide a positive experience.

Alongside commercial and local authority work, Schofield and Sons undertake continued page 106 >

As a result of our appointment, Schofields have saved over £2600 in over paid business rates on their offices.

Do you own or occupy any commercial premises?

Are you liable to pay business rates?

• Partition Work • Suspended Ceilings • Dry-Lining • Plastering • Tape-Jointing • Decoration 1 Broadoak Ave, Worsley, Manchester M28 1DQ Tel: 0161 799 6042 Mob: 07779 305803 Email: gedmiller@hotmail.co.uk

If the answer is yes to either of the above, you need to review whether or not you are paying the right amount.

We only charge fees on savings achieved, no upfront fees payable.

Reviews are required for empty properties too.

Please contact us on 07540 862 218 Email: info@bss-surveyors.com or visit www.bss-surveyors.com for further information

windows & conservatories Electrical Engineers and Contractors At J. Maybury & Sons, we provide a complete Electrical, Design, Installation & Maintenance service, backed by full technical support and 33 years industry experience across the Industrial, Commercial & Domestic sectors.

Manufacturers & Suppliers of Windows, Doors & Conservatories List of services:-

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We are accredited by the NICEIC which is the electrical contracting industry’s independent voluntary body for electrical installation matters throughout the UK. It offers industry-leading certification services, Building Regulation Schemes, products and support to electrical contractors and many other trades within the Construction Industry.

Our Services Quality & Efficiency Electrical Design & Installation ● Inspection, Testing & Certification ● Rewires ● Fire Alarms Emergency Lighting ● Security Systems CCTV ● 24 Hour Callout

Dedicated trades manager Survey service available ● ●

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Quick turnaround

Full 12 month on-site support ●

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25 years experience

Roofline, fixings, sealants and drainage available to all trade customers ●

Trade showroom

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We are pleased to be associated with Schofield & Sons and wish them continued success for the future 39 Cavendish Road, Ellesmere Park, Eccles, Manchester M30 9EE Tel: 0161 288 8664 Email: info@mayburyandsonselec.co.uk Web: www.mayburyandsonselec.co.uk

CAD drawings

Quality assured

Unit 23, Rear of Grecian Mill, Worsley Road North,Walkden M28 3QW

Telephone: 01204 576691 Fax: 01204 701716 enquiries@capitalconservatories.co.uk www.capitalconservatories.co.uk

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a wide range of building works in order to meet residential building needs including home extensions, loft conversions and new build properties.

The Company has been involved in many successful projects, including many this year. Its busiest period of the year has just been underway, with the Company completing more than 14 major projects on schools within the Salford area. At the start of the year, one of the school projects working alongside Urban Vision was to refurbish four toilet blocks and remove a World War Two air raid shelter and form a playground on the site at Westwood Park Primary School in Winton, Eccles.

Working alongside Urban Vision, this was a primary school with original toilets from the 1960s drastically in need of refurbishment.

It also retained the original air raid

sheltered, which needed the roof removing and then filled and a new playground formed on top of it with landscaping.

Sustainability features within the toilet refurbishment included sensory taps for water saving and also PIR sensors on the lights. Disabled facilities were incorporated within the new layout and all work was completed to today’s building regulations.

Schofield and Sons also take the views of local residents very seriously while undertaking work and residents around the school were notified in writing about the planned refurbishment.

Work was scheduled to complete for the 2013 Easter holidays while the children were away. This was a tight deadline, however the Company worked closely with Urban Vision on this project and an excellent service was provided,

to their complete satisfaction within the two-week deadline. The project cost approximately ÂŁ120,000.

Schofield and Sons completed a project earlier this year when working with Arcon Housing Association to renew the kitchens and heating systems in 23 flats, located in Prestwich in Manchester.

Work included the removal of existing kitchens so new ones could be incorporated, as well as new flooring and decoration.

It was a challenging development because each property had to be completed within four days, and was completed with the tenants still in the properties.

All flats were finished to a high standard and the project was signed off by Arcon, who was very pleased with the work. continued page 108 >

Barratt & Hughes have been providing an expert service to the UK flooring industry for over 22 years. We have many years experience in meeting the precise needs of our contract customers and we are well aware that commercial flooring needs to do more than just look good.

VINYL SHEET, TILES, LINO CARPETS, ETC.

Our flooring services include: carpet tiling, carpets, vinyl flooring, safety flooring Karndean and Amtico. We carry out all screeding and preparation work required.

Based in Manchester, the company has built a reputation for providing quality products across the North West. We provide a professional service, quality products and the highest standards of workmanship.

3 MOSSFIELD ROAD, SWINTON, MANCHESTER M27 6EN

TEL: 0161 728 1461 FAX: 0161 728 5155 MOBILE: 07775 573915/4 E-MAIL: barrattandhughes@btconnect.com

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Barratt & Hughes will be happy to discuss any flooring requirement whether it be one off projects, an invitation to tender or contract arrangements.

We have a long list of satisfied customers which we would be more than happy for you to contact, who will verify our work capabilities. We are a fully trained and experienced multi floor laying team. We will be happy to undertake any work that is needed.

Wet room and bathroom specialists

Corian, Hanex, Granite, Quartz Worktops, Vanity Tops, Wash Troughs, Bar Tops, Reception Desks and much more.

WET ROOMS

Karl Evans National Sales Manager Tel: 07533 083542 e-mail: karl@primesurfaces.co.uk Address: 112 – 114 Market Street, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3AY

At PROCare Shower and Bathroom Centre we provide a full range of shower and bathing equipment for the elderly and less able.

SHOWER TRAYS

Telephone 01942 206004 SEATS & GRAB RAILS

www.procare-ltd.co.uk

SANITARYWARE

George Wood and Son Plastering Contractors We are pleased to be associated with Schofield & Son and wish them continued success for the future Corner Stones, Parkside Lane, Garstang, Nr Preston, Lancashire PR3 0JA

Tel: 01995 606331 Mobile: 07958 929383 Email: fred@ppc-ltd.net

53 Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Manchester M30 9AY

Tel: 0161 707 2028

Plumbing Specialists We are pleased to be associated with Schofield & Son and wish them continued success for the future 34 Baker Street, Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8QU

Tel: 01204 578651 Mobile: 07973 955 779 Email: dands@me.com

562 Manchester Road, Wardley, Swinton M27 9GW

Tel: 0161 300 7533 Mobile 1: 0787 668 5553 Mobile 2: 0792 005 4033 Email: cole-roofing@hotmail.co.uk

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The development began in March 2013 and was completed within the tenweek timescale, at a cost of £80,000.

Many people face difficulties in later life with getting in and out of their existing bath and showers. Schofield & Sons offer a complete professional design and installation service for disabled bathroom adaptations including walk-in and level access showers, in order to allow clients to regain their independence and enjoy bathing in safety and comfort.

The Company worked on a project like this at a home in Swinton at the start of the year and received rave reviews from the residents who are now benefiting from the new facilities.

Working alongside Salford Council, Schofield and Sons converted a bathroom into a wet room and also fitted a stairlift so that the couple who lived at the property – both in their eighties and suffering from ill health, which made it necessary to seek out help for these works – could continue to live in the family home.

This couple were naturally concerned initially with the upheaval and possible mess at their home, not to mention the intrusion from those working on the project.

But thanks to the effort and professionalism of Schofield and Sons, the couple said: “We needn’t have worried. Everybody involved was just wonderful.”

They described staff as polite, professional, helpful and caring, with work carried out to a very high standard with the minimum of mess, disruption or inconvenience, while also providing work with a smile, and cleaning up afterwards to make sure no mess was left.

Schofield and Sons was also specifically thanked for its excellent job and coordination of the project to all the different trades, which led to the wet room being completed one day ahead of schedule.

This type of testimonial is nothing new for Schofield and Sons, and in February this year, received thanks from Margaret Ambrose, Headteacher at St Joseph’s School in Salford for the

work undertaken by skilled workers on the year four classroom at the school.

She said: “Dave (Jones) and his team have created a great run of shelves, beautifully finished and just what was wanted, with no fuss and great skill.

“They worked solidly, courteously and took enormous care to produce really high quality work.

“I would recommend their craftsmanship and the quality of the finished product to all my colleagues, so thank you very much indeed.”

This high level of success means that the Company is celebrating a 40% increase in turnover, which is some achievement in today’s environment. Peter, Sue and Dan have been quick to point out that this is thanks to the whole team working together successfully, and every single staff member is held in high regard because of this.

The future is looking very positive indeed for Schofield and Sons. With the workload steadily increasing, the decision has been taken to extend the current offices in Monton, and planning permission has been obtained for this. It will result in

more resources and the adequate space to enable more staff to be employed.

Schofield and Sons has also established excellent working relationships with Urban Vision, Arcon Housing, City West and Harcourt, and is looking forward to maintaining and growing these relationships.

The Company welcomes the chance to work with more local authorities in the future, and is also currently working towards achieving the ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards.

T: 0161787814 www.schofieldandsons.co.uk

AC Mini Piling and Foundations are a family run business and have been established for over 11 years. We are a reputable company with a very high standard of workmanship, which leads to repeat business and referrals.

AC Mini Piling can provide a full package. We can supply engineers calculations and work closely with your builder, architect and local authority building inspector. We will undertake excavations, piling, ground beams, brickwork to dpc and floor slabs.

We can also re-site drainage.

AC Mini Piling can offer 100mm, 150mm bottom driven piles up to 100kn. We provide underpinning solutions traditional or piled. Mini piling rigs are the solution for piling work on smaller sites where access is tight. These are ideal for house extensions and small developments.

27 West Way, Little Hulton, Manchester M38 9QN

Telephone: 0161 950 0917 Mobile: 078 6077 1859 Mobile: 078 1381 3342 E-mail: acminipiling@hotmail.co.uk

K Darlington & Son Limited

Underground CCTV Survey Report & Findings

Tarmacadam and Lining Contractors

DRAIN SERVICE

24-Hour Drain Clearing Service Water Pipe and Drain Repairs Seville House, Off Seville Street, Royton, Oldham, Lancashire OL2 6AN

info@aandbdrainservices.co.uk

0161 633 6455 www.aandbdrainservices.co.uk

Congratulations on your 35th Anniversary from Derek Andrews and Staff at A&B Drain Services

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Margaret House, Huyton Road, Chorley PR7 4HD Tel: 01257 474900 Fax: 01257 474950 Email: info@darlingtontarmac.co.uk www.darlingtontarmac.co.uk

EDUCATION UKC

Brooksbank School Sports College Expressive Arts Centre added to the school An Elland school has a new specialist arts block, which was completed in August.

The new Expressive Arts Centre at Brooksbank School Sports College is a single-storey extension, also with a mezzanine floor, comprising of 650sq m.

It has been built in an area that previously housed a temporary classroom unit, two sheds and a greenhouse for rural studies use. The temporary classrooms were removed to make way for the extension.

The school, which opened in 1911, has been extended seven times. This has previously included remodelling of the buildings as well as a courtyard infill to create a drama studio and PE changing refurbishment, remodelling of the main entrance, science laboratories and staff room.

Previous extension has also seen a 12-classroom new build, laboratory refurbishments, a new sports hall, sixth form centre refurbishment, central staircase remodelling, new assembly hall foyer and link block to the sports hall.

This new development has provided a large amount of expressive arts and dining area, as well as a large room for arts. There is a terrace and

a planting/sculpture garden area.

Work was required because while the classroom space was always adequate for the number of students in the school, it became clear that there was still a shortfall of specialist accommodation.

In addition, there wasn’t enough room to accommodate the existing sixth form students, particularly within the practical subject areas that they want to study.

The new block enables the school to provide space to satisfy both needs for existing students as well as giving the space required to exhibit the works created more appropriately for the exam boards to visit and moderate the work.

Designed by Langtry Langton, the extension comprises of velux long light, curtain walling, stone render and rainscreen cladding. The building comprises of a steel frame, block, stone and render cladding, and windows are aluminium.

Toilets have been incorporated and are accessible for the disabled, and security is guaranteed in the form of alarms and sprinklers.

Car parking is available for staff and visitors, and both hard and soft landscaping were part of the development.

We have over 30 years of experience in delivering floor screeds and wall finishes to the Construction Industry.

TB Construction specialises in the provisions of plastering, floor screeding, rendering and the installation of under floor heating.

TB Construction (Crosshills) Limited

Crosshills Enterprise Centre, Unit 1B, Skipton Road, Crosshills, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 7BX

Telephone: 01535 636956 Fax: 01535 630710 Email: enquiries@tb-construction.co.uk www.tbconstruction.co.uk

The Main Contractor was Torpoint Ltd, who has worked successfully at Brooksbank School for almost ten years and has thoroughly enjoyed every project at the school. The Company is looking forward to maintaining this excellent working relationship in the future.

Established in January 1993, Torpoint Ltd has built a reputation for delivering quality works that meet design, schedule and budget specification whilst offering its clients dependability, consistency and commitment to each and every project.

The Company understands and applies the ‘partnering’ philosophy by involving the client and users of the building in order to create a team approach and to make sure that the community voice has the opportunity to speak and have its requirements incorporated.

Through adopting a ‘no blame’ culture and encouraging a solution orientated approach, all clients and customers are involved in work and can make a difference, which often adds to community pride in the completed project.

Work on the Expressive Arts Centre started in December 2012 and was completed in August 2013.

Metal Fabrication and Design Work, Stainless Steel Fabrications, Gates, Railings, Balustrading and Security Products.

900 Thornton Road, Fairweather Green, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD8 0JG

telephone: 01274 544067 mobile: 07764 363926 facsimile: 01274 544068 email: andrew@hewitson-fabrications.co.uk

www.hewitson-fabrications.co.uk

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UKC PROFILE

Skin Health Spa

Looking forward to a year of expansion Skin Health Spa has been at the forefront of skin treatment since 1999 and has expertise in the field of non-invasive laser treatments that has made it one of the UK’s leading centres for advanced skin care.

Since its formation in 1999, Skin Health Spa has grown and has five spas in total. The Company is located in Central Manchester, Dorridge (Solihull) London, Marylebone High Street, London Bishopsgate and Nantwich in Cheshire.

Skin Health Spa specialises in permanent hair removal and hair reduction with state-of-the-art lasers for acne and acne scarring treatments, skin rejuvenation, muscle relaxing injections and dermal fillers along with derma rollers, amongst many other treatments.

All clinics provide a safe and professional environment, as well as experienced doctors, nurses and aestheticians who are trained to provide each client with professional and trusted advice.

Skin Health Spa previously operated a clinic in The Corn Exchange in Manchester, which has been in use since 2004.

When the lease was coming to an end, it was decided to look for a location that provided something new and exciting.

St James’s Square offers the best of health and beauty, restaurants and bars

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plus a significant immediate business/ employer opportunity with KPMG and Pannone a couple of examples. In addition, it is just minutes from great transportation and attractions such as Spinningfields, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges.

Following the move, Skin Health Spa has also taken the opportunity to introduce extras to its mainstay of medical and clinical treatments, including a wide and varied range of indulgent treatments such as HD brows, nail treatments, waxing, aromatherapy massage and facial, and a wider range of retail and take home products.

Adam Flint, Skin Health Spa’s Operations Director, said: “The opening of the flagship clinic right in the heart of the city represents a considerable investment for the group.

“It demonstrates our intention to develop further both our presence and the customer offer.

“In designing the new clinic we worked in conjunction with a number of local firms including Den Interiors, a north west based bespoke furniture company who we commissioned to produce tailor-made individual pieces.”

The building was constructed in 2004 and purchased by the current landlord

soon after this. The upper floors are occupied by the landlord but the ground floor, which used to be an estate agents, became free a year ago.

Work on the 1,490sq ft project was agreed with the landlord in October 2012, with planning approval arriving two months afterwards. Work commenced in January 2013 and was completed in February, costing £350,000.

Skin Health Spa hasn’t stopped there though. Since this project was completed, the Dorridge property has benefited from a refit, which was finished in July 2013.

Following on from this will be a refit of the Bishopsgate clinic, and some slight alterations to the Marylebone and Nantwich clinics before the end of the year, which will effectively bring all properties up to the high standard of the Manchester clinic, resulting in a consistent estate of properties.

Next year will be an exciting one for Skin Health Spa, when plans will begin that will see the Company expand and eventually open a new outlet every three months.

Skin Health Spa, 63 Welsh Road, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5EW.

Mark Hinsley Arboricultural Consultants Ltd.

Active Building Control is a private building control and fire risk assessment service provider for all types of projects (from small residential, through to large commercial new build and conversion projects) operating predominantly throughout the north west since 2008. We are pleased to have been involved with Skin Health Spa’s recent successful flagship project in Manchester, from a very early stage through to inspection and approval of works on site.

We work hard to build positive and long lasting relationships with our clients, making compliance less of a burden, by offering a constructive approach from dedicated, experienced and up to date surveyors who are personable and easy to deal with.

If you would appreciate early input to the design process and a consistent and competitive building regulations approval and fire risk assessment service, then please get in touch for an initial appraisal of your projects.

Contact Tom Raftery BSc (Hons) MRICS 0161 233 0525 Mob. 07977274168 or Mike Wood BSc (Hons) MBEng on 0161 233 0525 Mob. 07977274172 Email: enquiries@activeai.co.uk Or visit our website www.activeai.co.uk for more information about our company.

Moving premises or planning a refurbishment?

Own or manage commercial property?

Asbestos is a well-known health risk and is still commonly present in buildings constructed prior to the year 2000.

As a business, it is not just the health risks asbestos presents that should concern you.

Asbestos regulations dictate a ‘duty to manage’, which is directed at those who manage premises, making them responsible for protecting others who work in or use these buildings.

Qube provides a range of asbestos management services to ensure compliance with regulations.

• Asbestos surveys • Asbestos sampling • Asbestos re-inspections • Asbestos project management • Asbestos consultancy • Asbestos training

Call Qube today 0808 1080766 www.qube-uk.co.uk 111

UKC LEISURE

The Ageas Bowl

Hilton Hotel in Hampshire

© Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Work is well underway at the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club to construct a new Hilton Hotel.

The franchise agreement between Hilton Worldwide and RB Hotels Ltd was signed to open the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

It will take pride of place as part of an ongoing stadium development. The upscale six-storey property will be operated by Sanguine Hospitality, with whom Hilton Worldwide already operates a number of hotels, featuring 171 rooms and four suites, many of which overlook the pitch.

At the hotel, 85 of the rooms will double up as corporate hospitality venues on match days, offering guests a unique entertainment experience.

It will include a function room facing onto the pitch and a spa leisure club, and the hotel building will also accommodate the clubhouse for the Ageas Bowl’s 18-hole golf course.

As well as attracting thousands of travelling spectators on match day and for concerts, the Ageas Bowl site is also ideally located for both business and leisure guests.

Lying just off Junction 7 of the M27 motorway, which links Southampton to London, and within easy reach of Southampton Parkway train station, it is an ideal venue for meetings and conferences.

The hotel will feature 1,000sq m of events space, including a ballroom of 600sq m while the Ageas Bowl itself is already an established conferencing location.

The hotel will also appeal to leisure travellers for many of whom Southampton is a familiar destination. More than one million cruise passengers pass through the city every year while the Southampton Boat Show, the largest of its kind in Europe, also attracts 118,000 visitors on an annual basis.

The coastal city is also a convenient base from which tourists can visit the Isle of Wight, with ferries departing on a

regular basis to the island renowned for its picturesque scenery as well as events such as Cowes Week and Bestival.

Investment in the Ageas Bowl is already reaping some very positive results. The hotel construction is employing a wide range of local contractors. As the scheme continues to progress, approximately 200 jobs will have been created with local firms.

The first steelwork for the new hotel was erected in December 2012. Club Chief Executive, David Mann, said: “This is a major moment for this project as it is the first opportunity for people to see the actual structure of the hotel.

“It really enables them to visualise how it will look once complete, judging its size and style.

Designed by EPR Architects, the Main Contractor for the four-star hotel is Denizen Contracts. The hotel will open early next year.

Total Project Capability Shine Provide Professional Catering Environments

A winning performance delivered by in-house resources

• Project Management

• Aftercare

• Installation and Commissioning

• Energy Efficiency

• Bespoke Product Development

SHINE concept.innovation.solution

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• Environmental Awareness

Contact us

01633 294 800 www.shine.co.uk

PROFILE UKC

Southdale Homes Building a sustainable future Southdale Homes is a national affordable housing specialist that is celebrating 25 years of business.

The Company provides new build, planned maintenance and refurbishment services to a range of registered providers and local authorities, while also offering construction and development services to other public and private sector clients who provide health, extra care and community services to the general public.

The customised approach includes land sourcing, sustainable building, community regeneration and retrofitting together with innovative financial solutions to help cross subsidise with little or no government grant needed.

Formed in 1988 with a handful of staff based in Halifax, Southdale Homes now employs more than 180 people and operates from a network of four regional centres, servicing customers in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, North East and the Midlands.

This steady expansion over the last 20 years has meant Southdale has been able to develop relationships with more than 60 registered providers and local authorities and is now appointed to a growing list of 13 regional frameworks, which has seen the Company develop 600 new homes and refurbish 150 existing properties in the last 12 months.

Southdale’s continuous growth strategy will see new product mixes developed, diversity into other markets, expansion into new regions, all in an effort to preserve the Company’s future in a challenging economic climate.

In addition to this, the Company is committed to strengthening its relationships with supply chain partners, including sub contractors and manufacturers who ensure Southdale can deliver high quality, cost effective and timely services to customers in order to meet procurement objectives.

This national construction company creates strong, dynamic and sustainable neighbourhoods where people want to live and prosper. Success and growth is founded on expertise and

the ability to deliver a diverse range of quality products and services.

Southdale’s core sectors include affordable housing, private housing for sale, extra care centres, medical facilities and community buildings.

Some of the Company’s recent new build affordable housing schemes include the Royal Oak Brewery, which was the new build, refurbishment and remodelling of houses and apartments at the brewery site in Stockport.

The development has provided 51 apartments for rent and sale through shared ownership, with the aim of providing a choice of affordable living for local people.

Southdale has also undertaken a new build construction of a young parents’ housing scheme in Durham for Tees Valley Housing, part of the Fabrick Housing Group.

The Company has worked in partnership with Accent Foundation to deliver an affordable housing development across six separate sites in Bramley, Leeds.

The Fairfield scheme consists of 98 two-, three- and fourbedroom homes for affordable rent, with a further 34 available for shared ownership sale.

Extra care housing schemes include the one at Saltersbrook in Goldthorpe, which provided 59 two-

bedroom apartments and one one-bedroom apartment, all for shared ownership.

Facilities include a communal restaurant, a fully fitted catering kitchen, communal lounge, shop, laundry, supervisor office, IT suite, hairdressers and activity room.

Southdale is committed to helping the environment, and has achieved the ISO14001 accreditation, and builds to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5.

Such care for the community, environment, health & safety, as well as the quality of development means Southdale can look forward to many more successful years.

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UKC CIVIL

Lancashire Triangle

Electrification in the north Electric trains will be able to run between Manchester Airport and Scotland from December 2013, as it announced completion of Phase I of the £400M North West electrification programme.

The installation of new infrastructure on part of the world’s oldest public railway between Newton Le Willows and Castlefield Junction marks a major milestone in the programme, which will see more than 350 track kilometres upgraded across the north of England.

Phase I was on track between Manchester and Newton Le Willows, connecting Manchester and the West Coast Main Line.

This will provide for direct electric train services from Manchester and Manchester Airport to Lancashire and Cumbria as well as Scotland. Bridges have been modified and parapets upgraded along the route, while this year will also see further installation of the overhead line equipment.

This phase was awarded funding via the Trans-European Transport Network programme (TEN-T) – an initiative that identifies priority routes across Europe and is targeted at improving capacity and environmental impact on the rail network.

The North West electrification is part of Network Rail’s ambitious multi-billion pound programme to improve Britain’s railways.

Electrifying key routes on the railway will mean faster, quieter and more reliable journeys for thousands of passengers, while also providing more seats and will help support economic growth across many of the UK’s major cities and towns.

The Government is committed to investing in a programme of electrification that will transform the railway and provide Britain with a sustainable world-class transport system.

At a short ceremony at Eccles Station

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in July, one of many that will benefit from investment, Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, said: “The Government is committing record amounts of investment into transforming the rail network and it is great to see this work happening right now.

“Electrification of these routes will significantly improve connections between our major towns and cities, boosting the economy and providing passengers with quicker, cleaner and more frequent services.”

Jane Simpson, Network Rail’s director of route asset management, explained how electrification would benefit the rail industry: “Electrification helps us to boost capacity, reduce carbon emissions and cut the cost of running the railway. Electric trains are also quieter, more reliable and have more seats, which is good news for passengers.

“The work is part of a wider programme of improvements that will transform rail travel in the north of England. By enabling faster, more frequent trains to connect key towns and cities, we can provide the railway that the region’s passengers want and its economy needs.”

Lee Wasnidge, area director for Northern Rail, added: “Investment in rail infrastructure in the North West is helping to develop better and faster services

for our customers.

“This electrification project is just one part of the massive improvement scheme being rolled out across the region.”

Eccles Station itself has benefited from funding secured from the National Station Improvement Programme and a brand new ticket office was opened in August 2013.

Chris Nutton, First TransPennine Express programme director, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the investment in an electric railway for the North West of England is on plan and progressing well.

“It is a huge and unprecedented level of investment that will pave the way for yet more improved rail services for customers across the region.

“FTPE has invested £60M in a fleet of new trains that will start to come into service from December this year and will mean an 30% increase in capacity across our network. Customers will benefit from more journey options, faster trains and better connectivity and accessibility. continued page 116 >

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Five reasons why going ‘The Xtra Mile’ will be great for your business Services Include • Consultancy • Innovation • POL Works • Specialist Rail Plant Supply • Rail Equipment Hire • Rail Specific and Health & Safety Training

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Secretary of State Patrick McLoughlin unveils a plaque at Eccles Station

“The North West electrification and our procurement of an additional 40 carriages is a great example of the industry working together and shows our commitment to providing the best possible rail travel for customers now and into the future.”

The Main Contractor for the project is Balfour Beatty, who was awarded both Phase I and Phase II of the work.

The project has been led by Balfour Beatty Rail in joint venture with Balfour Beatty Engineering Services who has undertaking the power and distribution works. Invensys Rail Ltd is carrying out the signalling, telecoms and SCADA works.

When Phase II was awarded, Martin Brown, Balfour Beatty Rail’s Project Director, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract for the Phase II works.

Our latest innovations on this project will demonstrate our commitment towards our zero harm initiatives, sustainability and the seven day railway.”

In 2012, VGC Labour Solutions was appointed by Balfour Beatty Rail to undertake the construction of the foundations for the overhead line masts.

This work includes 160 piled foundation and concrete gravity bases along the route. In order to maintain rail services throughout, all work is being undertaken during possessions at night and weekends.

Concrete is delivered to site in a specialist concrete train operated

by VGC for Balfour Beatty. VGC has worked closely with Balfour Beatty and Network Rail to implement a programme of continuous improvement to reduce costs and improve overall delivery.

With over 50 years’ experience in the industry, VGC has established itself as a leading supplier of people and contracting across the Construction and Rail Industry from main line railways, metro systems and trams to airports, roads and electricity networks.

The next major improvements will come in December 2014, when electric trains will be able to run from

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Liverpool to Manchester via Newton Le Willows and Wigan, and from December 2016, when they will run between Preston and Blackpool, Manchester and Preston, and Manchester and Stalybridge.

This will be followed by the completion of trans-Pennine electrification from Stalybridge through Huddersfield on to Leeds, York and Selby by December 2018.

LEISURE UKC

University of Kent Upgraded facilities at Kent Sport for the community A £4.8M development at the University of Kent Canterbury campus has seen the development of brand new sports facilities as part of its Olympic legacy programme.

Kent Sport members now have access to a whole host of new facilities. This includes a significantly enhanced fitness suite with three distinct areas for general fitness, wellness/rehabilitation and high performance training.

It includes double the amount of brand new cardiovascular equipment and a greater range of free weights and lifting platforms.

There is a larger dance studio that can be split into two for smaller, more intimate classes with enhanced lighting and sound, offering more classes including spinning, bookia and ballroom fitness.

The new indoor tennis centre at Kent opened in February and includes three indoor courts, which were sprayed with a coloured acrylic spray in the spring.

These can also be used for netball, and the development has also provided three refurbished outdoor courts.

A physiotherapy clinic is linked to the new training facilities and provides a seamless pathway from acute injury to full fitness.

The development also now has a third multi purpose sports hall that offers more leisure courts and student club space.

All facilities are open to staff, students and the general public, and venues are available for hire for sporting and nonsporting events as well as conferences.

Built by Jenners, the main centre has an external mixture of brick, copper, glass, while the tennis centre was built by Collinsons and comprises of Ferrari tensile fabric and render.

The main building has a flat roof.

Curtain walling and rooflights are included within the project, facilities have been incorporated for the disabled, and CCTV and fire alarms will guarantee safety.

The Architect for the project was Saunders Boston. Work started in June 2012 and was fully completed in May 2013 when the fitness suite opened.

St Vincent College is the Sixth Form College serving Gosport, Fareham and surrounding areas of south east Hampshire.

The College provides a full range of A and AS levels, GCSEs, AVCEs, NVQs, BTEC First and Nationals, City & Guilds and Childcare courses for students aged 16 or above. The College provides around 1,100 full time students and a far larger number of adult learners in a wide range of vocational and non-vocational courses.

St Vincent College opened in 1987 as Gosport Sixth Form College as part of the reorganisation of secondary education in the town. Initially the college shared the site with the St Vincent secondary school, but when its final Year 11 cohort left in 1990, the present title was adopted. St Vincent School opened in 1975, but prior to that the site has a long and proud historic link with the town of Gosport. Until the late 1960s HMS St Vincent was a naval training school and until 1923 the Royal Marines used the site as a barracks.

The new Learning Resources and Student Support Centre is nearing the need of its construction. This project concludes the College’s £3M site development project, which has seen developments to classrooms, resources and new facilities such as a Climbing Wall and Apple IT/ TV suites. New students enrolling this month will be the first to benefit from

these amazing resources and facilities.

The new Learning Resources Centre features a purpose-designed Careers and Higher Education Centre, providing advice to students.

Designs for the project have been provided by BrightSpace Architects who were commissioned to undertake the Westmade Limited Building Contractors Feasibility Study and Outline Proposals was established as a building company to support the College’s bid for capital in 1978 in the Dorset area. The Company projects funding submitted to the undertakes a variety of building Young People’s Learning Agency. works and employs highly skilled Work has involved an extension plus operatives covering all major trades. internal remodelling and the over cladding of the existing Leaning Centre to create a new centre more appropriate for current student numbers. This comprised the demolition of an existing singlestorey element within the main We are pleased to have been asked by Westmade Ltd to lay flooring works at building and its St Vincent’s College and wish Westmade all the best for the future replacement with a two-storey infill extension.

Drewitt House, 865 Ringwood Road, Appointed as Wallisdown, Bournemouth, Dorset BH11 8LW Web: www.bdflooringltd.co.uk Email: bdflooringltd@yahoo.co.uk Main Contractor Tel: 01202 590394 Fax: 01202 570007 for the Learning Resource Centre,

EDUCATION UKC

Learning Resource Centre

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UKC CIVIL

World’s largest wind farm blows into action London Array Full capacity has now been reached at the 630MW first phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the London Array. The commissioning of the 175th and final turbine took place just after 4pm on Saturday 6th April.

With all turbines now exporting power to the national grid, London Array is expected to produce enough green electricity to power nearly half a million homes a year.

Project Director Richard Rigg said: “This is the final major milestone of the construction phase and the culmination of

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more than two years’ offshore construction work which began in March 2011 with the installation of the first foundation.

“It has been a complex operation but I am delighted that the commissioning of the wind farm has now been completed on schedule, despite the worst of the winter weather.”

Turbine installation began in January 2012 and has been completed by MPI Discovery, A2SEA’s Sea Worker and Sea Jack.

Turbine installation was completed in December 2012, and since then the

project has focused on fully commissioning and putting into operation all 175 of the 3.6MW Siemens turbines by this spring.

With all turbines in place and 55 connected and supplying power to the national grid, the wind farm is on track to be fully operational in spring this year. The wind farm itself has been generating energy since October 2012 when the first turbine began producing power.

The installation of the last turbine at London Array is the culmination of a huge amount of effort and coordination by

everyone involved in the project. Last year saw 84 foundations, 175 wind turbines, 178 array cables and three export cables were installed at the project. London Array is now focusing on the commissioning and testing of the remaining turbines before the project is handed over to the Operations and Maintenance team this year.

Benj Sykes, Head of DONG Energy’s UK Wind business, said: “Having the final turbine installed is another landmark in this flagship project for the UK and for DONG Energy.

“The London Array will soon be the largest operational offshore wind farm in the world – building offshore wind farms of this size and larger in the future allows us to harvest the advantages of scale and is an important element of our strategy to drive down the cost of energy.

“Building London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, is a great achievement.

“As we now look to our pipeline of future projects, DONG Energy is determined to drive down the costs of our offshore wind farms to e100 per megawatt hour for projects we’ll be sanctioning in 2020.

“What we have learnt at London Array, together with our continuing focus on innovation in technologies and techniques, will help us achieve that.”

DONG Energy is one of the leading offshore wind farm developers in the world, with more than 20 years’ experience in the wind power industry and has built every third wind farm in Europe.

On the day it was announced that the final turbine had been installed, Tony Cocker, Chief Executive Officer of E.ON

UK, said: “Today is another significant milestone for London Array and the UK as t he installation of the final turbine brings us one step closer to the completion of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

“We are proud to mark this achievement and I pay tribute to all involved in the construction to date. I look forward to seeing London Array’s contribution to the UK’s low carbon energy mix for many years to come.

Mr Cocker continued: “London Array is a significant achievement in renewable energy. The world’s largest operational offshore wind farm will be capable of generating enough energy to power nearly half a million homes and reduce harmful CO2 emissions by over 900,000 tonnes a year.

“It’s been a tough time for the team working on site. The recent b ad weather and north easterly winds have whipped up the waves preventing access to the site so this milestone is true reward for their hard work.”

E.ON is one of the world’s leading power and gas companies. With annual sales of more than e82Bn and around 79,000 employees, it is one of the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas companies.

E.ON is active in onshore and offshore wind, concentrating solar power (CSP), solar PV and biomass and currently has over 4.2GW of renewable capacity in operation, which makes it a leading global renewable player.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, commented: “This milestone brings us a step closer to

showcasing the economic, social and environmental benefits of clean energy.

“London Array is a testament to how collaboration, the right policies and a commitment to sustainability can advance the new energy industry.

Masdar is a proud partner, and we look forward to the completion of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

“Just over two years ago, we celebrated the first of 177 foundation installations in this massive undertaking. Today, after overcoming challenges on both land and at sea, we celebrate the commissioning of the final turbine.

“As a partner in some of the world’s most sophisticated and large-scale renewable energy projects, Masdar recognises the value of robust collaborative efforts as exemplified by the London Array.

“Masdar is proud to be contributing to the United Kingdom’s clean energy mix and remains committed to growing offshore wind capacity in the UK and worldwide.”

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions.

The Company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future.

Backed by the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.

London Array is being built around 20km off the coasts of Kent and Essex. The wind farm is being installed on a 245sq

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Iemants NV is one of the leading companies as far as steel engineering, fabrication and installation of tremendous and extremely complex steel constructions are concerned.

Iemants N.V. is an international steel construction company with over 50 years of experience in the construction, fabrication, supply and assembly of steel constructions.

Together with the sister companies Willems in Balen (B) and Spomasz in Zary (Poland), we dispose of a workshop surface of approx.

100.000 m². The annual production capacity of the three companies is approx. 55.000 tons.

machine park with its own shot-blasting cabins and paint shops. The machine park of each division is completely computer controlled and linked to the different engineering departments. This causes the data to be streamlined and exchangeable.

We also provide an department Offshore Wind department.

With a track record of more than 850 foundations for the offshore wind industry (delivery started in 2002), Smulders Projects Belgium can be seen as one of the most important suppliers worldwide.

The well-equipped factories are furnished in such a manner that internal logistics run as smoothly as possible. Large and heavy pieces are the standard rather than the exception, as there is sufficient space and a hoisting capacity of up to 120 tons. All handlings are controlled and executed by employees with a decent and qualified training, both in their area of skilled expertise and in safety. Meeting the required standards and having the necessary certificates are fundamental to Iemants.

All locations are supplied with a modern

In 2008, Iemants also created “Angus” in

India, an Engineering Office with approximately 15 engineers (on top of the 55 engineers in Belgium).

On June 28th, the four companies were taken over by the French Group Eiffage.

This take over will consolidate our position in the international market.

A few recent projects of Iemants NV: • Global Tech 1, Tripods • Amrumbank Offshore Substation • Butendiek Offshore Substation • West of Duddon Sands topside & jacket • EON Humber Gateway

Industrieterrein Hoge Mauw 200, 2370, ARENDONK

telephone +32 (0)14 672 281 fax +32 (0)14 672 092 email info@iemco.be

www.iemants.com

London Array MPI is proud to be associated with the London Array Project providing installation vessels, MPI Adventure and MPI Discovery.

MPI Adventure’s campaign was to install the monopiles and transition pieces with a project start date in August 2011 and was completed approximately 11 months, with the installation of 111 complete foundations.

MPI Discovery was deployed to install the client supplied Siemens turbines, self-loading in Esjberg and sailing to the field in batches of six. Turbine installation started in February of 2012, with 101 of the 3.6MW machines completed in December 2012.

experiences learnt on London Array and other projects, a new generation Pile Gripper has been fitted to Discovery, and with the use of SPMT trailers this will effect the monopile upending and installation.

Further developments made through the continuity of a single charterer, and the crossover on these projects, has included multi discipline sea fastenings to accommodate differences in pile diameters,

“We have just installed our own ‘pile gripper’ ” Having worked with E.ON through the London Array project, and prior to that Robin Rigg, MPI Discovery started a six year charter with E.ON to carry out the first of three of their offshore wind projects. Drawing on the

and the different turbine models from different manufacturers - saving not only raw fabrication and supply costs, but time to mob and demob the vessel for her different tasks.

Specialist Tools

By Andrew Duncan – General Manager of MPI Equipment Whilst the first generation of Offshore WTG’s were considered to be huge at 2MW, and the industry prediction in 2003 only spoke of turbine sizes reaching 3MW, combined with the industry estimate of typical water depths reaching ‘up to’ 25m – the scale in Turbines and Monopiles seems to currently have no limit.

Whilst the larger size of WTG’s and deeper water depths are now workable by the evolution in design improvements, the construction of these components is forcing the installation contractors towards constant innovation and design of larger and more capable equipment.

MPI Offshore are no strangers to this – and the testament that the vessel MPI Resolution with her initial 300Te crane in 2005, was installing 470Te monopiles demonstrates the integration of secondary systems for gripping, rotating and guiding does play as an important role in foundation installation as size of the cranes on these types of installation vessels.

Onshore Logistics

By Andrew Duncan – Business Development, MPI Offshore The nature of the contracts applied in offshore wind farm installation projects often leads to the WTG manufacturer having to deliver all components to a mobilisation port before the Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) is mobilised. The WTG design and chosen WTIV will dictate the exact sequencing of the logistics required to ensure an efficient ‘just in time’ delivery of the components to the quayside and under the WTIV’s crane hook.

The need for this approach is dictated by: the constraint in the number of WTG’s the vessel can carry, the fact whether the WTG has a single or two piece tower, and the complexity of blade pre-assembly in a rotor star configuration vs. single blade elevation assembly at the offshore location.

Obviously the WTIV is to be at the quayside for a minimum amount of time to be efficient.

This can be tricky, keeping in mind there could be up to 48 separate items to load out on to the vessel whilst simultaneously several items need to be transferred from the vessel to the Quayside, all within 48hrs.

“MPI currently works on several projects, being Humber Gateway, Northwind and Borkum West.”

km site in two phases. Phase I covers an area of 90sq km and includes 175 turbines with a combined capacity of 630MW. If approved, Phase II will add enough capacity to bring the total to 870MW. Of the project consortium partners, DONG Energy owns 50%, E.ON has 30% and Masdar has a 20% stake.

Once completed, there will be annual maintenance on each turbine, and if there are any breakdowns of turbines, preventative work and regular checks will also be undertaken.

London Array is the largest offshore wind farm in the world. On top of the sheer size and difficult marine environment, some of the turbine locations dry out at low tide, making access harder than normal. Fortunately, quality contractors and experienced owners are involved, so these challenges will be met.

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There will be approximately 90 people working at London Array on an ongoing basis, with the majority of these being local, and some local people are being trained on apprenticeships, ready to work on the site later this year.

The project has started handing over to the Operations and Maintenance Team. This will be completed in the summer when the last shallow array cable has been buried.

The EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH (EEW SPC) has been vital to the scheme at London Array, which is one of the largest the Company has had in its history.

Since 2008, its mill in Rostock has been engaged in the production of heavy steel pipes as well as the appropriate pipe components. The Company’s customers are mainly from the offshore wind industry sector.

Thick-walled, longitudinally welded

large pipes, with diameters of up to seven metres, lengths of up to 120 metres and up to 1,000 tonnepiece weights can be fabricated.

The annual capacity is 144,000 tonnes per year. Considering the current order intake, EEW SPC has participated in the installation of almost 1,000 WTGs as manufacturer of foundations.

After a two-year production time, EEW SPC finished the manufacturing of 177 monopiles for the offshore wind farm in April 2012, using a total of 70,000 tonnes of steel.

With the construction of a new fabrication hall, which will be completed in 2014, EEW SPC is equipped for the production of XL monopiles with a diameter of up to ten metres and with unit weights up to 1,500 tonnes in the future.

EDUCATION UKC

Flying Bull Primary and Nursery School Increased teaching space Work is well underway in Portsmouth to refurbish a school that has been described as ‘good with outstanding features’ by Ofsted.

Flying Bull Primary and Nursery School is benefiting from internal refurbishment and modelling works. Up to now, the Year six block has been converted into two classrooms, which finished on time and within budget, resulting in a very smart Year Six area.

This is a temporary area until Year Six move into the new build after refurbishment. Phase I of the building work started in October 2012, which is the wing where the Early Years Advisory Team was based. The wall and the fence work was also completed last year, providing a very smart finish.

The end result will be a revamped interior for the school, of which Ofsted said in July 2011: “Flying Bull Primary is a good school because the dedication of the staff ensures pupils are exceptionally well cared for and supported, enjoy learning and are making good progress.

“The leadership team has developed well since the last inspection and has an accurate view of the work of the school. Standards of attainment have been rising steadily since the last inspection.

“There is good support for those pupils with a wide range of special educational needs, including complex needs.

The school goes to great lengths to ensure that their needs are clearly understood and sensitively fulfilled.

“The school has

been rigorous in promoting the importance of being at school regularly and takes considerable steps to help pupils and their families recognise this importance.

As a result, attendance has improved.”

As well as providing new classrooms for Year Six, the development will provide new classrooms for Year One, Year Two, and Year Three children, along with a new nursery. The courtyards will be covered to provide additional external teaching space and improved circulation routes around the school. Each class cluster will have its own resource space.

The Main Contractor for the project is Feltham Construction, which was established in 1972 on the key principle of providing first-class customer service.

It has since built itself an impressive reputation for delivering high quality projects

across southern counties.

Throughout the years, this privately owned construction company has drawn on the expert knowledge and experience of its staff to grow and expand into new industry sectors, including commercial, education, social housing, leisure, healthcare and retail.

Now a well-respected, regional construction company with a £50M turnover, the Company remains located in Newbury in its own offices aptly named Feltham House.

Portsmouth City Council is the Architect for the Flying Bull Primary and Nursery School project, which will be complete next year.

Grilstone House, South Molton, Devon EX36 4EG Tel: +44 (0)1769 579040 +44 (0)1769 579224 eMail: Info@PilkingtonMarineSolutions.eu Commercial website: www.jptensilefabricstructures.co.uk Marine website: www.PilkingtonMarineSolutions.eu

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UKC PROFILE

Digital Realty

Providing data centre solutions worldwide Digital Realty is a leading global data centre provider, serving a range of domestic and international customers across numerous industries and sectors. It provides secure, reliable cost effective facilities and is now the UK’s largest purchaser, owner, developer and operator of data space.

Since 2004, Digital Realty has purchased more than £3Bn of data centre assets globally and is now one of the country’s and world’s foremost digital leasing suppliers.

With over 20M sq ft of data centre real

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estate worldwide, Digital Realty has designed and built more than 200 stateof-the-art data centre facilities across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific including seven UK data centre properties.

Digital Realty understands the unique requirements of customers from a broad range of industry vertical sectors. Its customers range from information technology and internet enterprises to manufacturing and financial services organisations.

The Company’s portfolio is located across 32 markets throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

As industry experts will be quick to point out, there is more to data centre design, construction and operations than meets the eye, but Digital Realty’s expertise means prospective clients can be confident that nothing will be overlooked in both the facilities it owns and leases, and the bespoke continued page 128 >

What to consider when selecting a power systems supplier The power you need for effective business continuity comes in several forms. On one hand, you need a clean and continuous source of power to provide base load reliability. On the other hand, you also need cost-efficient and dependable standby power to ensure vital data remains intact.

Selecting the right supplier that can cater for the variety of power equipment demands requires careful consideration. Ian Wilcoxson, Market Sector Manager at Finning Power Systems details some of the areas to evaluate when choosing a power systems’ supplier for your mission critical needs – especially when those needs may require working across different countries and markets.

Understand your power needs Firstly, your provider should work with you in assessing the amount of power required for critical functions in the event of a disturbance or full mains outage. In particular, areas such as ambient temperature, power cabling and fuel storage need careful consideration as requirements can change from country to country, meaning that your provider needs to have specific expertise in handling a variety of different international specifications.

Integrate the design An accurate design specification can then be drawn up, ensuring that the system is optimised for performance and cost so that all component parts of the system are compatible.

Install and commission Using a single-source supplier means that installation time can be reduced, as system components can be pre-configured as part of the overall package. In addition, the system can be fully optimised, using a range of control options to tailor the solution to each customer’s bespoke requirements.

Take care Designing and installing the correct power solution is just the start. The right power provider should also offer you a range of service support packages that ensure equipment longevity and low lifetime operating costs.

End-to-end It’s also worth thinking about the ongoing support you might need both at home and for any overseas installations. Talk to your supplier about the range of additional services it can offer, such as financing solutions, provision of genuine manufacturer’s spare parts, and any onsite training of your maintenance teams.

For further information about Finning Power Systems contact: Finning (UK) Ltd, 688-689 Stirling Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4ST. Tel: 01753 497300 Fax: 01753 497398. www.finning.co.uk

development projects it undertakes.

Its dedicated data centre team manages the development in its entirety, from the initial concept through to construction, installation, maintenance and operation.

Digital Realty designs data centres with the minimum of fuss, following comprehensive design briefs to ensure that everything is tailored to suit customers’ exact requirements.

Minimising operational costs and promoting energy efficiency are at the heart of Digital Realty’s data centre design strategy, and there are now numerous examples of the data centres around the UK and world markets that represent this agenda.

An example of this is the Foxboro Park Data Centre, Redhill. Located to the north side of St Anne’s Boulevard, this data centre is easily accessible, as it is just minutes from junction eight of the M25.

The data centre was developed to encourage efficient energy use, which in turn reduces customer costs and it also includes state-ofthe-art cooling technologies.

The building design provides a flexible foundation for both single and multi-customer configurations.

There are six independently serviced Digital Realty turn-key data centres on the site, which includes over 53,000sq ft of raised floor space in total.

With access to a choice of fibre providers, the Foxboro Park Data Centre is suitable as a primary or disaster recovery site, making it fitting for both financial services businesses requiring a high speed connection to the city as well as organisations implementing an IT redundancy strategy.

In July, Digital Realty announced that it had purchased a 5.37 acre site at De President, Hoofddorp, Haarlemmermeer, a suburb of Amsterdam, with plans to build a 15,900sq m, 11.5MW data centre.

The development plans include six data halls, each capable of supporting almost two megawatts of IT load with dedicated

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infrastructure services and cooling options tailored to meet customers’ needs.

Construction of the data centre will start before the end of the year with the first two data halls to be delivered in mid-2014.

Each data hall will be designed using Digital Realty’s POD 3.0 architecture, a modular approach to building mechanical and electrical systems that reduces time to market and optimizes the amount of IT capacity for each suite, while providing optimal reliability and uptime availability.

Importantly for many businesses in the region, the site will also afford superior connectivity as well as access to multiple Tier 1 and Tier 2 international carriers. In addition, it will connect via Amsterdam’s main fibre ring to Digital Realty’s other European data centre as well as its U.S locations.

Bernard Geoghegan, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa of Digital Realty, said: “Amsterdam is ideally located at the heart of the demand we are seeing for today’s networked data centre requirements across Europe.

“Feedback from enterprises indicates that a ‘well-connected’ data centre is critical to their businesses.

Transporting large volumes of data at high speeds is key to enabling IT initiatives, such as cloud computing.

“Our state-of-the-art De President facility will provide an ecosystem unrivalled in terms of connectivity to support companies of all sizes in Amsterdam.”

Haarlemmermeer’s Alderman for Economic Development, Arthur Van Dijk, said: “We are proud that Digital Realty has selected De President as the site for its new data centre.

“Thanks to the excellent fibre accessibility, it is a prime location and the facility will benefit businesses not just in the local area but in the wider Amsterdam region.”

The Company signed a network partnering agreement with Epsilon in August – a privately owned communications service provider – to offer a dynamic bandwidth

solution to cloud and content providers for seamless backbone connectivity.

The solution leverages Epsilon’s extensive experience in operating high-density metro connectivity platforms. The new platform facilities enhanced connectivity for cloud and content providers from Digital Realty’s London-area data centres with seamless interconnectivity to over 65 data centres globally.

The establishment of points of presence in two of Digital Realty’s data centre locations in the UK represents the initial phase of the deployment plan, which the Company expects to extend across Europe.

Bernard Geoghegan said: “Our goal is to provide flexible solutions that accommodate the evolving needs of our customers’ businesses, now and in the future.

“Our London-area customers require ondemand and rapidly scalable automation of their bandwidth as part of their data centre solutions. We are pleased to offer this platform as we continue to build the Digital Realty Ecosystem across our portfolio in Europe and globally.”

This enhanced connectivity platform will operate on a major dark fibre ring, commissioned by Digital Realty, the initial deployment of which connected the Company’s data centres in Chessington and Woking with 22 key London-area internet and metro gateway centres.

This partnership facilitates the creation of an intelligent, application-aware network fabric. Customers will benefit from connectivity to 25 additional London metro gateways, as well as interconnectivity to more than 500 carrier, service, internet exchange, OTT, cloud, content and local access providers currently connected to Epsilon’s exchange.

For more information about the services provided by the Company, please contact: Digital Realty, Level 9, 71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BS

E&I Engineering / Powerbar We continue to set the standard for Electrical Switchgear, Busbar Trunking and Power Distribution Solutions throughout UK, Europe and Middle East.

Switchgear

Our switchgear division produces a complete range of equipment, fully tested to the new Powerbar standard for large scale industrial and commercial projects in multiple sectors: · · ·

Data-centres Hospitals, Financial Services Commercial Offices Petro-Chemical Marine, Utilities, Manufacturing

Ratings up to and included 6300A, 100kA all tested to 61439-2

Powerbar

Powerbar is a patented range of busbar trunking that is utilised within building to deliver power to sub distribution units. It is an alternative to traditional cabling and provides the following advantages and tangible benefits to the installer and client:

· · · ·

Space saving • Cost savings • Time savings in installation Flexibility to reposition load centres (via tap-offs) Electricity savings-Reduced Losses, reduced voltage drop Aesthetically pleasing • Ability to install in tight spaces

Ratings up to and included 6300A, 100kA all tested to EN61439-6

EMS/PLC Systems

Energy monitoring and energy control via intelligent metering and PLC Control systems. We design and implement custom designs and architectures on universal platforms to implement control and monitoring strategies. These systems provide resilience, control, status visibility and ability to monitor, trend and manage electrical energy to compliment our power distribution systems.

E&I Engineering Ltd & Powerbar Ltd Ballyderowen, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal Tel: +44 (0)28 713 53030 / +353 (0)74 93 68719 Fax: +44 (0)28 713 54100 / +353 (0)74 93 68106 Email: info@e-i-eng.com www.e-i-eng.com

UKC LEISURE

The Sands Hotel

Contributing to the resurgence of Margate A new 20-bedroom boutique hotel has become the latest element in the revival of the Kent seaside town of Margate.

Located in an elegant, sympathetically restored Victorian building, the Sands Hotel offers a vibrant, contemporary and comfortable interior.

The original Victorian building, which started life as a hotel and restaurant, and was most recently a sweet shop, was snapped up at auction

by Nick Conington in 2011.

Inspired by Margate’s renaissance, with the new Turner Contemporary Gallery, the thriving local art scene and the promise of Dreamland, Nick has invested in the town’s bright future.

The Turner Contemporary Gallery itself is located just a few hundred metres from the hotel, a short walk past the Old Town, the now revived creative quarter of Margate. The famous Margate Sands are merely a step away too.

Bedrooms will be located on the ground, second, third and fourth floors, with the bar and restaurant located on the first floor.

There are two spacious rooms on the ground floor, as well as a lounge, kitchen, male and female toilet facilities as well as a disabled toilet. The other three floors that the remaining 18 bedrooms are located on encompass six on each floor.

The Sands Hotel also has a basement with two food stores, a kitchen, wine store, store cupboard toilets and the managers’ office.

The hotel’s restaurant is Bay at Sands, serving imaginative modern British cuisine.

Nick, with business partner Conrad Bigham and head chef Ryan Tasker, have devised a menu that shows off the region and reflects the restaurant’s seaside location.

It is open to hotel guests and non-resident diners seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, with a special Sunday lunch menu.

Sample dishes from the dinner menu include starters of south coast crab

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cannelloni, samphire, shellfish bisque, “With many of our employees residing or warm salad of Kentish asparagus, in the area, we were able to provide a crisp Parma ham, poached quail eggs, strong project team to the cause and followed by mains of sea bass, roasted red also take advantage of South East Kent’s pepper, wilted spinach, saffron potatoes various contractors and suppliers. and pesto emulsion, or aged ribeye “We are very proud to take what was such of Sussex beef, hand cut chips, slow a rundown building, home to many pigeons, roast plum tomato and confit shallot. and return it back to its former glory to host For dessert, expect irresistible dishes such Margate’s growing number of visitors.” as peanut butter and chocolate fondant with brown-bread ice cream, passion fruit and coconut mille feuille with exotic fruit salad, or a selection of Kentish cheeses.

It is beautifully designed, with an Metal Fabrication and Site Installation Specialists airy, bright, warm Domestic, Commercial, Industrial atmosphere, high ceilings and a stunning fireplace.

Full-length glass The Metal Workshop specialises in the design, manufacture and doors lead to an installation of bespoke metalwork for the commercial and outdoor terrace, industrial sector. We offer the full range of fabrication services, commanding from sheet metal to structural steelwork. breathtaking views of the sea and We know deadlines matter and will survey, design and fabricate Margate’s wide with our team of skilled site fitters installing high specification golden bay. metalwork on time, every time.

The Architect was Giarti, and the Main We are proud to have been part of Cardy Construction’s Contractor was regeneration of the Sands Hotel and offer a service second to Cardy Construction. none covering London and the South East of England.

Project Director, Michael Pepiatt, said: “Having worked in the Thanet District Contact The Metal Workshop at: for many, many Units 10 &11 Lamberts Yard, years, it was Dane Valley Road, St Peters, CT10 3JJ. important Cardy was involved in Tel: 01843 604355 / 07724 084495 such a prestigious project, which is email: info@metalworkshopuk.com now a big part of or visit us at www.metalworkshopuk.com Margate’s ongoing resurgence.

The Metal Workshop

PROFILE UKC

Creative Construction Ltd Integral to the construction of Armada House Formed in 2005, Creative Construction Ltd has experienced eight years of successful trading thanks to its experienced members of staff.

The Company’s first-class construction skills have resulted in the development of Armada House, which offers students unbeatable accommodation in the heart of the city and on the doorstep of the University of Plymouth and PUIC, providing student living at its very best.

Plymouth is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with busy shopping centres, cafes, bars and restaurants, so there are plenty of options for a good time.

Today, the city is home to approximately 250,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom.

Armada House is a brand new development that is just 150 yards from the university campus. It offers 30 large state-of-the-art self-contained studio flats with double

beds, fast broadband and flat screen TV’s in every room. Each of the sophisticated studio apartments has a fridge freezer, microwave oven and ensuite shower room.

The contemporary and modern apartments reflect city living in a friendly environments and Armada House also has shared laundry facilities, cycle storage and a mailbox for each flat.

For students living at Armada House, there are an array of shopping facilities, bars, clubs and cafes. Drake Circus Shopping Centre offers the high streets leading brands while there is also a selection of food retailers including Sainsbury’s, which is adjacent to the development.

Plymouth’s train station is only a tenminute walk away and the development is situated on one of the main bus routes for access outside of the city.

There are many access points to Armada House including a new doorway off

Mayflower Street, which acts both as a staff entrance to the back of house office area and as an alternative fire escape from the commercial space.

The doorway was created by lowering the windowsill to floor level by Creative Construction and adapting the Portland stone picture frame surround to meet the ground level, subtlety framing the new entrance.

Armada House was a former bank building that Creative Construction has skilfully renovated and converted into student accommodation. The former Halifax Bank building also has socialising areas on the ground floor.

Work on the project is now complete, giving Plymouth high quality student accommodation, while Creative Construction has another striking development for its portfolio.

electrical contractors If you require cost effective, reliable heating and plumbing engineers then look no further. Operating throughout Devon and Cornwall we cater to all domestic and business client’s central heating systems, gas services and plumbing requirements.

Specialists in: Full Commercial Industrial Distribution Fire/Security Alarms Door entry/ Door Access Ventilation Unit 7, Creative Court, Home Park Avenue, Plymouth PL4 6NW Jamie: 07875 502629 Nathan: 07772 151626 Email: info@uni-lec.eu

Established since 2009, we have the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure that you receive nothing but the best service. Our reputation has been developed through hard work and reliability which is why we are the area’s number one choice for plumbing & gas related work.

We offer you the highest quality workmanship and services for:

Boiler installations Boiler replacements ● Boiler servicing & repairs ● Central heating installations ● Gas safety inspections ● Landlord safety certificates ● Power flushing ● Solar heating ● Contract work ● ●

Please call us today on 01752 923380 or 07795 176677 or visit our website: www.dandwplumbing.co.uk

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UKC HEALTH

Seacroft Grange

Giving residents flexible, individualised care This month will see the completion of the exciting development at Seacroft Grange Residential Care Home, which will result in the careful restoration of the existing Grade II listed Grange building integrated into the 96-bed state-of-theart home providing a range of dementia, intermediate and day care facilities.

The existing build dates back to the 15th century and is constructed from natural sandstone, and the completed facility will offer many bedrooms for varying degrees of care from critical care to dementia as well as various day care operations that will be available for the wider community.

A focal hub will be created providing spa, conference and office facilities, as well as meeting spaces, a coffee lounge, dining areas, a cinema room, administration offices, a Spar, hairdressers and a treatment room.

The new build wings are of traditional construction with elevation treatments sympathetic to the adjacent listed building incorporating feature glazed links. These buildings will house the care rooms and associated facilities.

Bespoke internal joinery and decorative finishes are provided throughout and external works comprise of infrastructure alterations including sewer diversions and new highway cross-over providing site access, new car parking, hard and soft landscaping, and boundary treatments.

Designed by SDA Partnership Ltd, an existing stable block had to be removed at the development in York Road, Leeds, in order to make room for the extension to the northern side of the site and focus the attention on the actual main heritage building.

Situated in a residential area, the sloping site had moderate ground conditions,

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which did not cause many problems. with fire alarms and smoke detectors.

The extension is three-storeys and has Work started on the £4.5M link features, which are a lightweight scheme in August 2012 and will structure, fully glazed and the contrasting be completed this month. door and window mullions are used to tie This was aided by two investments that the aesthetic back to the original building. were secured by the client, Springfield Built by PDR Construction, the extension Healthcare Group, totalling £4.4M from comprises a traditional cavity wall Business Growth Fund (BGF), which was construction, and complements rather established to help the UK’s fast growing than matches the existing structure. In smaller and medium sized businesses. addition to the glazed links, there are The equity investments were made some full height feature glazing details into two businesses within the on both the new build extensions.

Springfield Healthcare Group; Springfield Refurbishment of the existing building Homecare and Seacroft Care Village. was required because of fire and weather Led by Yorkshire based Group Chairman, damage inside. It had to be almost totally Graeme Lee, Springfield was established in stripped out, but whenever possible, 1967 as a single family-run care home and fireplace features and timber lintels have has since grown steadily, now providing been restored. Some window surrounds care to almost 2,000 clients each day. and ceilings have also been reinstated.

Seacroft Care Village has benefited The weather also caused severe from £1.9M, which was used alongside damage to the stone itself, therefore existing funds. The scheme also received significant sections have had to the backing of Seacroft Green Residents be renovated or replaced.

Association and the local councillors.

All buildings are fully accessible and have lifts to all floors, each with its own décor and colour scheme so that it is easily recognisable, and the glazed links between the old and new parts of MG Flooring is one of the fastest growing and leading flooring contractors in England.

Seacroft Grange are a special feature Based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, we have provided many high quality services of the design. for a wide variety of different clientele for over thirty years. We are a completely Disabled facilities dedicated family-run business that, over the years, have built a respected in the form of reputation that is based on providing a high level of quality installation and customer service to all of our clients. toilets and ramps are provided in the refurbished and extended areas, and all will be fitted

Tel: 07789 514 773 www.m-gflooring.com

PWC

Building Control Services Limited For over a decade PWC have been providing a fast, efficient and cost effective service for customers enabling the challenges of the Building Regulation to be met. We strive to ensure project compliance with customer satisfaction and work as a partner in the design and build process.

PWC offer building control services throughout England and Wales to ensure projects comply with the national standards found in the building regulations. We work with customers from start to finish so you comply with the standards.

PWC provide Building Regulation Services for all sectors of the industry across England and Wales. Projects we have recently contributed to include: • Shopping Centre Developments • Supermarkets • Car showrooms • Care Homes • Retail Developments • Apartments • Dwellings • Extensions We help customers achieve compliance by providing : • Building Regulation Services • Local knowledge • National service • A consistent approach anywhere in the Country • Total confidentiality PWC also provide links to all the ancillary services needed to demonstrate compliance including: • Sustainability • Fire engineering • Advice • Tests and certification to demonstrate compliance with the various parts of the Regulations Steve Ackroyd from PWC Building Control Services said “We are proud to be involved with Springfield Care Group on their residential home at The Grange, Seacroft Leeds, assisting the client with building regulation solutions.”

Thrapston – Head Office, Thrapston House, Huntingdon Road, Thrapston, NN14 4NF. Towcester – Unit 2 Selby Barns, Duncote, Towcester, NN12 8AL. Warrington – Unit 2 Beech Farm, Lymm Road. Thelwall, Warrington, WA4 2TG. Fleet – 34 Reading Road South, Fleet, Hampshire, GU52 7QL. Wakefield – 2 Cliff Parade, The Civic Quarter, Wakefield, WF1 2TA. Grantham – Longniddry, Bridge Street, Marston, Grantham, NG32 2HL. Derby – Woodlands Business Centre, Codnor Denby Lane, Ripley, Derby, DE5 9SN. Essex – 31 Common Road, Ingrave, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3QL. Bedford – 16 Grange Lane, Bromham, Bedfordshire.

www.pwc.uk.net

01832 732360 01327 359400 01925 730666 01252 819707 01924 918969 01400 250912 01773 744100 01277 810419 01234 825449

enqs@pwc.uk.net mbm@pwc.uk.net br@pwc.uk.net jj@pwc.uk.net sa@pwc.uk.net sv@pwc.uk.net tc@pwc.uk.net jp@pwc.uk.net rm@pwc.uk.net

UKC HOUSING

Lomax Halls

Student accommodation for Keele and Staffordshire universities An old cinema and nightclub in Stoke has been transformed into luxury halls of residents for university students.

The five-storey accommodation complex in Hill Street, Stoke, will be used by students of Keele University and Staffordshire University.

Keele is the UK’s largest integrated campus university and occupies a 617 acre estate, with Grade II registration by English Heritage, the central feature of which is the 19th century Keele Hall.

The university is a major contributor to the local economy.

Keele has specific strengths in environment, physical sciences, applied mathematics, humanities, law, politics and justice, life course studies, primary care and health sciences, public policy and management, science and technology in medicine.

Health is a stand-out area of major growth and investment at Keele University. The campus houses its own undergraduate medical school, operated in partnership with the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, and delivers first-class training and education to around 2,000 clinical students.

Staffordshire University operates from two main campuses, one in Stoke-onTrent and the other in Stafford with a co-founded University Centre in Lichfield.

It is noted for being a national leader in delivering government-backed, fast-track, two year degrees, investing in sectorleading facilities such as a fully equipped television studio, media centre and working broadcast newsroom, future-facing new courses, creation of a growing graduate enterprise community based in Business Villages in Stoke, Stafford and Lichfield.

Lomax Halls are built with the needs of today’s students in mind. All new for 2013, each of the 120 rooms comes complete with furniture and a private ensuite bathroom, while there are also opportunities for some

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rooms to be provided with a 32 inch, developments and serviced offices. wall-mounted LCD flatscreen TV. Primesite Developments was established All students will have a 135sq ft bedroom, in 2001, focusing primarily on residential communal kitchen and living areas, development in the early days. Since then, there will be a gym for all to enjoy, the Group has built more than 300 units high speed broadband, subsidised and achieved 100% sales within 12 months food and break out area, a lift, cleaning of practical completion of any development. services and furniture packs.

Work on the project is now complete On site staff will be on hand to help and Lomax Halls will be open students, and gas, electric and water bills for students in September. are included in rental, allowing all residents to concentrate on enjoying student life.

Lomax Halls are ideally located, being just a stone’s throw away from Staffordshire University, the University Installation Hospital of North Electricity Solutions provide a complete and turnkey solution for new electricity Staffordshire, and a connections across the UK. short journey from Our Service Keele University. ● A licensed Independent Connections Provider (ICP) up to 33kV The centrally ● Design & build of LV, 11kV and 33kV networks/primary substations ● On-site and off-site civils works up to the point of connection located halls ● Temporary builders supplies allow students ● Diversionary works to facilitate a new connection to embrace all ● Testing & Commissioning ● Connections for renewable energy sources aspects of student ● Hand over the network installation to the DNO or IDNO life in Stoke, with ● Offer Multi-Utility solutions ● In house installation team with LV, HV and live jointing authorisation local bars and amenities within Added benefits ● We always design the most cost effective solution walking distance. ● Full project management from design to energisation The Main ● National delivery, within each DNO region Contractor for ● Technical advice ● Assistance with the co-ordination of project related legal agreements the project ● Professional in house team was Primesite ● Competent safe working practices ● Expertise in the regulatory environment to improve delivery and minimise delays Developments – a property We are pleased to be associated with Primesite Developments and Absolute development and wish them continued success for the future company with expertise in the Unit 5, Portside Business Park, Portside North, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 2HQ construction Tel: 0870 919 4269 Fax: 0870 919 4270 of student Email: info@electricity-solutions.co.uk accommodation, www.electricity-solutions.co.uk care homes, residential

ICE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IS PROUD TO SUPPLY PRIMESITE DEVELOPMENTS WITH RENEWABLE HEATING FOR THE LOMAX PROJECT Ice Energy were sought by Primesite Developments to provide specialist advice on a new build project; a 120 bedroom student accomodation block in Stoke-on-Trent.

Our assessment and recommendations were to install high quality Mitsubishi air source heat pumps which addressed all heating demands.

3 x 45kW Mitsubishi CAHV units were selected with thermal stores specified for domestic hot water.

Ice Energy specialises in Solar PV installation and Heat Pumps for space heating, swimming pool heating and domestic hot water loads for commercial buildings up to the equivalent of a 1mW conventional boiler system.

We have a long tradition of supplying high quality renewable energy heating solutions for commercial developments across the UK. With more than 10 years experience and an unrivalled grounding in renewables, you couldn’t choose a better partner for your project.

We provide a complete commercial solution including: • Sound renewable energy advice and specification • Energy assessments • Design, supply and installation of your renewable energy system • Ground Source Heat Pumps • Air Source Heat Pumps • Solar PV • Full project management and training services • System commissioning • Market leading warranties and lifetime technical support • Grant application advice including the Renewable Heat Incentive As well as reduced running costs, a renewable energy system could also provide a healthy investment proposition. The Renewable Heat Incentive can generate thousands of pounds in additional revenue so what not call the Commercial Team on

01865 882202 or visit our website www.iceenergy.co.uk Images represent a selection of Ice Energy case studies

Ice Energy Technologies, Unit 2 Oakfield House, Oakfields Industrial Estate, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TH T: 01865 882202

F: 01865 882539

E: sales@iceenergy.co.uk

W: www.iceenergy.co.uk

UKC PROFILE

Defence Doors

Safe and Sound

Defence Doors Ltd is a Yorkshire based, ISO 9001 accredited UK steel fabrication Company with over 20 years of experience manufacturing flood gates, blast doors and prison doors. The Company offers a diverse and unique nationwide design, build and installation service to the UK construction industry. Defence Doors also offers a world wide export service which already supplies Defence, Petrochemical and Custodial products to overseas Clients. The Company’s experience means that it is an expert in steel fabrication for flood gates, blast doors, steel stairs and platforms.

Within the Company’s core industries the range of steel products includes: •• Flood agents, bund gates and flood windows ••Storm gates and watertight doors ••Gas tight doors and gas tight blast resistant doors ••Blast doors and blast resistant fire doors (rated to four hours) ••Prison doors, cell doors, security doors, grilles and gates ••Bullet proof doors and windows Defence Doors Ltd offers a comprehensive design, manufacture and installation service supplying the construction industry and private sector with high quality steel blast doors manufactured in the UK. The Company’s blast doors are designed to the Client’s exact specifications, required loadings and supplied with independent design calculations to prove the blast doors design capabilities.

The door mechanisms, depending on the

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required loading, range from hydraulic multiple shoot bolt assemblies through to the lighter Surelock McGill multi point panic bar system with optional locking. All doors are provided with sealing options including dust seals, gas tight seals and even liquid viscous napalm seals and are supplied with a full epoxy paint system or a primer finish for site painting by others.

Defence Doors Ltd offers a nationwide supply and fix range of high security steelwork to cover security facilities along with a worldwide export service supplying UK manufactured cell doors, prison doors, detention doors and grille gates to overseas facilities, all prison steelwork and components are 100% UK manufactured to the highest UK HM Prison Standards.

Defence Doors Ltd also supplies the construction industry and private sector with high quality floodgates and flood defence systems, manufactured to an Environment Agency approved design.

The standard frame assembly will be reconfigured if required for each application, customising the design and ensuring the flood gates meet Client’s exact requirements.

Working for the Environment Agency and its consulting engineers, Defence Doors also designed, developed and installed several flood defence windows for use on domestic applications.

These flood windows are manufactured exclusively from non-ferrous material but designed to imitate UPVC domestic windows and are completed in a powder coat finish to match existing.

The success of the Company’s window design is supported by approval from building control for the installation of several units on listed buildings.

Defence Doors has also recently developed and tested a secure flood door, after receiving an increasing number of enquiries for a combined flood security solution for high value assets.

Some more of Defence Doors most recent/ ongoing projects and activities include: ••Exporting a seventh blast door project to customers in Thailand ••Attracting new customers and orders from Nigeria and Pakistan ••Picking up a second order for blast doors and windows in Brunei ••Several flood gates and windows for a flood scheme in Cockermouth ••Stainless steel, glazed domestic patio flood doors for a coastal flood scheme in Teignmouth ••A drawbridge style floodgate for regular creation of a temporary lagoon at a construction college.

••Glazed flood wall panels for Shaldon and Ringmore The Company has enjoyed continued growth despite the economic down turn, and anticipates further growth as flood defence schemes grow increasingly cautious and necessary.

For enquiries or further information please contact: sales@defencedoors. com, or visit www.defencedoors.com

publishing limited

to advertise in this magazine please call

01 257 231900 www.pro-mark.org.uk

Structural Design • Highway Design Civil Engineering • CDM Co-Ordinators With offices in Hull and Leeds www.masonclark.co.uk

Brian Smith (Goole) Ltd Express Haulage Contractors

Contact: 07778 343 900 Fax: 01405 768 146 Email: briansmithpallets@hotmail.com Brian Smith Ltd are pleased to be associated with Defence Doors Ltd Wishing you all the best for the future

We specialise in subcontract machining work, making door & gate hinges, locking spindles, bushes, special bolts and pig nose glass fixings. Anything can be made to your sketches or drawings using 20 CNC machines and 10 manual machines on site. W & K Precision can offer a wide range of finishes to our customers using approved production agencies.

Heat treatment and various other coatings can be done. We do all types of repair work to avoid buying new parts.

Your worldwide freight and logistics partner Unit C16, Taylor’s Court, Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, Rotherham, S62 6NU

telephone: 01709 529709 fax: 01709 529710 email: andrewford@daviesturner.co.uk

www.daviesturner.co.uk

Established in 1998, CPC provide the complete powder coating service.

Working from a modern, fully ventilated 3,000 sq.ft. facility that contains spray room and oven, conveyor belt and drying frame, storage facility, and almost 100 British Standard and RAL colours, we at CPC aim to complete your commercial, retail or domestic metalwork project on time and on budget.

We are happy to provide quotes, timescales, delivery or just straightforward advice to any exterior or interior powder coating enquiry, -our commitment and professionalism is your guarantee of satisfaction.

We provide a full degreasing and aluminium shot blasting service, spray and drier facilities, fully trained and experienced staff, a wide choice of stock colours and 24 hour delivery of ex-stock finishes.

Our techniques include: Electrostatic Polyester - ensuring complete coverage even in less accessible areas resulting in a tough finish on all items for outside use.

Electrostatic Epoxy Powder - A hardwearing finish suitable for interior usage.

All finishes are available in gloss, semi-gloss, matt, texture, hammer and antique options.

Unit 37, Cranswick Industrial Estate, Driffield, East Yorkshire YO25 9QE

Phone : 01377 271041 Fax : 01377 271856 E-Mail : wk@wkprecision.co.uk www.wkprecision.co.uk

Carnaby Powder Coatings Unit 56, Lancaster Road, Carnaby Industrial Estate, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, YO15 3QY Telephone: 01262 401020 Fax: 01262 401030 Mob: 07803 048682 E-mail: info@carnaby-powder-coatings.co.uk www.carnaby-powder-coatings.co.uk

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UKC PROFILE

Russell-Hughes Cyf

Promoting innovative design Due to the successful growth of RussellHughes Architects, the private architectural practice formed in 1989, 2006 saw the formation of Russell-Hughes Cyf. This RIBA-chartered practice and limited company was brought about as a direct result of a growing order book, which reflected the nature of the Practice, while enabling it to recognise the dynamic and enthusiastic team with suitable rewards of ownerships.

Based in Llangefni, the Company has benefited from the strong and successful leadership of Leuan Russell-Hughes.

It is the Company’s conviction that in being a RIBA practice and adopting systems such as those herein, will help Russell-Hughes Cyf deliver its objective of providing a reliable and competent architectural service to its clients and the users of the building and spaces designed, as well as other services provided.

There is 100% commitment within the Practice to the operation and upkeep of systems, which are regularly reviewed and updated against the Practice’s methods and innovations and against changes in external influences, be they quality standards, legislation, industry standards, custom or practice.

All new staff are instructed in the requirements and use of the system as part of their introduction to the wider objectives of the Practice.

All commissions that are undertaken are carried out under the direct supervision of Leuan Russell-Hughes. Certain commissions require the support of his fellow Director – Owain Evans – although Leuan always maintains programming and quality control, and overall responsibility of a project.

Russell-Hughes Cyf is committed to raising the level of understanding throughout all projects of important issues such as sustainability, its holistic application, and its ability to add value to projects.

The Practice recognises the importance of environmental protection and aims to operate business responsibly and in compliance with all ISO 14001 requirements.

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Aims including regularly assessing building to achieve the desired rating. the environmental effects of services, The Construction Regulations 2007 training staff in environmental issues, requires the client appoints a CDM Cominimising the production of waste, ordinator at the inception stage of the minimising material wastage, minimising project. The key aim of the CDM2007 energy wastage, and promoting the is to integrate health and safety into use of recyclable, renewable materials the management of any project, and to and wider sustainability issues. These encourage all disciplines to work together. aims are communicated to all staff, Experience on previous projects suppliers and sub-contractors. has shown that the appointment of Each project team is selected on the nature the Quantity Surveyor at inception and complexity of the project, and the stage allows preliminary approximate staff chosen have the required design and estimates to be prepared and amended technical expertise to meet these demands. as the scheme develops, establishing The new legislation such as the revisions an overall budget for the scheme and to Part L of the Building Regulations, The Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act, and the Code Eryri Building Services undertakes the for Sustainable following Mechanical works:Homes require professionals to work more closely ● Industrial & Commercial Heating across disciplines ● Maintenance Services in order to address ● Design & Build ● Plumbing Services sustainable ● Under floor Heating & Cooling construction issues.

In order to achieve ● Extract, Supply Air Conditioning a sustainable ● Hot & Cold Services ● Gas Work, Compressed Air building, the ● Renewable Energy ● Solar appointment of ● Ground Source Heat Pumps sub-contractors at the earliest stage ● Rain Water Harvesting is essential. ● Biomass & Bio Fuel Energy It is essential that, for the building to achieve BREEAM Eryri Building Services, Unit 7, Phoenix Workshops, ‘Excellent’ rating, a Station Road, Mochdre, Conwy, BREEAM Assessor North Wales LL28 5EF is appointed at the earliest stage of the project.

The Practice’s experience of working closely with a BREEAM Assessor at Botwnnog has reinforced this and enabled the

Phone: 01492 546633 Fax: 01492 541880

www.eryribuildingservices.co.uk

providing a cost plan for the project.

Russell-Hughes Cyf has shown it has the personnel, experience and ability to successfully manage large and complex building projects, and over the years has built up strong and successful working relationships with key stakeholders on a wide variety of projects.

This includes work for the local authorities, Environment Agency, North Wales Police and Countryside Council for Wales.

The Practice has been involved in a number of high profile projects, including the enterprise centre at Congl Meinciau, which achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards.

It involved the demolition of the Congl Meinciau farmhouse and outbuildings and the construction of a twostorey building incorporating office accommodation, training and meeting rooms together with a canteen, ancillary accommodation and a car parking area.

The building was designed to create flexible office space and is the result of intensive community consultations.

Internal arrangements of the building vary with the requirements of end users.

It is possible that the building could be occupied by one company, or each floor could be separately let, and there is also scope for subdivision between floors.

This development includes low or zero carbon technologies such as solar hot water, photovoltaics and ground source heat pumps, while a ground source heating plant provides zone underfloor heating.

At a cost of £1.26M, work was completed in November 2011.

A particularly prestigious project undertaken by Russell-Hughes Cyf was the work on the control tower and pit garages at The Anglesey Racing Circuit, in Ty Croes.

It saw the removal of the existing twostorey modular control tower and the development of a three-storey building that incorporates office accommodation, reception, race timing, a stewards’ area, meeting room, media facilities, track side garaging, commentator facilities, a canteen, and ancillary accommodation.

Set on the west coast of Anglesey overlooking the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountain range beyond, Anglesey Circuit provides visitors with a challenging and exciting circuit in a breathtaking location.

It is one of the few circuits to be designed and constructed with an entirely new concept. The superb surface is 12m wide and the circuit offers an outstanding facility for the professional, as well as amateurs.

Spectators can enjoy exciting racing with overtaking opportunities that other circuits are unable to offer from a variety of vantage points, including the elevated position above the Corkscrew and the area at the Booka Track Banking.

On the ground floor of the new building is the race administration centre, with the first floor housing race control, the stewards’ office, kitchen and viewing balconies to both sides. The second floor is for the commentators and media, who have unrestricted views to go along with the required degree of privacy.

The 22 garages each have the capacity

to take two cars, offering garage space for at least 44 cars in total or more than 80 motorcycles. There is rear access to the paddock and front doors directly on to the pit lane that offer plenty of natural light and have 13 amp, 16 amp and 110volt electrical supplies. The paddock also has 48 additional 16 amp hook-ups.

The project has raised the bar for many other European ventures, with its multi-function concept.

At weekends, the ground floor provides an ideal driver sign on area and plenty of room for race administration staff to carry out their duties.

This can be quickly transformed into a corporate or operations centre for midweek customers, ranging from media to manufacturers and other organisations. There are toilets on the ground floor and a lift to the first floor.

The first floor offers clubs the ideal vantage point to control race meetings, with ample work area for the timekeepers to operate in comfort. It is well equipped, with power points, WiFi and timing screen access points.

Not only does the second floor offer a great aspect over the circuit, but it also looks out on Caernarfon Bay. Russell-Hughes Cyf has achieved an environmentally sustainable design solution, which enhances the local character, and continues the model of the Practice, which promotes innovative design.

Joinery and Building Contractor We are pleased to be associated with Russell Hughes

Awel Môr, Dulas Amlwch, Anglesey, LL70 9PZ

Tel & Fax 01248 410491 Mobile 07831 169593 139

UKC PROFILE

FETA

Benefiting from associations such as BFCMA, BRA and HEVAC The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations Ltd (FETA), is an umbrella organisation for the building services sector. It hosts six trade associations, which are: ADCAS – Association of Ductwork Contractors and Allied Services, which contains both manufacturers and contractors; BCIA – Building Controls Industry Association, which contains both controls manufacturers and system houses; BFCMA – the British Flue and Chimney Manufacturers Association, which has manufacturers and sole importers in this field; BRA – British Refrigeration Association, which is an organisation that encompasses the supply chain of the refrigeration sector from retail endusers to component manufacturers; HEVAC – the Heating and Ventilating Manufacturers Association for suppliers of a vast range of equipment from air conditioning to fans; HPA – the Heat Pump Association for all types of heat pump suppliers.

In addition, these six associations have many sub-groups, which total some 30 interest groups operating within FETA. The purpose of the associations and their interest groups is to ensure that the industry progresses in line with the state-of-the-art and the prevailing regulatory requirements.

The work done, therefore, is industry generic, and allows individual companies to innovate and develop their own competitive advantages within prevailing guidelines.

The aims of FETA include: to be a growing, pro-active trade association actively collaborating with other similar organisations and working for a better future for the industry in general and for its members in particular.

The Association also aims to provide members with a source of information on market issues, legislation, training,

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technological advances and research.

FETA actively participates in scientific, public and policy debates, which might affect members and so influence policies, legislation, regulations, and standards.

Part of FETA’s origins can be traced back to the early days of manufacturing, and the expansion of refrigeration in the UK as part of the war effort in the 1940s.

Over time, additional groups formed as technology changed and they combined into associations, which agreed to band together to form FETA. This cost effective model then attracted further associations to join. The long history of representing diverse commercial interests continues to this day, as does the tradition of forming new specialist groups to match advances in products and technology.

FETA and its associations are seen as key consultation partners by UK government departments and provide input to European directives/regulations and to UK regulations and initiatives.

The government departments that FETA regularly deals with are BIS, CLG, DECC and DEFRA, plus agencies such as the Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust.

BRA is the only trade association representing manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, contractors, specifiers and end users of refrigeration plant, equipment and components.

It also includes producers of refrigerants and lubricants, colleges and training establishments. It works closely with government, public bodies and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas, to further the interests of the refrigeration industry.

BRA was originally formed in 1940 under the name ‘Commercial Electric Refrigeration Association’. It has worked continuously since 1940 as CERA, BRA, BRACA and now again BRA to promote the interests of the refrigeration industry.

Membership is open to European

registered companies who are wholly or partly engaged in, or associated with, the refrigeration industry.

BRA conducts the majority of its business within specialist sections.

These meet three or four times a year and they deal with issues and topics that directly affect their businesses.

As well as the more formal part of the meeting, members find the informal networking over lunch to be an invaluable benefit of membership.

The sections within BRA are: cabinet and coldstore section, contractors’ section, equipment & components’ section, refrigeration end users section and training section.

HEVAC conducts the majority of its business within specialist groups. These, like BRA, meet three or four times a year and deal with business issues.

The groups within HEVAC include: ••Air Conditioning Group; ••Air Curtain Group; ••Air Distribution Manufacturers Group; ••Air Handling Unit Group; ••Chilled Beam and Ceiling Association; ••Demand Controlled Ventilation Group; ••Fan Coil Unit Group; ••Fan Manufacturers Association; ••Filter Group; ••Fire & Smoke Damper Committee; ••Humidity Group; ••Residential Ventilation Association; ••Smoke Control Association.

HEVAC is a trade association within the building engineering services element of the wider construction industry. Traditionally representing manufacturers and suppliers, it is the largest member of FETA. Companies represented by HEVAC have made a positive decision to differentiate themselves by belonging to a reputable, not-for-profit organisation, which is committed to making a difference.

Central to those efforts is a focus on continued page 142 >

Complete Capability from the Docherty Group Docherty Group is the leading independent UK manufacturer and distributor of flue and chimney systems and renewable fuel appliances.

As well as manufacturing a comprehensive range of our own products, we are also a major distributor for a number of other UK companies – including SFL, a leading UK brand – together with a number of highly respected European manufacturers. This gives our customers access to a wide range of top quality products from a single source.

Our product range includes gas and solid fuel flexible liners, twin walled rigid flues for all applications and vitreous enamel flue pipe.

However, flues and chimneys are only part of what the Docherty Group can offer, as we also distribute a range of solid fuel stoves, cookers and heating appliances.

With over 50 years of experience, our name is synonymous with consistent quality, reliable supply and excellent customer care, delivered through a network of our own branches and accredited dealers.

The Group also offers specialist HETAS approved training courses for installers from a purpose built, approved facility.

Using qualified expertise gained over 20 years at the forefront of the industry, Sure Fire Training Services offer courses which enable

installers to keep up to date with current practice, regulations and directives - and are vital in maintaining technical capability.

Customer Service

The Docherty Group directly employs a team of dedicated sales professionals, all comprehensively trained to exacting standards and offering the very best pre-sales technical and practical support for our industry customers.

We always deliver the products our customers want – when they want them – and, with an unrivalled branch network, we’re never too far away!

Quality

We operate a Quality Management System with accreditation to European Standard ISO 9001:2008.

For further information please call 01635 292400 or visit www.docherty.co.uk.

y t r e h c o D vers!

i l e d

With a comprehensive range and unrivalled customer service, the UK’s largest chimney products group aims to deliver solid support for retailers as they grasp the challenges of new technologies and the renewables market.

As always, you can rely on our renowned Docherty Group commitment to safety, proven quality and industry approved product performance.

complete chimney capability Docherty Group Units 15/16 Colthrop Business Park Colthrop Lane, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 4NB T: 01635 292400 F: 01635 201737 E: sales@docherty.co.uk

www.docherty.co.uk

energy efficiency, supporting DECC and International Energy Association Views that the demand for energy can and should be significantly reduced via this mechanism.

HEVAC seeks to be a pro-active association collaborating with similar industry groups and government departments to strengthen sustainability as an essential component of resource efficiency.

With this positive approach to improving product performance, system design and client awareness, the association is in a strong position to influence policies, legislation and standards affecting the air conditioning, ventilation and related heating market.

Also part of FETA is BFCMA, Britain’s only trade association for factory-made

chimney products and works closely with government, public bodies and other organisations to further the interest of the chimney & flue industry.

The association represents the interests of the members and aims to promote the efficient and safe use of natural draught chimneys and encourage continual improvement of chimney products and services for the benefit of members’ customers.

BFCMA obtains maximum publicity for the industry through exhibitions, publishing information sheets and general public relations, influences legislation, regulations and policies at national and international levels that affect the chimney industry in general.

At the latest state of development

HygroFlex3 • The latest generation of HVAC transmitters • Relative humidity, temperature measurement and dew point calculation • Wall, space and duct mount versions • Freely scalable output signals • Outstanding repeatability • Auto-diagnostics with automatic correction Visit www.rotronic.co.uk for more information or call 01293 571000.

ROTRONIC Instruments (UK) Ltd, Crompton Fields, Crompton Way, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9EE T: 01293 571000, F: 01293 571008, E: instruments@rotronic.co.uk

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The growing interest in the carbon saving potential of wood burning stoves has led to a corresponding growth in the number of flue and chimney installations for wood burning appliances.

Increasingly, heating engineers are seeking to add the installation of wood burning stoves as one of their competencies.

To help meet this need for information, the BFCMA has created a new website (www.bfcma.co.uk) that gives guidance on the selection and installation of flues and chimneys.

Federation of Environmental Trade Associations Ltd, 2 Waltham Court, Milley Lane, Hare Hatch, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9TH. Tel: 0118 940 3416.

With a long tradition of quality manufacturing, Hepworth Terracotta offers a wide range of products for chimneys and flues including: ● Full range of CE-marked flue liners and gas terminals ● The largest range of ceramic flue liners in the UK ● Chimney pots - from the functional to the highly decorative ● BSi certified gas terminals ● Ventilation terminals for capping off redundant flues ● Airbricks in a range of styles, shapes and sizes All the above are offered in three colours: red, buff and blue/black.

Other products include firebricks and firebacks, cavity liners and the chimney commissioning pack.

Available to purchase from:

and other national and independent merchants.

General enquiries: Technical Enquiries: or email:

0844 856 5152 0844 856 5165 terracotta@hepworth.co.uk

Figure 1: Above is a figure of the two different operation of the CO2 heat pump, the L/H shows the operation when heating the swimming pool, the second operation is when heating the shower water.

Heat pumps for swimming pools For several years now, heat pumps have been recognised as ideal systems for swimming pools. From small health clubs to large water parks, huge power consumption savings are achievable. Most of these operate with HFC refrigerants (i.e. R134a, R410a) as these packages are lower price alternatives to natural refrigerants. With the EU parliament currently working on plans to restrict HFC use there is uncertainty over investment in any new system using HFC’s with high global warming potential (GWP). The use of natural refrigerants for heat pumps offers long term stability as well as considerable energy savings.

Small scale For small systems the most versatile and efficient option today is a dual purpose CO2 heat pump that will provide combined heating for shower water and the swimming pool.

Dual-purpose trans-critical CO2 heat pumps available in sizes from 15 kW to 300 kW.

Large scale

Figure 2: 2 stage heat pump, for the most optimum flexibility.

Olympic size swimming pools are often built into a complex alongside other facilities such as gyms, hotels and restaurants, where one the main expenses is the heating bill. Energy savings and total cost of ownership have led to many adopting ammonia heat pumps, due to the high efficiency and environmentally friendly properties these systems offer.

Choosing the right heat pump selection for swimming pool owners offers the potential to save tens of thousands of pounds per year. Due to the uncertainty of using HFC’s, the only future-proof choice is natural refrigerants which benefit significantly from lower life cycle cost, in some cases having a payback of less than 1 year.

For more information on our range of market leading heat pumps, cooling and heating solutions, please contact GEA Refrigeration Technologies UK at 01600 891010 or visit www.gearefrigeration.com

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UKC PROFILE

Robson Construction Ltd

Successful development of Hoste Hotel

Formed in 1994 as a partnership, Robson Construction specialises in industrial and commercial building projects.

The Company became Robson Construction Ltd in 2007 and operates from a 17,000sq ft office and workshop in Walpole, on the outskirts of King’s Lynn in Norfolk.

This family business has 17 staff members and directly employed workers with experience of these ranging to such roles as estimator, contracts manager, site foreman and administrator.

The office staff have a wealth of experience, having been involved in the construction industry for many years, and all are trained to know all aspects of site health & safety and CDM regulations.

Robson Construction Ltd specialises on undertaking pharmaceutical, leisure and hotel projects, and the Company has recently completed work on the iconic Hoste Hotel in Norfolk.

Located at Burnham Market, work at the hotel comprised the building of a new garden room, a New Zealand-style lodge dining area, a new open pass kitchen, four new bedrooms, refurbishment of seven existing bedrooms, the spa being doubled in size, creation of a new entrance area, and transformation of the existing reception into a retail area that sells books about the local area.

The garden room, restaurant and bar are accessed through the new entrance to the hotel. Decorated in blues, greens and greys to reflect its garden location, proximity to the coast and Norfolk’s dramatic open skies, the garden room provides a unique and flexible space that is used for private functions, parties and conferences, as well as day-to-day restaurant service for up to 120 people.

The private dining lodge with views of the garden accommodates up to 30 diners. Both are served by an expanded kitchen that has been fitted with the latest equipment, including a Sous-

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Vide molecular cooking system. quality finish, which was undertaken An open pass provides added interest while the building was occupied. for diners and ensures speed of service Work on the £2M project started in directly from kitchen to restaurant.

November 2012 and was completed Incorporated into the garden room is in May 2013, giving the Company a state-of-the-art bar and dedicated another noteworthy project for its cellar, providing efficient bar service portfolio, and Robson Construction to the restaurants and garden.

Ltd can look forward to the future, Robson Construction Ltd has incorporated with the level of turnover growing, and large glazing areas over the restaurant and larger contracts being constructed. a lead roof to the reception area. Walls have cavity with two skins block faced with flint, while the roof benefits from hand-cut roof timbers and clay pantiles.

The windows are hardwood timber that is purpose made and some have matching sash windows.

A linked corridor leads to the restaurant, garden and private dining We are pleased to be associated room, and there is an open fronted with Robson Construction and kitchen to the dining room. All wish them continued success areas, including for the future the garden, have all Wi-Fi. The hotel has a new disabled toilet and is secured by Topsgate, Gedney, CCTV and a new Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 0BS fire alarm system.

Robson Construction Ltd had to be mindful of the hotel’s listed status when developing but was able to provide a high

T.P. & P.S.

Lawrence Ltd Plastering Specialists

Tel: 01406 365882 Mobile: 07947 840 114 or 07855 646 696

COMMENT UKC

Fracking and the planning process Claire Semple, Turley Associates It is clear that hydraulic fracturing has strong support from the government.

‘Fracking’ has transformed the energy market in the US and, should this be replicated here, even to a lesser degree, there will be considerable economic benefits that could last a generation.

This potential, combined with a growing dependency on imported gas, are imperative reasons to explore the potential for developing a secure new gas resource for the UK. It is an unfamiliar and controversial technology and the government has begun to issue a number of documents and reports to provide guidance for exploration of this resource.

On Friday 19 July, the government released its guidance on how the planning system can play a key role in development of this technology. The document provides guidance on the three phases of onshore conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon extraction.

It should be read alongside the NPPF, which continues to provide the overarching national policy framework for the determination of planning applications.

What the Guidance says

The NPPF directs that local planning authorities should make policy provision for the three phases (exploration, testing and production) of the extraction of minerals, including conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons, whilst minimising the effects upon public health and the environment.

There are reports of significant potential for hydrocarbons being available and this hypothetical availability requires testing through exploratory drilling.

Planning for the extraction of minerals is distinct from other types of development in terms of the availability of resources and duration of the extraction. It also requires the appropriate licensing/ permits to be in place alongside planning permissions.

Appropriate provision should be made in local minerals plans. Local minerals plans should include criteria based policies for the assessment of applications.

The guidance recognises that the planning process sits alongside other regulatory processes but directs that the focus of the planning process is to determine whether the proposal is “an acceptable use of land”.

The guidance sets out the key areas for assessment of planning applications.

Mineral planning authorities should be satisfied where there is an assessment required by another regulator/body that matters have been warranted sufficient consideration prior to

granting planning permission.

Pre-application consultation

The guidance provides a list of what will constitute a valid planning application and acknowledges that “pre-application consultation can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system”. It advocates the use of planning performance agreements in appropriate circumstances. Pre-application engagement should be meaningful and include stakeholders and local communities. Local people often have strong preconceived ideas about these types of proposals; therefore, the approach must be locally focused and avoid the use of technical language. Mineral planning authorities can request information to support applications, but only where this is on an adopted local list. The local list should confirm the supporting information and be “consistent with the spirit of this guidance”.

Vertical and horizontal drilling should be considered as part of one application where possible, to avoid further planning applications.

EIA requirements

Screening should be undertaken to identify the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of the planning application. The guidance acknowledges that exploratory drilling operations which do not involve fracking are unlikely to require an EIA. The guidance sets out issues that are likely to be required to be considered by the EIA, including cumulative effects. Whilst EIA is not mandatory, in many cases we would expect it to be carried out on a voluntary basis. This will assist in ensuring that the impacts of development proposals are thoroughly appraised, particularly given that the EIA screening process can be a fertile ground for legal challenge.

There is no requirement for the consideration of alternatives as government policy requires that energy be generated from a range of sources. The guidance acknowledges that extraction is vital for local economies and, as such, significant weight should be attached to this in planning determinations.

By establishing a programme of works with the minerals authority, developers can minimise the potential effects upon nearby properties and the environment as far as practicable. The guidance contains model planning conditions which could be imposed, in order to mitigate potential environmental effects.

Guidance is provided in respect of monitoring, enforcement and restoration.

Restoration is the responsibility of the developer and the landowner by default.

Restoration will be delivered through appropriate planning conditions and Section 106 agreements where applicable. Financial guarantees to cover aftercare are only likely to be used in exceptional circumstances.

In our view, granting expedient planning permissions, where exploration can be achieved, will be critical to capturing the full opportunity presented. The planning guidance should provide a framework which enables this to happen.

The guidance means that there is a greater focus on clearer planning submissions and a more focused EIA process. Submissions should be driven by a transparent engagement process helping to alleviate concerns of interested parties given the controversial nature of the fracking process.

The economic benefits derived from fracking should be given significant weight within the decision making process, consistent with the government’s multi-stranded definition of sustainable development. It will be important for applicants to quantify these benefits and ensure they are given due attention within their submissions as part of the overall case for development. This approach is supported by the guidance.

Claire Semple is Director of Energy Infrastructure at Turley Associates.

She can be reached by email: csemple@turleyassociates.co.uk.

Visit www.turleyassociates. co.uk for further information.

Claire Semple

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MHIAE

Launches as a new company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has traditionally encompassed air conditioning heat pumps as well as building ship sails, jet turbine engines and various other fields.

“I’d like to make quick decisions to improve the supply chain speed in order to increase our customers’ satisfaction. This is crucial.”

Within the past year though, MHI has established another division to continue its focused approach within the industry.

The formation of MHIAE is aimed at expanding sales in its focus markets through the establishment of a dynamic business structure conducive to performing proposal-type marketing activities with various solutions.

In order to be more identifiable as an air conditioning product supplier under the Mitsubishi umbrella, the Company set up a new division called Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioning Europe (MHIAE).

MHIAE will handle all European sales and marketing as well as an element of looking after the Middle East and most of Africa too.

The main purpose of the new division is to establish the Company as an out-and-out air conditioning organisation.

MHIAE was launched in London in March 2013 at SEARCYS. The 120-capacity venue hosted high profile guests such as distributors, end users, consulting engineers and industry press from across Europe.

The evening included Mr Hiroshi Shimma, General Manager of MHI Air Conditioning Sales as guest speaker, followed by Mr Takehiko Kikuchi, the Managing Director of MHIAE, who shared his vision for the future of the newly formed MHIAE. He said: “I will always stand by the customer’s side and form a partnership to achieve a common strategy together. This is my business style.

MHI is one of the only manufacturers to use distribution channels to supply its products into the markets. The Company has distributors who have approximately 700 accounts between them and look after the market, and are supported by MHI. MHIAE is launching a new website, www.mhiae.com, which will help customers to get access on all products far easier than it ever has been before.

In addition to taking over the sales and marketing operations for domestic and commercial packaged air conditioning systems, the new Company will also take charge of the heat-pump type hot water supply systems and large-size centrifugal chillers.

Getting access for those working with air conditioning products can be quite troublesome, so the Company has gone through a rigorous process in trying to make sure that getting the information it wants to provide is easy and functional for all customers.

From its new premises in Stockley Park in West London, MHIAE began trading in April 2013.

Set to be launched in September, the website will assist those who know exactly what they are looking for without having to spend too much time looking for a particular product, and also those who don’t necessarily know exactly what they are looking for, such as a hotel owner looking for a suitable unit for a typical bedroom.

Everybody will be able to benefit from this.

Another reason for the new division was to provide bigger premises rather than the previous one at Holborn.

The Stockley Park office has a training facility for all customers throughout Europe and is located less than a mile from Heathrow Airport, so is ideally located for European customers who can fly in and do training courses and stay in local hotels.

The state-of-the-art training facility has the most sophisticated equipment installed and working at Stockley Park so that people can look, feel, hear and actually view how the Company’s products operate.

The future is looking bright for MHIAE due to its vision of talking to key people directly, which will benefit distributors, and continue to build relationships with end users, consultants and developers.

Some of our biggest fans are engineers.

For our customers it’s comforting to know that as an engineering company, we understand that working with air conditioning, heat pumps or chillers isn’t always a breeze. To ensure our products are adaptable to any environment and meet the grade, they are designed by engineers, for engineers.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioning Europe Ltd (MHIAE) is a new company created by MHI for all HVAC solutions across Europe. MHIAE offers high-efficiency systems for cooling and heating air and water in residential, commercial and industrial applications.

As a reputable engineering company with vast expertise and experience, we are fully equipped to meet all your HVAC needs. mhiae.com