August 2020 Leicestershire Builder

Awards for eight David Wilson site managers

ALONGSIDE the good news that David Wilson Homes is back building and selling homes in Leicestershire, eight Site Managers from its Coalville-based division have won top national awards for quality from the National House Building Council (NHBC).

Locally, Henry Patecki, Tom Czerpak and James Bailey have all won Pride in the Job Quality awards for their work across the housebuilder’s developments in Leicestershire.

Henry, who is based at Wigston Meadows in Wigston, has been

NHBC AWARD WINNERS: (L-R) Henry Patecki, Tom Czerpak and James Bailey working for David Wilson Homes since 1997. This is his 18th Pride in the Job award.

He said: “For me personally, winning this award is the ultimate industry accolade recognising all of the hard work, commitment and massive team effort.

“I’d like to thank my incredibly talented team on site, namely, Ben Jones and Damon Stanley who are my assistants and also a dedicated workforce.

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£20 million ‘new deal’ allocation for Leicester and Leicestershire THE LEICESTER and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) has been awarded £20 million as part of the government’s ‘Getting Building’ fund.

The funding is to be allocated to key infrastructure projects within Leicester and Leicestershire, in a bid to aid recovery post-COVID19.

On 30 June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a landmark speech in which he outlined plans to “get Britain building again.” The proposals put forward form what he termed a “new deal” for the UK economy, with infrastructure projects at its centre.

To this end, the government has granted Leicester and Leicestershire a £20 million slice of an initial £900 million national pot of funding. The LLEP has been tasked with identifying where this money will be invested, in line with its key economic priorities.

When applying for funding, the LLEP identified £90 million-worth of potential projects. This therefore means that the organisation now has an important task to identify which of these is of the highest priority for investment of the £20 million allocation. This will be determined based on which projects will have the greatest impact on the region’s economic growth, both in the short- and long-term. These considerations will be the key topic for discussion at the next meeting of the LLEP Board of Directors.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Planning law expert comments on PM’s call to ‘Build, Build, Build’ BORIS JOHNSON has announced, what the Government has described as, “the most radical reforms to our planning system since the Second World War, making it easier to build better homes where people want to live”.

The new proposals are expressed to soften the economic impact of coronavirus with the PM vowing to “build, build, build”. They include investment in new academy schools, homes, green buses and broadband with significant sums of money earmarked for hospital building and new roads. for some time. However, the Legal changes to facilitate these boast that this flexibility will relieve plans are anticipated to be in pressure from the greenfield place by September. There is an development seems very unlikely. expectation that developers will still The fact remains that the majority need to adhere to high standards of new housing is built on and regulations but “without the greenfield sites for a whole host of unnecessary red tape”. Ahead reasons. of the Spending Review, the Government has also announced “The challenge in commenting a new strategy to look at how on these announcements is that public sector land can be managed, there is very little detail at this stage released and put to better use. and the devil will most certainly be in the detail. As a practitioner These announcements have with over 25 years’ experience also come alongside a package of as a planning solicitor, I have measures to support building across heard numerous Prime Ministers England (some of which have and Ministers announce efforts been re-announced) including a to simplify the planning system planning Policy Paper in July setting and very few have succeeded, out the Government’s plan for the even partially! We know from comprehensive reform of England’s experience that changes to law planning system. and policy do bring with them Paul Wootton, partner and opportunities but with new law and head of Howes Percival’s Planning policy comes greater scrutiny and team and Development Sector: risk.

“The development industry will “Wholesale changes to the be critical to economic recovery existing system carry with them and changes which speed up the the risk that development is stifled, period from project inception to not accelerated. It also has to development and occupation of be acknowledged that England buildings are to be welcomed. is a relatively small land mass Flexibility on the use of buildings in with a large population. New town centres is capable of helping development will on occasion to regenerate and reinvigorate cause controversy and contentious areas which have been struggling

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says ‘Build, Build, Build.’ decisions tend to be made by elected members and can be politicised. A new system will not change that inherent challenge in the planning system.

“The funding for the delivery of affordable housing is also welcome although it remains to be seen whether “First Homes” will be any more successful than “starter homes” which were subject to a smaller reduction in market value and less onerous sale restrictions, but have resulted in very few such homes being constructed.

“Despite the concerns, I think it is important that we are not cynical at this stage about what the planning Policy Paper until we have properly considered it. It is true that other politicians may have failed to deliver against what in essence is the same agenda, simplifying the planning system.

However, we are living in unique times and it might just be that this is the economic environment which facilitates positive improvements to the planning system that we would all welcome.”

LLEP - from page 1 Government officials were pleased to see a significant number of innovative and deliverable projects in the LLEP’s initial funding application. The LLEP Board will work closely with central government officials, considering both the economic needs of the region and the government’s criteria around deliverability and strategic objectives.

The LLEP will also lead a local discussion on the programme, working with business leaders and local authorities to ensure that funding is targeted in a manner consistent with the LLEP’s stated aims of creating economic prosperity.

The aim of the programme is to get projects off the ground as quickly as possible. That is why the government requested “shovel-ready” schemes that can start immediately after these discussions conclude. Government officials have stated that a final list of projects should be agreed by 17 July 2020, meaning that turnaround will be extremely fast.

Kevin Harris is Chair of the LLEP Board of Directors. He said: “It’s great to see more investment in the vital infrastructure of Leicester and Leicestershire. I’m eager to start these discussions with my fellow LLEP Board members, and our partners in local and national government.

“We have a wide range of excellent projects ready to go in our region, all of which are deserving of funding. Our decision-making process will therefore be very much focused on the projects that are the highest priority for our region, and will deliver the greatest return on investment for our £20 million allocation.”

NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Awards - from page 1 “I would also like to thank my Construction Director, Darren Langton and my Contracts Manager, Ian Bentley, for their continued support.”

Overseeing the construction of David Wilson Homes at Kibworth, Tom joined the housebuilder more than nine years ago and this is his first Pride in the Job award.

The Site Manager, from Barwell, was completing a degree at the same time as managing the development. He said: “It’s great feeling to have won this award as lots of hard work from both myself and my team has paid off.

“I love managing my site, I have a great team around me that all work really hard and want to do the best

job that they can. My job is very varied with lots of different people coming together to build a development, my favourite part of this is when a house completes, the resident moves in and are really happy with their new home.”

Also winning his first Pride in the Job Quality award was James, the Site Manager at Fleckney Fields in Fleckney.

James, who’s worked for David Wilson Homes for five years, said: “It’s fantastic that all the hard work and effort the team has put in has been recognised.

“It’s very enjoyable to work at Fleckney Fields as everyone in the team is striving to perform to their best.

“I would like to thank all the lads on site, Alan Wright and Dennis Coleman my assistants. Ivan Towson and Darren Langton for driving us to what we achieved and my wife Marie and family for all their understanding.”

• FIVE OTHER Site Managers have been given the same awards for overseeing sites in Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

Now in their 40th year, the awards - considered to be the “Oscars of the housebuilding industry” - recognise the very best Site Managers from around the country.

In total, parent company Barratt Developments’ Site Managers won

92 Pride in the Job Quality awards this year, more than every other housebuilder. Barratt has now won more Pride in the Job Quality awards for 16 years in a row, a record unmatched in the industry which shows its commitment to building homes of the highest quality.

Each Site Manager is judged on a range of key criteria including health and safety, their technical knowledge, customer service and attention to detail. Pride in the Job is the most highly regarded competition in the housebuilding industry with just 450 individual winners being chosen from over 11,000 entrants.

Sleep is the best of both worlds: you get to be alive and unconscious.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Leicester City LVS Estates Ltd (c/o Agent: David Haynes, 56 Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester, LE6 0DJ) – Change of use from offices to 9 student flats – at 170 London Road, Leicester LE2 1ND. Mr Singh (c/o Agent: Lot 133 Ltd, PO Box 7898, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 WU) – Conversion into 3 flats with two storey and single storey extension plus front and rear dormer loft conversion – at 178 Cavendish Road, Leicester LE2 7PJ. L & M Investment Co Ltd (c/o Agent: Anthony Jones, Halford Jones Architecture Ltd, 34a Park Hill Drive, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8HR) - Notification of change of use from light industrial to one flat – at 42 Nugent Street, Leicester LE3 5HH. Study Inn Investments (Welford Road) Ltd (c/o Agent: Paul Harris, Cerda Planning Limited, Vesey House, 5-7 High Street, Sutton Coldfield B72 1XH) – Construction of additional three floors; construction of single storey, six storey and seven storey extension; Change of use from offices to student accommodation compromising 20 cluster flats (132 student bedrooms) and 155 x 1 bed student studio flats, gym, cinema room, amenity space, spa, staff room and associated works – at Reynard House, 37 Welford Road, Leicester.

Mr Sheikh (c/o Agent: Ryan Astill, Astill Planning Consultants Ltd, 13 University Road, Leicester LE1 7RA) – Internal reconfigurations to improve the layout to create 3 selfcontained flats – at 74 Beatrice Road, Leicester LE3 9FE. Pannell House Leicester Ltd (c/o Agent:Peter Wilkinson, Landmark Planning Limited, 10 Salisbury Road, Leicester LE1 7QR) – Proposed change of use from offices to flats – at 159 Pannell House, Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1LD. Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Dennis Dziko, 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2h 9JQ) – Change of use of part of ground floor from shop and first and second floors from offices to 6 selfcontained flats, plus construction of second floor extension at rear – at 80 Belgrave Gate, Leicester.

One in ten of UK’s small businesses have lost all their business - most have suffered significant losses, says Amaiz THE EXTENT of the challenge faced by the UK’s small business owners, in recovering from the pandemic, has been revealed by research published by Amaiz, the business banking app, at the end of June.

During their research (carried out for them by 3Gem) 10% of small businesses reported that they had lost all of their business as a direct result of the lockdown and a third said they believed that the pandemic had been ‘very damaging’. However, most small businesses are optimistic about the future with 59% believing it will take less than 6 months to return to the previous levels of turnover.

Although it is a minority that have lost all their business, the results show that most small businesses are reporting significant losses: over a third (35%) have lost more than 30% and nearly half (48%) of businesses have lost over 20%. This is being compounded by their struggle to get payment from their customers, with nearly one in three (31%) saying they have struggled to get paid during the crisis and a quarter (25%) saying they have found it difficult to pay suppliers.

Matt Goddard, Head of Acquisitions for Amaiz commented; “Small business is the lifeblood of the UK economy.

FSB figures show that in 2019 SMEs accounted for three fifths of employment and around half of turnover in the UK private sector. It is tragic, but not unexpected, to hear that small businesses have suffered so badly during the pandemic.”

While a small majority of businesses (59%) believe that it will take them less than 6 months to get to previous levels of turnover, a quarter believe it will take at least a year to recover from the impact of the pandemic and just under 5% believe that they will never recover.

Matt concluded; “As the Government announces the easing of lockdown, we hope that they will listen to the needs of small business. Of course, lives cannot and should not be put at risk, however as with the reduction of social distancing from two metres to one, small changes can be made that will have a disproportionate impact on whether a small business can operate or has to close for good. It is a critical time for many small businesses. At Amaiz we will do all we can to help. We hope the Government does the same.”

NFB members are ready to ‘Build, Build, Build’ ​PRIME MINISTER Johnson has announced that the Government is ready to ‘build, build, build’ and unlock a raft of opportunities through planning, investment and funding.

Richard Beresford, chief executive for the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The Prime Ministers speech is exactly what was needed. NFB members have been calling for Government intervention on planning and procurement for a number of years and although we’ve been at the heard of policy reform, such as the NPPF review, Housing White Paper and Prompt Payment Code, today’s announcement appears transformative, rather than piecemeal.”

As well as a planning reform paper scheduled for July, the following planning changes will come into force in September 2020: • Wider range of commercial buildings will be allowed to change to residential use without the need for a planning application.

• Builders will no longer need a normal planning application to demolish and rebuild vacant and redundant residential and commercial buildings if they are rebuilt as homes.

• Property owners will be able to build additional space above their properties via a fast track approval process, subject to neighbour consultation.

The Prime Minister also announced the following funding programmes and the chancellor will detail tax changes in the week beginning 6 July 2020.

• A £12bn affordable homes programme, supporting up to 180,000 new affordable homes for ownership and rent over the next 8 years • 1,500 unit pilot of ‘First Homes’: houses that will be sold to first time buyers at a 30% discount which will remain in perpetuity • Allocation of the £400m Brownfield Land Fund and a Home Builders Fund to help smaller developers access finance for new housing developments Finally, the Government has said that later in the year, it will publish a Local Recovery White Paper and National Infrastructure Plan.

Nick Sangwin, National Federation of Builders (NFB) national chair, said: “When we hear from the chancellor, we will understand more about how business will benefit from taxation changes but today’s speech showed that the Government understands some of the major challenges which industry faces.

The Government must now rigorously engage with the wider construction industry and NFB members to ensure that any reforms are long lasting, effective and allow business to get on with winning work, not reforming failure.”

Nick Sangwin

My grandmother buried three husbands… and two of them were only napping.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Site for up to 9 dwellings in Ab Kettleby ANDREW GRANGER & CO are offering for sale a parcel of residential development land with Outline Planning Consent (ref: 18/01419/OUT) for up to nine dwellings.

THE DEPARTMENT for Education has announced that Bowman Academy has been approved to open in Shepshed. The new school, which is being set up by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT) is due to open in September 2023.

To be sold by Online Auction (Unless sold previously)

Notts. canalside redevelopment opportunity for 4 new dwellings W A BARNES are offering for sale by online auction a dilapidated detached house with Outline Planning Permission for demolition of the existing dwelling and redevelopment of the site with four new dwellings overlooking the canal.

The property - Warwick House, 40 Warwick Street, Dunkirk, Nottingham NG7 2PJ - has a guide price of £180,000. The online auction takes place on Thursday Warwick House 40 Warwick Street, Dunkirk NG7 2PJ Guide Price £180,000 20th August 2020.

For more information, contact W A Barnes on 01623 554084 or email: sales@ wabarnes.co.uk

To be sold by Online Auction (unless sold previously by Private Treaty) on Thursday 20th August 2020.

Guide Price £180,000

A canal side re‐development opportunity. A dilapidated detached house with Outline Planning Permission for demolition of the existing dwelling and re development of the site with four new dwellings overlooking the canal.

• Planning for 4 new homes

Bowman Academy is set to open in September 2023

New special school approved in Shepshed

The 0.7946 acre site – off Nottingham Road, Ab Kettleby, LAND OFF, NOTTINGHAM ROAD, AB KETTLEBY, LE14 3JA PRICE ON APPLICATION Leicestershire LE14 3JA – comprises part of a permanent pasture field which slopes gently in an easterly direction, and benefits from road frontage.

Price on application.

Contact Andrew Granger & Co for more information (tel: 01509 243720 or email: rural@andrewgranger.co.uk)

• Planning reference 19/02104/POUT

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Bowman Academy will be sited on the St Botolphs Primary school site (the primary school is due to be re-located to the adjacent Iveshead site in September 2022), and joins 36 other alternative provisions and special free schools announced to open nationally.

These will create up to 3,000 new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), providing tailored support and specialist equipment.

Bowman Academy will be for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and is one of a number of new special schools and provisions in mainstream schools being created across Leicestershire by the council. These are part of our broader plans which involve investing up to £30m to develop new provisions for children and young people with special educational needs in the county.

Peter Bell, chief executive officer of CIT, said: “We are delighted the DfE have announced our successful Free School bid in the WAVE 2 SEN/AP. The school is due to open in Shepshed in September 2023 and will meet the needs of 50 children with SEMH needs from across Leicestershire.”

• Rare opportunity

• LOT 5

I find that the further I go back, the better things were, whether they happened or not.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Glenigan Index

Winfox Limited (c/o Agent: Miss Charlotte Mills, Hybrid Planning & Development, 23 Vyner Street, London E2 9DG) - Non-material amendment to planning permission 20190742 (Construction of four buildings of 3-7 storeys comprising 361 apartments (class c3) (131 x studios, 50 x 1 bed, 84 x 2 bed, 49 x 3 bed, 36 x 4 bed and 11 x 5 bed) ; commercial unit (classes a1, a2 or a3); associated car parking; landscaping; other associated works (amended plans) (S106 Agreement)) to allow an amended sustainable energy solution to that approved under condition 14 of 20190742 – at Former Leicester City Football Club Ground, Filbert Street, Leicester LE2 7FZ. Leicester City Council (c/o Agent: Arcadis, Cornerblock, 2 Cornwall Street, Birmingham B3 2DL) – Construction of 37 dwellings with associated roads, landscaping and drainage – at land at rear of Nos 3-53 Lanesborough Road, Leicester.

Mr M Hosseini (c/o Agent: Mrs Varsha Tailor, DT Designs Ltd, 74a Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Proposed additional self-contained flat at second floor and alterations – at 42 Market Place, Leicester LE1 5GF. Mr Rizwan Ismail (c/o Agent: DT Designs Ltd, 74a Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Conversion and alterations of vacant commercial building to form 3 flats – at 25 Mayfield Road, Leicester LE2 1LR. Mr P Dattani (c/o Agent: Jayesh Vaja, 1078A Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2NN) – Change of use of first, second and third floors from HMO accommodation to 2 selfcontained flats – at 102 London Road, Leicester LE2 0QS.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Barwood Homes (c/o Agent: Ms Jenny Keen, Marrons Planning, Waterfront House, 35 Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3DQ) – Residential development of 49 dwellings with associated infrastructure, access and areas of open space – at land off Beech Drive, Thornton, Leicestershire.

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Construction project-starts showing signs of recovery • Total construction starts were 45% lower than a year ago and 29% lower than the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis during the three months to June.

• Residential starts declined 46% on the previous year and 29% against the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis.

• Non-residential starts saw the sharpest fall during the three months to June, falling 50% on a year ago and 37% against the preceding quarter.

• Civil engineering project starts were 21% lower than a year ago, starts were unchanged against the preceding three months.

Rhys Gadsby, Glenigan’s Economic Analyst, commented on this month’s figures: “The value of new projects commencing on-site is still sharply down on the previous year.

The latest Glenigan Index shows a 45% fall in the value of starts during the three months to June against a year ago. This decline was largely due to the lockdown impacting starts in May. However, when looking at June alone, the value of starts began to recover.

The value of work commencing on-site in June was just 15% lower than the previous year, a very welcome improvement on May’s performance.

With lockdown restrictions easing further at the beginning of July, this may encourage more work in the development pipeline to proceed to site.”

All sectors still down The value of project-starts in the residential sector fell sharply during the three months to June against the previous year, with most major housebuilders shutting sites during the period.

Social housing projects-starts fell the sharpest within the residential sector, being 51% down on the previous year and 30% down compared to the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Private housing starts also suffered during the three months to June, falling by 43% compared to the previous year and by 29% compared to the preceding quarter (seasonally adjusted).

Non-residential project-starts fell the sharpest during the second quarter. Against the previous year, starts fell by 50%, and 37% compared to the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Unsurprisingly, every sector within non-residential experienced a fall in the value of starts against the previous year.

Hotel & Leisure starts fell particularly sharply, falling 60% against the previous year and against the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Education was another sector which saw the value of project starts fall steeply during the second quarter. Starts fell 59% compared to a year ago and by 46% compared

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to the preceding three months (seasonally adjusted).

Health experienced the smallest drop in the value of starts against the previous year during the second quarter, falling 37%. Against the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, starts fell 40%.

Offices saw the smallest fall in starts against the preceding quarter, falling 9% (seasonally adjusted).

However, office starts fell 38% against the previous year.

During the second quarter, civil engineering starts were down by 21% compared to the previous year and unchanged on the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Infrastructure starts were down by a quarter against the previous year, and were unchanged on the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis during the second quarter.

The value of work commencing on-site within the utilities sector was 14% lower than the previous year. However, utilities was the only sector to achieve growth against the preceding quarter (seasonally adjusted), climbing 2%.

All regions yet to recover Unsurprisingly, every region across the UK suffered heavily during the second quarter in terms of starts.

The sharpest falls came from the North East and Scotland. The value of starts in the North East were 62% down on the previous year. Scotland imposed tight restrictions on construction sites during the lockdown period, so it is unsurprising to see the value of starts fall heavily in the country, falling 61% against the previous year.

Starts also fell steeply in Northern Ireland and Yorkshire & the Humber, with both areas seeing the value of starts fall 49% compared to a year ago.

Wales and the North West fared the best out of all the regions during the second quarter, despite the value of starts falling 26% and 29% respectively against the previous year.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Bond Wolfe Remote Bidding Auction raises £17 million Melton Borough Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: James Clark, Pegasus Group, 4 The Courtyard, Church Street, Lockington, Derby DE74 2SL) – Application for the approval of reserved matters for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of 8 dwellings – at Longcliffe Hill House, Longcliffe Hill, Old Dalby, Leics. LE14 3LP. Mrs Jane Knight (c/o Agent: Philip Butler, PBA Limited, Top Cottage, 7 Top Road, Croxton Kerrial, Grantham, Lincs. NG32 1QB) – Conversion of old school to create 2 dwellings, demolition of 2 small extensions, car parking and access – at Old School House, 2A Church Lane, Wymondham, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 2AB.

Harborough District Hazelton Homes (Midlands) Ltd (c/o Agent: Ian Palmer, Staniforth Architects, The Warehouse, 1A Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Erection of 3 four and five storey apartment buildings (comprising 79 units) with associated basement parking, and change of use of existing vacant listed building to 4 flats – at The Welland Quarter, St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, Leics.

Mr C Faircliffe (c/o Agent: Jason Hull, BRP Architects, 1 Millers Yard, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7PW) – Erection of 4 dwellings with associated garages and access road (Reserved Matters of 18/01280/ OUT) – at West End Farm, West End, Bitteswell, Leics. LE17 4SE. Mrs Ellen Jackson (c/o: Hidden Hideaway, Othorpe House Farm, Langton Road, Slawston, Leics. LE16 7FA) – Erection of a toilet block and wash area for camping site – at Othorpe House Farm, Langton Road, Slawston, Leics. LE16 7FA. Mr Roy Hubbard (c/o Agent: Mark Winklewski Associates, 4 Park Mews, Burnmill Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7JQ) – Erection of 3 detached houses including garages – at land west of Main Street, Lubenham, Leics.

Executors of Mr R Powell Deceased (c/o Agent: Chris Green, Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Outline application for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 2 dwellings (Resubmission) – at 28 Main Street, Fleckney, Leics. LE8 8AN.

BOND WOLFE Auctions’ decision to cancel its May auction and hold its first remote bidding only auction in June paid off handsomely.

The 131 lot auction raised £17 million with an astonishing 98% success rate - breaking Bond Wolfe Auctions’ own record for the most successful Midlands auction ever.

But the auction held on Wednesday 24 June proved so popular it nearly didn’t start at all.

The start was delayed when the third-party site hosting the online bidding system crashed due to the sheer volume of bidders logging in.

Prior to the auction day there were 25,381 phone call inquiries and 107,513 legal documents were downloaded. The auction had over 3,000 registered bidders on the internet, on telephone and proxy and BWA’s Graham Carter taking remote bids on the day, 28,786 watched the auction live.

Gurpreet Bassi, chief executive of Bond Wolfe Auctions, said: “Having taken the very difficult decision to cancel our May auction, as we felt that it was the only responsible and safe action to take during the peak stages of the pandemic, this was our first ‘behind closed doors’ remote-bidding only auction.

“When the auction did finally begin, bidders were chomping at the bit and we achieved some fantastic results.

The hosting company tell us this was a record number of bidders for any single auction that they have ever experienced!”

Highlights were many and included a three bedroom, semi-detached house in Sheldon, Birmingham, selling for £187,000 from a guide price of £25,000.

A four bedroom, detached property in Oldbury sold for £250,000 from a £99,000 guide price. In the East Midlands, a three bedroom, semi-detached house in Leicester sold for £172,000 off a guide price of £60,000.

Investments sold well also, with a three bedroom property in Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, which was offered with a guide price of £74,000 finally selling for £138,000.

In Warwickshire, a six bedroom, semi-detached house in Kineton realised £296,000 from a £150,000 guide price.

Back in the Black Country, a three bedroom semi-detached property in Oldbury sold for £196,000 of a guide price of £50,000.

But the sharpest “virtual” intake of breath was reserved for a £1 million plus result when Church Garth, a six bedroom former gentleman’s residence in Bickenhill, Solihull, close to Birmingham International Airport and national rail and motorway links, sold for £1,010,000 from a £495,000 guide price.

Gurpreet Bassi added: “The hard work and commitment of the Bond Wolfe Auctions staff throughout this difficult lockdown period has been awe-inspiring and they all deserve the success that they achieved.”

Bond Wolfe Auction’s next auction will be another remote bidding event from 10am on Wednesday 29 July.

Anyone interested in the auctions or with properties for sale in future auctions should contact enquiries@ bondwolfeauctions.com, call 0121 312 1212 or visit www.bondwolfeauctions.com.

New contractor sought as Coalville Newmarket construction pushed forward NORTH WEST Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is looking to appoint a new contractor to finish the nearly-complete Newmarket in Coalville.

Westone Housing Ltd had been appointed to transform the former Litten Tree pub in Marlborough Square into a modern space with food stalls and an eating area, as well as traditional market stalls, pop-up traders and space for events.

Work began in January, but with the work around 60 per cent complete, the contractor has been forced to pull out of the contract due to COVID-19 and the challenges it has placed on the day-to-day operation of their business.

NWLDC remains committed to completing the project and its Cabinet will meet later this month to consider the options available to finish the work while still achieving value for money for taxpayers.

Coalville’s current market building will remain open until Newmarket is completed. NWLDC plans for Newmarket to open later this year, subject to the COVID-19 restrictions continuing to ease.

I’ve been helping Cat Stevens fix his caravan. Awning has broken.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Construction begins on new Coalville leisure centre

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Refurbishment

Education Secretary announces £200m investment in further education colleges THE LEICESTER and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) welcomes the announcement by Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson MP (pictured, right) of an initial £200 million government investment in the refurbishment of further education colleges.

WORK HAS started on Coalville’s new multi-millionpound, state-of-the-art leisure centre on Stephenson Way. The North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) project will see the health and wellbeing offer for people in Coalville and the surrounding district vastly improved by the new facility which is due for completion in late 2022.

The plans for the new centre will see the land turned into a parkland leisure destination, including a trim trail with activity stations, pedestrian and cycle access from Hermitage Recreation Ground and Stephenson College, and a ropes course within the woodland. The centre itself will include: • Eight lane 25 metre main pool, learner pool with moveable floor • 120 station gym, 25 spin cycles and two exercise studios • Café with healthy eating options • Eight court sports hall and three squash courts • Changing Places facility accessible from the lobby • Clip ‘n’ Climb • Sauna, steam and spa pool • 250 car spaces.

Once complete the new centre will be managed by the district council’s leisure partner Everyone Active. The company currently manages both Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitwick and Hood Park Leisure Centre in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

NWLDC has worked closely with Leicestershire County Council throughout the planning process of the new centre and in establishing entry to the site from the road network. Construction company Metnor will be responsible for building the new centre.

The centre will cost £22.5m with the current Hermitage Leisure Centre remaining open until the completion of the new facility.

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This announcement follows a commitment by the government to a total of £1.5 billion investment in the further education estate made in this year’s Spring Budget.

The LLEP plays a key role in the strategic provision of further education in Leicester and Leicestershire, and is acutely aware of the need for further education establishments to be upgraded. It is essential to provide the region’s young people with the latest educational resources and best possible facilities that match those they will experience in the workplace.

Verity Hancock is Principal and CEO of Leicester College, and the Further Education Representative on the LLEP Board of Directors.

She said: “Further education plays a vital role in the economic success of Leicester and Leicestershire. As well as preparing students for higher education at university, FE colleges provide skills to those students that wish to enter the world of work at 18, and ensure that local businesses have a talented, qualified workforce to recruit from.

“I’m very pleased to see this initial investment in our further education estate, as it will help support important upgrades to facilities and equipment and ensure that our young people have the state-of-the-art environment they deserve to achieve success.”

Site for 8 detached houses in Shepshed BENTONS Estate Agents are offering for sale a backland development site with planning consent due for 8 detached properties at Garendon Road, Shepshed, leics. LE12 9NU. The 0.75 acre site includes the existing bungalow.

Offers over £725,000 are invited. Contact Bentons for more information (tel: 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons.co.uk).

8 Plot Development Site Shepshed | Loughborough | Leicestershire | LE12 9NU

I only drink to steady my nerves… sometimes I’m so steady I don’t move for months.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Dismantling planning system will lead to failure of build, build, build agenda, warns RTPI chief exec in open letter OPEN LETTER FROM VICTORIA HILLS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ROYAL TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE (RTPI) The planner-bashing rhetoric coming out of government this week has deeply concerned me – not only on behalf of the planning industry but also on behalf of every single community in the UK. This not-so-subtle attempt to tarnish the reputation of planning in order to pave the way for the “overhaul of the planning system” is dangerous to say the least.

Most notably Boris Johnson, in his speech on Tuesday, gave very little detail on how he intends to meet 2050 net zero carbon targets as part of his build, build, build strategy. The silence on retrofit was deafening. It will take more than planting trees to achieve this and unfortunately, if he does not give this more consideration, he will fail, fail, fail.

That’s why the RTPI has launched its Plan The World We Need campaign to ensure that planners are at the centre of a sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery post-COVID-19. We must plan, plan, plan the communities we live in. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the huge inequalities in our society and laid bare the profound effect that a decade of austerity has had on local authorities and some of our poorest communities.

The prime minister won the last one election on a promise to level up the country.

He must do this by utilising the expertise of spatial planners. And Project Speed must not come at the expense of the health and wellbeing of our communities or the climate and environment Planners ensure communities are involved in decisions that directly affect them. They make sure that communities have easy access to open green spaces and public transport links. They are our best hope in the drive to make sure carbon-free material is used to build houses, and energy efficient systems are installed. With limited

DISTRIBUTE YOUR

social housing grants, planners are also a key to ensuring affordable housing is part of any development.

Chartered planners abide by a strict code of ethical conduct and professional standards and work “for the benefit of the public”.

Planners protect Green Belts and ensure appropriate infrastructure arrives before new homes are built.

By-passing the planning system for speed, efficiency and cost-saving results in sub-standard homes and removes the democratic rights of communities to input to local development.

Without proper planning, developers will be given carte blanche to build in places which

And in his Independent report on house-building in October 2018, Conservative MP Oliver Letwin also found that the planning system was not a barrier.

Our Plan The World We Need campaign calls on the government to harness the expertise of planners to ensure a holistic approach.

Housing is a key issue, yes, but priority must also be given to decarbonisation and climate resilience, design and beauty, connectivity and accessibility, wellbeing and public health, as well as economic growth.

Lockdown exposed the failures of Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), introduced by the coalition

perpetuate car dependency and health-sapping deprivation, or deny neighbours of sunlight and daylight, erect tall buildings in the wrong places, houses in areas that may give little consideration to the health and wellbeing of the people who will live in them.

The delays in the planning system are nothing to do with either newts or planners. Housing charity Shelter said 280,000 home were given planning permission in England between 2011 and 2016 but were never built. In 2017-18 382,997 applications were granted – more than enough to meet the government’s target of 300,000 new homes a year. Indeed, asked

by Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme for one example of where planners had slowed down development, Business Secretary Alok Sharma, was unable to answer.

government as a temporary measure in the last recession , which allowed all (not just empty) office blocks to be converted into flats. Some of these developments have been described as modernday slums which have had a detrimental effect on the mental and physical health of some of the most vulnerable in society.

Some developers gave little or no consideration to natural light requirements, the size of living space, access to green space or local facilities. Residents literally became prisoners in their own homes.

And had these development come before a planning committee they would not have been approved for the very reasons stated above.

This is not because planning is over-bureaucratic, cumbersome, appalling or any of the other negative adjectives attributed to it

Victoria Hills

this week by the government; this is because the planning system is a safety belt against bad practice.

Sweeping away the planning system is not the answer. Planners are not a barrier, they are a facilitator of healthy, happy sustainable communities. That is not to say that efficiencies and improvements cannot be made – the RTPI believes that technology should be harnessed to foster more efficient and inclusive planning, all planning documents should be machine-readable, terminology and processes across government should be standardised and investment in open source tools should be made.

We welcome increased funding in infrastructure and affordable housing, to which should be added a major grants programme to stimulate housebuilding by councils and housing associations. We also recommend that chief planning officers become a statutory position to enable better coordination of this investment.

A decade of austerity has stripped bare planning departments across the land leaving them underresourced and overwhelmed. I caution the government to consider very carefully the contents of its forthcoming Policy Paper and to remember that failing to plan is planning to fail.

Let’s address 21st century issues together with long-term strategic planning to integrate economic, infrastructure and environmental priorities. Let’s plan the world we need and build back better for the benefit of all.

Victoria Hills, CEO of the RTPI

INSIDE THIS MAGAZINE

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Mr Simon Green (c/o: Unit 1, Evergreen Field Farm, Pincet Lane, North Kilworth, Leics. LE17 6NE) – Erection of a steel framed building for A1 retail use and associated parking – at land and buildings, Evergreen Field Farm, Pincet Lane, North Kilworth, Leics.

LE17 6NE. Avery Healthcare Group & Aspexan Ltd (c/o Agent: Stuart Crickett, Strutt & Parker, Somerset House, 222 High Street, Guildford GU1 3JD) – Erection of a 64-bed registered care home and 20 assisted living bungalows together with a landscaped screen along the northern site boundary, parking and access – at land adjacent to Brookfield Way, Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth, Leics.

Mr & Mrs Briggs (c/o Agent: Martin Bagshaw, MHB Planning Ltd, Dale View, Rews Close, Combe Martin EX34 0DW) – Erection of 4 dwellings – at land east of Shangton Road, Tur Langton, Leics.

Persimmon Homes (c/o Agent: Miss Laura McCombe, Boyer, 1A Cedars Office Park, Butt Lane, Normanton on Soar, Leics. LE12 5EE) – Erection of 350 dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping – at land at Eady Drive, Market Harborough, Leics.

Mr & Mrs Matt Page (c/o Agent: Tim Ridgers, OCD Design, 3 Moseley Avenue, Market Harborough, Leics.

LE16 9HT) – Erection of 2 dwellings with garages and alterations – at Flagstone House, 24 Foxton Road, Lubenham, Leics. LE16 9TB.

North West Leicestershire District Mr M Jacques (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Cottage Hospital, Leicester Road, Ashby de la Zouch, leics. LE56 1DB) – Erection of 2 single storey dwellings and associated access and parking – at land at 45-47 Suthers Road, Kegworth DE74 2DE. Mr Hayes (c/o Agent: Daniel Bates, Staniforth Architects Ltd, The Warehouse, 1A Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Prior approval application for the conversion of existing offices to 11 flats and other external works – at York House, Smisby Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2UG.

LLEP Welcomes Changes To Planning Regs To Increase Local Growth THE LEICESTER and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) welcomes the changes to housing and planning regulations announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick MP.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s landmark ‘new deal’ speech of 30 June set out key goals around homebuilding to help get the UK construction industry moving quickly post-coronavirus.

In it, Mr Johnson alluded to changes in planning regulations, to allow local leaders to “take control” of their area’s development.

Mr Jenrick’s letter to the LLEP, received on the same day, further elaborates on this proposal, with details on changing the use of commercial and public buildings; regenerating vacant and redundant buildings; increasing home building and ownership; and empowering local leaders to make independent planning decisions.

The ability to change the use of commercial buildings quickly will be imperative to the continued prosperity of our high streets as we move out of lockdown but continue with precautionary measures.

The public’s spending habits have changed significantly over the first half of 2020, with internet sales as a percentage of total UK retail spending rising from 18.9% in February to 32.8% in May. With this in mind, the LLEP is keen to support businesses to react with agility to the changing nature of the market and make use of their premises in new and innovative ways.

The regeneration of vacant and redundant buildings is something that the LLEP has had great success with. The Friars Mill development at Leicester Waterside was funded with £1million Local Growth Fund (LGF) through the LLEP and is now a thriving centre for innovative businesses.

This year, the LLEP’s decision to allocate £4million of Growing Places Fund to The Gresham development has ensured that Leicester’s iconic Fenwicks building will be brought back into public use as state-of-the-art co-working spaces and highquality ‘aparthotel.’ The LLEP welcomes the government’s statement on supporting such regenerative efforts, and the opportunity to continue to grow the urban economy of Leicester and Leicestershire in this highly sustainable manner.

Home building is essential for a growing economy and population, to ensure the workforce has secure, affordable and accessible housing in which to live. Building new

homes also creates jobs, both in the construction industry in the shortterm, and in new communities that are created in the long-term.

In Leicester and Leicestershire, the LLEP has supported significant infrastructure projects to allow the building of homes, including the Lubbesthorpe development (4,250 new houses), while an announcement will be made in August regarding the LLEPfunded development of several thousand new homes at Leicester’s Waterside.

Therefore, the LLEP is pleased that the government is looking to increase homebuilding as part of the Prime Minister’s ‘new deal,’ and eager to support the implementation of plans to get new homebuilding projects off the ground.

Of particular interest is Mr Jenrick’s proposal to support SME homebuilders with £450million in loans; the LLEP is keen to ensure that construction sector SMEs in Leicester and Leicestershire have the opportunity to benefit from this funding.

The LLEP will continue to work

with both central government and our local authorities, as they receive new powers to ‘level-up’ their ability to identify and initiate new building programmes. Mr. Jenrick’s announcements enable the LLEP to feed this information into discussions relating to the allocation of the £20million Getting Building funding for Leicester and Leicestershire infrastructure projects announced last week.

Kevin Harris is Chair of the LLEP Board of Directors. He said: “This latest statement from central government is welcome, as we continue to strive to grow the economy of Leicester and Leicestershire. The LLEP has immense experience of supporting the delivery of successful building and infrastructure projects, through careful allocation of funding.

“We have an excellent track record with projects that can and do deliver the greatest benefit to our region’s economy. Success stories, including Friars Mill and Lubbesthorpe, are testament to this and I’m excited to see what the next chapter of development hold for Leicester and Leicestershire.”

Site for 6 dwellings in Melton Mowbray ANDREW GRANGER & CO are offering for sale approximately 1.06 acres of residential development land with Outline Planning Consent (ref: 19/01388/ OUT) for up to six dwellings.

The land is situated on the outskirts of Asfordby Hill, adjacent to the Garden Centre on Melton Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 3QU. The Price Guide is £800,000.

Contact Andrew Granger & Co for more information (tel: 01509 235534 or email: loughborough@andrewgranger. co.uk)

I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today; she asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Nottinghamshire farmstead for residential development Mr David Thompson (c/o Agent: Daniel Spencer, DS Architectural, Berry Hill House, 22 Holts Lane, Donington le Heath, Leics. LE67 2FT) – Erection of single storey extensions and alterations and conversion of upper floors to form 5 residential units – at Ram Inn, 17 High Street, Ibstock, Coalville, Leics. LE67 6LG. Mr Joe Murphy (c/o: Pacific House, Relay Point, Tamworth B77 5PA) – Erection of 67 dwellings (Amended Scheme) – at Former site of Arla Dairies, Smisby Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2UF. Davidsons Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Dan Charnock, Davidsons Developments Ltd, Wilson House, 207 Leicester Road, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6HP) – Residential development of 196 dwellings and associated works approved under planning permission ref: 15/00641/ FULMwithout complying with several conditions to allow for a revised site layout – at land to the north of Wainwright Road, Hugglescote, Leics.

Blaby District Mr Singh (c/o Agent: Lot 133 Ltd, PO Box 7898, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WU) - Prior approval for change of use from existing offices to 8 studio flats – at Overton House, 43 Enderby Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4GD. Forest Green Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: ADM Surveyors, Suite 1, Rosehill, 165 Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4DX) – Outline application for the erection of 6 dwellings and associated garages, parking and amenity areas – at land rear of 170-174 Leicester Road, Glen Parva, Leicester LE2 9HH. Dr K Janfadabalov (c/o Agent: KMC Consultancy Service, 60 St Annes Drive, Leicester LE2 8HT) – Demolish existing bungalows (9193) to form 4 new detached houses including access and boundary treatments – at 91 Leicester Road, Narborough, Leicester LE19 2DG. Mr Eamon O’Neill (c/o Agent: Peter Smith, PGSDesign, 5 Aston Lane, Aston Flamville, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3AA) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 14 Station Road, Elmesthorpe, Leics. LE9 7SG.

PYGOTT & CRONE are offering for sale Newfield Farmstead Development at Caunton Road, Hockerton, Nottinghamshire NG25 0PN. The property comprises a 2.2 acre farmstead planning consent for residential development, and is being offered for sale as a whole or in four lots: • Lot 1: Newfield Farmhouse: £400,000; • Lot 2: The Threshing Barn: £250,000; • Lot 3: Old Milking Parlour/Hayloft Barn: £250,000; • Lot 4: Class Q Barn Conversion: £300,000.

Contact Pygott & Crone for more information (tel: 01529 414555 or email: agriculture@pygott-crone.com) Newfield Farmstead Redevelopment, Caunton Road, Hockerton, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0PN

Number of contracts awarded increased in June THE TOTAL value of construction contract awards in June 2020 was £2.2 billion based on a three-month rolling average. Compared to May, this is a decrease of 9.2% and is also 57.3% lower than June 2019. However, contract award numbers in June increased by 81.4% to 477, signalling an improvement in conditions.

The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain.

The residential sector again dominated the share of contract awards with a total of 33.9%. Despite this, the largest project awarded for June was the in the Infrastructure sector with the Gatwick Airport railway station refurbishment, valuing in at £150 million.

Analysis shows that London has had the largest share of contracts awarded in June at 26.1%. This is followed by the South East at 16.4% and then the North West at 13.6%. Wales was again the smallest region with only 1.4% of awards.

Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research said, “The UK economy plateaued in May as the easing of some lockdown restrictions mid-way through the month failed to significantly increase output. In-month GDP growth was 1.8% after the 20% contraction in April. With the outcome underwhelming compared to city economists’ expectations of 5.5% growth, output remains 25% down compared to February. June’s figures published next month will give a better understanding of how quickly lost output can be regained as larger parts of the economy resumed activity.”

Download the full report here: http://ubm.io/2FRLrwm

New campaign will help builders and homeowners adapt to ‘new normal’, says FMB BUILDERS and homeowners are working hard to adapt to home improvement in the ‘new normal’ circumstances, and new guidance published in July helps provide further clarity.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is backing the ‘Work Safe. Safe Work’ campaign, developed by TrustMark with the Department for Business (BEIS), and endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council.

Ensuring ongoing and clear communication between a builder and their client is a core part of being an FMB member. Now it’s more important than ever to plan ahead and know what your responsibilities are. The new guidance provides clear and simple information to this end, and compliments existing guidance for builders and homeowners published by the FMB. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “We completed a survey in late May that found that 50% of Master Builders’ clients were concerned about having tradespeople working in their home due to the coronavirus. It’s important that we learn to manage the risk of the virus and adapt to these ‘new normal’ circumstances. To this end, I strongly support the new guidance published today and the ‘Work Safe. Safe Work’ campaign that aims to communicate clearly and simply what’s expected of all parties and boost consumer confidence. This builds on previous guidance published by the FMB.” Berry concluded: “The FMB is calling on the Government to support the recovery of the repair and maintenance sector through a national energy efficiency retrofit strategy that will upgrade and improve the nation’s homes, support balanced economic growth, and save jobs. This will only be possible if we are all comfortable inviting builders back into our homes.”

I don’t wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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I had my palm read; I wrote something on it first to see if she would read that too.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Forty years in the trade for Sam SNIPPETS Former army reserve centre snapped up for potential residential development

Mr & Mrs Hancock (c/o Agent: Hayward Architects Ltd, 19 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) - Non material amendment to planning permission ref: 18/1400/ FUL for Works (including part demolition and conversion of former working men’s club) to provide 2 semi-detached dwellings (fronting Carey Hill Road) and erection of one block of 4 apartments – at Former Stoney Stanton Working Men’s Club, Hinckley Road, Stoney Stanton, Leics. LE9 4LJ.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY agents John Truslove have sold a former army reserve centre in Waterloo Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

Charnwood Borough Mr N Joannou (c/o Agent: Amatco Design Services) – Proposed conversion and change of use of premises from ground floor osteopath clinic with first and second floor living accommodation to 3 self-contained flats – at 99 Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3AB. Jelson Limited (c/o: 370 Loughborough Road, Leicester LE4 5PR) – Variation of Conditions Application relating to outline application P/10/1518/2 for erection of 291 dwellings – at land at Melton Road, Barrow upon Soar, Leics. LE12 8NN. PNH Properties Group (c/o Agent: Marrons Planning) – Change of use of offices to 91 residential units – at Hawker Business Park, Melton Road, Burton on the Wolds, Leics.

Mr Richard Barby (c/o Agent: Landmark Planning Ltd) – Demolition of former industrial building – at 31 Springfield Road, Shepshed, Leics. LE12 9QW. Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Mather Jamie) – Change of use of buildings known as ‘The Model Farm Buildings’ at Prestwold Hall for use as a multi-function events space submitted on behalf of the Prestwold Conference Centre – at Model Farm Buildings, Prestwold Hall, Prestwold Lane, Prestwold, Leics. LE12 5SQ. Lam (c/o Agent: Mark Architecture Ltd) – Erection of two and three storey RNIB student accommodation with 16 car parking spaces – at 74 William Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3BZ. Mrs Diane Bennet (c/o Agent: Homescape Architecture Ltd) Development of 2 self-contained two bed flats within existing residential property – at 45 Fearon Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 5DG.

SAM HILL (centre, above) has celebrated 40 years in the construction industry, starting in 1979 with Rollings builders’ merchants and becoming a director in 1984.

The business was sold to Buildbase in 2007, when he took over as Manager at Leicester branch.

His award was presented by Sanj Kalsi, Regional sales director.

The long-established Redditch firm is retained by the West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (WMRFCA) to advise on the organisation’s property assets.

The 2.15 acres site was sold on behalf of WMRFCA to Fenton Park Developments for £580,000.

The Hanley site is one of three that John Truslove has currently been marketing, with a site in New Broad Street in Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon, sold subject to planning, and a further site in Leamington Spa also under offer.

Fenton Park Developments were advised by Butters John Bee. HCB Solicitors in Solihull acted for WMRFCA and the purchaser was advised by RJS Solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent.

Future High Streets funding bid submitted for Coalville THE NEXT STEP towards generating substantial funding for Coalville town centre has been taken after a business case was submitted to the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.

At the end of last year, North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) was selected as one of fifty local authorities through to the second round of the Future High Streets Fund, which could see substantial funding allocated to the regeneration of Coalville town centre.

The fund allows for up to £25 million be awarded to towns, with Coalville’s bid – if successful – possibly in line to receive in the region of between £11 million and £16 million The £1 billion Future High Streets Fund has been set up by the Government to support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future.

The submitted business case outlines that funding would target the following themes and priorities: • Improve the connectivity and flow of the town centre through changes to the infrastructure, roads and accessibility • Make the town centre greener, sustainable and more environmentally friendly • Regenerate land and buildings in the town and improve the visual look and feel of the centre • Bring more people into the town centre to live, work, shop and spend leisure time • Make the town more pedestrian and cycling friendly and less reliant on the car • Bring a cinema to Coalville The regeneration of Coalville is a corporate priority for NWLDC, which has seen over £2.3 million invested or allocated since 2015, including the soon-to-be completed new indoor market, plans for a redesigned public space in Marlborough Square, new events and an extension of its business frontage grants scheme, as well as a £23 million leisure centre.

Swimming is good for you… especially if you’re drowning.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

I used to buy lottery tickets every week until I realized you could watch it on TV for nothing.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Small business confidence bounces back as nation re-emerges from lockdown Maruf Miah (c/o Agent: Andrew Moore) – Change of use from A3 to a mixture of A3 ground floor and C3 first floor with the creation of 5 onebed flats – at 1183 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2JT.

Rugby Borough David Wilson Homes East Midlands (c/o: Forest Business Park, Cartwright Way, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1GL) – Erection of 206 dwellings with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping (Approval of reserved matters) – at Land at Ashlawn Road West, Rugby, Warks. CV22 5RZ.

Corby Borough Britannia Developer Ltd (c/o: 48 Evington Parks Road, Leicester LE2 1PR) – Erection of 2 detached houses – at 26 Brookes Grove, Corby, Northants. NN17 2AQ. Magenta Storage Ltd & Corby No 2 Ltd (c/o Agent: Mike Cole, Bell Cornwell LLP, Unit 2, Meridian Office Park, Osborn Way, Hook RG27 9TP) – Erection of a self-storage building with independent office use, 9 units in flexible use class B1, B2 and/or B8 uses with ancillary trade counter/ retail counter, Coffee drive thru with new access, associated car parking and landscaping – at land off the A43 Stamford Road, Corby, Northants. NN14 1DU.

East Northamptonshire Country Court Care (c/o Agent: Matt Hubbard, The Planning Hub, Jubilee House, 79 Gertrude Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5DA) – Erection of a 70-bedroom care home with amenity areas, children’s day nursery, 8 care home staff apartments, access roads and 45 car parking spaces – at land off Brick Kiln Road, Raunds, Northants. NN9 6GG. Eventine Property Management Ltd (c/o Agent: Terence Hodgkins, Hodgkins Boden Associates, The Corn Exchange, 47 High Street, Thrapston, Northants. NN14 4JJ) - Extension to existing apartment block housing three additional one bed units. Re-submission of extant permission 17/00100/FUL dated 18th December 2017 - at Rowena House, Clare Street Raunds, Northants. NN9 6PQ.

THE PROPORTION of UK small businesses predicting growth has almost doubled in just three months – from 14% to 27% – giving one of the first tangible indications that the Government’s easing of lockdown is having a positive impact on a key area of the UK economy.

The quarterly tracking study by Hitachi Capital Business Finance goes beyond sentiment and confidence - it examines the percentage of small businesses that actually predict growth in the next three months. Following last quarter’s report, which saw the percentage of small business owners predicting growth plummeting from 39% to just 14%, the new findings show the highest quarter-on-quarter rise in five years.

With 27% predicting growth overall, there were significant rises in the percentage of small businesses predicting moderate expansion the next three months (up from 10% to 23%) or no change (26% to 43%). This meant there has been a huge reduction in the percentage of businesses that fear contraction (down from 31% to 19%) or collapse in the next three months (down by almost two thirds from 29% to 11%).

By sector, the IT/telecoms sector had the highest proportion of small businesses that predicted growth for the three months to 30th September (44%). The biggest rises in confidence since lockdown were evidenced in and transport and distribution (up from 8% to 34%) and manufacturing (9% to 30%), where the resurgence of growth forecasts was striking. There were also significant rises in sectors hardest hit by lockdown: In retail, the percentage of small businesses predicting growth rose from 21% to 27% - and in hospitality growth forecasts rose from 11% to 16% in the three months since April.

The research also suggests that smaller, more agile enterprises will be the fastest to adapt to the UK’s re-emergence from lockdown: Small businesses that had been trading for less than five years (35%) and those that employed 10-49 employees (37%) were most likely to predict business growth for the next three months (to 30th September).

Gavin Wraith-Carter, Managing Director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance commented: “The latest Hitachi Capital research findings are remarkable for both the scale and the speed of the revival in small business confidence.

We knew last quarter that small business confidence would fall as lockdown started and the scale of the fall was a concern, particularly the steep rise in the number of business owners fearing for their survival. Our new research - just in - shows what an immediate and positive impact the easing of lockdown has had on the small business community. Whilst bigger businesses are having to adjust and adapt at a slower pace, small business confidence across the UK has bounced back and as the engine room of the British economy, today’s figures can give us confidence that small businesses will lead the nation’s effort to rebuild the economy and secure growth.”

Ways to improve the planning system in the UK report for housebuilders ​ HE ALL PARTY Parliamentary Group (APPG) for T SME House Builders has released its report, ‘Ways to improve the planning system in the UK’, which identifies many of the barriers small and medium sized housebuilders (SMEs) face when entering, engaging with and navigating the planning system.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “This report, which the NFB’s, House Builders Association HBA inputted into, doesn’t just look at speeding up planning but why consistent, certain planning is good for builders, communities, councils and planners.

It highlights the reality that SME builders are an undervalued part of the housing supply chain and must be properly enabled to solve the housing crisis.”

The report, which is sponsored by Aldermore Bank, asks sixteen questions on a range of topics, containing: • Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments • Planning reform • Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) • Sustainability • Disadvantages of SMEs • Recommendations Concluding with seventeen recommendations, including the HBA’s long proposed small sites register, the report takes a balanced approach to understanding the barriers SME builders face and why the entire housing supply chain, from planner and policy maker, to builder and resident, will benefit if we can solve the major barriers that face in the planning system.

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All Party Parliamentary Group for SME House Builders REPORT ON WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PLANNING SYSTEM IN THE UK

This Report was researched by the APPG for SME House Builders and is funded

by Aldermore Bank.

This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group.

SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning for the HBA, said: “In the last five years, the Government has listened to SMEs but national policy reform, such as the housing white paper has not always delivered better outcomes at the local level. This APPG report highlights this and does a fantastic job in producing recommendations which can ensure more of our best builders and local employers can win work and solve our housing crisis.

I would like to pay special thanks to APPG chair, Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South and secretariat, Andrew Cumpsty, who put together this report and took the time to listen and take seriously the challenges our industry and HBA members experience on a daily basis.”

The full report can be downloaded at https://www. aldermore.co.uk/media/4894/appg-sme-housebuilders-planning-report.pdf

I did a sponsored walk once…. in the end, I’d managed to raise so much money, I could afford a taxi.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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Planning changes not as simple as they seem – MetroPM THE GOVERNMENT’S plans to simplify two areas of the planning system may not be as straightforward as hoped, according to a residential property management expert.

Matthew Arnold, managing director of MetroPM in Birmingham and Cheltenham, said housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s plan for two new permitted development rights is not as simple as it is made out to be.

Under the new laws put to parliament this week, there will be no requirement for planning permission for the demolition and rebuilding of unused properties as homes. The second change would mean that existing homeowners would be able to add up to two additional storeys to their property to create new homes or increase living space.

Mr Jenrick said: “We are reforming the planning system and cutting out unnecessary Matthew Arnold bureaucracy to give small business owners the freedom they need to adapt and evolve, and to renew our town centres with enterprises and more housing.

“These changes will help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities. It will mean that families can add up to two storeys to their homes, providing much needed additional space for children or elderly relatives as their household grows.”

But Mr Arnold sounded a word of caution.

“Planners will still have to have full regard to noise, the opinions of neighbours and the capacity of buildings to sustain such extensions.

“Similarly, although planning requirements are relaxed, it will still be necessary for any such building owners to obtain buildings regulations consent.

“That said, if it eases the housing crisis, it must be a good thing, and is a general acknowledgement of the archaic nature of the existing planning system.”

Some properties such as pubs, libraries, village shops and other buildings considered as essential to communities, are not covered by the changes.

The changes are due to come into effect by September and are intended to reduce pressure to build on greenfield sites and deliver more homes that fit the character of their local area, without the red tape.

The government is also preparing to set out plans to reform England’s 70-year-old planning system with the intention of delivering more high quality, well designed homes, with greener communities for people to live in.

The aim is to cut out bureaucracy to get Britain building, while protecting high standards. Developers will still need to adhere to building regulations.

Boohoo buys Leicester site for new factory Boohoo, the online fashion retailer, has purchased a former Vauxhall dealership in Leicester, according to reports in The Sunday Times.

Boohoo has plans to construct a new factory on the site.

The two acre site on Thurmaston Lane is shown to be under offer by commercial property experts Andrew & Ashwell.

Anstey Lane road improvements are finished on time

Congestion-busting scheme complete on schedule A £10.7m scheme to tackle congestion and improve road links between the county and the city has finished on schedule, despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

The project included a range of measures introduced on the A5630 Anstey Lane and A46 roundabout, in north west Leicester, to increase capacity and improve journey times.

The scheme comprised: • Turning the single-lane section of road between the A46 interchange and Bennion Road roundabout into a dual carriageway; • Creating additional lanes at the approach to the roundabouts at both junctions and installing new traffic lights; • Improving pedestrian and cycling routes along the busy stretch of road.

The improvements are designed to help accommodate the extra traffic that will be generated by the 3,000home Ashton Green development

by Leicester City Council. It will also support growth anticipated from future housing developments

in the north of Leicester and in the county.

The scheme was funded by the city council – as developers of Ashton Green – and Highways England, as well as through part of the £16.2m allocation from the Local Growth Fund, a pot of government funding awarded to the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) for projects which benefit the local area and economy.

Highways England contributed to the cost of the work through its Growth and Housing Fund, targeted at helping local communities unlock plans for future housing and to create better journey times and generate jobs.

This important scheme has improved a very busy junction for motorists, providing extra capacity which will ease delays.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The investment from Highways England and the LLEP has played a major part in providing vital infrastructure needed to support the growing demands for housing in this part of the city.

“The efficient delivery of this complex scheme is a major credit

to the contractors and the close partnership between the city and county councils. It will provide long-term benefits to residents and commuters.”

Kevin Harris, chair of the LLEP board of directors, said: @I’m delighted that this important piece of infrastructure improvement work has been completed on schedule.

Improving access to the Ashton Green development – to which the LLEP provided £16.2m from our Local Growth Fund – will bring huge benefits to both residents and businesses. I’m looking forward to seeing plans for further housing developments in the area, which will be vital as our economy and population continue to grow in the new decade.”

The work was carried out by Galliford Try, one of the UK’s leading construction groups, under contract to us.

The firm adapted its operational procedures to accommodate the safe working practices as per government guidelines and successfully managed to continue delivering the scheme during the pandemic.

It also carried out local community

work, which included helping a local charity with food donations and supporting a school with its outdoor playing area renovation and a flooding issue.

Jamie Missenden, midlands regional manager for Galliford Try, said: “We are delighted to have completed the scheme on time and within the agreed budget.

The success of the project has been born out of collaboration between all parties – the client, the key supply chain partners and local stakeholders. We have been delivering excellence throughout thanks to the determination, dedication and cooperation of the entire team and the patience and understanding of those local to the scheme.”

The A5630 Anstey Lane improvement scheme complements the major improvement schemes already completed on the A50 and A6 as part of the North West Major Transport Project.

This scheme helps ensure that roads and major junctions on key routes in the north west of Leicester will have the capacity for predicted housing growth over the coming decades.

Democracy: In which you say what you like and do what you’re told.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

CORONAVIRUS: Do I have to go back to work if I have health concerns?

East Staffordshire Harvey Properties (c/o Agent: Wilson Architects, Sparkhouse, Ropewalk, Lincoln LN6 7DQ) – Change of use from officeto 13 onebed flats and one two-bed flat – at Torrington House, 75 Branston Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs.

DE14 3BY. St Modwen Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: CT Planning, Three Spires House, Station Road, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6HX) – Erection of 4 detached buildings comprising 7 units for use as General Industrial and Storage & Distribution – at land south of Lichfield Road, Branston DE14 3EQ. Hallam land Management/ Persimmon Homes/Bloor Homes Midlands (c/o Agent: Pegasus Planning Group, 4 The Court Yard, Church Street, Lockington, Derby DE74 2SL) – Reserved matters application relating to P/2013/00429 for Phase 1b to include the erection of 70 dwellings, car parking and secondary roads – at Upper Outwoods Farm, Beamhill Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs.

Burton Rugby Football Club (c/o Agent: CT Planning, Three Spires House Station Road, Lichfield WS13 6HX) – Erection of a two-storey detached building to form clubhouse, grandstand and associated car parking – at Burton Rugby Football Club, Branston Road, Tatenhill, Staffs. DE13 9FF. Ednaston Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: JMI Planning, 62 Carter Street, Uttoxeter ST14 8EU) – Erection of a detached building containing 18 apartments, bin and cycle store – at Suites 9 to 12, Anson Court, Horninglow Street, Burton upon Trent, Staffs. DE14 1NG. Nick Burton (c/o Agent: BHB Architects, Georgian House, 24 Bird Street, Lichfield WS13 6PT) – Conversion and alterations to workshops to form 2 dwellings – at Unit 2, Bell Lane, Barton under Needwood DE13 8AE. HAD Property Ltd (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Cottage Hospital, Leicester Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics.

LE65 1DB) – Conversion of former hotel and coach house to create 10 residential units – at land at The Brookhouse Hotel, Brookside, Rolleston on Dove, Staffs. DE13 9AA.

FROM 1 August 2020, the government guidance will change and instead of the message being ‘work from home if you can’, employers will have more discretion to ask employees to return to the workplace if it is safe to do so.

All UK businesses that ask their staff members to return to work have been informed they need to undertake a risk assessment and put in place various measures to protect their staff from contracting the coronavirus. However, despite this, many employees are still concerned about returning to work.

Laura Kearsley, partner in Nelsons’ expert employment law team, answers some questions and concerns that employees may have on returning to work due to the coronavirus.

• Can my boss make me come back?

“If you have been asked to return to work then you will be deemed to be absent without authorisation if you don’t show up. You are unlikely to get paid for this and it may also be considered a disciplinary offence.

“Employees do have a right under health and safety rules to protect themselves from danger, but it will be much more reasonable to discuss concerns with your employer and seek reassurance rather than just failing to attend.”

• What measures should my employer be taking to keep me safe?

“Employers should ensure employees are observing the one metre plus social distancing rule.

They should also implement oneway systems to minimise contact and adopt frequent cleaning regimes.”

• My employer is reopening my workplace, but I am concerned there isn’t space to maintain social distancing. Do I have to go back to work if I am concerned for my health and safety?

“The government is urging employers and employees to discuss concerns they might have and approaches to ensuring that workplaces are safe. The government has issued extensive guidance for employers to ensure that workplaces are “Covid-19 secure” and this includes completing a risk assessment.

“Employees should offer suggestions to their employer if they think there are other measures that could be taken to protect the workforce. We recommend trying to maintain an open dialogue so employees can get reassurance that their safety is being taken seriously.

“Ultimately, if you do not attend work because of safety concerns, your employer could treat your absence as unauthorised and follow its disciplinary process.

“Employees do have legal rights not to be dismissed for raising health and safety claims but in the current climate, it would

be preferable to try everything to resolve the situation without resorting to litigation, which could take many months.”

• I have colleagues that don’t adhere to the social distancing rules at work – what shall I do?

“You should make your employer aware straight away and they should deal with this issue, potentially under the disciplinary policy.”

• I have been shielding, can I refuse to go back to work?

“From 1 August, those in shielding categories are no longer required not to attend work. Therefore, this will not be a valid reason for you or members of your household not to attend work. You should discuss any concerns with your employer as they may be able to reassure you about measures in place.”

• My workplace has reopened but I don’t have childcare yet, where do I stand?

“If you don’t have childcare, returning to work might not be an option for you. You can discuss with your employer whether you can be furloughed (or remain on furlough for now) or whether you can work from home in some capacity.

“The Prime Minister has urged employers to protect parents and guardians that can’t return to work but there is no strict legal protection in place for anyone in this position.”

• Can I ask to continue to be furloughed?

“Furlough requires the agreement of both parties (employer and employee), so employees would need to seek agreement from their employer for any period of furlough to continue. Employers will have to contribute to the costs of furloughed staff from 1 August, so they are less likely to agree to do this – especially if they have work for their staff to do.

“If workloads have not picked up or employees have childcare issues, employers can consider continuing furlough or moving to flexible furlough instead, so it’s worth discussing this with your employer.”

Laura Kearsley • Should my employer provide me with PPE?

“There is no blanket requirement that all employees who attend work need PPE. The guidance is specific to different industries/sectors and generally, if social distancing can be maintained, PPE will not be compulsory. You should discuss any specific concerns or requirements with your employer.”

• I have raised concerns with my employer that I don’t feel safe but they aren’t listening, what else should I do?

“If you have raised concerns with senior management but you don’t feel they have been addressed, you can consider whether to contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about your concerns. It is the government body with responsibility for safety in the workplace and can take enforcement action against employers who are lacking.

“If you are in a dispute with your employer, you could also consider contacting ACAS, the government body that conciliate employment disputes.”

For more information on employee rights in the workplace, please visit www.nelsonslaw.co.uk/ employee-rights. For the latest government advice on coronavirus, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/ coronavirus-covid-19-informationfor-the-public.

What I look forward to is continued immaturity followed by death.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Site for 8 semis in Castle Gresley

HOWKINS & HARRISON are offering for sale an existing house and a plot to the rear with full planning permission elopment – 9 Mount Road, Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, DE11 9ES forLand 8 semi-detached dwellings.

The existing property – 9 Mount Road, Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9ES – comprises a three-bedroom house with potential to develop further or split into flats (subject to planning).

The Guide Price is £550,000.

Contact Howkins & Harrison for more information (tel: 01530 877977 or email: tori.whinder@howkinsandharrison.co.uk)

Haulage yard for sale in Barrowden: £500k RICHARDSONS are offering for sale a Haulage Yard at Tippings Lane, Barrowden LE15 8EW. The site forms part of the property of Pridmore Haulage, a family business which has traded from these premises for many years. The sale offers an excellent opportunity to purchase a residential development site with potential for the construction of 4 new dwellings to complement the xisting college.

The asking price is £500,000.

Contact Richardsons for more information (tel: 01780 762433 or email: post@richardsonsurveyors.co.uk Haulage Yard, Tippings Lane

Barrowden, LE15 8EW

£500,000

I ran three miles today… finally I said, ‘Lady take your ‘purse.’

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

30,000 sqft of office accommodation let in The Rutland Centre in Leicester Lidl GB Ltd (c/o Agent: WSP Indigo, Toronto Square, Toronto Street, Leeds LS1 2HJ) – Hybrid planning application for demolition of existing rugby club and associated buildings at Burton Rugby Club and former Dominoes, and the erection of new buildings including a foodstore, 3 new retail units, and associated works plus Outline application for a drive thru café or restaurant – at Burton Rugby Club, Lichfield Street, Burton upon Trent, Staffs. DE14 3RH.

Rushcliffe Mr Andrew Gatehouse (c/o: Metropolitan Housing Trust Ltd, The Grange, 100 High Street, Southgate, London N14 6PW) – Demolition of existing garages and erection of 2 two storey houses – at Garages south of 15 Orchard Close, Barnstone, Notts.

Mr N Davill (c/o Agent: Robert Gilmore, Oxalis Planning Ltd, Unit 7, Wheatcroft Business Park, Landmere Lane, Edwalton, Notts. NG12 4DG) – Outline application for development of 5 dwellings including demolition of the existing agricultural building on site – at land to north east of Owthorpe Lane, Kinoulton, Notts.

Mrs Jacky Cripwell (c/o Agent: Mark Young, Bower Mattin & Young, Unit 23/24, Beechfield House, Winterton Way, Lyme Green, Macclesfield SK11 0LP) – Change of use from paddock to a residential development consisting of 4 detached dwellings and associated garages – at land west of Grange Farm, Moor Lane, Bunny, Notts.

Dino Labbate (c/o: Swish Architecture Ltd, Unit 2B, 100 Melton Road, West Bridgford, Notts.

NG2 6EP) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 1 Park Avenue, East Keyworth, Notts. NG12 5JZ. Dino Labbate (c/o: Swish Architecture Ltd, Unit 2B, 100 Melton Road, West Bridgford, Notts. NG2 6EP) – Two storey rear extension and internal alterations to create 6 additional flats – at 82-84 Henry Road, West Bridgford, Notts.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Rachel Jenkins, Williams Architects Ltd, Studio 7, The Garage Studios, 41-45 St Marys Gate, The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1PU) – Demolition of existing commercial units and replacement with 4 new dwellings – at Kempson Court, Kempson Street, Ruddington, Notts.

PROPERTY ADVISORS APB (Leicester) LLP, have let 30,000sq.ft of office over 3 floors at The Rutland Centre on Halford Street in Leicester City Centre. The ingoing Tenant was represented by JLL’s Nottingham Office and ABP acted on behalf of retained clients National Car Parks.

The ingoing tenant is now undertaking a major programme of refurbishment works to transform the space in to contemporary, open plan offices, efficient in design and operation and will look to become operational in Q3, 2020.

The deal shows that Leicester is a city that companies want to work from, it offers a mainline train service to London in 1 hour and the city centre has undergone major regeneration works in terms of public realm and transport creating a vibrant city.

Reg Pollock, a partner at APB, commented “The letting has been achieved in exceedingly difficult times amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We were aware that tenant had tight timescales to adhere to and with current regulations this was made harder, but all parties worked tirelessly to get the letting done and allow them to meet their deadlines”.

“A letting of this scale can only be seen as a huge win for Leicester as it will provide new employment opportunities and shows that city centre has a huge amount to offer for office occupiers”.

“We have worked with NCP for a number of years to fill their vacant space, this letting has taken up a large percentage of this but we are always happy to talk with occupiers/landlords regarding their requirements and where we can help. James at JLL handled the deal in thoroughly professional manner under very difficult conditions” James Keeton of JLL, commented “Our retained client identified Leicester as a target location and after our search of available space to suit their requirement The Rutland Centre was identified due its close proximity to the city centre amenities and transport hubs. The large floor plate offered our clients the ideal space to design an efficient and flexible layout, with the opportunity to refurbish and really make a mark on the building.

With an extremely tight timescale to go live, we were able to effectively work with all parties involved to quickly work this deal through and look to start to go live in July ”.

Planning permission vital to protect vulnerable people, says RTPI PLANS BY the government, announced on 21st July, extending controversial new ‘rights’ to alter or replace buildings without the need for planning permission risk adding to the country’s already prevalent health and societal inequalities, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has said.

In an open letter to Secretary of State Robert Jenrick, signed by the RTPI, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Chartered Institute of Building, the UK’s leading built environment organisations say that more permitted development rights (PDRs) will ‘lock in’ unacceptable standard development.

The RTPI further warns that communities already hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic will bear the brunt of the Government’s ‘serious error of judgment’.

RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills said: “This move to increase the use of PDRs is a serious error of judgement from the Government which will have a negative impact on the quality of life of future

residents and local communities.

“All PDRs should require minimum space, building and design standards, and should be implemented in such a way as to ensure they contribute towards affordable housing and community infrastructure. Having these safeguards does not mean delays in construction - it means that the homes built in the early 2020s will not become the social disasters of the 2030s.

“We strongly urge more proactive planning for the built environment.

Longer-term stewardship would be a more sustainable solution, looking at interventions earlier in the building process, rather than bluntly repurposing buildings that are fundamentally not suitable as housing.

“The RTPI’s campaign Plan the World We Need calls on the government to capitalise on the expertise of planners in order to achieve a sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. We stand ready to engage constructively to deliver the good-quality, safe and well-connected housing that the country so badly needs.”

The RTPI has long campaigned

against the increased use of PDRs, and says that automatic permissions already implemented by the current government for the conversion of office spaces to housing - without requirements relating to quality, size, sustainability and design - has led to spaces detrimental to the wellbeing of residents.

The RTPI also points out that the latest independent research funded by the Government confirms health and wellbeing will be negatively impacted by the increased use of PDRs – a report published this morning looking at the differences between homes delivered through permitted development compared with planning applications concluded that: “permitted development conversions do seem to create worse quality residential environments than planning permission conversions in relation to a number of factors widely linked to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of future occupiers” The recent move to require natural light in homes created from office conversions was welcome, the RTPI says, but the organisation says it remains unconvinced that more PDRs are going to address the UK’s housing crisis.

I lent a friend of mine £10,000 for plastic surgery and now I don’t know what he looks like.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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Site for 3 dwellings in Brigstock: £550k BERRYS Estate Agents are offering for sale a 0.8 acre site with Outline Planning Permissions (ref: 19/01496/OUT and 20/00049/OUT) for a total of three detached dwellings, each with four bedrooms.

Consent for plot 1 and 2 gained under application 20/00049/OUT

Consent for plot 3 The site – at Grafton Road, gained under application Brigstock, Northants.

19/01496/OUT NN14 3EY – is being offered at a Guide Price of £550,000.

Contact Berrys for more information (tel: 01536 532376 or email: kettering@berrys.uk.co)

•

Outline Consent

dwellings Two plots forThree sale in 0.8 acre site Nuneaton: £70k • •

Conservation village POINTONS Estate Agents•are asking £70,000 for two building plots at the rear of 172 Camp Hill Road, Nuneaton, Headlands Warks. CV10 0JJ.

tteringThe properties will both be 3-bed detached and have two parking N15 7HR spaces. On the planning portal, only one property currently has a planning application, and the owners are in the process of making the second

application. : 01536 532376 Contact Pointons for more information (tel: 024 7637 3300 or email: mail: Kettering@berrys.uk.com nuneaton@pointons-group.com)

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So I’m at the wailing wall, standing there like a moron, with my harpoon.

01/02/2019 09:24

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Mr Merrell (c/o Agent: Gemma Branson, Tenacity Planning Consultants Ltd, Box 108, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Extension to workshop to form MOT station and additional units, change of use of dwelling to MOT reception and admin block plus new dwelling with garage (Resubmission)- at BM Spares UK Ltd, Willoughby Service Station, Fosse Way, Willoughby on the Wolds, Notts.

LE14 3QD. Mr D McLaren (c/o Agent: Mr A Dudley, AD Drawing Services Limited, Swan Street, Sileby, Leics.

LE12 7NW) – Conversion of portal framed building to 2 dwellings (Revised scheme) – at Barn at field 2839 Browns Lane, Stanton on the Wolds, Notts.

Mr Duncan Carrier (c/o Agent: Terry Lawton, 37 Lambley Road, Lowdham, Nottingham NG14 7AZ) – Proposed new office building (Resubmission) – at Carrier Landscapes Ltd, Sulney Nursery, Station Road, Upper Broughton, Notts. NG14 3BQ.

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How can you guard against INSOLVENCY post COVID-19?

WITH TOUGH economic times ahead across our region and beyond, it’s crucial that businesses protect themselves against insolvency.

Leicestershire Builder’s regular contributor Michael Gerard of Michael Gerard Solicitors (www.mg-law.co.uk) offers some timely advice.

A

S HISTORY has taught us, construction is always one of the first sectors to be hit by economic downturns and although COVID-19 is causing a new breed of recession, this fact remains unchanged, with our sector steeling itself for significant ramifications nationally and globally.

Add to that the unique set of concerns in Leicestershire, with the city’s localised lockdown impacting on a range of industries, including the building trade and all its affiliated industries.

Defining insolvency in contracts The main JCT forms have a section dedicated to termination with one ground for ending a contract being insolvency. The JCT also defines what insolvency means, including the legal entities of a company, a partnership and an individual. Essentially, it occurs when a party enters into a formal

insolvency procedure, such as administration within the meaning of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986, or the passing of a resolution for voluntary winding-up without a declaration of solvency under section 89 of Insolvency Act 1986.

Where one party to the contract has become insolvent (as per the definition), the other party can give notice to the insolvent party to terminate the contractor’s employment under the contract. Although this appears straightforward, the notice must comply with the conditions of the contract - including how the notice is served. Where an employer terminates the contractor’s employment: • No further payments are due to the contractor until the work is completed.

• The employer may employ others to have the works carried out and completed at which point, the employer sets out what it has cost to complete, including any damages caused by the termination.

• Alternatively, the employer may choose not to have the works carried out and completed. Where this occurs, there is a process to work out the final account.

What about common law?

At common law, insolvency in isolation is not a breach of contract, but the effect can result in the party becoming insolvent to wrongly repudiate the contract, thus allowing the other party to

Leicestershire Builder Magazine Published By: Builder Magazines PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: (01530) 244069 Email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk Web: www.buildermagazines.co.uk Over 3,500 copies distributed every month across Leicestershire & Rutland by a combination of: • By Post to SUBSCRIBERS and a rotating free mailing list (2,500 copies) • Through trade counters of local merchants (1,000 copies) SUBSCRIPTIONS: £20 PER YEAR (No VAT) TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 01530 244069 and leave your details, or subscribe via our Website. We’ll invoice you later.

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accept the repudiatory breach and bring the contract to an end. For example, where a contractor has failed for several days to supply physical resources for the project (maybe because it can’t afford to pay for the resources), it could be said that the contractor has abandoned the works.

Sections 122(1)(f) and 123(1) of the Insolvency Act 1986 define insolvency as where a company is unable to pay its debts when they are due, which is in contrast to the JCT suite of contracts which defines insolvency as when a party has entered into some of formal insolvency procedure.

How to maintain a healthy cash flow It is now more important than ever for suppliers of goods and services to maintain a safe cushion of cash in the bank. Sometimes easier said than done. The answer lies in insisting on favourable payment terms and ensuring robust mitigation measures are in place: • Ensure the valuations are as frequent as possible. Under standard forms of contract, like the JCT, there is the option of having the valuation periods geared to milestones or periods of time. Usually, the valuations

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

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

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

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I’ve got a shirt for every day of the week… it’s blue.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

will be periods of time (monthly), and this continues post practical completion. However, there is nothing to stop a contractor negotiating fortnightly valuations, with perhaps a small discount as an incentive for the employer.

• Ensure that the period between the end date of the valuation and the final date for payment is as close together as possible. Under standard forms of contract, the period is around 17 days, but again, this can be shorter if the parties agree – perhaps a small discount offered could persuade the client to agree to a quicker final date for payment?

• When a payment is late, don’t hesitate to threaten suspending performance of the works.

However, prior to this, a notice of the intention to suspend must first be issued – which may in itself serve as a ‘reminder’ to the debtor to pay up. Do not hesitate to suspend performance if payment is late, as you could be throwing good money after bad should the employer cease trading.

• Incorporate a paid-when-paid clause for insolvency events for downstream payments. This will protect the business in case of an upstream insolvency.

• Consider including a ‘Romalpa’ clause (retention of title). However, even with a Romalpa clause, it may not be enough to recover goods supplied if those goods are annexed to the structure.

• Collateral warranties are particularly useful for third party funders and future purchasers of buildings where there are defects in the structure, but the developer may have ceased trading.

Collateral warranties can also be good news for contractors and consultants if the warranty includes step-in rights and payment of outstanding sums.

• Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2020 legislation enables claimants to bring proceedings against insurers of defaulting insolvent companies.

This is particularly useful where

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Michael Gerard AUTHOR BACKGROUND Michael Gerard is a solicitor, practising adjudicator and accredited expert in quantum and planning.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, a registered adjudicator and vice chair of the East Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is also a registered adjudicator on the panels of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Hunt ADR. He is the founding partner of Michael Gerard Solicitors (www.mg-law.co.uk).

latent defects arise, but the contractor has ceased trading.

• Ensure that the contract includes a termination clause for party insolvency that also sets out what happens post termination.

When it comes to protecting against insolvency over the next couple of years, good fiscal and commercial management systems are key to survival in the highly challenging economic environment ahead. Taking the time to review your standard terms of contract now could make all the difference.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

£8.1 million scheme will create hundreds of extra SEND school places MORE than £8.1 million is to be invested in a programme of creating new school places and provisions for children with additional educational needs.

The proposals by Leicester City Council would see three special schools in the city extended to provide extra facilities, with the creation of Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) and Specialist Units at 10 further schools across the city.

The project would create 228 permanent new school places for children with special educational needs, and is needed both to meet the growing demand for such places, and reduce the costs incurred by placing children in schools further away from the city.

Special schools which would be extended include the Leicester Partnership School in Knighton, Ellesmere College in Rowley Fields and Netherhall Special School, in Netherhall.

Netherhall was rebuilt in 2014 to accommodate 85 pupils, but currently has 108 pupils on its roll aged between four and 19 with severe and profound learning difficulties.

As a result it has had to adapt some specialist spaces and storage rooms into teaching areas to cope with the pupil numbers.

An investment of just under £1.5million would permanently increase its capacity by 30 pupils, by creating three new classrooms, new toilets, kitchen, meeting room, laundry room and changing space, along with some outdoor soft landscaping.

Ellesmere Special School, which has 285 pupils, caters for special educational needs from early years through to post-16.

The proposed work costing nearly £3.6million would see the school’s sixth form relocated to a separate site at The Rowans, in Highfields, with work being carried out there to create six new classrooms, a reception room, assembly room, new toilets, kitchen, conference room and students’ common room.

In turn the move would create space for 60-70 new SEND places at the original school site.

The Leicestershire Partnership School teaches children aged 11-16 who have been excluded or at risk of exclusion from mainstream education, and over the last 12 months has extended its offer to pupils with EHCPs who can’t access special school places.

Expansion of its buildings by creating three new classrooms, a science lab, staff room/kitchen, an assembly/ sports hall, new lobby, reception and visiting area, along with a new behaviour and intervention room, workshops, staff rooms and offices would cost over £1.8million and would enable 40 more pupils to at-

tend permanently.

Work is proposed to start on all sites in September 2020, with the works being complete by January 2021.

In addition, Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) at 10 other schools means pupils who have additional needs normally beyond the capacity of mainstream education would have those needs met while still being at their own school.

The approach means pupils can have access to a broader curriculum, as well as a more varied educational experience within the wider school community.

A total of 98 DSPs are proposed at Sandfield Close Primary School (10); Rushey Mead Primary School (10); Kestrel Mead Primary School (8); Willow Brook Mead (8); Fullhurst Community College (10); Orchard Mead (12; Mellor and Braunstone Primaries (20), as well as Early Years Units (10) and Hearing and Early Years Units (10).

The total cost of DSPs would be £1.22million, from the city council’s capital budget.

Current capacity in special schools is 1,058, plus a further 82 places for SEND pupils within DSPs, making an overall capacity for SEND pupils of 1,140.

The latest investment will create 130 extra special school places and 98 more DSP places, making 228 new places in total, giving city schools the capacity for 1,188 spe-

cial school places and 180 DSP places – a total of 1,368 SEND places overall.

Leicester assistant city mayor for education and housing, Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, said: “Special school places are already in high demand, and this is expected to rise further over the coming years, so investment is required now to ensure we can meet that need.

“The combination of both expanding these three existing schools, and creating more Designated Specialist Provision places, means we can ensure more children get the extra support required to access education, and in the case of the DSPs, doing so while ensuring children can still benefit as much as possible from being within a mainstream setting.”

Demand for special school places in the city has risen steadily over the last four years, as the number of children with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) increasing from about 1,400 in 2014 to 2,500 this year. The areas of growth have been particularly strong in children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and social emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Latest figures from the Department for Education (DfE) show that there are now 354,000 children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in England, an increase of 11% in 2018 alone.

Major Notts. regeneration Development site for 63 project begins plots in Castle Bytham THE TOP WIGHAY FARM site, a 40-hectare site situated north-west of the Nottinghamshire town of Hucknall, will feature an 805-property housing development, a new primary school, and a local community centre.

Work to construct two new junctions has now started at the site of a planned new flagship village at Top Wighay Farm site near Linby, thanks to a partnership led by Nottinghamshire County Council, working alongside D2N2, Homes England, Balfour Beatty, Scape Group, Arc Partnership and Via East Midlands.

More than 1,000 full-time jobs could be created as part of the plans that also include shops, playing fields and new energy-efficient offices on the 40-hectare site.

The new village could generate £873 million in terms of economic output over a ten-year period.

The current highways work, due to be complete next Spring, includes the expansion of a roundabout on the A611/Annesley Road and a new signal-controlled junction as well as a new, three-metre wide, shared-use footway/cycle lane along the northern side of the A611 north of Hucknall and to the west of Linby.

These current improvements are being carried out by Balfour Beatty and funded via a £5.8 million grant via Homes England, a £3m investment

by D2N2 with additional funding from Nottinghamshire County Council, with other partners including Scape Group, Arc Partnership and Via East Midlands.

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TYPE

BED NO

PLOTS

ALLOCATED PARKING SPACES

A

2B

57, 58, 61, 62, 63, 66 & 67

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B

2B

3,17, 22, 24, 25, 28, 35, 36, 41, 53 & 55

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D

3B

11-16, 32, 33, 49 & 50

2 PER PLOT

E

3B

4, 5, 6, 23, 26, 27, 34, 42, 43, 51, 52, 54, 56, 59, 60, 64, 65, 68 & 69

2 PER PLOT

F

2B

29, 30, 31 & 44

2 PER PLOT

G

2B

7-10, 18-21, 37-40

2 PER PLOT

50m

PLANNING APPLICATION BOUNDARY 30 AFFORDABLE PLOTS

PLOTare B, OLD STATION APPROACH, CASTLE KING WEST offering for sale aBYTHAM development site consisting of 63 plots in total known as Plot B, Old Station Approach, Castle Bytham on the Rutland/ Lincolnshire border.

Price on application.

Contact King West for more information (tel: 01780 484520 or email: stamford@kingwest.co.uk

My wife can’t cook at all. She made chocolate mousse; an antler got stuck in my throat.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Great Dalby plot: £220k JAMES SELLICKS Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot with planning consent for an architectdesigned modern village home.

The plot – at Main Street, Great Dalby, Leics. LE14 2ET – is being offered at a guide price of £220,000.

Contact James Sellicks for more information (tel: 01572 724437 or email: oakham@jamessellicks.com).

MAIN STREET, GREAT DALBY

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Building plot in Ashby de la Zouch: £200k HOWKINS & HARRISON are inviting offers in the region of £200,000 for a building plot to the rear of 39-47 Nottingham Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1DJ.

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Thoroton farmyard site sells to Wheatcroft Land for development A FORMER FARMYARD in the soughtafter village of Thoroton, situated close to the A52 between Nottingham and Grantham, has been sold to Wheatcroft Land through land experts Mather Jamie.

The site, which extends to 2.19 acres, was sold by informal tender following the demolition of the redundant farm buildings which previously stood on the site. The land, which is accessed directly off Main Street, has full planning approval from the local authority for eight new dwellings.

Catherine Haward, Director and Owner of Wheatcroft Land said: “We’re really excited about bringing this development of eight luxury new builds to life over the next year. As a former farmyard, the homes will be in the style of farm buildings and barns, creating a community that’s full of Planning consent (ref: character.”

18/00562/FUL) has been granted for the erection Gary Kirk, Associate Director of Mather Jamie, said: “Thoroton Farm Building Plot to the rear of 39-47 Nottingham Road, of a two storey detached represents an excellent opportunity to build desirable new homes on a site Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. LE65 1DJ dwelling. which opens out onto open countryside, hence it is likely to be popular with professionals looking to commute to Nottingham, Leicester or Contact Howkins & Harrison for more information (tel: 01530 877977 or Grantham.” email: ashby@howkinsandharrison.co.uk)

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Ford Transit Now Available with Efficient and Durable New 10-Speed Automatic Transmission Ford has started production of a new 10-speed automatic gearbox option for rear-wheel drive (RWD) Transit models that offers excellent fuel efficiency,1 outstanding durability and the ability to tow up to 2,800 kg,2 the company today announced.

The new transmission offers the ideal solution for RWD Transit applications where automatics are preferred for their ease-of-use and convenience, such as higher weight conversions including grocery delivery vans, emergency response vehicles and motorhomes, as well as Ford’s popular factory-built 15-seat and 18-seat Transit minibuses.

Developed in-house by Ford engineers and proven in models as diverse as the award-winning Ranger and F150 pick-ups as well as the Mustang high performance sports car, the intelligent transmission is designed to minimise fuel costs for owners and operators using a broader spread of ratios that allows engines to operate at their most efficient.

Available on RWD Transit variants powered by Ford’s latest 170 PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue HDT diesel engine, the 10-speed automatic transmission underwent intensive performance and durability testing to ensure suitability for heavy-duty use in commercial vehicles that operate at high weights, tow frequently, and have high-intensity work schedules.

“Transit drivers will enjoy the smooth power delivery of our class-leading 10-speed automatic gearbox as much as operators will benefit from its durability and efficiency,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe. “Easier to drive and offering excellent towing ability, the automatic option for Transit heavy-duty users enhances the tough, capable character and excellent driving characteristics that have earned businesses’ respect.”

Now in full production, the new RWD transmission builds on the major package of upgrades launched on Transit during 2019 including more economical and electrified powertrains, increased payload and enhanced connectivity.

The 10-speed gearbox is introduced alongside the existing six-speed automatic which remains available for lighter duty front-wheel drive Transit applications.

Engineered for efficiency and durability The 10-speed design with more gear ratios means the Transit’s 170 PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine can consistently operate more closely to its peak efficiency and deliver a more responsive driving experience. Real-time adaptive shift scheduling allows the transmission to adapt to changing conditions, enabling the optimum gear selection for performance, fuel efficiency or refinement in any driving scenario.

Computer simulations helped optimise the gearbox architecture by balancing the benefits of more ratios against energy lost during more frequent gear changes. A 10-speed gearbox that allows higher torque and power as well as delivering the right gear at the right time proved the optimal choice.

Ford’s Casting-Integrated Direct Action Solenoid (CIDAS) is one of 20 technologies patented during the transmission’s development.

The CIDAS increases clutch

pressure accuracy and reduces stroke time to deliver faster, smoother gear changes, resulting in more torque being transferred to the road more of the time, to make lighter work of heavy-duty operation. This also means drivers can use less throttle for the same performance result.

A patented low-viscosity transmission fluid reduces internal friction, further enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing component wear as well as eliminating the need for scheduled fluid changes.

A variable-vane pump changes delivery according to demand, which decreases parasitic losses and improves vehicle refinement.

The high-speed one-way clutch also significantly reduces vibration and harshness during low-speed gear changes – benefitting drivers who spend long shifts in the cab.

The 10-speed automatic transmission is calibrated specifically to suit Transit driving characteristics and applications, and to work alongside Auto StartStop technology for even greater fuel efficiency. Acceleration is smooth and progressive at slow speeds and when accelerating from

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a standstill.

Designed specifically for challenging heavy-duty applications, the transmission has benefitted from more than 6 million kilometres of durability testing during development, including thousands of kilometres of punishing off-road racing.

A wide range of potential users Equipped with the 10-speed automatic gearbox, Transit offers GVMs ranging from 3,500 kg to 4,600 kg and single- or dual-rearwheel options, and is available with chassis cab, minibus and van body styles. A generous maximum GTM of 6,100 kg is ideal for operators in construction, utilities or events industries who frequently tow equipment. The 10-speed automatic gearbox allows Transit to tow up to 2,800 kg.

The simple operation of an automatic and capability to handle high vehicle weights also makes the new transmission suitable for heavier conversions such as grocery delivery vehicles, emergency response vehicles, mini-coaches and urban mobility vehicles, as

Ford Transit with advanced 10-speed automatic transmission now in production for heavyduty rear-wheel drive applications Available with 170 PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel, efficient new gearbox offers outstanding durability, refined performance and high towing capability New 10-speed automatic ideal for applications such as grocery delivery and emergency response vehicles, motorhome conversions and Ford’s factory-built Transit minibus

well as larger motorhomes – all applications where drivers can often be less experienced in driving large vehicles and have to deal with congested stop-start traffic conditions.

The gearbox’s efficiency and durability also make an automatic transmission a viable choice for fleet operators assessing total cost of ownership, minimal downtime and vehicle capability.

Customers requiring a converted vehicle can take advantage of Ford’s One Stop Shop range of converted tipper, dropside and box vans that provide operators with a ready-to-go solution for their needs.

For more specialist requirements, accredited converters can design and manufacture bespoke vehicles built on Transit with 10-speed automatic transmission through the Qualified Vehicle Modifier programme; a wide range of specialised features are available through the Special Vehicle Options programme to tailor each Transit to the task.

I went to fist-bump someone who had tried to shake my hand and I felt like such a loser cos paper beats rock.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

City Mayor repeats calls for more financial help for Leicester businesses LEICESTER’S CITY Mayor has written once more to the Government urging them to provide more support to local businesses to help them cope with the impact of the city’s extended COVID-19 lockdown.

In July, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that many of the lockdown measures in place in Leicester, along with neighbouring Oadby and Wigston, were to be extended for a further two weeks.

It is the second time the local lockdown has been extended, dashing the hopes of businesses across the city who were desperate to reopen after months of closure.

Despite the Government initially promising help to city businesses struggling with the extended lockdown, it has subsequently said no further financial help will be available.

Peter Soulsby has now written to Matt Hancock again, setting out the importance of it honouring his original pledge to help hard-hit businesses.

Leicester City Council has so far supported more than 6,000 businesses with grants totalling £70m since March – the city council is calling for the Government to allow it to use the remaining £10m of unallocated business grants to help struggling city businesses.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The health secretary, Matt Hancock, originally promised us that the Government would help businesses in the city, but now says they won’t. Many businesses are finding themselves in a dire financial situation and need some certainty to know whether they have a future.

“Those businesses – and the council – are growing tired of waiting for the Government to deliver on its original promise of help. Clearly, using this £10million of business grant funding that hasn’t been allocated could help provide immediate aid to struggling businesses.

“We already have the local knowledge, businesses’ details and the payment system set up – we are just waiting for the Government for permission to use that money, to which so far we’ve received no response.

“Businesses desperately need help and support at this extremely difficult time, and yet again I find myself asking the Government to deliver on their original earlier promises to provide that help.”

The £10m money is part of £85m which was earmarked for Leicester by the Government’s department for Businesses, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for both national and discretionary grants schemes. It has not been claimed and rules state it should be returned to the Government.

Peter Soulsby added: “This money has already been paid to us by BEIS and sits in our bank account. Government do not have to pay us any further money to support businesses, we simply need permission to spend the funds we have.

“We have come up with a plan where we could provide more help to Leicester businesses by extending both the national and our discretionary grants schemes, as well as supporting those excluded from the national scheme – particularly factories, manufacturing and independent retail, hospitality and leisure.

“Extending these schemes rather than starting a new one means we could pay money out quickly – if the Government will let us.”

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The Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL

Building plot in Stathern MOORES Estate Agents are inviting offers over £250,000 for a building plot at Chapel Lane, Stathern, Leics. LE14 4HA. The 0.5 acre plot has planning permission (ref: 20/00104/FUL) for a substantial house of approximately 2,000 sq.feet.

For sale BY INFORMAL TENDER – closing date Friday 7th August 2020, if not sold prior.

Contact Moores Estate Agents for more information (tel: 01664 491610 or email: office@mooresestateagents.com).

Pronouncing numbers correctly is not my forty.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Nottingham City Council says COVID-19 impact is £86 million THE FINANCIAL impact of COVID-19 on Nottingham City Council is now estimated at around £86 million, the authority has revealed.

Like councils across the country, this means severe consequences for Nottingham unless the Government delivers on its promises to provide adequate compensation for the costs of the pandemic.

The current estimates show that the financial impact, defined as lost income, increased expenditure and savings which can no longer be delivered, to be approximately £85.5m.

To date, the Government has provided around £19 million in COVID-19 support grant.

This means that Nottingham City Council is facing a shortfall of £65 million and without adequate financial compensation from Government will, like many other councils across the country, needs to take severe measures.

The impact of COVID-19 comes on top of a substantial and sustained reduction in Government funding over the past 10 years because of austerity policies.

Alongside this reduction in grant income, Nottingham has seen increased demand for a number of services, for example care for older people and looked-after children.

In the period from 2010/11 to 2019/20, the Council has had to make cumulative savings totalling £271.4m because of Government funding reductions, and a further £15.623m of budget reduction measures were agreed within the 2020/21 budget.

OK for 160 homes in Nether Heage PLANNING & DESIGN Practice Ltd has secured approval in principle for 160 new homes on a large brownfield site near the village of Nether Heage, Derbyshire.

Work done with the applicant to reduce the numbers of homes, address issues around drainage and importantly reduce the site area itself so that land within the Green Belt was not included was welcomed. The application was approved unanimously.

The next step is the Section 106 to cover matters of off-site funding and monitoring.

PERIOD OFFICE BUILDING TO BE TURNED INTO FLATS

SNIPPETS New Asfordby residential development given the green light A DEVELOPMENT of 55 new-build homes in Asfordby has been given the green light by Melton Borough Council.

Deeley Homes purchased the site three-miles west of Melton Mowbray last year and will be working in partnership with social housing and care organisation emh group to deliver the development.

THE offices of a Nottingham video production company look set to be turned into apartments following a sale brokered by commercial property consultancy Innes England.

Pictured (l-r): Peter Richardson of DPHH Ltd; vendors Ian Sterling and Sally Reynolds and Associate Director Ross Whiting in the foreground.

RNB Developments bought 1, First Avenue off Sherwood Rise with plans to turn the three-storey property into four apartments. The firm is working in partnership with Nottingham-based investors and developers DPPH Ltd who will project-manage the conversion.

The villas in the area were some of the first houses to be built north of The Forest Recreation Ground as Nottingham expanded after the Enclosure Act of 1845. 1 First Avenue, Sherwood Rise, was the family home of city photographer George Pendry from 1911 until his death in 1940.

The period property has housed a number of Nottingham’s creative agencies since it was converted to office space in the late 1980s. It was sold on behalf of Ian Sterling and Sally Reynolds who have run their successful business VPoint TV from the premises since 1998.

Director Sally Reynolds said: “When we first moved to the building, we needed space for filming and audio recording and rooms to host clients.

In line with the times, we’re now more of a digital agency and work remotely a lot of the time. The building is just too big, so we decided

to sell it and move somewhere more suitable.

“We went on the market and then the lockdown happened. We are amazed that Ross was able to sell it for us. He has done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances and we’re delighted.

Ross Whiting, Business Space Surveyor at Innes England said: “We are receiving more enquiries from clients about former office properties that could be suitable for residential development.

“Conversion to residential units is particularly successful in an area that’s well connected to local transport and other amenities, as First Avenue is. Interest in this property was high, showing that the market for this type of property continues to be strong even in the light of COVID 19.”

Peter Richardson, Director at DPPH Ltd said: “This will be our third conversion project in this area of Nottingham, which has a number of suitable properties that were once large Victorian homes. We are planning four superb, two-bedroom apartments which will appeal to young professionals.”

Site for four pairs of semidetached houses in Barlestone SCRIVINS Estate Agents are offering for sale building plots for the erection of four pairs of semi-detached houses adjacent to 19 Newbold Road, Barlestone CV13 0DZ. Full details of the planning can be viewed online under planning reference 18/00465/FUL. The asking price is £750,000.

Contact Scrivins Estate Agents for more information (tel: 01455 890480 or email: sales@scrivins.co.uk)

My poker skills are amazing now with this face mask.

The 6.15 acre site, which will be accessed by Saxelby Road, will be a split of shared ownership and market sale homes, and also include 10 affordable rent properties.

More than two thirds of the housing will now be affordable, which led the council to remove the requirement to contribute £25,000 to affordable homes elsewhere in the area.

Work is set to start on site in the Autumn, and is expected to be completed early in 2022.

Major mixed use scheme recommended for approval in Woodville PLANS FOR a major new mixed use scheme on land north of Occupation Lane in Woodville, near Swadlincote, have been recommended for approval by South Derbyshire District Council officers.

Harworth Group PLC & BeePart Ltd are behind the proposals which include a residential development featuring up to 300 dwellings and a local centre with a 1,600 sq m food store, 700 sq m restaurant/fast food, and 550 sq m pub. The homes would be delivered in two phases, with 75 constructed in phase 1 and 225 in phase 2.

Employment land is also proposed, consisting of 2,000 sq m of research and development and/or light industrial space, 4,000 sq m of general industrial space and 8,000 sq m of storage and distribution space.

The development site comprises 21.5 ha of open land associated with the former Dyson coal and clay workings site.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire firms to get share of £6.5m boost for manufacturers SME MANUFACTURERS across Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire are being urged to take a slice of a £6.5m funding boost to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and address key barriers to growth.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme, which is funded by ERDF and delivered by Oxford Innovation Services, has been extended until December 2022 and will give a further 2800 companies access to industry experts and grants to tackle immediate business issues and support improvement plans.

This additional backing has the potential to safeguard and create hundreds of new jobs and takes the total package of support the initiative is able to deliver to £18.3m.

Firms are given access to a dedicated local Manufacturing Growth Manager, who will use GROWTHmapper – an in-depth business diagnostic tool – to develop an individual action plan and support business projects, ranging from environmental improvements, leadership and management and marketing to people and skills, quality and supply chain development.

The Manufacturing Growth Programme is the only dedicated business support programme for SME manufacturers in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and has delivered over £1.5m of grants since its launch in October 2016.

This has been used to assist in excess of 1000 companies, creating nearly 950 local jobs and safeguarding hundreds more.

Former Arnold Care Home to be turned into flats

Blakes Building Profiles

iginal The Or

Brickie’s Best Friend

Celebrating 40 years of improving brickwork standards with quality and service.

A FORMER 32-bed care home is set to be turned into flats after a developer completed a six-figure deal to buy the building.

Nottingham-based property development company, Hockley Developments bought Millbeck House in Arnold with plans to convert the building into 23 self-contained apartments.

Situated in the Killisick Estate, the 7,895 sq ft property attracted interest from a variety of sources for both continued and different uses, with several entering the initial bid process.

Craig Straw, director at Innes England who acted as agent on the deal, said: “The confidence in the location made this a highly sought-after site.

Following a competitive bidding process, in which we received a number of credible offers, we are delighted to have successfully sold this asset to Hockley Developments who have an excellent track record of converting these assets into much-needed homes.

“The sheer volume of bids and enquiries demonstrates the on-going confidence in the Nottingham market.”

Hockley Developments Sales Manager Jo Callaway stated: “We have been keen on this property for a number of months, and are delighted to have completed this purchase, and to be able to deliver new housing in an area that has a real shortage of one and two-bed properties.

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They say time flies when you are having fun so if you want to live longer, suffer.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

DIY SOS: Home makeovers still a British staple despite Coronavirus AS MANY sectors are looking to reopen or have begun to, many sectors are reeling from a hugely disruptive period in their history. Earlier this month, the OECD forecasted that UK GDP could fall by 11.5%, worse than France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Despite these figures, some trades have reason to be optimistic post-lockdown. A new survey from finder.com found that 86% of Brits plan to maintain or increase their spending on plumbing, building (internal and external), gardening and painting and decorating work compared to pre-lockdown levels.

The survey also asked if they planned to make any major purchases for themselves and their family in the rest of 2020. It revealed a fifth of Brits (20%) plan to do some garden renovations (including new patio or decking), while 18% say they will do internal renovations such as fitting new bathrooms or kitchens. External renovations, such as window fittings and roofs, are on the cards for 13% of people.

In terms of those who will reduce their spend, only 5% of Brits plan to do this with tradespeople. Across the whole study, 66% of consumers plan to spend less next year, showing how tradespeople are set to be much less affected than some other businesses. W Benjamin Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, a billing and accounting software platform for sole traders and small trade businesses, has commented on the results of the survey and what tradespeople can do to return to work more efficiently.

“The results of this survey should give optimism to people in the trade. Large economic disruption can have a serious effect on small businesses and sole traders so understanding consumers are behind them should give them confidence in returning to work.

“With disruption surrounding new health and safety regulations and PPE, many parts of the job may be more time consuming than ever before, so it pays to be as efficient as you can on site. Virtual job inspections and online quotes and accounts are a significant time-saver and should be explored as the trade heads back to people’s homes or on-site.

“With Domestic Reverse Charge changes around the corner and the potential cut to the rate of VAT, now is the time to make time-savings in bookkeeping. Looking at digital solutions such as Powered Now will make the recovery from lockdown and the subsequent months easier as tax rates and health and safety practices continue to change.”

10-acre Nottinghamshire residential site sold

RESIDENTIAL land specialist Terra Strategic has sold a 10-acre former Green Belt site in the Nottinghamshire village of Cropwell Bishop to Bloor Homes for in excess of £5m.

Terra has worked with Rushcliffe Borough Council, Cropwell Bishop Parish Council, the Primary School and other local stakeholders to negotiate the site’s removal from the Green Belt and inclusion in the recently adopted Rushcliffe Local Plan.

Having run a planning application in parallel to the emerging Local Plan, the company then secured an Outline Planning Consent for 85 family homes and bungalows and a new access road and car park for the adjacent Primary School. 30 per cent of the homes have been designated for affordable housing.

Located on Church Street on the edge of the rural village, the residential site was previously designated for arable purposes.

With the site adjoining the local school, which had extensive access and parking issues, Terra Strategic was brought on board in 2016 to promote the Green Belt land for a quality housing scheme that delivered community benefits and a solution for the school.

Property and Planning Consultant Fisher German and AT Architecture have worked on the successful project.

Terra’s Outline Planning Consent secured a range of two, three and four-bedroom bungalows and family houses, set around landscaped drives and Public Open Space.

In order to alleviate local access and parking issues, a new car park for 36 cars will be delivered for Cropwell Bishop Primary School from a newly created access road. With the design principles of the development in place, Bloor Homes will now commence the process of seeking a Reserved Matters Planning Approval.

Henry Brothers to build £18.5m joint police and fire HQ HENRY BROTHERS Midlands has won a contract to build a new £18.5 million joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The three-storey facility will be constructed on land behind the existing Nottinghamshire Police headquarters at Sherwood Lodge and is scheduled to open by the end of 2021.

Work on the new building, which will include a control room, training centre, changing rooms, gym, canteen and shared offices, is expected to begin next month.

Once complete it will form part of a wider joint campus that will also include all of the existing police headquarters.

After a competitive tendering process Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands has been chosen to construct the new three-storey building. A formal contract was agreed today (Monday, 29 June).

Since planning permission was granted in December 2019, a considerable amount of work has already taken place on this multiphase project under the direction of construction consultancy Gleeds.

The site, which will include a new access road, additional car parking and improvements to existing facilities, has already been levelled and cleared – ahead of time and below budget.

Henry Brothers Midlands, based at Priory Court, Derby Road, Beeston, is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out.

Site for 10 flats in Lutterworth WELLS MCFARLANE Property Consultants are offering for sale a development site with Outline Planning Consent (ref: 18/00944/OUT) for ten flats providing approximately 6,680 sq.feet of accommodation.

The site – at Central Avenue, Lutterworth, Leics. – has been granted consent for demolition of the existing building and erection of 2 and 3 storey dwellings.

Offers over £525,000 are invited.

Contact Wells McFarlane for more information (tel: 01455 559030 or email: info@ wellsmcfarlane.co.uk).

Fortunately, my earbuds got tangled back in March so I’ve had something to do for the whole pandemic.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • AUGUST 2020 • Tel: 01530 244069 • EMAIL: INFO@BUILDERMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Construction starts on £150m Santander campus in Milton Keynes John Sisk has been awarded the biggest building contract agreed in the UK since the Coronavirus outbreak and will start construction immediately on the £150m Milton Keynes bank campus.

Opening is set for late 2022.

“The trend for campus type office buildings is booming, and this development demonstrates a new American-style thinking for offices for large businesses – Milton Keynes is the winner, and 6,000 staff, it’s great news that it’s going ahead now”, explains Jonathan Ratcliffe from Milton Keynes office agency Offices.co.uk The office site will be environmentally sustainable, designed to reach BREAM Excellent and WELL ‘Gold’ Certification – meaning both the environment and staff will benefit from its green credentials.

The campus is designed around the individuals working there, only something a large site can achieve, with fitness centre, bike storage and rooftop with running track.

“Post-Covid workspaces are changing, and Santander really has its timing right for this scheme, the future is all about the employee and their welfare, health and mental health. We will be seeing more large campus developments where the business can develop a home for its staff away from the distractions and health issues of the big city buildings”, adds Ratcliffe from Offices.co.uk The campus site to be known as “Unity Place” is located centrally meaning transport connections will be second to none.

Ajaz Shafi, Director, UK South, John Sisk & Son said: “This is a landmark project comprising of circa 500,000 square foot of ultramodern office space constructed over an expansive double basement.”

The campus development is set for opening in Autumn 2022 and will accommodate 6,000 staff, car parking for 900 cars and 560 bike parking spaces.

Redrow expands into Nottinghamshire with acquisition of 28-acre site A LOCAL housebuilder is to create its first development in Nottinghamshire.

Redrow Homes East Midlands has acquired a 28-acre site for the construction of homes and bungalows on Nicker Hill in the village of Keyworth.

The development of 151 new homes, Redrow at Nicker Hill, marks a first for the division as it continues its growth across the East Midlands.

A selection of two to five-bedroom homes, and two and three-bedroom bungalows are planned.

Prices will start from £260,000, with the first residents expected to move in next year.

The housebuilder will also be contributing £1m to support the community of Keyworth, improving healthcare, education, leisure and bus services.

Martyn Pask, Managing Director for Redrow Homes East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding into Nottinghamshire and providing people in the region with much-needed, high-quality new homes.”

Garden plot in Earls Barton: £425k

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SNIPPETS Engineering consultantancy SDA relocates to new Leicestershire offices SDA Design Consultants (SDA), the Civil and structural engineering consultancy, is relocating to new offices following a successful year.

Moving to its new home in Kegworth, Leicestershire, the team will be better located to service a growing number of clients across the East Midlands, providing the business with a platform to deliver its next stage of growth.

Donington Hall to be sold on behalf of administrators

ACTING ON behalf of the Administrators of Donington Hall Estates Ltd and Priest House Hotel Ltd, Sanderson Weatherall has been Garden Plot appointed to market the Northampton Road, Earls Barto historic Donington Hall Northamptonshire NN6 0HA for sale.

The portfolio is being A rare opportunity to acquire a fantastic building p marketed with a guide price bespoke property offering over 2650 sq. ft. of living of £13,050,000 and includes overlooking open countryside.

The Plot is located Village in a prominent position elevated and set ba Donington Hall, Priest House Hotel, Hastings House, The The plans show accommodation inside including entra Lansdowne Buildings and Kings room, sitting room with bi-folding doors, kitchen dining/ Mills Park, all floor set in on the Caravan ground floor.

The first will include a master ensuite, guest bedroom ensuite and glass fronted grounds of over 80with acres. bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside will offer a l

ACORN Sales and Lettings are offering for sale a building plot with planning permission for a bespoke property offering over 2,650 sq.feet of living accommodation, which will be glass-fronted and overlooking open Garden Plot Northampton Road, Earls Barton countryside.

The plot – at Northampton Road, Earls Barton, Northants. NN6 0HA – is available at an asking price of £425,000.

Contact Acorn Sales & Lettings for more information (tel: 01604 810088 or email: info@acornuk.com)

Stapleford “Homes for Heroes” scheme granted permission RAYNER DAVIES Architects’ “Homes for Heroes” scheme in Stapleford has been granted planning permission.

Five one-bed apartments on the site of underutilized garages on Oakfield Road have been given permission by Broxtowe planners The new homes will be prioritized for ex-servicemen, thus particular care has been taken to ensure they are all have good accessibility. A ramped entrance leads from the street to the main entrance. The upper floors are accessible by stairs and provide for ambulant disabled residents. The apartments provide wet rooms, wider doorways and wheelchair turning spaces. It is hoped that work will start on site later this year.

several cars and a private enclosed garden to the rear B&Q owner Kingfisher sales rise Additional Information thanks to “strong  Northampton Town Centre: 8.1 Miles demand”  Northampton Train Station: 8.8 Miles

 Plans available at Acorn Sales and Lettings (01604

AS REPORTED in Exempt  Energy Efficiency Rating: Retail Gazette, B&Q Viewing and Screwfix owner,– details below Viewing strictly by appointment Kingfisher has seen an Disclaimer increase second quarter Acorn Sales andin Lettings has not tested apparatus, equipmen they are inthanks working order. buyer is advised to obtain verif sales toThe“strong demand” across its EU Acorn Sales and Lettings markets and online.

01604 810088 info@acornuk.com Group like-for-like sales jumped 21.6 per cent in the three months to July 18.

The DIY giant said the its sales increase came as a result of store reopenings in the UK and France, as well as a “strong” online growth.

However, during the wider sixmonth period, Kingfisher’s like-forlike sales dropped by 3.7 per cent.

Despite the decline in first-half sales, and the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Kingfisher said it expects interim profits to be ahead of last year’s figure.

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