May 2017 leicestershire builder online by Michael Wilkinson

Wolsey Island regeneration to ‘breathe new life’ into waterside brownfield site THE LONGAWAITED redevelopment of the former hosiery factory on Leicester’s Wolsey Island is formally underway, after City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby broke ground on the site at a ceremony last month.

A Joint Venture Westleigh property director Matthew partnership between leading developers Westleigh and Birmingham-based Moore & Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter housing provider; Midland Heart is Soulsby at the Wolsey Island site behind a scheme to bring 188 new homes to the site, which has fallen into disrepair since hosiery firm Wolsey vacated the factory in 2004. Of the 188 homes, 67 two, three and four bedroom houses will be available for private sale with another seven being allocated for shared ownership, for those who cannot afford to buy outright or first-time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder. A further 114 homes, including 95 one and two bedroom apartments will be made available for market rent through Cygnet Property Management, a subsidiary of Midland Heart, and 19 two and three bedroom homes will be available for affordable rent. The site has been designed to capitalise on the location next to the River Soar, with up to 60% of the homes expected to have a waterfront view and the site is also directly connected to Pioneer Park. City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “This is a very welcome development for this part of the city. Leicester boasts some beautiful riverside settings but, until fairly recently, development in these areas has been slow to come forward.

LJCC Craftsmanship Awards 2017 HAVE YOU completed a building project in Leicestershire & Rutland worthy of an award during the last two years? Then why not enter the Leicestershire & Rutland Local Joint Consultative Committee Craftsmanship Awards 2017. The LJCC Craftsmanship Awards, now in their 30th year, are supported by the NFB, RIBA, RICS & ACE and can be made for a single trade or element in a building or for an entire building or development. Awards are non-competitive and the emphasis is on ‘Craftsmanship’ not design. For more information about the LJCC organisation and to view photographs of previous award winners and projects visit the website: www.leicsljcc.org.uk See the website ‘News’ page for more details about the Craftsmanship Awards and to download an ‘Entry Form’. For any further queries or information please contact the LJCC Awards co-ordinator, Christopher Linnett by email: chris@linett.co.uk or on 07798 665 662. The entry fee is £50.00, and judging will take place on 28th June with award certificates being presented at an Awards Dinner to be held at College Court, Knighton Road on the 5th October. Entries are to be submitted, with the entry fee, by 31st May 2017 All entries can be emailed to the Awards Administrator, Michael Cooper at: michael.cooper@ darntonb3.com or posted to LJCC, c/o, DarntonB3 Architecture, Suite C, Loughborough Technology Centre, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3GE. LJCC – ‘Valuing Craftsmanship in Construction.’

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Development site for 400 homes in Hugglescote

Wolsey Island - from page 1 HOWKINS & HARRISON and CLIVE GARNER & PARTNERS are offering for sale an important area of prime residential building land for 400 homes. The 19.67 acre site – at Standard Hill, Hugglescote, Leicestershire LE67 – is located on the outskirts of the villages of Ravenstone and Hugglescote. Outline Planning Permission (ref: 12/00007/OUTM) has been granted for 400 dwellings, associated road service infrastructure, drainage ponds, landscaping and open spaces. Details of all Section 106 and Affordable Housing agreements are available from the selling agents. For more information, contact Mike Fallowell at Howkins & Harrison (tel: 01530 877977) or Mike Musson at Clive Garner & Partners (tel: 01162 599912).

Hotel reveals transformation and upgrade following £3.5m investment

Jurys Inn East Midlands Airport Completes £3.5 Million Renovation AFTER UNDERGOING a significant refurbishment and upgrading the hotel and its facilities, Jurys Inn East Midlands Airport Hotel has revealed a brand new look. The hotel’s lobby and public spaces have all undergone a full refurbishment, along with all 164 stylish and comfortable bedrooms fitted with triple glazed windows, ensuring a restful and uninterrupted stay. Each room features a new and improved DREAM bed by Jurys Inn with upgraded mattress, pillows and bed linen, guaranteeing guests’ ultimate comfort David Livingstone, General Manager said “We’re very excited to announce the completion of our refurbishment following a massive £3.5 million investment. We have completely upgraded the hotel and look forward to welcoming guests whether it’s for business, a wedding or as part of your holiday plans. With the ideal location and exceptional customer service, Jurys Inn is here to make your stay a pleasurable one”. The hotel is also home to the Sherwood restaurant, a uniquely themed medieval styled restaurant serving everything from continental breakfasts to romantic dinners for two. The Lord Byron Bar and Lounge is open all day long, serving drinks and light meals in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Guests who need a caffeine fix are fully taken care of at the brand new Costa Coffee Bar and room service is available for guests wishing to snack from the comfort of their own room.

“I hope Westleigh’s vision will inspire other landowners to see the potential for their own sites in this area, and help to bring more of the city’s riverside back into use with new places to live and work. “Retaining and restoring the former Wolsey chimney and distinctive water tower will also help ensure that this development marks and preserves Sock Island’s important industrial heritage for future generations.” The Wolsey Island development forms part of an ambitious plan by Whetstone-based Westleigh in partnership with Midland Heart, which aims to provide over 400 new homes on a number of key disused sites across Leicester city. Work has already started on the former St Mary’s Allotments on Aylestone Road, where 125 homes will be built, and a further redevelopment will also take place on abandoned industrial land off Green Lane Road, which will make way for another 82 new properties. Westleigh already has a scheme of 1,200 new homes close to Wolsey Island, on the former British United Shoe Machinery site on Ross Walk. Matthew Moore, Property Director at Westleigh, said: “This is an exciting time for Leicester and we are looking forward to breathing new life into an area of the city which has been left behind by the regeneration that has happened all around it. “This is a prime location, within walking distance of the city centre and with unique water and canal frontage properties. We will transform it into a vibrant development which will go some way towards alleviating the housing shortage in Leicester. “We are a locally-based developer, so we understand the significance that the Wolsey factory holds for people in Leicester and the need to protect its legacy. That is why the main Wolsey chimney will remain a fixture of the city’s skyline and the original water tower will be converted for residential use. “We are proud to be working with the city council and our partners at Midland Heart to turn these plans into a reality.” Ruth Cooke, CEO at Midland Heart said: “This is a hugely exciting project for Midland Heart demonstrating both our commitment to bring genuinely affordable and high quality housing to Leicester while also retaining the areas rich heritage. “This development will bring new homes across a wide range of tenures to a brilliant city centre location and is a great example of all that working in partnership can achieve.”

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

BPF: regions overtake London in construction of Build-to-Rent homes • • • •

10,244 Build-to-Rent homes under construction in the regions vs 6,262 in London At over 5,500 Build-to-Rent homes under construction, Manchester and Salford lead the charge outside London London maintains strongest future pipeline with 38,648 Build-to-Rent homes complete, under construction or in planning Build-to-Rent sector boasts almost 70,000 new rented homes complete, under construction or in planning in the UK

NEW RESEARCH published by the British Property Federation (BPF) shows that the number of Build-to-Rent homes currently under construction across the UK’s regions is nearly double that to London. The Build-to-Rent sector – purpose-built, professionally managed rented homes – is experiencing a surge of activity across the UK with Manchester and Salford collectively boasting the largest number of new rented homes under construction outside London. To aid transparency on the sector and its growth, the research has been produced by Savills, commissioned by the BPF, and will be published quarterly as an interactive map. This is the first evidence of momentum for Build-to-Rent outside London, a sector which only recently received proposed recognition in the National Planning Policy Framework as set out in the government’s Housing

White Paper. The real estate industry welcomed the support from national government, which in effect should ensure Local Authorities across the country better plan for Build-to-Rent in their local plans. The research shows, however, that London continues to see the strongest longer-term figures. The capital has 38,648 Build-to-Rent homes either complete, under construction or in planning, versus 31,176 in the regions. Investors spearheading the nascent sector have found achieving scale to be a significant challenge. While there is room for major improvement, the research shows that the size of Build-to-Rent developments is generally getting larger. Twenty-four developments

currently in planning will deliver over 500 new rented homes each, whereas completed developments up until now have mostly delivered under 100 homes each. Ian Fletcher, Director of Real Estate Policy, British Property Federation comments: “The UK’s Build-to-Rent sector has reached a significant milestone today, proving for the first time that the sector is making its mark across the regions. While the government now better recognises that we need a housing sector firing on all cylinders across the UK, our data is a timely reminder of Buildto-Rent’s contribution to solving the housing crisis. This research will further professionalise the sector, ensure it is transparent and allow us to track its growth at a

time when housing is at the top of government’s agenda.” Andrew Stanford, Head of UK Residential at LaSalle Investment Management and chairman of the BPF’s Build-to-Rent Committee adds: “An ability to invest at scale was cited as a key barrier to the growth of the Build-to-Rent sector by the Montague Review in 2012. The BPF’s analysis is encouraging because it demonstrates that high quality, fit-for-purpose Buildto-Rent schemes are no longer a rarity across the UK. Options for investors have noticeably increased across the country for those willing to be involved in the development process. This bodes well for the rapidly maturing sector.”

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Former Hunters Rest, Carlisle Street, Leicester

Regional demand for construction talent builds as housing development peaks

CONSTRUCTION professionals across the East Midlands are in high demand as housing development peaks across the region.

OFFERED for sale at public auction by Auction House Readings on Thursday 18th May 2017, this former public house with consent for eleven one bedroom and three bedsit apartments. A comprehensive schedule of alterations have already been completed to include a rear extension, replacement of rear elevation windows, re-roofing ,partitioning with first and second fix electrics and plumbing still required. Assumed annual rental income once complete of circa £70,000 or create ground leases and sell them individually. Guided at £550,000 to £650,000 Contact James Court 0116 2046162 to register your interest.

According to the latest data from Hays, an increase in housing development due to housing shortages and a lack of affordable properties is driving a need for skilled construction workers, with acute shortages for quantity surveyors and site plant operators in particular. Local employers are keen to have a workforce in place to support the vast projects underway including a new village in Lubbesthorpe, Leicestershire which will see 4000 houses built and is expected to create 2000 jobs. The increase comes after the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends Guide 2017 revealed nearly three-quarters of East Midlands employers said they would be adding to their workforces over the coming year, with over a quarter stating operations and technical skills are the hardest to recruit for. Those working in construction in the East Midlands saw the largest salary increase at 3.1% as demand for these skills intensifies in the region. Emma Kwiatkowski, regional director for Hays Derby and Nottingham, said: “It’s good news for experienced construction professionals in the region, as confidence continues to grow despite the ongoing uncertainty as Brexit proceedings are formally triggered. “There’s a variety of large, and exciting projects underway, providing a mix of residential and infrastructure works for skilled individuals to work on. As demand heightens, employers are willing to pay extra for the right skillsets, and we predict salaries will continue to rise. Those looking to move jobs and new entrants to the market can expect a prosperous outlook for their job search”.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

OVER £43BILLION WORTH OF EMPTY PROPERTY IN ENGLAND - MORE THAN 200,000 HOMES LYING IDLE • •

• • •

Posh Kensington & Chelsea has London’s highest number of empty homes Birmingham has more empty homes than anywhere else outside London, with over 4,000 sitting empty (up 13%), total value nearly £1BILLION Harrow sees steepest rise in the country with huge 571% climb Blackburn has seen the biggest rise outside London, up 32% on one year In the capital, almost 20,000 homes have sat empty for over six months

NGLAND has 200,145 long-term empty homes which, according to research by property investment marketplace Property Partner, are worth more than £43billion. In London alone, there were 19,845 homes sitting idle for over six months in 2016 - that is £9.4billion worth of property, taking into account the average price in London of £474,704. Birmingham was the worst performer outside London with 4,397 properties sitting empty - up 13% in a year - with an estimated value of £956m. Bradford had the second highest figure at 3,944 (down 5% valued at £858m) followed by Liverpool on 3,449 (up 5% valued at £750m). Manchester has seen the greatest fall over a decade, dropping 88% to 1,365. The tables have turned in London where one of the most deprived areas has swapped places with one of the wealthiest as the capital’s worst performer. Prime property hotspot Kensington & Chelsea has London’s highest number of long-term vacant homes with 1,399 empty, up 8.5% on last year and a rise of 22.7% in a decade. Taking into account the Royal Borough’s unusually high average property prices, this would give the homes an estimated value of £2billion. Previously, last place in the capital had gone to Newham which has staged a remarkable turnaround in 12 months, slashing the number of empty homes by 55% to 593 from 1,318 in 2015. Property Partner analysed the latest data from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), looking at long-term vacant dwellings in England between 2005 and 2016. Over the last decade the number of long-term vacant homes in England has dropped 36.4% from 314,719 in 2006 but it has barely moved year-onyear, showing a drop of 35% in the decade to 2015. The estimated value of empty property in England now stands at £43.5billion. Harrow saw the biggest rise in England with an astonishing 571% climb to 651 from 97 in 2015. Blackburn has seen the biggest rise outside London with a 32% rise in a year with 1,563 vacant homes. Blackpool just crept into the worst 20

town/cities outside London (below) but achieved the greatest percentage reduction outside London, falling 26% in a year. The following table shows long-term vacant properties for the worstaffected 20 towns and cities in England (excluding London) and the total estimated value, calculated from the latest average UK property price of £217,502. West Yorkshire, which includes Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, has the highest number among Metropolitan Districts for the third year in a row (11,555). All six districts - including Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Merseyside, Tyne & Wear and South Yorkshire - have longterm vacant property totalling £11.7billion in value. The number of Local Authority-owned long-term vacant homes fell 12.7% in 12 months to 23,928 in 2016. London saw the same percentage fall to 6,581. Ealing had the most LAowned vacants with 897 (down 14.7%), followed by Greenwich with 733 (down 27.7%) and Hackney with 600 (up 30%). The biggest percentage rise was in Kingston upon Thames which rose 144% to 88. Bexley and Richmond upon Thames both had zero. Outside London, Sheffield had the most LA-owned vacants with 762 empty homes (up 0.7%), followed by Liverpool on 682 (down 30.5%) and Birmingham on 650 (down 21%). In London, Hammersmith & Fulham had the second highest total number of empty homes up 42.7% to 381 in 12 months. Over a decade Harrow not only saw the biggest rise in one year, but the largest London rise in 10 years, up 76%. The borough of Croydon had the second highest number of vacant homes at 1,216 (up 19% in a year) followed by Camden with 1,114 (down 2%). In the capital, 19 boroughs saw falls while 14 saw rises on the previous year. Dan Gandesha, CEO of property investment marketplace Property Partner, comments: “These figures lay bare the huge amount of housing stock lying empty across the country. “Councils have had the power to apply to seize empty homes since 2006 and huge advances have been made over the last ten years. Our research shows there is some great work being done in areas where the number of empty homes is coming down rapidly, such as Blackpool and Harrow. “Dealing with this issue represents a fantastic opportunity to free up supply and help alleviate the scarcity of affordable housing nationally. “We’d like to see the trend of the last decade continue, particularly where prices and demand are highest. That’s why it is a concern that in London 14 of 33 boroughs saw an increase in empty homes compared with the previous year. “It would be encouraging to see that number reduce over the course of 2017, particularly when you consider that in and around London, some of the poorest workers are being pushed towards spending more than 40% of their income on rent. “Tackling empty homes is one of the ways Britain can fix its broken housing market.”

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Residential development land for up to 25 dwellings in Littlethorpe ANDREW GRANGER & CO are offering for sale a residential development site with full planning permission for up to 25 dwellings. The land – situated off Cosby Road, Littlethorpe, Leicestershire – extends to approximately 1.967 acres (0.796 ha). A Minded to Approve has been granted on the full detailed planning application by Blaby District Council (ref: 13/0884/1/0X) for the erection of up to 25 dwellings and associated garages with vehicular access from Warwick Road. The permission is subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement (available on request), which has been agreed. The approved development scheme is subject to a requirement of 25% on-site affordable dwellings . The site is being offered for sale by INFORMAL TENDER, with a preference for unconditional offers. The closing date for receipt of written offers is 12 noon on Friday 12th May 2017. For more information, contact Chris Green at Andrew Granger & Co on 01858 439090 or email: chris.green@andrewgranger.co.uk

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

New home planning permissions up again NUMBERS ARE A STRONG INDICATOR OF FUTURE SUPPLY- BUT MORE SMALLER SITES NEEDED. PERMISSION for 293,127 new homes were granted in 2016, the highest yearly total since the HBF Housing Pipeline survey began in 2006 and a strong indicator that increases in house building are set to continue (Click here to view report). The number of permissions granted tends to be reflected in the number of homes being completed around three to four years later – a delay indicating the time taken to navigate the planning system from an initial, outline planning permission to the point where actual building work can start. The industry welcomes the fact that Local Authorities are continuing to increase the number of permissions they are granting but there is concern that the number of sites permissioned is falling by 11% compared with 2015 (from 19,600 in 2015 to 17,500 in 2016) indicating permissions are being granted on larger ‘strategic’ sites. Whilst the headline number of plots permissioned now exceeds the pre-crash peak by around 15%, the number of sites on which those homes could eventually be built is down by more than 10% on the same time period. Because of the infrastructure requirements on larger sites, these permissions tend to take longer to start being delivered. It is also key that Local Authorities are realistic about the rate at which large sites can deliver and don’t expect one large site to address their housing requirements. As per the Government’s Housing White Paper, local authorities need to work with developers to determine accurate build out rates so they can accurately predict the number of homes are being delivered on a site- and thus overall housing delivery in their area. The average permissioned site has increased by 16% in the last 18 months as local authorities, with ever-stretched resources focus their attention on larger sites. This highlights the problems small housebuilders have in finding

Leicester Office

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suitable sites and progressing them through the planning process, issues explored in the recent HBF report, Reversing the Decline of Small Housebuilders, which found that returning even to 2007 levels of SMEs in the sector could boost housing supply by 25,000 homes per year. The Housing White Paper took on one of the report’s recommendations, calling for local authorities to provide a mix in the type and size of sites it is granting permission for- and not rely on a few large sites. Whilst housing supply is up 52% in the past three years we are still not delivering enough homes to adequately cater for our population and the planning system remains one of the major constraints on supply. Speeding up the rate at which builders get onto sites, and ensuring Local Authorities abide by

their responsibilities and allocate sites that meet their local housing needs are key requirements if the house building industry is to deliver much needed housing. Speaking recently, Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the HBF, said; “We welcome the fact that local authorities continue to increase the number of planning permissions being granted. The number of permissions being granted is a strong indicator of future housing supply and will feed through into completed new homes in the years to come. “The drop in the number of sites on which the permissions are being granted on is concerning. As the White Paper indicates, we need to ensure that permissions are being granted on a mix of site sizes and that local authorities are not reliant

on one or two large sites. A mix of site sizes will better ensure a flow of housing completions and also enable SME builders to play their part in delivering new homes.” “Allan Wilén, Economics Director, Head of Business Market Intelligence at Glenigan said; “The strong level of unit approvals during the final quarter of 2016 takes the number of new homes securing planning approval last year to its highest level in over a decade. Growth has been largely driven by private housebuilders and the strong development pipeline demonstrates developers’ confidence in the long term prospects for the UK housing market. Encouragingly the fourth quarter also saw a recovery in social housing project securing approval.”

Whitwick house with 2 plots in the garden FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale a five-bed detached house with planning permission for the erection of 2 new detached dwellings. The property – 67 Parsonwood Hill, Whitwick, Leics. LE67 5AU – was built in the late 1970s to an individual specification. Outline Planning Consent (ref: 16/01175/OUT) has recently been granted for the construction of two new dwellings adjacent to the house, being one detached dwelling on either side of the house. The Guide Price for the whole is £700,000. For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Dawn Wood at Fisher german on 01530 410850 or email: Dawn.wood@fishergerman.co.uk

Blaby Office

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

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Bloor Homes appoints new health and safety boss

Spring in step for Construction Starts in March NON-RESIDENTIAL project starts were 7% ahead of the same period in 2016, supported by a stabilisation in hotel & Leisure starts and increases in private housing, industrial, retail, health and community & amenity.

NATIONAL housebuilder Bloor Homes has appointed a new health and safety boss to oversee its sites across the country. Robert McNee, 55, has taken on the position of Director of Health, Safety and Environment with the privately-owned developer. Based at the company’s Measham head office, Mr McNee will be responsible for health and safety at Bloor Homes developments across its seven regions. Mr McNee has 39 years experience of working in the construction industry, and began his career as a carpenter. He joined Bloor Homes as a site manager at its Northampton office in 1991, having previously worked for McLean Homes. Commenting on his long career with the housebuilder, he said: “My association with Bloor Homes goes back to 1990, when my dad purchased one of their homes in Northampton. I was so impressed with the quality of build, the high specifications of the house and the final touches that I knew straightaway that this was the company I could see myself building a long-term career with. “I am very excited about the new opportunity I have been presented with. I enjoy working for Bloor as it is a forward-thinking company which encourages team work and new ideas. “Most importantly, it retains traditional values in terms of how a site should be run and never compromises on heath and safety standards.” Mr McNee, who enjoys adventurous backpacking and long mountain walks with his partner, says he will be bringing a practical and pragmatic approach to his new role.

Residential starts were 1% higher on a year ago as a rise in private housing starts offset subdued social housing sector activity. Civil engineering starts were 17% lower than a year ago. The value of work starting on site in the three months to March was 2% higher than during the same period a year ago, according to the latest Glenigan Index. On a seasonally adjusted basis, starts were also 2% up on final three months of 2016. Commenting on this month’s figures, Allan Wilén, Glenigan’s Economics Director, said: “A strong rise in project starts in March has offset earlier weakness and lifted the index for the first quarter of 2017. The increase is partly due to a bounce back in civils projects in March. In addition there have been encouraging increases in industrial, hotel & leisure, and health project starts.” “Private residential starts for the three months to March were 6% higher than a year ago and 3% up on the previous quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis. This renewed strengthening in starts in encouraging and should help sustain sector activity during the current year. Looking further ahead higher inflation is set to squeeze household spending and to dampen activity in the wider housing market. Against this weaker market background we anticipate a softening in private housing project starts during the second half of 2017. “Non-residential projects during the first quarter were 7% up on a year ago and 10% up on the previous three months on a seasonally adjusted basis. The recovery in non-residential starts has been driven by increases in industrial, hotel & leisure and health projects starts. The 27% rise in project start is especially positive and suggests that investors’ are now pressing ahead with projects that were initially reviewed after the EU referendum vote. “There was also a market improvement in civil engineering project starts during March, with an increase in both infrastructure and utilities work. Unfortunately the increases were insufficient to fully offset weak project starts during January and February. Civil engineering starts during the first quarter were 17% down on a year ago and remained a drag on construction starts as a whole. At a regional level, the South East, North East and East of England together with Wales enjoyed double digit growth, with project starts during the first quarter being 27%, 19%, 14% and 13% up respectively on a year earlier. There was also renewed growth in the Capital, while the value of starts in the North West of England also improved. The value of project starts slipped back elsewhere; at 20% the West Midlands saw the sharpest drop in project starts during the quarter. *All figures included in this release exclude projects valued at over £100 million, in order to present clearer time-series trends.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ MAY 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Leicestershire Housebuilder Achieves HBF Five Star Award – Second Year In A Row! THE TEAM at long-standing Leicestershire house builder, William Davis Homes is in celebratory mood after securing coveted 5 Star status for the second year in succession. The announcement follows the results of the national new home customer satisfaction survey conducted by the NHBC (National House Building Council) on behalf of the HBF (Home Builders Federation). Recognised as the ‘gold standard’ for housebuilders, William Davis Homes not only achieved the maximum 5 Star rating but scored in the top fifteen of all housebuilders judged, making the award particularly significant and placing the company ahead of some of the biggest names in the industry. “To achieve this accolade again this year is excellent news for the whole team and demonstrates our continued commitment to quality, attention to detail regarding design of both our homes and developments, craftsmanship and excellent customer service,” commented Guy Higgins, managing director.” The news that we are now recognised as one of the top fifteen housebuilders in the country is particularly pleasing because it is the result of independent, positive feedback

Building plot for sale – Littlethorpe, Leicestershire Attention all builders/ developers/self builders – enclosed site with outline planning permission for a 3 bedroomed, detached dwelling with garden and double parking bay.

DELIGHTED: William Davis Homes’ sales director, Stephen Rush with the HBF 5 star award alongside (l-r) Malcolm Clark and Simon Smith, site managers at the company’s flagship Grange Park development in Loughborough; Viv Aldridge, sales manager; Guy Higgins, managing director; Nina Wood, sales administrator and (back) members of the Grange Park site team. from our homeowners, the people who really count.” The nationally recognised annual survey polls new home owners on a range of subjects including the buying and handover process, design and layout of property, communication of information from the housebuilder, quality and timekeeping. Customers are also asked if they would recommend their builder, with the percentage of corresponding answers revealing the final star rating - 93% of William Davis customers would recommend

them, resulting in the company being awarded the maximum five stars. Established for over eighty years, William Davis Homes has seven award-winning developments currently live across the Midlands with brand new developments scheduled to start at Matlock, Rothley, Rugby and Shepshed as well as others planned for later this year. The survey covered the twelve month period from October 2015 to September 2016.

Single building plot measuring 216 sq m. Outline planning permission for 1 detached two storey dwelling . Internally comprises – 3 first floor bedrooms, 1 ensuite showeroom , family bathroom. Downstairs comprises hall, wc, lounge, good sized kitchen diner. Externally there is a south facing garden and 2 parking bays . Situated in popular village location , within easy reach of shops, schools, major road and rail networks. Offers in the region of £118,000 Full details can be found on Blaby District Council planning websiteApplication reference: 15/1579/FUL To view or request further details email: derek@eec-ltd. com and/or juliehodder1@ hotmail.co.uk

British Property Federation launches three-year pledge for Build-to-Rent THE BRITISH Property Federation (BPF) has given Government its three-year pledge on behalf of the Build-to-Rent sector, with 20 of the sector’s most active investors and developers as signatories.

In the Housing White Paper, Gavin Barwell MP has asked the Build-to-Rent sector – purpose-built, professionally managed rented homes – to offer family-friendly tenancies, such as for three years, for those who want longer-term stability when renting. Gavin Barwell says: “Our Housing reviewed. Such tenancies will allow The BPF’s pledge: “One of the The BPF and a cohort of the White Paper sets out plans to create the tenant to break, after a short Build-to-Rent’s key players have benefits of the UK’s new Build-toa bigger, better private rental sector period of notice.” Rent sector is its ability to offer longer responded and published this for tenants and landlords, and to give pledge to demonstrate the sector’s tenancies to its customers. We, the Ian Fletcher, Director of Real renters a fairer deal. undersigned, therefore pledge to commitment to providing threeEstate Policy, British Property “So, it’s great news that British offer our customers the option of year tenancies and working with Federation comments: “The Build-toProperty Federation members have government to ensure the sector can a three-year tenancy in any of our Rent sector welcomes Government’s pledged to offer family-friendly threenew build-to-rent buildings. Our play its part in rolling back 20 years multi-tenure ambitions for the year tenancies for renters in Build-toof housing undersupply. customers will not be under any housing market, as outlined in the Rent properties. compulsion to take up this three-year recent Housing White Paper, and this The Housing White Paper states “This Government has already tenancy option, and can still opt pledge underlines one of the many that Government will: “Ensure that helped deliver more than 10,000 for shorter terms. To further assist benefits of the sector to Government family-friendly tenancies of three or purpose-build private rented homes customers with their budgeting, and the sector’s customers. While more years are available for those since 2012. This important move we pledge to review rents no more many Build-to-Rent providers already tenants that want them on schemes gives additional security to those frequently than once a year or at offer longer tenancies, our aim is that benefit from our changes. We tenants and their families, as well as the end of the initial term, and to set that three-year tenancies become a are working with the British Property encouraging change in the wider out clearly at the start of the tenancy trademark of the sector.” Federation...to consolidate this market.” the basis on which rents will be approach across the sector.” Housing and Planning Minister

I’m so angry right now that I could strategically throw my phone at a safe spot on the couch.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

I have an 8:30 dinner reservation tonight. That’s like midnight in middle-age time.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Builders’ Problems SOLVED

Making a case to extend time PROBLEM: I work as a contracts manager for a main contractor. Back in January 2016, we started work on the refurbishment of an office block in Birmingham. It was nothing too complex, and we were supposed to finish in December 2016. However, delays were incurred during construction, resulting in the eventual completion being at the end of March 2017 – approximately 13 weeks late. Most of the delays were down to us (let down by a couple of sub-contractors), although part of the delay was the client’s fault. At a meeting towards the back end of 2016, I approached the client and stated that we would not make a claim for an extension of time with loss and expense, providing the client would waiver its claim for liquidated damages. The client seemed quite enthusiastic about this and said it was a good idea. This arrangement was kept to, until we put in the payment application just before completion of the work. Although the client’s agent certified most of our application, we then received a letter from the client headed up ‘Pay Less Notice’, which claimed that we were late in completion and therefore had a right to deduct the liquidated damages as per the contract. Can the client do this? What can we do?

Kim

Building plot for 2 units in Nottingham SDL GRAHAM PENNY are offering for sale BY AUCTION a building plot with Outline Planning Permission for a maximum of two units of living accommodation. The property – adjacent to 12 Elder Street, Nottingham NG17 8GD – extends to 213 sqm. and has 10m frontage. There is potential to build either a single 4-bed house or two 2-bed self-contained flats. Guide Price: £23,000+ For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 4th May 2017 at The Nottingham Belfry Hotel, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham (11.30am start). For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact the auctioneers on 0115 958 8702 or visit www.sdlgrahampenny.co.uk

RESPONSE: Hello Kim. If you wanted to have made the ‘arrangement’ binding, you should have executed a side agreement, which is an agreement that sits in parallel to the main agreement but effectively moves the goal posts as regards to the terms of completion. From your outline, I very much doubt you could establish a binding agreement was reached, or there was a legal waiver as to the right to claim damages or, estoppel. Your client, as the employer under the building contract, was quite within its rights to issue a pay less notice. Where an employer to a construction contract wishes to set-off sums against a payment that is due to a contractor, it is mandatory for the employer to issue a pay less notice, and providing the pay less notice is a) issued on time; b) specifies both the sum that is considered to be due at the date the notice is given; and c) the basis on which that sum has been calculated, then the pay less notice is valid. However, it does not mean that the pay less notice cannot be challenged. For example, if the contract is a JCT, a condition precedent to the deduction of liquidated damages is for a notice of non-completion to have previously been issued. You could also challenge the liquidated damages as being a penalty if the damages are extremely high when compared to the actual or likely losses. I would however suggest that the best way forward, would be for you to provide the necessary level of evidence that would establish that you are not responsible for at least part of the delay, and then try and reach a formal agreement where each party is responsible for its own costs. © Michael P. Gerard May 2017 The advice provided is intended to be of a general guide only and should not be viewed as providing a definitive legal analysis.

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

Final homes now available at two of Bellway’s developments in Leicestershire THE FINAL homes have now been released for sale at two of Bellway’s latest developments in Leicestershire, as construction work at both sites draws to a close. Bellway East Midlands has almost completed its work at Whittle Fields in Lutterworth and Victory Gardens in Fleckney. A total of 130 new homes have been built at Whittle Fields on land off Coventry Road while Victory Gardens features a total of 28 new homes off High Street. Construction is now underway on the final homes at both sites, and sales director for Bellway’s East Midlands division, Ben Smith, said both Victory Gardens and Bellway’s Whittle Fields development in Lutterworth Whittle Fields had proved incredibly popular with homehunters in the region. He said: “We’ve been experiencing some fantastic success with our developments in Leicestershire recently, and both Whittle Fields and Victory Gardens have been up there with our best-selling sites in the East Midlands over the last few months. “While each site has its own character, both have been designed to suit the needs of a range of different buyers. We’ve seen a great mix of people purchasing homes at both sites, which has helped form two fantastic new communities. “The Help to Buy scheme has been incredibly popular at both developments and has been one of the main factors behind the success of both sites. It has given many families the opportunity to take their first steps on the property ladder, while people who already owned a home have been able to upsize to a larger property with the help of the scheme.

I’m gonna open a shop where people can come in and just scream into a pillow and then leave.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I hate when I’m running on the treadmill for half an hour and look down to see it’s been 4 minutes.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI®

Weaker housing activity growth weighs on UK construction sector Key findings: Business activity growth eases in March Housing slowdown offsets rebound in civil engineering and commercial work Input price inflation slows further from January’s peak MARCH DATA revealed a slowdown in growth across the UK construction sector, led by a weaker rise in residential building activity. The latest survey also pointed to only a marginal increase in new work, which contributed to slower employment growth and a slight decline in input buying. However, construction companies remain relatively upbeat about their near-term growth prospects, partly reflecting a stabilisation of client confidence from the post-referendum lows seen in 2016. Optimism regarding year-ahead business activity picked up in March to its second-highest since December 2015. The seasonally adjusted Markit/ CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) dropped from 52.5 in February to 52.2 in March, to signal the joint-slowest upturn in overall construction output since the current period of expansion began in September 2016. Softer growth primarily reflected a loss of momentum in housing activity, which offset a rebound in both commercial and civil engineering activity. The latest increase in work on civil engineering projects was the fastest so far in 2017 and the strongest of the three subcategories monitored by the survey in March. Subdued new business growth persisted in March, with the rate of expansion unchanged from the fourmonth low seen in February. Construction companies noted that squeezed client budgets had acted as a brake on new business growth. There were also reports citing planning delays and greater cost consciousness among clients. At the same time, survey

respondents noted that reduced Brexit-related anxiety and the resilient economic backdrop had a positive impact on new invitations to tender. This helped underpin an improvement in business confidence regarding the growth outlook. Almost half of the survey panel expect a rise in business activity during the year ahead, against only 9% that forecast a decline. Construction companies recorded a solid increase in employment numbers in March, although the pace of job creation eased to a three-month low. Meanwhile, subcontractor usage dipped slightly since February, but construction firms continued to report a sharp drop in the availability of subcontractors. Input buying declined for only the second time since September 2016, which was mainly linked to subdued new business growth in March. Supplier performance nonetheless deteriorated at one of the fastest rates seen over the past two years, driven by low stocks among vendors. Input cost inflation remained strong in March, linked to higher prices for imported materials and global commodity price rises. However, the overall rate of cost inflation eased further from the eight-and-half year peak seen in January.

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI® , said: “UK construction firms experienced a growth slowdown in March, with the loss of momentum centred on housebuilding. A weaker trend for residential work has been reported throughout 2017 so far, which provides an indication that the cooling UK housing market has started to act as a drag on the construction sector. “Civil engineering projects were the construction sector’s main growth engine in March, driven by rising infrastructure spending and a strong pipeline of new work throughout the UK. “March data showed a slight rebound in commercial construction activity. Survey respondents noted that the resilient economic backdrop and receding Brexitrelated anxieties have helped to stabilise client demand after the disruption to development projects last summer. “Despite a relatively subdued rise in new work during March, UK construction firms reported a more sanguine assessment of their yearahead growth prospects. Business confidence was among the highest seen since the end of 2015, which construction companies linked to upcoming tender opportunities, plans for increased marketing

expenditure and hopes of a sustained recovery in clients’ willingness to spend.” Duncan Brock, Director of Customer Relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “Where the housing sector acted as the main engine of growth over the last four years, this month it was slower and stuttering, while overall purchasing activity in the construction sector was disappointingly tame, shackled by a lack of new orders and rising costs. “This downbeat effect took a small bite out of any strong rises in employment levels, as the increase in staff hiring was at a three-month low. But as the sector showed strong optimism for future business, concerns over the skilled labour availability are likely to persist in coming months. “Pressure on suppliers remained intense, as they battled against lower stocks and made greater efforts to fight the pincer movement of a shortage in some materials and the continued force of higher global commodity prices. “Now the trigger has been pulled to propel the UK out of the EU, the construction sector must keep an attentive eye on how the UK Government’s negotiations will play out and whether consumer and business caution returns to hamper further progress.”

Residential development opportunity in Rempstone MATHER JAMIE are offering for sale an 8.5 acre freehold residential development opportunity at Rempstone Hall Farm, Rempstone, Near Loughborough, Leics. LE12 6RG. The property comprises a range of farm buildings with full consent for demolition and building of five new dwellings. Also included is the existing two-bed brick-built bungalow with potential for extension/refurbishment/ demolition & rebuilding – all subject to planning consent being granted. There is also a 3.62 acre paddock with possible long term potential for development, subject to planning. An overage clause will apply to this part of the property. For sale freehold with vacant possession – as a whole. Offers to be received by Friday 5th May 2017. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Martin Ward at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: martin.ward@matherjamie.co.uk

Very rarely am I part of the problem. Usually, I’m the entire problem.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Offices at Leicester Fire The Apprenticeship Levy Station are hot property Principal Thoughts

In this article, Ashley Wheaton discusses what the Government apprenticeship levy means for the Built Environment, and how companies can capitalise on it straight away.

THE APPRENTICESHIP levy, which came into force in April, aims to fund three million apprenticeships by 2020. Although the Built Environment sector is well known for its investment in apprenticeships, this levy provides an additional resource for employers to up-skill existing staff, combat the skills gap and invest in their future workforce. Although the feeling surrounding the introduction of the levy is generally quite optimistic within both the construction and real estate industries, many companies are yet to begin developing an apprenticeship recruitment strategy. This will undoubtedly need some planning and consideration, however, there are a number of reasons why companies can – and should – begin capitalising on the levy as soon as possible.

Do you already know your next apprentice? One lesser-known fact about the apprenticeship levy is that employers can use the funds to train their existing staff members. If you already have a forecast of future training requirements, you can start to make use of the levy as soon as it becomes available. This is a great opportunity to up-skill your existing workforce, running alongside the recruitment of new apprentices. With this in mind, the introduction of the levy also provides an incentive for businesses to review their learning and development budgets and strategy – which will only be made easier by the Government’s online Apprenticeship Service portal. And this gives employers a chance to review their graduate programmes – particularly with the introduction of higher-level degree apprenticeships.

A race for the best providers Although the levy has not officially come into force, employers can still use this time to explore the range of apprenticeship providers available to them, and to decide what will work best for their business when the funds are released. Fully registered providers with accredited apprenticeship programmes will be highly sought after by employers, particularly in the construction industry. It’s important to be one step ahead and ensure value for money when spending your levy. Employers should evaluate what they want from a provider, whether it’s end-to-end support to manage the apprentice’s journey, or flexible training programmes which directly suit their business needs.

Use it or lose it Another reason for employers to kick-start their drive for apprenticeships is the 18-month time limit on spending the levy. If funds remain in a company’s levy account for any longer then they will be taken away. Although the Government will notify you before any of your funds are due to expire, it’s wise to have a plan in place for how best to use them to suit your business – avoiding any last minute panic. Whilst the Built Environment sector – and construction industry in particular – is well known for hiring apprentices, the process is new for many companies. A step into the unknown can feel like a risky business decision, but with 89 per cent of organisations reporting improved quality of service due to apprentice hire (according to a recent skills development survey), it’s a step that could prove to be brilliant.

LEICESTERSHIRE Fire Service is looking for tenants for the first floor offices of its Central Fire Station on Lancaster Road in Leicester, through property experts Mather Jamie on behalf of the Fire Authority’s advisors Bishop Property Consultants, and is hoping to attract businesses looking for a prestigious property in a central location. The Central Fire Station, on Lancaster Road, offers fully refurbished office accommodation in a prestigious building. The open-plan offices offer more than 3,000ft2 of space, including a meeting room, private office and kitchen area, plus there are male and female WCs with shower facilities in the highly individual period building. The offices also come with car parking for up to five cars on site. The 1920s Grade II-listed fire station was given a £3.5 million makeover in 2010 and named Leicester’s most impressive restoration project by the Leicester Civic Society in 2011. A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire Service said: “Following the consolidation of staff at our HQ building at Birstall, we have a defined area on the first floor at Central Fire and Rescue Station from which we can generate income by renting out. Fire Authority Property Advisor Jonathan Bishop, said: “The station is a historic and iconic Leicester building, which would enhance any business working from there. Interested parties should contact Mather Jamie, who are acting on behalf of Bishop Property Consultants.” Alex Reid, Director of Mather Jamie, said: “Businesses looking for offices that are a little out of the ordinary, but still modern and well located, should consider the first floor accommodation at Leicester’s Central Fire Station. “It can easily be accessed from the train station, has car parking, and the offices themselves have been fully refurbished as part of an award winning restoration project. With quality office space at a premium in Leicester, one of the fastest growing cities in the region, we expect this to generate a lot of interest.” For details of this, or other commercial property opportunities in Leicestershire, and elsewhere in the East Midlands, please call Alex Reid at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email alex.reid@matherjamie.co.uk. Established in 1991 and based in the East Midlands, Mather Jamie Chartered Surveyors is an independent development, commercial and rural surveying business with a long established and unrivalled reputation for delivering professional, reliable advice and expertise on major residential and commercial development schemes. For more information please telephone 01509 233433 or visit www.matherjamie.co.uk.

I went to a record store, they said they specialized in hard-to-find records — nothing was alphabetized.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

I’m sick of following my dreams, I’m going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

City primary Jamie Lewis Donation school unveils paves way for Alice Hawkins statue £3million extension A CITY primary school is celebrating its £3million extension project with an official opening event. Wolsey House Primary School, in Beaumont Leys Lane, has been extended with six new classrooms, plus a new classroom for reception pupils and a new, larger staff room. The improvements mean the school will be able to increase its intake by up to 210 more pupils, by having three classes in each school year. The new extension offers flexible space for learning and modern facilities for children and staff at the school. It was commissioned by Leicester City Council, with work carried out by contractors Wates Construction.

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SUFFRAGETTE Alice Hawkins is to be commemorated with a statue in Leicester city centre, thanks to a donation by a local businessman. Jamie Lewis – the developer behind the city’s CODE Student Accommodation – has donated £62,400 to the project, which means that plans can now go ahead to create a statue of the woman who led the suffrage movement in Leicester. As the owner of the former Equity shoe factory on Western Road, where Alice spent many years working as a machinist and where she became an active trade unionist, Mr Lewis is well aware of the building’s history “We knew we were buying a piece of Leicester’s heritage when we bought the old factory in 2009 from one of Leicester’s last few remaining co-operatives, Equity Shoes,” he said. “The Alice Hawkins blue plaque on the wall made its historical significance clear. “Although the factory that Alice knew is long gone, we were keen to preserve those connections to her when we converted the building. “Today, as you walk in through the factory gates – which are now the entrance to our student accommodation – you’ll see large panels on either side that commemorate Alice’s life in words and images, together with the history of the suffragette movement. “We’re very proud of our connections to Alice and admire how she and others took on the establishment and succeeded, resulting in women in the UK having a democratic right to vote – something that even in the 21st century, women are still unable to do in some parts of the world. “So when the Alice Hawkins Legacy Group asked if we would like to support their campaign for a statue, it felt like an obvious thing to be involved with – and I am delighted that we were able to help.” The statue of Alice will be installed in Leicester’s new market square and is expected to be unveiled as part of celebrations to mark next year’s centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 and Parliament’s Vote 100 initiative. The act began the reform of the electoral system in the UK and finally paved the way for equality for men and women at the ballot box. Further details of the Alice Hawkins statue project will be announced soon.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Residential development land for 31 dwellings in Littlethorpe

Nottingham residential scheme given the green light

ANDREW GRANGER & CO are offering for sale a residential development site with full planning permission for 31 dwellings. The land – situated off Warwick Road, Littlethorpe, Leicestershire – extends to approximately 2.74 acres (1.11 ha). A Minded to Approve has been granted on the full detailed planning application by Blabt District Council (ref: 13/0854/1/PX) for the erection of 31 dwellings and associated garages with vehicular access from Warwick Road. The permission is subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement (available on request), which has been agreed. The approved development scheme is subject to a requirement of 7 onsite affordable dwellings . The site is being offered for sale by INFORMAL TENDER, with a preference for unconditional offers. The closing date for receipt of written offers is 12 noon on Friday 12th May 2017. For more information, contact Chris Green at Andrew Granger & Co on 01858 439090 or email: chris.green@andrewgranger.co.uk

A MULTI-MILLION pound residential scheme earmarked for Nottingham has been given the go-ahead. Maryland Securities’ residential led scheme on Alfreton Road will see a three-acre former lace factory site transformed into a major mixed use scheme of housing and shops. Called Avitus, the scheme is expected to create around 650 jobs during construction and an additional 100-plus permanent jobs in various sectors while injecting £124 million during construction and £26 million from retail and other sectors to the economy. The project is the vision of Jacob Jebreel, development head of Manchester-based Maryland, who has successfully managed the land assembly of the site. Designed by Nottingham-born architect Stephen Hodder MBE, the Sterling prize winner for architecture, Avitus incorporates five buildings of up to eight storeys in height built around landscaped courtyards. The residential element is complemented with seven ground floor retail leisure units located next to Tesco fronting Alfreton Road. Avitus brings back to life the site of the former Forest Mills lace factory bounded by Alfreton Road, Boden Street, Denman Street, and Highhurst Street, which has been disused for several years.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Work underway on new homes in Melton Mowbray Leicester City

Mr Karan Chadha (c/o Agent: Mahesh Chadha, MKC Design Consultants, 61 Linden Drive, Leicester LE5 6AJ) – Change of use from public house on first and second floors to 5 flats plus dormers front and rear – at 29 Portsmouth Road, Leicester.

Mr N & Mrs S Parmar (c/o Agent: Muthar Al-Salloum, MAS Architecture Ltd, Studio G005, Atkins Building, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1QU) – Change of use from council depot and storage to 3 dwellings plus single storey extension to rear – at The Depot, Western Park, Hinckley Road, Leicester. Aronex Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Liam Donnelly, Studio M, 3rd Floor, 100 Greenfield, London E1 1EJ) – Construction of eight-storey building to provide 52 student studio flats – at site of 44 Conduit Street, Leicester. Mr A Singh (c/o Agent: G Kitaure, Gurmukh Building Design Ltd, The Old School House, School Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9SW) – Construction of second floor to form 4 bedsits – at Piccadilly Cinema, Green Lane Road, Leicester. Mr J Ghelani (c/o Agent: Dinesh Tailor, DT Designs Ltd, 74A Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Construction of single & two-storey extension to side of restaurant with hot-food takeaway plus alterations to car park – at Indigo Restaurant, 432 Melton Road, Leicester. Innvonex Ltd (c/o Agent: Paul Thurlby, Gordon White & Hood, 1 Newtown Street, Leicester LE1 6WH) – Retail unit and associated first floor offices/ storage areas, plus rear service yards and car parking – at The Exchange and Invincible Public House, Sturdee Road, Leicester. Mr Bansdeep Dhillon (c/o Agent: Sajjad Ibrahim, SI Designs, 65 Greenacre Drive, Leicester LE5 6TE) – Change of use from house to 2 flats plus single storey rear extension – at 92 Greenhill Road, Leicester. Mrs Jennifer Hammond (c/o Agent: Paul Cleaver Architect, 5 Wellington Street, Leicester LE1 6HH) – Construction of 2 dwellinghouses – at 1 Monsell Drive, Leicester.

LEADING DEVELOPER Westleigh Homes has formally begun the construction of 97 new two, three and four bedroom homes on the edge of Melton Mowbray. The Melton Fields development on Leicester Road will offer a mix of home styles to suit all lifestyles and budgets, from first time buyers and those looking to downsize, to growing families seeking more space. Located to the southwest of the historic market town on the A607, Melton Fields blends the character of the countryside with the convenience of a well-connected suburban development. Robert Orr It offers a straightforward commute to Leicester and the facilities of Melton town centre, including schools, a hospital, shops, restaurants and the famous Melton Mowbray Market, are only a short drive away. After gaining planning consent last October, the developer has now begun work on the foundations and is hoping to release the first new properties to buyers in Summer 2017. Robert Orr, Sales and Marketing Manager at Westleigh, said: “Melton Mowbray is a charming market town with a distinctive personality. We have taken great care in designing a collection of stylish modern homes in keeping with the town’s character, which we are sure will prove popular with buyers.

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Ms Sarah Hammond (c/o Agent: Pritesh Patel, Leicester City Council, Phoenix House, 1 King Street, Leicester LE1 6RN) – Construction of single storey extension at front & side of residential care home – at Community Home, 31 Dunblane Avenue, Leicester. Mr M Patel (c/o Agent: Mohammed Tanvir Malik, Malik Enterprises, 30 Carlton Drive, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1DE) – Change of use of single dwelling to 5 one-bedroom self-contained flats – at 280 East Park Road, Leicester. Mr Ali Alimohamed (c/o Agent: Bernard Taruvinga, Kunstler Design Architects, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE) – Change of use from bank to ground floor shop and first floor to one flat, single & twostorey side extension, demolition of outbuilding plus construction of two-storey detached building to provide 2 flats – at 94 Wood Hill, Leicester. Mr Singh (c/o Agent: Val Harding, Harding Planning Services, 15 Riddington Road, Leicester LE3 2JS) – Change of use of part of ground floor to provide 2 flats plus single storey rear extension – at 26 Uppingham Road, Leicester. Mr Nick Makin (c/o Agent: Matthew Roe, Marrons Planning, 1 Meridian South, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WY) – Change of use of 1st to 4th floors from nightclub & residential accommodation to 28 apartments – at 30-32 Granby Street, Leicester. Mr Paul Clark (c/o Agent: Paul Thurlby, Gordon White & Hood, Beresford House, 1 Newtown Street, Leicester LE1 6WH) – Demolition of workshop, construction of single storey maintenance workshop with mezzanine floor space for ancillary offices and kitchen area – at Transport House, 4 Murrayfield Road, Leicester.

Name: ............................................................................................... Address .............................................................................................. ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

I order the club sandwich all the time and I’m not even a member. I don’t know how I get away with it.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Anicca Digital (c/o Agent: Malcolm Goodall, The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd, 130 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GE) – Demolition of existing office building (former public house) and construction of four-storey office building – at 1 Abbey Gate, Leicester. Ms Aniz Akban (c/o Agent: Bernard Taruvinga, Kunstler Designs Architect, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE) – Demolition of existing building and erection of two-storey building to accommodate 4 self-contained flats – at 191-191B Loughborough Road, Leicester. Jamie Lewis Residential Lettings Ltd (c/o Agent: Chris May, Howes Percival, 3 The Osiers Business Park, Laversall Way, Braunstone Town, Leicester LE319 1DX) – Construction of one 10-storey, one 14-storey and one 16-storey tower with a 5, 8 and 9-storey podium providing 435 dwellings with ancillary leisure facilities, parking and amenity space, plus ground floor commercial unit and all associated works – at Former Merlin Works, Bath Continued over the page ...> Lane, Leicester.

East Midlands Housebuilder Retains Five Star Accolade For Record Twelfth Consecutive Year McCarthy & Stone’s East Midland’s team is celebrating after the UK’s leading retirement housebuilder achieved a five star customer satisfaction rating for a record twelfth consecutive year, in an independent survey announced by the Home Builders Federation (HBF). The five stars are awarded when more than nine out of ten customers would recommend a company to a friend. McCarthy & Stone is the only housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this award for twelve years running, which is ever year since the awards began. The HBF’s yearly survey of purchasers is one of the largest ever customer surveys, totalling 52,290 purchasers of a new homes in 2016, with 1,433 customers from McCarthy & Stone completing the survey. The HBF award recognises McCarthy & Stone’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service across the business, with particular emphasis on the developer’s commitment to guiding home buyers through the purchasing process, including the provision of post-sales support. McCarthy & Stone provides high-quality developments in central locations, which are close to amenities with level access and good public transport links, such as River View Court, Churchmead Court and Wolsey Court. The award is particularly impressive given the company’s recent expansion – it grew by 20% in 2016, building and selling 2,299 apartments. The modern designs of McCarthy & Stone apartments have grown around features tried, tested and honed over a total of more than 1,100 developments in the last 40 years, and which has been helped by continual feedback from its customers.

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Last week I helped my friend stay put. It’s a lot easier than helping someone move.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

£6.5m investment programme secures 46 jobs at British Gypsum Goldcharm Residential Ltd (c/o Agent: Watkin Jones Group, 3 Abbots Park, Preston Brook WA7 3GH) – Construction of 322 residential units, approx. 410 sq.metres of flexible commercial space, ground level parking, ancillary works and landscaping – at All Saints Road/bath Lane, Jarvis Street & Ruding Street, Leicester. Cherre Residential Care Home (c/o Agent: Geoffrey Middleton, Kirkham Middleton Architects, The Coach House, 139A Queens Road, Clarendon Road, Leicester LE2 3FL) – Change of use from care home to 13 self-contained flats plus third floor extension at rear – at Bradgate House, 136 Westcotes Drive, Leicester.

Hinckley & Bosworth Mr A Tyler (c/o Agent: Hayward Architects Ltd, 19 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) – Prior notification for change of use from office to 3 apartments – at 8A Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 0QD.

BRITISH GYPSUM’S Barrow-UponSoar gypsum mine has announced the completion of a £6.5 million investment programme which is set to secure supplies of British plaster products for up to 20 years. It has also safeguarded over 40 jobs at the mine. The investment means new areas of the mine can be opened up and fitted out with conveyors, fans and mining equipment, allowing the site to continue supplying sufficient gypsum to plaster the equivalent of around one million homes each year. The move has also secured 46 jobs at the mine, resulting in a total of 141 jobs at the world’s largest plaster manufacturing plant based on the same site at Barrow-Upon-Soar. It will also indirectly support hundreds of jobs at other British Gypsum sites across the Midlands including East Leake in Pictured (l-r) Gareth Cresswell, Duncan Staff, Nottinghamshire and Fauld in Staffordshire, and at British Gyspum’s sister business Saint-Gobain Sam Bucknall and David North Formula in Newark. Barrow’s mine manager David North said: “Opening a different area of the mine means nine kilometres of extra conveyor belt is needed for what will be 500 kilometres of new tunnels. More fans are also needed to force air through the additional areas of the mine, and mining and loaders that are mostly electric rather than diesel are being installed, to be quieter, environmentally sustainable and to create a better working environment for the workforce. “The big investment items include a new ‘miner’ machine imported from the USA. This machine weighs 154 tonnes and uses 98 picks on a rotating drum to slice through the gypsum rock, which the new electric ‘shuttle-cars’ then load up at a rate of up to 38 tonnes of rock per minute and deposit on to the conveyors”. He added: “The area has very good natural reserves of gypsum rock which lie around 100 metres underground. “Not only is the gypsum seam rich but it contains mudstone, which gives plaster the characteristic pink colour demanded by plasterers, as well as unique polishing properties”.

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

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Heritage panels bring buildings’ past to life MORE of the stories behind some of Leicester’s most interesting buildings and places have been brought to life in 20 new heritage interpretation panels.

Amongst the recently-installed panels are the stories of the city knitwear factory that provided underwear to both Captain Scott and Roald Amundsen, the church whose vicar helped lead the 1905 March of the Unemployed, the houses that offered cheap lodgings to migrant workers in the middle of Leicester’s worst slums, and the oldest multi-storey car park in Europe. There are also panels celebrating Leicester’s pubs – with a panel outside the Marquis Wellington on London Road – its shoemaking industry, and its streets, with a new panel telling how the Roman ‘Forum Porcorum’, or Swine Market, became ‘High Street’ in the early 16th century. All of the panels are part of a major project that celebrates Leicester’s 2000-year history. “These new panels tell the fascinating histories of these familiar places and give a glimpse into the city’s past,” said City Mayor Peter Soulsby. “This latest batch of panels includes stories from the Belgrave Road and London Road areas – encouraging

South Charnwood High School (c/o Agent: Richard Crowson, Watson Batty Architects Ltd, Limehurst House, Bridge Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1NH) – Construction of 3G (artificial grass surface) sports pitch, erection of floodlight columns and fencing – at South Charnwood High School, Broad Lane, Stanton under Bardon, Leics. LE67 9TB.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby with one of the Belgrave Heritage panels people to explore beyond the city centre and discover more of Leicester’s rich heritage. “Leicester has much to be proud of, and I hope that all of these informative panels will help make local people more aware of the history that’s all around them.” Leicester’s heritage information panels can be seen in shopping centres, on medieval churches, near former warehouses and in front of the city’s iconic landmarks such as the

Clock Tower and Corn Exchange. They can also be seen in Leicester’s historic villages, including Aylestone, Belgrave and Evington. More than 100 panels have been installed around the city in the past three years, charting Leicester’s journey from Roman times to the modern era. The panels are grouped in themes to tell different chapters in the city’s story, and each theme is colour-coded to make them easy to identify.

Invicta Universal Ltd (c/o Agent: Miss Subrina Fernandes, TMDP LLP, Unit 3, Bridge Farm, Holt Lane, Ashby Magna, Lutterworth, Leics. LE17 5NJ) – Erection of 2 detached dwellings and associated access (Revised Scheme) – at land north east of Old White Cottage, 2 Newbold Road, Desford, Leicester LE9 9GS. Mr Steve Robson (c/o Agent: David Walton, The Environment Partnership, Genesis Centre, Garrett Field, Warrington WA3 7BH) – Residential development of up to 23 dwellings – at Millfield Day Centre, Frederick Avenue, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 0EX.

I know a lot about cars, man. I can look at a car’s headlights and tell you exactly which way it’s going.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Modha Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: Axon Architects, 65 Druid Street, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1QG) – Approval of reserved matters of outline planning permission 16/00204/OUT for the erection of 14 dwellings – at 29 Moore Road, Barwell, Leicester LE9 8AF.

Range of outbuildings for conversion to 4 dwellings in Plungar

SDL GRAHAM PENNY are offering for sale BY AUCTION a two-bed detached bungalow requiring upgrading and improvement.

Cadeby Homes (c/o Agent: Mat Humby, Ritchie & Ritchie LLP, The Manor House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth B79 7QF) – Erection of 5 detached dwellings – at Longacre House, 81 Bagworth Road, Nailstone, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0QJ. Mr Henry (c/o Agent: ADM Surveyors, Suite 1, Rosehill, 165 Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leics. LE8 4DX) – Approval of reserved matters of outline planning permission 14/00962/OUT for the erection of 3 dwellings – at Brookvale Cottages, Ratby Road, Groby, Leicester. Mrs D Maloney (c/o Agent: Miss Jessica Herrity, Fisher German, The Estates Office, Norman Court, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2UZ) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 4 School Lane, Stapleton, Leicester LE9 8JR.

Detached bungalow in East Leake requires upgrading

BENTONS are offering for sale an excellent range of stables and barns with detailed planning consent for conversion to 4 dwellings. The property - at Frog Lane, Plungar, Nottingham - comprises a range of stables situated around a large courtyard ideal for front gardens and parking. The barns also all offer private amenity garden to the rear, the larger barn having a good sized plot and approximately 2,000 sqft of potential accommodation. Price from £450,000. For more information, contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@ bentons.co.uk

The property – 5 Roulstone Crescent, East Leake, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 6JL – is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac and requires full modernisation, upgrading and improvement. It benefits from gas central heating, upvc double glazing where specified, manageable front and rear gardens, driveway to the side plus a single garage. Guide Price: £165,000+. For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 4th May 2017 at The Nottingham Belfry Hotel, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham (11.30am start). For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact the auctioneers on 0115 958 8702 or visit www.sdlgrahampenny.co.uk

Tel: 0116 2853 777 Leema Technologies Limited. The Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL I would imagine if you could understand morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Developers back housing white paper’s pledge to free up brownfield land and cut local authority planning application approval time RELEASING more publicly owned brownfield land for development is the biggest opportunity arising from the government’s recently launched housing white paper, according to new research1 among property developers commissioned by Amicus Property Finance, the specialist short term property lender. Over two-thirds (69%) of developers think increasing the availability of brownfield sites will offer the most potential for developers. The proposed reduction in the time permitted by local authorities to approve planning applications from three to two years (49%), continuation of the Help to Buy scheme (45%) and increasing the focus on building homes in the affordable sector (41%) were the second, third and fourth most popular measures respectively. Despite showing support for elements of the housing white paper, property developers are sceptical of the government’s target

to build one million homes by 2020 with just one in five (21%) believing this target to be realistic. Amicus’ research revealed a number of additional policies property developers would like to see the government introducing in order to address the housing crisis: more than three-quarters (78%) called for a repeal of the stamp duty rises and tax relief reductions on landlords; more than two in five (44%) would like to see incentives for elderly people to downsize and free up family homes; four in ten (41%) think stamp duty should become a seller’s tax rather than a buyer’s tax and 37% recommended a suspension in capital gains tax to encourage more land to come to the market. Keith Aldridge, Founder & Managing Director at Amicus Property Finance, added: “Property developers appear highly supportive of a number of the ideas in the white paper, particularly releasing more brownfield land to the market and the greater focus on affordable housing. The existing ‘Help to Buy’ initiative has also been well received

by many developers and we have already financed a number of successful developments in the south east.” “Though large scale government investment plays a part in stimulating supply, developers see the current tax laws as one of the biggest obstacles to solving the housing crisis, particularly repealing the recent stamp duty increases for landlords.” Amicus Property Finance, part of Amicus Finance plc, the leading specialist financial services group, has seen a strong start to 2017 having provided more than £500 million of short term property loans last year as it further expanded its customer base among brokers, professional landlords and developers seeking finance for residential and commercial real estate assets. As part of its growth journey, Amicus Finance plc, which expects to receive its banking licence this year, opened an office in Manchester last year to significantly expand its presence across the North.

Horiba Mira Ltd (c/o Agent: Graeme Warriner, Barton Willmore, 7 Soho Square, London W1D 3QD) – Erection of 2 workshop and office buildings including car parking and landscaping – at Horiba Mira Ltd, Watling Street, Caldecote, Nuneaton, Warks. CV10 0TT.

Melton Borough Mr Ian Hardwick (c/o Agent: James Brindley, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Proposed 2 three-bed semidetached dwellings –at land adjacent to Mill House, The Uplands, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Mr Ian Hardwick (c/o Agent: James Brindley, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Proposed mixed development of 5 three-bed dwellings and one garage – at Mill House, The Uplands, Melton Mowbray, Leics.

I wish all my clothes were made out of blankets. That way, if I fall asleep with my clothes on, I’m tucked in.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

High rising professionalism with IStructE – inspired by Andy Kenyon Mrs Brown and Clark (c/o Agent: Adam Murray, Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Outline application for residential development of 16 dwellings – at land off Canal Lane, Hose, Near Melton Mowbray, Leics. Mr M Finnie (c/o Agent: RG+P Ltd, 130 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7JA) – Mixed use development comprising 97 dwellings, employment land and associated infrastructure – at land west of Bowling Green, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Ben Williams, GVA, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB) – Outline application for residential development (up to 70 dwellings) and associated infrastructure (Resubmission) – at Field 0070, Hoby Road, Asfordby, Leics. Brampton Valley Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: Martin Bagshaw, MHB Planning Ltd, Dale View, Rews Close, Combe Martin EX34 0DW) – Reserved matters application for 43 dwellings – at Field 1357, Melton Road, Waltham on the Wolds, Leics.

ANDY KENYON (right) leads the East Midlands team of JMS and was Chairman of IStructE East Midlands until handing over to Steve Swindale (left) of Swindale Associates at the Chairman’s Installation Dinner earlier this year. In its own words, “the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) is the world’s largest organisation dedicated to the art of science and structural engineering”. With 27,000 members in 105 countries it is internationally recognised as a source of expertise and information concerning all issues involving structural engineering and public safety. It supports and protects professionalism within the industry, upholding professional standards and acting as the global voice for the qualities of structural engineers. The IStructE President, Ian Firth (pictured, centre), was guest of honour. During the formal part of the evening’s procedures he thanked Andy for his year in office and handed over the ceremonial chain of office to Steve.

L-R: Steve Swindale, Ian Firth and Andy Kenyon. Part of the institution’s remit is to nurture and support students from the earlier years of merely considering structural engineering as a career possibility, through the studious and vocational years that build their professional commitment.

Andy and his team chose this as their focus for his year in office, extending the institution’s dedication to professional standards, competence and recognition. Qualification is not just a ‘cashfor-letters’ exchange (that’s just membership!). Qualification is a lengthy process first to build a portfolio of representative structural engineering projects, then to pass a 7 hour exam (which has a mere 30% pass rate). Both require hard work and guidance. Part of a regional chair’s role is to sit on the Council that forms the central body of IStructE. Here, Andy was able to represent issues arising from the regional technical meetings and professional review meetings, both of which form the essence of regional office activity. In his outgoing speech, Andy thanked his committee members for their support, in particular Chris Leese (also of JMS) for his work with young members. This focussed on the development of the regional Young Members Group, which Chris leads. Efforts here delivered a 30% increase in student membership in the year and an 11% increase in membership overall.

LAND AT WARWICK ROAD & COSBY ROAD, LITTLETHORPE, LEICESTERSHIRE TWO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SITES FOR COMBINED TOTAL OF UP TO 56 DWELLINGS -

Warwick Road site benefitting from Full Planning Consent for 31 dwellings (BDC ref. 13/0854/1/PX) Cosby Road site benefitting from Outline Planning Consent for up to 25 dwellings (BDC ref. 13/0884/1/OX) Section 106 and further details available upon request. Offers invited for sites individually and as a whole.

For further information, please contact the Planning & Development Department on:Tel: 01858 439 090 Email: planning@andrewgranger.co.uk Established in 1989, East Midlands property experts Andrew Granger & Co. are a wide multi-disciplinary consultancy featuring residential sales and lettings, commercial, rural and professional services. Offering a high quality and affordable service, Andrew Granger & Co. have the expertise and experience to assist with Planning and Development queries across the Midlands and further afield. www.andrewgranger.co.uk

Wearing a turtleneck is like being strangled by a really weak guy... all day.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Improving Infrastructure And Boosting Productivity Go Hand In Hand – CBI IMPROVEMENTS in regional infrastructure will help boost productivity and give England’s regions the chance to improve links with international markets, according to a new CBI report.

Mrs Sarah Grey (c/o Agent: Colin Wilkinson, Planit-X, 21 New Road, Burton Lazars, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 2UU) – Residential development of up to 80 dwellings, associated infrastructure and landscaping – at land opposite 1 & 10 Station Lane, Old Dalby, Leics.

Shaping Regional Infrastructure, a report drawing on conversations with members of the UK’s largest business group, Unlocking Regional Growth and the 2016 CBI/AECOM Infrastructure Survey, demonstrates the pressing need felt by businesses to enhance their infrastructure and connectivity across the country. Improving the links between regions will give firms access to a broader labour market pool and better connections to supply chains. Moreover, with businesses across the country wanting a long term aviation strategy that makes the best use of regional airports, better links to these are vital to connecting firms with new and existing international markets to which to export – particularly important post-Brexit. CBI analysis shows that if each region of England grew at the same pace as the best performing area within each region did between 2004 and 2014, the gain to England’s economy could be £175 billion by 20241. And improvements to infrastructure could play an important role in this. With 94% of firms also seeing technology as a crucial driver of increased productivity, its better and greater use will improve infrastructure delivery. Firms want to see a more joined up approach to delivery across the different types of infrastructure, from housing to energy to transport. Strategic regional plans, with a clear idea of where decisions will be made, are also important to businesses, as less than half (47%) think devolution will lead to material improvements in local infrastructure.

Harborough Penland Estates Ltd (c/o Agent: Fisher German LLP, The Estates Office, Norman Court, Ivanhoe Business Park, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2UZ) – Outline planning application for the erection of 6 dwellings with garages – at land at Langton Road, Great Bowden, Leics.

AUCTION: Farmhouse for complete renovation WA BARNES are offering for sale BY AUCTION a farmhouse in need of complete renovation, with an outbuilding plus 2.57 acre paddock in a delightful rural location.

Mr Mick Harris (c/o Agent: Robert Glenn, Rockingham Design Partnership, 4 Oakley Hay Lodge, Great Folds Road, Corby, Northants. NN18 9AS) – Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 5 dwellings (Revised Scheme) – at Manor Works, Main Street, Fleckney, Leics. LE8 8AP.

The property – Newbound Farm, Newbound Lane, Teversal, Nottingham NG17 – will be sold by public auction (unless sold previously) on Thursday 11th May 2017 at The Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Notts. NG19 7BH – 3.00pm start. The Guide Price is £300,000. Full details are available on the website at www.wabarnes.co.uk For more information, contact WA Barnes on 01623 554084 or email: sales@wabarnes.co.uk

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18387 GUE Leicestershire Builders Mag Half Page MAY 2017.indd 1

I like rice. Rice is great if you want to eat 2,000 of something.

20/04/2017 13:30

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

NM Group sees profits surge NORTH MIDLAND Construction PLC (NM Group), the UK provider of civil engineering, building, mechanical and electrical services to public and private organisations, has announced a sizeable increase in profits in its results for the year ended 31st December 2016. The firm’s operating profit is up to £2.24 million from £847,000 in 2015, an increase of 164.6%. Revenue has also increased to £250.49 million from £217.61m, an increase of 15.11%. The company, which has its head office in Nottinghamshire, operates nationally with strategically located regional offices across the country in Huthwaite (Nottinghamshire), Derby, Longbridge (Warwickshire), Warrington, Leeds, Bristol, Plymouth, Exeter and St Austell. John Homer, NM Group’s chief executive, said: “These results demonstrate the considerable strategic advancement made in the business over the last year. Progress has been made and continues to be made to strengthen the quality of the service that we provide to our customers and we are receiving positive feedback on our operational performance from across our stakeholder base. “Our strategy is focused on realising the potential that exists for us to prosper through the careful selection and execution of the work that we take on. There are positive signs of continued growth in our chosen market sectors and our forward order book is at £225m which is 80% of this year’s budgeted turnover. There is also a healthy pipeline of future opportunities which is very encouraging. “Our people are the overarching differentiator and the driver for our continued success. We will maintain our investment in the development of our talent pool. During the last year alone we have recruited over 400 new people. “The outlook for our future trading remains positive and provides the opportunity to further improve the earnings from our operations. We anticipate an improving performance for 2017 and beyond”. The company’s building division has had a good trading year with improved profitability on the back of a rapid period of growth over the last three years. The division’s revenue for the year reached £23.39 million, an increase of 107.8%, and operating profit has risen to £575,000, an increase of 209% compared to last year.

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Larkfleet Donates Model Home To University Technical College

Castlerow Property Investments Ltd (c/o Agent: Chris Waumsley, Freeths LLP, Cumberland Court, 80 Mount Street, Nottingham NG1 6HH) – Outline planning application for the erection of up to 70 dwellings – at land at summit of Kettering Road, Market Harborough, Leics. Francis Jackson Homes (c/o: 6 High Street, Olney, Bucks. MK46 4BB) – Erection of 4 dwellings (Reserved matters) – at Orchard land at Swinford Road, Catthorpe, Leics. Manor Oak Homes (c/o Agent: Geoff Armstrong, Armstrong Rigg Planning, The Exchange, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1LQ) – Erection of 45 retirement living apartments with associated access, parking and outdoor amenity space – at land at St Wilfrids Close, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics. Mr R Goutam (c/o Agent: Robert O’Callaghan Architects, Ivy House, Church Street, Churchover, Rugby, Warks. CV23 0EW) – Change of use of retail building to mixed retail and residential use including 5 apartments – at Magna Staff, 8A Bank Street, Lutterworth, Leics. LE17 4AG.

THE LARKFLEET Group of Steve Warburton (left), Companies (www.larkfleetgroup. principal and CEO of GPUTC, accepts the model house co.uk) has handed over a from Karl Hick, CEO of The model house to the Greater Larkfleet Group of Companies. Peterborough University Technical College (GPUTC). The scale model of a typical timber-framed house built by Larkfleet Homes can be taken apart and re-assembled using a set of drawings which Larkfleet has also supplied. The model will help the school’s students who are studying the built environment to understand how a modern house is put together as well as getting to grips with topics such as architectural design and planning. The model is also being used to make practical points about communications. In one test using the house the plans are held by one group of students in one room and the model is with another group in a separate room. One student from the planning group has to carry instructions to the construction group in a time trial to see which team of students can correctly build the house most quickly.

Plot for sale in Shepshed BENTONS are offering for sale a plot for two 4-bed detached properties at Jolly Farmers Lane, Shepshed, Leicestershire. Planning consent (ref: P/14/1415/2) was granted on 6th March 2015. The Guide Price is £185,000. For more information, contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@ bentons.co.uk

I like to reminisce with people I don’t know.

Slam Developments (c/o: 505 Uppingham Road, Leicester LE5 6QB) – Outline application for residential development of up to 3 dwellings – at land rear of 28 Kibworth Road, Fleckney, Leics. Mr Benjamin (c/o Agent: Mark Shrive, MWS Design, 48A Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 9HE) – Change of use of first floor and mezzanine floor to 4 apartment dwellings – at Enigma Café Bar & Nightclub, 18 Coventry Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 9BZ. Mr Paul Aucott (c/o Agent: TMDP LLP, Unit 3, Bridge Farm, Holt Lane, Ashby Magna, Leics. LE17 5NJ) – Erection of one detached dwelling and one semidetached dwelling , plus retention of existing dwelling – at 45 Cromwell Road, Great Glen, Leics. LE8 9GU. William Davis Ltd (c/o Agent: Pegasus Planning Group, 4 The Courtyard, Church Street, Lockington, Derby DE74 2SL) – Erection of 38 dwellings including garaging, parking, open space and landscaping – at land to the west of Main Road, Claybrooke Magna, Leics.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

I saw a bank that said ‘24 Hour Banking’, but I don’t have that much time.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Miller Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: Guy Wakefield, Hunter page Palnning Ltd, 18 Thornbury House, High Street, Cheltenham GL50 1DZ) – Outline application for the erection of up to 170 dwellings (Revised Scheme) – at land north of Oaks Road, Great Glen, Leics.

Rutland County Liberty Homes Ltd (c/o: Bay Tree House, 7A Barrowden Road, Ketton, Near Stamford PE9 3RJ) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 3 new properties – at 13 Chapel Lane, Barrowden, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8EB. Smithers Purslow Ltd (c/o: Glaston Hall, Spring Lane, Glaston, Oakham, Rutland LE15 9BZ) – Prior approval for conversion of existing redundant offices into apartments – at Empingham House, 1E Uppingham Gate, Uppingham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 9NY. Carlton Street Trading Ltd (c/o Agent: Richard Cooper, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB.) – Mixed use development – at Ram Jam Inn, Great North Road, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7QX.

Builders bullish despite rising costs, says FMB

Substantial former Victorian Hunting Lodge for sale in Melton

SMALL CONSTRUCTION firms enjoyed rising workloads in the first quarter of 2017, despite growing concerns over the cost of labour and materials, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2017, which is the largest quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include: • UK construction SME workloads increased more significantly than at any time since Q2 2016 ie the quarter immediately prior to last June’s EU referendum; • One in two construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming months, with just 5% predicting a decrease in activity; • 85% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next three months; • 58% of firms are struggling to hire carpenters, a post financial crisis high. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The first three months of 2017 proved to be very positive for construction SMEs, which reported strong growth, underpinned by continuing resilience in the home improvement sector. Workloads rose in every part of the UK, with particularly positive results in the devolved nations. Given the concerns that wider consumer confidence might be weakening, it’s encouraging that smaller construction firms aren’t sensing any drop-off in demand for their services. Indeed, despite Article 50 being triggered and the growing likelihood of a hard Brexit, these latest results demonstrate that builders are increasingly confident about the immediate future, with one in two forecasting higher workloads during the next quarter.”

Blakes Building Profiles

SHOULER & SON are offering for sale a former Victorian Hunting Lodge situated on Burton Road in Melton Mowbray. Braeside is a substantial former Hunting Lodge, which for many years has been part of the former King Edward VII Upper School. The premises offer great potential for residential redevelopment, subject to suitable planning permission. The property could also be suitable for a mixture of other uses, such as business or educational. Guide Price: £450,000. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Shoulers on 01664 560181 or visit www.shoulers.co.uk

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I went to a general store. They wouldn’t let me buy anything specifically.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Most successful Dragons’ Den business

GripIt Fixings crowdfunding campaign hits £2.14 million GripIt Fixings second crowdfunding round hits £2.14 million, valuing the most successful Dragons’ Den business at £20,000,000

NW Leics. Mr J Hambleton (c/o Agent: Daniel Wright, Woore Watkins Ltd, 61 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DJ) – Erection of 7 dwellings and conversion & change of use of listed agricultural buildings to 3 dwellings – at 14 Grimes Gate, Diseworth, Derby DE74 2QD.

IN 2016 after appearing on Dragons’ Den; Pitches to Riches – where are you now show, GripIt Fixings was named the most successful Dragons’ Den business valued at £10m.

Davidsons Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Guy Longley, Pegasus Planning Group, 4 The Courtyard, Church Street, Lockington, Derby DE74 2SL) – Erection of 19 dwellings – at land to the rear of 38 & 38A Jennys Lane and 1836 Ibstock Road, Ravenstone, Leics.

Just one year later the company has raised over £4m and is now valued at £20m following completion of its second funding round £2.14m with more than 1,400 investors via Crowdcube. The business now employs 35 staff and operates from five industrial units across Wiltshire. The company exports to 34 countries across the world and is currently adding 60 new products to the range transforming the business from a one product company to a business with a portfolio of products. CEO Jordan Daykin (pictured above with Dragon Deborah Meaden) said “It has been a very busy year taking the staffing count from 5 to 35 and with increasing revenues by 350%. Its great that we are still growing at such a rate despite Brexit and the current economic climate, we pride ourselves In being a British company, constantly innovating and launching patent protected products to a market that hasn’t seen much change in years.”

Mr N Willett (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Proposed demolition of dwelling and erection of 4 dwellings – at 85 Loughborough Road, Coleorton, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8HH.

FOR SALE

LAND NORTH OF MAIN STREET, SEWSTERN, GRANTHAM

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GUIDE PRICE £350,000

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SITE WITH OUTLINE PLANNING PERMISSION FOR THREE DETACHED DWELLINGS For further information, please contact the Planning & Development Dept. on:Tel: 01858 439 090 Email: planning@andrewgranger.co.uk Established in 1989, East Midlands property experts Andrew Granger & Co. are a wide multi-disciplinary consultancy featuring residential sales and lettings, commercial, rural and professional services. Offering a high quality and affordable service, Andrew Granger & Co. have the expertise and experience to assist with Planning and Development queries across the Midlands and further afield. www.andrewgranger.co.uk

LEAFLETS inside this magazine We charge just £125 plus VAT to insert and deliver your single-sheet leaflet/card inside the

2,200 mailed-out copies of Leicestershire Builder. Call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069 to place your order.

My wife met me at the door the other night in a sexy negligee. Unfortunately, she was just coming home.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Ideas revealed for city’s Western Park Mr Chris Dwan (c/o: 1 Phoenix Place, Phoenix Park, Nottingham NG8 6BA) – Development of up to 180 dwellings including a retail unit, access & associated infrastructure already approved without complying with condition 3 – at land south of Greenhill Road, Coalville, Leics. Mr M Specht (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Reserved matters application for the erection of 3 dwellings – at land west of 67 Loughborough Road, Coleorton, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8HJ. Mr Iain Pickering (c/o: 207 Wilson House, Leicester Road, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6HP) – Erection of 213 dwellings with associated parking and landscaping (Reserved matters) – at land at Grange Road, Hugglescote, Leics.

Oadby & Wigston Borough Mr & Mrs V Browning (c/o Agent: David Warner, Astill Planning Consultants Ltd, 13 University Road, Leicester LE1 7RA) – Change of use of premises from gymnasium and taxi hire office to residential flats – at 31-35 London Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 0PB. Mr Gary Kirk (c/o: A Ward & Son Ltd, 1 Northern Court, Basford, Nottingham NG6 0BJ) – Demolition of former chilled food factory, small brick security office by main gate and several water tanks on site above and below ground – at R F Brookes, Magna Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 4ZH.

A LOCAL developer and community group could potentially be working in partnership to breathe new life into land and empty buildings on a Leicester park. Leicester City Council has announced that two bids have reached the final stage for the purchase and redevelopment of two areas of land on Western Park, which between them contain a former open-air school, and a pioneering ecologically-friendly house. One is a joint bid from local company Parmar Properties and Western Ward Community Enterprise (WWCE), formerly known as The Friends and Residents of Western Park. The other is a bid solely from Parmar Properties. The council put the land and buildings up for sale in June last year, with the aim of finding a purchaser who would bring the sites back into use while respecting their history. The first 2.88-acre plot houses the Grade II listed former school, which was built between 1928 and 1930 to provide education for children in poor health. The second plot is home to the Eco House and other buildings, on a 2.51-acre site. The buildings have stood empty for a number of years, and would need extensive refurbishment and partial rebuilding to be brought back into use. Four bids were received by the council, and after meeting with the organisations concerned and obtaining further details on the proposals, the council now has a shortlist of two. Parmar Properties is owned by Naresh and Sharon Parmar, who have successfully refurbished a number of historic and vulnerable buildings in the city including the City Rooms on Hotel Street. Their sole bid is to prioritise the refurbishment of the former school, which is a vulnerable Grade ll listed building, and to transform it into eight individual office spaces for let or for sale. They would then develop 20 two-storey houses on the other, bigger site – four of which would be affordable housing – and redevelop the Eco House for use as their own private offices. Under the joint bid with Western Ward Community Enterprise, they would lease the Eco House to the community group on a 999-year lease, for a peppercorn rent. WWCE would be responsible for raising funding to refurbish the Eco House. The building would be used for a variety of community purposes, including providing a base for the Western Park Freeriders, a group of volunteers who run the BMX and mountain bike track on the park. As part of this proposal, WWCE would also be given a 999-year lease for a detached classroom building at the southern end of the park site, from which they would operate a community café. Leicester assistant city mayor for environment and sustainability, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “I’m pleased to say that we have now reached the final stage of the bidding process and have two bids on the table from people who can bring the these long-redundant sites back into use. “The Grade ll listed former school is a particular challenge and will require extensive conservation work, so we welcome the interest from Naresh and Sharon Parmar who have carried out very sympathetic restorations of other buildings in the city. “We are now seeking more information on both sets of proposals and hope to make an announcement on the successful bid in the next few weeks.”

CIRIA 2017 Roadshow Hidden defects in bridges CIRIA, in partnership with civil engineering specialists Freyssinet Ltd and provider of innovative infrastructure monitoring solutions Strainstall, will deliver four regional events across the UK, to promote CIRIA’s latest publication (C764) Hidden defects in bridges guidance on detection and management. The Hidden defects in bridges roadshow will help those professionals involved in bridge engineering, inspection and management understand how to use CIRIA’s latest good practice guidance. It will also be a platform for learning and networking opportunities, possibly leading to continued engagement beyond the series. CIRIA partners, event hosts and invited speakers will present the latest good practices for assessing the risks from hidden defects, adopting emerging technologies that assist in their management and implementing structural repairs that can prevent the formation or mitigate their impact. The launch event on 1 June 2017 at the M-Shed, Bristol will be hosted by Ramboll who contributed to, and also part-funded the development of CIRIA C764. The second event will be hosted by Arup (co-authors) on 4 July 2017 at the Arup Campus, situated in Blythe Valley Business Park near Solihull. To register for these two events go to: www.ciria.org/events The third and fourth events to be held in autumn and winter 2017, are to be confirmed so please check the CIRIA website (www.ciria.org) for further information.

Not only do I not know what’s going on, I wouldn’t know what to do about it if I did.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

There but for the grace of God ...

Can you help this worthy cause? HOPE and Faith is a local community based organisation that help the homeless. Born from the need to have both hope and faith in their lives when they became homeless themselves, Chris and David started Hope and Faith to use their experiences to benefit others in the same unfortunate position. From our normal perception of a homeless person - a rough sleeper, to those hidden homeless (those in hostels, sofa-surfing etc) a recent survey by ‘Crisis’ shows that almost 1 in 10 people, have been homeless at some point in their lives. A frightening statistic that helps emphasis how close we could all be whatever walk of life we come from (both Chris and David were from respectable, educated backgrounds themselves). Following years of decline the number of homeless is now also on the rise again due to the shortage of housing, our economic recession and cuts to housing benefits.

How can you help? * Blessing bags - Hope and Faith make up blessing bags which we distribute locally to homeless people and through the Salvation Army. We aim to be doing this on a nationwide scale, helping more needy people very soon. Blessing bags contain personal and toiletry items for men and women, baby products, drink and soup sachets etc. We are always in need of donations of these items, so please if you can help please see more details on how you can, on the list in this article. * Volunteering - Hope and Faith is kept going by volunteers, and we are always on the lookout for kind hearted people to join our friendly team. https://Facebook.com/hafhth1/ * Our online shop contains a range of beautiful gift items, gorgeous clothing, as well as electrical goods at highly discounted prices, and all profits go to fund our ongoing projects helping the homeless. Take a look now at http://www.hafhth.co.uk/online-shop/4593490142/_page/1

Brownfield development opportunity for 30 dwellings in Melton SAVILLS are offering for sale a 9.46 acre brownfield development opportunity with a resolution to grant Outline Planning Permission for 30 dwellings. The site – at Sandy lane, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0AW – comprises a flat, broadly triangular WWII Nissen Hut accommodation and poultry farm with various buildings in a dilapidated state, surrounded by mature trees. Given that the site is accessed by a single track of approximately 180 metres from Sandy Lane, there is an opportunity to create a unique private development. Outline planning permission (ref:15/00537/OUT) has been granted for the erection of 30 dwellings including refurbishment of an existing Nissen Hut to create a community space, and space for a biomass boiler. This is subject to signing a Section 106 Agreement – details are available from the selling agents. Price upon application – contact Ann Taylor at Savills on 0115 934 8174 or email: ataylor@savills.com

Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (c/o Agent: Peter Pickering, 1A Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1RP) – Conversion of existing second and third floor maisonette to for 2 separate flats – at 14 Junction Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1PN.

Blaby District Mr John Hill (c/o Agent: GC Planning Partnership Ltd, Bedford I-Lab, Priory Business Park, Stannard Way, Bedford MK44 3RZ) – Erection of 24 dwellings with associated garages, parking & infrastructure – at land at Keepers Farm, Off Saville Road, Blaby, Leicester. Mr Hitesh Pujara (c/o: 17 Windrush Drive, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4GH) – Demolition of existing single storey rear extensions and erection of single storey rear extensions, first floor and twostorey extensions to provide 3 selfcontained flats (Revised Scheme) – at 13,15 & 17 Ashtree Road, Cosby, Leics. LE9 1UA. The Governors of All Saints C of E Primary School (c/o Agent: YMD Boon Ltd, York House, Fernie Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7PH) – Single storey extension to school to provide additional classroom accommodation, new playground and associated works – at All Saints C of E Primary School, Bassett Lane, Sapcote, Leicester LE9 4FB. Mr P Dunn (c/o Agent: Alan Brown, ABDS Ltd, 90 Treza Road, Porthleven, Cornwall, TR13 9UQ) – Erection of 14 dwellings with associated garages (Revised scheme) – at land at Broughton Road, Croft, Leics. Mr James Houghton (c/o Agent: Isherwood McCann, Rose Park, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4DP) – Erection of one office building and associated car parking, access road, substation and landscaping (Reserved Matters) – at Rose Business Park, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4DN. Jagjit Hayre & Amritpreet Kaur (c/o Agent: A A Parr, 9 Tilton Drive, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5WW) – Erection of 2 two-storey dwellings (to include demolition of existing building) – at Former Library, Holmfield Avenue West, Leicester Forest East, Leicester LE3 3FF.

Leicester College Construction Students ‘Have A Go’ With David Wilson Homes CONSTRUCTION students from Leicester College were given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with five star housebuilder David Wilson Homes thanks to a special event at its Leicester Forest East development, Forest Chase. A total of 26 students, who study various courses in construction at the Freemen’s Park Campus in Leicester, visited the Forest House Lane development, where they met with David Wilson Homes site staff to learn more about the housebuilding industry. They were also able to gained practical, supervised experience of construction skills such as bricklaying, plastering and carpentry. The aim of the visit, which was organised by the developer, was to demonstrate to the students the different skills and processes involved in building a new home and to inspire them to progress their studies to the next level or pursue a full-time career in house building after leaving college. Darren Roome, Director of Construction at Leicester College said: “We are delighted to be involved with this initiative from David Wilson Homes. “The learners thoroughly enjoyed their time on site and gained a tremendous insight to a live building site. All of the David Wilson Homes staff were very accommodating; assisting and encouraging the learners to participate. “Learners had the opportunity to undertake specific duties aligned

A student at Leicester College learning about bricklaying to their trade on site working alongside trained professionals. We would like to thank David Wilson Homes for their kind invitation and look forward to future initiatives.” The students were taught how to stay safe on site by the site manager, Henry Patecki, before meeting David Wilson Homes’ Contracts Manager Ian Bentley, along with the site team at the development. They were given a tour of the two furnished view homes at the development, where they were able to see the high standard of homes that David Wilson builds. They were then split into four different groups, where they split off to have a go at bricklaying, plastering, painting and decorating and carpentry and joinery. The students were given a feel for the development and what it is like to work onsite, whilst also having the chance to interview a number of experts in housebuilding. There was also a question and

answer session at the end with the Site Manager and Contracts Manager, where the students found out more about how to get into the industry. John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “We’re always on the look-out for the homebuilders of the future, and we wanted to give local students a glimpse of what it’s like to work on a new homes development like Forest Chase. “By hosting ‘have a go’ days like these, we hope to encourage keen individuals to consider a career in the housebuilding industry. “We hope that the students at Leicester College had a good day with our team and that they all took away some useful information.” To find out more and register interest in apprenticeships and careers with Barratt Developments please log on to www. barrattfuturetalent.co.uk

Former Medical Centre for sale in Derby INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a former medical centre which may be suitable for a variety of uses, subject to planning. The 1,934 sq.ft. property – at 151 St Thomas Road, Derby DE23 8RH – comprises a former medical centre which was purpose-built in the 1990s. It is of traditional cavity brick and block construction under a pitched tiled roof. The accommodation is of a cellular layout and provides a waiting/ reception area, six consultation rooms, with kitchen and wc accommodation to the ground floor. The first floor provides two meeting rooms, and office, kitchen, wc and shower. The premises occupy a corner plot site providing 10 parking spaces. Current planning consent is for D1 (Non-Residential Institution) Use, but the agents believe the building may be suitable for a variety of different uses subject to planning. The property is available to rent at £20,000 per annum exclusive, or to purchase for £200,000. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Chris Wright at Innes England on 01332 362244 /mobile: 07974 663063 or email: cwright@innes-england.com

Did you know it takes 40 pigs to make 4,000 sausages. Isn’t it amazing waht you can teach them?

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Ashberry Homes claims five-star rating for customer satisfaction

Managing Director for Ashberry Homes, Gary Mills

ASHBERRY HOMES is celebrating after earning its place among the industry’s elite as a fivestar builder. Ashberry Homes is building at Woodhurst, off Station Road in Ibstock, and Broadleaf, off Moira Road in Ashby De La Zouch and also has developments across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Essex. The five-star rating is awarded by the Home Builders’ Federation based on feedback from customers. It is the highest attainable rating for a house-

builder and requires 90 per cent of customers to say they would recommend the builder to a friend. Gary Mills, Managing Director for Ashberry Homes, said: “We pride ourselves on offering outstanding service to our customers. Our aim is always to go the extra mile to ensure the customer’s journey with us runs smoothly and that they are happy in their new home.

Potential development site in Barwell BERKLEY ESTATES are offering for sale a potential development site at Bank Terrace, Barwell, Leics. The 0.68 acre site currently houses a factory and offices but may offer future development potential subject to the usual consents. (Planning permission has been granted previously for 16 dwellings.) The Guide price is £650,000. For more information, contact Berkley Estates on 0116 279 6161 or email: kibworth@berkleyestates.co.uk

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

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The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editorial/Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Builder Magazines cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All property details contained within this magazine are to be regarded as being for outline guidance only. All potential interested parties are requested to check individual availability of premises for accuracy of details with the relevant selling agents before proceeding further.

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Every time I lose some weight, I find it again in the refrigerator.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Gladman Developments Ltd (c/o: Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton Business Park, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1LB) – Outline application for demolition of agricultural structures and the erection of residential development of up to 100 dwellings – at land south of Marston Crescent, Countesthorpe, Leics. Gladman Developments Ltd (c/o: Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton Business Park, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1LB) – Outline application for demolition of agricultural structures and the erection of residential development of up to 150 dwellings – at land off Peatling Road, Countesthorpe, Leics. Mr Nigel Dutton (c/o Agent: Peter Bond) – New pre-school early years facility for 45 children – at Greenfield Primary School, Gwendoline Drive, Countesthorpe, Leics. LE8 5SG. Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Papiya Alam, Arup, The Arup Campus, Blythe Gate, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull B90 8AE) – Erection of air-conditioned storage facility comprising an ancillary two-storey office element, security fencing & gates, car parking – at Electricity Sub Station, Desford Road, Enderby, Leicester.

Charnwood Borough Greenwood Proposery (c/o Agent: Astill Planning Consultants Ltd) – Change of use of public house and extensions to provide 9 apartments – at Former Public House, Jack O Lantern Car Park, Clarence Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1DY. Mr Paul Bott (c/o Agent: HSSP Architects Ltd) – Demolition of No. 109 Cotes Road and erection of 2 new four/five bedroom detached dwellings and garages plus formation of new access – at Cotes Road, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 8JP. Jelson Limited - Erection of 70 dwellings (Reserved matters) – at land off Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicester.

SMALL DEVELOPMENT SITES: COMMON LEGAL ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS When acquiring land for development, whether it be a small development site, or the purchase of a neighbour’s land to build on, there are many factors which the developer needs to consider. ANN EBBERSON, Partner at solicitors Rosling King, explores some of the legal issues that a developer needs to investigate before ultimately deciding to go ahead with such a development.

Restrictive Covenants Development sites are often found to be subject to covenants which prohibit a landowner from carrying out certain actions which might include alterations to buildings, construction works and or changes of use. These are known as restrictive covenants and are often for the benefit of neighbouring land. For example, a common restriction seen with a parcel of land is that it cannot be occupied for any purpose other than as a single residential dwelling, thereby having an impact on development potential. It is important that restrictive covenants are analysed carefully to establish whether or not they still subsist. Once identified as a restrictive covenant (some covenants appear restrictive on the face of them, but are actually positive in nature and therefore do not bind successor owners), the precise wording must be checked. Prior to acquisition and subsequent development, restrictive covenants which affect the site should be scrutinised to see whether a proposed development might be in breach of such covenant. If the development will breach the covenant, then there are a number of options which may be available to a developer, for example, agreeing to enter into an express release with the land owner who benefits from the covenant, or purchasing an indemnity insurance policy.

Easements Easements In essence, an easement is a rights which benefits a piece of land (known as the dominant land) which is enjoyed over another piece of land (known as servient land) owned by a different party. Examples of rights that can be enjoyed over the servient land include rights of way and rights to run services through it. Developers should ensure that the site they wish to acquire benefits from the easements necessary to develop and use it, such as access over neighbouring land, if for instance the site cannot be directly accessed from an adopted highway. Care must also be taken to ensure that the site is not burdened by any onerous easements in favour of neighbouring land. For example, developers do not want to find themselves in a situation where they are halfway through a project, only to be informed that they have built over a drainage pipe owned by a dominant piece of land, whose owner is entitled to, and requires, access to it to carry out repairs, pursuant to an easement that the dominant land benefits from, or, where they have blocked a neighbour’s right of way.

Right of Light This is a specific type of easement over which disputes have become much more common in recent years. It is a right for the dominant land to enjoy the natural light that passes over the servient land and then through a defined aperture within a building on the dominant land, such as a window or glass roof. If such a right can be established then it entitles the beneficiary dominant land to receive sufficient levels of natural light through the aperture, to allow the room or space behind it to be used for its usual purpose. There are several ways for a piece of land to acquire a right of light, including through an express grant contained within a deed and by implication under statute. However, in recent times developers have faced problems with owners of neighbouring land claiming they have acquired a right of light over the development land through prescription. In simple terms, this is where the

ANN EBBERSON, Partner at solicitors Rosling King neighbouring land can show that it has openly enjoyed the natural light passing over the development land for a continuous period of 20 years without any consent. Developers, therefore, need to consider whether a proposed development is going to impact the natural light of any neighbouring buildings and the level of this impact. If it is such that the neighbouring building cannot be enjoyed for its usual purpose then attention needs to be paid to whether the neighbouring building actually benefits from a right of light. If the conclusion is that it does, then a developer needs to consider the level of risk of a potential claim from the owner of the neighbouring building and whether indemnity insurance might be appropriate. Developers may also be able to approach the owner of the neighbouring building for an express release of the rights of light they may have acquired; however, this will often result in the owner of the neighbouring land charging a premium.

Conclusion Whilst the above are only a few examples of the legal issues, they highlight the fact that it is extremely important for a developer to identify any restrictive covenants and easements in force at the outset, on and if possible prior to the purchase. This can then help avoid situations where a developer has spent both time and money acquiring land, obtaining a planning permission and development designing a scheme, only to realise that they may be prevented from carrying out the development and left with land that they cannot use.

Some of us learn from the mistakes of others. The rest of us have to be the others.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

OUTSTANDING RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY



Exceptional opportunity to acquire land at Dingley Road, Great Bowden, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. A well located residential development on the outskirts of Great Bowden, Market Harborough.



Outline planning consent was granted on 10th February 2017 for 5 dwellings



No affordable housing contributions



Approximately 0.61Acres



For Sale by informal tender with offers invited on an unconditional basis by 12 noon on Friday 19th May 2017

FOR SALE

LAND AT DINGLEY ROAD, GREAT BOWDEN, MARKET HARBOROUGH , LEICESTERSHIRE www.pendimo.co.uk

T :01858 810000

ALL ENQUIRIES

SITE DESCRIPTION THE LOCATION

E:info@pendimo.co.uk

The site is presently undeveloped open greenfield Theand site within is extremely well located on the land a sustainable location withnorthern excellent

Transformation of former Bramcote Hospital site nears completion CONSTRUCTION work is nearing completion at a new housing development being built on the site of the former Bramcote Hospital.

Bloor Homes is building 28 homes at its luxury Bramcote Manor development, a collection of four and five-bedroom properties off Lutterworth Road in Bramcote. The housebuilder is putting the finishing touches to the final few plots at the development, which are due to be completed by June. Planning permission to demolish the derelict former hospital buildings and replace them with a new housing development was granted by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council in September 2015. Bloor Homes site manager Harry Bramwell at the Construction work began on the new homes in Bramcote Manor development February last year and there are now just two houses available to purchase. Bloor Homes site manager Harry Bramwell said: “Our Bramcote Manor development has breathed new life into a derelict brownfield site and it’s been extremely rewarding to see its transformation into an attractive new neighbourhood. “Bramcote Manor is in a beautiful rural location, surrounded by rolling countryside and with views of the Ashby de la Zouch Canal, and we have taken great care to ensure the homes blend in sympathetically with their surroundings. “We are looking forward to putting the finishing touches to the development and welcoming the final residents into their homes in the summer.” As part of the development, Bloor has contributed £37,999 towards improvements to open space and play facilities in the surrounding area, £70,122 for additional teaching space at Wolvey Primary School, and £200,000 for the provision of affordable housing elsewhere in Nuneaton and Bedworth borough. The remaining two homes available at Bramcote Manor are a four-bedroom house priced at £316,950 and a fivebedroom house priced at £421,950. For more information call 024 7699 1732 or visit www.bloorhomes.com.

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Auctions

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May 2017 Thursday 4th May 2017 - SDL BIGWOOD - at Aston Villa FC, Birmingham B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 233 5046 - www. cpbigwood.com Thursday 4th May 2017 - SDL GRAHAM PENNY - The Nottingham Belfry Hotel, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham NG8 6PY - 11.30am start - www.sdlgrahampenny.co.uk Thursday 18th May 2017 AUCTION HOUSE READINGS - at Readings Property Group, 48 Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 1DH - 6.00pm start - tel: 0116 222 7575 or email: leicestershire@ auctionhouse.co.uk Thursday 25th May 2017 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Derbyshire chemical company unveils plans What We Offer Who We Are Teachers for £8m eco-friendly Y S K Y J W J E G D W S L B R Q T training centre S M G H L H N W U M Q Z R A Q V H

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S E P Z U E Q V A R R P U W J O E R R V Y Q K A D W Q Y S M M G K P A N O T S U O H Y E N T I H W D O E Y K N B N Q I C I C C H M U O L F N I M N G H P L I H A U M J K I R R S A H X Q L T A M W N E I H C O Y L E A N O N E V V E B C M C E F X D M N C Y L C C F X G Q I E S S R B K L E J E A E X P N R P X R R Y K I L A E I D N O L B L O Y Y A N H N C A Y U W P U B R V G E K E P U K Q T J W Q T R Y C J Y Z G T Z S W C W M I I K C T I A V E J A O R J Y I X J I L G R O J Q L V N D A V I D B O W I E E V A O Q S Here are the 12 Pop Acts from the 1980s you have to find: BLONDIE MICHAEL JACKSON • MADONNA • QUEEN • THE POLICE DAVIDBOWIE EURYTHMICS WHITNEY HOUSTON • DAVID BOWIE • GEORGE MICHAEL • REM GEORGEMICHAEL PHIL COLLINS • TEARS FOR FEARS • BLONDIE • EURYTHMICS MADONNA

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PLANS FOR an £8m ecofriendly training centre which will be partially built below ground and will rely on solar power and natural underground heating have been unveiled by Hazelwood chemical company Lubrizol.

Based in the heart of the Amber Valley, Lubrizol employs 350 employees at its site to develop and test the latest generation performance additives. The new centre promises to be the most eco-friendly development ever built in the Derbyshire, with a host of innovations designed to reduce its carbon footprint and minimise the disruption to the local environment and community. Designed by a local architects Morrison Design, the centre will directly replace the site’s ageing training facility and will be as energy efficient as possible, using solar power, grey water recycling, a geo-thermal heating system which taps into the earth’s natural underground heat and a living green roof planted with grasses. It will be split level and built into the hillside so that the majority of it is underground, while its position and a new tree planting scheme will mean it is hidden from view for local residents and passing traffic. Lubrizol, which says the new centre will open at the end of next year, also plans to work with local farmers and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to ensure that any landscaping carried out as part of the development uses native trees and plants. It has also devised a development schedule designed to keep the impact caused by construction traffic to a minimum.

Substantial former members club in Corby: £395k

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IF YOU can find 12 TOP MUSICAL ARTISTS FROM THE 1980s in the Wordsearch grid above, you could win yourself a £20 Restaurant Choice Gift Card. All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - 12 TOP 1980s MUSICAL ARTISTS. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your marked entry forms to: SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS, Leicestershire Builder, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by FRIDAY 19TH MAY 2017. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the £20 Gift Card. Good luck! Restaurant Choice Gift Cards can be used in over 1000 UK Restaurants. From hand-picked independent restaurants to a great selection of popular dining groups – Nando’s, Café Rouge, Jamie’s Italian, PizzaExpress, Zizzi, Ask Italian and Yo! Sushi. They can be used for food and drinks, set menus, indeed any dish on the menu. Visit the website at www.restaurantchoice.co.uk for more information.

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner was:

C. TREVIS of Wythburn Close, Loughborough Congratulations! Your £20 Gift Card will be with you soon.

ANDREW & ASHWELL are offering for sale a detached single & two-storey former members’ club building with part basement level. The property – Bevan House, Stuart Road, Corby Northants. NN17 1RL – has parking to the front and rear of the site. The accommodation comprises a substantial main concert/ function room, lounge bar/games room, ancillary storage, kitchen and toilets. The first floor houses a further lounge bar/function room with ancillary meeting rooms, offices and toilets. The first floor also incorporates a self-contained 2-bed flat. Estimated total floor area is 12,776 sq.feet. Price: £395,000 for the freehold. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Mike Allwood at Andrew & Ashwell on 0116 254 1220 or email: mra@andash.co.uk

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

I’ve just plucked my eyebrows. I think they’re out of tune.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Elmslodge Construction Ltd (c/o Agent: BHC) – Erection of 3 terraced dwellings, 7 apartments and associated works following demolition of workshop – at 746A Melton Road, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8BD. Solus Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: HSSP Architects Ltd) – Erection of 40 self-contained flats and one commercial unit – at 7 The Coneries, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1DZ. Loughborough College (c/o Agent: N & JC Design Ltd) – Proposed residential development to provide 7 apartments – at 19 Frederick Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3BH. Ms Michelle Wren (c/o Agent: YMD Boon Ltd) – Single storey double classroom building – at Church Hill Infant School, Church Hill Road, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8DE

Brand New Taylor Wimpey Homes Coming Soon To Hugglescote HOUSEHUNTERS in Leicestershire won’t have to wait much longer to snap up their dream home at Taylor Wimpey’s stunning new Hastings Manor development in Hugglescote. The leading local housebuilder will be offering a superb selection of highquality two, three and four-bedroom properties at this eagerly‑awaited development, which is due to launch in July. Lucie Grundy, Sales Manager for Taylor Wimpey East Midlands, says: “We are delighted to be launching our new Hastings Manor development, which will provide property-seekers with a fantastic opportunity to secure their ideal home in the charming village of Hugglescote, surrounded by picturesque countryside yet within easy reach of the city of Leicester. “We’re already seeing a great deal of interest so I’d urge anyone looking to purchase a brand new home in this wonderful rural location to register today and make sure they don’t miss out.” Each of the new homes at Hastings Manor will be completed to a high specification, including energy-efficient central heating, double glazing and a fitted kitchen with integrated oven, hob and hood.

Residential development site in Sewstern ANDREW GRANGER & CO are offering for sale by Private Treaty a residential development site with Outline Planning Permission (ref: 16/00596/ OUT) for 3 detached dwellings. The site – situated north of Main Street, Sewstern, Grantham – measures approximately 0.453 acres (0.183ha) and currently comprises part of a single field of pasture land, rising gradually from south to north. The land is enclosed by wellestablished mature hedgerows. The granting of permission is subject to a number of planning conditions – details are available from the selling agents. The site is being offered for sale by Private Treaty with a preference for unconditional offers. Offers in the region of £350,000 are invited for the whole. For more information, contact Chris Green at Andrew Granger & Co on 01858 439090 or email: chris.green@andrewgranger.co.uk

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

If I’m ever on life support, I hope they remember to try switching me off and then back on again.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Sale Of Queen’s Building Is ‘Catalyst’ For Change In Leicester’s Cultural Quarter

Russo & France (c/o Agent: Mark Architecture Ltd) – Conversion of existing dwelling into 2 flats – at 12A Forest Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3NP. Mrs Amy Gilliver – Variation of condition 5 of P/14/1687/2 relating to affordable housing providion. Site for the erection of 270 dwellings (Revised scheme P/13/1641/2 refers) – at land off Hathern Road, Shepshed, Leics.

Corby Borough

AN historic building in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter has been sold for around £1 million – and work has started on site for its £2 million transformation into apartments and a restaurant.

Mr James Perry – Erection of 10 residential units and 2 retail units – at 28 Britannia Street, Shepshed, Leics. LE12 9AE. Birstall Parish Council & Palmer-Tompkinson Trust (c/o Agent: Amli Design) – Erection of community hall – at land off Hallam Fields Road, Birstall, Leicester.

Rugby Borough Mr Adam Thomas (c/o Agent: HB Architects, The Old Telephone Exchange, Albert Street, Rugby, Warks. CV21 2SA) – Conversion of existing house and workshop to 7 two-bed units and erection of a new two-bed duplex – at 41 King Edward Road, Rugby, Warks. CV21 2TA.

North Warks Mr Daniel Hatcher (c/o Agent: Rosconn Strategic Land) – Outline application for up to 50 dwellings following demolition of existing residential development – at Blytheways, Blythe Road, Coleshill, B46 1AH. Mr David Barrs (c/o Agent: CN Planning) – Outline application for the demolition of former social club and residential dwelling and the erection of up to 10 dwellings – at Former Ansley Social Club & 144 Birmingham Road, Ansley, CV10 9PQ.

Miss Rawcliffe (c/o: Chase House, Park Plaza, Heath Hayes, Cannock WS12 2DD) – Erection of 92 dwellings (Reserved Matters) – at Site 105c002, Rectory Drive, Exhall, Coventry. Mr Lewicki (c/o: Alderman House, 3 Marwood Close, Nuneaton, Warks. CV11 4GD) – Erection of detached two-storey building to house 5 self-contained flats, including demolition of existing bungalow – at 120 Lutterworth Road, Nuneaton, Warks. CV11 6PH.

Mr Nicholas Hackett – Conversion of existing office block to 4 apartments and erection of new block of 2 apartments – at Charnwood House, 251 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7AS. Loughborough College (c/o Agent: N & JC Design Ltd) – Demolition of single storey commercial building – at 19 Frederick Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3BH.

Nuneaton & Bedworth

The grade II listed Shahista House in Rutland Street will now be called Queen’s Building - as it was originally named when built in 1897. Queen’s Building sits opposite the Curve and is a landmark building in the area. The redevelopment of the property will breathe new life into the cultural quarter, say its new owners Park Portfolio. The property will be transformed into 14 apartments, with a restaurant in the basement and on the ground floor. James Coningsby, head of Nelsons Solicitors’ commercial property department, acted on the sale of Queen’s Buildings, with Mark Tildesley of Leicester-based Rich & Carr acting on the purchase. James said: “Nelsons Solicitors was pleased to act for the owner of the property – which was latterly shops and a snooker hall. The redevelopment could attract further investment to the area and help make it even more attractive to visitors.” Mark Tildesley said: “This is a significant building in Leicester which has been underused for a long period of time. With redevelopment and investment, Queen’s Building will bring something special to the area.” Andrew Watson of Park Portfolio said the firm had been involved

Left to right: James Coningsby, Coun Sue Waddington and Mark Tildesley in the development of numerous buildings in the Cultural Quarter over the last 15 years, including The Foister Building, The Cherub Building, Exchange Buildings, and Rutland House. He said: “To illustrate our commitment to the Cultural Quarter as well as pursuing the development of Queen’s Building, we also acquired Assurance House in Rutland Street for another mixed use scheme. “We remain long term investors in this exciting vibrant area of Leicester. “We are delighted with the support from Leicester City Council who have been absolutely fantastic in helping us bring this scheme forward. They had a ‘can do’ attitude to the development of Queen’s Building, knowing the building is a catalyst for further investment in the Cultural Quarter.” Leicester City Council supported the scheme by assisting in providing car parking facilities close to Queen’s Building. Sue Waddington, assistant city mayor with responsibility for the Cultural Quarter, supported the scheme. Coun Sue Waddington said: “I’m delighted to see this beautiful building being renovated. For too long it has been neglected, but now it is being brought back into use and will take its place in the centre of the Cultural Quarter as one of the city’s most attractive landmarks.” Built in 1897 as a shoe factory, the property is Flemish in design.

Great Oakley Farms Ltd & Rockingham Castle Estates (c/o Agent: Barton Wilmore, The Blade, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BE) – Outline application for a sustainable urban extension comprising 4,500 dwellings, 46,850 sqm of Class B1/B2, two local centres/mixed use A1-A5, B1, C2, C3 and D1/D2, secondary schools, primary schools, public open space, drainage, access and demolition of existing buildings – at West Corby Urban Extension, Uppingham Road, Corby, Northants.

Rushcliffe Nottinghamshire County Council (c/o Agent: David Tranter, Geoff Perry Associates Ltd, The Shrubbery, 28 Erdington Road, Aldridge, WS9 8UH) - Two storey primary school building to accommodate 420 students and 26 nursery places – at land south of Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. West Bridgford JV LLP (c/o Agent: David Tranter, Geoff Perry Associates Ltd, The Shrubbery, 28 Erdington Road, Aldridge, WS9 8UH) – Residential development of 171 dwellings – at land south of Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham Mr Ross Locker (c/o: David Wilson Homes East Midlands, Forest Business Park, Cartwright Way, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1GL) – Residential development of up to 150 dwellings with associated infrastructure plus overspill car park for cricket and rugby club – at land to east of Meeting House Close, Costock Road, East Leake, Nottinghamshire.

I’m running in a 0.0000005K run to raise awareness for laziness.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2017 • Tel: 01530 244069

Mayor welcomes housebuilder as long-awaited urban extension scheme gets underway LEICESTER CITY Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby met with housebuilder Morris to mark the start of a longawaited sustainable urban extension scheme for the city. Morris has started work to deliver 100 new homes as part of a wider sustainable expansion programme in the area. The Morris development, named Glebelands Park, will bring a range of contemporary detached, semi-detached and mews homes to the area. The sustainable extension will lead to a pool of new jobs as Morris hires local sub-contractors and suppliers to assist with construction. The wider masterplan will also deliver a host of major new amenities, including schools, local centres, improved infrastructure and public open spaces. Morris will also be making an education contribution of £674,000 that will be put towards the new schools that will be required. The development is expected to open towards the end of April this year. Peter Soulsby said: “Morris Homes starting work on site is

Sir Peter Soulsby (seated) welcomes Morris Homes another important milestone in our ambitious vision for the sustainable development of Ashton Green. “It marks the next step towards delivering on our plans for up to 3,000 high quality new homes in this area. “Along with the substantial investment the council has made in new infrastructure and employment land, the commitment from Morris Homes will build confidence and help attract further investment

to bring forward the exciting development opportunities at Ashton Green”. Dominic Harman, Morris’ regional managing director in the Midlands, added: “As the first housebuilder on the site, we have every confidence that the first release of our homes will prove to be extremely popular and we’re very pleased to be working in partnership with the city council to commence this long-awaited project”.

Development site in Nottingham SDL GRAHAM PENNY are offering for sale BY AUCTION a development site with a former shop/ flat at 188 Southwell Road, Nottingham NG21 0EH. The development site comprises a rectangular parcel of land with planning permission (ref: 2016/0502/ST) for a two-storey building to include 5 self-contained one-bed apartments. Also, the property included within the sale 188 Southwell Road - has planning permission (ref: 2016/0500/ST) for change of use from shop to ground floor flat. To the first floor there is a well-maintained two-bed apartment ideal for the rental market. Guide Price: £165,000+. For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 4th May 2017 at The Nottingham Belfry Hotel, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham (11.30am start). For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact the auctioneers on 0115 958 8702 or visit www.sdlgrahampenny.co.uk

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