NEWS
INDUSTRY UPDATES Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.
Work begins on phase one of First Passivhaus primary multiple airspace developments school in Scotland gets go ahead Sutton Housing Society has begun work on the first of two phases of airspace development across the south west London Borough of Sutton, which will eventually see the social landlord increase its housing stock by over 30%. The first development phase will see modular, airspace homes built on five rooftop sites, after planning permission was simultaneously granted in June last year for 71 new homes in five separate locations. These new units will increase Sutton Housing Society’s 487 homes by 16%, while the second development phase will see four further simultaneous applications further increasing stock numbers by a similar percentage in 2022. Work has begun on the first block, Norman House, which will see airspace increase the onsite housing density by 68%. The new homes will be achieved by creatively unlocking site potential, and building new flats on top of existing dwellings, providing new affordable rent housing for people over the age of 55. The plans will also benefit the existing residents by modernising the fabric and appearance of 50-year-old apartment blocks, including new communal spaces and lounges, and outdoor landscaping. The work is being undertaken by two contractors, Spencer Francis, which will deliver the structural changes to the buildings, and modular specialist Go Modular, which will add the airspace dwellings.
BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company, has completed its part in the planning permission process for a new multi-million-pound primary school in Perth. The school, which will be one of the first Passivhaus-standard primary schools in Scotland, has been awarded full planning approval by Perth & Kinross Council. Located in North Perth, the new school will replace both the current North Muirton and Balhousie primary schools. It will be built on the site of the current North Muirton Primary School and have capacity for 500 pupils. A nursery and additional support needs (ASN) provision will also be incorporated, each with their own dedicated outdoor space. Due to complete in early 2023, both original schools will remain in operation until that time. BakerHicks was appointed to provide mechanical and electrical design services by Perth & Kinross Council through the Hub East Central Scotland framework. It will work closely with Robertson Construction Tayside and Architype, the latter as both lead consultant and Passivhaus designer, with WARM as the Passivhaus certifier.
Offsite suppliers appointed to £330m offsite framework
The Cleveland Pools Trust is delighted to announce the start of works to restore the historic pools in Bath, following a 17year community campaign to save the Grade II Listed site. Bristol-based Beard is leading the work on the restoration of Cleveland Pools, the oldest surviving outdoor public swimming pool in the UK, which was built in 1815 and is now regarded as a nationally significant site. The £6.2m project poses some significant engineering challenges for Beard, which will bring its extensive experience in the heritage sector to the development, as the site is only accessible for vehicles by river. Machinery, building materials and equipment required to carry out the major refurbishment work onsite will have to be loaded up at the nearby Avon Rugby Club, which is being used as a base, and carried upriver on a pontoon pushed by a barge fitted-out for the purpose. Among the work to be carried out is the restoration of two pools – the crescent-shaped main pool for adults and a smaller, shallower pool for children. There will also be refurbishment of the largely unaltered Grade II Listed buildings, the central cottage upgraded to be used as a main entrance and pay point, with the first floor to become a caretaker’s flat. Work is due to be completed in time for swimmers to return next summer, for the first time since 1984 and will be accessible for all.
17 offsite manufacturers have won places on a new £330m framework for the public sector. The Modular Buildings (MB2) framework from LHC allows local authorities, social landlords and other public bodies to source pre-approved specialist suppliers who can design, supply and install permanent, temporary and refurbished modular buildings. The framework is worth up to £250m in England, £60m in Scotland and £20m in Wales. It primarily covers education, healthcare, emergency services, offices and community-related amenities such as sport facilities and theatres, but it can also be used for residential projects that are part of a mixed-use development or for student accommodation. Dean Fazackerley, Group Procurement Manager, said: “This framework provides contracting authorities with a pool of pre-approved suppliers who have won their place on the MB2 framework based primarily on the high quality of their work, but also the long-term value they can deliver.” The MB2 framework will run until May 2025. For more information on the framework and the full list of approved suppliers, visit the LHC website.
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Restoration work begins on UK’s oldest lido
