30 minute read
Health & Safety
Class 1 and 2 Hi-Vis Stretch Work Trousers with Sorona® sustainable performance fibres.
Advertisement
Whether its dusk, dawn or dark, Snickers Workwear has a superior range of Hi-Vis protective wear for both men and women to ensure comfort, safety and certified protection.
The latest additions to the HiVis range are the new Stretch Work Trousers made from the innovative Sorona® sustainable performance fibre.
Sorona® delivers both environmental benefits and great performance. This recyclable, bio-based fibre offers exceptional softness for maximum comfort as well as excellent durability to help extend the lifetime of a garment.
The new Hi-Vis Work Trousers with Sorona® also offer longlasting elasticity for ease of movement. Sorona® is also quick-drying, breathable and soft to the touch for optimal comfort and workday performance.
With advanced designs, hightech fabrics and performance reflection features, all Snickers Workwear Hi-Vis protective wear has durable colour-fast protection that will last through wash after wash, retaining shape, comfort and protection levels throughout the life of the garments.
Added to which, Snickers Workwear High-Vis garments can be custom-profiled to ensure ‘stand out’ coverage for your corporate brand.
For more information on the Snickers Workwear range of Hi-Vis Protective Wear, call the Hultafors Group UK Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk
National Accident Helpline supports safe work in honour of key awareness day
To mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April), National Accident Helpline is showing its support to raise awareness of the injustices seen across many workplace industries.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a remarkable initiative, which promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. While there are strict rules and regulations in place to mitigate fatal injuries, in 2020-21 alone there were 142 workers killed across various industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction . What’s more, a staggering 441,000 people sustained a nonfatal workplace injury .
In 2021 the personal injury experts uncovered worrying research surrounding the construction sector. It was revealed that workers fear the potential repercussions if they were to speak out and make a claim after suffering from an injury at work, through no fault of their own. Examples of feared consequences if they were to claim included job loss, a bad atmosphere at work or future employment concerns if news that they’d made a claim got around to other employers.
To help tackle the issue and raise awareness, ‘Rights on Site’ was born - a campaign actively calling on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to do more and challenge unfair treatment on site.
Jonathan White, Legal and Compliance Director at National Accident Helpline, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe at work, no matter what industry they work in. The fact is, if someone is afraid to speak out about an accident or make a claim, who’s to say the accident won’t happen again, but with worse consequences?
“This is why it’s so crucial that these issues are addressed in the right way. If an accident happens, companies can put in appropriate measures and learn from it before it’s too late. We fully support everything that this day stands for and pay our respects to those who have lost their lives or have been injured while on the job.”
For more information please visit:
www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/news/post/ construction-workers-fear-repercussionsspeaking-out
Over 5,000 people die in the UK each year due to asbestos related diseases.
It is a legal requirement that all who may come across
asbestos in their day to day work have been provided
with the relevant asbestos training.
Asbestos can be found in many
building materials and may
and surrounding grounds. also products used in
be present in soils
Have you received asbestos training?
UK Asbestos Training
standards in asbestos Association “UKATA” sets
training and ensures that its
members meet those standards.
Book with a UKATA approved asbestos training
provider using the
www.ukata.org.uk nationwide directory online
or call 01246 824 437. at
WWW.UKATA.ORG.UK INFO@UKATA.ORG.UK
How Hydroscand Reduce Costly Downtime Through Effective Hose Maintenance
Forklift trucks are an expensive asset to your company.
You invest in them because you need them to keep things moving. The last thing you want in your busy operation is for your FLT to be out of service. Downtime is expensive. Estimates on the cost of downtime range from £500 to £5,000 per hour depending on the size of your business.
The optimum way of reducing downtime caused by hydraulics hose failure is to carry out regular maintenance checks on your hoses. By doing this, you will replace your hoses when they have worn out, thereby not only increasing the life expectancy of your hose but saving time and money and decreasing the hours you are not able to use your forklift.
It is good practice at the start of each day to carry out daily inspections and visual checks of hydraulic hose lines. This way, you can minimise hose failures and call a technician quickly if there is a problem.
Forklift trucks are essential to keeping goods moving and our team have the experience and expertise to replace broken hoses quickly, minimising your downtime.
Jason Bray, HoseExpress Development Manager at
Hydroscand UK, explains: “Due to the design of forklift trucks hoses, especially on mast hydraulic hoses, are constantly under tension to enable the hoses to run smoothly over guide rollers and through clamps. Over time, due to the nature of how forklifts operate, these hoses can ‘stretch’ and ‘crack’ the outer cover of old hose assemblies. By doing daily visual checks this can be prevented by ensuring hoses are tensioned correctly.
“Hydroscand mobile hydraulic engineers while on site replacing an old hose due to failure or hose fatigue, will ensure that all hoses are visually checked for fatigue and report findings to our customer. It is about understanding why hydraulic hose has failed and supplying a solution that can prevent this from happening again. This could be for various reasons. For example:
• General wear and tear • Original hose too long for the application required • Rubbing or ‘catching’ • Incorrect routing of original hose assembly”
Our mobile hose technicians have been called out on numerous occasions to replace side shift hoses, auxiliary hoses, and several high-pressure hydraulics hoses on Combi Lift drive circuits on forklift trucks for our customers.
Stuart Larkin, Mobile Hose
Technician at our Birmingham branch, attended a job where the customer needed a repair on a forklift. He replaced two side shift hoses and cleaned up the spilled hydraulic oil. He said: “I left the job with happy customers, ready to start their days work.”
Jason Bray said: “The Managing Director of a local company called me as the side shift hoses on their forklift truck had failed. I inspected the hoses and discovered the hoses had been incorrectly routed. I had a look at routing the hose assemblies differently and after turning valve adaptors 90 degrees, new hoses were now free from being caught. Sometimes the best solution is the simplest.”
Josh Legg, Mobile Hose Technician
from our Southampton branch also replaced side shift hoses on a forklift. Josh said: “We always have our customers’ needs in mind, which helps to reduce their downtime and ensures they work efficiently.”
When Josh inspected the old hoses, he discovered they had failed. So, he wrapped plastic hose protection on the new hoses to avoid abrasion which made it better, as the old hoses were rubbing together. “The customer was very happy with the result.”
Craig George, one of our long-term
customers said: “There are hundreds of hoses that can fail on combi lifts. We use Hydroscand as they are a first-time fix. I will call Jason Bray and the job is done. I would never use anyone else apart from Hydroscand, and their prices are reasonable too. They have an electronic system, so, you can see what they have done and how they have done it.”
If you need our reliable and trusted hose technicians, call us on 0800 0116 999 or visit: www.hydroscand.co.uk/uk_en/
branches
Gilberts Protects Environmental Retrofit
One of the latest buildings to benefit from the Renewable Energy Retrofit scheme is Scott House in Huntingdon, where an air heat source pump has been installed to service the three-storey Council office block. In the drive towards reducing carbon emissions, Cambridgeshire County Council is leading by example. It is actively working towards becoming net zero, as a result of diverse measures including a £16m Environmental Fund to convert all Council buildings to fossil-free heating by 2025.
To ensure the pump works at optimum efficiency without disturbing the office occupants or passers-by, leading independent air movement specialist Gilberts has designed and supplied a protective acoustic screen around the installation on behalf of project contractor P Woods Construction. Measuring 8.5m x 5.7m x 3.5m, the screening effectively creates a box around the pump.
The ALS30 single bank screen louvres provide fresh air to prevent over-heating, delivering 34% actual (50% visual) free ventilation area through the screen to the pump behind. The acoustic treatment modulates heat pump operational noise from up to 78dBA to a weighted SRI of 18 dBA (validated by performance tests at Salford University). A double door also constructed from the louvre screening facilitates maintenance works.
Gilberts powder-coated every louvre section in traffic grey to further mitigate the screen’s environmental impact.
Phil Woods, managing director @ P Woods Construction elaborated, “It was a complex project because of the site constraints: the only suitable site for the pump was within a courtyard behind Scott House, already occupied by a bike shelter. All the equipment had to be offloaded next door and hoisted over a wall. The constrained space meant a significant amount of preparatory design work by Gilberts, to ensure proper airflow whilst still including an access point for maintenance etc, and allowing repositioning of, access to, and safe use of the bicycle shelter. As a result, the actual installation went smoothly and the finished screen looks stunning!”
Added Chris Phillips, Cambridgeshire County Council Senior Building Services Engineer, “The louvre screen was crucial to create and maintain a stable, correct, protective environment for Scott House- for the heat pump itself, and people in and around the building.”
Gilberts’ range of kitform and factory-assembled standard architectural, weather protection and acoustic louvres are just part of its range of solutions that have established it as the UK’s no 1 independent commercial air movement supplier. Gilberts’ louvres have been installed in locations as diverse as Wimbledon no 1 Court, National Composites Centre, Blackpool FC, Papworth Hospital and Museum of London (formerly Smithfield Market).
Family owned, the company has a 60 year heritage of innovation, operating from a 95,000 sq ft facility in the Northern Powerhouse of Lancashire.
Gilberts tel 01253 766911
UNITE STUDENTS ANNOUNCES £65MILLION UPGRADE TO THREE PROPERTIES IN MANCHESTER
• Refurbishment projects taking place across three Unite Students properties in Manchester – Parkway Gate, Kincardine Court and New Medlock House • Upgrade work will create new beds, enhance sustainability with improved EPC ratings and see installation of upgraded cladding for enhanced fire safety • Includes a 92-bed new build extension at Kincardine Court; and 14 additional beds at
Parkway Gate
Unite Students, the UK’s largest student accommodation operator, today announces a £64.58million upgrade across three of its Manchester properties – Parkway Gate, Kincardine Court and New Medlock House. Work on all three is due to be completed by September, the start of the 2022/ 23 academic year. The projects, which are already underway, will see the creation of over 100 new beds in total, as well as fire safety enhancements, in line with the latest Government regulations, and enhancements to enable more sustainable day-to-day operations.
Parkway Gate is undergoing a £38million refurbishment. There will be significant alteration to the outer shell of the building for fire safety improvements as well as a full internal rework, creating a new common space with a gym, cinema room and study areas. 14 new beds will be added as part of the work, bringing the total to 754. New air source heat pumps and windows will also be installed throughout the property, improving environmental performance.
Work at Kincardine Court includes a £12.1million 92-bed new build extension, as well as a £3.28million refurbishment of the existing property to enhance its EPC rating. New features will reduce water wastage and boost energy efficiency, including a smart energy management system. In trials, water use at the property has been reduced by 50%. New Medlock House is undergoing a £11.2million refurbishment to enhance its EPC rating. Much of the focus here will be on environmental enhancements, with the installation of air source heat pumps and improvements to the solar panel system, amongst other measures.
Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, said:
“These projects represent a significant investment for Unite Students. The enhancements reflect our current priorities: the day-to-day happiness of our residents, strong partnerships with leading universities, and the wellbeing and safety of all those who live and work in our buildings.
“The business recently launched its refreshed sustainability strategy and pathway to net zero by 2030. Upgrades like these in Manchester form a central part of the journey. We are determined to operate in the most sustainable and resourceefficient way we can.
“Work continues at pace, and we look forward to welcoming students back to the new and improved properties at the start of the next academic year.”
Latest innovative Schöck solution reaches new heights
The Hörnlihütte (Hörnli Lodge) at almost 15,000 feet (Photograph – Michel Bonvin)
Minimising linear thermal bridges at the wall connection to the floor, or floor slab, has been a long-standing problem with reinforced concrete construction. Around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports, which in turn are responsible for about 10% of heating energy losses However, Schöck has now introduced a dedicated new solution – the Sconnex type W. It is a product that offers outstanding insulation performance, even at 10,000 feet on one of the most iconic mountains in the Alps.
Scaling the Italian-Swiss border at almost 15,000 feet, the Matterhorn is both one of the most recognisable of the Alpine peaks and one of the most challenging. For mountaineers, the favoured access route is along the Hörnli Ridge, a few kilometres to the southwest of Zermatt in Switzerland. Which is why, near the foot of the ridge at just over 10,000 feet, the Hörnlihütte (Hörnli Lodge) was first built there as a base camp in 1880, followed by the Hotel Belvédère in 1909. The two were merged in 1987 and although the buildings have been subject to a number of changes since their original construction, by far the most ambitious and challenging project is the recent demolition of the Hörnli Lodge, replaced by a completely new state-of-the art structure, incorporating the Belvedere.
The High Alps is a harsh working environment
Since the Hörnli Lodge is not connected to public utilities, natural resources like solar energy and the water supply are crucial. The sloping roof is now equipped with solar panels and a natural meltwater pond nearby provides the water source, which is pumped to an underground storage tank before purification. On the ground floor of the lodge a 130-seat dining room provides a 180° panoramic view and untreated spruce wood dominates the interior, helping to provide a sense of warmth and well-being. The buildings with their latest energy-saving and environmental technologies may be a comfortable refuge for climbers and other guests, but
it was not that comfortable for those involved in the design and construction of the project. The working environment in the High Alps is a harsh one. The ground is extremely steep, there are very narrow site conditions and keeping to a tight schedule for the outside work was crucial, given the limitations imposed by seasonal Alpine weather conditions. In addition, the only access to site is by means of a narrow, steep path and the construction teams and all materials – including the concrete for the base slab and walls for the basement – had to be flown in using helicopters. Two helicopters commuted constantly between the site and the concrete plant to fly in the required 17 cubic metres of concrete and pour it from the air. Each carrying around a cubic metre of concrete each flight.
Minimising any heat transference was critical
As the building was constructed on a poured in-situ concrete slab, a particularly critical area was the importance of minimising any heat transference between the buildings and the slab. With reinforced concrete construction, linear thermal bridges at the wall connection to the floor, or floor slab, have always been a major problem for the building industry. Schöck, the market leaders in the development of structural thermal breaks for balconies and other cantilever constructions, has now innovatively applied its Isokorb expertise to reinforced concrete wall and support. The result is the Sconnex type W, an applicationfriendly, dedicated solution that contributes to a permanently sustainable building concept.
The construction teams and all materials were flown in using helicopters. (Photograph – Michel Bonvin)
For further information on the new Sconnex type W product contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or download the brochure at www.schoeck.com
As the weather improves, spending time outside is good for our health and wellbeing. But with the Great British weather not always complying, creating an all-weather outdoor space with CRL Glass Rooms is a perfect, simple to install solution.
Featuring an intelligent modular design, the aluminium structure means very few supports are needed even over large areas. The innovative connectors give a high degree of flexibility with many variations possible, while optional extras including sliding doors, vertical blinds and ceiling blinds makes it simple to create a unique space that can be enjoyed throughout the seasons.
The system’s modular design enables the Glass Room to be configured to suit any space, from simple rectangles to more complex L shape designs. The drainage is cleverly integrated into the post, with rainwater channelled through the gutter into the drain pipe. The front profile of the post can be easily removed using a clip system to allow easy access to the drain.
All rafters come with integrated channels for fitting lighting and attaching motorised awnings. Available in a Range of Standard RAL Colours CRL Glass Rooms have a maximum projection length of 6m.
The sleek, lightweight look of the aluminium, combined with the stability, robustness and longevity of the material make CRL Glass Rooms the perfect way to add an attractive shelter to a garden on any style of property.
For further information call 01706 863600, email crl@crlaurence.co.uk, or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk
Gilberts banks on sustainability and wellbeing
Rabobank is leading by example with its new Ireland head office, helped by Gilberts Blackpool to deliver an energy-efficient environment for staff that simultaneously enhances wellbeing.
The bank- one of the world’s largest co-operative banking operations- has a sustainability policy to achieve an A energy rating across its estate, and actively encourages its customers to adopt sustainable practices. Its relocation into three floors of a multi-storey office in Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin has seen that achieved for its Ireland division in part through the specification of Gilberts’ linear slot diffusers and swirl diffusers linked to a ducted fan coil system. The building has LEED Gold and BER A3 energy ratings. The 16,000sq ft of predominantly open-plan space is ventilated by 23no GSFR swirl diffusers with coanda plates and 76no GSL slot diffusers, supplied by Gilberts via Keane Environmental and installed by Axiseng. In the main desk work areas, which have exposed building services to compliment the aesthetics of the bank’s “no nonsense” brand, Gilberts’ GSFRs with coanda plates have been installed. The fixed swirl diffusers are a patented design to optimise horizontal air flow, with the coandas enhancing the throw and providing rapid entrainment and intermixing thereby avoiding risk of cool air “dumping” on staff below. Around enclosed areas, Gilberts’ linear slot diffusers in runs up to 4m long compliment the office design aesthetics whilst providing accurate airflow with almost 60% free ventilation area. Supplied in lengths up to 2m, the aluminium diffusers include a concealed alignment feature to enable a positive, seamless abutment of lengths to provide a continuous, unbroken aesthetic. A unique design of air deflection vane enables each run to be finitely adjusted to the precise ventilation requirements within the space. The diffusers were powder-coated in Rabobank’s corporate colours of orange and blue.
“It goes without saying that good ventilation is critical for a healthy indoor environment, and to enhance occupant wellbeing,” commented Keane Environmental Sales Engineer Ryan Caldwell. “The quantity has to be balanced with quality, and how it is delivered: there’s little worse than sitting at a desk for hours and feeling a cold draught or being overwarm. The trend towards exposed ceilings can exacerbate this, throwing up practical issues regarding air movement and comfort conditions. Most grilles are designed and built to operate with a ceiling. If there’s no full ceiling, an alternative strategy needs to be found. Gilberts is at the forefront of resolving this issue, having developed a range of coanda plates to integrate with its swirl diffusers and deliver an attractive solution that works.
“We can rely on Gilberts’ designs to deliver the ventilation quantity, efficiently, and give M&E contractors on site the ability to minutely adjust airflow and direction to create the best overall working environment, to optimise staff productivity and wellbeing.” Gilberts is recognised as the UK’s leading independent air movement specialist, offering grilles, louvres, and diffusers for natural, hybrid and mechanical ventilation. Founded 55 years ago, Gilberts Blackpool is unique in its ability to develop components, be it ‘mainstream’ or bespoke- entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 8825m2 manufacturing facility. Its state of the art test centre, designed and built in-house, is one of the most technically advanced in the country.
Updated Part F CPD from Titon Now Available
Following the update to the Building Regulations 2010 (Part F1 Dwellings 2022), Titon has revised its popular ‘Part F 2010 Domestic Buildings Compliance’ CPD presentation to help gain a deeper understanding of the new requirements.
With the updated edition of Part F released in December 2021 for implementation in June 2022, there have been many important changes which are clearly demonstrated within the updated CPD.
Titon’s aim is to provide an explanation of the requirements of the Part F 2022 update regarding ventilation, and the three systems examples that are used, and to emphasise the need to ensure that the installed performance meets the designer’s expectations in order to achieve full compliance.
Ventilation is a legal requirement clearly set out at the beginning of Part F which the Titon CPD guidance is aimed at achieving, if followed in full. By the end of the CPD, you will have clearer knowledge of Part F, PCDB and a look at good practice for installation and a check list of ventilation systems.
To book the new CPD, please get in touch: www.titon.com/uk/cpd-registration
For more information on this CPD and to view our other CPD presentations, please visit the CPD UK website: www.cpduk.co.uk/courses/titon-part-f-2022-domesticbuildings-compliance
BUILDING HOMES
BUILDING GREENER HOMES SAFELY
In the current climate, more businesses than ever are choosing to support the UK economy by purchasing homegrown products and brands. At West Fraser, formerly known as Norbord, all engineered wood panels are made in the UK and the company is committed to making better products for a sustainable future.
The latest generation of OSB3, SterlingOSB Zero, is made at the state-of-the-art facility in Inverness, Scotland. Each board has a smooth finish and is made without adding any formaldehyde, so is safer to work with and builds greener homes.
The range includes SterlingOSB Zero OSB3 and SterlingOSB Zero T&G.
For specifiers and housebuilders looking for an OSB supplier who is committed to sustainable production and supply, West Fraser is the one. With visible end-to-end supply chains and dedicated, streamlined logistics, coupled with excellent customer service, more companies are choosing West Fraser as their supply partner of choice.
• Streamlined logistics
• Sustainable supply chain
• Improved product availability
• Recyclable packaging
• Excellent technical and customer support
To find out more about West Fraser’s products for housebuilders, get in touch with Dan Clarke – email Daniel.Clarke@westfraser.com or download product brochures from the housebuilder page of the West Fraser website https://uk.westfraser.com/housebuilders/
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com/
The problem with plastic: Are plastic pipes damaging our bodies?
Since the 1950s, when plastic started to be produced on an industrial scale, researchers estimate we have produced over 8.3 billion tonnes of the material globally. Shockingly, evidence shows that only 9% of this has been recycled.
The construction industry plays a huge role in this and is a major contributor to waste. According to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, UK construction, demolition, and excavation made up 62% of all waste generated in 2018 – that’s three times higher than industrial waste and five times higher than household waste. It was in the late 1970s that plastic started to become a popular material for plumbing systems, and it’s still widely used today due to its affordability. However, the effect this material has on the environment is devastating and new research suggests that it is not only the planet that it’s damaging, but also our bodies.
Microplastics found in human blood
While campaigners have been pressuring the government in the
UK to introduce more regulations on plastic manufacturing and usage, there has been a research project published in the Journal Environmental International by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The study consisted of testing 22 anonymous blood samples from healthy adults for microplastic particles. The study found that 17 out of the 22 human blood samples contained microplastic particles. The most prominent type of plastic, found in over half the samples, was PET plastic, which is commonly used in water bottles and food packaging. A third of the samples contained polystyrene, which is famously used for packaging products, and a quarter of the samples contained polyethylene, a plastic commonly associated with plastic carrier bags. Polyethylene plastic is also used in plumbing pipes, with polyethylene (PE) and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes commonly used. With a quarter of the blood samples from the study containing plastic of this kind, it begs the question of whether the water we drink from these types of plastic pipes has a part to play. Are plastic pipes contributing to us having microplastics in our blood? The fact that plastics we use on an everyday basis have been
scientifically proven to enter our bloodstreams is a frightening prospect and this is the first indication in science of polymer plastic particles in human blood.
Is finding microplastics in human blood dangerous?
The simple answer is that we do not know yet with this being a ‘breakthrough’ study. But academics such as Dr Fay Couceiro, an expert in environmental pollution at the University of Portsmouth, explains that, as blood travels throughout the body and around every organ, it is likely microplastics can be found in more than just the blood inside the human body. One theory states that microplastics could latch on to the outer membranes of red blood cells and could therefore limit cells’ ability to absorb and transport oxygen. This theory is supported by the effect plastic pollution has on our planet; bacteria in the ocean that produce 10% of the oxygen we breathe are susceptible to plastic pollution in the same way our red blood cells could be. What we can do whilst the science continues to develop around this subject is to reduce our reliance on plastic products, reducing the ability for microplastics to be absorbed into our bloodstreams. Likewise, in the construction industry, we can look to reduce the use of plastics in our piping, opting for more sustainable materials such as copper in their place.
Copper as the healthy choice
Copper pipe is the professional choice for the construction industry. In contrast to the potential health risks associated with plastic, copper pipe is proven to support health and wellbeing with its naturally occurring antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, preventing the growth of harmful organisms and bacteria. Additionally, unlike synthetic plastic pipe such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), copper pipe is 100% natural and therefore does not emit any harmful contaminants or synthetic compounds into drinking water. It can also be used to effectively kill waterborne bacteria such as legionella pneumophila, as it has the ability to withstand thermal shocking at 70 degrees Celsius. In fact, copper is an essential element for good health and, when it forms part of a healthy diet, the element supports healthy blood vessel formation, heart and cardiovascular function, brain development, bones, teeth, and collagen levels.
Choosing copper over plastic
On top of its superior ability to supply safe drinking water, copper, unlike plastic, is 100% recyclable and can be infinitely recycled with no loss in quality. To date, at least 65% of all copper mined remains in circulation or available for use and around half of Europe’s copper demand is currently being met by recycled materials. As recycling techniques improve, this figure will only continue to increase and the need to mine will continue to decline. This is great news for the industry and the planet, as the recycling of copper actually uses 85% less energy than mining the raw material. What’s more, evidence from the US Geological Survey shows that there are approximately 5.6 billion metric tonnes of copper in circulation – a figure more than sufficient to surpass both current and future demand.
Every decision we make, not just about the materials we use in the construction industry, but across all aspects of our lives, will make a difference to the levels of microplastics in our ecosystems. Choosing more sustainable materials, such as copper, can lead to a healthier future for all.
Make the healthy choice. Choose copper. www.cuspuk.com
Housebuilder’s two unique schemes score chance for major planning awards
Two unique housing schemes by a national housebuilder have been shortlisted as finalists at a major industry awards – and are hoping to go all the way.
Vistry Group’s Oaklands Rise – which involves Queens Park Rangers FC as part of a joint venture
– is a finalist in the ‘Best Use of Brownfield Land in Placemaking’ category of the Planning Awards
2022. The Willesden Junction location in Harlesden has been shortlisted alongside Vistry’s Horsforth Campus location, in Leeds, which is in the running for the ‘Award for Planning for Affordable Housing’ category. Vistry Partnerships London – part of Vistry Group, which builds Bovis Homes and Linden Homes properties – completed £175 million contracting scheme, Oaklands Rise, in December. It is being delivered for housing association Notting Hill Genesis, in a joint venture with QPR. The project is seen by the football club as a long-term strategic investment and is part of the UK’s largest regeneration scheme. It sits within the Old Oak Common and Park Royal Development Corporation area, created to oversee the development of 650 hectares of land.
Vistry Partnerships Yorkshire is building 152 homes on the former Leeds City College campus. Vistry and affordable housing provider, Stonewater, worked together with the college to design a bespoke high-quality development that has 100 per cent affordable housing – compared to a Local Plan target of 35 per cent.
Fiona Milden, group planning
director at Vistry, said: “We’re delighted that Vistry’s Horsforth Campus location and Oaklands Rise have both been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Planning Awards. This recognition is very well-deserved – both for the high quality of the developments and the hard work of the teams behind them.
“Horsforth Campus is an environmentally friendly development with the latest technology and a soon-to-be impressive ecological area. The development will deliver high
quality new homes that are designed by Vistry specifically to respond to its setting and the housing need in the local area, while enhancing the environmental features that have been preserved through the delivery of this new affordable housing scheme. Oaklands Rise offers impressive homes and commercial space catering for a wide-range of needs, as part of the largest regeneration project in the UK.”
Oaklands Rise provides 605 new homes – 40 per cent affordable and 60 per cent private rented sector properties – and 3,500 sqm of mixed-use commercial and office space. This includes a nursery, health centre, shared workspace offices, shops, cafes and a community centre, all at street level, within three new major blocks, rising in height from 10 to 26-storeys.
CZWG Architects designed the landscaped boulevard which runs north-east across the development. A green play area and pedestrianised street with amenities connects the south side and the proposed HS2 and Crossrail Interchange – and north side to the Grand Union Canal.
Vistry project director David St.
John, said: “To be in the running for a Planning Award is a great result – Oaklands Rise is a tremendous scheme, managed and built by our impressive teams, and part of a vital regeneration scheme for the capital and rest of the UK.”
Meanwhile, Vistry’s Horsforth Campus location is gas free and includes air source heat pumps that serve all homes. Solar panels are included on every house to generate electricity for the heat pumps. A 2.9 hectare ecological mitigation area is being built to the south of the development and trees are also being planted.
Work on the 72 social rent, 53 shared ownership and 27 rent-tobuy homes started in November. As well as building sustainable energy efficient homes, for every tree removed for the development, three new trees are planted. Stonewater will also plant an
Lindsay Rich, associate director for Vistry Partnerships Yorkshire,
said: “The team working on the Horsforth Campus development – across land, commercial, technical and build departments – is so proud the site is a finalist in the Planning Awards – this is a testament to all their hard work and our relationship with Stonewater.”
The Planning Awards recognise excellence in planning and associated placemaking disciplines including heritage conservation, urban design, economic development, partnership working, environmental consultancy, housing and law.
Winners will be announced at the live awards showcase on the 9th June at the Mermaid Theatre in London.
For more information on Vistry locations in London or Yorkshire, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk and www.lindenhomes.co.uk.
