Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

January 2021

CONSTRUCTIONMAGUK.CO.UK

Modular construction will drive build to rent’s potential Alan Beard announces retirement after 70 years

MONSTER MESH

Construction Branding

SCHÖCK COMBAR IMPROVES SONAR TEST TANK PERFORMANCE

Willmott Dixon lands work to build Tunbridge Wells Grammar School satellite

SNICKERS WORKWEAR The New FlexiWork Neon Jackets and Fleeces

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Contents January 2021

04

Housing association supports service manager to achieve academic success

07

Schöck Combar improves sonar test tank performance

08

Driving environmental change within the civil engineering industry - By James Maclean

10

GRE Assets ends 2020 with construction progress

18

C80 Group expands with acquisition of building services consultancy

21

St. Modwen brings energy giant E.ON to Stoke South site

27

Placefirst development completes Morecambe’s major west end regeneration scheme

32

Coming soon to Essex: Crest Nicholson to launch new Maldon development

33

Development progresses on £45m North East Lincolnshire site

36

Liberty London: Grade II* listed building gets a Grade-A revamp

38

New Melton Mowbray development to launch this spring

40

Willmott Dixon lands work to build Tunbridge Wells Grammar School satellite

Front cover image by Paolo Syiaco

Lapthorn Media Ltd 5-7 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PB Tel: 01843 808 106 Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@constructionmaguk.co.uk Editorial Assistant Francesca Amato editorial@constructionmaguk.co.uk Features Editor Paul Attwood paul@constructionmaguk.co.uk

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Production/Design Laura Whitehead laura@constructionmaguk.co.uk Sales Executive Hannah Marshall hannah@constructionmaguk.co.uk Accounts Richard Lapthorn accounts@constructionmaguk.co.uk Circulation Manager Leo Phillips subs@constructionmaguk.co.uk Website Content Russel Goldsmith russel@lapthornmedia.co.uk Website: www.constructionmaguk.co.uk

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Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 03

Latest News

HOUSING ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS SERVICE MANAGER TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS A property maintenance company is celebrating the academic success of its only female service manager.

Stacey Bowling has achieved an HNC in Construction whilst working for Platform Property Care

Stacey Bowling, who works at Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest social landlords, Platform Housing Group – has recently passed an HNC in Construction with flying colours.

Stacey – who manages the organisation’s unoccupied properties in both Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, began her career in social housing 12 years ago at the age of 17.

She explained: “Working in social housing has been the best career decision I could have made.

To begin with the jobs I worked in provided back office support within Repairs and Maintenance; I was keen to develop my skills however and ultimately move into a more technical role.

As I had no specialist trade experience or qualifications I thought my options would be extremely limited; I couldn’t have been further from the truth!”

BUDGET PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO SUSTAIN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, SAYS FMB The recovery in construction activity reported in today’s Construction PMI data can be accelerated if the Government takes decisive action in its March Budget, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Today’s data shows the beginning of a recovery in construction, but this is largely being driven by house building.

There is certainly a need for more homes but housing targets are unlikely to be met without the creation of a more diverse housing market with more local house builders being able to participate.

“Financial measures aimed specifically at micro house builders would be a great

start to help create a more diverse housing market.”

Berry concluded: “The construction industry has a key role to play in helping to deliver a zero carbon built environment. The Chancellor has an opportunity to support the creation of a national retrofit strategy to upgrade our existing homes. Our homes contribute 20% of all UK carbon dioxide emissions which is why steps need to be taken now to make them greener and more energy efficient. Other measures that would help Britain’s builders include a temporary cut in VAT on home improvements and scraping the introduction of Reverse Charge VAT which will take cash out of the pockets of small businesses when they need it most.”

The construction industry has a key role to play in helping to deliver a zero carbon built environment. The Chancellor has an opportunity to support the creation of a national retrofit strategy to upgrade our existing homes. Our homes contribute 20% of all UK carbon dioxide emissions which is why steps need to be taken now to make them greener and more energy efficient.

04 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

All employees at Platform Property Care receive a career development plan with the chance to gain formal qualifications. Stacey has been supported in her studies – including an NVQ Level 3 in Management, a BTEC Level 3 in Workforce Development and a Level 2 Certificate in Contracts Law – culminating in a BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment, giving her an indepth knowledge of subjects including construction technology and surveying.

Stacey is now studying for an NVQ Level 4 in Construction Site Supervision.

Malcolm Kaszics, Assistant Director of Property Management and Growth at Platform Property Care said : “We are so proud of Stacey; her success is testimony to her hard work and dedication. Interestingly, women make up a mere 11 per cent of the construction workforce in the UK and just 1 per cent of workers on site; indeed, the proportion of those with specialist skills such as roofers, bricklayers and glaziers are so low they are practically unmeasurable. However, here at Platform Property Care we strongly feel that the role of women in construction is critical for equality, fairness, parity and impartially within the construction sector. Congratulations to Stacey and we look forward to her continuing career success.”

Stacey concluded : “I am proud to work for Platform Property Care and hope my contribution will help us to achieve our aims as a social housing provider. I have never felt that my gender or age has held me back and I am passionate about women developing careers in what are seen as traditional male roles. My aim is to continue to learn and improve every day and be part of something that really does change lives.”

Latest News

CSCS REGISTERS GROUND GAS NVQ QUALIFICATION Professionals operating in the specialist ground gas sector have been given a boost after a bespoke qualification developed specifically for the sector - has been registered for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

The ‘Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Verification of Ground Gas Protection Systems,’ administered by the Property Care Association for the last two years, has been registered for a Gold Skilled Card - with the occupation title of Ground Gas Protection Validator.

According to the PCA, the registration represents a significant step forward in recognising the value, skills and professionalism of the industry.

Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the PCA, said: “This is a first for the sector. Up to this point, ground gas verifiers would only be able to gain a CSCS card through a qualification unrelated to their role and, as a result, it would not have indicated their actual qualification or specific skill. The importance of this card must not be underestimated. It gives the owner of this qualification the ability to go onto sites with proof that correctly identifies them as a ground gas verifier. Independent testing and verification of Ground Gas installations is an important and valuable role, where a highquality install is imperative.”

The ‘Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Verification of Ground Gas Protection Systems’ is aimed at experienced specialists who wish to become third-party verifiers of gas proof membrane installation.

“It is designed for experienced practitioners, who are active in planning, implementing, and reporting verification processes, or, occupationally experienced in gas membrane installation and workplace supervision in the ground gas sector.”

In 2019, the PCA developed a specialist section of membership, the Ground Gas Protection Group, to support industry specialists within the sector with a range of services - and signpost specifiers to experts in the field who meet the Association’s stringent membership criteria.

Services being delivered for the industry include technical guidance, training and the sharing of best practice, as well as work on an industry generated Code of Practice to complement existing standards.

Steve Hodgson added: “We are seeing ground gas protection come increasingly under the radar. Contributing factors include changes in legislation driven by the Environment Agency, as well as a greater demand for the development of land which might be potentially contaminated and needs a level of protection from gases generated in the ground, including radon, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and VOCs. The group’s aim is to create a resource where professionals and homeowners can find qualified, skilled and experienced experts who specialise in ground gas protection.

We are also developing the resources to inform a wider audience of the need to understand and manage the challenges associated with harmful ground gases Membership criteria has been published and a number of ground gas verification and installation companies as well as product suppliers, have already joined the group.

As a result, there is now a means of finding vetted and approved experts, which can be accessed by anyone looking for a ground gas specialist to help with any project.

LEADING FIGURE IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BECOMES TOP DOG OF NATIONAL CHARITY A leading figure in the property and construction sectors has become the new boss of a national assistance dog charity.

David Hobson, project manager of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the building and construction industry; procuring, constructing and operating buildings, took over as chairman of the board of trustees of Support Dogs on January 1.

Mr Hobson, aged 65, who joined Support Dogs’ board two and half years ago, said his top priority was finding a bigger, fit-forpurpose training centre to allow Support Dogs to grow and be more efficient.

Support Dogs’ chief executive Rita Howson said: “David is able to contribute a wealth of experience as our chairman of trustees sharing knowledge and lessons learned from his experience in the corporate environment, and specifically supporting our management team in their property strategy.”

For the past 20 years Support Dogs has been based in a light industrial estate in Sheffield but growing demand for its services is now prompting a move to a more suitable building located in the countryside.

The charity trains assistance dogs for children with autism and adults with epilepsy and physical disability, enabling them to lead safer, more independent lives.

Mr Hobson, aged 65, also pledged to make sure the charity was able to carry on its life-changing work during the pandemic. “We need to make sure that we continue to operate during these difficult times and that we have a strong charity when it is back to ‘normal’,” he added.

Mr Hobson, who has supported a range of trusts and charities in the health and wellbeing sector over the past decade, also has two rescue Labradors, Ted and Harry. “I take inspiration from the training that Support Dogs provides, but alas with our dogs it’s very much work in progress,” he said.

The PCA, which this year celebrates its 90th anniversary, has a synergy with the ground gas sector, with membrane technology utilised by its specialist waterproofing membership and damp proofing specialists.

Rising flood tables, which can displace ground gases, are also understood as a result of PCA members’ work in flood recovery and remediation.

More details at https:// www.property-care.org/ professionals/ground-gas/

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 05

Latest News

IWJS UNDERTAKES NO DIG STRUCTURAL RELINING WORKS TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION ON CAMBRIDGESHIRE CULVERT PROJECT IWJS, a part of M Group Services, has delivered structural renovation lining works to thirteen sections of culvert in Leverington, Cambridgeshire, on behalf of North Level District Internal Drainage Board (NLDIDB).

systems are maintained as part of a larger programme of culvert relining works that IWJS is delivering in Cambridgeshire on behalf of NLDIDB.

The NLDIDB is an area of the Fens that is largely reliant on pumped drainage to evacuate surplus water from agricultural, industrial and urban properties, discharging to adjacent main rivers.

After initial camera and laser profiling surveys revealed that sections of the asset were larger in diameter than records indicated, the technical, structural design of the linings were amended to reflect the changes, internal hydraulic flows and external ground loading.

The relining works in Leverington cover 421m of culvert, ranging in diameter from 600mm to 1,000mm. IWJS was appointed to deliver the works after detailed asset condition surveys highlighted structural and service defects throughout. The work undertaken will extend the life of the asset and ensure adequate drainage

Environmentally compliant and safe working areas were established at each culvert entrance and mitigation measures included the use of temporary inflated dams and over pumping at the outfall position to remove water held and to manage flows in a safe and controlled way. Large diameter bungs, pumps and

IWJS provided a full solution throughout this project, from the initial detailed asset condition survey through to the design of the structural lining solution, the use of robotics to remove obstructions, the deployment of fast UV cure lining technique and the final commissioning.

intermediate dams were also used to isolate individual sections and to control flows during the installation of the liners.

CCTV surveys were carried out before high pressure water jetting was used to clear each culvert of silt and debris. All parts of the overall culvert assets, including manhole sumps and the mouth of the outlet, were also desilted.

A robotic cutting unit was used to remove several intruding connections, eliminating any obstructions that would prevent or limit the lining installation. In total, 22.7 tonnes of silt and debris was removed from the assets.

Accessibility was a key engineering challenge throughout the works. To avoid the required specialist equipment causing disruption to local residents, the IWJS installation team manufactured and installed a bracing system designed to sit on the outside of the existing concrete headwall and hold a double roller system in place in order to aid the liner installation.

The bracing system enabled the large diameter lining to be winched into place a significant distance from the delivery vehicle which was positioned away from local properties to minimise disruption. This innovation behind this liner installation process proved to be a key factor in its success and achieving community satisfaction.

Once all structural liners were winched into place, inflated and cured using a fast UV process, the connections into the culverts were reopened using robotics, together with manholes that were lined through in the rear of properties for which vehicle access was not possible. The ends of the liners were trimmed post-lining, whilst CCTV surveys showed that all liners were successfully installed and cured, leaving the existing assets structurally sound and free flowing.

IWJS Managing Director, Christopher Stewart, commented: “IWJS provided a full solution throughout this project, from the initial detailed asset condition survey through to the design of the structural lining solution, the use of robotics to remove obstructions, the deployment of fast UV cure lining technique and the final commissioning. This was a complex project and we are delighted with the positive client feedback on our approach to renovating these culverts, whilst keeping disruption to the local community to a minimum.�

06 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

SCHÖCK COMBAR IMPROVES SONAR TEST TANK PERFORMANCE Schöck Combar glass fibre reinforcement is fast becoming the preferred choice over traditional steel rebar for a variety of new projects in unusual and demanding environments.

Combar (composite rebar) is a ribbed reinforcing bar made of corrosion resistant glass fibres that are bound by a vinyl ester resin. The high quality components and the unique manufacturing process result in an outstanding material. One of the latest applications is for a sonar test tank facility for assessing detection apparatus performance. There were two main considerations in the selection process.

Primarily Combar was chosen for its nonmagnetic properties, as the product offers no risk of any electromagnetic interference with the test results. Hydroacoustic devices are measured over a range of frequencies and tests are highly diverse, ranging from the acoustic characteristics of a transducer, to the reflective characteristics of acoustic materials. So electromagnetic sensitivity is a critical issue and normal steel rebar would interfere with the results due to its magnetic properties – and even stainless steel would also compromise the test results. The secondary issue involved the ability to overcome loading issues within the structure itself. The tensile strength of Schöck Combar is far better than that of reinforcing steel and there is also the ability to design the product to different

shaped bar types. The ‘Z’ bar within the wall structure on this project is a very unusual bar shape and also radiused.

A special two-part manufacturing process It is the two-part manufacturing process that enables the ribbed GRP bars to meet the reinforcement requirements. First, in the pultrusion process, densely bundled high-strength glass fibres are pulled through a closed chamber and impregnated with a synthetic resin. The parallel alignment of the fibres results in optimum strength of the material. The ribs are then cut into hardened bars and given a final coating. As the vinyl ester resin is diffusion tight and every glass fibre is embedded in resin, the result is a durability of up to 100 years in concrete.

Exceptional versatility Schöck Combar application examples include taking advantage of its easy machinability in tunnel construction, whereby boring machines used in shaft walls of tunnels, cannot drill through steel reinforced walls. With Combar the machine can cut directly through the head wall. In high voltage transformers and power plant reactors, inductive currents are generated within the reinforcing steel. The heat will affect the rebar strength if too close to the coils, but Combar remains unaffected. And its corrosion resistance – even from salt – is unrivalled when building bridge, marine and harbour constructions.

For Combar enquiries, in the first instance visit www.schoeck.com; contact: design@schoeck.com or tel: 01865 290 890

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 07

Feature

DRIVING ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE WITHIN THE CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

By James Maclean, CEO at leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water With the UK government recently announcing its plans to cut carbon emissions by 68% by the end of 2030, many businesses, specifically those within the construction and civil engineering industries, are under pressure to implement more sustainable practices.

I am convinced we can only achieve such a giant step with inspired “behavioral change” in design, thinking, planning and delivery; offsetting our carbon impact is the last resort and not the solution, we will need to be smarter than that.

At Land & Water, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of driving environmental change within our sector through the use of innovative solutions and we are continuing to follow a carbon reduction agenda to add value to the areas in which we work.

We are developing a simple four step process to help us write our carbon reduction strategy. Step One looks at how we deliver our projects - do we need to deliver them at all or can we improve and maintain our waterway and estuarial infrastructure in a different way. Step Two looks at delivery in a different way, perhaps maintenance works can use digital mapping and AI to enable “little an often” low energy consumption operations rather than heavy footprint major campaigns with heavy equipment or alternative materials, or work methodologies. Step Three looks at building in nature as we leave a project behind, creating a habitat within the infrastructure to encourage Net Biodiversity Gain and carbon sequestration at the point we have infringed, and Step

Four looks at the most responsible form of offsetting for any residual carbon impact, as close to the project as possible, keeping our carbon impact cycle local. (buying rainforests abroad is a “cop out” to a carbon infringement at home, and shows a lack of genuine CSR).

One of the carbon reduction methods we have been implementing recently is the use of HVO fuel as an alternative to diesel. It’s important, to both me and the company, to create more awareness of this biofuel amongst the construction and civil engineering industries which is why I have been working alongside the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) to share the increased benefits.

Crown Oil’s HVO fuel is a 90+% net carbon neutral, fully biodegradable biofuel which uses hydrogen to promote a cleaner-burn, straight carbon chain, without troublesome Esther’s which can cause degradation in time and ultimately block fuel filters.

What’s more, and probably one of the most important factors to consider is that, it doesn’t require any plant modification which helps cut costs in the long run and enables us to better the embedded carbon in our existing plant fleet.

We have trialled this fuel at Land & Water’s Habitat Creation Scheme at Rainham Marshes and have been incredibly impressed by its performance.

Rainham Marshes was the perfect site for fuel testing due to its existing commitment towards sustainable thinking through the removal, re-use and recycling of dredged materials to enhance the local ecology and optimise the reuse of 6,000,000 tonnes of spoil for net habitat gain.

One of the carbon reduction methods we have been implementing recently is the use of HVO fuel as an alternative to diesel. It’s important, to both me and the company, to create more awareness of this biofuel amongst the construction and civil engineering industries which is why I have been working alongside the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) to share the increased benefits.

Although we are all aware of the regulations currently in place when it comes to the re-use of spoil and dredged materials, it’s about being smart and forward thinking in your approach towards creating environmental improvements.

For an organisation to have access to an innovative project, such as Rainham, which allows for spoil to be re-engineered whilst minimising disposal to landfill sites, we are able to protect eco-systems, reduce carbon emissions generated by waste and increase biodiversity.

Land & Water has been working with the Port of London Authority (PLA), RSPB and Natural England to use redundant, nonhazardous waste to create landforms along the East London Corridor. This collaboration will see us operating the 152 hectares of silt lagoons until 2042, resulting in over six million tonnes of wet and dry spoil material being repurposed and 1,000,000m2 of valuable habitat being created.

Many of our projects, including the recent lake regeneration works at Colchester Hospital and Thames Tideway Tunnel project, have already contributed towards the Habitat Creation Scheme.

If construction and civil engineering firms prioritise implementing a similar sustainable strategy then this will go a long way in regenerating natural habitats and safeguarding the future of our environment for years to come.

On behalf of the Environment Agency at Calstock, in South East Cornwall, we saved 75% of construction carbon and 72% whole life carbon by just by thinking more strategically to optimise solar gain for spoil conditioning, saving stabilisation costs and unnecessary HGV movements through the Cornish Village. To achieve these savings we worked openly with the Agency to alter the normal year-end budgetary cycle, to enable the works to be delivered in the optimal climatic conditions.

08 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Feature On behalf of the Environment Agency at Calstock, in South East Cornwall, we saved 75% of construction carbon and 72% whole life carbon by just by thinking more strategically to optimise solar gain for spoil conditioning, saving stabilisation costs and unnecessary HGV movements through the Cornish Village. To achieve these savings we worked openly with the Agency to alter the normal year-end budgetary cycle, to enable the works to be delivered in the optimal climatic conditions.

The project was to reduce the risk of flooding in the local area through the construction of new flood defence embankments on a set-back alignment.

By redesigning the geotechnical embankments to negate the need for using cement to stabilise soils, the Land & Water team was able to reduce its carbon footprint by 7,350 tonnes, and created a series of new wetlands within the site to generate the materials for the embankment construction.

As part of this project, we also prioritised biodiversity by creating reedbeds which offsets some of the habitat losses occurring due to rising sea levels. We often incorporate bioengineering and aquatic plants into our works to protect eco-systems and create positive environmental change.

It’s not just about reengineering heavy plant or incorporating different fuels. It’s also about educating the teams you work with.

If the correct operator training is given and a sustainable ethos is spread throughout an empowered workforce it can make a world of difference when trying to create environmental change.

An acronym I like to follow is it’s SSSSO simple! That’s ‘it’s so simple…. simply switch it off’ and by just turning off machinery and reducing idle time, all firms can go a long way in starting a behavioural change. (*idle time on UK construction equipment is between 25 and 35% average)

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19/01/2021 13:41:16

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 09

Company News

GRE ASSETS ENDS 2020 WITH CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS International property developer GRE Assets, is closing the year positively as construction progresses on their projects in both the UK and Spain, with new residents set to move in early in the new year. The company is also looking ahead to an exciting new project being announced in Q1 2021.

The 70 apartments which make up the second phase at Riverside Park in Ashford will be completing this week, closely followed by the 12 townhouses from January 2021. Residents will be able to move into the new, contemporary homes as early as Q1 2021. Phase 3, which will encompass 110 apartments and six houses, will also commence in the first quarter of the new year, with the final phase to be delivered in Q4 2021.

Over in the Mediterranean, the first phase of Brises Diagonal Mar, GRE Assets’ latest development in Barcelona, is now complete, with its first residents excited to move into the apartments in Q1 2021. The second phase of 21 apartments will complete in the first quarter of the new year.

Part of the second phase of a £120 million regeneration scheme, Nene Wharf Apartments in Peterborough is also progressing well. The first block of riverside apartments will be completed in Q1 2021, followed by a second block in Q2.

Michael El-Kassir, Managing Director of GRE Assets commented: “With our industry facing a challenging year, it’s fantastic to end 2020 with progress at our Riverside Park and Brises Diagonal Mar projects.

The likes of the current Help to Buy scheme and the stamp duty holiday has meant people are more eager than ever to move into their next home. People will be able to move into the new apartments at both developments from the first part of the new year and we are excited to welcome them. We’re proud of what we have built, considering the long term needs of future residents, who will be able to benefit from spacious balconies, Hyperoptic broadband and access to green space. The first phase of our Nene Wharf development in Peterborough is set for completion in Q1 2021, so we’ll definitely be starting the year as we mean to go on. We’ll also be announcing an exciting new project in the new year, which we can’t wait to share with people.”

10 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

JOHNSON CONTROLS RECOGNISED FOR LEADERSHIP IN CLIMATE ACTION Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart and sustainable buildings, today announced it’s being recognised as a thought leader for its actions and strategies in response to climate change by CDP, an independent not-for-profit organisation that builds a truly sustainable economy and holds the largest database of primary corporate climate change information in the world.

Johnson Controls in top 12% of companies globally in climate leadership Johnson Controls received an A- climate change Leadership band score, in recognition of its actions to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change in the past reporting year as well as an A score for its risk disclosure and governance. Johnson Controls is among just 12% of companies globally in climate leadership to be awarded this leadership level position. A record-breaking 9,600+ companies disclosed through CDP in 2020, a 70% increase since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 and a 14% increase since last year.

Company News

SOLAR PANELS HELP BRICKFAB BUILD A GREENER FUTURE

“Being recognised by CDP as a thought leader in addressing climate change underscores our ambition to play a meaningful role in helping the world transition to a low-carbon economy. The next decade is crucial in our shift to a sustainable economy and with our team of 100,000 employees we are firmly committed to building a world that’s safe, comfortable and sustainable”, said George Oliver, chairman and CEO.

Brickfab, a leading manufacturer of prefabricated products for the UK House Building industry, is building itself a greener future.

Recently Johnson Controls was named to the World’s Most Ethical Companies® Honoree List and as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Since Johnson Controls first signed the United Nations Global Compact in 2004, the company has remained fully committed to aligning its operations and strategies with the U.N. Global Compact’s Ten Principles. Johnson Controls is using its industry leading OpenBlue platform to continually put sustainability at the forefront for its customers and society as a whole.

The innovative business, based in Pontypool, which employs sixty people designs, manufactures and supplies prefabricated arches, brick specials, chimneys, GRP canopies and panels to the major house builders throughout the UK. Brickfab Managing Director, Nigel Watkins, says the firm recognises the role it must play in reducing its carbon footprint by putting the environment at the forefront of its business.

It has added to its green credentials by installing 170 solar panels at its factory in Pontypool.

Competition for climate leadership level status is increasing, and investors and purchasers are increasingly calling for transparency and action from companies on how they are responding to climate change. According to CDP, 515 investors with US$96 trillion in assets and 125 major purchasers with US$106 trillion in assets, and 150+ large purchasers with US$4 trillion in buying power requested thousands of companies to disclose through CDP in 2020.

Mr Watkins said:

To read more about Johnson Controls commitment to sustainability, please visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/ corporate-sustainability/environment

GLENCAR ANNOUNCES RECORD BREAKING GROWTH IN LATEST TRADING STATEMENT Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors has today announced its results for the latest trading period which confirms significant growth driven by key contract wins across the UK and within the key specialist sectors in which it operates.

During the period 29 project instructions were received leading to a growth in revenue upto £145m. To further fuel this growth 50 new employees were hired, and a new office opened in Birmingham to serve a growing number of key clients in the Midlands and North.

Speaking about the results Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy said: “From the outset one of the company’s founding principles is to handle growth in a sensible and sustainable manner. By investing in our people, processes and infrastructure we are creating the solid foundations by which to operate and for the business to succeed.

Despite these unprecedented times we are living in and the obvious social and economic challenges we are faced with revenue for the period has grown exponentially – driven by key contract wins with a broad range of new customers and through retaining key customer relationships. We have also maintained a high degree of profitability which places Glencar on a strong financial footing. We have strengthened our senior leadership team considerably and more than doubled our head count so I am confident we have the right people in the right places to continue to press forward.

We take a proactive approach to dealing with all matters relating to Brickfab’s environmental impact. To that end and to reduce our carbon footprint even further, we have installed a total of 170, 290v solar modules which will give us an installed capacity of 49kWP. We expect to make savings of 25 tonnes of CO2e per year. It helps everyone at Brickfab to have a greater awareness of the importance of looking after the planet and climate.

The business expects to recover the costs of installing the solar panels over the next few years through the energy produced by the equipment. Brickfab received an interest free loan from The Carbon Trust for the installation which had made the project financially viable. The system was installed

by Hereford-based Caplor Energy.

The installation comes in the wake of Brickfab’s other green initiatives which include the use of cutting-edge delivery vehicles to help reduce fuel use, streaming and segregation of factory waste with significantly less going to land fill and the recycling of plastic and cardboard.

Mr Watkins said: “We have a focus on reducing energy use across the business and working towards ISO 14001 environmental standard. We could well see further solar panels installed on our other factories, in the future.”

“With a committed forward order book of over £180m Glencar is showing no intention of slowing down and looks forward to 2021 with a firm sense of optimism. On behalf of my fellow directors I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the hard work and exceptional efforts of everybody at Glencar to reach this notable achievement”.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 11

Events & Awards News

DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK POSTPONED UNTIL NOVEMBER 2021 The organiser of Digital Construction Week (DCW) – the UK’s only event dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing and operation – has announced next year’s event will move from May to November.

The show, which was due to take place on 19-20 May, will be deferred to the new dates of 24-25 November 2021 at ExCeL London, following the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Event director Oliver Hughes says: “The government’s announcement last month regarding business events is welcome news and a great sign that things are heading in the right direction. However, despite some events going ahead from December, the restrictions in place and the loss of our international audience still pose a challenge to running a show in May that’s successful for everyone.

“We want to make the right decision for our community and having consulted with our

exhibitors, visitors and partners, we’ve decided the best action to serve everyone is to push the show back to the autumn for 2021.

“We’re disappointed not to be able to bring everyone together as soon as we had hoped next year. But we’re committed to delivering an event in 2021 that provides the community with the most effective opportunities for networking, education, discovery and interaction – and we’re confident that the move to November means we’ll be able to return with the best show possible.

“The good news is that we’ll still be supporting the industry with a digital hybrid offering in May. Following on from our successful DCW Connect Fringe series this autumn, we’ll be bringing our audience even more great digital content including webinars with a number of our key supporters, virtual panel discussions, and product demonstrations. And, all being well, we hope to make this a hybrid event with a live, in-person networking event for around 150 people to help the industry stay

connected. So keep the 19-20 May in the diary for now.

“Despite the tough circumstances, we’ve been overwhelmed by the number of our exhibitors, visitors, speakers and partners who have expressed their support and desire to be a part of DCW at the next possible opportunity.

We’re determined to celebrate the resilience of the industry and contribute to its growth with the best event we can offer (albeit a little later than planned) in 2021. In the meantime, we hope you can join us virtually in May.” The show will be co-located with GEO Business, the UK’s largest geospatial event designed for everyone involved in the gathering, storing, processing and delivery of geospatial information, which will also move from May to 24-25 November for 2021.

For more information, please visit www.DigitalConstructionWeek.com and www.GeoBusinessShow.com.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT ORGANISATIONS AND PROFESSIONALS JOIN IN TOGETHER FOR BUILDING PEOPLE’S CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN Social enterprise, Building People, has been crowdfunding since October to make the built environment more inclusive, with a platform that enables employers to widen their talent pools by connecting diverse talent to vacancies, information, activities and resources.

The campaign closed on 1st December, raising £18,000 to go towards securing the future of Building People – just £2,000 shy of the £20,000 target.

Building People’s vision of a better connected and more diverse and inclusive industry has received an overwhelming amount of support, with pledges from all areas of the sector, including BRE Group, The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants, Hopkins Architects, Building Engineering Services Association and Hollis.

Building People has developed a prototype platform in partnership with over 60 organisations to enable the sharing of vacancies, resources, activities, knowledge and information. Many initiatives for widening participation in the sector already exist, but finding relevant ones can be difficult. Building People’s aim is not to duplicate this effort, but to aggregate opportunities and connect people to them, joining the dots for a better built environment.

Alongside the aggregating and connecting, Building People has created a Communities network, holding regular meetings and action-led discussions on how to affect real change in the sector, with organisations representing six communities: BAME, LGTBQ+, youth, women, ex-offenders and ex-military.

12 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Rebecca Lovelace, Founder and Chief DotJoiner, commented that:

The crowdfunding campaign has really raised our profile and brought new supporters to Building People. It has been interesting to learn who, exactly, in our sector is truly committed to collaboration and to real culture change, and encouraging to see more organisations join in with Building People’s mission.

Funds raised from the campaign will enable Building People to continue creating connections across the built environment, with a particular focus on supporting, enabling and growing membership of its Communities network (organisations that work with diverse and underrepresented groups in construction and the built environment).

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People On The Move

ALAN BEARD ANNOUNCES BRIGGS AND RETIREMENT AFTER 70 YEARS FORRESTER One of the most well-known figures in the construction business in the south west, has retired from the family firm where he worked for 70 years.

Alan Beard was the third-generation head at the helm of the construction firm that was started by his grandfather and continues to bear the family name.

Today, Beard is an award-winning construction company, operating across the south west with a turnover of £160million and offices in Swindon, Oxford, Guildford and Bristol.

It has come a long way since Alan first joined the family firm at the age of 17 in January 1950, when he started working with his father Geoffrey, at Newcombe Beard Ltd, in Cirencester.

Over the years Alan has been responsible for overseeing many memorable building projects but it was his work in the ecclesiastical sector his son Mark, now chairman of Beard, said was particularly important to him. As an active member of the church community himself quite simply, Mark says, ‘it’s part of his DNA’.

The pinnacle of Alan’s success in the sector is arguably the Bishop Edward King Chapel, Cuddesdon, in Oxfordshire. Completed in 2013, this multi-award-winning elliptical structure was one of the most ‘interesting, complex and technically challenging

construction projects in recent years’ he said of the project.

Over seven decades in the business, during which there have been national crises, recessions and boom times, it has been a time of steady expansion for Beard. Going from two offices to four, entering new sectors such as education, healthcare and culture, as well as establishing Beard as a business with a strong ethos. Its reputation for quality work, fair treatment of customers, suppliers and colleagues is part of his legacy.

As well as his sharp-eyed attention to detail which Mark says is an intrinsic part of how Beard now does business.

Mark adds: “We celebrated our 125th anniversary in 2017, which prompted Alan to write a book about the history of the company.

The fact that we reached this milestone is testament to his expert stewardship over 70 years - a remarkable landmark to reach in itself.

“My father withdrew from being actively involved with the business a short while ago, his influence is all around us and many of the principles he fostered are still woven into the fabric of the business. For me personally it is his keen eye for detail that has shaped the approach we take to our work throughout the business. Alan is somebody not only well known in the industry and the region, but also in the community in which he lives where he has always found time to be part of the Rotary Club, and an active church member and leading light on the local political scene.”

GROUP BOLSTERS SENIOR TEAM SET FOR FORWARD MOMENTUM

Building Services Specialist Briggs and Forrester Group has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of Jeremy Askew as Group Finance Director in anticipation of the increased revenue forecast for 2021 and beyond.

Paul Burton, Group CEO said: “Jeremy brings a wealth of experience to our Group Board from a variety of accountancy and finance roles and will work closely with the team driving the future strategic direction of the business. His passion is already evident and we look forward to Jeremy influencing the Group by improving our overall efficiency and performance towards an overall improvement in profit margin.”

Jeremy Askew commented: “I am excited to join Briggs & Forrester in this role and look forward to working with my new colleagues. There are some very loyal and talented people here who share the same values and vision with a great track record of delivering quality projects for our customers. It was a major attraction to be given the opportunity to work closely with the Board of Directors on a strategic level to help shape the future success and growth of the Group.”

Despite a slight dip in the Group’s revenues for 2020 caused primarily by the impact of Covid-19 across the Construction Industry, the Group has completed another strong performance, now predicting a pre-tax profit result of £5.6m (2.5%) on revenues of £225m. Jeremy replaces John Simson, the Company Secretary & Group Accountant who retires mid-2021 after 23 years with the Group.

“The Group has maintained a strong year-end balance sheet together with a creditable cash balance of £23.5m, without the need to utilise any additional banking facilities. Trading conditions made us review the way we operate and the use of our systems and our IT technology stood up to the test, catering well with

14 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

People On The Move remote working. New technologies are now at the forefront of our thoughts as we strategically develop the business further and Jeremy will aid these future considerations and oversee any implementation.”

“All our sector driven businesses are focused on delivering ‘Excellence at Every level’ a repeat business model with our much valued clients and with a near record forward order book of £414m including £60m of workload in the final stages of negotiation this continues to progress as planned. Our three year plan is focused toward delivering revenues of £300m by the end of 2023 and a good pipeline of opportunities supports this with some confidence.”

Recent and notable project awards include One Centenary Way, a commercial development in Birmingham, Manchester City College, a higher education project, MRC LMS, Hammersmith an extensive Research & Development project together with some high-quality residential developments including Broadway Tower, Central London, Morello Tower project in Croydon, Plot 7, Perry Bar, Birmingham and Monkbridge, Leeds.

Paul Burton reports: “Despite current market conditions, we’re in a good place with a number of projects in the final stages of

I am excited to join Briggs & Forrester in this role and look forward to working with my new colleagues. There are some very loyal and talented people here who share the same values and vision with a great track record of delivering quality projects for our customers. It was a major attraction to be given the opportunity to work closely with the Board of Directors on a strategic level to help shape the future success and growth of the Group negotiations supported further by a healthy pipeline behind these. We also have further capacity for the right opportunities from our client base and look forward to continuing to improve our Excellence at Every Level repeat business model further.”

The Briggs and Forrester Group now employs over 930 staff across 10 UK based offices. “We have continually invested in our most important asset, our people and they have in turn helped support the business through the most difficult times of the pandemic which is testament to them all.”

Briggs & Forrester Group have now established full sector offerings across the UK, including the Midlands, South West and Northern regions, in addition to the traditional areas of London and the South East.

“In January this year we established the Briggs & Forrester Wellbeing initiative which

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has been a success and a vital resource for our employees, especially during these uncertain times. Over 30 of our people have trained as Mental Health First Aiders and are able to offer an invaluable resource to those of our employees who need someone to talk to during challenging times.”

Briggs and Forrester were delighted to have donated £20,000 to the Princes Trust this year. As a business who strive to build the skills of young people and openly invest into supporting their future career prospects, the Princes Trust aligns with Briggs & Forrester’s core values, inspiring young people and changing their lives for the better.

“The Group has a long history of supporting charitable organizations and will again be hosting our bi-annual Supply Chain Charity Golf day in June next year, where the Company will be supporting another worthwhile charitable cause.”

THE NEW FLEXIWORK NEON JACKETS AND FLEECES

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04/01/2021 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 1509:59:38

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Company News

PAVE AWAYS MAKES NEW INVESTMENT IN WALES TO UNDERPIN DEMAND Building contractor Pave Aways is opening a second office in Wales to support the growth of its work in Mid Wales. The firm is adding a new base in Newtown to its Welsh headquarters in Wrexham to underpin its increasing presence in the region.

Pave Aways, which has its Shropshire base near Oswestry, recently handed over the council’s first Passivhaus school in Welshpool in 2020 and has also been appointed to the Welsh Procurement Alliance’s Dynamic Purchasing System for Housing Construction.

Its office at Ladywell House, which will open when the country’s latest lockdown ends, will be led by construction director Jamie Evans and used by its Mid Wales based team. Pave Aways completed the £2.1m conversion of the former office building into a hub for small business for the Heart of Wales Property Service last year.

Managing Director Steven Owen said:

The firm is currently working on contracts valued at more than £26m with a third of that, including new homes for Powys County Council in Newtown and Sarn, taking place in Wales.

We already have a strong presence in Mid Wales and have worked on some key schemes in the region but this will allow us to provide a specific focus for our clients in the county We believe in having a positive impact on the area where we work and the addition of our new office will have a beneficial effect on the local economy. It will enable us to enhance the community support and education and training opportunities we can offer.

NATIONAL TIMBER SYSTEMS DOUBLES JOIST CAPACITY National Timber Systems has invested in a new manufacturing system for its engineered joists, which will double its overall capacity.

The production line, located at its Catterick site, has been dubbed the ‘Joist Super Centre’ after increasing the facility’s output from 250,000 metres per year to more than a million. This means National Timber Systems is capable of producing two million metres of engineered joists each year.

The system allows operatives to transfer engineered joists from its storage rack to the production line, without the need for a forklift.

This significantly reduces handling time and has had an enormous impact on efficiency.

As a result of its increased capacity, the Catterick site will now also fulfil the joist needs of its Hebburn and Sheffield manufacturing facilities.

LEADING STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDER WINS PLACE AGAIN ON GOVERNMENT FRAMEWORK Supplier of bespoke storage and shelving solutions, Rackline has won a place on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework as suppliers of High-Density Steel Storage.

Rackline are an approved, high-quality British manufacturer of high-density steel storage including static and mobile storage systems, library and archive shelving and associated products.

When pitching for the tender Rackline had to demonstrate a strong understanding of delivering projects, health and safety, financial and environmental credentials. Each supplier is scored on their knowledge, standards,

and pricing. CCS then award the highest scoring companies a place on the framework.

The CCS are the biggest public procurement organisation in the UK, they support those in the public sector by presenting carefully selected businesses and organisations to help save money when buying goods and services, so cost-effectiveness was also critical throughout the process.

Even though Rackline has been awarded a place on this framework for over two decades they have to reapply every time the renewal comes up as there’s no automatic awarding.

16 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

National Timber Systems combines the design, manufacturing, and logistic capabilities of Arnold Laver and NYTimber - both part of National Timber Group. The collaboration has created a high-quality national offering for house builders and developers.

Its product range includes an innovative NYTROOF rapid fit roof panelised system, gable and party spandrels, trussed rafters, engineered joists, as well as floor and roof cassettes.

Nick Kershaw, Managing Director at National Timber Systems, said: “National Timber Systems serves some of the country’s largest house builders and it’s been essential that we quickly scale up our capacity and improve efficiency to ensure we can fulfil the increased volume of orders.

“This investment furthers our ability to do this, and also gives us additional flexibility and room to continue with our growth plans.”

Richard Jarvis, Operations Director at National Timber Systems led the project. He said: “The new set-up includes additional saws and racking, which has transformed the way we process our engineered joists. We simply had to make changes to meet demand.”

Company News ACTIS CPD JOINS STABLE OF RIBA APPROVED TRAINING MODULES Actis’ much praised and popular CPD on addressing the performance gap with reflective insulation has been approved to join the stable of Royal Institute of British Architects approved training modules.

The CPD, which looks at how to combat thermal bridging and achieve optimal energy efficiency, will be available to RIBA chartered architects, who, along with their non-RIBA affiliated counterparts, must complete 35 hours of CPD every year.

RIBA approved CPDs are worth double the points of a standard CPD and are therefore much prized by members, with 76% of them choosing training which has been specifically approved by the professional body.

The Actis CPD, Addressing the performance gap with reflective insulation, which is currently available online, will be promoted via RIBA’s website, and the Institute’s monthly newsletter.

Specification and technical teams at Actis, now a member of the RIBA CPD Providers Network, will also have a chance to present at some of its 20 annual roadshows, once face-to-face activities resume.

All RIBA approved CPDs must meet strict criteria, be educational, innovative and balanced, address relevant statutory issues and have a clear learning outcome.

They are designed to provide solutions to design problems and are likely to address sustainability issues, correct product application and legislative information.

Actis UK and Ireland technical director Thomas Wiedmer, himself an architect, said: “We are looking forward immensely to being able to help the wider architectural profession to understand the benefits of reflective insulation in helping address issues of thermal bridging.

The module looks at why the performance gap exists, evidence of its existence through research by bodies such as BBA and Glasgow Caledonian University, the effects of external factors on the fabric efficiency of a building, the impact of part L which places a good deal of emphasis on air tightness and the impact of thermal bridging and how reflective insulation can address it.

The nearly 200-year-old RIBA champions better buildings, communities and the environment and works with government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities.

MULTIPLE PROJECT WINS FOR FIT OUT CONTRACTOR Fit out contractor Workspace Design and Build has had a stream of exciting project wins over the last few months and whilst the pandemic has halted some projects the company are involved with, others were keen to assign a Principal Contractor ready to start work as soon as supply chains were back to more normal operation.

for PortSwigger in the heart of Knutsford. Workspace’s in-house furniture specialist will work closely with Sheila Bird and Matthews & Goodman to deliver the vision of bringing the outside in. With works commencing in February, the team are working on getting everything ready to go so they can hit the ground running when the time comes.

USDAW, SALFORD – CAT B Works have commenced on this 40,000 sq ft CAT B fit out for USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers). Workspace Design and Build act as Principal Contractor on the project and have been involved in every stage in the process from design of the full project to providing the furniture – all with in-house capability.

The project management and acquisition is being handled by Manchester based Edwards & Co. This impressive building is split over 5 floors and is set to be a transformation from the existing interior.

37 KINGS STREET, MANCHESTER – CAT A In the heart of Manchester, this CAT A project has undertaken full strip out, ready for full modernisation throughout. Split over 4 floors, this much sought-after office space will be ready for tenants to look round in January with the help of Sixteen Real Estate.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary said: “This design of our new office has been in the making since the beginning of March so we’re really looking forward to seeing it come to life”.

PORTSWIGGER, KNUTSFORD – CAT B This is an exciting project win for Workspace and one which is set to make heads turn with Sheila Bird Group as the designers for the space. The 60,000 sq ft blank canvas will soon be turned into an employee focused space

Russell Davis, MD at Workspace Design and Build said:

These recent project wins are testament to the hard work of our team during the pandemic – we’ve all worked together to continue to service our clients in the best way possible whilst being respectful of the current situation. Construction is and always will be a resilient industry, and Workspace are proud to be a part of it.

Workspace Design and Build is a leading fit out and refurbishment specialist, providing outstanding professional services to the UK’s office sector.

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 17

Company News C80 GROUP EXPANDS WITH ACQUISITION OF BUILDING SERVICES CONSULTANCY Leeds-based building consultancy business, C80 Group Ltd, has expanded its portfolio of services and geographical presence with the acquisition of Birmingham-based Stewart Associates as the latest company to join the Group.

With 24 staff, including an experienced team of engineers and CAD designers, Stewart Associates will continue to operate from its Midlands office in partnership with C80 Group’s two companies operating from Yorkshire, C80 Solutions and YDBC Ltd. Stewart Associates’ specialist expertise in building services engineering will complement the services offered by C80 Group’s established team of Building Control surveyors and consultants in energy assessment, building compliance, consultancy, and testing. Stewarts counts the NHS and many UK Universities in its list of long-standing clients.

Mark Heptonstall, CEO of C80 Group, said: “We are very excited to welcome Stewart Associates to C80 Group. They have outstanding credentials in high quality engineering solutions for building services design and management, with a proven track record in delivering compliant, cost-effective, environmentally considerate and energyefficient designs for mechanical, electrical and personnel transportation installations. C80 Group will be able to harness this valuable skillset in tandem with the other range of specialisms within the Group, serving new and existing clients across the UK. “The arrival of Stewart Associates comes almost exactly one year after C80 Group’s acquisition of YDBC, which joined the C80 Group alongside C80 Solutions at the end of 2019.

“The collective capabilities of the Group’s three companies give us a very strong footing to expand our business on a nationwide basis.”

Steven Mason, Managing Director of Stewart Associates, said: “Becoming part of C80 Group is a major development for Stewart Associates, enabling us to accelerate the growth of our business and develop new markets, in both regional and sectoral terms.

“We work extensively in various sectors across the British Isles, including, health, education, commercial and industrial. These sectors complement C80 Group’s traditional client base which predominantly comprises housebuilders, contractors, developers, and architects. With a shared belief in the importance of sustainable solutions, the Group’s combined strengths and market presence offer enormous potential in the coming years.”

GLENCAR PARTNERS WITH LEICESTER RIDERS AS OFFICIAL GAME NIGHT SPONSOR FOR SKY SPORTS ENCOUNTER AGAINST BRISTOL FLYERS The game will be the first time the reigning Playoff champions have featured on Sky Sports since coverage got underway last week. The club are delighted to welcome Glencar Construction to the Riders family as an official game night sponsor for the first game on the channel.

“The Leicester Riders young player pathway and community development programme has contributed massively, not only to the success of the team on the court, but also off the court in terms of providing young people with opportunities to grow, develop and be part of a success story” commented Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy.

“Basketball is an integral part of community sport and actually one of most played sports in the U.K. amongst young people. Glencar are very happy to partner with one of The

British Basketball League’s leading teams who share our core values in investing in young people, education and community development.”

Glencar Construction is a contractor specialising in the creation of high-quality turnkey facilities in partnership with some of the UK’s leading developers, occupiers, retailers and logistics businesses.

“We are extremely excited to be working alongside a company such as Glencar which clearly shares our core values and sense of community,” said Leicester Riders’ Managing Director Russell Levenston.

“Like with our recent success on court it’s a chance for us to help celebrate Glencar’s recent successes off court, after being awarded top spot in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league table.”

18 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Riders have made a great start to the 202021 season having qualified for the BBL Cup quarter final against Glasgow Rocks and opened their league campaign with a victory over Surrey Scorchers.

Jamell Anderson, who was a standout versus Surrey added:

Leicester is a club that’s synonymous with leading the way in British Basketball as well as its work in local community so the partnership with Glencar is a great fit.

Everyone is looking forward to playing back in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Sky Sports have also confirmed that Leicester will also feature on the channel on Friday 26 February when they host Worcester Wolves.

Feature

REDUCE THE RISK OF COVID TRANSMISSION: VENTILATE YOUR BUILDINGS Social distancing and mask-wearing can only go so far in preventing transmission of COVID-19 indoors. They are not barriers to contaminated aerosols, which can build up in poorly ventilated buildings.

Specialist Building Service Engineers, Milieu, bring together the latest research on COVID-19 transmission and share their expertise on how to use ventilation to reduce the risk of COVID transmission indoors.

It is generally agreed by the scientific and medical community that the main route of coronavirus transmission is by respiratory droplets (larger droplets and particles which are exhaled when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk or breathe), which are passed on through close contact with an infected individual. Transmission by these larger respiratory droplets is usually within 6 feet, hence the 2m social distancing rule.

More recently, it was discovered that COVID-19 can also be spread through exposure to virus-containing respiratory droplets that remain suspended in the

air over longer distances. These smaller droplets are known as aerosols.

Outdoors, fresh air will dilute and disperse any virally charged particles; it is indoors where this mode of transmission puts us all at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

Therefore, unless clever ventilation systems are incorporated into buildings, transmission risk is even higher.

Aerosols tend to follow airflow. Opening windows and doors allows fresh air to enter indoor spaces, increases airflow and reduces the concentration of virally charged particles.

In rooms where this is not possible, alternate methods of ventilation need to be used, such as air conditioning (AC). However, AC systems that recycle air, without an adequate supply of fresh air, could be responsible for recirculating and spreading airborne viral particles.

In traditional AC systems, where units are placed on the wall, airflow is horizontal, potentially delivering infectious respiratory droplets into the pathways of others. In an underfloor ventilation system Milieu have

recently installed at Pennybank, Clerkenwell, the airflow is vertical, streaming the air up past occupants to be expelled through cleverly concealed vents. This not only reduces the concentration of any virally charged particles, but it reduces mixing of air between people sharing a working space.

Milieu have recently developed an innovative Ventilation Effectiveness Toolkit which assesses ventilation using computational modelling to analyse volume, occupancy, vocal activity and existing ventilation rates (natural and mechanical) of a building.

Carl Carrington, CEO Milieu, says, “At Milieu, we’re passionate about creating healthy buildings and keeping people safe: our new toolkit enables us to assess ventilation of an indoor space, in relation to occupancy, and work out a Relative Risk Increase (RRI) that can be used to inform people how safe their spaces are and whether their current ventilation is sufficient or not.”

As we await the roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine, we can take steps to reduce its transmission and reduce the infection rate of any future strains of SARs or other viruses, such as flu and the common cold, all of which impact our health and productivity. An effective way of doing this is by improving the ventilation of our buildings.

Read Milieu’s in depth analysis of the subject here.

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Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 19

Latest News

PROPERTY DEVELOPERS WARNED TO ACT ON CLADDING BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT Expert property lawyers are advising developers to act on cladding issues now to avoid the risk of paying out millions of pounds.

Dangerous, combustible cladding has been top of the agenda for developers since the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed the lives of 72 people. The use of cladding is widespread in high rise apartment blocks and a huge push is now taking place to ensure it is replaced with safe materials.

Experts from national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP say dealing with these issues now will give residents much needed peace of mind and save developers money in the long run.

James Driver, a partner and specialist in construction and engineering disputes, said: “There are so many issues to consider when it comes to cladding both on the resident side and the developer side. We are acting for a lot of concerned developers and freeholders in pursuing claims against contractors on sites where it is now clear the cladding systems are defective and potentially dangerous.

“Developers should check their building contracts and any collateral warranties on their developments immediately. We are finding that some claims might be close to being ‘time barred’ given the length of time which has passed since the projects were completed, meaning time really is of the essence. It really is extremely important to look at this now. It could save developers from paying millions of pounds for what are likely to be significant remedial works.”

James is also acting for some residents living in apartment blocks affected by dangerous cladding.

He said: “There are thousands of worried residents in apartments up and down the country who not only don’t feel safe in their homes, they also can’t sell their property until the cladding has been checked and either deemed safe or replaced.

“These residents are looking at significant, individual contributions to replace the cladding on their blocks, perhaps around £50,000 or more each.

Those residents who are affected by this will probably already have been made aware of the issue either when they were unable to sell their apartment or else when their freeholder or managing agent told them. If they haven’t already formed a residents’ group to discuss this then that would be a useful first step. Bringing a class action is something we have a lot of experience in at Clarke Willmott and we are always open to an initial discussion with a residents’ group to see if we can help.

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

RAILWAY INDUSTRY RESPONDS TO NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION’S RAIL NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE MIDLANDS AND NORTH The Railway Industry Association, the trade body for the UK rail supply community, has responded to the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and North.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “The National Infrastructure Commission makes the case in its latest report for a consistent programme of rail investment to be delivered in the North and Midlands, including delivering a rolling programme of investments that improves the connectivity in the region. The Railway Industry Association welcomes this analysis, which particularly recognises the need for visibility and ending ‘boom and bust’ profiles of work for rail suppliers, so they are best equipped to deliver effectively and efficiently.

“It is vital we deliver HS2, TransPennine Route Upgrade, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Engine Rail in full, whilst also delivering decarbonisation and digitalisation across the region’s rail network. If the Government truly wishes to ‘build back better’ it should make rail a key part of the UK’s economic recovery – and not make the Midlands and North choose between crucial schemes.

We now look forward to the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan, which we hope backs these schemes in full and commits to the jobs, investment and economic growth these projects will bring across the UK.

20 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Latest News

HOME IMPROVEMENTS BOOSTING CONSTRUCTION WORK, SAYS FMB Repair and maintenance work is supporting recovery in the construction sector, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to today’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The recovery in the construction sector is far from secured, as shown by today’s ONS statistics which reveal just 1% month-on-month growth.

It is encouraging that the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector is still doing well with 26.8% growth over the last three months.

However, there is increased concern about the availability of building materials because of import issues and the growing uncertainty about Brexit. 78% of builders are forecasting material shortages in the coming months and prices are rising across the board.”

Berry concluded: “While it is good to see boosted activity in the RMI sector, falling activity in the new build housing sector is a cause for concern.

Increased support should be given to SME house builders through better resourced planning departments and by ensuring that the new National Home Building Fund is accessible to smaller and micro firms.”

ST. MODWEN BRINGS ENERGY GIANT E.ON TO STOKE SOUTH SITE AS SCHEME COMPLETES St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics has agreed terms with three new occupiers to pre-let more than 80,000 sq ft at its 400-acre mixed-use development in Stoke-on-Trent upon project completion.

The developer has delivered five new speculative industrial and logistics warehouses totalling 183,000 sq ft at St. Modwen Park Stoke South, with units of 25,000 sq ft and 75,000 also available for immediate occupation.

One of the UK’s top energy suppliers, E.ON, has signed a 10-year lease to occupy 37,100 sq ft of high-quality industrial and logistics space at the scheme. Meanwhile, St. Modwen has also agreed terms on a 22,000 sq ft unit with Planova UK Ltd – a global specialist in shop fittings and shelving systems.

A third letting to contract manufacturer and precision components supplier Neida Products Engineering Ltd has also been signed, securing a further 22,000 sq ft unit on a 15-year lease.

Due to the success of this scheme, the developer has submitted a planning application for an additional three-unit phase at St. Modwen Park Stoke South,

with units of 53,000, 77,000, and 94,000 sq ft to be delivered in 2021 pending planning consent.

St. Modwen Park Stoke South is already home to occupiers including Screwfix, Autoneum and Pets at Home, and is strategically located near junctions 15 (South) & 16 (North) of the M6, serving both Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastleunder-Lyme.

Stuart Murray, Development Director at St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics, said: “We’ve shown a continued confidence and commitment to the region with our investments across Staffordshire and our latest delivery has only reinforced the strength of the industrial and logistics market in the area. It is great to see three well-renowned brands choose Stoke-onTrent; St. Modwen is undeniably bringing a wealth of opportunities to the area.”

Cllr Daniel Jellyman, deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, added: “This is great news for Stoke-on-Trent and I think it sends out a really positive message to businesses, developers and investors that we are emerging from the pandemic in a strong position. It’s significant that a regeneration specialist like St. Modwen continues to invest in Stoke-on-Trent and shows that we are open for business.

We’re building on this continued investment by the private sector ourselves with major investments in the city’s transport infrastructure, which will boost the economy, revolutionise the way people get around and create a better-connected city for years to come.

Joint marketing agents for the scheme are Knight Frank, Mounsey Chartered Surveyors and Avison Young.

Edward Kennerley, Associate at Knight Frank, added: “This is unquestionably one of Staffordshire’s key employment hubs, with St. Modwen having delivered more than 2.3 million sq ft of development at this site to date. The impact of the pandemic hasn’t wavered the levels of interest in these high-quality, speculative units either – with three high-profile occupiers choosing this scheme ahead of the competition. It’s safe to say this has already proven a popular scheme.”

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 21

Feature

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION WILL DRIVE BUILD TO RENT’S POTENTIAL The latest figures from the British Property Federation reveal that there are now 157,512 build-to-rent (BTR) homes complete, under construction or in planning across the UK — a twelve per cent increase against the same period in 2019. As renters move away from city centres, the explosive growth of BTR builds will inevitably increase expectations for more efficient, smarter and higher quality builds. Here Nick Cowley, managing director of uPVC windows and doors for modular construction Euramax, investigates how offsite construction can support the rise of BTR buildings.

The term alternative asset class describes less traditional investment options. When referring to residential property, this term typically encompasses BTR homes, senior living accommodation and student residences. All of these residential buildings share a common ambition — to house as many tenants as possible.

In the UK, BTR has been primarily associated with large residential complexes in major city centres, with amenities such as roof gardens, 24-hour concierge, gyms and communal social spaces — all delivering modern convenience to their inhabitants. However, interest from investors and developers in suburban BTR housing is also growing.

The rental boom BTR is a relatively new sector with enormous growth potential. Currently valued at £9.6 billion, real estate agent Savills projects it will be worth almost £550 billion at maturity, providing homes for over 1.7 million households.

building and owning rented accommodation is becoming increasingly worthwhile.

Housebuilders are taking note of this potential, and many are taking on projects specifically destined for renting. For instance, Grainger, the UK’s biggest landlord, has a pipeline consisting of 24 schemes — totalling over 9,000 homes built exclusively for rent.

Growing potential BTR housing is often seen as appealing to millennials, who appear to be more flexible in their living and working arrangements and are opting not to settle in one place too early.

However, as the sector grows, senior living is another major area of potential for BTR players.

While the over 65 age category is the only age range where homeownership rates are not reported to be falling, the older generation could also be driving up rent requirements. As people grow older and their lifestyles change, so do their accommodation needs. Properties in less urban locations become more desirable, and many older homeowners do not want to be tied down to the responsibility of a large home.

The bulk of the existing 730,000 retirement housing units across the UK is sheltered housing for social rent. Savills predicts that the retirement living sector could grow to

Homeownership rates are falling across most age groups. The Office for National Statistics recently reported that a third of those aged between 35 and 44 in England were living in the private rental sector in 2017, up from fewer than one in ten in 1997.

As the rate of would-be homeowners falls,

Nick Cowley

1.7 million homes at full maturity, as more senior citizens turn to private renting.

Make it modular Pipeline projects and exponential growth forecasts clearly demonstrate the potential of the BTR market. To tap into this, construction needs to happen with pace, while maintaining quality.

Fabricating BTR residential blocks and homes offsite, before constructing their pre-assembled modules at the final destination, could answer the needs of many BTR investors. To maximise revenue, most investors will want their buildings to be constructed quickly, to get renters through their doors as soon as possible.

Modular homes are much quicker to construct in comparison to traditional build homes, with some developers offering onsite completion in as little as two weeks. Onsite construction also offers greater control, meaning factors such as weather, daylight savings and road traffic do not impede productivity.

Completing entire modules in a controlled facility can also enable better collaboration.

Suppliers can ship their building materials and products to the facility without concern that they’ll be misplaced or damaged on a busy building site. At Euramax, we transport our uPVC windows and doors for modular construction projects on stillages, to minimise plastic packaging and deliver the maximum number of products at once.

Modular construction also delivers more energy efficient homes. Not only will this benefit BTR homes environmentally, but the controlled construction of modules also makes them more airtight, saving investors both energy and money. This is especially important for senior and student living complexes, where most residents rent on a bills-included basis.

Energy efficiency can be further enhanced by choosing the right construction partners. As well as making their own manufacturing processes as efficient as possible, refabrication facilities rely on their suppliers to deliver products that improve the quality of the finished build.

All of Euramax’s products are rated A for their energy efficiency, and use thermally efficient 28 millimetre (mm) toughened Low E safety glass to guarantee quality while lowering energy use. With windows and doors being a main source of heat loss in a home, partnering with a supplier that can tailor its products to modular projects is key to delivering efficiency.

As the BTR market continues to reach new heights, it’s clear that investors will need to find solutions to meet market demand, while meeting quality standards. If this building method is going to achieve the 1.7 million homes forecast, investors must consider the benefits of building offsite, and collaborating with other industry leaders to deliver success.

22 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

From 1 January 2021

The way you hire from the EU is changing

Free movement is ending, and the new points-based immigration system will introduce job, salary and language requirements that will change the way you hire from the EU.

You will need to be a licensed sponsor to hire eligible employees from outside the UK. Becoming a sponsor normally takes 8 weeks and fees apply.

This will not apply when hiring Irish citizens or those eligible for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Find out more at GOV.UK/HiringFromTheEU

BOSCH BITURBO CORDED TOOL POWER AND PERFORMANCE – WITHOUT THE CORD Trade professionals can work much more easily and efficiently without the inconvenience of power cords, but are cordless tools powerful enough for your more challenging tasks? Thanks to the BITURBO 18V range from Bosch Professional, the answer is yes.

BITURBO cordless technology is revolutionising the workplace with power and performance equal to that of mains-powered tools rated up to 1800W. BITURBO products can replace large angle grinders, saws and rotary hammers, for example, in jobs once thought to be beyond the reach of battery-powered equipment.

Bosch describes BITURBO as its most innovative and powerful range of 18V cordless power tools yet.

That’s really saying something, when you consider the reputation of its products to date. To understand the significance of this advance, and its benefits, let’s take a closer look at what BITURBO is, how it works and what it achieves.

Feel the Extreme BITURBO tools offer revolutionary performance levels that give the feeling of extreme power. As the name BITURBO suggests, they combine two key elements to turbocharge the user’s working life: a high-performance brushless motor and the highpowered Bosch ProCORE18V Professional Battery System. Importantly, these two parts are designed to work together in a way that maximises each other’s performance.

Brushless motors start with major advantages over traditional DC units, whose brushes generate friction and heat. This reduces energy efficiency and power, wears out the brushes – which then need to be regularly replaced – and ultimately damages the motor itself. A brushless motor is more efficient and powerful, gives a longer runtime per charge, needs virtually no maintenance and has up to twice the lifespan.

The BITURBO brushless motor boosts power even further by maximising airflow to reduce resistance, and using a high-strength neodymium magnet (the strongest commercially available) to provide the necessary magnetic field.

A New Dimension of Power To unleash the full potential of that motor, it is teamed with an 8Ah or 12Ah ProCORE18V battery.

These advanced batteries drive and maintain the higher levels of current needed for power-intensive applications. As well as extra power, they offer longer runtime and lifetime.

include Bosch connectivity modules, allowing functionality such as remote adjustment and data transmission, and most of them feature onboard interactive displays. There are also electronic safety systems, like Kickback Control. Some examples of the products are shown here.

Bosch GBH 18V-45 C Professional BITURBO Rotary Hammer

By the same token, the BITURBO motor’s qualities bring out the ProCORE18V battery’s full potential.

A tool powered by one ProCORE18V battery can perform equally to some competitors using two batteries – which add significantly to a tool’s overall size and weight. Highly compact size is yet another benefit of the ProCORE18V system.

ProCORE18V batteries feature Bosch Coolpack 2.0 technology, with intelligent heat management which maximises efficiency – for greater power and runtime – and prevents damage from overheating – for longer life.

Ultimate Performance.

Maximum Freedom.

Importantly, BITURBO tools and ProCORE18V batteries are part of the Bosch Professional 18V System, which ensures 100% compatibility. It means that any Bosch Professional 18V tool, battery or charger added to your collection since 2008 can be used with any other. There’s no need to buy and carry different batteries and chargers for each one.

It should be noted, however, that BITURBO tools and ProCORE18V will only give their absolute best when used together.

For highest charging performance, look for the Bosch GAL 18V-160 C Professional Charger – the world’s fastest 18V charger. With a 16A maximum current it will, for instance, charge an 8.0Ah ProcCORE18V battery from 0 to 80% in 32 minutes.

Its many convenient functions include Bluetooth connectivity, enabling battery checks and charging mode selection via smartphone.

Top-class, heavyduty all-rounder for concrete drilling and chiselling Bosch GKS 18V-68 GC Professional BITURBO Hand-held Circular Saw Quicker than a corded saw – blending top performance with great flexibility Bosch GKT 18V-52 GC Professional BITURBO Plunge Saw Outstandingly compact with superior mobility and performance Bosch GCM 18V-216 C Professional BITURBO Mitre Saw Corded power, compact size, classleading cutting depth and unmatched application range Bosch GWX 18V-15 SC Professional BITURBO Angle Grinder High performance and high specification including X-LOCK keyless accessorychange system

The BITURBO Range As you would expect from any Bosch Professional product, BITURBO tools are built to a high quality for professionals who take a pride in their work and their equipment. In addition to their exceptional power, they offer lightweight design for easy handling and control. Their high specifications

Of course, compared to normal products the BITURBO tools aren’t cheap – but they are costeffective. You will immediately save time and energy on every job, and in the longer term their extended tool and battery life will mean less spending on replacements. Visit https://www.bosch-professional. com/gb/en/biturbo/ to find out more, and watch out for new BITURBO product releases in the coming months.

Project News

ASITE OPENS NEW DATA CENTER IN THE EUROPEAN UNION The new data center will support infrastructure developments and capital projects in the region.

Amsterdam, with the Disaster Recovery site located in Frankfurt, Germany.

Asite is pleased to announce the opening of a new data center in the European Union.

Devendra Gera, Asite Chief Technology Officer said: “The opening of Asite’s newest data center in the EU marks another milestone in our commitment to ensure the data and intellectual property of our clients is securely stored and in accordance with the local regulations of their projects.

Serving Asite customers throughout the 27-member states, the data center will support infrastructure developments and capital projects in the region, ensuring that information for projects within the EU will remain in the EU. The primary data center is located in the Netherlands capital city

“The EU is a key area of growth for Asite, and we hope Asite clients see the opening of this new data center as a clear show of our commitment to the region.”

BRIGGS AND FORRESTER SPECIAL PROJECTS COMPLETE WORKS TO LUXURIOUS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT NOVEL HOUSE Briggs & Forrester Special Projects have achieved practical completion on the Novel House project located in the heart of Hampstead, London.

The boutique development is the first of its kind located in a prime area of central London. Novel House offers 16 generously sized luxury apartments and one penthouse. Each apartment features high ceilings and picture windows with panoramic views.

Working in collaboration with main contractor Blenheim House Construction, Briggs & Forrester Special Projects were responsible for carrying out the mechanical, electrical and public health services on the new development.

The prestigious project was The Linton Group’s first new development in Hampstead Village in 20 years due to the tightly constrained planning environment.

Residents of Novel House will benefit

26 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

from a gymnasium, communal gardens, concierge service and secure underground parking.

Tim Cunningham, Managing Director said: Special Projects were delighted to have been involved in another fantastic project working alongside Blenheim House Construction and further developing our well established collaborative relationship.

Project News The EU is a key area of growth for Asite, and we hope Asite clients see the opening of this new data center as a clear show of our commitment to the region.

PLACEFIRST DEVELOPMENT COMPLETES MORECAMBE’S MAJOR WEST END REGENERATION SCHEME

The data center has the following certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 20000, PCI DSS, SOC 1,2,3 along with BIR 2012, AFM/DNB, and NEN 7510, ensuring it maintains stringent compliance standards.

The completion of a major regeneration project in Morecambe devised in 2005, is a step closer, as one of the UK’s leading build-to-rent developers is granted planning approval for its £4.5m Bold Street development.

It also commands a world-class disaster recovery service model that will deliver failover in the event of an unplanned incident, natural or human-induced, by seamlessly transferring operations to a reliable backup and ensuring the seamless recovery of data.

Asite has worked on a number of exciting projects across the EU including the Oosterweel Link in Antwerp which, through five sub-projects, seeks to improve the accessibility, traffic safety, and the quality of life in the Antwerp region.

North West-based Placefirst, in partnership with MCAU architects, will deliver 42 stylish one and two bedroomed apartments on the brownfield site situated near Morecambe’s famous promenade.

‘West End Three’ will occupy 0.2 ha of land previously occupied by a series of terraces and commercial premises.

The new development on Bold Street demonstrates Lancaster City Council’s continuing commitment to the sustainable transformation of housing in the West End.

The opening of the new data center in the EU follows the recent opening of an Asite data center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a huge step forward in expanding the digital engineering capacity of the local industry.

Placefirst previously completed the first and second phase of its award-winning* development work in the West End area of Morecambe back in 2016 which saw 51 and 59 homes built respectively.

Asite holds server grids in each of its key operating locations globally to ensure optimum data management processes that meet local requirements, with data centers currently in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

This third, final phase at Bold Street will see Placefirst commence construction in 2021 and then let, maintain and manage the apartments ongoing as landlords for the scheme. Through partnering with MCAU, the developer has successfully balanced modern design aspirations with planning policy requirements.

David Mawson, chief executive for Placefirst commented: “We’ve worked collaboratively with Lancaster City Council for several years to help it deliver the continuing regeneration of the West End and Morecambe as a town. We’ve played a pivotal role in both changing the perception and the attractiveness of the area as a place to live, with Bold Street set to continue in the same vein.”

“We’re proud that West End Three continues our work with the local council, to deliver significant regeneration in Morecambe. As a build-to-rent developer, we’re also excited to be able to stay close to the West End area and help shape its future legacy, by managing and maintaining properties for tenants looking for long-term rental alternatives to outright ownership and rising house prices.”

Councillor Caroline Jackson, Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said: “We are fully committed to improving the housing in Morecambe’s West End and were delighted to be able to secure a development partner of the quality of Placefirst to deliver this important scheme. Placefirst’s West End One and Two developments have been a great success.

The new apartments on Bold Street will fit in with council ambitions to reduce our carbon footprint. They will be energy efficient and feature solar photovoltaic panels that help to address the climate emergency.”

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 27

Project News HENRY BROTHERS TO BUILD NEW NET CARBON ZERO NURSERY AND FOREST SCHOOL FOR STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY Contractor Henry Brothers has been appointed to build a new £4.4m woodland nursery and forest school for Staffordshire University.

Located close to the University’s nature reserve at the heart of its Leek Road site, the new facilities will meet the high student and staff demand for nursery places whilst also providing additional places for the wider local community.

More than doubling the nursery’s existing capacity, the new provision will create 100 full day-care places for children aged from 0 to five. It will also have the capacity to provide childcare and education for children from five to 12 years outside of term time.

Sustainability, digital technology, and nature are at the forefront of the new build, which aims to further the University’s commitment to creating a family-friendly campus.

Ian Taylor, Managing Director of Henry Brothers Midlands, which is based in Nottingham, said:

Henry Brothers is excited to be building this fantastic new nursery and forest school for Staffordshire University. As an energyefficient, environmentally sound, low emission building, it will be a tremendous asset to the campus, providing a safe, modern, and attractive nursery.

“We are aiming to achieve a zero-carbon target on the project, helping to build on the University’s green credentials. We have a wealth of experience when it comes to building first-class university facilities, having worked on several schemes on university campuses in the Midlands. We are proud to have now been appointed to also help Staffordshire University enhance the facilities it offers to its students and staff and look forward to starting on site.”

Featuring four inspirational learning spaces with areas for food preparation and wet play as well as flexible floor space, the new build also has additional capacity for a 24-place classroom and observational suite with leading digital technology. Through the observation suite, teaching can be also observed, facilitating applied learning for trainee teachers, social workers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators, and students at the University.

The new nursery provision will also incorporate a forest school facility to further develop links with local schools and provide community participation opportunities. Aimed at children between the ages of three and seven years, the forest school will enable children to experience outdoor learning opportunities such as identifying nature, play-based learning, den building and forest art.

Through the forest school children will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge outside of the traditional classroom environment.

28 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Andrew Proctor, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Digital) at Staffordshire University said: “We’re delighted to see work on our nursery and forest school commence in the new year.

The new facilities will build upon the excellent care that we provide in our existing nursery, whilst also allowing more children across our community the opportunity to gain access to high-quality early-years education. The addition of a forest school means we’re able to deliver a really unique experience. Children will have the chance to safely explore outdoor green spaces whilst also learning all about the world around them. We believe that the nursery will truly offer the best of both the digital and physical world, creating an engaging and exciting learning environment for children to be part of. We can’t wait to welcome the first intake in 2022.”

Work on the nursery and forest school is set to commence in early 2021, with leading construction company Henry Brothers Midlands appointed as the main contractor.

The project team consists of Mace as project and cost managers, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as lead designer and architect, Max Fordham as building services engineers, Civic Engineers as structural engineers and transport consultants, and Re-form Landscape as landscape designers.

The Henry Brothers’ design team includes CPMG Architects, structural and civil engineer Hexa and Couch, Perry, Wilkes for M&E services.

On completion in 2022, the building is expected to become the first net-zero carbon facility on campus having been designed using passive and highly efficient technologies for heating, cooling, and ventilation.

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Project News

COMING SOON TO ESSEX: CREST NICHOLSON TO LAUNCH NEW MALDON DEVELOPMENT Crest Nicholson is launching a contemporary collection of 74 one, two, three and four bedroom homes in the first phase of its brand-new development, Wycke Place in Essex in early Spring 2021. Located on the southern edge of Maldon, residents will benefit from the best of town and country living, without having to compromise on great travel connections.

Each home at Wycke Place has been designed to reflect the character of the natural surroundings, offering a high specification throughout and featuring spacious open plan layouts, perfect for modern family living. With a variety of homes and a selection of schemes available including Help to Buy and Part Exchange, the properties are ideal for first time buyers, young professionals, and families alike.

Karen Coulson, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson Eastern, comments:

DARWIN GROUP DELIVERS NEW TEACHING BLOCK FOR KENDRICK SCHOOL Modular construction specialist Darwin Group has delivered a brand-new teaching block for Kendrick School in Reading, scaling 930 sq m.

The new block will be known as ‘The Horizons Building’ and boasts a total of nine classrooms, a dining area and brandnew sports courts.

Darwin Group’s latest multi-use building will provide the school’s current and future students with enhanced teaching and learning facilities and was funded by Kendrick School’s successful application for a share of the £50m Selective School Expansion Fund (SSEF).

Introduced by former Prime Minister Theresa May, in the Spring of 2018, the fund allowed existing grammar schools to bid for money to increase student numbers.

Kendrick School is a high-achieving, selective girls’ grammar school founded in 1877 and its extension will allow the school to accommodate more local and disadvantaged children with the additional classroom space.

The offsite specialists’ skilled in-house team of designers, town planners, and construction professionals provide

a unique turnkey service that covers all stages of design, planning and construction from start to finish.

Darwin Group also aims to create environments that minimise environmental impact and Kendrick School’s new building has achieved a ‘Good’ BREEAM rating. Builds rated ‘Good’

by BREEAM save on average 10% more CO2 emissions.

“My thanks must go to our in-house construction team, who were able to deliver and install this modular build smoothly and with minimal disruption. We wish the school the very best as it increases its student numbers and moves into its new facility”.

Charles Pierce, Managing Director at Darwin Group, said: “The quality and longevity of the construction is at the heart of what we do and this is exemplified by the high-quality product we have been able to deliver for Kendrick School.

Ms Christine Kattirtzi, Headteacher of Kendrick School, said ‘’We are delighted with our new building; it was completed on time for our new expanded cohort of Year 7 students that arrived in September 2020.

The building has also been a huge help to us in the difficult times of the pandemic giving us more space to keep our students COVID safe. I would like to sincerely thank all the staff of Darwin Group for their work and commitment to this significant project for Kendrick School.’’

We strive to deliver best-in-class educational builds and we’re pleased to be providing greater opportunities for the children of Reading with this new block of classrooms.

Darwin Group is committed to the quality and longevity of its builds and offer financial payment plans and assist with funding applications to ensure client aspirations and budget constraints align.

32 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Project News We are excited to be launching this beautiful collection of houses at Wycke Place, which is set to be a modern, thriving development popular with families and first time buyers. Residents will be able to enjoy a fantastic quality of life in this picturesque town and benefit from a range of local amenities on their doorstep. Interest is already high ahead of our launch, so we advise potential purchasers get in contact with our sales team to register their interest as soon as possible.

Residents at Wycke Place will benefit from an abundance of walking routes, and easy access to the nearby Wycke Meadow and the River Chelmer. The development is also within close proximity of local schools, such as Wentworth Primary School and All Saints Maldon Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, both rated ‘Good’

by Ofsted.

Thanks to the development’s prime position, with Maldon town centre just under a 10 minute drive away, residents will be able to make the most of the excellent array of restaurants and high street retailers. Wycke Place also benefits from excellent travel collections, with residents able to reach Chelmsford, Colchester and London via the A414 and A12, while the nearby Witham and Hatfield Peverel stations offer direct trains reaching London Liverpool Street station in under 50 minutes.

DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSES ON £45M NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE SITE Work is underway on one of North East Lincolnshire’s largest residential sites with developer E5 Living UK enlisting the help of Greater Grimsby MP Lia Nici to launch the project.

The first phase of King’s Park in Scartho will see 78 bungalows built by constructor JemBuild, which secured the contract with E5 thanks in part to its commitment of using local labour and suppliers.

E5 Director Kevin Stevens was on site last week with JemBuild managing director Paul Barker as Lia Nici MP unveiled the names of the roads on the new village-style community, located next to Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales hospital.

The roads – Williams Way and Harrys Drive - that run off the newly named King’s Park Road have been named in tribute to the princess’s sons.

A retail centre including a convenience store will serve the new neighbourhood.

The homes are part of a wider £45m scheme with outline planning permission for apartments for the over-55s and ‘step down’ and social care unit to support patients leaving hospital but who require on-going nursing care before returning home.

E5 Director Kevin Stevens said: “It’s been a difficult year with Covid and restrictions and the builders have had to cope with a lot.

“We’ve had supplier issues like everybody throughout the UK but progress is happening and so far it’s going very well.

We are on target to deliver everything within two years so we have some challenges but so far, so good.”

Paul Barker added: “We’re currently working on five sites across the region but King’s Park is our largest project. It’s a great scheme for local businesses securing an initial two years of work which is rare in the construction industry and ultimately will offer huge benefit to the local community.

We have experienced significant supply chain issues with shortages in blocks, plaster and timber with potential shortages in insulation but good procurement has avoided delays to the project with the industry shortages. Fortunately, the 500,000 bricks for the whole development were purchased at project commencement in March 2020 so at least we won’t run out of bricks!

King’s Park was designed by Cleethorpes-based Hodson Architects, is being built by Humberston firm JemBuild and marketed by Crofts Estate Agents, which has offices in Cleethorpes, Immingham and Louth.

Lia, who viewed the show home and met the developers, architects and builders delivering the scheme during a socially distanced tour on December 11, said: “This new development has some really thoughtful planning and house design, which helps to keep a village feel to the area. It nicely compliments the surrounding village and area’s architecture around Scartho. The two new road names also reflect the site’s history, connecting with Diana, Princess of Wales’ sons Princes William and Harry, which is a nice touch.”

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 33

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Project LIBERTY LONDON: GRADE II* LISTED BUILDING GETS A GRADE-A REVAMP The restoration project led by UK conservation contractor, DBR (London) Limited, is due for completion next year

This included: masonry, timber, roof, window and structural repairs, paint stripping and a new lighting scheme to enhance the façade.

DBR, a leading UK conservation construction company responsible for the restoration of some of the country’s most famous historic sites, has been working for nearly a year to revive one of the capital’s most iconic destinations.

The initial plan was to complete the refurbishment work in phases, minimising disruption to shoppers and back-of-house activities. While two lockdowns have allowed restoration activity to continue without interruption, a concertinaed approach was required to allow business to run as usual in between. The refurbishment of the Kingly, Carnaby and Little Marlborough façades are set to be completed in early 2021, with the next phase of the project, the main Great Marlborough façade, set to begin in January 2021 and end in December of that year.

Founded in 1875, Liberty London has been selling haberdashery, high-end fashion and other lifestyle products for almost a century-and-a-half. This year, the renowned Grade II* listed department store sought comprehensive external works to ensure its Tudor Revival architecture continued to thrive in the 21st century, while preserving the building’s unique heritage.

DBR, which has worked on major conservation projects such as the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, was tasked with a wide range of conservation works at Liberty.

Bianca Buretea

Mends in high places The project is currently in phase one, which includes the site-set, designed scaffold installation, paint stripping, facade repairs, lead works, and windows and frame restoration on the Carnaby, Kingly and Little Marlborough façades. While these may sound like standard repairs, when it comes to heritage buildings they are far from simple.

Complex conservation techniques were required to repair the external walls and render panels, timberwork, stonework, glazed bricks and all of the windows. For example, one main challenge was the development of a paint-stripping method that could be used on timber and render.

Further, Liberty London has various historic features throughout the store that need to be carefully considered during the renovation process, including a series of miniature glass paintings in the windows, which sit amongst the wood panelling.

Carnaby Street side of Liberty London

A Liberty London gargoyle

After the paint stripping had been carried out, a highlight was the reveal of the original, exposed timber. In 1924, the store as we know it today was constructed from the timbers of two ships—HMS Impregnable (formerly HMS Howe) and HMS Hindustan— while the original, 19th-century premises were being renovated. This construction took place as part of founder, Arthur Lasenby Liberty’s vision of having a docked ship in the middle of London’s shopping streets. Other unique historic features, such as the Liberty Clock, the gong of which can be heard on a quiet day throughout Oxford Street, and the hidden stone gargoyle keeping a watchful eye over shoppers, have also kept things interesting for the DBR team during the renovation process.

Further, the company has implemented a mix of innovative technology and traditional methods to deliver the best possible results, such as Zutec Asset digital tracking, which is used to monitor the restoration process of the leaded and timber windows.

DBR’s in-house design team is also responsible for Contractor Design Portion elements of the project including elements of the M&E installation and atrium lantern design.

The captain of the ship Leading the Liberty London DBR project team is Bianca Buretea. With extensive heritage architectural and interior design expertise, and having worked previously on several occasions as site, project and design manager, she was a natural choice for principal project manager.

But while she has learnt a great deal over the years and came on to the project with confidence, working in the construction industry has not always been easy for her.

Commenting on her experience in the field, she said, “I work in a challenging, fast-paced and dynamic role and enjoy the fact that almost every day brings something new for me to tackle. I love the sense of achievement at the end of a project, knowing that I was part of something that has improved people’s quality of life.

36 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

Project “It wasn’t an easy journey, and I have noticed that women are a minority in site-specific roles.

In fact, I often found myself to be the only woman on site or in stakeholder meetings.”

Miniature glass paintings in Liberty London windows

Climbing the industry ladder requires overcoming challenges, and those met by women can be particularly difficult.

In the early days of my career, I was quite shocked by the gender bias in this sector. Over the years, working on site on a daily basis and managing only male peers has allowed me to grow in confidence, develop an outspoken personality and establish an inclusive and respectful environment.

The COVID-19 effect While DBR has achieved a great deal this past year with its various projects, the pandemic has posed some problems for the construction industry as a whole, and the Liberty London renovations project was no exception. Although this is one sector that has to actively continue to work, the safety and wellbeing of the team and operatives is key. Both short-term and long termmeasures had to be very quickly assessed and implemented to ensure both people’s wellbeing and the vital flow of work for the business.

DBR’s procurement team was handson in ensuring enough stock of PPE and disinfecting materials for all operatives was provided. Its site management team constantly monitors the cleanliness of the site and assigns operatives, specifically with disinfecting duties, for all the sites at least twice per day and a few of the other project managers were providing great support in the weeks of the first lockdown when this was the only site running at DBR. On the building site the team also implemented quite a few social distancing measures such as one way system on the scaffolding, reducing the day shift workforce and carrying out works also during night time or staggering operatives lunches to ensure that the canteen occupancy is kept at a minimum.

it comes to the construction industry, where the shortage of strong female role models already discourages women from choosing a career in this sector or advancing in their current fields.

“I’m lucky as a construction industry professional, as I’ve had the opportunity to work with several women who are all amazing at what they do and who inspired me to continue on this path to at least crack—if not break—the glass ceiling,” said Buretea.

“Unfortunately, not everyone has had as positive an experience, and the pandemic seems to have only made things that much harder.”

Leaders in conservation construction While the works are not yet complete, good headway has been made on the project thanks to Bianca’s leadership, the dedication of her team and the processes DBR has put in place. The company’s workforce of skilled craftspeople and a skill set that covers all the historic trades, from stonemasons, restorers, lead workers and conservation specialist, allows it to take on any heritage project, large or small, and successfully deliver the renovations through to completion.

Further commenting on her contribution to the project, Buretea said, “I’m a big supporter

of innovation and always try to empower my team to create an environment for success and combine logical and technical thinking with creative ideas. I strive to empower the whole team to be self-organised and I actively participate in most of the decision making on site, as quite often the specialised operatives who are doing the actual work come up with very clever solutions to the issues.

I’ve received great support when required both from upper management as well as from all subcontractors and the skilled workers on site. It’s great to work in an environment where people are passionate about their craft and want to share their knowledge.

DBR’s management structure is progressively changing, with more women taking on leadership and strategic roles within the company. This, in addition to the knowledge and expertise that the company brings to its conservation projects, is what sets DBR apart, and ensures not only fantastic final results but a smooth and pleasant experience for all those involved.

For more information about DBR and its projects, visit: https://www.dbrlimited.com.

Liberty London

DBR’s team at Liberty London also embraced new software and technology which not only helped to reduce the number of physical site visits, but allowed the team to maintain the project’s level of progress via virtual site walk arounds, as well as videos and images to update all stakeholders.

In terms of the pandemic’s effect on women in the industry, it generally has had an increased negative impact. A recent study published by McKinsey & Company found that women in all industries are more likely to have been laid off or furloughed during the COVID-19 crisis, in turn stalling their careers, jeopardising their financial security and intensifying the challenges they already faced. This is particularly concerning when

Construction UK Magazine - January 2021 37

Project News WAREING BUILDINGS COMPLETES ON LATEST COMMERCIAL SCHEME WITH HENCO INTERNATIONAL Steel-frame specialists Wareing Buildings has completed the design and build of a major commercial development for Henco International.

NEW MELTON MOWBRAY DEVELOPMENT TO LAUNCH THIS SPRING The Roman Gate housing development in Melton Mowbray will open to the public this spring, with the first homes being released onto the market at the same time.

Bellway is building 266 new homes on a 33acre site off Leicester Road, just over a mile south west of the town centre.

A mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties will be made available to buy when the sales office opens its doors.

Roman Gate is part of a wider scheme of 520 homes being delivered by a consortium of housebuilders, which will provide an investment of around £6 million in local services and infrastructure.

Claire Black, Sales Manager for Bellway East Midlands, said: “Roman Gate is situated in a convenient location just off the A607 and within walking distance of Melton Mowbray town centre, making it an attractive development for buyers who work locally as well as those who commute to Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham.

“We’re already seeing lots of interest in the development, which really highlights the need for new housing in this part of Leicestershire. As the lead developer in the consortium, we are pleased to be meeting this demand for new homes in Melton Mowbray.

The site at Cropper Close on Whitehills Business Park in Blackpool consists of two units totalling 20,000 sq ft, which offer high-quality storage and distribution space for potential occupiers.

The first unit, comprising 8,000 sq ft with an additional 2,000 sq ft of mezzanine, ‘grade A’ air-conditioned office space, has been let to gift and toy designers/distributors Floss & Rock who will take occupancy of the unit later this year.

The remaining unit spans 12,000 sq ft, also offering the option of additional mezzanine offices, and has the potential to be split into two separate units covering approximately 5,000 sq ft and 7,000 sq ft. Both units at 7.5m to eaves benefit from excellent loading facilities with a large yard, including 25m turning circle and loading doors.

Wareing Buildings’ role in the development included site preparation and clearance, implementing concrete foundations and strip footings, the fabrication and erection of the steel frame structure and construction of external cavity brick walls. Wareing Buildings also added a concrete floor slab with power float finish, roof and wall cladding and composite sheeting and aluminium-framed glazing.

It is the latest in a series of projects that Wareing Buildings, based in Preston, has completed on behalf of commercial development and investment company Henco, which has been operating on the Fylde coast for more than 35 years.

Henco owns several developments on Whitehills Business Park, a number of which were built by Wareing Buildings.

“All the homes at Roman Gate will be from our Artisan Collection, a new range of house types devised following decades of customer input and which combine traditional craftsmanship with modern construction techniques.

“As well as delivering new homes for the town, we will be contributing significant sums of money to support vital services in the area, including education and transport.”

Financial contributions being made by the consortium will include £4.5 million towards road improvements, £530,000 for education and £500,000 towards sustainable transport.

38 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

The contractor was appointed to deliver six units at Apollo Court in 2013 totalling 12,000 sq ft, a four-unit development on Brooklands Way spanning 5,500 sq ft, which completed in 2017 as well as nine units at Juniper Court in 2018 totalling 13,000 sq ft.

Whitehills Business Park provides easy access to the M55 which joins the M6 motorway, allowing ease of commuting throughout the North West and beyond.

Commuting options are also available to the surrounding towns of Blackpool, St Annes and Lytham.

Simon Tickle, estimator at Wareing Buildings, said: “Henco holds an extensive amount of space at Whitehills Business Park because it identified that the area offered fantastic commercial opportunities for businesses wanting to make Blackpool and the Fylde their home. Since the first spade was put into the ground on the Apollo Court development in 2013, we have worked in partnership to develop spaces that will serve to drive forward the commercial sector in the region and make the area a thriving business hub. This latest project once again offers something new to occupants, and we look forward to seeing which other exciting businesses take advantage of these high-quality facilities.”

Chris Hibbert, Managing Director at Henco International said: “Whitehills Business Park offers a great opportunity for businesses operating on the Fylde Coast with new, high-quality buildings and a central location with easy access, just a stone’s throw from the regions motorway network. The Park continues to grow in occupier numbers, with approximately 750,000 sq ft of commercial premises now built, accommodating a diverse range of businesses. With over 2,000 new homes scheduled for development within a 2-mile radius and funding for the long-awaited M55 link road directly connecting Whitehills at Junction 4 to Lytham St Annes now secured, Whitehills provides a fantastic business location for the area.”

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Project News

WILLMOTT DIXON LANDS WORK TO BUILD TUNBRIDGE WELLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL SATELLITE LAND & WATER COMPLETES WORKS ON BLENHEIM’S GRAND CASCADE APRON AS PART OF A LARGER RESTORATION PROJECT Civil and Environmental Engineering expert, Land & Water, is pleased to announce the completion of phase one essential maintenance works on the lakes at Blenheim.

The works, which commenced in June, are part of a larger restoration project taking place at Blenheim Estate to future-proof the grounds of the World Heritage Site.

Over the past few months, Land & Water, complying to its Safety-First Standard, has successfully restored the Grand Cascade Apron, which controls the lakes at Blenheim and are fed from the River Glyme, including the apron, weir wall and foundations, alongside the main head bank wave wall using Land and Water Plant’s extensive Fleet to protect the banks from future erosion.

This unveiled a huge discovery of timber piles, dating back to over 300 years ago when the original Lake and Cascade were constructed. This has provided an insightful look into the history and the technique of one of England’s most renowned landscape designers, Capability Brown.

Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Kent County Council to build a threestorey satellite facility for Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in Sevenoaks.

The work to extend the school was procured through the Procurement Hub Major Projects framework and will also see refurbishment work undertaken at the nearby Weald of Kent Grammar School as part of the same contract.

Adam Worrall, director at Willmott Dixon in London & South commented, “Having worked in collaboration with Kent County Council for many years, we are delighted to be working with them once more to deliver the much-needed expansion for the school.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects, the A resin injection cut off wall, the largest undertaken in the UK to date, was then installed, running the full width of the apron, to seal against any future water ingress issues.

Kevin Kirkland, Construction Director at Land & Water, says: “With extra safety measures in place to protect against the recent pandemic, I am extremely proud of the project team for completing work. Along with the removal of the Apron and resin injection works, we have also carried out repairs to the centuries old wave wall which will ensure the protection of the pool for years to come.”

This prestigious project is just one of the ways Blenheim’s grounds will be conserved for decades to come, maintaining the estate’s wonderful, historic lake.

Discussing the project, Blenheim Estates Director Roy Cox says: “Land & Water have

40 Construction UK Magazine - January 2021

extension will allow the school to continue to provide an outstanding pupil experience.”

Clare Moore, Client Relationship Manager, Procurement Hub said, “It has been a pleasure to be working alongside Willmott Dixon and Kent County Council on the expansion of Tunbridge Wells Grammar School. We are looking forward to seeing the completed project!”

This is the latest in a series of projects in Sevenoaks for Willmott Dixon. In 2017, the business completed an extensive expansion at the Weald of Kent Grammar School, which followed its role building Trinity Free School. The company had also previously delivered an extension at Knole Academy. impressed in this tricky project to preserve Blenheim’s World Heritage landscape, working hard to respect the craftmanship that was put into the weir 300 years ago.

“The discovery of the original timber piles reminds us of the skills employed in creating such iconic landscapes and we are working to now share this interesting piece of history with our guests.”

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