Public Sector Building News - February 2022 by Lapthorn Media

www.psbnews.co.uk February 2022

LICHFIELDS CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF PLANNING SUCCESS

PROJECT: £98M HEATHERWOOD HOSPITAL COMPLETES WITH ACCESS TO NATURE AT ITS HEART

MICHAEL GRUBB STUDIO DELIVERS PUBLIC REALM LIGHTING STRATEGY FOR BRIGHTON’S CIRCUS STREET DEVELOPMENT

BDP-DESIGNED WHITECHAPEL ELIZABETH LINE STATION OPENS

MERMET:

SOLAR SHADING TO HELP ACHIEVE CARBON-ZERO EDUCATION

HOUSING

SAFETY

South Gloucestershire Council invests in new low carbon primary school

Wates Residential searches for innovations to build net zero homes

Fire resilience: a crucial element of sustainability - By Tom Roche

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Contents

PSBN

PUBLIC SECTOR BUILDING NEWS

Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@psbnews.co.uk Editorial Assistant Francesca Amato editorial@psbnews.co.uk Production/Design Laura Whitehead design@psbnews.co.uk

On the cover

Sales Executive Lucy Robinson lucy@psbnews.co.uk Accounts Richard Lapthorn accounts@psbnews.co.uk Circulation Manager Leo Phillips subs@psbnews.co.uk Website Management Russel Goldsmith russel@lapthornmedia.co.uk Phone: 01843 808 117 Lapthorn Media 5-7 Ozengell Place Eurokent Business Park Ramsgate Kent CT12 6PB

Project - £98m Heatherwood Hospital completes with access to nature at its heart.

Project - Page 10

Latest News

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR MULTI-MILLION POUND STOCKPORT INTERCHANGE DEVELOPMENT Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has awarded Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd the contract to deliver a new interchange with a rooftop park and associated residential development in Stockport town centre. The multi-million pound project is part of a major redevelopment scheme being undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in conjunction with CityHeart and Rise Homes as the appointed Development

Partner and Gresham House as equity investor for the residential element of the scheme. A key feature of the new transport interchange is a two-acre rooftop park which will improve leisure and recreation opportunities in the town centre and create more green space for everyone to enjoy. The park is expected to encourage wildlife and biodiversity as well as provide a safe environment for people to meet and relax. Beneath the unique rooftop park, there will be a fully accessible, covered passenger concourse in the interchange with seated waiting areas, cycle storage facilities and 20 bus stands, providing capacity for future growth in bus services. It will also provide new cycling and walking routes to the train station, Trans Pennine Trail and town centre. In a small nod to the past, the new interchange will also retain a couple of GMPTE glass panels from the old bus station.

As a part of the project Willmott Dixon will be working alongside local supply chain partners to create 40 local jobs and upskill the next generation of construction professionals through apprenticeship and trainee programmes. They will also be running three Building Lives Academies on site; employment and training programmes dedicated to supporting local care leavers, exmilitary and people with disabilities to gain valuable construction skills, experience and support into employment. As part of the wider development, residential partners CityHeart and Rise Homes will deliver a landmark residential development comprising 196 high quality apartments to provide new homes into the heart of the town centre. The scheme is being delivered with support from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Stockport Council and a grant from Homes England, plus equity from the British Strategic Investment Fund managed by Gresham House.

‘BAME COMMUNITIES MUST BE AT THE HEART OF LEVELLING UP’ – MANNINGHAM HOUSING ASSOCIATION The needs of neighbourhoods with high proportions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) residents must be central to the Government’s levelling-up agenda, the Chair and Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) have said. In a joint New Year message, Barrington Billings and Lee Bloomfield warned that the Covid-19 pandemic continued to highlight the inequalities BAME communities have endured for decades. They said: “2020 has been another desperately difficult year for everyone, but particularly for those who have least. If Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are serious in their quest to level up society, they should look no further than the most deprived neighbourhoods across the country which often have large numbers of BAME people living there. MHA is enormously proud of the work we do in these communities in Bradford and Keighley but, whilst we have high aspirations, our resources are limited. “After several delays, the Government’s levelling-up White Paper is finally due to be published in January. Rather than reheated

rhetoric, it is our earnest hope that the needs of BAME communities will be at the heart of this document which will become a roadmap for improving the lives of those who require most help.” Founded in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley. It is the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. In 2020, MHA won the Northern Housing Outstanding Approaches to Communications Award for its work in supporting tenants during the pandemic and was shortlisted for two UK Housing Awards including Landlord of the Year. In their joint statement, Mr Billings and Mr Bloomfield said that specialist BAME housing providers such as MHA are more than just landlords: “The untrained eye might think that many of the more overt forms of racism that characterised the second part of the 20th century have disappeared today, but events of the last few years have shown clearly how important it still is to have a strong BAME housing sector. We go beyond the delivery of good quality, affordable housing. We are advocates for our communities,

delivering culturally sensitive services and giving individuals and families from BAME backgrounds real opportunities to improve their lives. Despite the challenges, they said that MHA was entering 2022 with great optimism: “We are incredibly proud of our staff, all of whom have worked so hard to support each other and the communities we serve during such unprecedented times. They have risen to the challenge and will continue to do so.

“

But we now need the Government to step up and deliver on its promise to truly level up our country, with the needs of BAME people high on that agenda.

“ 05

Project News

689-HOME DEVELOPMENT NAMED AS FIRST THROUGH NEW PAGABO FRAMEWORK A significant housing project has been announced as the first largescale project procured through national framework provider Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework.

WORK STARTS ON ECOFRIENDLY TIMBER FRAME DEVELOPMENT IN LEEDS Work has begun to transform a vacant brownfield site into a landmark, 30 home timber frame housing development - providing much needed affordable properties in Leeds. The scheme will deliver a total of 14 one bedroomed apartments, ten two bedroomed houses and six three bedroomed homes – two of which will be located on a satellite site, replacing two old properties that were previously demolished. The homes to be built at Leeds Meynell, in Holbeck, will be 100% affordable and constructed in

less than nine months, with the first residents expected to move in by early summer 2022. They will be built using an innovative timber frame construction process, that involves constructing elements of the properties offsite - in a factory-controlled setting - before transporting them to site for assembly. The method uses the same materials, standards and codes as conventionally built homes but the controlled plant conditions ensure the process is completed more quickly than a traditional build.

Southwark Council has selected Linkcity as developer for its Tustin Estate scheme, which will feature nearly 700 new homes. This includes 200 replacement council homes, around 50 shared equity properties, around 220 additional council homes including keyworker homes, and around 220 homes for sale. A Pre-Construction Services Agreement is set to be signed to kick off the process. The project also includes a central park, several refurbishments of existing council homes and at least 1,800 sqm of commercial floorspace.

“

Linkcity, part of the Bouygues Construction group, will work with the authority over the coming months with a view to signing a full development agreement in summer 2022 with Bouygues UK as the main contractor for the scheme. Construction will begin late 2022 and is planned to complete in summer 2028.

“

Pagabo’s £47bn Developer Led Framework was the first framework of its kind when it launched to the market in December 2020, with 29 companies appointed across nine lots to deliver projects across a huge variety of development sectors.

As part of the framework and procurement process, Pagabo assisted with the procurement advice, development’s business case, early engagement, expression of interest, formulating the invitation to tender, quality scoring and tender moderation, tender summary report, and notification letters.

THE OTHER HOUSE GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION TO DEVELOP EXCEPTIONAL RESIDENTS’ CLUB IN COVENT GARDEN Further to their May 2021 acquisition of the prestigious Wellington Block in Covent Garden, revolutionary lifestyle brand The Other House has been granted planning permission to begin transforming the island site into an innovative Residents’ Club. Located moments from the famous piazza, The Other House Covent Garden will offer the brand’s signature Club Flats, with public areas

comprising a destination bar, casual bistro and a rooftop bar. A private members’ area will offer a restaurant, spa with vitality pool, and hi-tech fitness centre. The landmark property comprises seven separate historic buildings, including a former rectory, with plans to create a beautiful inner glazed atrium and to add a further three floors, affording guests excellent views across central London. Partnering once again with architects

Falconer Chester Hall and Interior Designers Bergman Design House, The Other House Covent Garden promises bold, distinctive design alongside state of the art facilities. The second property in the brand’s portfolio – The Other House South Kensington opens in spring 2022 –embodies their forward- looking concept in a new era of slow travel, combining apartmentstyle living with hotel-style facilities, whatever the length of stay.

Sustainable Buildings

SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS: HOW SUSTAINABILITY ADDS VALUE TO YOUR BUILDING The future of the construction industry is green, with the UK government announcing plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Construction companies have also begun to consider how to lower their carbon footprint. According to a report by the WBCSD, the construction industry should follow the embodied carbon reduction strategy. This means repurposing material when possible, rather than using raw materials. By repurposing materials, construction companies can reuse materials and minimise waste. This will ensure sustainability stays at the forefront of construction. This article will explore the importance of sustainable buildings within the construction sector. We’ll also look at how sustainability can add value to your building. The importance of sustainable buildings

Rainscreen cladding will insulate buildings

The construction industry is responsible for up to 11% of global carbon emissions. To combat this, the National Engineering Policy Centre stated that the sector must reduce carbon emissions by 78% before 2035. This includes all stages of production, from sourcing materials to generating electricity during construction.

A protective layer that sits on the outside of a building, rainscreen cladding provides direct protection against the weather. The outer layer stops rain, while the inner layer improves the structural integrity and insulation of buildings.

The Green Building Council has urged the construction industry to limit emissions of embodied carbon. As well as taking part in carbon offsetting projects, the report recommends actions to decarbonise construction. The recommendations include retrofitting existing homes, investing in industrial decarbonisation, and adopting a minimum standard of key appliances for new buildings. How sustainability can add value to your building Whether you’re installing carbonsaving gadgets or redesigning an entire building, sustainability in construction has many forms. Here are three ways this will add value to your building.

This is a great way to add value to your building while also being environmentally conscious in your design. Rainscreen cladding is capable of reducing energy costs in both domestic and commercial buildings, saving up to 40% of bills per year. As well as being economically conscious, this will stop people overusing heating. In turn, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere will reduce. Solar panels will boost the price of domestic buildings Solar panels harness energy from the sun and generate electricity to power buildings. As well as being environmentally conscious, solar panels are a cost-effective energy source. According to a study by the Green Match, a 6kW solar panel grid

can save a homeowner an average of £430 on electric bills within a year. This is an attractive selling point to anyone!

It comes as no surprise that installing solar panels can boost the price of domestic buildings by 1438% within the UK. This varies depending on where the property is and could add £90,000 to a London home or £40,095 to an Edinburgh home. Regardless of location, incorporating solar panels in your design is a great way to be sustainable and add value to your property. Investors will prioritise sustainable buildings There are many good-natured reasons to build with sustainability in mind. Creating a future free from carbon emissions is only one of those. On top of that, investors are prioritising sustainable buildings, so it pays to think sustainably about buildings. In fact, out of 4,000 workers in the construction and commercial property sector, 55% believed that investors were more concerned with sustainability in buildings than the year before. As the market for sustainable buildings continues to change, it’s a good idea to build with a green future in mind. Overall, sustainability adds value to your building. Considering its cost-effectiveness and greenattractiveness, we can see why. As the government pledges to reach net zero, the construction industry continues to adapt to new ways of operation. How will you build with sustainability in mind?

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Project

BDP-DESIGNED WHITECHAPEL ELIZABETH LINE STATION OPENS, FOLLOWING HANDOVER FROM CROSSRAIL TO TRANSPORT FOR LONDON The BDP-designed Whitechapel Elizabeth line station has opened after being handed over to Transport for London. Sitting within the Whitechapel Market Conservation area, the design of the new station retains the distinctive and historic buildings constructed more than 100 years ago. The new and improved Whitechapel station, designed by BDP’s transport team, includes a host of upgrades which benefit passenger movement and deliver a more efficient and positive customer experience. The design incorporates reams of natural light, enhancing the historic features and the unique personality of the existing station. The main entrance has been reinstated on Whitechapel Road, and a walkway alongside the concourse provides a new public pedestrian route from the entrance on Durward Street to Whitechapel Road. Design emphasis has shifted from a below-ground, subterranean solution to an above-ground station bridge, which enhances connectivity and accessibility to Whitechapel Road and the Royal London Hospital. Capacity studies undertaken on the existing interchange demonstrated

that sufficient space was already available to accommodate an anticipated increase in passenger numbers without the removal of important heritage buildings contributing to the local character of Whitechapel area. Peter Jenkins, head of transport at BDP, explains: “Whitechapel station is an important transport hub for London

All Images © BDP

and Tower Hamlets, connecting the new Elizabeth line to the District, Hammersmith & City and Overground lines. Part of the strategy was to ensure there was a common architectural language both for the excavated element of the main station construction and also at the platform level but to ensure that there were original, culturally relevant elements to the design.

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We took the decision to retain the existing buildings to preserve the heritage and local character of this important rail interchange and to deliver the most sustainable construction solution. The new station will meet the demands of the passengers and provide a stunning backdrop to travel in and out of Whitechapel.

“

In addition, a new green, sedum roof covering the main station concourse delivers both environmental and aesthetic benefits. It was installed to reduce the heat island affect, deliver improved air quality and enhance biodiversity. It also enriches views from neighbouring developments.

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As an ever-evolving seaside resort, visitors and residences of Brighton have seen many improvements in recent years. One of the latest is the imaginative transformation of a formerly disused area of the city centre into a vibrant new social, cultural, and economic quarter. The much-heralded Circus Street development draws inspiration from Brighton’s historic agricultural laines, as well as the urban grain of the city’s older parts. Under the ownership of regeneration specialists U+I PLC, the development benefits from the creative and inspirational approach that the company is known for.

MICHAEL GRUBB STUDIO DELIVERS PUBLIC REALM LIGHTING STRATEGY FOR BRIGHTON’S CIRCUS STREET DEVELOPMENT

The mixed-use site includes 142 shared ownership and private homes, 450 student accommodation bedrooms, 30,000sq.ft office space, and food, drink, and retail units. It also features the city’s first ever purpose-built dance space, which will be run by South East Dance. Renowned architects shedkm and landscape architects J & L Gibbons were appointed to deliver the project. Working in conjunction with these two key partners, accomplished lighting design practice Michael Grubb Studio was brought into the project to deliver an innovative public realm lighting strategy and detailed technical designs for the development. Brighton and Hove City Council also played an important role in the success of the project as PPP partner. With a specialism in bespoke lighting strategies and masterplans, as well as a plethora of impressive design projects, Michael Grubb Studio were able to bring their wealth of expertise to develop the powerful lighting design solution for the multi-million-pound Circus Street public realm regeneration project. Based on the concept that lighting should be more than just visual objects, the lighting design of Circus Street sought to relate to the surrounding public realm and architecture. With three main gateways into the development, each entrance has its own catenary lighting flow system with a super-sized pendant, shaped either as a pyramid, cube or sphere. These forms, and their materiality, are directly informed by the adjacent buildings designed by shedkm and work to assist those navigating the site by day or night.

It was also important that the lighting design blends seamlessly with the

Project

landscape design that had been curated by J & L Gibbons, while complementing the bold, honest, and vibrant culture of Brighton. Exterior lighting within the site has been carefully configured and includes a balance of both horizontal and vertical illumination. The central core and main square contain layers of architectural lighting, with each complementing the other. This includes lighting of both soft and hard landscaping features, as well as surrounding building facades. Michael Grubb, Founder and Managing Director of Michael Grubb Studios, said: “Brighton is such a fantastic place to live, work and visit, and is continually evolving and improving. To transform a disused area into such a stunning place, offering a multitude of purposes, is a prime example of the innovative approach to regeneration that Brighton is known for. “The lighting scheme is a crucial element of the success of the project. Michael Grubb Studio was delighted to be given the opportunity to be part of the expert team bringing Circus Street to fruition with a comprehensive lighting strategy encompassing detailed technical design work.” The Circus Street site has a strong focus on sustainability and has been working towards a green future. More than 100 trees have been planted, including a mature elm as a centrepiece to symbolise regeneration and growth. The creation of the public realm including public art and associated lighting was put in place to encourage a sense of community and social interaction for those living and working there. Rob Sloper, Development Director at U+I, said: “Circus Street is set to become one of the most desirable areas to live in Brighton. It is also appealing to creative businesses and individuals, who find inspiration in the beauty of the built and natural environment of Circus Street.”

Helen Misselbrook at shedkm added: “Brighton is a very forward-thinking and progressive city, while being proud of its history and heritage. The Circus Street development perfectly balances these elements, bringing together contemporary design with nods to Brighton’s regency elements. “As planning Architect, we intended to create a bold yet embedded sense of place to inspire those living, working and dancing in the new neighbourhood. As Design Guardian, we endeavoured to deliver on our good faith promises made to the City.” The project has been ongoing for a number of years, with the initial concept first imagined over seven years ago. With the landmark design now completed, Michael Grubb Studio has been integral to the regeneration of this previous brownfield site. Circus Street is creating over 400 new jobs

and will add more than £200 million gross value to the local economy in the next 10 years. Michael Grubb Studio’s lighting strategy at Circus Street has successfully delivered on its core ambition of creating a meaningful environment that becomes a healthy, vibrant, sustainable community model of city life. The public realm lighting strategy reinforces these core principles by supporting the needs of people, whether local residents, students or business owners operating after dark.

Project credits Client:

U+I

Design Team:

U+I, shedhm, J&L Gibbons & Michael Grubb Studio

MODULAR SOLUTION CREATES IDEAL TEACHING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHEADLE HULME SCHOOL This year, the Department for Education predicts that primary school pupil numbers will peak, while secondary school pupil numbers will continue to grow until 2025. That means demand for additional classroom space is likely to continue to rise in coming years. While creating additional space for increasing pupil numbers remains a primary driver for decision-makers at schools of all levels, more and more schools are looking for improved quality of classrooms as well as size. Head teachers are doing their homework, and are searching for solutions that can offer a good teaching environment which promotes well-being and will create the right ambience for students and teachers alike. This can refer to everything from the presence of natural light, ventilation, outdoor noise reduction, the shape of the room, whole life building costs and more. Bespoke modular classrooms are one of the best solutions to meet these needs – minimising disruption whilst maximising the teaching environment and providing the best possible opportunities for children’s futures. That’s why Cheadle Hulme School, one of the largest and most successful schools in the North West, turned to bespoke off-site specialists Elite Systems to create a modular solution for its new reception classroom set in the school’s extensive grounds. Off-site construction allowed the school to specify exact details of the design, guaranteed the quality of the building as it was created under controlled factory conditions, and meant that the installation could be

undertaken during the school holidays, minimising disruption. The in-factory build required just a week for Elite’s expert team to complete. This included the installation of extra glazing and sound insulation to the rear of the building, which was specified to mitigate the noise from the railway line which runs adjacent to the site of the new building. As part of this process, Elite created an inner wall with an air gap to prevent reverberation, achieving an acoustic performance level of 60dB Rw.

standard height trailers at the school’s entrance to negotiate the pathways and move the modular classroom to its final site. Finally, the building was craned over the treeline and into place. Elite then spent just four weeks onsite installing the building, including fitting a pumping station, hoop-top fencing and gates, and cladding the classroom in an attractive cedar finish.

Despite the comparatively simple off-site construction process, the installation phase presented some challenges, with narrow roads and a line of trees to negotiate.

The new modular reception classroom comfortably passed the requirements for low emissions in recognition of its energy efficiency. The cedar finish, which was treated around the door and then left to weather naturally across the rest of the building, creates an aesthetically striking effect.

The height of the structure meant that it had to be transported on low trailers, before being craned onto shorter

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Fire Resilience

FIRE RESILIENCE: A CRUCIAL ELEMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY By Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance There is no question that climate action will remain critical over the next decade which is why a change in the approach to the built environment will go some way to meeting our climate change targets. A call for the use of natural construction materials, greater insulation and low carbon heat options should not be at the expense of fire performance. Managing fire safety and energy objectives together makes perfect sense. When a building is not designed or built to withstand potentially catastrophic risks such as fire, then it can nullify the benefits gained from sustainable construction. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report, when adding emissions from the building construction industry on top of operational emissions, the built environment sector accounted for 38 per cent of total global energy-related CO2 emissions. Pre-pandemic building emissions from the built environment in 2019 were noted to reach their highest level. Further it has urged governments to implement deep building renovation and performance standards for newly constructed buildings into pandemic recovery packages.

Action is needed if we are to meet the aspiration of net zero carbon by 2050. The drive to preserve resources will mean a building will no longer follow the traditional linear model of ‘take, make, dispose’, but would be circular and built with reused materials and/or more organic (bio) materials. Buildings will also be able to be taken apart and deconstructed. Furthermore, a building will need to be flexible and adaptable to both the short term whilst being built for the long term when considering its internal use. They will also need to be smart and connected, using sensors to determine efficiency operations and user experience. We will need to consider a building more as a system and an asset where the value is in its efficiency, flexibility, and re-usability. Protecting that reusability will therefore become an integral part of a building’s sustained value. Losing the materials and the building usability in a fire will see it taken out of the cycle – the result will be a valuable resource taken to rebuild them and increasing lifecycle costs as was noted by a study by FM Global. Therefore, a holistic approach that addresses sustainability and fire resilience will be needed to deliver

these outcomes. This will mean a shift in regulatory thinking too. The current journey For many years now the construction industry has started this journey pursuing sustainable and green construction. This has been supported by government regulations, incentives, certification schemes and the credits within them. One of the most obvious items across Europe is the drive to insulate and use more natural products. This has led to hybrid forms of construction that have admirable sustainability features over traditional methods of construction. However, we also know that a number of these constructions forms burn. High profile fire events have raised questions around the detailing and resilience of buildings where natural products are used as a structural material. There is a clear need for research in this area but also thinking in terms of what this means for long term sustainability. Green rating systems and regulations may well recognise a highperformance building, but you only have to look at the devastating consequences of a fire to realise that a building’s sustainability score does not mean immunity to fire. In some cases it means increased exposure to disproportionate damage when fire exposes part of the construction. Some have been completely destroyed by fire, meaning their potential saving and green credentials are gone. Valuable resources are needed to recreate them, and their function has been interrupted for several months, if not years. Some see this as a signal that fire safety regulations deliver the wrong outcome for sustainability and others that there is a blind spot in certification schemes.

We will need to consider a building more as a system and an asset where the value is in its efficiency, flexibility, and re-usability. Protecting that reusability will therefore become an integral part of a building’s sustained value.

This is neatly illustrated by the Carbon Neutral laboratory in Nottingham, UK which was constructed using mass timber but was destroyed shortly before it was completed in 2014.

When it was rebuilt following the fire it was in line with regulations, it followed the original design and there was no increase in fire resilience – no active fire protection. The rebuild was showered with short listing for awards relating to its green credentials. Somehow the disproportionate damage and resources lost in the original fire did not matter or count. The original fire was consigned to history and had no bearing on the claims for the efficiency and carbon neutral credentials.

we recognise that the current journey is bounded by thinking in differing silos. Sustainability and fire seldom come together in Regulatory thinking. However, fire incidents are challenging this thinking most notably here in the UK following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire. What is clear is that assuming that our current guidance and techniques will deliver the required outcomes is short sighted. New, open thinking is needed.

Active fire protection does not feature in this discussion. Instead, it is consigned to mirroring the state fire regulations in differing countries where the focus is on safety and limiting conflagration. A recent update on a study from 2015 by the Fire Protection Research Foundation summarises this very neatly by looking at the challenges that need further research.

The point is not to row back and dismiss these forms of construction. Rather that

Active fire protection and sustainability

Active protection systems like sprinklers are part of the building system and add to their overall carbon emissions. However, before dismissing active fire protection because of these emissions their benefit needs to be weighed. Studies show their benefits in minimising the impact of fire and emissions.

A future view of the world of diverse construction materials and ever greater use of insulation we will need to think clearly about their performance in fire. This will lead to a path where minimising fire incidents will be important. Inevitably it will see more thinking on the prevention of fire and the need to protect the hard-won resources so that they can be used and reused. Active protection systems will increasingly make sense for this reason. They will also make sense when thinking of the desire for buildings that can be flexible in use throughout their life. The wholelife cost of a building and its value will be tied to both these concepts. That said, active fire protection systems will need to continue to adapt to demonstrate their improving wholelife costs and sustainability credentials too. This will require adapting test regimes, increased recycling of water and perhaps new technology to improve their already high effectiveness. In a world where sustainability is key, a disposable building will no longer be the ‘right thinking’ I would contend that a sprinklered one will be.

Company News

AMEY CONSULTING MODELS FUTURE STRATEGIC TRANSPORT PLANNING IN WORCESTERSHIRE Amey Consulting has announced its partnership with Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to develop and deliver a new 5-year strategic transport model, that will help transform future strategic transport planning in the Worcestershire area. This significant piece of innovative work will help WCC understand transport patterns and impact of regional developments, underpinning all future funding applications. The benefits include reducing congestion and improving connectivity, air and quality assessments, as well as informing local and national funding decisions. The transport model will be a predictive, responsive software that can accurately forecast future transport needs and will empower transport planners to make evidence led decisions in transport investment. The model covers the urban areas of Worcester, Redditch, Kidderminster, Malvern, Bromsgrove, Evesham and Droitwich Spa – and a buffer area extending into neighbouring counties and authorities – informing transport options for 600,000 people in the County of Worcestershire. The Worcestershire Strategic Transport Model (WSTM) will be built and developed by Amey Consulting – with support from Sweco.

HBD APPOINTS JOHN F HUNT REGENERATION TO REMEDIATE 44-ACRE DERELICT MIDLANDS SITE Work has commenced to prepare the 44-acre brownfield site to allow construction of a 620,000 sq. ft. employment scheme. A programme of intensive remediation and ground engineering works must be completed before construction can begin. The site has a long industrial history of coal mining, iron smelting and brick making. In 1917 the James Bridge Copper Works was constructed and remained operational until 1999. Demolished soon after, the location has been a contaminated wasteland ever since.

WILLMOTT DIXON APPOINTED BY WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE FOR NEW KIRKLEES DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS Willmott Dixon has increased its portfolio of blue light projects after being selected by West Yorkshire Police to deliver a flagship new headquarters for the Kirklees district.

Procured using the SCAPE construction framework, it will be built on Halifax Road at the site of the former Dewsbury College and deliver approximately 10,000m2 of

As a result, it is one of the most challenging remediation projects in the Midlands. John F Hunt Regeneration will carefully treat areas of contamination and stabilise the numerous mine shafts in preparation for construction. The remediation works will significantly improve the environmental status of the site which is bordered by the Walsall Canal to the south and a school to the north. Now called “Phoenix 10”, the scheme is located between J9 and J10 of the M6 and will create around 1,000 jobs once complete.

accommodation including a new custody suite, property store, atrium, lockers, gym, public front of house, and all associated ancillary areas. The project will also see a full refurbishment of the attractive Oldroyd building, restoring the 1880s structure to form a key part of the site that houses the majority of key flexible office space for the new headquarters. Furthermore, parking will be provided through the delivery of a split level multi-storey car park and separate surface parking. Work on the new headquarters will start later this month, with the site to be operational by the end of 2024. Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said: “It is exciting news that construction is now poised to begin on site at Halifax Road.

“We have written to local residents to advise of the start of construction and are committed to maintain communications with those living nearby as work progresses.”

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Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Berkshire. All Images © BDP

£98M HEATHERWOOD HOSPITAL COMPLETES WITH ACCESS TO NATURE AT ITS HEART Global design practice BDP’s design focuses on patient and staff wellbeing Hospital bosses and contractors are celebrating the completion of the new Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot, a world-class new facility which will offer planned, non-emergency care to patients in Berkshire and beyond. The new £98m Heatherwood Hospital, designed by global interdisciplinary design practice BDP and built by Kier Construction for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, puts a timely new emphasis on both patient and staff mental and physical wellbeing.

The 11,500 sq m new building includes six state-of-the-art operating theatres, plus outpatient and diagnostic facilities for orthopaedics, cardiology, radiology, lithotripsy, physiotherapy, and orthodontics, all in a contemporary, highly sustainable facility set in woodland. Ascot has been home to a hospital at Heatherwood for almost a century, but with ageing facilities and a growing need for investment, its long-term future was in doubt prior to designs for its transformation.

Frimley Health’s ambitious plan has seen the new building at the back of the current hospital site take shape while existing services have remained fully operational. It is hoped that patients will be transferred to the new hospital in spring next year. The new facility is part of the Trust’s strategy to double the number of patients visiting Heatherwood each year to 168,000 over the next decade. BDP has made the most of the hospital’s stunning natural setting to maximise the wellbeing benefits that access to nature can provide. Bringing together a full range of design specialists including architects, interior designers, landscape architects, civil engineers, lighting and acoustics specialists and sustainability experts, the BDP team has taken an integrated holistic approach to the design of both the masterplan and the hospital. The design draws in the landscape to enhance the building’s links with nature. For example, patient bedrooms have views across the treetops and access to outdoor terraces, the café space offers woodland views and there is a large biodiverse pond area and nearby nature walks. This biophilic design approach supports patient recovery and creates a calm and natural environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Heatherwood’s design is also built around the co-location of integrated and complementary departments at the same site enabling highly efficient through put of patients.

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Through its use of digital technology and flexible outpatient spaces, it will offer a one-stop shop for urology patients, reducing the number of visits to the site for patients. Sustainability has been fundamental to the BDP scheme, with renewable energy from a solar farm covering a large section of the hospital’s roof and a robust sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) installed under the car park. Rainwater from the roof drains into a nearby balancing pool, preventing flooding and will be used to promote biodiversity in the area. BDP civil engineers developed an innovative approach to address the challenge of the sloping site by repurposing soil excavated for landscaping on site. This minimised the environmental impact of the excavation and meant that no soil was exported resulting in 12,000 fewer

lorry journeys. In addition, 95% of all site waste was recycled. Sean Woodhead, architect associate for BDP, designers of the new Heatherwood Hospital and wider master plan, said: “Working directly with the Trust’s healthcare professionals to design the space according to patients’ needs and the requirements of ever-evolving technology has been crucial to delivering a contemporary facility that will stand the test of time. The design places sustainability and wellbeing at its heart, celebrating its beautiful woodland location and maximising its links to nature.” Neil Dardis, chief executive, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “The handover is an exciting milestone for us as a Trust - the day that we officially takeover the building and get it ready to welcome our first patients next spring. I am so proud of all our staff who’ve been involved in the new building, against the backdrop of a global pandemic and the most challenging times in our hospitals, it is a tremendous achievement that they have still delivered on such a major project. “I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Kier and BDP for all of their hard work to get us to this stage. This will be one of the best planned care

hospitals in the NHS, using technology and innovation to provide the best treatments and experience for our patients.” Louisa Finlay, director of clients and markets for Kier Construction, added: “Heatherwood hospital is vitally important to the Ascot community and we are incredibly proud to have transformed it, with first-class facilities that will help Frimley NHS Foundation Trust and its staff effectively treat patients. This is the latest project we have delivered for the Trust and draws on both our technical excellence and experience in delivering healthcare facilities across London and the South of England.

Delivering the new hospital at Heatherwood has been a truly collaborative effort and our trusted and local supply chain partners have yet again been integral to a successful handover. BDP’s extensive global healthcare design experience has led to their appointment as one of the partners on the government’s New Hospitals Programme to deliver 48 new hospitals in the UK by 2030.

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Construction & Healthcare

CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTHCARE: HOW BUILDING ON RELATIONSHIPS IS KEY Dealing with the pandemic has brought the relationship between the construction and healthcare industries into sharp focus, sparking new and innovative ways of working – and the future is looking bright. That was the key message from national framework provider Pagabo’s latest ‘Building Blocks’ podcast, hosted by executive chairman Gerard Toplass. The construction industry was given a glimpse of how the future could look as a result of the government’s plans for major investment in healthcare over the next decade, thanks to a vastly improved, collaborative and well-integrated supply chain, which evolved during the pandemic. The ways in which the whole industry united and problem-solved on the hoof was nothing short of impressive, adapting rapidly to ever-changing guidance to ensure as much certainty and support for clients as possible. This was a point driven home by podcast guest Stuart McArthur, health sector lead at Sir Robert McAlpine, who was also joined by John Carson, head of capital development and planning at NTW Solutions (a subsidiary of Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), and Stephen Jenkins, director at Turner and Townsend. Throughout the conversation, the group discussed the ramifications of COVID-19, how their various projects were affected, the lessons learned, and how that all feeds into the future – particularly in relation to the benefits of frameworks. The challenges faced The number one priority for any and all businesses – no matter their industry –

was the health and safety of staff. This was especially true within healthcare and its associated supply chains to be able to continue to deliver critical work and services. During the initial days of the first lockdown, many construction sites ground to a halt while clarity was provided on what work should continue. But when this clarity was provided from the government, the industry reacted with real agility, flexibility and innovation to find ways to keep schemes going, while introducing the necessary safety measures. Stephen Jenkins recalled the agility seen on construction sites, combining with a centralised and joined-up project management approach leading the way on solving the new problems thrown up each day. This attitude towards evolving practises and procedures in a safe and sensible way is something that was echoed in the pre-construction phase as well and is something that will certainly benefit the wider industry moving to the future. John Carson, whose team was involved in creating the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East also reiterated the personal impact. There had to be a focus on wellbeing and looking after people’s mental health. People have very different tolerance levels, and the pandemic had a detrimental effect on everyone due to the combined uncertainty and personal challenges they were facing. Certainly, one of the biggest changes we have seen in the industry is the impact COVID-19 has had on both designs and costings as clients look to ‘pandemic-proof’ hospitals and other schemes, as well as considering how more remote working of staff can impact capital costs. Knitting together relationships and futureproofing through frameworks The real power of frameworks comes from the long-term relationships that can be built, which are over time continually improved to form some of the strongest working collaborations in the market.

This is something particularly pertinent in the healthcare sector, where there are hugely complex clients. With the NHS and its entities there are multi-stakeholder environments that bring together clinical and technical expertise, and there are very rigorous and complex approvals processes to navigate too. Clients and the frameworks that projects are procured through have all evolved over time. All have evolved to put more focus on social value, wanting to demonstrate the wider benefits from schemes – particularly large-scale healthcare projects – in the wider society. They often provide the best value to clients, but it is important to remember that best value is about more than just costs. The benefit of frameworks is the overarching platform, broader objectives and a longer-term timescale they have, which allow behaviours to be built over time and focus to be put on values and outcomes. This bigger picture of best value brings together strands – such as technology and carbon - that have previously been looked at in silos until very recently, when they are inherently connected. The key to unlock all of this is digital and data. For example, the right digital construction techniques and toolkits will enable better and more adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC), along with the parallel assessment of carbon impact. The Construction Playbook - which was first published almost a year ago and has provided the whole industry with direction on a number of core best practice principles - focuses heavily on MMC and digital adoption. These methods will combine with ongoing learnings from the supply chain, such as the real value in repetitive design. For example, once a treatment room or seclusion suite has been designed, the knowledge is there and can be repeated – and through MMC methods like modular construction can be built much more quickly. Together, the construction and healthcare sectors continue to innovate and work together to tackle combined issues – and create a better future for everyone, knitted together by a data-driven approach. You can listen to the most recent episode of Pagabo’s ‘Building Blocks’ podcast on Anchor and YouTube, and for more information please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/.

Company News

THE INPUT GROUP ANNOUNCES CHARITY PARTNERSHIP WITH PASIC The Input Group has pledged its support to PASIC, a support service for the families of children with cancer in the East Midlands, to begin the first chapter of its corporate charity partnership.

The Input Group, whose headquarters are in Derby, kickstarted its efforts on behalf of the charity in December to coordinate the delivery of over 200 Christmas presents during the month across several drop off points.

The full-service construction firm also supported with deliveries from other PASIC charity partners, with more than 100 families benefitting from the team’s efforts.

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PASIC was established more than 40 years ago and provides emotional, social, and practical support to families of children and young people with cancer living in the region.

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PASIC also helps to build valuable support networks to reduce isolation and make a positive impact to the lives of families coping with childhood cancer. To find out more about The Input Group, please visit www.inputgroup.co.uk or contact marketing@inputgroup.co.uk. To find out more about PASIC, please visit https://www.pasic.org.uk/

Zumtobel and Thorn provide ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’ for St. Patrick’s Special School Working on a brief to deliver a first-class facility for students and teachers at St. Patrick’s Special School in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Zumtobel Group brands Zumtobel and Thorn have supplied a number of luminaires throughout the €14 million project. In conjunction with building engineers Semple and McKillop Ltd, the project involved the supply of custom made linear SLOTLIGHT infinity light lines that had to be the exact size of the radiant panels and be able to incorporate 3rd party lighting control sensors. The lighting installation was carried out by electrical contractor, Burke Electrical Installations. To achieve the required light levels and customised client requirements, Zumtobel’s SLOTLIGHT infinity has been installed extensively throughout the facility – custom versions for the main classrooms, corridors, and the GP Hall. The SLOTLGHT infinity modular light line offers practically unlimited options, with freedom and flexibility of design, not just in straight lines but even around corners. The unmatched, consistent light quality with virtually end-to-end illumination is available in runs of up to 20 metres in length without any joins to fulfil every lighting requirement. An unusual and eye-catching, customised SLOTLIGHT infinity ‘ring’ was created primarily to illuminate the main foyer. Zumtobel Website: https://z.lighting/en/zumtobel/ Thorn Website: www.thornlighting.co.uk

Leading planning and development consultancy Lichfields starts the new year on a high - with record turnover and plans for expansion during its landmark 60th anniversary year. Lichfields, the pre-eminent planning and development consultancy in the UK with 215 people working from a network of nine regional offices, recently hit fee revenues of £22.6m and is aiming to pass the £25m milestone before the end of this year. The company is recruiting as it looks to launch and develop several new services during 2022. These will include a new archaeology service within the existing heritage offer; an innovative place-making tool, and a fully integrated service aimed at dealing

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LICHFIELDS CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF PLANNING SUCCESS

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with the impacts of climate change. Lichfields offers a broad range of planning and development consultancy services including development management, consultation, economics, EIA, heritage, and urban design. Clients include developers, landowners and operators in the housing, retail, leisure, commercial, waste and recycling and infrastructure sectors, as well as local authorities and government bodies.

WATES RESIDENTIAL SEARCHES FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS TO BUILD NET ZERO HOMES Wates Residential, part of leading privately-owned construction, property services and development company Wates Group, is launching a new campaign to find innovative, sustainable technologies and materials that will help it build Net Zero homes and achieve its environmental targets. Aiming to generate Net Zero carbon operationally and to halve energy consumption by 2025, Wates has also pledged to achieve zero waste and to make a positive contribution to nature on all its projects. As a result, it is

looking for suitable materials, products and processes for the development, design, construction and sale of low to high-rise residential developments. These could include resource efficient materials for the built environment with low embodied carbon content or those derived from natural resources. The company is also looking for suppliers that can help implement Modern Methods of Construction, as well as products that deliver significant biodiversity net gains, optimise building efficiency, help with the design and

construction of zero carbon homes and save water. Businesses keen to register their interest are being encouraged to visit www. wates.co.uk/win-portal and complete an application form. Suppliers will be screened by Wates’ technical advisory panel of experts and successful suppliers will be piloted on Wates sites. Successful applicants will also be registered on the Wates Innovation Network (WIN) portal, a new online hub for suppliers of environmental technologies and services.

TORMAX Cracks Cyber Crime Access Recently completed, the £9m Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security, located in Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, was designed by Associated Architects and built by Speller Metcalfe. TORMAX was contracted to the project by Aluminium Sashes to deliver a contemporary four-wing automatic revolving door to the main entrance. Reliability and whisper-quiet operation is assured thanks to the world-class TORMAX 5201 door drive which combines a powerful, high-torque motor with impeccable design credentials to minimise maintenance requirements and ensure a long working life. With a build-in height of just 140mm, the slim 5201 allows for a shallow canopy compartment allowing a truly minimalist entrance solution to be created. Skylon Park is the only Enterprise Zone in the country that focuses on the defence and security sector, with the cyber security centre being a joint PSBN122002 - Tormax HP.indd 1

venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The 2,000 square metre building allows businesses to benefit from the University’s networks and research expertise, enabling them to use specialist training rooms and laboratory spaces to tackle the growing threat of cyber-attacks. “An automatic revolving door allows for a smooth, free-flow of pedestrians whilst also contributing to a low carbon footprint by isolating the interior atmosphere of the building from the external elements, creating a draught-free solution” comments Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX. Further improving energy efficiency, system specific data is automatically captured, and door operation adapted to counter the impact of wind levels, or a build-up of dirt for example, ensuring the door

continues to revolve with optimum performance. Technologically advanced sensors are integrated within the system, ensuring uncompromising personal safety for every user. A world-leader, TORMAX has over 70 years of experience in the design, manufacture and installation of sophisticated automatic entrances, including sliding, folding and revolving door systems. Tel: 01932 238040 Email: sales@tormax.co.uk Website: www.tormax.co.uk 07/12/2021 12:58:04

Events & Awards News

DURKAN AND PEABODY PARTNERSHIP AT SOUTHMERE WINS PRESTIGIOUS COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD The Southmere scheme in Thamesmead has been awarded the Regeneration Award at the Better Society Awards. The scheme will deliver over 1,600 affordable, private and shared ownership homes across four sites as well as a new library with community facilities, commercial space for shops and cafes, and a public square.

to the regeneration to date, with the creation of the Peabody Construction Skills Academy. Sixty graduates have already completed the Construction Skills Academy programme, with 90% now in construction employment, and many working in Thamesmead.

The Better Society Awards recognise commercial companies which are helping to create better, more equal, ethical and sustainable communities. Organised by the Better Society Network, the win for Durkan and Peabody highlights their commitment to working in partnership with the local community to provide residents with industry-recognised skills training.

Ed Afolabi is an engineering graduate and Bexley resident who was struggling to start his career in construction management. However, after

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“Getting my first break in construction management was really difficult without a network of contacts in the industry, despite having a really good construction-related degree,” he said. “When Peabody contacted me about the opportunity to join Durkan as a trainee I was over the moon.

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Since joining the team my practical skills and knowledge have increased dramatically and it is great to play an active role in regenerating my own local community.

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The award win also recognises the way Durkan and Peabody’s Economic Inclusion Team have worked in partnership with a range of organisations – including Bexley Twofold, YouthBuild Ventures UK and Groundwork London – to improve employment opportunities for local residents and offer a range of apprenticeships.

The creation of skills and training opportunities locally has been central

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Peabody put him in touch with Durkan he began working as a trainee project manager and was recently promoted to Assistant Site Manager at Southmere.

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COLONEL LESLIE WRIGHT HONORED AT DEVELOPMENT EVENT Bakewell’s local war hero Colonel Leslie Wright was honored at a housing development named after the great man. Diginitaries gathered at the site on Shutts Lane to hear local pupils from Lady Manners School tell the story of the Colonel before a stone marking the opening was unveiled. They were joined by members of Derbyshire Dales District Council and staff from Lindum Construction as well as other involved parties for the event. Colonel Wright Close is made up of 30 homes built for Platform Housing Group in a project that took almost

a decade to come to fruition. Meticulous planning ensured the homes were built to maintain the look of the area, using stone from the local Dale View quarry at Stanton Moor. The land was originally bought from Lady Manners school, who used the funds to build their 3G sports pitch which is now enjoyed by the school and wider community.

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GLEEDS WELCOMES MIKE BAYNHAM AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PROJECT MANAGEMENT CARDIFF Mike Baynham has joined Gleeds as Associate Director in Cardiff. University of Glamorgan graduate Mike joins the property and construction consultancy firm after over a decade at Bouygues UK, where he was Operations Director. He has also worked as a Project Manager for Carillion and in site management for Amey. Mike is well known in the construction sector in Wales, helping to shape the south Wales building landscape after working on key education projects such as Penarth Learning Community, as well as the construction of two high schools in Port Talbot, Ysgol Bae Baglan, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Dur and Pencoedtre High School in Barry. Mike also has extensive experience of the retail sector having worked on the Morrisions supermarket expansion and the construction of retail parks in Merthyr Tydfil and Llanishen in Cardiff. Prior to the Ashes being held in Wales for the first time, Mike was Project Lead for the redevelopment of Sophia Gardens, transforming it to a 16,000-seater stadium.

BOUYGUES UK WELCOMES STEPHEN DAVIES AS OPERATIONS DIRECTOR FOR WALES Stephen Davies has been promoted to Operations Director for Wales at Bouygues UK. Stephen joined Bouygues UK as Technical Director in 2018 having previously enjoyed over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry working in the UK, Canada and the UAE in various technical, operational and leadership roles. During his varied career he has delivered major and multi-disciplined projects including GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham, Southmead General Hospital in Bristol, Dubai Festival City and the first phase of the Battersea Power Station residential development in London. Most recently, Stephen has supported the Bouygues UK project team in delivering Cardiff Innovation Centre for Cardiff University and helped secure Bouygues UK’s flagship project in Swansea - 71/72 The Kingsway. A Cardiff native, Stephen now lives in Ogmore by Sea with his young family and is particularly keen on promoting sustainability and best practice within the construction industry. He has played a key role in developing Bouygues UK’s climate change policy, which has ambitious targets for the company to be operationally net zero by 2030, both internally and on site.

SAVE WATER AT LEISURE WITH DEER TECHNOLOGY Saving water is a challenge for most businesses but when you run a leisure centre containing a 25-metre swimming pool, children’s pool, gyms and a sports hall with shower facilities, the challenge can seem mighty. For Stretford Chester Leisure Centre, operated by Trafford Leisure Community Interest Company Ltd (Trafford Leisure) on behalf of the local authority, careful monitoring of water usage is vital to help keep membership fees and prices as low as possible. In addition, sustainability and environmental consciousness are additional goals today of course.

THE INPUT GROUP BOLSTERS TEAM WITH FOUR NEW APPOINTMENTS National contractor The Input Group has strengthened its service offering and commitment to increasing diversity with four new appointments. Yvonne Moseley joins the firm as a senior quantity surveyor, Jenny Knowles has taken up a position as bid manager, and Caroline Blanksby and Anne Jones have joined the head office support as PA to managing

director Chris Monk and office administrator, respectively. The Input Group offers a wide variety of services from construction and building works to interior fit out, signage manufacture and much more. The Input Group has worked on high profile rail projects across the UK such as the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras International.

Trafford Leisure needed to obtain regular, reliable data to fully understand their consumption patterns and cost. Unfortunately, the location of the water meter, deep inside a manhole on another business’ property which is frequently flooded, meant the water retailer was unable to fulfil this need with regular manual readings. To take control of the situation, Trafford Leisure turned to Deer Technology. The LimpetReader was developed to be installed quickly without interrupting the supply and with minimal ongoing costs. The LimpetReader attaches to the faceplate of the existing meter and incorporates multiple miniature cameras that capture the entire meter register display at time intervals specified by the customer. The images are then automatically and securely sent to the Deer Technology’s server where the images are converted into a date and time stamped data value. Trafford Leisure is then able to import the data into the proprietary systems for analysis, allowing trends to be identified and inaccurate estimated bills disputed with the retailer. Find out more about Deer Technology’s LimpetReader by visiting https://deertechnology.com, telephone 01639 363146 or email hello@deertechnology.com.

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07/12/2021 13:54:21

NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES CREATED IN THE CENTRE OF LONDON

up to 420 primary-age children, addressing the requirement for additional school places following the development of almost 500 new homes in the area. The new school building has been designed to achieve lowcarbon Passivhaus standards with plans that incorporate various eco efficient features including triple glazing, solar panels, highly insulated thermal fabric and heat recovery units. Classrooms will be situated on both floors of the new building, with additional learning areas for first floor classrooms looking out over neighbouring woodland. Groundworks have been completed and construction work is already underway with a planned opening for September 2022.

Peabody has acquired 14 new homes for affordable rent from developer Chesington Investments Limited, a subsidiary of Bellworth Developments, at the prestigious Lancer Square development in the Kensington Palace conservation area, Kensington, London. Designed by architects Squire and Partners and built by build contractor Mace, the seven one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom homes are situated in a bustling, central location, in close proximity to local amenities and within walking distance to Hyde Park.

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We are delighted to have acquired the affordable homes at the landmark Lancer Square development in Kensington. These homes have been built to a very high quality finish and together with support from the GLA will enable us to deliver on our social purpose, providing homes to those who need them most.

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Thanks to grant funding provided by the GLA, Peabody has been able to offer these homes at London Affordable Rent levels, reaffirming our commitment to providing genuinely affordable homes and helping people make the most of their lives, in and out of London.

Peabody’s Senior Development Manager, Ed Major said: “We are delighted to have acquired the affordable homes at the landmark Lancer Square development in Kensington. These homes have been built to a very high quality finish and together with support from the GLA will enable us to deliver on our social purpose, providing homes to those who need them most.”

Project News

DARWIN GROUP COMMENCE WORK FOR HAMPSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST TO DELIVER TWIN CATHETER LABS IN BASINGSTOKE Modular construction specialist Darwin Group has started work on site to build two new cath labs at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. Designed for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), the new 1972m2 building will house two hybrid cath labs with ancillary accommodation and a total of ten recovery beds. The project will include a link corridor that connects the new building to the hospital’s existing cardiology department. The new labs will give Hampshire Hospitals the capability to see more patients per day and to administer tests at a faster rate in the state-of-the-art facility. With 30 years of experience using modular techniques, the Darwin Group team is highly experienced in delivering high quality healthcare buildings. As part of this turnkey service, the team has incorporated a barrel vault style roof into the plans to ensure the new building is in-keeping with the rest of the hospital’s design. The new building is set for completion by September 2022.

HATTERSLEY TRAIN STATION TICKET OFFICE REBUILD TO START Work to rebuild Hattersley train station ticket office is to start early next year in a move to provide a modern, comfortable location for rail passengers. From 10 January the building will be closed as the redevelopment gets underway, however the station, which sees over 110,000 passengers a year, will remain open throughout. Passengers who need tickets can purchase them online or via the Northern app. Alternative nearby ticket offices are available at Newton for Hyde and Broadbottom. Once completed, the redevelopment will provide a fit for purpose ticket office for train passengers in Hattersley. This will also support the increasing use of the station as Hattersley and the wider surrounding area continues to grow. An increase in the use of Hattersley station will support the Tameside Environmental & Climate Change Strategy (2021) by enabling a shift to more sustainable modes of transport.

The new ticket office will house a waiting area, passenger toilet, working spaces and seating for passengers. The number of car parking spaces available at the station will be reduced during the period of the works but the cycle parking facilities at the station will not be affected. Additionally, the Amazon Locker will be removed during the rebuild and will return once the new ticket office is completed. The rebuilt ticket office is scheduled to reopen for passengers towards the end of April 2022. Tameside Council received £750,000 funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, through the Manchester Growth and Reform Plan Transport Strategy and Investment Plan, to provide an improved ticket office at Hattersley train station. This project is being delivered by the council, which has contracted Vextrix to complete the rebuild, with TMT Group as principal contractor.

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The project will include a link corridor that connects the new building to the hospital’s existing cardiology department. The new labs will give Hampshire Hospitals the capability to see more patients per day and to administer tests at a faster rate in the stateof-the-art facility.

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