Construction National Autumn 2018 by DMMonline

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COVER STORY

V&A opens in Dundee

The spectacular ‘double pyramid’ structure that adorns the front cover of this issue is the new V&A Dundee building, designed by the acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The V&A’s only base outside London is also Scotland’s only museum dedicated to design. It showcases some of the finest work of Scottish designers, with the restored Oak Room of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at its heart. Kengo Kuma’s daring design was a challenging task for designers and builders alike – and the result is a remarkable new base for a venerable institution. Read the full story on page 14

Front cover image courtesy of HuftonCrow

7 Constructive Comment

NEWS 9

Funding released for cladding removal as ban is announced for new build

Rochester set to host new Travelodge

Recruitment campaign wins national award

After PFI – what will the future hold?

FMB welcomes Hammond’s high street boost

PROJECTS

Scotland’s new ‘living room’ showcases design

Royal Academy unveils its new home

Thriving partnership paves the way to train giant’s new tech centre

TIMBER & OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION 20

Innovations in timber and offsite construction

Expo builds on increasing significance of offsite

Berkeley Modular and coBuilder make a decisive step towards offsite construction efficiency

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND APPRENTICESHIPS

Wales is a centre for construction innovation

College group celebrates building bridges

Get the skills needed for life in construction

Game promotes construction careers

CARE HOMES

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Quality care providers are flourishing

Mayor adds seal of approval ahead of opening

Refurb creates a unique dining experience

Latest offering provides a ‘home from home’

Grand opening for refurbished home ‘rescued’ after closure

For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company Plc www.magprint.co.uk

1CHT

CONTENTS BIOSECURITY 34

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility

HEALTH & SAFETY 37

Pilot group set up to test new construction OSH product

On site mental health is an issue for everyone

Work yourself healthy: every business can benefit from ergonomic workplace design

ZOOS 41

While specialist skills aid conservation, zoos have conventional needs too

It’s not just the animals that get refurbs

Building site provides food for zoo

Endangered primates have their home upsized

West Midlands experiences a new Ice Age

Greenspan – the perfect match for West Midland Safari Park’s Ice Age exhibit

Turnkey service meets with royal approval

Tree kangaroo adds to Chester’s species range

GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS 50

Electrification of heat is easy

WORKING AT HEIGHT 52

NASC hosts second successful Safety Seminar

New safety guidance on electrical issues

NASC releases TG20:13 maintenance update

CISRS launches System Scaffold Product Inspection courses

Firm fined following fall from height

Swedish Scaffolding Association given CISRS training centre tour

SMART Scaffolder launches upgraded apps

New MEWPs safety guidance for work at height rescue

BIM modelling can now include powered access

Tower safety campaign returns

MSA’s V-TEC™ scaffold solution combines comfort and advanced safety

HOUSING 59

West Ham’s former ground set for housing development

Infrastructure work begins in preparation for new village

The competition hots up in the search for the top site managers

It’s two in a row for Cliff’s vision of New England

Scotland’s Best Place earns a Seal for Ian

Family firm pulls off a PiJ hat-trick

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Constructive

comment

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THERE WAS A great deal of comment among the construction industry following Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Budget speech on 29 October – more so than usual. It was a Budget with a great deal in it for the industry. There was the usual nod to skills training, with a halving of the contribution to apprenticeships by small firms and a measure to allow large firms to ‘cascade’ up to a quarter of their apprenticeship levy to fund apprentices in their supply chain. The big measures were around infrastructure investment and housing – and in particular infrastructure for housing. Local authorities figured large in the implementation of both, with a lifting of the cap on borrowing to build. The one no-one saw coming was the abolition of PFI and PF2. It took most people aback – until the realisation dawned that it was only the name that was going. Private finance in public infrastructure projects will remain. • A major plank of the Budget was a commitment to the NHS and in particular to funding mental health services. Mental health has become a significant issue in the construction industry, with more suicides among workers in the sector than any other. One of the initiatives to tackle the problem is the Mates in Mind charity. There has been an increased emphasis generally on the ‘health’ in health and safety, with campaigns mounted by HSE and more companies investing in healthier work environments. That can only be a good thing. • Investment in social care was another feature of Mr Hammond’s Budget. In the past few issues we have been highlighting some of the excellent facilities being constructed around the country to provide care for those in later life or those who require residential care. This issue is no exception, with homes as far apart as Tyne and Wear and Devon featured. All provide a high specification of facilities constructed by specialist firms. • Specialist contractors are also required to deliver the facilities needed to care for endangered species in the many zoos around the country; and in the past two years or so we have been able to bring to the page many stories of remarkable new exhibits. In this issue the animals being cared for range from treedwelling kangaroos to endangered baboons. They also include some species that have been extinct for thousands of years! • If Mr Hammond’s vision of a major housebuilding surge is to happen, a change in the way homes are constructed is necessary – and that change is already happening. The combination of offsite construction and a major increase in the use of timber allows for high volumes of high-quality homes to be constructed quickly. It’s nothing new, though. Lewis Taylor of TRADA points to all the same arguments and policies being debated in the 1960s. • At the heart of the housebuilding industry are the thousands of individuals making those homes a reality on the ground – the site managers. Every year the NHBC holds its Pride in the Job competition to celebrate the best among those individuals. In this issue we highlight just a few of those titans of the building site as the series of regional awards ceremonies draws to its end and the chosen few prepare to head off to the finals in London in January. We wish them all the best of luck. • At the other end of the scale in building terms, two national institutions have unveiled new homes. The Royal Academy has opened its new campus in London, while the V&A has ventured out of London for the first time to Dundee. The resultant structure is one of the most remarkable buildings ever to have graced the front cover of this publication. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Funding released for cladding removal as ban is announced for new build [

THE GOVERNMENT has announced that it has released the first tranche of the estimated £400m required to remove and replace unsafe aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding systems on high-rise housing in England owned by social landlords. In October a total of 12 local authorities and 31 housing associations were told that they had been allocated the money they need to cover the cost of removing and replacing the cladding from residential buildings they own which are 18m or more high. Secretary of State for Communities, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: “There is nothing more important than ensuring people are safe in their homes and that is why I am pleased the £400m funding has started to be released. We are doing the right thing by residents and fully funding the replacement of unsafe ACM cladding in social housing buildings 18 metres or above. “In the private sector, I want to see landlords protect leaseholders from these costs. I am pleased that a number have stepped forward to do so, including Barratt Developments, Legal & General, Taylor Wimpey, Mace and Peabody. However, there are some who are not engaging in this process. If they don’t, I have ruled nothing out.” The latest figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that over 75% of social housing buildings with unsafe ACM cladding have completed remediation or are currently removing and replacing the cladding, with plans in place for the remaining 25%. Interim fire safety measures are in place in all affected buildings to keep residents safe until the cladding has been replaced. The announcement of the funding release followed the government’s

publication of its response to the Hackitt review and confirmation that it is banning the use of combustible materials on all residential high-rise buildings above 18m. The ban will be implemented via a change in the Building Regulations. Details of the ban and how the recommendations of the Hackitt review will be implemented will be published later this year. James Brokenshire announced the ban at the Conservative Party Conference on 1 October. He described the Grenfell disaster as “unimaginable horror” that “has rightly shocked us all”. “And that is why,” he said, “today I can confirm that I will change the Building Regulations to ban the use of combustible materials for all new high-rise residential buildings, hospitals, registered care homes and student accommodation.” Responding to the government’s plans, the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) commented that the ban on ACM cladding does not go far enough. Richard Jones, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH, said: “As was revealed in Dame Judith’s review findings, the UK system requires fundamental reform. “Given that this will take significant time, and the fact the public is very concerned about fire safety, banning the use of combustible materials on new high-rise residential buildings is a step in the right direction. It provides some clarity and simplification for the construction industry. “But it doesn’t go far enough. In cities and towns across the UK, many people live and also work in high-rise buildings. They all need to be protected. Therefore, the ban should cover all high-rise buildings, existing and new, and both residential and non-residential.” q

Rochester set to host new Travelodge [

CONSTRUCTION HAS COMMENCED on site of a new £8m Travelodge hotel at Rochester Riverside in Kent. Due for completion in the third quarter of next year, the hotel will be a vital part of the huge development and reflects the continued evolution of Rochester. Rochester Riverside is an exciting new development that stretches from Rochester Bridge along the River Medway. The development will connect the River Medway to the town centre and will provide four distinct new neighbourhoods, complete with mixed-tenure homes and 10 acres of green, open spaces. Residents will also benefit from a 2.5 kilometre public riverside walkway. The area is being developed over the next 11 years as a joint development by Countryside and Hyde and once complete will comprise 1,400 homes, a foodstore, retail units, a nursery and a new school. A quarter of the new homes being built on the development will be designated as affordable. Andy Fancy, managing director for partnerships at Countryside, said: “We are excited to be welcoming a brand new Travelodge hotel to Rochester Riverside. It complements the development perfectly and is ideally located for anyone travelling into

Rochester. Guests who are there for business will be right next to Rochester station and adjacent to the A2, while those travelling for

leisure are only a five-minute walk to historic Rochester High Street and the stunning waterfront.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Recruitment campaign wins national award [

THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN run by the Considerate Constructors and real-life case studies of women working across the industry, Scheme Spotlight on…women in construction has won the Women in helping to address the issue in the short, medium and long term. Construction category at the London Construction Awards. So far, the campaign has been viewed over 11,000 times and its The award recognises the scheme’s exceptional efforts to attract more recent e-learning course has been taken by over 2,000 people. more women into the construction industry through the highlyConsiderate Constructors Scheme chief executive Edward Hardy regarded campaign, which was launched less than a year ago. said: “The scheme is thrilled to receive the Women in Construction It was set up to address the concerning findings of a national Award. It is only through the hard work, determination and survey, which revealed that women represent just 11% of the entire enthusiasm of our team, and the many contributors to the campaign, industry workforce and only 1% of the workforce on site. that this achievement has happened. My congratulations to everyone The scheme was presented with the award at a prestigious involved in producing such an influential campaign. awards ceremony held on 23 October at the Royal Garden Hotel, “The scheme was shortlisted among some extremely impressive London, as part of the London finalists, so to be chosen as Build expo. Consisting of 12 outright winner by a panel of categories – from the Sustainable highly-respected industry leaders Construction Award to Health is a huge honour. and Safety Solution of the Year “The Best Practice Hub is at – the awards were decided by the very core of helping to spread an eminent panel of judges – all practical guidance, resources and experienced construction leaders case studies for all and I would in their specialist fields. encourage everyone to use our Spotlight on…women in hub’s vast free resources. construction is hosted on “This achievement reinforces the Considerate Constructors how important it is to work Scheme’s Best Practice Hub – together as one industry to the industry’s free-to-use online make long-lasting change to platform. The campaign is the improve standards in considerate Representatives from the Considerate Constructors Scheme with the essential go-to resource providing award: (left to right) Victoria Knowles, Sarah Oglesby, Jack Endean construction right across our and Amy Kruse practical information, resources industry.” q

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After PFI – what will FMB welcomes the future hold? Hammond’s high [

THE MAIN STORY of Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Budget for the construction industry was the abolition of PFI and PF2 for new projects – a move widely welcomed across the board. The collapse of Carillion had exposed the seedier side of the process and led to calls for the abolition of what many people saw as a ‘fraud’ perpetrated against the public. RIBA president Ben Derbyshire declared: “The end of PFI will be welcomed by many RIBA members – I hope that the government will now look more closely at how the public sector procures new buildings to ensure that we learn the lessons of PFI and put quality and real value for money at the heart of the process.” In his Budget speech Mr Hammond declared: “I have never signed off a PFI contract as Chancellor, and I can confirm today that I never will. I can announce that the government will abolish the use of PFI and PF2 for future projects.” However, he remains committed to the ideology of financing major projects by involving the private sector. “In financing public infrastructure,” he said, “I remain committed to the use of public/private partnership where it delivers value for the taxpayer and genuinely transfers risk to the private sector.” Many commentators compared the announcement in the Budget to the process employed by the SNP in Scotland when it replaced PFI with its ‘nonprofit distributing’ model (NPD). For many, it was merely a change of name – an expensive rebranding exercise. Looking to the future and what will replace PFI, CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said: “The end of PFI and PF2 is not a huge surprise. The important question is how, working with the new Centre of Excellence, a new model of business working to deliver the government projects that would otherwise gather dust will be built.” q

street boost [

THE FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS focused on the Chancellor’s measures to aid housebuilding and regenerate high streets. Its chief executive Brian Berry commented: “It is important that the Chancellor has recognised the importance of investing in our high streets. He has announced a £675m Future High Streets Fund to allow councils to rejuvenate town centres. It is estimated that as many as 300,000 to 400,000 new homes alone could be created by making use of empty spaces above shops on our high streets. This is space just waiting to be turned into residential accommodation.” He saw local councils as being at the centre of the regeneration effort. “We would urge councils to take this opportunity to look again at how they can work with local builders and developers to make better use of existing town centre building, and facilitate the development of wasted space above shops,” he said. He also welcomed the measure to support small housebuilders. “We are also pleased that the Chancellor has today announced £1bn to guarantee capacity to support lending to the SME housebuilding sector. Many small-scale housebuilders continue to experience real difficulty in accessing the finance they need to build homes, and it is often the smallest scale builders that experience the greatest problems. This new funding will help to speed up the delivery of homes and lead to a more diverse and resilient housing supply.” q

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Scotland’s new ‘living room’ showcases design

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V&A DUNDEE, Scotland’s first design museum, opened its doors to the public on 15 September, revealing its beautiful, light-filled interiors – designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. In its first week of opening no fewer than 27,201 people passed through its doors. The museum’s director Philip Long said: “The opening of V&A Dundee is a historic occasion for Dundee, for the V&A, and for the very many people who played a vital part and supported its realisation. This is a very proud moment for all involved. “V&A Dundee’s aspiration is to enrich lives, helping people to enjoy, be inspired by and find new opportunities through understanding the designed world. After years of planning, we are thrilled at being able to celebrate the realisation of the first V&A museum in the world outside London.” V&A Dundee’s construction and fit-out took three-and-a-half years to complete and it stands at the centre of the £1bn transformation of the Dundee waterfront, once part of the city’s docklands. The positioning of the museum is central to Dundee’s 30-year Waterfront Masterplan, sitting alongside a new public park space, Slessor Gardens, and the historic ship RRS Discovery which took Scott to the Antarctic. With its complex geometry, inspired by the dramatic cliffs along the north-east coast of Scotland, it stretches out into the River Tay: a new

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landmark connecting the city with its historic waterfront, and a new major cultural development for Scotland and the UK. The building’s appearance is of two inverted pyramids, which are separate at ground floor and then twist to connect at the upper galleries floor. That creates an open archway through the centre of the museum, reconnecting the city with the river, framing the view of the River Tay and referencing the commemorative Royal Arch which was built nearby to welcome Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the city in 1844. Kengo Kuma’s ambitious design demanded much of both engineers and constructors. It is a unique and complex structure with exterior walls that twist both horizontally and vertically, creating shapes like waves or the hull of a ship. Engineering firm Arup, which had been involved in the project since the competition stage, worked closely with the architects, main contractors BAM Construct UK and project managers Turner & Townsend to transform Kengo Kuma’s vision into reality. The original plans devised by the engineers included walls up to 60cm thick with huge pieces of steel embedded inside. By experimenting with the shape of the building using 3D models and analysis tools, the team cut the thickness of the walls by half and replaced the steel skeleton inside with much thinner reinforced bars. The building functions in a similar way to a shell, in that it is a

During the construction phase – images courtesy of Ross Fraser McLean continuous and interconnected structure. The roof, walls and flooring all work together to make the building stable. While the twists and folds of the walls might have been seen as presenting a problem, the engineers considered how these complexities could help strengthen the building, in the same way origami relies on paper becoming more rigid when folded. To understand what impact these details would have on the overall structure, 3D and analysis models were vital. An integrated 3D model of the entire building was created as a coordination tool, meaning the architects, engineers and contractors involved in the construction could all study a digital version of what they were about to build. Extreme weather scenarios were considered and wave loads calculated to ensure the large triangular window looking down into the water can withstand any pressures the river presents. The damage that salt spray and rogue waves could cause was also calculated when materials were selected, and a new flood wall was created. The finished structure remains true to the extraordinary design, with the largest overhang seeing the roof extend an impressive 19.5 metres beyond the footprint of the museum. At the heart of the museum the Scottish Design Galleries feature 300 exhibits drawn from the V&A’s rich collections of Scottish design, as well as from museums and private collections across the world. And at the centre of those galleries stands the magnificent Charles Rennie Mackintosh Oak Room (pictured right), meticulously restored, conserved and reconstructed through a partnership between V&A Dundee, Glasgow Museums and Dundee City Council. Visitors to the museum can experience once again Mackintosh’s extraordinary talent in designing the room, lost to view for nearly 50 years. Architect Kengo Kuma (left) commented: “The big idea for V&A Dundee was bringing together nature and architecture, to create a new living room for the city. I’m truly in love with the Scottish landscape and nature. I was inspired by the cliffs of North-Eastern Scotland – it’s as if the earth and water had a long conversation and finally created this stunning shape. “It is also fitting that the restored Oak Room by Charles Rennie Mackintosh is at the heart of this building as I have greatly admired his designs since I was a student. In the Oak Room, people will feel his sensibility and respect for nature, and hopefully connect it with our design for V&A Dundee.” The £80m project was developed with the support of the Scottish Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland, Dundee City Council, the UK Government, Scottish Enterprise, University of Dundee, Abertay University and a successful private fundraising campaign. q All other images – courtesy of HuftonCrow www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Royal Academy unveils its new home

The new Weston Bridge and Lovelace Courtyard

[THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS has opened its new campus, following

a transformational redevelopment designed by Sir David Chipperfield CBE RA and supported by the National Lottery. The grand opening formed part of the celebrations of the RA’s 250th anniversary year. The new Royal Academy opens up to the public more of the elements that make it unique – revealing historic treasures from its collection, the work of its Royal Academicians and the Royal Academy Schools, and its role as a centre for debate about art and architecture. One of the key features of the redevelopment is the new Weston Bridge between Burlington House and Burlington Gardens, uniting the two-acre campus and creating a new route between Piccadilly and Mayfair. The unified campus provides 70% more public space than the RA’s original Burlington House footprint, enabling it to expand its exhibition and events programme and to create new and free displays of art and architecture across the campus for visitors year-round. Dedicated galleries and displays explore the RA’s foundation and history in training artists, while changing exhibits and interventions showcase contemporary works by Royal Academicians and students at the art school at the heart of the campus. Since 1768, the Royal Academy’s founding principle has been to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and architecture, through a rich public programme of discussion and debate as well as exhibitions. The creation of the new 250-seat Benjamin The Dorfman Senate Room landing West Lecture Theatre, the Clore Learning Centre and the restoration of the Wolfson British Academy Room, will give the RA permanent spaces for it to thrive as a hub of learning and debate well into the future. A new public route through the campus will integrate the Royal Academy Schools, located at the very heart of the academy, into the visitors’ experience revealing the RA’s important role in arts education and its long tradition of training artists. The new Weston Studio – a public project space for students and alumni – and views of the Schools’ Corridor and the newly landscaped Lovelace Courtyard will provide visitors with a greater insight into Britain’s longest established art school.

The transformation of the Royal Academy has included the vital conservation of the Grade Two*-listed building that is 6 Burlington Gardens (above left). Designed by Sir James Pennethorne as the headquarters for the University of London, on a site which had previously been part of the garden of Burlington House, it was regarded as a masterpiece of mid-Victorian architecture. The new David Chipperfield designed architecture, together with the careful conservation of the façade, the reinstatement of the lecture theatre and restoration of The Dorfman Senate Rooms by Julian Harrap Architects, will contribute to the nationally renowned significance of Burlington Gardens. q Images courtesy of Rory Mulvey and Simon Menges

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Thriving partnership paves the way to train giant’s new tech centre [

AS PART OF its on-going partnership with Alstom Transport, RCA Construction has helped design and construct a number of infrastructure upgrades at Alstom’s new Transport Technology Centre in Widnes – part of the growing Liverpool City Region. The major transport services and vehicle supplier has vacated its former home at a historic factory building in Preston following a major organisational restructure. The new site in Widnes forms a natural home for Alstom’s increasingly digitally-focused business and it plans to centralise technologies and capabilities at its new world-class facility – increasing its productivity and competitiveness. RCA Construction was appointed by Alstom to act as main contractor for the design and construction of a new 5,000m2 car park and additional workshop building, internal remodelling of offices, mechanical and electrical fit-out and the co-ordination of the logistics of the move from Preston to Widnes. The site is currently responsible for overhauling the Class 390 Pendolino fleet currently operated by Virgin Trains and the enhancements delivered by RCA will help to extend Alstom’s offering and increase their opportunities in that marketplace. RCA was required to mobilise quickly in order to transition from tender stage designs into a workable construction delivery programme. An on-site design office was established as part of the site mobilisation, to help develop the feasibility work into a detailed design. Utilising real-time design information meant challenges were easier to overcome, allowing the client to make quick decisions – without impacting on the overall programme. That helped reduce time delays and minimise risks to the overall scheme. One of the many elements of the project involved the design and installation of an overhead gantry crane, which required precision design detailing to incorporate the new crane within the limitations of the existing building. The structural design capability of RCA Construction enabled the installation to be undertaken with minimum impact on Alstom’s day-to-day working arrangements. RCA’s innovative design team provided 3D modelling to offer fully engineered solutions, providing both a visualisation facility for the client and clarity for

The new 5,000m2 concrete car park extension

the construction delivery team – thus showcasing a true design-and-build ethos. The successful delivery of the programme highlights RCA’s ability to offer a pragmatic approach when working in live production environments. All of the construction work undertaken was sequenced and co-ordinated around Alstom’s existing production arrangements. While that can often be challenging from a construction delivery perspective, RCA’s flexibility and willingness to adapt proved pivotal when securing the project. RCA Construction is a privately-owned business operating within The Rawlings Group. The company was formed in 2002 and has grown to become a well-established building and construction services business – with a proven track record for delivering award-winning projects. From the beginning the business has set out to understand the needs of its customers, by providing a flexible, can-do approach. The company’s ethos is to support customers by delivering successful projects which can often be deemed challenging at the outset. With a committed and focused team of staff, RCA Construction derives great value from repeat business. Its long-term partnering

Installation of the overhead gantry crane relationships with clients are testament to the success of that approach. q • For Design and Build queries, please contact Michael Burnside on 0161 393 8416 or email Michael@rcaconstruction.co.uk

The 3D visualisation (left) and the finished installation www.constructionnational.co.uk

Innovations in timber and By LEWIS TAYLOR, Timber Frame Consultant, TRADA

[ ALTHOUGH TIMBER CONSTRUCTION is often referred to as a

‘modern method of construction’ and there is much industry buzz around modular and offsite construction, the timber frame industry has been thriving in the UK for over 50 years, with a much longer history of importing panelised or modular timber frame buildings from North America and Canada. Looking back through the TRADA archives there is a plethora of information on timber frame construction dating back to the 1960s with TRADA’s Timber Frame Housing Design Guide first being published in 1968. Its foreword discusses many of the same issues which we are facing in today’s housing market and states: “If the National Plan target of 500,000 dwellings a year by 1970 is to be achieved, a substantial number of them will have to be built by nontraditional methods.” Modern timber frame housing

An illustration taken from the 1968 TRADA Timber Frame Design Guide Looking at today – and forward to tomorrow – we are still facing similar challenges to build housing quickly, efficiently and to a high standard; and still one of the most attractive ways of achieving that is through the use of prefabricated, panelised timber construction. Timber frame construction has now been a mainstay of the UK construction industry for decades, however the increasing popularity of timber, offsite construction, ‘modern methods of construction’ and sustainable buildings has seen its market share in the UK swell over the last decade to approximately 27% – based on Structural Timber Association (STA) market share data. Recent data published by the STA indicates a potential cost saving (2-3%) and time saving (up to 30%) when constructing houses using timber frame offsite methods as opposed to masonry, and helps to show why the market share has been steadily growing. Whilst timber frame construction itself is not a new concept, modern engineered wood products and systems have helped

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innovation and growth in timber construction. Engineered timber composite floor joists – such as timber I-beams and metal web joists, LVL and glulam – have helped timber floors span larger distances and the improved dimensional stability of these products has helped reduce problems associated with shrinkage and squeaky floors. Glulam beams are not just limited to use in flooring. We have seen great advances in the use of large-section glue-laminated timber post and beam frames which are now commonly being used for schools, sports halls, education and retail buildings. The benefits of glulam over solid timber are many, and they include being able to use smaller, kiln dried sections of timber bonded together to form the larger posts and beams. This enables the use of smaller trees and results in finished beams manufactured close to their in-service moisture content, all but eliminating the shrinkage and movement typically associated with large-section solid timber. Perhaps the most notable recent development in engineered timber construction systems is cross-laminated timber (CLT). Large solid wood panels formed in a similar way to glulam beams, but with laminations in two (cross) directions rather than one, are now being used as floor, wall and roof elements in residential, office, education and commercial buildings. Buildings constructed using CLT have seen the envelope being pushed on what was traditionally thought possible in timber – the tallest, the largest, the longest! Notable CLT milestones include Murray Grove in Hackney (now 10 years old) which was, for a time, the tallest residential timber building in the world at nine stories tall. This has since been surpassed by other buildings in the UK and across the world. Other notable buildings include the Believe in Better building in London which was the UK’s first four-storey commercial office building constructed using timber. With softwood platform timber frame construction, there has been a notable trend over the last five years to bring more aspects of construction offsite. An example of this is the move to factory fitting thermal insulation products where quality control is generally far better than can be achieved on site. Along with this, many timber frame manufacturers now also factory fit vapour control layers and service void battens to external walls, enabling follow-on trades on site to quickly and easily install services, whilst maintaining the thermal and air tightness performance of the building envelope. Most timber frame manufacturers now prefabricate large section floor cassettes (rather than stick building floors on site) helping to further improve the speed of construction. The timber frame industry has benefited from the demand for increased performance in air tightness and lower U-values, which has been easily accommodated without substantial changes. The

offsite construction forefront, when speed may seem like the dominant factor. As much as innovation can result in new ideas and methods of working, the lack of skilled labour and the need for ease of construction on site should not be overlooked. Modern timber frames are an established and conventional method of construction in the UK. The current methods of working have evolved over decades, resulting in an excellent balance between the benefits of prefabrication and those of completing work on site – for example, where higher levels of prefabrication are carried out in the factory, we have learnt that it is very important to protect panels from exposure to rainwater during the construction phase.

An example of pre-insulated, prefabricated timber frame wall panels with metal web joists

Murray Grove, constructed in 2008 (finished in 2009) was, for a time, the world’s tallest residential timber building use of reflective membranes, more efficient insulation materials and continuous air barriers have helped deliver this. Whilst innovation in products and design help the industry meet the demands of the 21st century, it is important not to lose sight of the basic principles of good construction, both in terms of design and construction. It is also important to keep quality at the

In summary, both innovation and evolution in timber offsite construction in all its forms has resulted in high quality, cost effective, environmentally responsible and aesthetically desirable buildings, which are fast and easy to construct. The timber offsite construction market share is improving year-on-year and home owners are actively and enthusiastically choosing them. Perhaps the future imagined in those early TRADA timber frame articles, promotional and technical documents is at last here – now we need to share the success story of prefabricated timber buildings. q • For further information visit www.trada.co.uk

Expo builds on increasing significance of offsite [ LAST YEAR SAW the third Offsite Construction Show take its place

at the heart of the exhibition environment at London’s ExCeL. The show received overwhelming support from the offsite industry – proof that the industry, at last, has its very own showcase. It attracted over 2,000 visitors, representing every part of the UK’s building, construction, design and engineering community. This year’s show, OSCS2018, aims to build on that winning formula, and takes place on 20-21 November – again at ExCeL. It is anticipated that over 100 companies will be exhibiting, together with over 100 product groups: from building materials and composite panel manufacturers to design, engineering and construction consultants. There will be representatives from modular construction, hybrid products, precast concrete and timber frame manufacturers. Alongside the exhibition, a programme of seminars and workshops will feature expert speakers from across the industry.

In particular, this year’s show looks forward to welcoming the structural timber industry with dedicated presentations and a discussion panel each day, managed by the Structural Timber Association. q • For further information visit www.offsiteconstructionshow.co.uk www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Berkeley Modular and coBuilder make a decisive step towards offsite construction efficiency [ BERKELEY MODULAR, the volumetric modular construction arm of

Berkeley Group, has announced a new partnership with coBuilder which aims to boost the efficiency of offsite construction. The first-of-its-kind initiative in the residential sector will see coBuilder work with Berkeley Modular to set product data and documentation requirements for the materials, components and equipment to be incorporated into the company’s volumetric modular solution. The data will be collected as actual manufacturer’s data and digitised through standard-based product data templates. Berkeley Modular will use this data and associated materials and equipment to construct a range of volumetric modular housing products, all designed to match the high specification and excellent build standards that customers demand from the Berkeley Group. The partnership is part of Berkeley Modular’s drive to work in harmony with supply chain partners who, like coBuilder, are willing to work collaboratively to create the right sort of data, in the correct format. Data that can be fully integrated with the new modular factory’s efficient, technology-led approach to manufacturing new volumetric modular housing products.

Director Graham Cleland (right) said: “Having detailed information on the characteristics of the components, materials and equipment we use is vitally important to both delivering high quality products and being able to support through the usable life of the same. “We want to be able to specify products that ensure the comfort of those living in the homes we will manufacture, and also meet our own sustainability and build-quality requirements. Collecting data in a digital format from our supply chain will make it easy for us to control and continuously improve the quality and longevity of the homes we build.” Peter K. Foster Jnr., CEO of coBuilder UK (left), commented: “The aim of Berkeley Modular is to deliver high-quality, high-performing and comfortable homes, with less disturbance to neighbours and using sustainable practices. We are honoured that Berkeley Modular have chosen the path of standardisation and will work with coBuilder in order to manage standard-based construction product data.” Innovative offsite construction presents an opportunity for Berkeley Modular to create consistently high-quality homes, in a fully controllable and scalable manufacturing environment that puts technology at the forefront of the build process. To guarantee that its new facility operates at maximum efficiency and achieves the highest standard of construction and sustainability, Berkeley Modular intends to broaden the scope of its collaboration with coBuilder and its pioneering use of data in offsite construction. q

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Wales is a centre for construction innovation [A NEW CONSTRUCTION innovation centre for Wales has been

officially opened in Swansea. The Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) is based at University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) new £350m SA1 Swansea Waterfront development. It represents a landmark agreement between CITB and a consortium led by UWTSD, with CITB investing £6.5m. The CWIC hub will provide a ConstructZone, classrooms, dedicated IT suites and conference facilities. A scaffolding training facility will also be sited close by. The official opening was attended by representatives from across the construction and education sector, including CITB board chair Peter Lauener and its CEO Sarah Beale, UWTSD vice-chancellor Professor Medwin Hughes DL and its Council chair The Venerable Randolph Thomas. The event also marked the launch of the Construction Skills and Innovation Roadmap for Wales. The roadmap has been produced to highlight the need for an integrated strategy for workforce development for the sector over the next decade. The latest CITB Construction Skills Network research predicts the Welsh construction industry is set to grow quicker than any other part of the

UK – with over 12,000 new roles set to be created in the industry by 2022. The new centre will help meet the skills needs for future projects, including the South Wales Metro, Wylfa Newydd and regional, city and other growth deals. In September two new higher apprenticeship programmes in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying were launched to meet construction growth in Wales. Professor Medwin Hughes said: “Co-locating and collaborating with industry partners are key to the university’s vision for SA1 Swansea Waterfront. Together we are transforming the delivery of education to create a pipeline of employment-ready graduates across a range of disciplines and sectors. The development of the Construction Wales Innovation Centre, in partnership with the CITB, BRE and FE partners, is an example of how we are exploiting our collective expertise and the latest technological advances in order to support the burgeoning construction industry throughout Wales.” CWIC has already begun delivering courses across Wales through partner colleges Coleg Sir Gâr in Llanelli, Coleg Cambria in North East Wales, Coleg y Cymoedd in the Valleys and Coleg Ceredigion in West Wales, as well as the Building Research Establishment (BRE). q

College group celebrates building bridges [

THE COLLAB GROUP of colleges has held a celebratory event to mark the national rollout of its innovative Bridge into Construction programme. The event was held at Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) on 9 October and was attended by almost 70 delegates. They gathered to celebrate the success of the programme to date and to look forward to its full national roll out in the new academic year. The Bridge into Construction programme is a flexible talent engagement programme showcasing the full breadth of careers in construction. It gives all participants the opportunity to be informed, accredited and work-ready. The programme is endorsed by construction employers and available at colleges nationwide. It allows learners to experience all phases of a construction project from the tendering stage, through to design, construction and post-construction. In all, 11 colleges are involved in the programme nationally, with 69 students

currently enrolled. The ambition is for over 150 students to complete the programme over the course of the current academic year, and 1,000 over the next five years. Delegates at the event heard from a number of keynote speakers, including executive director of BMet Rebecca Hayes and Ian Pretty, the chief executive of Collab Group. They also had the opportunity to network with the colleges

delivering the programme and were given a tour of the facilities in the engineering and construction department at BMet’s James Watt campus. Overall, the day proved a great opportunity for employers to understand better how the Bridge into Construction programme can support them in getting new talent into their businesses. Ian Pretty commented: “The Bridge into Construction course provides a blueprint for how the construction sector can attract new talent and develop an innovative, entry-level career pathway. We hope that the programme will provide young people with routes into employment or apprenticeships. We look forward to seeing the programme build on its success and continue to grow in the coming years.” q • To find out more about the Bridge into Construction programme and potentially offer apprenticeships or work placements, contact builduk@collabgroup.co.uk.

Get the skills needed for life in construction [A ‘SKILLSET FOR LIFE’ is what New College Lanarkshire aims to

deliver– and its apprenticeships are a great way to get skills and a salary at the same time. The college trains hundreds of apprentices every year in a wide range of careers – many with direct applications in the construction industry. There are three levels of apprenticeships on offer: Foundation Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships and Modern Apprenticeships. Foundation Apprenticeships are studied by S5 and S6 pupils, who work with employers to gain a qualification that’s equivalent to a Higher. They allow pupils to gain valuable work experience and secure a head start on a career path. New College Lanarkshire offers Foundation Apprenticeships in a range of subjects, including Engineering, Software Development, Hardware and System Support and much more.

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Pre-Apprenticeships equip students with skills needed for securing a Modern Apprenticeship and are offered in Construction, Electrical Installation, Electronic Fire and Security, and Fabrication and Welding. Modern Apprenticeships combine studying for an industry-recognised qualification in the college’s state-of-the-art facilities with on-the-job training with an employer. Students can earn while they learn with a Modern Apprenticeship in such subject areas as Electronic Fire and Security, Business Administration and IT, and Engineering and Welding. The various schemes are all about combining learning with hands-on work in order to benefit the individual, their employer and the economy. q • To find out more email apprenticeships@nclan.ac.uk or visit the website at www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk

Game promotes construction careers [ A DOWNLOADABLE GAME demonstrating the benefits of a

career in construction was launched at the Skills Scotland show at Glasgow’s SEC. Construction Manager cost £200,000 to develop and is free-todownload. The project is part of a £2m joint investment strategy between various partners and projects, including Learn Direct and Build (LDB) and CITB. The game has been developed by a team of academic experts based at City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus and was unveiled to a Skills Scotland audience of around 6,000 young people and teachers. Its main aim is to attract more Modern Apprentices into the Scottish construction industry. Construction Manager challenges players to grow a small single-trade construction company into a multi-trade profitable business. To succeed

Construction training courses and/or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges: Bath College T: 01225 312 191

W: www.bathcollege.ac.uk E: apprenticeships@bathcollege.ac.uk

they are required to make decisions relating to recruitment, training and staff management, while balancing budgets and growing their company reputation. Players are encouraged to explore different management styles to see the impact their decisions then have on their company. Douglas Morrison, associate director of innovation and STEM at City of Glasgow College and project sponsor of the game, said: “Construction Manager is fun and engaging, but it also has a serious element which we hope can be used by educators and industry representatives to stimulate interesting discussions in the classroom. “For example, we regularly see players going bankrupt in their first engagement with the game due to health and safety injuries or poor resource management. We also see players struggle to build in-game reputation due to investment in non-sustainable materials and poor workforce diversity.” q

Apprenticeships at Salford City College T: 0161 631 5555 E: apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk W: www.salfordcc.ac.uk

Frontier House, Merchants Quay, Salford M50 3SR

The Sheffield College

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West College Scotland

T: 020 3667 0294 E: admissions@bdc.ac.uk W: www.bdc.ac.uk

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Weymouth College

T: 0300 555 8080 E: info@nclan.ac.uk W: www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk Motherwell Campus, 1 Enterprise Way,

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Quality care providers are flourishing [

AS WE HAVE seen in previous issues, despite concerns over capacity and future funding, there is a part of the care sector that has been expanding in recent years – those care homes that provide a high-specification of facilities to complement the care being provided. That trend continues to be reflected in this issue – indeed, in the

case of two of the four new homes featured, they have been built and operated by providers whose facilities we have featured in past issues. The common denominator is that they are operated by small groups which have developed from within the care sector and have their roots firmly set in their local communities. q

Mayor adds seal of approval ahead of opening [

ON 26 SEPTEMBER Yorkshire-based Springfield Healthcare welcomed the Mayor of Ilkley Steve Butler, alongside a host of honoured and invited guests, to view and experience the town’s newest and most luxurious care home – Mayfield View – ahead of its opening on 1 October. The bespoke care home, which offers residential, nursing and dementia care, was designed by architects Norr Consultants and the building has been hailed a huge success. According to main contractor PDR MAYFIELD VIEW, ILKLEY Construction: “The four-storey brick, stone and slate-built home has been sympathetically designed as it sits in a prominent town centre space. It’s pretty rare for residents in care facilities to be able to enjoy a location. The building finish internally reflects the quality of location and view as well as their own garden space. The sense of wellbeing that these incorporates a cinema, spa and a fully-fitted day space at each level. bring shouldn’t be underestimated.” Externally, gardens have been designed to be used by all residents and Mayfield View benefits from a wonderful building with its own tea visiting families.” rooms, pub, gym, cinema and spa. A dedicated and professional team of PDR Construction has worked with Springfield Healthcare for two nurses, carers, hospitality and housekeeping staff and wellbeing team are decades. The site in Ilkley has followed on from Seacroft Green and The headed up by general manager Donna Laird. Grange in Leeds. Said Donna: “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the team that have At Mayfield View, the beautifully-designed rooms and communal areas created such a wonderful home and we can’t wait to start our real job now afford superb views over the famous moors, the Wharfe Valley and the – caring for people who perhaps are finding things a little too difficult to home’s own stunning gardens. The light floods in and visitors have manage at home or who are perhaps in an existing care home but looking described it as more akin to a five-star hotel. for something a little different.” One care professional commented: “It really is a truly amazing, calming Springfield Healthcare has over 50 years experience in delivering care services to the people of Yorkshire and beyond. Beginning with a familyowned care home in Garforth, West Yorkshire, in 1967, the company has been growing ever since and now has 250 registered care beds in the Leeds area. q

The Mayor of Ilkley Steve Butler (left) with resident Val Hancock and Graeme Lee, CEO of Springfield Healthcare, at the opening ceremony

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Refurb creates a unique dining experience

RYTON TOWERS, RYTON

[WELLBURN CARE HOMES, one of the

North East’s leading care home providers, has recently completed a refurbishment programme at their Ryton Towers home – a stunning 19thcentury manor house, set in two acres of secluded private grounds in a conservation area in the quiet and peaceful village of Ryton. The refurbishment project was completed by Wellburn’s own construction arm, with the help of trusted sub-contractors. Through the use of carefully thought out design, the refurb has resulted in a complete transformation of the home. The finished project includes the creation of a new quirky reception area, with a fabulous artificial cherry blossom tree acting as the centre piece, set against a backdrop of bird-themed wallpaper, a park bench and even an authentic post box – allowing residents to immerse themselves in the space. The main lounge was also transformed with a brand new interior, and the former dining room converted into a library – with its conservatory being utilised as a space for residents to enjoy a full activities programme. The main feature of the entire project, however, was the creation of a whole new dining experience – The Pantry – a project that’s been on Wellburn’s executive chairperson Rachel Beckett’s radar for a while. “We wanted this area to have a real homely feel to it – to create a space that feels like the heart of the home,” says Rachel. “The Pantry

is the result of a vision I’ve had for a while and we were looking for the right opportunity to realise it. We called the project ‘The Pantry’, something we hoped would evoke memories. It’s such a perfect name.” With clever use of the space, different areas to dine and relax were introduced, with tables for two, wheelchair accessible tables and booths, right up to family orientated tables. Rachel continues: “It was also important that we tried to reduce as many physical barriers as possible. We wanted residents to be able to move around the space, freely and uninhibited.” Another key aim was to create a space that promotes casual unplanned interaction. The solution was the introduction of a few different features. One of these is a drop-down area, which allows residents to sit together and get involved with the preparation and garnishing of certain dishes and recipes. There is also a conservatory area which has a more café-style feel, leading on to what will be the next phase of the project, a kitchen garden. The innovative approach to space and dining is set against a backdrop of the highest standards of care. Ryton Towers’ 38 bedroom suites are designed to offer luxury, privacy and independence. The whole refurbishment programme drives home Wellburn’s core message: homes that have that ‘home from home’ feeling – your kind of home. q

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Latest offering provides a ‘home from home’

LIGHTHOUSE LODGE, NEW BRIGHTON

[

LIGHTHOUSE LODGE in New Brighton on The Wirral – the latest care facility from established provider Athena Healthcare – was officially opened on the 17 of October by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Geoffrey and Anne Watt, and will be welcoming residents very soon. With 80 bedrooms providing superior residential and nursing care, the new home will deliver a ‘home from home’ environment for all residents. The new building has been fitted out to an exceptional standard. High-quality furnishings are blended with practical and easily accessible facilities to help residents support themselves and receive extra help should they need it. Registered manager Kerry Winstanley said at the opening ceremony: “It is every home manager’s dream to take the reins of such a wonderful building as Lighthouse Lodge, and I feel really privileged to be leading the team here who are simply fabulous. I am so very excited and I can’t wait for residents to come and experience the beautiful environment and person-centred care we provide.” The management will be working alongside health and social care commissioners and agencies to help provide the most appropriate care and support for people’s health and wellbeing. Individuals’ needs will be assessed according to cultural background, language, gender, disability, age, sexuality, religion and beliefs. Additional facilities will also be provided for couples. Lighthouse Lodge has been designed and constructed by the established team that have delivered previous projects for Athena Healthcare: architects NJSR and main contractor Jupiter Construction. The facilities are arranged over four floors to meet the varying needs of residents. The upper floors provide a hotel-style level of service for people who are ageing well, with a relatively low level of dependency. That is ideal for individuals who have chosen to live in a care home community while continuing to enjoy a varied and busy life. Residents are encouraged to enjoy their lives exactly as they did when they lived at home through activities in the local community and within the care home.

The lodge can also provide the next level of care, offering a smooth transition for those in need of more support. The two lower levels are designed for people with higher levels of dependency, who require full assistance with daily life and personal care from specially trained staff. That includes residents who are living with dementia as a result of conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Dedicated nursing staff and a designated nurses’ station will ensure all medical needs are met – providing peace of mind to residents and their families that medical conditions can be managed professionally and appropriately. From simple touches such as colour specific designated areas and easy-to-identify signage, residents can familiarise themselves with their surroundings and feel safe and secure. Lighthouse Lodge is also fully designed for wheelchair and mobile bed access. Each floor also has communal areas, including dining and sitting rooms. Careful attention has been paid to make each area comfortable and distinctive, with specially chosen fabrics and colours. Furniture is arranged in small groups just as it would be at home. Intelligent design helps guide residents around the facilities and clever use of colour helps those living with dementia manage spatial awareness. The top floor has a balcony terrace with picturesque river views and residents will also have the use of a bistro cafe in the reception area. An added facility on offer at Lighthouse Lodge is the provision of respite care for people making the transition from hospital to home following medical treatment. It offers ‘home-from-home’ style facilities for those returning from lengthy treatment sessions, who require assistance in regaining their independence. Respite care can also be used as light relief for families caring for a loved one. It provides peace of mind that relatives are being cared for in a safe environment while also giving residents a mini-break and a change of scenery. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Grand opening for refurbished

MULBERRY HOUSE, DEVON

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ON 19 JULY Mulberry House Residential Home in Bovey Tracey, Devon, opened its doors after major renovations and refurbishment. The many visitors included the Mayor of Teignmouth, Janet Blair, former Mayor Avril Kerswell, who is now chairman of Teignbridge District Council and

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local artist Becky Bettesworth. Janet Blair helped to plant a mulberry tree to commemorate the opening day. The newly-refurbished Mulberry House is the latest addition to the portfolio of Buckland Care â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a family-run company which operates 12

home ‘rescued’ after closure

nursing and residential homes across the South of England. The company took over the home after it had to close six months previously. It is located in a beautiful, rural setting on the edge of Dartmoor. In a statement the directors of Buckland Care said: “Our amazing team has been working tremendously hard over the past six months. We have been overwhelmed by the strong sense of community spirit in Bovey Tracey and have had so many supportive messages, which have motivated us hugely along the way. Our vision was to go beyond the preconceived idea of a care home and to create a home for our residents that has the look and feel of a country house hotel.” Mulberry House has 42 bedrooms on the ground and first floors. All are wheelchair accessible and all have en-suite facilities. Some have access to the home’s terrace; others have beautiful views across the countryside. There are also a few spacious suites which can accommodate couples. The home is divided into a number of zones, some of which have features that form part of the original architecture, while others are new extensions. That allows the home to cater for both traditional and modern tastes. As well as a light and airy dining room there are three lounges, all with different themes: the Dartmoor Library, Brimley Vale Tea Room and The Aviary. The Dartmoor Library is a traditional-style, cosy lounge – the perfect place to go to relax and read a book. The Brimley

Vale Tea Room is a bright, social lounge with a tea and coffee machine and fresh cakes on request: an ideal area to entertain guests. The Aviary is a tranquil living room full of foliage and calming green tones. Mulberry House has extensive gardens, full of beautiful trees and flowers to explore. The dining room also leads out onto an accessible terrace, as does The Aviary and many of the bedrooms – perfect for eating al fresco on warm, summer days. The sun shone down on the opening party, where there was a BBQ, jazz band and afternoon tea. Tours were held throughout the day and everyone had the opportunity to speak to the new manager, Jean Simpson. q

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Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility Do you work with plants? If so, do you understand your biosecurity responsibilities? TIM EDWARDS, chairman of Boningale Nurseries, offers some valuable advice to contractors.

[

THREATS TO plant health are ever-changing, as are the regulations that govern their use. All those working with plants have a responsibility to keep abreast of those regulations. A contractor should know the answers to three key questions concerning plants: • While the meaning of ‘plant health’ is clear, what is meant by •‘biosecurity’? • What regulations impact on the construction industry – and how are •responsibilities changing? • How can a professional understand and mitigate the risks associated •with plant pests and disease? Construction is constantly changing and the number of plants used in the urban environment is increasing. Plants move ever-greater distances and transporting them increases the threat to plant health. ‘Biosecurity’ is the term used to describe the actions that need to be taken to reduce threats to plant health. Institutions such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) continuously review the threats to the nation’s plants and amend the regulations to improve biosecurity. It is important to keep informed of those changes, because ignoring them can have financial and legal consequences. All imports of certain high-risk plants must be notified to

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the authorities and they, in turn, must inspect a given percentage of such plants. Plants used on your projects will be inspected, and you will be expected to understand the current regulations and play your part in the nation’s biosecurity. Supply nurseries carry the greatest responsibility for biosecurity, but they are not alone: anyone purchasing or even specifying plants has responsibilities and they should take measures to ensure plants used are free from pest and disease. That can only be done by gaining knowledge of a supplier, so be rigorous in checking your supply nursery. Question the nursery’s biosecurity and ask what action it takes to protect plant health and to mitigate recognised plant health risks. Ask if it has a plant health policy detailing its approach to biosecurity. As the risks to plant health change, so do the regulations controlling the movement of plants. Thankfully, there are resources to explain the issues and to offer practical guidance. The websites of both DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) provide information on this constantly-evolving landscape and a good nursery will be willing to advise and guide. Remember: identify and assess risks, monitor suppliers and protect the environment and your company. q

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Welcome to our A to Z guide of the websites of some of the industry’s leading players.

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Pilot group set up to test new construction OSH product [B&CE, the not-for-profit construction financial products company,

has launched a pilot group of 18 companies to help develop a new product aimed at improving occupational health provision across the construction industry. The pilot group, made up of major contractors and SMEs who represent thousands of construction workers, self-employed workers and occupational health service providers, will play a key role in testing various iterations of B&CE’s new product during its development phase. The initiative has the support of the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG) – in particular the ambition of B&CE to improve the health of construction workers and to provide a consistent approach to occupational health across the industry. According to HCLG: “Their plans were well-received when announced back in 2017 at the HCLG’s health summit for construction CEO’s and senior leaders, and are now coming to fruition with the launch of the pilot group. “Having a consistent approach to health data will assist the industry in determining where it needs to spend time and effort to reduce harm, and will enable the industry to better measure the effectiveness of our health strategies. We also support their ambition of providing a portable record which will make it easier for workers to move from project to project without having additional occupational health assessments which result in increased costs and wasted time.” Alongside the pilot group, B&CE is inviting construction companies and occupational health providers to join a panel, which will be invited to share industry experience and inform specific aspects of the scheme. q

On site mental health is an issue for everyone [ONE OF THE main issues being

addressed by the Health in Construction Leadership Group is that of mental health in the industry. Figures from the ONS revealed there were over 1,400 suicides of construction workers in the five years to 2015 – more than any other industry. To tackle the scourge, in 2016 the HCLG established Mates in Mind with the support of the British Safety Council. Mates in Mind is a registered charity operating in the UK, with the aim of providing clear information to employers on available support and guidance on mental health, mental illness and mental wellbeing, and how they can address that within their organisations. Mates in Mind aims to: • Raise awareness and understanding of mental health and mental ill-health • Help people to understand how, when and where to get support • Break the silence and stigma through promoting cultures of positive • wellbeing throughout the industry The organisation has an ambitious goal: to have reached 75% of the construction industry by 2025. According to Mates in Mind: “Life in construction offers jobs and careers full of energy with a unique mix of diversity, skills sets, opportunity and life experience. It offers workers across the UK a chance to change the face of the world we live in, both for themselves and for others. “Because of this, every single person in construction deserves the chance of positive mental health. Also, because of this we know that together we’ll get construction talking.” q

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Work yourself healthy: every business can benefit from ergonomic workplace design [

BUSINESSES ARE becoming increasingly aware of the importance of employee health and wellbeing and there is little doubt that the workplace of the future will place greater emphasis on solutions that encourage physical activity during the workday, to combat the negative effects of prolonged sitting and improve employee productivity. One company that can help to create well-planned, healthy work environments completely customised to every business is A J Products. Ergonomic design has been one of the cornerstones of the interior solutions and product development of A J Products since the company was established in 1975. Throughout the range they have placed a focus on functionality and ergonomics, to help make workplaces safer, healthier and more convenient for staff. They think that staying fit and healthy should be something that anyone can do. Given the long hours many adults spend sitting down while at work, it is essential to combat that issue in the workplace: a concept that is increasing in popularity with businesses across all sectors. Said UK managing director David English: “We encourage workers to get fit at their desks through our range of affordable sit-stand desks and active office furniture. Moreover, our solutions extend to all types of workplaces, including workshops, manufacturing facilities and warehouses. We are committed to making workplaces happier and healthier places to be.” There is extensive research to suggest that a sedentary lifestyle can lead to health conditions that include obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and musculoskeletal problems, even if the person does regular exercise. On the other hand, standing up for just a few extra hours a day can have huge health benefits. A study conducted by the University of Chester measured the effects of standing for at least three hours a day for a week. According to a report by the BBC, it showed that, by doing this every day for a year, someone can burn about 30,000 extra calories – the equivalent of running about 10 marathons.

The active office To effect change in the office it is important to give employees the flexibility to choose how to work, according to what suits their needs and tasks. Sit-stand desks will have a major impact on employee health, but are even more successful when combined with other active office furniture. Active sitting chairs complement desks to keep the body moving even when sitting, strengthening back and core muscles, and improving circulation. AJ have also launched an exciting new product range that will revolutionise meetings and conferences. The latest addition to their active furniture range is a unique, height-adjustable meeting table that makes it easy to switch between sitting and standing meetings – boosting both productivity and fitness. Said David English: “At AJ Products, our solutions make sure staff never sit still at work!”

Ergonomics in the industrial workplace While the trend for sit-stand furniture in offices is growing, AJ Products is uniquely situated to be able to help businesses across all sectors to prioritise employee wellbeing. For over 40 years they have been supplying furniture and customising interior solutions for every type of workplace: from offices and conference facilities to manufacturing plants and warehouses. Their range of sit-stand workbenches offers greater flexibility for employees doing packing and assembly work, to encourage a healthier way of working, while their cleverly-designed trolleys and material handling solutions help prevent injuries in warehouses. As part of their commitment to healthy and active lifestyles, AJ Products is proud to be a member of ukactive – a not-forprofit organisation comprising over 3,500 members and partners from across the UK active lifestyle sector, whose aim is ‘…to get more people more active, more often’. Innovative, ergonomic office furniture is just one area of expertise in AJ Products’ extensive product range. They also provide premises management equipment, materials handling solutions, lockers and changing room facilities, conference furniture, warehouse shelving and racking, workbenches, industrial matting and much more. David concluded: “Thanks to our 40-plus years of experience, AJ Products can provide a complete solution, from free-of-charge project planning and design suggestions to quick delivery and installation. We are a one-stop shop for all workplace needs. Whether it’s a one-off order or a large refit project, AJ Products is here for whatever you need and will help you deliver a welcome solution to any client.” q • For more information on how AJ Products can support your design project visit www.ajproducts.co.uk or call 0800 634 4369 to speak to their sales team. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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While specialist skills aid conservation, zoos have conventional needs too [AS WE HAVE SEEN over the course of the

past couple of years, construction work carried out within zoos has its own specialisms. A number of considerations have to brought together – the visitor experience, safety elements for keepers and other workers, creating an environment that emulates the wild for the particular species in order for it to thrive and reproduce and – paramount of all – the welfare of the animals in question. The combination of these elements allows zoos to perform what has become their primary function: the conservation of endangered species. That function was the reason for the expansion of the drill enclosure at Port Lympne in Kent, the headquarters of the Aspinall Foundation. The endangered baboons now have a more suitable environment for breeding and possibly even reintroduction to the wild. Founded by the flamboyant socialite John Aspinall, the foundation also runs Howletts Wild Animal Park nearby. The two have embarked on a number of new developments recently, and

last year we reported on the new enclosure for snow leopards at Howletts. Marsupials, and in particular kangaroos, are mostly associated with Australia; but a number of kangaroo and wallaby species are also to be found in South East Asia. One example is the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo, which is critically endangered in the wild. A solitary individual of that species has now taken up residence at Chester Zoo’s Islands zone. It shares its home with a group of dusky pademelons – a species of wallaby. The Islands project comprises a series of phases, which we have been following over a twoyear period. Together they constitute the largest development in zoo history. Whatever the serious function of a zoo, it is also a visitor attraction. The conservation work has to be financed – as well as the fact that zoological gardens are traditionally places where visitors could view exotic animals. The result is that many zoos have attractions that are only loosely related to the animal husbandry, but act as educational facilities – usually for children.

One such is the Ice Age exhibit at West Midland Safari Park in Bewdley. The animatronic attraction features long-extinct species associated with early man’s struggle for survival. It follows the opening of the successful Land of the Living Dinosaurs earlier this year. Zoos are also businesses, and the conventional business activities need to evolve with the times. Nothing is more businesslike than the ticketing booths and shops. Being located at the entrance of the zoo, they are also its public face and must look the part. That is why a number of zoos have been revamping their ticketing facilities. Specialist contractors are not the only branch of the construction industry to become involved with the activity of zoos. Builders and housebuilders have the opportunity to contribute to the work of zoos – and raise their community profile – by donating materials and even waste products. An example was the donation to Chester Zoo of tree clippings from a site clearance by developer Stewart Milne Homes – reported by local press. q

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It’s not just the animals that get refurbs

Building site provides food for zoo [WHEN HOUSEBUILDER Stewart Milne Homes set about clearing

[WORK CURRENTLY underway at Colchester Zoo acts as a reminder

that keeping a zoo going requires a lot of behind-the-scenes and supporting activity. At Colchester that involves work at the main entrance to develop a brand new admissions building – part of a number of phases to improve the entrance and retail areas. Further work will be taking place next year to improve the ticketing desks and make two shops into one. Passholders and pre-paid tickets will be able to bypass the ticketing area completely and access the zoo via a new gate system being installed. q

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trees and plants from a former factory site in Cheshire, prior to its redevelopment for 265 homes, the result was around six tonnes of vegetation. Rather than let the material go to waste, the developer donated the material to nearby Chester Zoo to feed the animals. Chris Gee, animal supplies department manager at the zoo, told local press: “Browse is an essential part of many zoo animals’ diet. We feed it to a whole host of species at the zoo, including giraffes, elephants, rhinos, camels and porcupines. “Indeed, as well as some fresh branches, the elephants will also chew on the left-over browse that the giraffes have had enough of. Then, when they’re done with it, it’s chipped and recycled into the soil.” The developer approached the zoo through its ecological management contractor Ecological Land Management Ltd. John Lee, commercial manager at Stewart Milne Homes, said: “Clearing out the site was a big job to do; and across 18 hectares we had a lot of shrubbery and clippings which were left over. “Rather than let it go to waste we approached the keepers at Chester Zoo, who explained just how nutritious this type of vegetation is for some of their animals. A team of keepers and interns came down to the site to collect the truck loads of clippings and as soon as we have more we’re sure they will be back again.” q

Endangered primates have their home upsized [PORT LYMPNE HOTEL & RESERVE in Kent

DRILL ENCLOSURE - PORT LYMPNE HOTEL & RESERVE has relocated its troop of 10 drill to a spacious new home that is four times bigger than their previous habitat. The critically-endangered primates are now able to inhabit almost 800m2 in the award-winning reserve. Drills are a large, short-tailed forest baboon that live in multi-male, multi-female groups of up to 20-30, but can form ‘super troops’ of 200. With only two breeding groups of drills in Britain it is hoped that, with new environmental enrichment and space, the reserve will continue its successful breeding efforts with the species and more infants will be born this year. Conservation of endangered species is at the core of what Port Lympne does and the new enclosure is another example of the lengths to which the organisation will go to create the most natural environment possible for its animals. An exceptional commitment to animal welfare is why the reserve, working in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation, continues to be a world leader in successful animal husbandry and breeding programmes. One of the most endangered African primates, drill are only found in Animal director Simon Jeffery commented: “We built a new habitat for the the area from the Cross River in Nigeria to the Sanaga River in Cameroon, drills as these critically-endangered primates are breeding well and needed more in lowland, coastal and riverine tropical rainforest. Numbers have been space for future breeding. We are always looking to increase the size of our decreasing in the wild due to hunting, deforestation and mining for coltan – habitats where possible for all our animals. With only 2,000 left in the wild this which is commonly used in mobile phones. is a very important species to work with.” Visitors to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve are able to see over 700 animals, He added that it is hoped to re-introduce some of the drills into the wild including the troop of drill. q in the future.

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West Midlands experiences a new Ice Age

ICE AGE EXHIBIT - WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK

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THE UK’S LARGEST Ice Age exhibit has opened at West Midland Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcestershire. Ice Age is an immersive, multi-sensory experience that allows guests to step back in time and walk among the magnificent creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. The £1.25m project has three distinct and interactive time zones and also features an enormous rumbling volcano and huge atmospheric ice cave – both of which can be walked through by explorers. Complementing Land of the Living Dinosaurs, which opened in 2015, Ice Age continues the prehistoric journey and shows life on Earth after dinosaurs became extinct. The captivating exhibit begins at the start of the Cenozoic era nearly 65 million years ago and features over 20 life-sized species of mammal, the majority of which are animatronic. The moving, breathing and roaring creatures include a giant ground sloth, menacing hell pig and a herd of enormous mammoth. A ferocious smilodon – also known as the sabre-toothed cat – guards the entrance to the exhibit among rockwork, with the Ice Age lettering emblazoned underneath. Project manager Neil James said: “We are extremely proud of our new exhibit, which has taken over six months for us to create, install and complete. We have called upon international expert manufacturers and sculptors to create these magnificent creatures and their animatronic attributes, making them seem as life-like as possible. “The biggest challenge for us was installing the huge volcano without giving away too much! Although we had several setbacks due to the cold weather, the build has been very successful and we have utilised a previously unused space between the Discovery Trail and the four-mile Safari Drive-through. We really hope that our guests enjoy the captivating journey that Ice Age will take them on.” Visitors can experience the significant climate changes the planet underwent millions of years ago to the present day: from volcanic lands and lush greenery through to barren landscapes with vast ice sheets stretching across large parts of the Earth. After the hugely successful Land of the Living Dinosaurs exhibit, park developers began to conceptualise the project over two years ago, with a vision to tell the story of how plants, animals and geography have changed over millions of years, including the effect of man’s influence on the planet. q

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Greenspan – the perfect match for West Midland Safari Park’s Ice Age exhibit [CREATING THEMED, immersive visitor

attractions that are visually impressive and structurally sound is extremely high on Greenspan Projects Ltd’s agenda. Greenspan’s innovative, bespoke approach to the design and build of visitor attractions provided the perfect match for West Midland Safari Park (WMSP) in the creation of their recently opened Ice Age exhibit. Using WMSP’s concept designs, Greenspan were responsible for the structural drawings through to onsite construction and utilised their design and build expertise to create the volcano centerpiece and surrounding boardwalk to the exhibit. The striking volcano, which features an internal ice cave, required meticulous structural planning to ensure its practical and engineered integrity. The support structure incorporates a substantial steel frame secured onto concrete base plates. A reinforced steel mesh was molded onto the underlying steel frame to provide the overall volcano shape. To achieve the volcano rock texture, concrete was sprayed onto the steel mesh to form the volcano shell and the lining to the internal tunnel. The internal first floor tunnel was cleverly designed to look like a volcanic lava tube, embellished with decorative rockwork to achieve an authentic feel. The sprayed concrete was finished with masonry paint and a polyurethane lacquer to provide maximum durability. Greenspan’s technical designers produced 3D renders and visuals of the volcano to ensure that the design worked well across all elevations and

Overview of the design and construction phase achieved a realistic, multi-faceted rockface appearance. Visitors are able to weave their way in and around the exhibit via the elevated timber boardwalk. The rustic boardwalk design is in keeping with the safari park’s natural surroundings and provides easy access to the two-level volcano. The boardwalk is secured on concrete foundations and steel bracing. Beautiful chestnut pales provide the visible boardwalk structure which is clad with timber deckboards. q

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Turnkey service meets with royal approval [THE ABILITY TO offer a unique ‘turnkey’

service is a source of great pride to Nautilus Attraction Developments – drawing on years of extensive experience in their highly-specialised field. Zoo and aquarium exhibits have been their core focus since the company’s inception over 18 years ago. As a result of that high level of expertise, a unique, innovative and creative company has been able to continue to grow and flourish. A major development for this year is the company’s acceptance as corporate members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). That enables them to support the amazing work done across Europe by many of their friends and colleagues. Nautilus recently expanded the possibilities of project design even further by embracing VR technology – enabling clients to virtually experience their planned projects before they’ve even been built! Director Paul Bullimore described recent activity: “We have had a really exciting summer, completing some great projects across the UK. Our project to design and build the new visitor centre at the Kielder Salmon Centre was officially opened and got an approving nod from HRH Prince of Wales (above). “Another really exciting project was the building of two koala exhibits and a wombat exhibit at Longleat (left). The new residents will be the first southern koalas in the UK. They will spend the winter settling in before the doors officially open next spring.” On a completely different level, Nautilus completed work at the Birmingham NEC on the Bear Grylls Adventure. The huge project, which is now open, consisted of the fibreglass lining of a huge dive tank, glazing the 5m-long acrylic window, all the theming – including the shipwreck and dive cave – and all the pre-show changing areas. In addition to the dive experience itself, Nautilus completed several hundred square metres of rockwork theming, both inside and outside the attraction. Nautilus are also corporate members of British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA), and as such play a key role in supporting and attending their conferences. That enables them to really understand developments in exhibit design, focusing on the needs of the animals and keepers as well as the aesthetic appeal.

Said Paul Bullimore: “Conferences we have attended across Europe – including the Zoo Design Conference – have been of huge benefit in enabling us to ensure we are in a position to offer real value to clients’ projects.” The team have unsurpassed levels of experience not only in designing and building zoo and aquarium projects, but also in operating them – setting them apart from other companies in the industry. It is that operational experience that has enabled them to provide unique support to clients in designing and building a range of world-class exhibits. The services they offer are integrated and seamless: design, project management, construction, technical services, glazing, theming and planting. As a result of a number of consecutive years of steady, controlled growth Nautilus are extremely proud to be helping a range of major zoo and aquarium clients to realise their ambitious projects. Recent and current clients include Marwell Zoo, Chester Zoo, Banham Zoo, Zurich Zoo, Longleat Safari Park, Liverpool Museums, the Eden Project, Environment Agency, Bear Grylls Adventure and Paradise Wildlife Park. As ever, they are currently designing and planning several exciting projects across UK zoos and aquaria. In addition to services such as theming, design and installation of life support systems design, tank and pool design and construction, clients are increasingly coming to Nautilus for creative design services. There has been a major shift in the style of immersive, themed exhibits over recent years, enabling the team to really push their design approach – and the team at Nautilus continue to relish the challenge of creating truly unique concept designs for their valued clients. q

The Bear Grylls Adventure at the Birmingham NEC www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Tree kangaroo adds to Chester’s species range TREE KANGAROO HABITAT - CHESTER ZOO

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CHESTER ZOO’S innovative Islands zones extended their range of species in May when Sangria the tree kangaroo made her bouncing debut. Sangria – a Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo – arrived as part of a global conservation breeding programme for the species, which is in grave danger of extinction in the wild. She now lives alongside the UK’s only dusky pademelons – a rare species of miniature wallaby. The Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo is a tree-dwelling marsupial, native to the mountainous rainforests of Papua New Guinea. Much smaller than their common cousins, tree kangaroos live off the ground, using their tails to hang from branches and their strong limbs for climbing. However, the species is now under threat from hunting and habitat destruction in its homeland and around half of its population has been lost in the past 30 years. Mike Jordan, collections director at Chester Zoo, said: “Many people associate kangaroos with Australia, but the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo actually comes from Papua New Guinea. There are no primates on the island and possibly the last thing you’d think would evolve to live in trees is a kangaroo – but that’s exactly where they are found. “They are very well adapted to live in forests, with a long tail to give balance when jumping from branch to branch, curved claws and rubbery soles to help with grip when climbing and strong, stocky arms to help them grasp tree trunks. “Sadly, though, these remarkably charismatic and highly interesting animals are teetering on the brink of extinction. Hunting for their meat and body parts, combined with deforestation for wood and timber and coffee and rice plantations, has severely reduced their range and subsequently their numbers. We really hope that Sangria, in her new home, will help us to create some much needed awareness of the species and its plight in the wild.” The new tree kangaroo and dusky pademelon habitat opened to visitors to Chester Zoo for the first time on 24 May. The main contractor was Read Construction – who have been involved in the Islands project since the first phase – and constructing the new habitat for Sangria and her pademelon companions involved solving some tricky problems. Electrical contractors System Electrical commented: “The tree kangaroo project for Chester Zoo presented unique challenges to understand and provide the correct ‘as-built’ environment for the enclosure’s inhabitants,

the public’s viewer experience and keeper/maintenance teams. System Electrical fully engaged with the client throughout the project to ensure those elements were delivered in the electrical installation.” q

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Electrification of heat is easy by EDWARD THOMPSON, director of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association

[IT HAS BEEN SAID that electrification of heat is difficult. This is what

people say of a problem when they can’t see the answer to it. An alternative form of excuse is to say ‘there is no silver bullet to solve carbon emissions from heating’. Let’s look at the problem first, and then find the answer. The problem is that, with a growing world population and increasing industrialisation, we are emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at an epic rate. For the last 20 thousand years up to the development of the steam engine in the eighteenth century the level of CO2 in the atmosphere only fluctuated between 260 and 290 parts per million (ppm). In the twentieth century it rose to 390 ppm. By May 2018 it had risen to 411 ppm, the highest level for over 800 thousand years. The effects are seen in the dramatic retreat of polar ice caps and unpredictable weather patterns that risk destabilising life on Planet Earth. The problem is caused by combustion. Combustion of coal, oil and gas to generate electricity, to power our transport and to heat our buildings has accelerated at an alarming rate over the last 200 years. Combustion is burning out of control and far exceeds the rate at which these reserves were laid down over the 60 million years of the carboniferous era. The answer to controlling carbon emissions is to reduce our rate of burning fossil fuels. It would be genuinely difficult to fly an aeroplane to New York without burning fuel. But transport is only part of the problem. Half the energy we use in this country is spent on heating and cooling our homes and buildings. It is not difficult to heat our buildings without burning gas: we can use heat transfer instead. The most efficient way to use heat transfer is to employ heat pumps. Heat pumps use a small amount of electricity to transfer – and concentrate – a large amount of heat from the environment into buildings. They release no CO2 on-site, and none at all if green electricity is used to run them. If they draw electricity from the National Grid, then the grid will emit some CO2 to the extent that the electricity was partly generated using combustion.

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The decarbonisation of the grid is progressing rapidly as coal is being phased out at the power stations, and wind and other renewables are ramping up. Even SAP 10 now recognises this with a current figure of 233 grams of CO2/kWh of electricity generated, compared to 519 grams of CO2/kWh in the previous version, SAP 2012. Curiously, SAP 10 states that the current figure should not be used yet as it is still to enter a period of consultation. There could be an argument for waiting for a consultation where there are matters of opinion to be debated, but where the facts are crystal clear there is nothing to debate and the current figure should surely now be used. The Mayor of London agrees. In the Energy Assessment Guidance published in October in relation to strategic planning applications, the Greater London Authority not only encourages the use of the updated carbon emission factor of 233 grams of CO2/kWh, but also asks anyone using the historic factor to provide a justification for doing so. It seems likely that many of the UK’s local planning authorities may now follow the lead of the GLA. This will encourage the uptake of heat pumps to heat our homes and buildings and in new ambient temperature district heating networks. If the answer is so clear that decarbonisation of heating can be achieved with heat pumps then why has the UK been so slow to adopt them? In Norway, 95% of new heating systems are based on heat pumps. In the UK that applies to less than 1%. In 2016 both France and Italy installed ten times as many heat pumps as were installed in the UK – and even Sweden installed five times as many. The key factors inhibiting the uptake of heat pumps in the UK include the higher availability of gas than many other European countries, the conservatism in the construction industry, the low price of gas in the UK compared to Germany or the Nordic countries and the fact that the UK does not have an effective policy framework to promote heat pumps.

It seems that the UK is happy to sign the UN Paris Agreement to aim to reduce carbon emissions, but is not happy to take effective measures to limit carbon emissions from heating. The government seems happy to hide behind the excuse that ‘there is no silver bullet to solve carbon emissions from heating’. The reality is that no amount of silver bullets will help to address the problem of carbon emissions. All you need is love – and a few heat pumps.

Air quality is also important The lack of combustion is a significant benefit of using heat pumps over gas boilers. Combustion of gas emits nitrous oxides, which is a key factor in poor urban air quality. In London 22% of the NO2 in the air is attributable to gas boilers used for heating. It is estimated that up to 9,500 people a year suffer premature deaths because of poor air quality in the city.

Alternative forms of low carbon heating Alternative forms of low carbon heating have also been considered.

These include direct electric heating, which has a significantly higher running cost, and the burning of hydrogen which emits no CO2 at the point of combustion. However, upgrading the gas grid to contain tiny hydrogen molecules would incur a huge national cost. Upgrading all the boilers in the UK to burn hydrogen would also be a significant task. Production of hydrogen by steam reformation emits large volumes of CO2 which would require the development of economic carbon capture and storage to achieve carbon neutrality. Hydrogen could also be derived from electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, although the overall efficiency would be less than 70% before accounting for distribution losses. This compares to an efficiency of well over 340% for a typical ground source heat pump. It is clear that the only practical route to heating without CO2 emissions is to avoid combustion. The alternative is to use heat transfer – which means using heat pumps. There is no need to search for esoteric alternatives when tried-and-tested heat pumps are available now. q

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NASC hosts second successful Safety Seminar

[ REPRESENTATIVES FROM main contractors and housebuilders

attended the NASC Safety Seminar in Manchester in September. The morning event saw delegates – consisting primarily of health and safety, contracts and operations professionals – discuss a range of issues relating to scaffolding and safety on site and ways in which the NASC and its members can work more collaboratively with them to further raise standards. The event was chaired by Wayne Connolly, NASC North and North

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Wales regional chair and managing director of Connolly Scaffolding Ltd. Speakers at the seminar included Des Moore, CEO of TRAD Group and NASC president, CISRS scheme manager David Mosley and Bill Hill, chief executive of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity. Wayne Connolly said: “It was fantastic to talk to people working throughout the north west who regularly employ the services of scaffolding contractors about safety and learn more about the issues and challenges they face. “The speakers helped frame the event, giving a quick overview of the NASC’s objectives and the areas on which it is actively working – including raising awareness of the importance of providing mental health support as well as improving mentoring opportunities and addressing the skills gap – which the delegates built upon during the break out and Q&A sessions.” Des Moore added: “I’d like to thank the delegates for giving up their time to join us at this informal seminar and for providing such useful views and opinions on the day. We’ll use this feedback to help refine and enhance our engagement with main contractors, housebuilders and other businesses that procure scaffolding in the future.” This seminar followed a similar NASC event held in London earlier this year. Further events will be held across the UK next year. q

New safety guidance on electrical issues

NASC releases TG20:13 maintenance update

[ A NEW safety guidance note has been published as part of

the NASC’s ongoing efforts to ensure all reference materials are both current and streamlined. SG5:18 Overhead Power Sources and Earthing of Scaffold Structures includes updated content derived from SG3:14 Earthing of Scaffolding Structures and SG5:11 Overhead Power Sources, both of which have been discontinued. It is available to purchase via the NASC online shop. Adrian Rooney, chair of the NASC Health and Safety Committee and managing director of Midland Scaffolding Services Ltd, said: “SG5:18 combines two existing guidance notes covering similar topics into one, making it easier for contractors to source information relating to electrical issues. “We’re constantly looking at ways to improve and expand the range of safety guidance notes and plan to publish two further notes in the coming months.” q

[THE NASC has released an updated version of its TG20:13 eGuide –

required by all existing users of version 1.2. Version 1.3 – which can be downloaded from the NASC website for free in Windows, Mac and Android formats – has been created in response to a recent change in the way Google Maps works. This change sometimes causes version 1.2 to stop when trying to progress from the wind map screen to the compliance sheet. Existing users will need to uninstall their current eGuide before installing the maintenance upgrade. This issue does not affect users with version 1.0 or 1.1 of the eGuide. The NASC will update the DVD edition for new customers. For technical support email CADS via support@cads.co.uk or call 01202 603733. q

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CISRS launches System Scaffold Product Inspection courses [

THE Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has broadened its training offering through the addition of a range of System Scaffold Product Inspection courses. In response to a growing use of systems scaffolding, CISRS has worked closely with a number of leading scaffolding manufacturers to create a standardised approach to systems training. This has resulted in the launch of three one-day courses, covering Haki, Layher and Peri Up systems. CISRS are very grateful for the input of the three companies involved to date and are confident that with a standardised approach to systems inspection now in place other manufacturers and suppliers will quickly get on board. The courses include a theory test based on general inspection and specific system product knowledge as well as a practical exam based on a drawing of the structure and faults provided by the manufacturer / supplier. Sean Pike, managing director of Layher UK Ltd and chair of the NASC’s Hire, Sales and Manufacturing committee, said: “Layher

welcomes the introduction of systems inspection training modules into the CISRS scheme, we have been pushing for this for some time. “While there has previously been ‘in-house’ manufacturer inspection training taking place, we are really pleased there is now a formalised route via the CISRS scheme for people to get their training recognised and endorsed onto their CISRS cards.” The courses are open to anyone holding a CISRS Basic Scaffolding Inspection (BSI) or Advanced Scaffolding Inspection (ASI) card, or CISRS Scaffolders or Advanced Scaffolders who have had their card renewed with CPD and showing the inspection endorsement. In accordance with the criteria for SSPTS training, inspectors who have successfully completed a CISRS System Scaffold Product Inspection course are deemed competent to inspect a system product of a similar type, provided they are fully aware of the differences in the product specifications and have access to the current manufacturer’s user guide. q • For more information visit www.cisrs.org.uk

Firm fined following fall from height [ A NORTH DEVON-BASED steel fabricator has been fined after

a young employee fell through a fragile roof while at work. Plymouth Magistrates' Court heard how, in August last year, the 19-year-old was on his first day of working on the roof of a petrol filling station in Barnstaple. While assisting another worker he took a few steps off the walkway and fell 7.5 metres through a thin metal sheet onto the concrete forecourt below. The young worker suffered serious head injuries, a broken pelvis and a broken wrist as a result of the fall. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the work was not properly planned, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner when the incident occurred. His employer, Mark Dayment trading as Langaton Steel Fabrications, had a duty to control how the work was carried out, including staff supervision. Mr Dayment pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,228.70. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Nicole Buchanan said: “This young man's injuries were life-changing and he could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place. “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.” q

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Swedish Scaffolding Association given CISRS training centre tour [

THE NASC AND CISRS arranged for more than 70 Swedish scaffolding industry professionals to gain a first-hand feel for scaffolding training in the UK during a visit to the National Construction College near Glasgow. The overseas group – consisting of members of the STIB, an association of Swedish scaffolding contractors – had travelled to Scotland for their AGM. With the UK regarded as leaders in scaffolding training, STIB contacted the NASC to see whether they could take a trip to a CISRS approved training centre. STIB members were given a tour of the centre, witnessed CISRS training taking place and received short presentations from CISRS scheme manager David Mosley on the goals and objectives of the NASC and CISRS. They were also given an overview of the UK scaffolding market from Haki Ltd’s engineering manager Charles Stratford and sales manager Steve Coshall. David Mosley said: “It was great to meet all the members of STIB, an association with which we have developed positive working relationships through our mutual membership of UEG, the representative body for scaffolding in Europe. I’d like to thank Alastair O’May, head of the access department at NCC Scotland for hosting the event.”

Hakan Carlsson, STIB permanent secretary, said: “Our members really enjoyed the tour. It was great to witness first-hand how scaffolding training is delivered in the UK. I’m sure our members have picked up more than a few ideas from CISRS in relation to scaffolding training which they can put into practice in Sweden.” q

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SMART Scaffolder launches upgraded apps [SMART SCAFFOLDER – the access and

scaffolding industry’s leading professional software solution – has launched the latest update of its innovative SMART Inspector and SMART Handover apps. Version 4.0 of the ground-breaking scaffolding apps is a major upgrade – adding enhanced functionality that allows users to record diary notes, photos, audio and video against a scaffold during the weekly inspection or as part of the handover to a client. The apps also now allow users to download a transcript from the recorded audio or the video. This enables users to record inspection or handover notes audibly into a smart phone or tablet simply using the app – say on a wet, rainsoaked site – and these notes will be transcribed into a document. Notes can then be sent back to the desktop management console by the app and logged

against the scaffold being inspected or handed over, where they can be filtered by category, for example ‘blocked access’ or ‘theft of boards’. Users can read the transcript or listen/watch the full recording and make edits accordingly. The added functionality to the scaffolding apps allows for even better, more accurate inspections and handovers of scaffolding and access jobs. The apps are now even more efficient, modern and environmentally responsible. The paperless set-up is backed up by cloud-based technology for accurate and auditable storage of reports with no need for rekeying. The new functions allow users to: • Record the progress of the scaffold build • or dismantle • Record any problems, such as lack of access • or conflict with other works • Record any variation requests • Record that the site is clear when the job • is finished. All of this is sent back from the app to the management console, so those in the office can track the progress of the work and be aware of issues. The automatic transcript of the audio and video records makes it easy to find the diary entries when they are needed, along with easyto-use searching and filtering. There is the option to tag diary entries – for example as ‘site issue’ –

to make them easy to find and report on. Ian Chambers, sales and marketing director at SMART Scaffolder, said: “We are constantly evolving our market-leading scaffolding software solutions and this Version 4.0 is a major step change in two of our most popular products. “We are sure the apps will be welcomed by existing converts to the many benefits of the SMART Scaffolder product range as well as newcomers.” q • For further information visit the website at www.smartscaffolder.com

New MEWPs safety guidance for work at height rescue [

A NEW safety document Rescue of Persons from MEWPs has been issued by the Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group (SFPSG). The 10-page publication provides guidance to putting plans in place to rescue powered access users if they ever become stranded at height. It has been compiled by the SFPSG MEWPs Group which is chaired by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and administered and supported by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). Kevin Minton, chief executive of the CPA, said: “We anticipate that the guidance will be a useful reference tool for MEWP hire companies, customers, operators and manufacturers. When MEWPs are used there is always an inherent risk of people becoming stranded at height due to a machine malfunctioning, breaking down or other influences. “Although measures can be put into place to reduce the risk such as regular maintenance of equipment and the use of competent, medically fit operators, it is still important that organisations have plans in place should a rescue from a MEWP ever become necessary.” Andrew Delahunt, technical and safety director at IPAF, said: “We now have a simple document to guide users and managers in how to plan for rescue situations. Planning is critical to use a MEWP safely at height. By including rescue planning and the appropriate methods to recover personnel if necessary, this potentially life-saving action can be properly prepared for.” Rescue of Persons from MEWPs is available for anyone to freely download from the CPA website at www.cpa.uk.net/sfpsgpublications or from IPAF’s website at www.ipaf.org/guidance. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

BIM modelling can now Tower safety include powered access campaign returns [ PASMA’S annual campaign promoting tower safety and good

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A NUMBER OF 3D virtual MEWPs and mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs) have been made available by IPAF for use in BIM. The models are each based on a typical, generic design – as opposed to specific makes or models of machine – but all are adjustable for height and outreach, so they can be used to identify what type and capability of equipment is required by adjusting the specifications to suit the intended task and checking things such as reach and clearance. BIM is becoming increasingly important around the world when designing new buildings and considering how they will be constructed and maintained. In the UK the use of BIM to Level 2 is a requirement for all contracts funded by central government. Three-dimensional computer modelling allows a 360-degree view of any structure before it is built and allows for better project planning and to map out the construction and maintenance process in the virtual realm. The IPAF virtual models can be found using the search term International Powered Access Federation on the National BIM Library at www.nationalbimlibrary.com/search. q

practice runs from 11-18 November. Throughout Tower Safety Week, PASMA – the Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association – together with its member organisations and other like-minded safety organisations will be campaigning for the safe use of mobile access towers via a series of events, initiatives and educational resources. They will cover everything from safety and competence to guidance and product standards. Mobile access towers are used in many different industry sectors – construction, building maintenance, cleaning, facilities management and utilities – for which they provide a safe, flexible and effective means of gaining access to work at height. Chair of the association, Gillian Rutter, commented: “PASMA Tower Safety Week is a unique opportunity for PASMA members to share their knowledge and expertise: not only with tower users, but with anyone responsible for specifying towers and overseeing their safe use in the workplace.” Information on how organisations can participate and what activities are planned for the week will be announced shortly. q

MSA’s V-TEC™ scaffold solution combines comfort and advanced safety [ FOR THE SPECIFIC working conditions that scaffolders face

every day, MSA offers a personal fall protection solution that combines practicality with peace of mind. The V-TEC™ Personal Fall Limiter with aluminium scaff hook delivers durable protection that is both quick and easy to use – and comfortable to wear all day, every day thanks to its lightweight construction. The scaffolding industry remains in the top three of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s most cited violations with the most frequent transgression relating to ‘Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level’. The very nature of their work means that scaffolders, when erecting, altering or dismantling scaffolding, are regularly exposed to the risk of a fall. In addition, scaffolders often work in adverse weather conditions – rain, high winds and ice can all significantly increase the risk of a fall. Tim Bissett is MSA’s technical manager and acknowledges the challenges facing the scaffolding sector: “In the hierarchy of fall protection the first step is to avoid the risk – which we realise is not practicable for scaffolders much of the time. What the V-TEC scaff hook solution provides is a fall protection system that enables a scaffolder to carry out their work while secured to either horizontal, vertical or tube connections between joints.” In the UK, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation has produced its recommendations and guidance SG4:15 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations which includes: ‘Karabiners that are designed especially for attaching to scaffold standards make an effective and efficient anchor device.’

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Also suited for ladder work, with a single-handed operation, the aluminium scaff hook has an easy-on, easy-off hook with an automatic closing feature. It is compliant with EN, ANSI and CSA requirements. The V-TEC PFL is a compact and durable self-retracting lanyard, incorporating innovative energy absorbing technology. Its pedigree comes from developments in the high-tech automotive industry combining an ultra-tough polycarbonate transparent outer casing that facilitates inspection. A comprehensive range of compatible MSA harnesses are available. q • For further information about the V-TEC PFL scaffold solution please visit www.msa.com

West Ham’s former ground set for housing development [

A MIXED-TENURE development of private sale and affordable housing has been launched on the site of West Ham United’s former Upton Park stadium in East London. The 842-unit development will be known as Upton Gardens and forms part of the wider regeneration of the Newham area. The first tranche of 113 homes includes 66 properties which have been allocated for shared ownership, with the remaining 47 available under affordable rent. Affordable rent units will be prioritised for key workers who live or work in the Newham Borough. The unique architecture of the buildings mirrors the layout of the former football ground, which was West Ham’s stadium for over 110 years. Every home is specified to a high-quality standard with a modern and stylish decor and a private outdoor space, as well as a range of on-site amenities such as landscaped gardens, a concierge service and a residents’ fitness studio. SiteSales Property Group are providing consultancy on pricing, allocation, sales and marketing for that first tranche. Eloise Robins, assistant director of SiteSales Property Group, said: “A supply of highstandard affordable housing is a fundamental requirement in London. Upton Gardens is an exceptional development with excellent

amenities in an area that continues to undergo rejuvenation. We’re sure the properties will be extremely popular with both locals and those looking to live in a family-friendly and increasingly aspirational borough of London.” The development is situated in an area teeming with local history and culture. Just a quick stroll away is the vibrant Upton Park High Street, which offers an array of varied cuisine options as well as colourful textile

and fresh fruit markets. Also within walking distance are the beautiful green spaces of West Ham Park and Beckton Park and a range of outstanding primary schools, with every shopping need catered for at the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford. The development has excellent public transport connections, just six minutes’ walk from Upton Park Underground Station and 15 minutes on the tube to central London. q

Infrastructure work begins in preparation for new village [

A HUGE 2,400-acre site in Bishopton – just a few miles outside Glasgow – is being developed to provide thousands of new homes. To be known as Dargavel Village, it was once the site of a Royal Ordnance munitions factory, employing over 20,000 people during World War Two. Now being painstakingly regenerated by BAE Systems, in partnership with SEPA and Scottish Natural Heritage, the site is one of the largest privately-funded regeneration projects in the UK and of strategic importance in supporting growth within the Scottish economy. A crucial role in helping to unlock the land for regeneration has been played by Scottish Water Horizons, a commercial subsidiary owned by Scottish Water. Scottish Water Horizons worked closely with BAE Systems to support

the development by facilitating access to the waste water network for the entire site. The work included three areas of upgrades, including the installation of 100 metres of a 1,200 diameter twin sewer, 50 metres of a 657 diameter sewer and 110m of a 450 sewer. The upgrades have provided the infrastructure required to support the new development. Scottish Water Horizons project manager Patrick Stakim said: “It was great to have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by supporting the development of a new thriving community. In addition to creating thousands of new homes, the new infrastructure will help to support a range of commercial and community buildings, and a new woodland park and recreational facilities.” Due for completion in 2034, the village will provide over 4,000 new houses within a thriving, new community. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

The competition hots up in the search for the top site managers [AUTUMN IS A busy period

competition in the house-building for the NHBC Pride in the Job industry, dedicated to recognising competition. Following further site managers who achieve the scrutiny throughout the summer, highest standards in house building. the judges decide which of The awards fall into four the 450 winners of first-round categories: three according to the Quality Awards will be awarded number of NHBC registrations their a Seal of Excellence – and which company lodges annually – Small of those will be declared Regional Builder, Medium Builder and Winners and progress through to Large Builder – with a Multistorey the final face-off to decide the category for firms who construct Supreme Winners. buildings of five storeys or more for From the beginning of September multiple occupancy. The awards are to the second week in November further divided into regions. a series of Regional Award This year’s Quality Award ceremonies take place to announce winners represent the top 3% of Regional Winners celebrate at the first of the regional ceremonies, in London who those winners are. the 16,000 site managers entered The ceremonies began on 7 September in London and continued into the competition for their management of a site registered for warranty throughout England and Scotland. They will conclude on 9 November at with NHBC. Being selected as one of the UK’s top site managers is a dinner dance in Belfast. testament to their commitment to building homes of outstanding quality The Supreme Awards gala ceremony for this year’s competition will for the benefit of the people who will live in them. take place on 29 January at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel Over a period of 12 months judges assessed the skills demonstrated in London. by the site managers in their day-to-day work, covering six key areas: The process began back in June, when 450 site managers were consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and announced as winners of Quality Awards in the first round. Now in their specifications, technical expertise and health and safety. 38th year, the Pride in the Job Awards are the most highly regarded Commenting on the Awards, NHBC chief executive Steve Wood said: “NHBC launched Pride in the Job in 1980, with the clear aim of promoting and driving the highest standards in new home building. Now, 38 years on, this drive for excellence remains very much at the heart of the competition. “Pride in the Job recognises the hugely important role site managers play in delivering high-quality new homes for residents and homeowners across the UK. Their role is undoubtedly one of the toughest in housebuilding, they really do make the difference to quality on site. “Many congratulations to all of the 2018 Quality Award Winners.” The NHBC is the UK’s leading home warranty and insurance provider, currently providing protection for over 1.5 million homes. Over the course of its history it has provided warranty for around 30% of the total existing housing stock in the UK. Its main warranty and insurance product, Buildmark, covers homes from before they are built – providing protection to the homebuyer from the exchange of contracts through to the end of the 10th year following legal completion by the first homeowner. q

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It’s two in a row for Cliff’s vision of New England [ IT’S ‘DOUBLE BUBBLE’ for Cliff

Donaldson of Fraser Houses NI Ltd when it comes to Pride in the Job Quality Awards. Cliff has scooped a second award for his Rivenwood site in Newtownards, where he has been transforming one of Northern Ireland’s most striking locations into a niche development that would look at home in New England. Newtownards is situated at the head of Strangford Lough – an area of outstanding natural beauty. The location has been described as ‘the perfect setting for families big or small, who are looking to begin a new chapter and become part of a close knit community’. Close by are the settings for shoreline and countryside walks, including the Scrabo Estate with its iconic Scrabo Tower and the National Trust Mount Stewart house and gardens. The development is currently in its second phase, with the first 100 homes being constructed in five house styles. They range from the Newbury, which is a two-bedroom bungalow, and the three-bedroom semidetached Portland, to the impressive four-bedroom detached Stamford. There are also the Hampton – a three-bedroom detached house (below) – and the Ashford, a three-bedroom detached bungalow. Rivenwood is proving to be one of Northern Ireland's most popular developments, with 60 homes sold in the first two releases The exteriors of the homes are clad in New England clapboard, while the interiors add to the feel of the American North East with shaker styling. As turnkey properties buyers have the opportunity to work along with the developers to make each house their own. Rivenwood is the latest in a line of bespoke developments undertaken by Fraser Houses over 50 years, comprising over 5,000 homes. They were the first company to create a development under the Government’s Quality Initiative of May 2000, stipulating that housing developments needed to have open spaces, extensive tree planting and integrated community amenities to raise the bar on standards and quality.q

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Scotland’s Best Place earns a Seal for Ian

[A FLAGSHIP DEVELOPMENT on the Dundee Waterfront has landed a

Seal of Excellence award for Ian Bruce – site manager at H & H Properties UK’s Waterfront Apartments. The apartments form part of a £1bn regeneration project, which has been voted Scotland’s Best Place. Once complete, the development will include 202 properties – a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. The company commented: “We are proud to deliver an impressive, design-led scheme to complement the other exciting projects on the waterfront.” Each of the luxury apartments on Ian’s site has a private balcony or terrace, enabling residents to take advantage of the wonderful panoramic views across the River Tay to the Kingdom of Fife – and the high specification guarantees spacious, contemporary, city living. An added attraction of the apartments is their proximity to the stunning V&A Dundee – featured on the front cover of this issue. As far back as 2014 the Dundee Waterfront redevelopment was recognised by the Scottish public as a desirable location. In a vote organised by RTPI Scotland in conjunction with the Scottish Government and Barton Willmore it came out on top of a shortlist of best places in Scotland – ahead of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the West Highland Way and Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Scotland’s Best Places was organised to celebrate the Royal Town Planning Institute’s centenary and attracted over 3,700 votes from people across Scotland. The idea was to identify those places across Scotland that have been built, enhanced or protected by planners and the planning system within Scotland since 1914 – the year the RTPI was formed. It is only fitting, then, that Ian’s apartments should attract national attention for the exemplary way the site is run. H & H Properties UK is a well-respected residential developer with 30 years experience of providing quality homes throughout Tayside and Angus. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Family firm pulls off a PiJ hat-trick [THREE OUT OF THREE! That’s the PiJ tally for joint site

managers Paul and Simon Todd of small local developer Brian Todd Homes Ltd – based in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. The company first entered the Pride in the Job competition in 2016 and the pair met with immediate success in the form of a Quality Award. Last year they emulated the achievement for their select development of only five properties at Hawthorn Lane in their home town of Tetford. The three and four-bedroom executive homes form the latest of many developments they have built there, situated in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds and designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This year they pulled off the hat trick – again for Hawthorn Lane! It is testament to the meticulous attention they pay to their homes that such a small development can be in the running for two successive years.

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The company was quick to give credit to the whole team of tradespeople on the site for the achievement. “We feel that once again it was recognition for our top-class tradesmen, which we employ not only for this project but for every one of our homes. Most of our trades have worked with us for many years and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work.” The local nature of the business is also a matter of great pride. They stated: “It is also a great privilege to build award-winning homes in the village where the family business began many years ago. “From first-time buyer properties to executive homes, Brian Todd Homes has for the past 45 years consistently produced quality, individual and stylish properties. We pride ourselves on being able to provide a hands-on personal touch with what we believe is a caring aftersales service.” q

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