Creative Build Magazine - December Issue

CreativeBuildMagazine.com - December Issue

The future of electric cars and vans: A ban on new Petrol and Diesel vehicles Page 7

Should I get a loft conversion or should I extend my home?

Page 20

What to consider when making structural changes at home Page 24

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Contents - December 2020

07 08 11 16 18 20 24 31 32 38 42

The future of electric cars and vans A ban on new Petrol and Diesel vehicles...

Construction industry and trades still able to work Government confirms despite COVID worries...

Futurebuild postponed to March 2022 The event has a new date as restrictions due to the pandemic get tighter...

ÂŁ25m luxury riverside development Work progresses in Nottingham...

Stunning new housing development The first phase of luxury homes...

Should I get a loft conversion or should I extend my home?

Weighing up your options...

What to consider when making structural changes at home Key things to be aware of...

Hedges Direct to donate 10% from all online orders An amazing gesture for a fantastic charity...

Clifton Village development on track Works to restore and convert a Grade II listed rectory building into separate homes...

2021 Kitchen Trends

Leading British designer and manufacturer discuss the latest lifestyle trends...

Colour Confidence

What is your colour-story?

Advertising Requests - Benjamin Seal ben@creativebuildmagazine.com Editorial Requests - Katie Sirdefield katie@creativebuildmagazine.com Editor - Cy D’Anjou cy@creativebuildmagazine.com

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Creative Build Magazine | 3

Level 4 lockdown to be imposed in Scotland

Over two million people will be

forced to live their lives through Scotland’s level four lockdown restrictions starting from Friday 20th November. These restrictions will bring further limitations on what businesses will be allowed to stay open. ‘Non-Essential’ shops, restaurants, bars, pubs along with gyms will all be forced to close.

Schools however will remain open and operate under social distancing rules. The level four lockdown is set to remain in place until 11th December.

The level four restrictions will begin at 18:00 on Friday 20th November across 11 local authority areas.

Residents who live outside of the areas that impose the level four lockdown restrictions have been advised not to travel outside of their council areas unless it is deemed essential in doing so. This also means that non-essential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK is not permitted.

The guidance from the Scottish Government has stated that only essential domestic jobs are permitted such as gas work, electrical repairs, essential maintenance or anything that would threaten the health and safety of a household.

All tradespeople will have to follow social distancing rules, remaining two metres apart from all individuals where possible, wearing face masks and enforcing good hand hygiene.

Construction in general will be allowed to progress throughout lockdown restrictions following existing COVID site procedures and guidelines.

The level four lockdown will affect East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. Nicola Sturgeon has justified these restrictions as a vital step to protect the NHS and open up the possibility of spending time with loved ones over the Christmas Period.

What restrictions are enforced during a level 4 lockdown?

- Residents must stay at home.

- You must not visit other people’s homes, but you can meet up to six people from two households in an outdoor environment.

- You must work from home if you can - Only essential shops will remain open

4 | Creative Build Magazine - Industry News

-Barbers, hairdressers, gyms, salons or anything that is deemed to require ‘Close Contact’ will remain closed - Schools will remain open but operate under the social distancing guidelines already in place - Hospitality establishments in general will be forced to close with the exception of takeaway services - Essential child care or caring for the vulnerable is still allowed if deemed essential As England gets closer to the end of a national lockdown on 2nd December and infection rates still seem to be spreading in certain areas - it is highly possible that lockdown restrictions may be extended closer to the Christmas period.

Vp Groundforce is firmly attached to Isuzu once again

For the fourth consecutive fleet

replacement order since 2014, Groundforce, part of the Vp plc group, has ordered its latest replacement trucks from Isuzu Truck UK, with the recent arrival of two new Isuzu 13.5 tonne rigids into their fleet.

Vp Groundforce now operates 16 Isuzus in its 20-strong commercial vehicle fleet, however these are their first 13.5 tonne Isuzus, as all the previous three orders were for 7.5 tonne drop side trucks.

Earlier this year, parent company Vp plc simplified customer access to its attachments business by bringing together all its attachment companies under one branded umbrella, Vp Groundforce. This new division aligned pile cropper specialist company Mr Cropper, newly acquired attachment experts Sandhurst, and piling equipment supplier Piletec under one collective brand called Groundforce Attachments.

The previous 14 Isuzu N75.190 rigids were supplied to Vp subsidiaries Piletec and Mr Cropper, however these two latest trucks are the first new Isuzus to work within Vp’s former

Sandhurst subsidiary, and bear the latest corporate livery of the new company Vp Groundforce.

“With the addition of these two new trucks, Isuzu is very much a firm fixture within our fleet. All ongoing ageing non-Isuzu trucks due for disposal in due course will be automatically replaced by new Isuzus going forward,” said David O’Brien, project manager – attachments, Groundforce Attachments.

The new Isuzu F135.240 (E) 4x2 chassis cabs feature specialist aluminium drop side bodies built by PPS Manchester and have a payload of approximately 8.5 tonne. Both trucks were supplied on a four-year contract hire deal with BNP Paribas Leasing that includes R&M for the full term.

The Isuzus are fully FORS compliant and are expected to cover approximately 40,000 miles per annum. Like all the previous Isuzus, the new trucks were supplied by Warrington Vehicle Centre, as part of the long-standing working relationship between the two companies.

One of the new Isuzu 13.5 tonners will be working out of the Vp Groundforce branch in Birmingham, whilst the other Isuzu will be based at the company’s depot in Rochester in Kent. Both depots require larger GVW trucks as they service much larger geographical areas than the other Vp Groundforce depots.

“Since the first Isuzus started work with Vp back in 2014, they have each consistently performed well and provided the Vp operating subsidiaries with reliable service out on the road, as well as market leading payload, which is essential for Groundforce Attachments delivery and collection service. It is really pleasing to see that Isuzu now forms the majority representation within their fleet,” said Richard Waterworth, head of sales, Isuzu Truck UK. Further information about the full range of Isuzu 13.5 tonne trucks can be obtained by viewing the company’s website on isuzutruck.co.uk/news

Industry News - Creative Build Magazine | 5

Rainscreen Wall Cladding fastest-growing product in the Wall Cladding Sector

The UK wall cladding market has

been affected by reduced demand from key end-use sectors since 2017, recording only modest growth of 13% in total installed area between 2015 and 2019.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the market with site closures in early spring 2020 leading to project delays and product shortages in some instances as contractors and manufacturers adapted to safer production and working practices.

Looking to a positive, rainscreen cladding has benefited from increased retrofitting on offices and apartment blocks as the need to protect structures from extreme weather and water ingress has increased. Jane Tarver, editor of the Wall Cladding Market Report at AMA

Research states “Rainscreen cladding systems have been a fast-growing product sector in recent years, estimated to have quadrupled in terms of area installed from 2013 levels. The main area of application has been offices, although there has also been strong demand for use on residential towers, demand further boosted by the requirement to replace unsafe ACM cladding on a number of high-rise residential buildings in the wake of the Hackitt Review into the Grenfell Tower disaster. As a result of the ban on use of ACM cladding with a polyethylene core on high rise residential developments, the market share of these types of products and systems will be impacted while others will gain market share from changes in product specification”. Grenfell and the Hackitt review continues to

influence the market. With a ban on the use of ACM cladding this has led to an increased demand for products with the highest level of fire safety classifications such as stone, glass wool, concrete and fibre cement.

Following decline of around 13% for installed cladding area (million m2) in 2020, the market is forecast to return to growth in 2021 thereafter seeing annual increases of around 4-5% to reach around 48 million m2 by 2024.

SME Developers help to deliver private home construction output to pre-pandemic levels

The Office of National Statistics

(ONS) has released its construction output statistics up to September 2020 earlier this month. Evidence within the report shows the construction industry saw an impressive bounce back in quarter 3. The figures were significantly bolstered by private home construction, which bounced back at an impressive 84.4% compared to quarter 2.

In 2019, figures released by Bizdaq showed there are now over 1 million SME construction firms in the UK, making up 20% of all UK businesses - with nearly a quarter of a million (246,840) in the private housing sector. The ONS figures show a £2.9bn investment in private homes in September – the same output as February (pre-lockdown). A leading development finance specialist is keen to shine praise on those SME developers who weathered the storm of the pandemic.

“When Boris Johnson signalled ‘build…build…build’ to revitalise the economy after lockdown, many scoffed that it was ‘just words’, and

believed that action might take time to ignite and make a difference.

But the sceptics have been proven wrong, as the ONS figures have shown. To bring the quarter 3 figures even close, let alone to match them, in the space of a quarter of a year is impressive.” comments Peter Owen, Head of Property Development at Saffron Building Society.

“Many have praise large construction companies for this; however, over a million private home developers are small businesses who were brave enough to weather the pandemic and keep their small businesses operating. In a time where selfemployed workers have been subject to limited financial support by the government, many of these small developers – creating affordable homes in towns and cities across the country – had continued, and even started, projects and employed skilled tradesmen - as well as young labourers – in very uncertain times.

I think we should be applauding the bravery of these business owners.”

After the announcement of Boris Johnson’s new ten-point plan for

6 | Creative Build Magazine - Industry News

the environment, the construction industry’s focus, even with local SME developers, will be greener builds. New techniques will need to be introduced to reduce the carbon footprint of homes – whether considering how to heat the homes or incorporating new greener technologies into the homes’ construction. Peter feels this is something SME developers can react to much quicker than their larger counterparts.

“If there is one thing that a smaller developer has over larger construction companies is flexibility.

Whilst working on a development project of 2-5 homes, applying greener initiatives is much simpler by scale. To apply this to construction firms, building thousands of homes per project is costly and a slow, drawn out process. In my opinion, the green revolution in homes is going to begin with our smaller developers.

So, to all developers planning their next project, now is the time to get educated and think green to lead the way towards our carbon neutral goal.”

The future of electric cars and vans: A ban on new Petrol and Diesel vehicles

The UK has announced that new

petrol or diesel cars and vans will be banned from 2030. The eco-friendly plan will also introduce a ban on hybrid cars from 2035 supporting the leap towards electric powered vehicles.

At present electric vehicles still make up a very small amount of cars and vans on the road which proves how huge this move is towards aiding climate change. A momentous moment in UK history supporting the move towards renewable energy. As the UK zeroemission plan progresses this may very well be the start of the end of traditional diesel and petrol powered vehicles. As expected, this plan was met with mixed feelings despite the environmental benefits this plan will bring.

To put things into perspective, there are only a handful of cars on the market at present that would be allowed to be produced in 2030 or 2035 such as specific Tesla models and the Nissan Leaf. The selection of larger electric vans is even slimmer with next to no vehicles available being up to the correct standard. This alone shows how much progression

is still needed to bring the automotive industry up to the correct standards. This news comes at a difficult time during the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic leaving firms around the world anxious about the road ahead. Vehicle manufacturers certainly have their work cut out over the next decade to be ready to continue producing vehicles to sell and be driven in the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in full support of this plan as he feels this will produce thousands of green jobs whilst making strong strides towards being net zero by 2050. ‘Our green industrial revolution will be powered by the wind turbines of Scotland and the North East, propelled by the electric vehicles made in the Midlands and advanced by the latest technologies developed in Wales, so we can look ahead to a more prosperous, greener future.’ The initial date for this ban was set to be introduced in 2040 and with the date being brought forward by a decade may deem troublesome for car manufacturers around the world.

Could this lead to certain companies monopolising the market for a brief period of time or even leave space in the market for a new manufacturer?

Creative Build Magazine | 7

Government confirms the construction industry and trades still able to work

As the coronavirus pandemic

continues to disrupt the UK, tradespeople are among those who have been advised they are still able to work under the national restrictions that came into effect on 5 November, including working in and around people’s homes.

The news is certainly positive for the construction industry and homeowners in England, as it means people can take advantage of the new Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, which will see the Government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-efficient home improvements.

The scheme is a key part of the UK’s green economic recovery following the pandemic.

However, only TrustMark Registered Businesses can do work under the Government’s new scheme, meaning tradespeople and businesses who are not registered could be missing out on work.

Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark, explains, “There are certain steps that must be completed

in order to become a Green Homes Grant installer. Firstly, the businesses must hold a PAS 2030 certification and/or MCS certification for low carbon installations, which can be achieved through UKAS accredited certification bodies.

“They must also register with TrustMark which in turn, will allow them to register with the Government’s scheme administrator as a Green Homes Grant installer.

“There are thousands of UK customers looking for someone to carry out work under the scheme right now, so it’s most certainly worth businesses getting involved.” The levels of work that will be created over the next decade to improve the homes we live in means a sustainable and growth driven market for businesses to operate within, an investment with rewards.

To communicate this message, TrustMark has created a number of assets to make it easier for businesses to become Green Homes Grant installers, outlining the steps in more detail at: www.trustmark.org.uk/ghgvsopp

8 | Creative Build Magazine - Industry News

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, the Government and industry have worked hard to ensure written safety guidelines are in place.

To keep everyone safe, TrustMark, has created Work Safe Safe Work: a three-part guide to help customers know what to do before, while and after they have tradespeople working for them.

“We know that many people have reservations about what is expected of them and what they need to do while the work is taking place to ensure it’s safe. That’s why we would recommend tradespeople send out the Work Safe Safe Work guide to their customers at least 48 hours prior to the work being done”, says Simon Ayers.

“In providing such clear and simple information, the guide will keep both tradespeople and customers safe, while giving them confidence in this new reality we are finding ourselves in.”

For further information, please visit TrustMark’s dedicated Green Homes Grant page for trades: www.trustmark.org.uk/ghgvsopp

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Industry News - Creative Build Magazine | 9

Sto helps create striking appearance for new university building

The centre-piece of a £90m

redevelopment scheme on Merseyside has been given a striking appearance thanks to a comprehensive façade solution supplied by Sto. The Roscoe building in the Greenbank Student Village at the University of Liverpool was completed with the installation of 5,500m2 of StoVentec R ventilated rainscreen cladding, and finished with the unique Sto Lotusan external render.

The site contains a rich mix of significant and interesting buildings, such as Derby Old Court which opened as the first hall of residence on the site in 1939. The Sto materials chosen for this project had to perform reliably and effectively, but also be sympathetic to these surroundings, and to the fact that the site sits in a conservation area. The StoVentec system has a fire classification of A2-s1, d0 and was able to meet all the required performance standards, while also permitting the creation of the visually striking, smooth exterior surfaces which harmonize with the surroundings and give the building its distinctive new appearance.

The StoVentec R ventilated rainscreen cladding system allowed the creation of these façades thanks to its easily-adjustable stainless steel and aluminium sub-construction, to which StoVentec carrier boards are fixed.

This is partially filled with mineral fibre insulation to provide highly effective thermal insulation and excellent fire protection, while still protecting the wall by keeping it dry and allowing it to breathe. The StoVentec boards are made of 96% recycled expanded glass granulate, and reinforced on both sides with glass fibre mesh for superior impact resistance. These boards do not expand or contract with temperature change and induce far less stress in the screws, enabling the boards to be butt-jointed with no risk of cracking – crucial for producing large-area façades.

For this university project, special profiles and jointing pieces were used to overcome large joints due

to the construction method, and a layer of StoArmat Classic cementfree base coat was applied to the exterior surface of the StoVentec boards, providing the final surface with outstanding crack-resistance characteristics. The installation was completed with StoLotusan, Stolit and StoSilco external renders in different colours, to provide outstanding protection and enhance the design of the façades. StoLotusan is a superhydrophobic render finish with a patented Lotus-Effect® microstructure surface, similar to that found on the lotus leaf. This render offers unbeatable water and dirt repellence by causing rainwater simply to roll off the façade, taking dirt particles and grit with it as it goes. With high levels of vapour diffusion and low water permeability, StoLotusan ensures that the façades of the University buildings will remain clean for far longer than they would with conventional alternatives.

“We have completed dozens of projects using Sto products over very many years, but this has to be the most successful and best-looking of them all,” says Steve McGowan of Precision Façades who installed the Sto system. “Right from the design stage, the whole supply chain worked really closely together, including the University’s own construction company, ULCCO (Special Projects)

10 | Creative Build Magazine

Ltd. This helped eliminate any problems before work began, and allowed us to integrate the StoVentec R system with a series of coloured aluminium pods that enhance the window surrounds which we were also installing. The installation process progressed extremely smoothly and efficiently.

“Sto Ltd performed extremely well.

They provided all the necessary calculations and managed their staged deliveries to site according to a very demanding schedule. As ever, we had absolutely no problems with the quality of the Sto products either.”

When complete, the 5-year, twophase redevelopment project will see the demolition and replacement of the University’s Derby, Rathbone and Roscoe student accommodation buildings, plus the refurbishment of the existing Annex Building and Derby Old Court properties. The project will increase the University’s student accommodation capacity by 40% and also provide a wide range of new social spaces, sports facilities, and administration areas.

Futurebuild postponed to March 2022 To deliver an event where the built

environment industry can connect in the most effective way, Futurebuild 2021 has been postponed. Following consultation with our community, we have decided that the event that was due to run on 02-04 March 2021 will now go ahead from 01-03 March 2022 at the ExCeL London. The event will elevate innovation, showcasing the products, solutions and ideas that will deliver the transformational change needed to address climate change.

The 2022 event will be laser focused on the most pressing industry issues, which were identified based on feedback from previous audiences.

The event’s six spotlights and Arena programme will cover the fundamental issues currently facing the built environment industry — digital impact, whole house retrofit, circular materials, district energy, future installer and intelligent buildings.

To continue to offer a platform for the built environment industry to connect, Futurebuild will host a range of both physical and digital events in the lead up to 2022, putting a spotlight on the key issues the industry currently faces and present game changing solutions.

“We know that manufacturers and specifiers come to Futurebuild for a purpose — to showcase, see and purchase the products they can use to make a real difference,” explained Martin Hurn, Event Director of Futurebuild. “We want to do what is best for our community, and our planet, and we know how important it still is for us to connect and continue to foster key relationships. We’ve consulted our exhibitors, attendees and our team, and the community feels that Futurebuild will best serve its purpose if it goes ahead in 2022.”

digital twin and circular materials.

“The pandemic won’t pause our progress,” continued Hurn.

“We’re taking this challenge as an opportunity to provide more support to the industry. Our regular webinar panels and digital programme offers the community practical advice and opportunities to connect so that they can start implementing the changes needed to address climate change now.”

This decision has been made following consultation with the construction industry and due to the

ongoing unforeseeable, unavoidable and unprecedented global scope of the Coronavirus pandemic. This has led to the Government implementing ongoing measures to maintain social distancing and reversing its decision to allow live events to run from 1 October 2020, further contributing to the continuing Force Majeure situation.

Futurebuild provides a platform for industry to come together, connect with people from across the entire supply chain and find the products and solutions needed to address the climate crisis.

Futurebuild will launch its digital offering Game Changers LIVE series, starting in December, to provide more opportunities to engage with industry influencers and manufacturers about current issues and innovation. This event will connect innovative brands with forward-thinking specifiers to cover trends such as clean energy,

Creative Build Magazine | 11

Phase one of major student accommodation Leading consulting engineer Howard Ward Associates (HWA) has assisted in the completion of phase one of The Oaks – a significant student development close to the University of Warwick.

The building, known as Oaks 1, is located less than a kilometre from the University of Warwick to the south west of Coventry city centre, and was developed by McLaren Property, together with project managers Stace and Corstorphine + Wright Architects . The project was forward funded by Student Roost who now operate the Accommodation.

Formerly the site of an office building, Oaks 1 brings 378 new student rooms to the area in a mixture of 288 cluster bedrooms and 90 studios, which are within convenient walking distance of the university’s main campus.

The scheme also benefits from over 6,800 sq. ft. of amenity space; comprising an open plan common room and games room, gym and virtual training areas, study areas and social spaces, and has provided significant contributions towards the sustainable transport infrastructure in the area.

HWA supplied civil and structural engineering services from feasibility and planning stages to phase one of the project.

Phases two and three which include two further buildings - Oaks 2 and Oaks 3 - is currently under construction, and would deliver a total of 1,000 student rooms and studios.

The Oaks is the only purpose-built student accommodation scheme adjacent to the University of Warwick.

Demolition works for phase one began in September 2018, with McLaren Construction starting the main build contract the following month. Completion was ahead of the expected completion date – ready for the 2020/21 academic year.

Dan Bailey, director at HWA, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our long-standing working relationship with McLaren Property and the rest of the supply team on this significant project in Coventry.

“As the only purpose-built, large-scale student accommodation in the area, this will provide much-needed, quality rooms and studios for students to enjoy as they attend the University of Warwick. The accommodation couldn’t be in a better location, bordering the main campus with everything students need within easy reach.

“We’re proud to be continuing our work in the Midlands, particularly in these challenging times, and look forward to seeing the next phase of the project progress.”

From its head office in Nottingham, HWA delivers construction engineering consultancy services across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, emergency services, commercial and residential across the country.

12 | Creative Build Magazine

Creative Build Magazine | 13

Works underway on new specialised teaching facilities at Polesworth School

Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson

has been selected by the Department for Education (DfE) to design and build the new Bramcote Building, a specialist teaching block for The Polesworth School in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The school is a mixed gender secondary school with pupils aged 11-18, and it is part of the Communities Academies Trust - a multi-academy trust comprising 17 schools in the West Midlands region.

The Bramcote Building replaces five existing teaching blocks which are nearing the end of their usable life and will be demolished by G F Tomlinson following completion of the new building.

Construction on the new three-storey 2,479m2 teaching block started back in June, and the steel frame and roof are now complete, with works

progressing on the external envelope and internal partitions.

Once finished, the building will cater for Design and Technology teaching spaces, ICT teaching rooms, science laboratories and staff spaces, allowing the school to continue delivering the curriculum in a safe and quality environment.

The project also includes the resurfacing of an existing 2,135m2 multi-use games area (MUGA) with new fencing and lighting, marked out in accordance with Sport England specifications for five-a-side football, basketball and netball.

Expected for completion in autumn 2021, the works are being undertaken within a live school site and have been carefully planned to minimise disruption to ensure the school is able to maintain continuity of the curriculum and extra-curricular

14 | Creative Build Magazine

delivery for students. The project team is ensuring that all COVID-19 working guidelines are adhered to, to ensure safe working and social distancing on site.

In addition to the operational school, the site is located in a built-up residential area, bounded

by Birchwood Primary School, the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and Polesworth Sports Centre, and close liaison with all neighbours has been paramount to agree shared access routes through to the construction site, to minimise the impact on the surrounding area and maintain access at all times.

In line with G F Tomlinson’s commitment to social value, the project will maximise opportunities for training and skills for local young people, and five apprentices have already benefited from being engaged during the design and preconstruction stage.

This will be the first project that G F Tomlinson has completed for The Polesworth School and Community Academies Trust, and the 12th project for the DfE framework.

Chris Flint, director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to have commenced works at The Polesworth School to deliver much needed modernised teaching spaces which will enable the school to continue providing an excellent standard of education.

This project is part of the DfE framework’s schools investment programme which aims to address urgent requirements for the replacement of buildings to provide improvements to the quality of teaching and learning environments.

The works will provide high quality, optimised teaching and learning spaces for staff and students, improving the overall educational experience of children at the school. “It has been an honour to engage with DfE again for another project, taking our total projects for the framework to 12 in six years.” G F Tomlinson is working alongside Bond Bryan (architect), BSP Consulting (engineer) and Anderson Green (M & E services) to deliver this project.

“The buildings being demolished and replaced were nearing the end of their usable life and the planned works will allow for the school to continue teaching in certain buildings, whilst we construct the new facilities ensuring there is no disruption to the day-to-day curriculum.

Creative Build Magazine | 15

Works progress at £25m luxury riverside development in Nottingham

Construction works are progressing

well on ‘The Yacht Club’ – an exclusive 81-home development on the banks of the river Trent, by Leedsbased developer KMRE Group Ltd. Situated in a prime waterside location to the south of Trent Lane, The Yacht Club will offer residents panoramic views of the river and The Hook nature reserve in Lady Bay. Within easy reach of Nottingham city centre and West Bridgford, The Yacht Club sits adjacent to the River Crescent, Pelham Waterside and Trent Basin residential schemes, in the rapidly changing Colwick area known as Riverside.

One, two and three-bedroom apartments are available, including penthouses, and prices start from £310,000 to £550,000. FHP Living has been appointed as the selling agent and interested parties can contact Steve Parker or Joe Hargreaves for information and viewings.

Just over a mile from the city centre, the contemporary development which boasts all apartments with balcony’s looking on to the river - is already at 40% sold, and is on the site of the former Park Yacht Inn, located in one of the most peaceful riverside settings

in the city. In close proximity to Nottingham Forest F. C’s City Ground, Notts County Football Club on Meadow Lane and Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – the development sits in a great location for sports fans, whilst being closely situated to the amenities of the city and West Bridgford.

Speculative plans have been put forward for a pedestrian footbridge to be built over the River Trent in the next couple of years, to cater to the burgeoning waterside residential communities, linking the riverside area to Lady Bay. Construction works involve a phased completion, with the first practical completion in March 2021, and a full handover of the site expected by summer 2021.

The development comprises three stand-alone buildings, with each of the 81 apartments benefitting from large panoramic windows and its own balcony or terrace, with stunning views up and down the river.

Penthouses have distinctively larger living spaces with underfloor heating, superior tiled floors and sweeping terraces boasting optimal views of the River Trent and Nottingham skyline.

16 | Creative Build Magazine

There will also be attractive outdoor spaces and footpaths along the river to the front of the buildings for residents to enjoy.

A show suite will be available for private viewings from the end of November, enabling interested buyers to get a glimpse into the exclusive waterside lifestyle that The Yacht Club has to offer. It will also provide the first opportunity for confirmed buyers to personalise and upgrade apartments – with bespoke options to choose from for interior décor, fixtures and fittings.

As well as sweeping riverside views, onsite parking for every apartment and vibrant outdoor communal spaces, all apartments will be finished to the finest quality, using high spec fixtures and fittings.

Kam Mogul, managing director at KMRE Group Ltd, said: “We are extremely proud to be delivering this flagship residential scheme, providing the finest quality spacious homes, many with panoramic views of the River Trent, in an idyllic waterside location.

“These homes boast unrivalled picturesque views of the water and the tranquil Hook nature reserve in

Lady Bay, and are a pivotal part of the ongoing waterfront regeneration on the banks of the River Trent, offering a premium waterside living experience with a community feel, that really connects you with nature.

“During these challenging times, we remain completely committed to the Nottingham market and construction works at The Yacht Club are progressing on track, with the show home due to open in the next few weeks for appointments with interested buyers.”

“This is the first of our landmark ‘Southern Gateway’ developments in Nottingham, which also includes the 62-apartment Hindle House residential scheme.”

Steve Parker, director at the selling agent, FHP Living, said: “With stunning waterside views, in a serene yet central location, The Yacht Club will provide the ultimate waterside lifestyle.

“The development is in a great location on the banks of the river Trent and is within walking distance of local amenities, including East Point Retail Park - which includes an Aldi and Costa Coffee - and the beautiful Colwick Country Park.

Within just five minutes’ drive is Victoria Retail Park, which boasts an M&S Foodhall, Next, Boots and many other popular retailers.”

Fellow director at FHP Living, David Hargreaves, said: “We are pleased to see how quickly the building works are now progressing, particularly through these difficult times of lockdown.

Now more than ever people are looking for homes close to nature, with outside space and scope to work from home, and being on the banks of the river, there is an abundance of nature on your doorstep at The Yacht Club.

“The development is a welcome addition to the Riverside area and the team at FHP Living are looking forward to showing potential owner occupiers and investors around the new show suite shortly.”

For enquiries, please call FHP Living on 0115 8411155.

Creative Build Magazine | 17

Stunning new housing development launches at Barton Quarter in Beeston

The first phase of luxury homes

at the prestigious new Barton Quarter residential development, in conjunction with the Prince’s Foundation, is on track for completion early next year, with buyers able to move in from March 2021.

Situated on the 10-acre former site of Barton Transport in Chilwell, Beeston, the Barton Quarter will be a carefully designed new development of homes, facilities and two new public squares - embracing the heritage and residential character of the historic location.

Comprising four phases of works, the £12m first phase of homes is due for completion in March next year, and available house styles will include classically beautiful terraced properties, triple aspect end of terraced houses with grand facades, traditional style paired villas, detached large family homes, detached apartments and mews apartments.

Finished with generous floor to ceiling heights, all homes boast oversized front doors which are 50% larger than a standard front door and classic design sash windows, hand carved and bespoke cornices, brackets and

mouldings. The first phase of the development fronts Queens Road West and the Chilwell High Road with two, three and four bedroom properties available, ranging from £335,000 for a two-bed mews apartment, £365,000 to £430,000 for a three-bed home and £440,000 to £520,000 for a four-bed home.

Help to Buy is also available on all properties.

An upcoming sought-after destination for a range of buyers – plans for the Barton Quarter have been developed through close engagement with the local Beeston community and Broxtowe Borough Council – with a vision to creating a mix of house sizes and styles, built with an attention to detail and generous gardens, benefitting from excellent transport links and access to nature.

The scheme is being developed in conjunction with the Prince’s Foundation – a prestigious built environment charity founded by the Prince of Wales that focuses on developing better urban design and communities, in collaboration with Ben Pentreath Architects - one of the country’s leading classical architects, and Stockbridge Land - a specialist team with 80 years’ collective experience working to procure, design and build unique developments across the UK.

The development as a whole will provide a new substantial residential quarter for Nottingham and an important anchor for the west end of the vibrant Chilwell High Road with its independent bars and restaurants, which is part of the overall regeneration of a gateway site to Beeston town centre.

FHP Living has been appointed as a joint selling agent on the scheme with Knight Frank Birmingham, and interested parties can contact Steve Parker, Natasha Goodman or Will Hargreaves at FHP for information and viewings.

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Situated just a ten-minute walk from Beeston town centre and its amenities including Tesco, Lidl and Boots, Barton Quarter is close to a range of major employers in the region including Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Boots and Experian. Beeston station is a 12-minute walk away providing regular services to local hubs including Nottingham, Leicester and Derby, as well as other services to

Birmingham, Cardiff and London St Pancras – of which there are 38 daily trains, with the quickest journey being one hour and 32 minutes.

It’s a two-minute walk to the tramline which runs from Chilwell High Road, with regular services to the University of Nottingham Campus, Nottingham Trent University, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham Railway Station and the city centre, as well as Toton Lane Park & Ride.

Steve Parker, director at FHP Living, said: “Situated in a prime location in a highly sought-after area of Nottingham, which is currently a hot zone of regeneration, Barton Quarter provides a rich mix of unique and beautiful homes to suit a range of buyer requirements. With architecture drawing from the best of the Regency period, inspired by early development in The Park, with mews streets and townhouses, there is a real opportunity for all types of buyers to find what they are looking for in an ideal central area of Nottingham.

“Once the historic site of Barton Transport, one of the oldest bus companies in Western Europe dating back to 1908 in Nottinghamshire - the new development on Queens

Road West and the Chilwell High Road, is in close proximity to Beeston town centre’s amenities, with great travel links and close connections to neighbouring parts of the area, including both universities and major employers.

and beauty then they will enhance a local area and provide part of both the Barton and Beeston heritage for centuries to come.”

Kim Hitch, director of projects at The Prince’s Foundation, said: “The keenly-anticipated development “We are incredibly pleased with the of Barton Quarter really effectively levels of interest and number of reflects The Prince’s Foundation’s viewings already, and we look forward commitment to creating sustainable to showing interested potential buyers harmonious communities. these beautiful properties. Buyers of phase one will be able to move in by “We are pleased to have worked the end of March and will have no with the land owner, developer, and stamp duty to pay.” local community to bring to life in built form our traditional principles David Hargreaves, founder of FHP in making beautiful places. We hope Living, said: “There is nothing like that the community-led approach in Barton Quarter in Nottingham or for this development — whereby the land miles around. The design, detailing owner prioritised leaving a sustainable and quality of homes is second to community legacy over merely none, with the feeling of a grand maximising profit and the developer Regency square.” engaged with local people to gauge opinion on the development — is Ben Bolgar, design director for adopted more widely in future.”

Stockbridge Land said “We are delighted to have been so welcomed by the local community through the design workshops we ran and really hope that what we have delivered is not only true to our word but surpasses expectations. We believe if you design and build places with care

Creative Build Magazine | 19

Should I get a loft conversion or should I extend my home?

If you are stuck between whether

to convert your loft space or extend your property on the ground floor then you may want to consider the key factors mapped out in this article.

Your property has potential which is fantastic but the wrong decision can easily be made leading to regret once the project is complete. The decision is entirely down to you‌ if you can make a decision.

It is key to be aware that planning permission may be required for both options so we would always advise speaking to a qualified contractor if needed. You do not want to get lost in the planning process and later find out that your project is not able to go ahead.

Questions you need to ask yourself: - Would my house benefit from an additional reception room/bedroom?

- A loft conversion will add another staircase, do you have space for this?

- Is the loft big enough for a conversion?

- Does the roof pitch offer enough head room?

- Would you need to budget in to add an additional dormer to improve head space?

add additional bedroom space. It is no secret that adding a bedroom to your home will usually add value overall so either project should in most cases add value but be sure to speak to local estate agents if you need reassurance on this.

Inviting an expert into your home will help you evaluate your options - most companies will offer a quote and some advice free of charge. There are many types of a loft conversion such as a hip to gable conversion, flat roof dormer or even a Mansard conversion. A qualified contractor will be able to advise you on what option is best for your circumstance and budget.

One of the biggest reasons people have a loft conversion is to eliminate existing dead space! Venturing into an untouched loft space is usually a dreaded task: man handling the pull down sliding ladder (If you have one), dragging yourself through what may be a small loft hatch to retrieve Christmas decorations or barely used items that you have clung to for a few years too many. A loft conversion will not affect any outdoor space you may have and if 2020 has taught us anything - having a variety of space at home is essential!

Single storey extensions are usually added to create a larger living area, dining area or kitchen but can also

The decision to go for a loft conversion or an extension will be heavily impacted on your immediate

- Will there need to be additional funds to access drainage?

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environment: if you have a small garden already then a loft conversion is probably the way forward for you.

On the other hand if you have plenty of outside space then keeping rooms on the ground floor maybe the way forward for you.

Desirability Keep in mind that practicality is not always the primary factor - adding another small bedroom to a six bedroom house for example may be more hassle than it’s worth.

Adding an additional reception room to a large home however might increase the desirability of a property.

What will adding an extension or conversion achieve - does it resolve practical issues in your home or are you parting with your hard earned cash to improve the desirability… or does one of these options tick both boxes?

What will the view be like?

Will you be waking up in your loft conversion overlooking a majestic view, endless rooftops of the city

you live in or will you be looking directly at your neighbours? The same questions can be asked with a ground floor extension.

Natural Light from above Forking out the extra cash for a large lantern or roof windows will flood your new space with natural light. This is a key factor you need to consider especially if you opt for a ground floor extension - extended brickwork can create dark spots and a ‘Tunnel’ like feel if the project is not thought through.

If an extension is decided upon you will likely be spending additional funds on footings, drainage and additional furnishings/appliances depending on the use of the room. A bonus for a loft conversion however is that you may be able to convert the space that is already there without the need for a dormer for example keeping costs down.

With these key points in mind: What suits your property best?

Creative Build Magazine | 21

Modern luxury epitomised Guy Phoenix’s ‘The Knoll’ comes to market

Located in one of the East Midlands’ most sought-after villages - Colston Bassett in the Vale of Belvoir, Nottinghamshire - is award-winning developer Guy Phoenix’s latest creation, The Knoll.

Known for his bespoke, multi-millionpound, turnkey homes, which feature ultimate luxury, style and scale, Nottingham-based Guy approaches every property with a meticulous level of detail and consideration.

The five-bedroom The Knoll, which is being marketed by award winning agent FHP Living, under its ‘Distinctive Homes’ brand through its Nottingham and West Bridgford offices, is a unique and distinctive design, featuring clean, sharp lines with a Californian influence.

Set within 1.4 acres in a secluded clearing, hidden behind mature trees, the property’s woodland setting runs throughout the home, with its interior styling featuring subtle accents of nature.

Potential home owners have nearly 9,000 sq. ft. of luxury living to enjoy, including five-bedroom suites with balconies, a swimming pool complete with cascading waterfall, changing room, sauna and steam room, a large open-plan kitchen and dining area

with separate formal dining area, a utility room and cloakroom space.

A major feature of The Knoll is its impressive lower ground floor entertaining space, boasting a floor to ceiling home cinema. The home boasts a 94% thermal efficiency performance, achieved through stateof-the-art products and installations.

Surrounding the ‘one-of-a-kind’ property is a silhouette of mature trees, providing total privacy, whilst allowing sunlight to stream through.

The expansive, beautifully landscaped garden has plenty of stone patio areas for outside living and entertaining, and an elegant glazed detached treble garage is located within the grounds, which could double as a home office.

Surrounding nature and the ambience of the property has been carefully considered at The Knoll, with owl and bat boxes added to the surrounding trees, and subdued lighting which has been installed in and around the property to gently illuminate it - providing a striking approach as guests drive through the bronze gates and up the driveway.

Clad in aluminium and stone - with each piece hand cut multiple times to create the perfect size and shape -

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The Knoll has a distinctive dark grey façade, which exudes style but further enables it to sit comfortably within its natural surroundings.

The property features a state-ofthe-art security system, two gated entrances and particularly desirable in today’s climate; a high-spec antibacterial air conditioning system, which is one if not the first to be installed in a residential property in the UK. The system helps eliminate most bacteria including that of COVID-19.

Speaking of the The Knoll, Guy Phoenix, said: “We continue to hold the accolade of building the finest and most desirable homes in the East Midlands and beyond, and I believe The Knoll is our best work to date.

This comes from over 20 years of experience and research into the very best of high-end homes and interiors. Our properties give the luxuries our buyers want but on a completely different level.

“Every aspect of this luxury development has been taken into consideration to create an exceptional finish that our clients come to expect. From the quality of the interior styling, to the spec of appliances, to the positioning of each balcony to optimise sunlight, to the

vast entertaining space, no detail has been overlooked. It’s taken two decades to get to this level and each property we build improves.

“The Knoll, as with all our homes, is inspired by incredible places and spaces I have visited and love across the globe, which can be anywhere that inspires and provides a unique experience.

“We are incredibly proud of The Knoll which is built to a different standard, and its peaceful, wooded setting adds another layer of interest as does its closeness to nature.”

Steve Parker, director of selling agent FHP Living, said: “The Knoll is the latest and surely the best Guy Phoenix home to date. It is distinctively different to his other signature properties and stretches the boundaries of uber luxury and contemporary living.

“With all the magnificence that you would expect in a Guy Phoenix home, The Knoll has improved on what we thought before un-improvable, with the finishes and spec taken to a whole

new level. The property is simply spectacular and will make an incredible home for buyers looking for the most modern luxurious living imaginable in a peaceful, private setting in the highly desirable Colston Bassett.”

As Guy makes plans to move his product to the South of France, The Knoll is likely to be the last Guy Phoenix home ever built locally. For enquiries, please contact FHP Living on 0115 8411155.

Creative Build Magazine | 23

What to consider when making structural changes at home

If you are thinking about making

structural changes to your property there are a vast amount of factors to consider. The Creative Build team has mapped out a few key things to remember when planning your next domestic project!

Thinking of renovating your home?

The most important factor is to plan!

This will help to avoid project delays or being stung with unexpected expenses! Don’t get too excited and buy a sledgehammer - grab a pen first and start mapping out your thoughts.

Make your mind up!

When planning most household changes, you usually have options which then leads to difference of opinions between tradesman, family and even close friends. Ensure you find out what is achievable and commit to the decision you have made. Changes to the plan made during the project can lead to delays and additional costs.

Expert Advice If you are unsure on a particular part

of your project - seek advice!

It is worth paying a specialist tradesperson a small fee before potentially creating issues that need to be rectified and causing additional expense. Maybe you need to hire a designer or even an architect?

Allow for this additional costing within your budget if needs be. If you are building a large extension for example - in some cases planning permission may need to be granted.

You should also check as to whether your property is restricted in any way such as being a listed building or being with a conservation area.

Attention to detail Unfortunately, contractors are not usually mind readers therefore you must be incredibly accurate in presenting exactly what you want done. Visual representation, sketches and regular update meetings will ensure that every part of the project is completed to the standard you desire. Ensure that any quotes are detailed with a breakdown of what work will be done and anything that will not be included (This includes price of materials!)

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How long is this going to take?

If you are paying a team of contractors ensure that a time scale is set out as a goal for when the work will be done. If you have been accurate when planning the project an experienced contractor will be able to give you a fairly precise time frame of how long the project will take from start to finish. Unforeseen circumstances that may delay the project however need to be taken into consideration here; bad weather or as 2020 has proved - even a global pandemic could occur which could delay delivery time scales for materials etc. If you consider yourself as a project manager and tick off the vital parts of each job you will be able to keep track yourself on the progress of your project.

How much should I be looking to spend on my project?

If possible always seek to get a variety of quotes. The cheapest price will not necessarily be the best option. Sometimes you get what you pay for but it is very easy to overpay for a job if you have not researched

what is involved. Reviews from a contractor’s previous clients may be your first step to finding a trader you can trust and agree a price with.

The type/quality of materials used for your project along with the conditions of working will be factored in here. If there is more manual labour due to lack of access for machinery or if there is more risk of something going wrong - such as essential roof work needed - then a tradesman may be likely to charge extra for his services.

You also need to factor in unforeseen problems, issues that may arise during the project which could not have been planned for.

Make sure you factor in costs for waste removal if it is not included within a trade quote, this can drastically increase project costs‌ and you do not want a pile of waste left to one side for you to sort through at the end of the project.

Make the tea Having workers in your home is inconvenient at the best of times, but do your best to make workers feel welcome!

Offering a tea or a coffee goes a long way!

Creative Build Magazine | 25

Conservation Cream from The Residence Collection

Clotted Cream R9 windows and

doors from The Residence Collection, recently graced a beautiful project in a Staffordshire conservation area, much to the delight of the homeowners.

A Grained White internal finish was specified to keep things neutral, featuring polished chrome pear drop handles and black butt hinges.

The front elevation of the house also featured Georgian bars to the windows, in keeping with the requirements from the local planning officer.

Ramsey Singh, the homeowner, enthused: ‘We’re so happy with the new windows and I would, and have, recommended The Residence Collection to friends. I have no doubt that they are a quality product and will be here for years to come. We hope to use R9 in another upcoming project

which will be starting soon, a full restoration of an 1856 farmhouse in 250 acres of land.’

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection commented: ‘This is yet another wonderful example of our windows and doors gracing properties in conservation areas. Planners love the windows as do the homeowners who enjoy them and with the many benefits over timber, including better energy efficiency, sound insulation and the fact that they require little maintenance.

She added: ‘Beautiful homes warrant beautiful windows and R9 remains the only true timber casement alternative window on the market.

Our manufacturing partners enjoy the margin they provide, as do our installation partners across the UK.’

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For further information please visit www.residencecollection.co.uk and www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk.

You can request a free brochure pack including the stylish and inspirational My Residence Magazine via e-mail at journey@residencecollection.co.uk or by calling 01452 348650.

You can also add to their following on Twitter @residence9 and engage with them on other social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Houzz.

The Build to Rent sector set for growth

Purpose-built Build to Rent housing

is only a recent concept, with just over 51,000 dwellings completed across the UK as of Q3 2020. This equates to only around 1% of total Private Residential Sector stock.

In Q1 2020, a large number of schemes completed, driving up the volume of operating units by 42% on Q1 2019, equating to an additional 13,000 homes. In Q2 2020, the impact of the first Covid-19 lockdown was sudden, with only three funding deals, worth £96m and with just 1,800 starts across a dozen sites.

Alex Blagden, Senior Researcher at AMA Research and Editor of the Build to Rent Market Report comments “Since 2016 cumulative BTR completions are forecast to have quadrupled by 2021 to over 60,000. Quarterly data for Q3 2020 indicates circa 37,000 units are under construction and approximately 84,000 are in planning.

However, several additional proposals were announced in October and November which suggest over 90,000 are expected to be in planning by the end of 2020”.

The build to rent sector has seen an influx of institutional investors enter the market in recent years as the focus for investment propositions moves away from the High Street retail and into developments that are likely to provide a higher return.

Population growth, a younger mobile workforce, increasing house prices, tighter mortgage requirements by lenders - and declining levels of social rent housing - have led to a worsening shortage of affordable build-to-sell housing, particularly for first-time buyers in the 25-34 age group.

have had to find other income sources e.g. through developing housing for sale and private rent.

A final comment from Senior Researcher Alex Blagden states “A key factor contributing towards forecast growth has been important changes in the planning system.

Now BTR is formerly defined as an asset class in its own right in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and is entitled to specific land allocation rather than having to compete with build-to-sell developers in the open market”.

Several larger housing associations have also diversified into the PRS. Due to budget cuts to housing, they

Developers key for changing mindsets about green buildings

Market expectations and perceived building standards are holding back the country’s progress to construct net-zero buildings, according to the UK Green Building Council, UKGBC.

The organization would like to see developers adjusting investor and owner-occupier expectations about green buildings and this should be set out early in a development’s narrative. It said often buildings were completely fitted out to maximize appeal during the leasing stage resulting in over-provision and waste as typically incoming occupiers

removing final fit-outs. UKGBC head of business transformation Alastair Mant said: “Achieving the necessary reductions in embodied and operational carbon requires large scale changes to how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated.

There are many barriers along the way and we must work quickly to identify them and the corresponding opportunities to overcome them.”

Green buildings need airtight recognition Other hurdles include the lack of a recognized certification scheme to verify a building is net-zero, although several unofficial quality standards schemes exist.

“Without this, developers and owners can be reluctant to invest in delivering a net-zero building as they feel it will not be recognized within the market and, therefore, achieve enhanced value,” said the authors of UKBC’s latest guidance.

Another pressure for developers is to meet completion deadlines for projects. The UKGBC said this can lead to the final stages being rushed resulting in carbon inefficiency. It would like to see time allocated beyond the finish date for testing of heating and ventilation systems and airtightness checks.

Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said property development lenders want a nationally recognized verification system of green buildings like Australia’s rating scheme launched this year.

Both Sir Robert McAlpine and Landsec announced earlier this year their intention to become net-zero carbon developers significantly ahead of the national 2050 target.

McAlpine plans to achieve this status within the next five years and Landsec within the decade. The latter is currently planning to build the UK’s first net-zero carbon commercial building in Southwark, south London.

Creative Build Magazine | 27

Britain’s housing market is booming but the structural issues remain, says Tiger Craft Expert analysis by Partner and CIO at award-winning Hilltop Credit Partners

Britain’s housing market continues to flip the recession script with average asking prices hitting record high in spite of the ongoing coronavirus restrictions and the economic uncertainties. Tiger Craft, Partner and CIO at Hilltop Credit Partners, says the latest figures from Rightmove and Halifax reinforce that a mini housing boom is under way and that the government’s attempts to support demand through incentives like stamp duty holiday are helping this growing sentiment.

Commenting on the latest market reports and the continued growth of the housing market, Tiger says: “The latest Rightmove data shows that the average asking price of homes coming on to the market has hit a record high, with asking prices 5.5% higher than in October last year.

Another report by Halifax restates that the average price of a home in the UK is now £249,870 — up by £17,000 between August and September in the fastest growth in more than four years.

“Restrictions on the UK property transactions were lifted in May, following an eight-week period during which the housing market was effectively shut. Once the restrictions began to ease, the housing market has witnessed a sharp rise. Even now when the country is facing its deepest recession on record, the house prices are at an all-time high.

This contradiction can simply not be because the sector is immune from the COVID-induced paralysis. The answer to this is not in the virus but in the nature of the housing market itself.

In Britain, the fundamental challenges around housing stock still remain: the supply-demand imbalance across the country, and the large addressable market in funding. I strongly believe that people will always need and want homes, and no virus is going to change this reality.

“We also have to look at the support extended by the government and how recent announcements have

been instrumental in supporting the sector throughout. Prime Minister’s landmark ‘Build, Build, Build’ speech where he spoke about how Britain suffers from a ‘chronic failure’ to build enough homes and the need to ‘level up’ with a focus on the regions. The speech not only provided a boost to SME developers and buyers, but to potential first-time buyers as well as the announcement was followed up by a stamp duty cut in July.

The government’s focus is now on creating a ‘Generation Buy’ and to help would-be homeowners who are currently locked out of the property market due to steep demand for deposits. All these measures have meant that the housing market has been doing extremely well especially since the lockdown.

“At Hilltop, our objective remains unchanged – to cautiously fund high-quality assets and developers and whilst we have tightened our underwriting criteria to account for the market uncertainty, we see no reason to recede. We have a growing pipeline with great sponsors, and even have a vote of confidence from banks like OakNorth Bank as can be seen by our increased facility recently,” Tiger Craft concludes.

About Hilltop Credit Partners Hilltop Credit Partners is a West Endbased specialist end-to-end funding partner especially for small

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and mid-sized residential property developers. With a proven track record in property development, asset management and financial structuring, Hilltop Credit Partners provides a one-stop funding solution for up to 90% loan to cost, with loans ranging from £3 million to £40million.

Hilltop Credit Partners Limited is an appointed representative of Thornbridge Investment Management LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is also backed

by Round Hill Capital, a leading global real estate investment firm with a focus on macro-driven residential real estate investment strategies.

Tiger Craft has nearly 20 years of experience in financial markets.

Before joining Hilltop Credit Partners, Tiger was a Portfolio Manager at GLG Partners and was responsible for managing a long/short equity portfolio with a peak value of approximately $650m.

Before that, Tiger was the Vice President and then Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group in the Liquid Markets and Private Equity divisions. Tiger started his career at Credit Suisse First Boston in 1999 in the Investment Banking division where he focused on M&A advisory and capital raising for healthcare companies in the US and Europe.

Ironmongery Direct partners with Checkatrade Leading ironmongery specialist

supplier, IronmongeryDirect, has partnered with Checkatrade, the UK’s number one website for finding a tradesperson, offering exclusive benefits for both new and existing Checkatrade members and IronmongeryDirect customers.

The partnership entitles all IronmongeryDirect customers to receive three months free membership with Checkatrade: a platform that can help tradespeople to build their business and reputation, with the added benefit that they will also receive a 10% discount on all orders with IronmongeryDirect. The discount will also be available to existing Checkatrade members.

Marco Verdonkschot, managing director at IronmongeryDirect says, “Checkatrade is the UK’s number one website for finding a tradesperson.

We are delighted to partner with them and offer our customers a discounted

rate on membership. This will open up the opportunity for their business to be found in over two million monthly visits from individuals looking for trustworthy tradespeople.

“In addition, new and existing Checkatrade members will be able to save 10% on purchases across our range of over 18,000 highquality products. This includes our seven exclusive brands that cover a range of commercial, domestic and specialist projects, all under one roof.”

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Alex Cubitt, Chief Growth Officer at Checkatrade said: “We’re pleased to provide our members with this benefit from IronmongeryDirect, which has joined our suite of exclusive partnerships and discounts.

We’re sure this will be welcomed by our 48,000 trade members.”

For more information or to sign up, please call 02394 317516 or visit https://join.checkatrade.com/idl

Ironmongery Direct & Electrical Direct have expanded delivery options Leading specialist trade

suppliers, IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect are now offering Same Day Delivery for customers with a SS, CM, or RM postcode for orders placed before 12pm, Monday-Friday. In addition, their Click & Collect network has doubled in size, with now over 6,000 shops available for customers to collect their orders from, providing even more convenience.

Customers in the Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford and Romford areas can now benefit from the same day delivery option when placing orders before midday during the week, with orders arriving by 4pm the same day, to ensure customers have what they need exactly when they need it.

Further to this, IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have updated its Click & Collect service, and can now offer over 6,000 pick-up points for customers to pick from, including Sainsburys, Matalan and Homebase –

covering a large portion of the UK. Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect says, “We recognised that a large proportion of our customer base was within a 30 mile radius of our warehouse, and we want to help support our local economy and tradespeople as best we can.

“As such, we have expanded our delivery offering so we can get products to customers in these regions quickly and reliably within the same day. This provides greater flexibility for our customers, allowing them to work as smoothly as possible, especially when meeting tight project schedules. We hope our customers enjoy this fantastic new service, as well as the update to our Click and Collect service.”

to tradespeople for over 50 years and has the UK’s biggest range with over 18,000 products available for next day delivery. ElectricalDirect has a huge range of electrical products in stock with everything from sockets and wiring to smart home products available.

For more information or to view our ranges online, please visit www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk and www.electricaldirect.co.uk

IronmongeryDirect has been supplying architectural ironmongery

Creative Build Magazine | 29

Prime Minister sets out plans for Decarbonising Heat The Prime Minister has made a

real statement of intent with his recently launched 10-point plan for decarbonising the economy. The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council, HHIC, are encouraged by the balanced strategy, and in particular the support for decarbonising heating through hydrogen and heat pumps.

The plans to create a Hydrogen Town, generate 5GW of hydrogen and inject half a billion pounds represent a significant vote of confidence for the technology.

Extending the Green Homes Grant is a welcome move.

Stewart Clements, Director of HHIC said: “HHIC members are leading in the manufacturing of low carbon heating appliances, so today’s announcement will give them real confidence in

continuing to invest in heating products that will help the UK decarbonise.”

“A commitment to create a Hydrogen Neighbourhood in 2023, and a Hydrogen Village by 2025 also provides the opportunity for the industry to innovate further.”

“The Government aim to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028 should also be applauded, and we will work with Government on how to make this work in practice.”

“HHIC are also very pleased to see an extension for the Green Homes Grant scheme. This should help the industry plan and invest in the future.

However, we hope that BEIS will look at the governance of this scheme to make it easier for heating engineers and small companies to access, reducing the red tape would be a good first step.”

Rail industry urges role for rail after welcoming Ten Point Decarbonisation Plan

The Railway Industry Association

(RIA), the voice of the UK rail supply community, has welcomed the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Decarbonisation Plan and urged a greater role for rail.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Decarbonisation Plan sets out a bold strategy for decarbonising the UK. Rail can play a key role in this vision – it is already a low carbon form of mass transit, and can reduce its emissions even further with a rolling programme of electrification and fleet orders of low carbon rolling stock including effective use of hydrogen and battery.

“We look forward to working with the Government as it publishes its Transport Decarbonisation Plan early next year, and would urge that rail plays a key role in supporting the UK’s journey to net zero.”

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Plans to create Hydrogen Village The Prime Ministers strong backing for hydrogen and other measures to decarbonise heating represents a major step forward for UK climate obligations, and is the commitment industry have been waiting for says leading energy trade association the Energy and Utilities Alliance, EUA.

The plans to ‘to generate 5GW of “low-carbon” hydrogen production capacity by 2030 and invest £500m in a bid to create a Hydrogen Neighbourhood in 2023, a Hydrogen Village by 2025, and to create the first town running entirely on hydrogen represent a significant vote of confidence for the technology.

towards creating a stable hydrogen economy in the UK. The plans to create a hydrogen town will give investors’ confidence and a clear sense of direction.”

“EUA and its members are poised to help deliver these projects and assist the UK to become a world leader in decarbonisation. We have long advocated for hydrogen to be recognised as having a key role in decarbonising our energy system, and we are pleased that Government now supporting these efforts.”

“The increased commitment towards energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating should also help the industry plan and invest in the future.

However, we hope that BEIS will look at the governance of this scheme to make it easier for heating engineers and small companies to access, reducing the red tape would be a good first step.”

Extending the Green Homes Grant is also extremely welcome and should breathe fresh impetus into the scheme.

Mike Foster, Chief Executive for EUA said: “The measures that the Prime Ministerhas outlined to support hydrogen are a significant move

Hedges Direct to donate 10% from all online orders to Cancer Research UK

As the UK charity fundraising

campaign ‘Giving Tuesday’ approaches on December 1st, Hedges Direct will be going one step further this December. During December the UK specialist suppliers of hedging and garden plants will be donating 10% from every online order placed to Cancer Research UK, to support the charity after the overwhelmingly tough year it has faced.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has seen Cancer Research UK suffer greatly, with its fundraising efforts, research, development and services all being vastly restricted: - Nationwide lockdown has put a halt on lab research as facilities were closed - Clinical trials have been paused as hospital capacity has been limited -Research funds could be cut by £150 million per year due to reduced fundraising income

With the many set backs that Cancer Research UK has faced this year, Hedges Direct recognises the urgent need to help re-build the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of the financial contribution being made by Hedges Direct is to help aid the growth and development of affected research experiments and contribute to a fast recovery.

Jamie Shipley, Managing Director said, “As an online business we have been very fortunate to be able to remain trading through 2020 when so many great businesses have been forced to close their doors. With this in mind the Hedges Direct team felt it important to give something back. So during December, we are donating 10% of our online revenue to Cancer Research UK. It’s a privilege to be able to support the wonderful work that Cancer Research undertakes, particularly at this vital time when COVID-19 has greatly impacted

funding. I’d like to thank each and every one of our customers for their support in 2020 and I hope that everybody will get behind this cause and continue with their garden projects in December and help us raise plenty of money at the same time.”

Read more from Jamie and how Hedges Direct and the horticultural industry have adapted during this unprecedented year.

Cancer Research UK relies heavily on the support of the public so it is incredibly important, now more than ever, to help where possible, even through the difficult times that the nation is facing.

To shop online at Hedges Direct visit the website at hedgesdirect.co.uk Hedges Direct’s customers will be updated in January with the total amount raised and donated to the charity.

Creative Build Magazine | 31

Historic homes at landmark Clifton Village development on track

Works to restore and convert a

Grade II listed rectory building into separate homes and build new executive properties within its grounds in Clifton Village are progressing well, with two houses now sold and five available to purchase.

Expected for completion in February 2021, works on the Rectory Mews development as it is known, are being led by Tomlinson Homes, a division of the G F Tomlinson Group, and will see the previously derelict Old Rectory site, which dates back to the mid1700s, restored and converted into a prominent gateway residential feature in the sought-after Clifton Village in Nottinghamshire.

The Old Rectory, once home to the Rector of Clifton, is a typical Georgian style building with South facing garden elevations, and the property still retains its original square stairwell with wooden cantilever stairs and large purpose-built rooms. Along with its boundary wall, it occupies a prime position in Clifton Village.

Once finished, Rectory Mews will

comprise four luxury homes within the Old Rectory building, each with its own entrance, outdoor space and garden, and within the beautifully landscaped grounds – three new executive properties will be built with garden facing elevations, accessed through a private gated driveway.

Homes within the Old Rectory conversion include The Gatehouse - a three-bedroom property and The Cottage - a two-bedroom property, which are both currently sold subject to contract. The Rectory - a fivebedroom property with reinstalled period features and views into the garden and The Lodge - a fourbedroom property, are both still available for purchase.

Sat within the exclusive grounds – the three new executive detached homes will include two five-bedroom properties - Beech House and Oak House, and Cedar House - a sixbedroom property, all of which are currently for sale.

The stunning new build properties boast ample living spaces, with

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garages, security gated access and private sun lounges.

Prices for the remaining available properties at Rectory Mews start at £550,000 and go up to £1million, and buyers can contact sole selling agent haart in Nottingham on 0115 941 1311 to register interest.

Viewings are being organised in line with COVID-19 government safety guidelines.

Tomlinson Homes has worked closely with the local community and Nottinghamshire County Council’s conservation team for all restoration works, and all properties are fitted with high spec fixtures and fittings, including Burbidge kitchens sourced locally from Design Time in West Bridgford and bathrooms from Roca, and Villeroy and Boch.

All interior design has been inspired by the location of the development and the new build properties have been named after trees within the grounds.

The development is superbly

positioned in close proximity to major employers such as Boots, Experian and both universities, with easy access to major travel routes including the M1, Beeston Station and Nottingham Parkway Station which has regular trains to London and East Midlands Airport.

Siman Preston, group property manager at Tomlinson Homes, said: “Works are progressing seamlessly at Rectory Mews – which once complete, will be an iconic residential development within the highly desirable Clifton Village.

buyers can qualify for a reduction in stamp duty if they act within this timescale.”

Tomlinson Homes is working alongside Nottinghamshire County Council’s conservation team, with a number of local companies to deliver this scheme, utilising workforce in the local area.

“The stunning restoration and conversion of the once derelict building will be a prominent feature of the village, giving it the entrance it so rightly deserves after so long.

“As well as the two properties already sold, we have had a great amount of interest in the remaining five homes and encourage buyers to register their interest for viewings with haart if they would like to look around, which is highly recommended. With the stamp duty ending in March next year,

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BAM signs solus supply deal with Polypipe

BAM Nuttall and BAM Construct UK

have signed a solus agreement with Polypipe Group plc’s market-leading divisions Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation and Polypipe Building Products to supply drainage products to all BAM’s infrastructure and building projects in the UK. The move signals a closer relationship in procurement between BAM UK businesses, anticipated to be the first of several such arrangements. BAM believes carefully targeted deals will offer a competitive advantage for its clients, and benefits in quality and performance.

“We are focused on meeting clients’ demands,” says Daniel Billinge, recently appointed as BAM Construct UK’s head of procurement. “This includes securing their key drivers like sustainability, faster programme delivery, and with modern methods of construction that demand more off-site manufacturing and standardisation. This step enhances all of those criteria.”

The BAM solus agreement with Polypipe supports earlier and closer collaboration throughout the project life cycle. Economies of scale and a raft of benefits will reduce capital costs for Clients and add sustainable value.

Using just one drainage supplier on a project means BAM can plug products into the design from day one. This component-led approach removes the need to alter drawings – or digital designs – further down the line. Reducing redesigns saves time and resolves clashes and interfaces before a project gets onto site. As all components are compatible, the system’s quality and performance are assured.

process which will help us look at a wider range of possible solutions, and take early decisions based on value not just capital cost.”

For both Polypipe and BAM, working together collaboratively will establish a platform for innovation and continuous improvement particularly in areas such as carbon reduction and the wider use of recycled materials and SMART technologies. It will also allow the development of bespoke net-gain solutions based on the unique Green Urbanisation approach which allows the integration of optimised green assets within urban and infrastructure schemes.

Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation became an approved supplier to BAM Nuttall around nine months ago, and the two organisations have already been working closely on projects for Highways England. BAM Nuttall is part of the LinkConnex consortium with partners Aecom and Mace which will work on Regional Delivery Framework projects on the M54/ M6 and the A38 in the Midlands and on the A27 in the South East. BAM Nuttall is also working on the M27 upgrade, part of the Smart Motorway programme, in joint venture with Morgan Sindall.

BAM Nuttall and Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation have been collaborating to create a library of BIM models for highway drainage. As well as streamlining the design and construction phases, this approach

“Ultimately this arrangement will not only take a lot of inefficiency out of the design, tender and construction stages, it will allow us to focus on what adds value for the customer on that particular project,” says James Lees, head of supply chain at BAM Nuttall. “Polypipe’s technical teams will be feeding into the design

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aims to bring efficiencies to the operation and maintenance of the roads.

“This deal is exciting because we are moving from a transactional relationship to a collaborative one,” says James Haddon, account manager for Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation, who has worked closely with James Lees and Daniel Billinge to set up the solus supply deal. “We are really happy about the way that our relationship has progressed and that we have been able to include other parts of our two groups in our journey”.

Aico secures triple award win

Market leader in domestic Fire and

Carbon Monoxide protection Aico are delighted to have won three awards at this year’s Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

Aico were shortlisted for a recordbreaking five awards this year and at the virtual awards ceremony on Friday 20th November, Aico were triple winners of the Workplace Health and Wellbeing award, Corporate and Environmental Responsibility award and the coveted Company of the Year award.

The Workplace Health and Wellbeing award is given to the company that recognises the importance of both the physical and mental wellbeing of their staff through managementbacked initiatives and staff training.

Aico demonstrate the importance they place on wellbeing through the input from colleagues on the design of the workplace, incorporating a relaxation room, games room and gym for staff to unwind. Aico also have a dedicated team of trained Mental Health First Aiders that provide a weekly standdown afternoon to promote the importance of speaking openly about mental health and reducing the stigma associated.

Aico also won the Corporate and Environmental Responsibility award for their commitment to sustainability and continual improvement of their environmental efforts. Through evaluating and developing products, services, waste and energy usage, Aico strive to reduce their overall environmental impact.

Finally, Aico were awarded the coveted Company of the Year award for flying the flag for Shropshire business excellence. Aico are the market leader in domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide protection, with turnover increasing each year and even doubling every five years.

Aico’s core ethos is education, quality, service and innovation, a culture that translates to every part of the business.

Managing Director Neal Hooper commented “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for no less than five awards, to then go on to win three awards, including Company of the Year is astounding. We are a strong company of good people doing their best, to achieve this recognition is great. Thank you to all at the Shropshire Chamber for a superb evening and congratulations to all of our fellow winners.”

The Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards recognise successful businesses in the county. This year, the awards were held virtually to celebrate the adaptability, resilience and innovation of Shropshire businesses.

Aico, an Ei Company, are the UK market leader in domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide protection, pioneering new technologies and offering high quality Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarms. All alarms have been designed, developed and manufactured at the Ei Electronics factory in Shannon, Ireland, ensuring that Aico alarms meet UK standards and offer a wide range of sensor types to ensure every home is protected. Each alarm is tested multiple times before leaving the factory ensuring quality in all Aico alarms. Aico offers in-house expert technical support as part of their dedication to excellent customer service. The Technical Team can provide advice on alarm selection, siting and installation, as well as producing personalised specification documents. As well as the in-house support provided, Aico also have Regional Specification Managers covering the whole of the UK to offer more personalised, local support.

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PM outlines his Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution for 250,000 jobs The Prime Minister has set out his ambitious ten point plan for a green industrial revolution

Covering clean energy, transport,

nature and innovative technologies, the Prime Minister’s blueprint will allow the UK to forge ahead with eradicating its contribution to climate change by 2050, particularly crucial in the run up to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow next year.

The plan – which is part of the PM’s mission to level up across the country - will mobilise £12 billion of government investment to create and support up to 250,000 highly-skilled green jobs in the UK, and spur over three times as much private sector investment by 2030.

At the centre of his blueprint are the UK’s industrial heartlands, including in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, Scotland and Wales, which will drive forward the green industrial revolution and build green jobs and industries of the future.

The Prime Minister’s ten points, which are built around the UK’s strengths, are: - Offshore wind: Producing enough offshore wind to power every home, quadrupling how much we produce to 40GW by 2030, supporting up to 60,000 jobs.

- Hydrogen: Working with industry aiming to generate 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for industry, transport, power and homes, and aiming to develop the first town heated entirely by hydrogen by the end of the decade.

- Nuclear: Advancing nuclear as a clean energy source, across large scale nuclear and developing the next generation of small and advanced reactors, which could support 10,000 jobs.

- Electric vehicles: Backing our worldleading car manufacturing bases including in the West Midlands, North East and North Wales to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles,

and transforming our national infrastructure to better support electric vehicles.

- Public transport, cycling and walking: Making cycling and walking more attractive ways to travel and investing in zero-emission public transport of the future.

- Jet Zero and greener maritime: Supporting difficult-to-decarbonise industries to become greener through research projects for zeroemission planes and ships.

- Homes and public buildings: Making our homes, schools and hospitals greener, warmer and more energy efficient, whilst creating 50,000 jobs by 2030, and a target to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028.

- Carbon capture: Becoming a worldleader in technology to capture and store harmful emissions away from the atmosphere, with a target to remove 10MT of carbon dioxide by 2030, equivalent to all emissions of the industrial Humber today.

- Nature: Protecting and restoring our natural environment, planting 30,000 hectares of trees every year, whilst creating and retaining thousands of jobs.

- Innovation and finance: Developing

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the cutting-edge technologies needed to reach these new energy ambitions and make the City of London the global centre of green finance.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: Although this year has taken a very different path to the one we expected, I haven’t lost sight of our ambitious plans to level up across the country. My Ten Point Plan will create, support and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs, whilst making strides towards net zero by 2050.

Our green industrial revolution will be powered by the wind turbines of Scotland and the North East, propelled by the electric vehicles made in the Midlands and advanced by the latest technologies developed in Wales, so we can look ahead to a more prosperous, greener future.

To deliver on six points of the plan, the Prime Minister has announced new investment, including: - Carbon capture: To revitalise the birthplaces of the first industrial revolution, the UK will be at the global forefront of carbon capture, usage and storage technology, benefiting regions with industries that are particularly difficult to decarbonise.

An extra £200 million of new funding to create two carbon capture clusters

by the mid-2020s, with another two set to be created by 2030. This increased the total invested to £1 billion, helping to support 50,000 jobs, potentially in areas such as the Humber, Teesside, Merseyside, Grangemouth and Port Talbot.

- Hydrogen: Up to £500 million, including for trialling homes using hydrogen for heating and cooking, starting with a Hydrogen Neighbourhood in 2023, moving to a Hydrogen Village by 2025, with an aim for a Hydrogen Town – equivalent to tens of thousands of homes – before the end of the decade. Of this funding, £240 million will go into new hydrogen production facilities.

- Nuclear: £525 million to help develop large and smaller-scale nuclear plants, and research and develop new advanced modular reactors.

- Electric vehicles: Following extensive consultation with car manufacturers and sellers, the Prime Minister has confirmed that the UK will end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, ten years earlier than planned. However we will allow the sale of hybrid cars and vans that can drive a significant distance with no carbon coming out of the tailpipe until 2035.

to provide up to £1 billion, boosting international investment into our strong manufacturing bases including in the Midlands and North East.

landscapes and the creation of new national parks, as set out by the Prime Minister over the last few weeks.

This will help protect and create thousands of new jobs, particularly in the Midlands, North East, and North Wales. We will also launch a consultation on the phase out of new diesel HGVs to put the UK in the vanguard of zero emission freight. No date has been set yet.

Other key parts of the plan will be driven forward by significant investment set out over the last year, including the £1 billion energy innovation fund to stay ahead of the latest technologies needed to reach new energy targets, £5 billion for alternative greener ways of travel including cycling, walking, and buses, and £5.2 billion to create for new flood and coastal defences in England by 2027.

Homes and public buildings: £1 billion next year into making new and existing homes and public buildings more efficient, extending the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme by a year and making public sector buildings greener and cutting bills for hospitals and schools, as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Greener maritime: £20 million for a competition to develop clean maritime technology, such as feasibility studies on key sites, including Orkney and Teesside.

This follows ambitious plans to make the UK the world leader in clean wind energy, and plans for greater protections for England’s iconic

These new commitments backed by government funding send a clear signal to industries across the British economy to invest in the UK, which is why today the Prime Minister will host a virtual roundtable with green investors to set out his ambitious plan and incentivise further private sector investment.

This marks the beginning of the UK’s path to net zero, with further plans to reduce emissions whilst creating jobs to follow over the next year in the run up to the international COP26 climate summit in Glasgow next year.

The UK car industry already manufactures a significant proportion of electric vehicles in Europe, including one of the most popular models in the world.

To support this acceleration, the Prime Minister has announced: - £1.3 billion to accelerate the rollout of chargepoints for electric vehicles in homes, streets and on motorways across England, so people can more easily and conveniently charge their cars.

- £582 million in grants for those buying zero or ultra-low emission vehicles to make them cheaper to buy and incentivise more people to make the transition.

- Nearly £500 million to be spent in the next four years for the development and mass-scale production of electric vehicle batteries, as part of our commitment

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‘2021 Kitchen Trends’ with British manufacturer, Daval Furniture

Daval, leading British designer and

manufacturer of luxury fitted furniture discuss the latest lifestyle trends it predicts, will influence and inspire the shape of kitchen design in 2021.

Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval Furniture reveals, “Selfexpression is forecast to be at the heart of lifestyle interiors next year, as homeowners and property developers seek to personalise the home and lean towards keystone kitchens where hero details, quality raw materials and custom elements are used to anchor a design and overall style identity. Our research indicates that meaningful kitchen design, which is luxurious and sustainable is evolving the modern home – new build or period property – and this has led to a rise in storage requirements and need for space to cook, eat, socialise, relax and work remotely.”

The UK has the second-largest design sector in the world and the largest design industry in Europe, with Germany, France and United Kingdom currently representing 50% of the continent’s DIY market. With a

renewed focus on design innovation and quality in furniture, Daval share its thoughts on tomorrow’s kitchen…

New Traditional: Modernising the classic Shaker-style kitchen has emerged as a consumer-favourite in 2020, as both furniture and the latest fashions continue to focus on authentic product design and quality craftsmanship. Master joinery techniques, eco-friendly materials and special surface treatments will therefore be key in 2021, helping to create a tailor-made aesthetic that is sensitive to the kitchen, homes architecture and personal style. This type of ‘layered design’ will continue to increase the level of customisation in kitchens next year, with bespoke paint finishes, custom larder options, utility solutions and butler-style pantries being used to give a new sense of style and purpose to the classic kitchen and embrace our return to more traditional values.

Green Contemporary: We have moved into a post-industrial era in which ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ has become universally significant

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in the future of our planet and increased wellbeing at home. Using environmentally-friendly materials in interior design has seen huge growth of late and we are finding that the pure nature of 100% recycled furniture continues to lend itself to urban-inspired kitchens, which are sustainable and originally designed.

To echo the renewable trend, earthy shades of green are predicted to be front runners in 2021, providing a solid foundation in the kitchen with rich tonal value and design authenticity. Taking on a variety of forms next year, softer moss greens and shades of grey will define the contemporary kitchen whereas stronger, more traditional tones like forest green will enrich more classical British schemes.

Dark colours in 2021 will look to the different types of wood species available, with browns and blacks being introduced through rustic wood veneers, charred timber effects and matt black accessories. I believe raw, natural materials will continue to define the modern kitchen and

increase the subtle interplay of mixed materials that we’ve all grown to love!

Oak: Infinitely stylish, real wood kitchens continue to hit the mainstream with great affection and we are finding that solid oak has become a go-to option for creating a sense of calm and serenity in the kitchen, akin to Mother Nature. Durable and lightweight with defined wood grain, this choice of hardwood is a natural beauty - able to be easily moulded, hand painted and specially treated with oil or wax.

To further amplify the markets love of wood products and their positive effects in the home, oak will create areas of light and dark dependent on your choice of surface treatment. If you’re looking for Nordic inspired interiors, which have a strong focus on textures and light colours then you need opt for a white-washed to brighten the space. Classic oak is also available in warmer mid-tones, which is great if you want to create balance between light and dark through natural raw materials.

Family Focus: We all want to make the most of time spent with family and friends right now and so the desire to create a welcoming kitchen and living area in-one is only going to intensify next year. Placing huge importance on ‘community at home’, tomorrow’s kitchen needs to be able to cater to different needs like entertaining at home.

Now more than ever, the home is your one-true safe place and I believe the desire to host and entertain friends and family will only increase as we continue to adapt to new social distancing measures: in and outside of the home.

Another lifestyle trend has taken a four-legged approach to furniture design and storage. With approximately 45% of UK households now owning a pet, it makes sense to accommodate this furry friend from the outset, however now we’re spending more time at home, there is huge potential for custom designed furniture to not only house pet food and accessories, but your beloved dog or cat too!

With this in mind, consider new design options like banquette seating, integral breakfast bars and extra power points at the early stages of design as this will ensure you have the ‘fundamentals’ planned-in so for instance, you can conveniently charge your laptop, smart phone or other electronic device in a dedicated area of the kitchen: great when working from home or seeking some down time with friends and family.

Looking to the future, Daval kitchens are built from sustainable materials and precision engineered in the UK. Watch this space for the new 2021 Collection by Daval Furniture coming out next year…

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Voyage by VitrA leads the way in the bathroom transformation

Bathroom design is evolving, and

VitrA’s expansive Voyage collection points us towards the look and feel of tomorrow.

Gone are the days when the bathroom was a practical affair, a room only to dash in and out of. In recent years the space’s functionality has melded with tactile materials, sensuous shapes and considered use of colour as it moves further and further from existing purely for cleanliness, to somewhere to enjoy, retreat to, and luxuriate in.

The design of the bathroom and the objects within it have adapted accordingly, in a trend that first saw freestanding baths take on ever more experimental shapes, and slowly trickled through into furniture, brassware and ceramics. As things get increasingly progressive, leading the way is Voyage by VitrA, a 130-piece range by renown Israeli creative Arik Levy, characterised by flowing, sculptural sanitaryware and adaptable wooden storage.

‘VitrA’s Voyage collection breaks bathroom boundaries with its unique interpretation of ceramicware, and forward-thinking approach to space saving and flexibility’ says Graeme Borchard, Managing Director at ukbathrooms.com. ‘The range is a glimpse into the future, showing us that contemporary spaces will be imaginative, impactful and approached differently to today.’

Serene ceramics The collection clearly plays into the bathroom’s new role as a room for relaxation. Sanitaryware is modern and elegant, circular or oval basins merged with round-cornered rectangular trays, which invoke a deeply calming feel, thanks to the smoothness of the shapes and the clear craft involved in combining the forms. These pieces speak of poetry, artistry and a soothing softness.

Wet or dry?

In a further challenge to the bathroom norm, Voyage basins blur the boundaries of the wet and the

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dry, with the tray surrounding the bowl creating a mid-point between the two and initiating a new dialogue between countertop and bowl. Will this extra area be used for product storage, to catch water, or in ways we are yet to discover?

Total flexibility Voyage is entirely wall hung, an innovation which makes it incredibly versatile and entirely customisable to specific spaces and needs. Storage focuses on simple timber boxes – inspired by the time designer Arik Levy spent living in Japan – units and wall panels that can be placed horizontally or vertically, in five natural tones including light and dark oak as well as white, grey and forest green.

Signalling a change in bathroom design, Voyage works in rooms big and small, crucially embracing individual needs and preferences, and inviting the user on a journey to build their own personal space to unwind in.

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‘Colour Confidence’ with Brandt Design and 190 RAL colours options

Specialists in the design and

installation of residential and commercial lifestyle interiors, Brandt Design, introduce new creative design-opportunities for its kitchen customers by expanding its furniture collections to include a diverse menu of190 RAL colour options.

Available across all shaker doors and flat satin lacquer doors, this exciting development provides Brandt Design with even greater scope to deliver high-specification interior projects for UK homeowners and developers alike, and Julia Steadman, Head of Operations at Brandt Design explains, “The personalized home continues to be a hot topic in interior design and working with different colour stories is a great way to define your own style and make a statement in the kitchen.

At this time of great change and adversity, selecting the right colour can be a real asset for both your heart and home, able to define a specific look and have positive effects on both your mood and productivity.”

Recognising that colour is incredibly personal, Brandt Design is delighted

to share this dynamic library of classic RAL colours across both its Heritage and Urban furniture collections to inspire your next kitchen project.

A high-concept contemporary range that is sleek and versatile, Urban

by Brandt Design offers something for everyone in terms of colours and finishes, along with a choice of handle or handle-less furniture designs to help realise your dream kitchen.

Heritage by Brandt Design offers a more classical and bespoke range of furniture, which is beautifully crafted in the UK and available with a comprehensive range of colours and architectural features across the doors and hardware.

Scott Davis, Managing Director at Brandt Design says, “I am really pleased we continue to build our offering, with this recent development creating another level of custom interior design for our customers. The German-born RAL colour system was first established

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in 1927 as a way to define colours for paints, finishes and plastics and the fact it is still going strong 90 years later says a lot about the markets love of colour and tonal variety.”

What is your colour-story?

- MONOCHROME: one-colour kitchen interior with the same or variations of just one hue - TWO-TONE: dual aspect kitchen with two high contrast finishes in opposing colours - BOLD: used in isolation to create a focal point or much-needed injection of colour - NEUTRAL: colours that can function as either warm or cool like white, grey and taupe Brandt Design is very proud to share in this heritage and with such an extensive colour palette to choose from, its talented designers can go the extra mile to ensure the perfect kitchen for you and your home. For further information on Brandt Design, please contact: Brandt Design www.brandtdesign.co.uk info@brandtkitchens.co.uk

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‘In Conversation’ with Graham Bucktrout, MD at Imperial Bathrooms

while continuing to promote our exceptional bathroom products to the discerning UK homeowner in a strategic and proactive manner.”

Handcrafted bathroom solutions, still ‘Made in Britain’ - Graham Bucktrout, Managing Director at Imperial Bathrooms.

Specialists in the design and manufacture of classic and contemporary British-made bathroom solutions, Imperial Bathrooms, welcome Graham Bucktrout as its newly appointed Managing Director and this month, we find out more about him, his immediate plans for the company and personal brand vision for the future.

Tell us about yourself and career up to now: “I’ve worked in the KBB industry for many years spanning a number of well-known, industry leading bathroom brands and this has seen me adopt a directorship role at Jacuzzi UK back in the late 1990s, as well as head-up Lecico Egypt for over eight years. More recently, I was MD of West Yorkshire-based company JP Distribution, and for the last two years I’ve also been developing the White Ville Ceramics sanitaryware brand, which is now the largest manufacturer of contemporary sanitaryware in Egypt.”

“Interestingly, what many of you don’t realise is that I was the former Sales & Marketing Director at Imperial back in 2009, so returning to the fold is like coming home for me. It’s a family business – which creates a huge sense of belonging that’s hard to

emulate – and I have a tremendous amount of respect for James Stevenson and the talented team who make this brand what it is today.

I have also always had enormous admiration and affection for the brand, its classic British heritage and history of fine craftsmanship. I am therefore delighted to take the helm and in time, provide a more generous UK offering next year from White Ville and Imperial Bathrooms in order to reposition our brand and products in front of more end users.”

What are your immediate plans for the company? “It goes without saying that right now is an extremely exciting time to be involved with Imperial Bathrooms, as substantial investment in the business by our new owners Lousada Plc has allowed us to make fundamental changes and implement our ambitious growth plans – namely, to grow annual turnover from £6million to £20million over the next five years. In a sense, it can be seen as marking a new beginning for the business, and with continued investment in advancing our manufacturing capabilities – and in particular developing our Ceramic and Wood Divisions – we intend to boost productivity, while developing export channels and identifying fresh opportunities to take the company forward. Our customer service is second to none, and I will be working hard to uphold those high standards,

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Will current market conditions affect your plans, now and long-term?

“There’s no getting away from the fact that we have all been navigating a challenging economic climate and this unpredictable market downturn has not been made any easier by either the COVID-19 pandemic, or by the looming prospect of Brexit.

Having said that, in spite of these challenges, business has been buoyant and consumer demand for our products has remained high and I believe this loyalty and continued level of interest stems from our ability to design and manufacture in Britain. As a true British manufacturer, which is steeped in a rich history of producing authentic, high quality British-made products, Imperial is in a uniquely strong position to reach new markets, and I foresee our plans for increasing exports as a way to underpin our native business model which allows us to remain exclusive and proficient in the marketplace.”

Where do you see the business in five years’ time? “As well as strengthening our share in exports, we want to expand our consumer reach and by virtue, product offering.

Following our merger with the White Ville Ceramics brand next year, Imperial will be able to supplement its current classic bathroom collections with White Ville’s Italian-designed contemporary Sanitaryware products.

This will naturally increase and enhance our already extensive Imperial portfolio, and enable us to reach out to a much broader market – and that is in addition to the launch of new Imperial Bathrooms products over the next few years. My vision for the future is being able to provide a one-stop shop for a higher number of consumers – no matter what their style preferences may be – and being perceived as the go-to, musthave designer and manufacturer of exquisite bathroom products. With this in mind, I foresee Imperial Bathrooms will rise to the challenge and achieve its projected turn over in five years’ time.”

Cube by Rotpunkt is ‘Highly Commended’ at Designer Awards 2020

Rotpunkt, carbon neutral

manufacturer of quality German Kitchen furniture, is proud to announce that its revolutionary furniture solution, Cube, which creates new and exciting planning options for built-in appliances is ‘Highly Commended’ at this years Designer Awards for Innovation in Kitchen Product Design.

Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt says, “We feel that Cube is definitely a ground breaking solution for built-in appliances, introducing atypical planning options for the modern kitchen in terms of design and function. To be recognised by the 2020 Designer Awards is a real achievement and mark of how the company is able to inherently focus on distinct ergonomic storage that is sustainable and high-design.”

“Cube is an important part of our 20/21 collection, as it gives the detailoriented homeowner and designer custom-housing furniture solutions, which are able to adapt to different interior spaces and user requirements.

Graphic lines and bicolour designs are key trends for 2021 with Cube playing a leading role in the kitchen of tomorrow, able to be ColourMatched and designed in-between furniture, deck mounted or wall hung to create a design feature that serves both home and lifestyle” says Matt. This year’s 18th Designer Awards took

place as a virtual event, airing on the 18th November to the very best in design and manufacturing the KBB industry has to offer.

Custom by design, Cube by Rotpunkt is a unique kitchen furniture and appliance solution, which offers atypical planning options for built-in appliances like ovens and microwaves. The height of each Cube is automatically adapted to suit an appliance, so you can ensure the perfect fit with exclusive madeto-measure appearance. Cube can be designed with standard shelves, internal drawers and also special drawers for coffee machines, kettles and other essential hardware.

Dependent on design requirements, Cube can be planned in three different variants:

a bank of functionality side by side.

- Manufactured with zero carbon footprint = 100% carbon neutral - ColourMatch ability - Ergonomic space planning solution For further information, please contact Rotpunkt UK as per below via email matt.phillips@rotpunktuk.com or visit rotpunktkuechen.de/en/

- Floating: wall-hung to claw back valuable floor space and make a feature of a bare wall - Deck mounted: countertop installation to become part of the furniture and/or worktop - Fitted: in between furniture, i.e. tall units Each Cube can be designed in either a single, double or triple configuration, which means they can be specially designed to house up to 2 or 3 appliances, so you can create

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