UK Construction v16n11 online

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V16 N11

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

NEWS, REPORTS, COMMENTS, PROFILES AND SITE PROJECTS CBRE Advice for successful data centre p56

LONDON ARRAY World’s largest wind farm blows into action p74

NANDO’S Hungry for the challenge p86

ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL New maintenance facility in South Yorkshire p114

Safe as houses Choose Stairways and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you will not only receive an attractive, quality, durable and performing doorset, but also one that meets PAS 24:2012 regulations.

Call 01926 818770 for assistance with specifications and technical advice.

www.stairways.co.uk Doorsets | Door Kits | Staircases | Bespoke Joinery

PROFILE 34 56 62 63 64 67 68 78 90 96 97 98 113 114 118 136 142 150

Miller Homes CBRE Darlow Lloyd (Construction) Ltd RN Wooler & Company Ltd AECB North Star Housing Group Southern Water Clancy Construction Partnership Massey’s DIY & Gardening Store Martin Walsh Associates Countryside Properties Marl International Lingard Styles Ltd North Warickshire Council Electro Motive Diesel Staffordshire County Council Castleoak Care CONSTRUCT SAEMA

LEISURE 127 Sleaford Leisure Centre 131 Blackburn Rovers 158 National Trust Attingham Park

EDUCATION 36 NEW College 72 Ludgrove School 132 Lancaster University

HOUSING 35 37 81 94 98 112 130 134 140

HEALTH

Graham Solley Pavilion St Pauls United Reformed Church Manuden Community Scheme Aykley Heads

22 NHBC Foundation Low & Zero Carbon Technologies 23 Velux - Keith Riddle 26 Ordnance Survey Mapping 27 Thomas Eggar - Kasia Dickson 28 ADAS Air Quality 29 UK Container Maintenance - Emma Elston 30 Daikin UK Heat Recovery 31 Boodle Hatfield - David Johnson 162 Sheridan Gold - Jonathan Gold

61 Rectory Lane Care Home 92 Teenage Day Care Centre Southampton General Hospital 95 Jewish Care

COMMERCIAL 32 60 67 93 112

Pargat House Sainsbury’s Distribution Centre Great Guildford Business Square Hammersley Barracks HQ Canary Wharf Group PLC

CIVIL 34 38 74 99 108

COMMUNITY 85 91 117 149

Bellway Homes Leeds Central Village Scotswood 100 Kings Road Sydenham Court Amblecote Estate Ouseburn Valley East Anton Lisroan

COMMENTS

Loughborough Town Centre London Underground London Array Ferrybridge Multifuel Facility Crossrail Connaught Tunnel

RETAIL 58 66 82 86

Morrisons Aldi B&M Bargains Nandos

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NEWS

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Editors Victoria Lee Gareth Trevor-Jones Staff Writer John Train Editorial Raimy Greenland Robert Atherton Copy Jody Ramsey

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Studio Manager SĂŠamus Norton Designer Richard Gill ISSN 1461-1279

Proof Reader Matthew Brown Approvals Sarah Smith

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Credit Control Carol Ryan

Circulation of 93,519

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Mellor&Scott

Based in the Square Mile, Mellor&Scott is a Full Service Creative Agency founded in 2008 on 3 guiding principles that drive every decision - Creative, Brave, Precise.

We love it when clients put their most prized assets in our hands to - shape, mould, develop, evolve and constantly improve.

The Mellor&Scott Story The Mellor&Scott story starts where all good stories start, drinking a few too many pints of Guinness in a fine public house on St Patrick’s Day 2003. Other matters had to be resolved before the official formation of the company but fast-forward to January 2009 and Mellor&Scott was officially formed. The company has grown from just Paul and James - the studio now packs a punch with a team of

the best creative talent who all believe in the Mellor&Scott dream.

Paul Mellor Bio Paul has worked in the creative industry for over 10 years, in 2008 he founded Mellor&Scott - London’s Full Service Creative Agency. Ultimately responsible for the over-arching commercial and design direction within the studio. Paul wears many hats to drive the business forward - Marketeer, Designer, Strategist, Writer, Speech Maker and Director. We love it when clients put their most prized assets in our hands to - shape, mould, develop, evolve and constantly improve.

’18 months ago we highlighted the Property & Construction sector as one we wanted to work in further. It appealed to us as we felt there are many ripe businesses for us to add serious long-term value to their brand, vision & marketing - demonstrating real value on their bottom line. A year and a half later we have grown an absolute specialism within Property & Construction, we have produced key insight into the very heart of what makes a buyer purr about one of our clients' - Paul Mellor

Client Testimonial Watkins is one of the leading providers of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing services in the South East of England. With a turnover of £25M and a workforce of over 200 operatives, Watkins can provide the complete M&E solution for your project. Current contracts range in size up to £10M and Watkins offer the full range of services in house: from design, installation and maintenance to 24 hour customer care.

‘Watkins have worked closely with Mellor&Scott on projects including a redesign of our website and marketing material. During the process they took the time to understand the business, customer base and our requirements.’ - Brad Harding, Managing Director, Watkins Group

A higher standard of security from Gilgen Automatic Doors Gilgen Door Systems has launched a new range of burglar-resistant automatic sliding doors designed to target harden buildings from the threat of break-in, theft and criminal attack. The Gilgen SLX- RC (Resistance Class) automatic door is one of the first to have passed the latest EN1627 (2011) European burglar resistance standard.

Gilgen Door Systems commissioned the highly acclaimed German testing institute TÜV Nord to test two of their models; the SLX RC2 and SLX RC3 automatic door. Equipment such as crow bars, club hammers and drills were used to try and force the Gilgen doors open over a sustained time period without success. The doors also withstood static loads (RC2 = 3000 N / RC3 = 6000 N) and also successfully passed the dynamic impact test with a pendulum weight of 50 kg.

“We are absolutely delighted to have passed the European burglar resistance standard with the Gilgen SLX - RC range and look forward to offering customers a higher level of security for their entrance systems.” says David Cerquella, Managing Director at Gilgen Door Systems.

Buildings used by high value retailers, Government departments, banks, forecourts, pharmacies and other commercial operations can now benefit from

the enhanced security of the Gilgen SLX- RC doors, helping to reduce the risk of break-in and theft. Additionally, loss prevention and reduced insurance premiums resulting from the enhanced security will provide a good return on investment.

The Gilgen SLX - RC can be installed as a single or bi-parting door system, with or without glazed panels. A Gilgen Fluveri® multipoint locking mechanism is fitted as standard and the door set provides easy, convenient and hygienic access when in normal operation. The elegant profiles of the Gilgen SLX - RC mean there is no difference in appearance from a standard automatic door and it will therefore suit any building facade without compromising the overall aesthetic design.

Gilgen Door Systems is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of automatic doors, security roller shutters and industrial doors. Its Rolegard® range of security roller shutters is certified to LPS*, Issue 7, Level 2, 3 and 4 and designed to protect premises with a medium to high level security threat. Uniquely, the company supplies and supports both automatic doors and industrial doors through a national service team of 90 professional engineers.

For further information please 0800 316 6994 or visit www.gilgendoorsystems.co.uk

UKC NEWS

Balfour Beatty plays key role in Aquatics Centre legacy As part of the post Games transformation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the iconic Aquatics Centre is being transformed by Main Contractor Balfour Beatty to reveal its intended architectural design. But with this came the sustainable challenge of recycling 50% and reusing 50% of the materials being removed including the huge temporary stands. With sustainability in mind, the stands have been dismantled and are being moved to a new home – at a racecourse in Miami.

One of the focal points of the 2012 Olympic Games, the Aquatics Centre’s stunning wave shaped roof was flanked by 42m high temporary stands on either side which are being removed and replaced with glazed elevations to reveal,

for the first time, the stunning Zaha Hadid Architects designed building.

Through the use of the SPS (Sandwich Plate System) terraces, Balfour Beatty helped to deliver a uniquely demountable structure which had the feel of a permanent venue but also gave the client the opportunity for the whole structure to be reused after the games.

Representing another milestone in sustainable construction and a valuable Olympic legacy, the demountable terracing has been dismantled by specialist contractor Scafform Event Services and will be reused as a permanent system across the Atlantic at the Gulfstream Racecourse in Miami Florida.

Stuart Fraser, Programme Director - Major Projects at Balfour Beatty Construction

Services UK commented: “The Olympic Delivery Authorities approach to the London 2012 programme and their sustainability targets have set new benchmarks for the construction industry. This has helped all of us to improve our systems and make our people and our suppliers believe that addressing sustainability through design, procurement and construction phases is a collective responsibility.”

With the Aquatics Centre set to reopen to the public in the Spring of 2014, one of the world’s most stunning public swimming pools will form part of a suite of world class energy and resource efficient sporting venues in Queen Elizabeth Park and is further testament to the sustainable work of Balfour Beatty.

Major warehouse expansion at Port of Southampton Work is has begun on a £3.7M extension to a major dockside warehouse facility in the Port of Southampton.

Midas Southern, a division of The Midas Group, won the contract to build the extension to an existing warehouse at dock gate 20 which is owned and managed

by Associated British Ports (ABP).

The project will also involve solar panels installed to create revenue for ABP – the first time this has happened in any of the Company’s 21 UK ports.

The 6,000sq m extension to the existing 14,000 sq m warehouse is due to be completed by July 2014.

The warehouse is used for retail logistics distribution by Import Services who lease it from ABP, and were keen to expand their business. The current warehouse will remain in use throughout the building period, creating additional challenges for the Midas team.

Paul Strachan, Divisional Director for Midas Southern, said: “We are delighted to be part of another major project for ABP in Southampton, which has now earned a reputation as a world class port facility.

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“We successfully tendered for this new contract against four other contractors and will be carefully coordinating works to minimise the impact on the current tenant, who will remain in operation throughout the construction, as well as ensuring essential port services are not interrupted.”

Gideon Aymes, Project Manager for ABP, said: “This is an exciting project for ABP as in addition to installing solar

panels to power the new building Midas are creating, the Midas team will be installing additional solar panels onto the existing warehouse facility with the aim of earning revenue for us.

“This has never been done before in any ABP port so it’s a new concept and we are delighted Midas will be working with us to achieve our aims.”

Interserve delivers £28M fitness and wellbeing centre for Leeds Interserve, the international support services and construction group, has successfully handed over to Leeds City Council a £28M innovative fitness and wellbeing centre called Holt Park Active.

The project, which has been funded through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and built through the Leeds Education Partnership, showcases the work not only of Interserve Developments, Interserve Construction and Interserve Engineering Services, but also the group’s FM operation, Interserve Support Services.

Holt Park Active is an innovation centre, which represents a new approach to community fitness centres, putting health and wellbeing at its core. The centre consists of a range of flexible spaces for activities and support services that suits people of all ages. It features a gym, 25m pool, hydrotherapy and learning pools, dance studio, cafe, garden, sports hall, multi-activity rooms and meeting/training areas.

The Holt Park Active project follows the successful completion of Armley and Morley leisure centres for Leeds City Council by Interserve. The Company has also completed a number of other PFI schemes in the Leeds area, including Allerton High School, the Rodillian Academy, Pudsey Grangefield High School, Allerton Grange and Leeds West Academy.

Commenting on the project Gareth Edwards, Interserve Construction’s Operations Director, Strategic Projects said: “Interserve is responsible for delivering 23 schemes under the Leeds Building Schools for the Future Programme, representing some £350M of investment for the people of Leeds. This centre will bring tremendous benefits to the local community, and it has been a real pleasure to see it become a reality.”

Holt Park Active opened to residents in October and replaces the Holt Park Leisure Centre, which closed its doors last December after operating for 36 years.

Breakthrough for Crossrail as tunnelling machine Elizabeth arrives at Stepney Green Cavern Crossrail reached another milestone as 1,000 tonne tunnel boring machine Elizabeth broke into one of Europe’s largest mined caverns, 40m below Stepney Green in the East End of London.

Elizabeth, along with her sister machine Victoria, is completing the longest tunnel drive on the Crossrail project, from Limmo Peninsula near Canning Town to Farringdon, a distance of 8.3 kilometres (5.16 miles).

Since being launched last winter, both machines have been working round the clock to create the new tunnels, passing through the new Canary Wharf Crossrail station during the summer.

Tunnelling machine Elizabeth will now undergo maintenance inside Stepney Green’s westbound cavern before resuming tunnelling towards Whitechapel, Liverpool Street and Farringdon.

The Stepney Green caverns are some of the largest mined caverns ever built in Europe using a tunneling technique called Sprayed Concrete Lining. They are approximately 50m long, 17m

wide and 15m high. Stepney Green will have a critical role to play when Crossrail opens; it is where the railway divides with the southeast spur running underground to Canary Wharf, Woolwich and then onto Abbey Wood. The northeast spur runs from Stepney Green through Pudding Mill Lane, Stratford, and then on to Shenfield in Essex.

Major tunnelling is expected to be complete by the end of next year.

One of the tunnel boring machines, Phyllis, has already completed her journey on from Royal Oak in west London to Farringdon in the City.

Crossrail’s construction commenced on 15 May 2009 at Canary Wharf, with tunnelling starting in May 2012. When Crossrail opens in 2018, it will increase London’s rail-based transport network capacity by 10% and dramatically cut journey times across the city. Crossrail will be fully integrated as part of the TfL network providing a fast, frequent service linking the east and west and relieving congestion on some of the busiest Tube lines.

University of Brighton students tour construction site Special access to a construction site at Ovingdean Hall Collage where work is underway for a three-storey accommodation block with 62 rooms was arranged for University of Brighton students studying built environment and civil engineering courses in the School of Environment and Technology. A total of 11 students, led by Georgia Wrighton, Lecturer in Town Planning were given a tour of the building by Amiri Construction’s Managing Director Grahame Pettit and Lee Wilkinson the Site Manager, with Leah O’Brien, from Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers RLF who arranged the opportunity. The new block will be completed by next summer.

Georgia Wrighton said that the site visit was very useful to the students: “The site visit provided our students with direct experience of a construction project,

prompting interest and lively enquiry into the range of challenges towards making development happen. There’s no substitute for the outdoor classroom, and we’re very grateful for the opportunity.”

Grahame Pettit, whose career in the construction industry spans over 30 years, said that Amiri was delighted to have the opportunity to give access to the site and help encourage the next generation of construction managers.

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• consultancy • design and planning • manufacture • project management • bespoke solutions • delivery • installation

TRANSFORMING YOUR IDEAS INTO A STUNNING REALITY If you’re looking to source a design led furniture manufacturer offering pioneering solutions, then choose British Thornton.

‘British Thorntons’ design team continually supplied feedback to support the academy in its choices and ultimately delivered a superb environment for students to learn in.’

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Business Storage Products Ltd was set up in 2009 by Karen Magowan and Howard Boles and is now fast approaching their 6th year in business. 2013 has been a very rewarding year for BSP by employing Andy Gallaher as a Sales Executive and Claire McCullough and Valerie Anderson as Administration Assistants. We have secured a number of NI blue chip companies as clients and installed Link 51 High Density Live Pallet Racking, the first installation of this system in Northern Ireland. We have recently moved to larger premises that was literally a bare shell and it has taken a couple of months to complete using products that we supply to our customers. We are now moved in and are now ready for the next exciting chapter.

We specialise in Shelving and Racking, Office and Industrial Partitioning, Mezzanine Floors and Suspended Ceilings, Trucks and Trolleys, Containers and all other types of storage systems. BSP are also the only Northern Ireland and Ireland based Shelving Company which can offer qualified SEMA Racking Inspections directly, as we have our own qualified racking inspector. Within our premises we are able to offer Rack Awareness Safety Courses with both written and practical training.

Please contact our office if you have any enquiries

Unit 25 East Belfast Enterprise Park, 308 Albertbridge Road, Belfast, BT5 4GX

Tel: 028 90693003 Fax: 028 90691889 www.businessstorageproducts.co.uk

UKC NEWS

University builds £81M student accommodation The construction of a new £81M student accommodation complex is starting at the University of Salford as part of a multi-million pound investment programme to redevelop the campus.

The apartments at the heart of the campus will provide 1,367 modern study bedrooms with ensuite facilities.

Each apartment will have its own kitchen and lounge and the complex will contain a cinema, gym, TV and games room, group study lounges, onsite shops, restaurants and cafes.

The accommodation will be sustainable and energy-efficient with a target of achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating.

The consortium Salford Village Limited

- comprising investment companies Equitix and Kier Project Investment, Graham Investment Projects and student accommodation operator Campus Living Villages - is developing the property with project finance provided by Standard Life Investments. Graham Construction is carrying out the building works.

Campus Living Villages will run the development on behalf of the consortium when it opens to students in September 2015.

Along with its partners, the University is investing a total of £136M in the Salford campus over the next two and a half years. BAM Construction recently started building the state-of-the-art

J D Neuhaus hoists help build world’s largest observation wheel Three J D Neuhaus air operated hoists, each providing a 50 tonne lifting capacity, have been utilised in the construction of the world’s largest observation wheel located at The Linq, Caesars Entertainment’s $550 million outdoor retail, dining and entertainment district located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. The wheel, which tops out at a height of 550ft, provides an impressive view for both daytime and nightime skylines of this unique resort destination. The structure, known as the Las Vegas High Roller, comprises 28 viewing cabins with a total 1,120 passenger capacity. The impressive height exceeds other Great Wheels of the world such as the Singapore Flyer at 541ft (28 cabins with 784 passenger capacity) and the UK’s London Eye at 443ft (32 cabins with 800 passenger capacity).

The air operated hoists were located at a temporary chain fall platform suspended below the wheel central hub and utilised their 280ft of cable fall to lift equipment from the ground level. These lifts included 18 temporary radial struts, each being 40 tons in

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weight, together with transfer trusses of similar weights and all the individual outer rim segments of the completed wheel, together with a total of 112 cable locking assemblies initially assembled at 50% tension loads. The temporary radial struts were installed to provide the accurate spacing of the individual wheel rim segments from the central hub unit during initial build assembly. These were then sequentially replaced by the cable locking assemblies, which when fully tensioned provided the radial spokes of the completed wheel assembly.

The wheel structure incorporates 3.5 million pounds of steel, with the 112 cables forming the tensioned spokes of the structure having a combined total length of 25,256ft, with each cable having a breaking force of 550 tons. The individual viewing cabins incorporate dynamic video and music while their 300ft of glass will provide exciting, unparalleled views of the Las Vegas Strip, with an approximate 30 minutes undertaken for each revolution of the wheel structure, travelling at one foot per second.

£55M ‘Gateway Project’ which will have a theatre, recording and photography studios, café areas, performance and rehearsal spaces, computer suites and lecture theatres. The Gateway Project will open in early 2016, just a few months after the new student accommodation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Hall said: “Our new student accommodation will, alongside our other major investments, create a studying and living environment which will be second to none.

“Set next to the historical Peel Park and within walking distance to the centre of the vibrant city of Manchester, students will be catered for like never before.”

G F Tomlinson completes new £5.5M state-of-theart archive centre Marley Eternit tops off ‘largest cowshed in Cornwall’ G F Tomlinson has completed the construction work on a new public archive centre in the West Midlands.

The Archive and Local History Centre in Dudley was completed for its client Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. It replaces the existing centre in Coseley which was deemed to be inadequate with limited storage space.

Andy Sewards, Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “The new building has a striking design and the scheme has achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, demonstrating that it is therefore energy efficient and has a low impact on the environment.

“It has been built to the very highest standards and will provide a great resource for residents to enjoy their local history and heritage.”

The centre will provide a range of services, including education and conference rooms, public WiFi facilities, and a rare books library. There will also be a research area and car parking, together with a new high-tech conservation facility to care for damaged documents.

The new building is part of an extensive, wider redevelopment programme and has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Following completion, G F Tomlinson handed over the scheme to its client ready for its opening to the public in January, 2014, at which point schools, and community groups, will also gain access to a whole range of history activities and adult learning courses.

Les Jones, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Leader, said: “We look forward to opening the new centre which will help us to preserve our local history and heritage.”

G F Tomlinson has a base in Birmingham and works across the Midlands and nationally.

Marley Eternit has topped off what has been nicknamed the “largest cowshed in Cornwall” with its fibre cement Profile 6 sheeting.

The £650,000 new Exhibition Hall at the Royal Cornwall Showground at Wadebridge was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex.

Smiths Gore’s Architecture and Building Surveying team in Truro specified Profile 6 for the roof and vertical cladding because it provided the most complimentary aesthetic to existing buildings on the showground.

The hall will offer top class accommodation for the cattle section at the Royal Cornwall Show. The hall has already hosted a dog show and catering event and has a full schedule of activity planned throughout the year.

Smiths Gore’s Alan Tresidder said: “We specified fibre cement profiled sheeting because it is particularly suited to these kinds of multi-purpose exhibition halls. As well as offering an appropriate aesthetic for the showground, we are confident that this large, flexible, covered space

will provide a great venue for many different events throughout the year.”

The new Exhibition Hall has a steel frame structure that measures 73m by 25m and creates over 1800sq m of new space.

It will be used for a variety of purposes by agriculture, industry, education and commerce sectors in Cornwall.

Ben Luxton of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association (RCAA) said: “Our new Exhibition Hall is a great addition to the showground and we are sure it will be appreciated by visitors.

We are pleased with how the profiled sheeting compliments some of the existing buildings on our showground.”

Profile 6 is a durable, high strength fibre cement profiled sheet that can be used for roofs of five degree pitch and over, and for vertical cladding in both single skin and insulated constructions. Marley Eternit Profile 6 is available in a choice of eight colours that harmonise with commonly used building materials.

Main Contractor for the new Exhibition Hall was Midas.

GI Energy extends offering to provide complete energy solutions GI Energy, the UK market leader in the design and installation of ground source energy systems for heating and cooling in the UK, is now extending its portfolio to offer customers complete energy solutions.

The Company will utilise a range of extra technologies to offer customers bespoke energy solutions in order to maximise cost and carbon savings.

These will include combined heat and power, air source heat pumps, demand reduction, power conditioning, solar photovoltaic and thermal and biomass in addition to ground source energy systems.

Chris Davidson, Development Director of GI Energy, said: “This is an exciting new development for GI Energy which has already demonstrated that it has the capability to deliver comprehensive and leading sustainable energy solutions.

“Our installation at Mansfield Hospital is the largest of its kind anywhere in the

world and our systems have been proven to be far more efficient than conventional central heating and air conditioning.

“At the new Oxford Earth Sciences building at Oxford University, for example, 3.6kW of heating and 4.7kW of cooling are produced for every kilowatt of power required to run the ground source energy system. ”We are committed to building ongoing partnerships with our customers to enable them to reduce both their carbon footprints and their energy bills, helping them to deliver tangible corporate responsibility targets.”

Sainsbury’s supermarket was the first customer for GI Energy’s finance package, which was combined with a longterm repair and maintenance agreement for ground source energy systems installed in stores at East Kilbride and Carlisle.

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UKC NEWS

South West Women in Construction study progress of new £11M Pendennis boathouse Work is well underway on a complex £11M project to renovate a 24m boathouse for Pendennis, one of the world’s leading superyacht builders.

Cornwall based Midas Construction won the contract to build three new construction and refit halls at Pendennis’ Falmouth shipyard.

Members of the South West Women in Construction organisation (SWWIC) were given a tour of the site to see how this challenging project is taking shape.

Midas is managing the renovations alongside the Pendennis team as they continue their work to build and refit boats in the same space. As well as creating three new boat construction halls, workshops, offices and associated facilities, Midas

is reinforcing the existing sea wall.

The development will enable Pendennis to expand its work, which has seen the Company carry out over 100 major refits and create 30 custom new build yachts during its 25 year history.

Tess Purdy, Business Development Coordinator at Midas, said: “Being part of SWWIC gives me the opportunity to visit some of the most exciting developments in the region.

“I was delighted to be able to show the group around one of our own projects. It has been a challenging build as we’re working within the existing boat shed where the Pendennis team continues to operate.

“At SWWIC we really promote the

importance of collaboration, so this build is a really good example of how successfully working together can be vital in delivering work on time and on budget.”

The first stage of project was completed in September 2013 and all sheds will be in place by the end of the year. Midas anticipates that the scheme as a whole will be finished by February 2014.

SWWIC provides women in the South West from any discipline, trade, sector or organisation involved in construction with the opportunity to meet, network and share experiences. A key part of the work that the organisation does is to raise awareness of careers in construction and opportunities available to women in this field.

Energy efficient facade boosts Sheffield’s Students’ Union A striking new identity has been given to the Students’ Union building at the University of Sheffield using Aluglaze insulated panels from Sheffield based architectural panel manufacturer Panel Systems.

Polyester powder coated aluminum was specified in grey to provide a stylish exterior for the Students’ Union building, which was one of the first glass curtain walled buildings in the world when it was built over 50 years ago.

The new facade plays a major part in bringing the existing building up to modern standards of energy efficiency.

Panel Systems supplied 260sq m of aluminium faced panels, which will help to reduce the building’s energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems, said: “Aluglaze panels are often specified where a striking, contemporary aesthetic is desired, as was the case with this project. The insulating Styrofoam core ensures excellent thermal performance and the panels for Sheffield Student’s Union were manufactured specifically to ensure a high level of energy efficiency for the building.”

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The panels were manufactured using Panel Systems’ bespoke grooved edge detail which allowed the panels to be incorporated into a toggle fix glazing system. Panel Systems’ bespoke service means that Aluglaze can be designed for specific glazing systems, to meet

the required performance criteria.

The £20M refurbishment has included better equipped areas for student services, an amphitheatre style space for special events, more social and study areas and a new restaurant which is open to the public as well as students and university staff.

New £1.7M affordable homes scheme completes in Bellingham, Northumberland Two Castles Housing Association has welcomed residents into their new homes after work completed on a £1.7M affordable homes scheme for local people in Bellingham, Northumberland.

The development, known as Bridgeford View, has delivered 13 high quality energy efficient homes to rent for people with a connection to the village or the local area.

Built in partnership with local construction firm Newman Developments, Bridgeford View is located on land adjacent to existing Two Castles’ properties at Briar Hill in the village and includes five two-bedroom bungalows as well as a selection of two three- and four-bedroom homes.

Rob Brittain, Property Services Director at Two Castles Housing Association, said: “We’re delighted to welcome residents into their new homes at what is a much needed, affordable housing development for local people in Bellingham. There is currently a real demand for building quality affordable homes in communities across Northumberland. This is due to a mixture of the high cost of rent and an increase in second home ownership, with many people are being forced to move away from the villages where they grew up because they can no longer afford to live there.

“At Two Castles we are committed to working with our partners to deliver a range of well-crafted, relevant homes that are sustainable and help to meet the needs of local communities.”

Built with support from Northumberland County Council and part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) following an investment of £338,000, Bridgeford View has been constructed to Code for Sustainable Level Three Homes Standards and includes a range of energy efficient features to help make homes even more affordable.

Bill Carr, Head of Area at the HCA said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to invest over £300,000 in a village like Bellingham. Affordable homes are one of the most important elements to ensure that rural communities remain sustainable. These 13 new homes will ensure that local people not only have the chance to remain in their local community, but can also afford to do so.”

Two new design jewels unveiled in the heart of Clerkenwell Ben Adams Architects (BAA) has completed two striking refurbishments, in the heart of the so-called ‘architect’s square mile’, Clerkenwell - at 56-60 St John Street and Klamath House, 18 Clerkenwell Green.

St John Street has undergone a dramatic five-storey refurbishment and extension, with unusual black metal cladding on its facade bringing it to prominence on this design focused street with neighbours the Farmiloe Building and multiple design showrooms. It shows little evidence of the drab, unremarkable 1970s office building it once was just two years ago.

BAA have given it a complete facelift to raise its street profile, while significantly improving the thermal performance of the facade. At ground floor a newly refurbished reception featuring black stained timber wall panels and a new fully glazed shop front, now inhabited by high end tile manufacturer Royal Mosa, improve connectivity to the street.

Klamath House, continues this high end design theme. BAA’s six-storey office building refurbishment and fit-

out has completely revitalised the double aspect building. Clerkenwell Green sits to the front of the building and Clerkenwell Road to the rear.

The external envelope of the building looked dated with a stepped central glazed area. This has now been entirely re-glazed and the stepped facade simplified, creating an elegant elevation onto Clerkenwell Green.

The internal floor plates have been extended to create a more efficient layout. The atrium has been re-glazed and redesigned to dramatic effect, creating a light interior space with exposed services and painted concrete soffits.

Ben Adams, Director of Ben Adams Architects, comments: “It is very rewarding to be able to add value - and beauty - to a pair of buildings that have been neglected for some time - not to mention a challenge to us as designers to raise the game in such an acclaimed design district! We have significantly raised their visual presence in the neighbourhood – a key aim of both projects.”

Roman Road Primary School achieves planning permission Maccreanor Lavington has secured planning permission for the expansion of the Roman Road Primary School, an existing one form entry school to a fully integrated, high quality, three form entry school and new facility for two year olds, in East Ham, in the London Borough of Newham.

Maccreanor Lavington has successfully minimised the development footprint and retained the green open character of the school, despite needing to expand the school to cater for three times the number of pupils.

The smart design combines new build elements including a hall and entrance block, two-storey wing and new reception classrooms and library, with the adaptation and reuse of the existing building to form a single cohesive new school. Carefully detailed, canopies tie together the new and existing buildings while providing space for covered access and play.

The design of the new building fronting onto Roman Road responds to the need to create a new public-facing ‘identity’ for the school, with a shared entrance through which all pupils and visitors arrive. This inviting new entrance and

forecourt, with the new enhanced facilities on site, seeks to draw in the wider community to engage with the school for extended out-of-hours uses.

Maccreanor Lavington worked closely with the school to develop the design brief and held a number of consultation events with teachers, parents and governors, including workshops with pupils, to fully understand the user’s priorities.

The massing, detailing and materials respond carefully to the context of the immediate surroundings and existing building. Light facing brickwork provides a good quality, long lasting and low maintenance façade, coupled with simple, crisp detailing and generously proportioned, deeply recessed openings to maximise daylight and ventilation.

Maccreanor Lavington will enable the existing school to remain in use throughout the construction works by using prefabricated cross-laminated timber panels that reduce the site period and minimise noise and disruption.

A fully accessible, inclusive and sustainable design, it is targeting BREEAM Very good.

It is due to start on site in January 2014.

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Keeping Businesses Online Over Winter RMD Power and Cooling is a leading specialist in integrated data centre solutions.

From large-scale operations to small server rooms, RMD is one of only a handful of UK companies with the ability and accreditation to supply, install and maintain power and cooling for these critical facilities.

A UPS or Uninterruptible Power Supply is the key power protection component of any data centre or server room. UPSs are designed to provide back up and carry the load for short outages and fluctuation in the supply. These ‘intelligent batteries’ protect computers and critical servers, as well as a host of other electronic equipment, and are most likely to be needed during winter when the mains power supply is at its least reliable. So it is vital that UPS systems are maintained to a high standard to ensure that they are effective when needed.

While facilities managers can carry out simple checks to monitor the general health of UPS systems, such as visual inspections for loose connections and signs of wear, it is advisable to engage a specialist such as RMD Power and Cooling to give your power protection equipment a winter healthcheck and replace UPS batteries where necessary.

RMD has been providing power and cooling maintenance services for Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne since 2008. “We have complete faith in the systems RMD has put in place,” said Dave Brunt, the hospital’s IT manager. “Already these systems have been tested in real life incidents and there has been no impact to the smooth delivery of hospital services.”

With a network of expert engineers and sub contractors across the UK, RMD has developed a reputation for speed and efficiency, servicing many high profile clients including Amazon, Cairn Energy and the NHS. The company offers a wide range of maintenance and recovery packages including 24 hour cover, 365 days a year, and services such as full environmental checks, functional testing, battery health checks and advice for remedial work and improving system setups.

Gavin Maxwell, managing director of RMD, said: “We are focused on providing the best service to each and every one of our customers so we have engineers available around the clock and we can schedule our maintenance visits outside normal business hours where necessary. Our staff are approachable, well-trained and fully certified, and our aim is to make life easier for you, whatever your business.”

Outstanding customer service and rigorous attention to detail ensure that RMD’s customers return time after time. From initial consultation through to installation, maintenance and aftercare, the team is on hand every step of the way.

To find out more about RMD’s range of products and services, email sales@rmduk.com or call on 01259 219362.

UKC COMMENT

Experiences of low and zero carbon technologies identifies room for improvement from builders New research published by the NHBC Foundation has found that the owners of homes fitted with low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies are still not recognising and taking best advantage of the benefits that these technologies can bring.

Low and zero-carbon technologies in new homes: learning from the experiences of consumers and on-site sales teams, is an in-depth study by Reading University of six homes across four separate developments.

The qualitative approach undertaken through in-home interviews and looking at the way homeowners actually lived with the technologies has produced a rich picture of actual experiences and insight.

All the households monitored during the study stated that the LZC technologies had not been a factor in deciding to purchase the property. But despite problems in understanding the technology and articulating its benefits, most of them said they were comfortable using it and would recommend the technology to a friend.

Unfortunately, not one homeowner interviewed was able to demonstrate an understanding of how, in principle, the technologies incorporated in their own homes, such as solar panels or energy saving heat pumps operated. They were also unimpressed with the written information provided on the technologies, with all households rating it as ‘unsuitable’.

These findings are consistent with earlier research carried out by the NHBC Foundation in 2011 and published in 2012, NF40 Today’s attitudes to low and zero carbon homes, which identified that action was needed to help consumer understanding of use and maintenance of renewable technologies. Although most of the home occupiers in this earlier study had been presented with instructions and/ or training on how to use the technologies, it was widely recognised that the quality of this information was inconsistent.

This new study also includes interviews with sales teams across six developments.

Despite half of the sales teams claiming

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they demonstrated a good understanding of the LZC technologies, in all but one development, the sales team felt they were unable to make specific claims about the technologies’ performance, or introduce the benefits and limitations to potential purchasers early on in the process.

Five of the six sales teams expressed concern that the potential purchasers were overwhelmed with the information, but this could be as a result of most of them also expressing that they were unable to relate to them the day-to-day use of the LZC technologies in such a way that harnessed the purchaser’s imagination.

As a result, the report’s author has developed a continuous improvement cycle, which looks at the understanding of LZC technologies across six phases: design & production, imagination, purchase, identification, function and feedback & opinion. The cycle provides a process for house builders to monitor, evaluate and improve the marketing and sale of their new homes that incorporate LZC technologies.

Key findings: Homeowners ••Occupiers did not understand the underlying principles of the low and zero carbon technologies but were mostly comfortable operating them.

••Despite being largely unable to articulate the benefits of LZC technologies clearly, four of the six households in the study would recommend them to friends.

••All of the households expressed that the technologies had not been a factor in purchasing the house, and the written information provided on the technologies after purchase was unsuitable.

Sales teams ••The sales staff had a very limited ability or willingness to communicate the benefits and opportunities of the LZC technologies in a way that the prospective purchaser could understand or be inspired by.

••There was a varied level of understanding among sales staff of the specific LZC technologies being fitted to the homes.

••Homeowners are not routinely invited to provide feedback to the sales teams post-occupancy on either the design of the home or the sales process.

Recommendations for house builders are structured around the report’s improvement cycle. The report identifies that the critical phases of the cycle are the initial ones, because when the builder gets those right, it is likely that the other phases should take care of themselves.

A copy of the primary research is available to view and download at www.nhbcfoundation.org/ LZCtechnologiesinnewhomes

COMMENT UKC

2013 – A year of missed ‘green’ opportunities Despite the hope, aspirations and promises that preluded 2013 it seems that this year has fallen rather short of its green prospects. Forecasts of the coldest winter in modern times and spiralling fuel bills have brought energy issues to the forefront of policymaking. Addressing the way that we build homes and use energy in an efficient and cost effective way, is now more important than ever.

Much has been made of the ‘green’ political agenda this year as we inch further towards the 2016 British Zero Carbon Homes target. But there have been a wealth of missed opportunities and this year certainly hasn’t seen the ‘revolutionary programme’ envisioned by former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, in the form of the flagship Green Deal.

However, one of the primary failures was the side-lining of energy efficiency measures on the global stage at the G8 summit in June. On a European, if not international, level this is hugely significant for Britain. Currently the UK is falling short in terms of energy efficient housing when compared to those on the Continent – our current housing stock is among the least energy efficient in Europe. In fact when you look across Europe, when other countries appear to be tightening energy efficiency legislation Britain is seemingly relaxing sustainability measures. You only have to look to Germany to see how green policies can be successfully put into practice nationwide.

In Germany, the government incentivises energy efficient retrofitting of housing stock by offering loans with interest rates of between 1 and 2 per cent. In order to galvanise and get the UK public behind energy efficient measures, it must not only be practical, but also affordable for domestic households.

Back on the domestic front, while the number of Green Deal assessments has increased steadily, with over 85,000

lodged by the end of September, the subsequent uptake of the Government’s energy efficiency scheme has been far from satisfactory. In fact, at the time of writing, fewer than 600 have signed up and less than 60 plans are currently ‘live’.

This perceived ambivalence on the part of consumers is perfectly exemplified by the fact that despite the expansive roll out of the scheme, the attitude or outlook of the typical household to energy saving remains unchanged from last year. A recent Government opinion poll found less than a third (28%) of people are giving serious thought to saving energy in their home, the exact same figure as last year. The poll also revealed that the public’s strong support for renewable energy as a whole was almost unchanged at 76% - of course still a hugely encouraging figure nonetheless.

Recently Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, outlined his intentions to develop and refine the Green Deal and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in 2014. This takes on greater significance for VELUX in particular, as earlier this year - in June – Mr Barker visited the VELUX CarbonLight Homes in Kettering.

Following his visit Mr Barker described the energy-efficient homes as ‘Inspirational’, declaring ‘This vision gives us something to learn from for the rest of the country’.

It is our hope that Mr Barker and the Government will incorporate elements and principles behind the project into the revisions for the Green Deal and RHI schemes, as well as wider policy changes.

However, there are of course causes for optimism. After a multitude of delays, there is at last an indication – or a signpost at least – of the proposed changes to the Part L building regulations.

Expected changes are likely to include an intention on new homes to reduce carbon emissions by six per cent across the building mix, as well as the introduction of a mandatory energy target

to complement the existing CO2 target.

While we’ll have to wait until next year to see if these materialise, it is a healthy sign that positive steps are being made.

While rejuvenating and reforming the energy efficient market is of course a long term ambition, it is crucial that going into 2014 and beyond, decisive action is taken and opportunities grasped in both hands. If we don’t then we risk the green agenda getting lost in the long grass.

Keith Riddle, Managing Director of VELUX

Keith Riddle

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Ignore and/or refuse an offer to mediate at your peril and cost!

The costs of litigating in the United Kingdom have escalated to a point where only the very rich, the very brave or the very stupid can afford to see a court case through to its end. Time and time again the parties discover to their horror that the liability for inter-party costs ends up more important than the original sum in dispute.

It would be wrong to generalise as to why so many people end up in this most unfortunate of positions. But it only takes one party, or its lawyer, to start behaving unreasonably in order for the other party’s hackles to rise and the spiralling of ‘tit-for-tat’ exchanges begins, relationships sour and the high speed cost train leaves the station on a journey none of the passengers really want to experience.

We have known for some time that the courts of England and Wales have been encouraging parties to mediate disputes rather than to continue to clog up the court schedule. Some of you may even be familiar with the case of Halsey v Milton Keynes General NHS Trust 2004 in which the Court of Appeal laid down general guidelines for deciding whether, in particular cases, a refusal to participate in mediation could be shown to be unreasonable and therefore ought to be subject to a cost sanction as a consequence. These general guidelines can be summarised as follows.

In order to decide whether a refusal to mediate was unreasonable, and worthy of cost sanction it would be necessary for a court to consider (a) the nature of the dispute; (b) the merits of the case; (c) the extent to which other settlement methods have been attempted; (d) whether the costs of the ADR would be disproportionately high; (e) whether any delay in setting up and attending the ADR would have been prejudicial; and

(f) whether the ADR had a reasonable prospect of success.

Lord Justice Jackson’s final review and report on civil litigation costs, issued in 2009, concluded that the benefits of participating in a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution could only be realised if the courts were to support the principles developed in Halsey.

Fast forward to the present day and, with the above background in mind, the Court of Appeal case of PGF II SA -andOMFS Company 1 Limited issued on 23 October 2013 comes as no surprise to mediation zealots. I confess to being one of these.

The facts of this appeal involve PGF seeking to avoid a cost order made in the High Court which required it to pay OMFS’ costs of the litigation. PGF argued that because OMFS had ultimately accepted a Part 36 Offer made by it, the normal rules should apply and OMFS should meet all costs incurred from the date of PGF's Part 36 Offer up to the conclusion of the litigation when the offer was ultimately accepted by OMFS.

type of ADR requested, or to do so at the time requested, might have been justified by the identification of reasonable grounds".

So, in summary, any party receiving an offer to mediate must acknowledge the offer and either accept the offer to mediate or provide very convincing grounds for refusing the offer of mediation.

To quote Lord Justice McFarlane "this case sends out an important message to civil litigants, requiring them to engage with a serious invitation to participate in ADR, even if they have reasons which might justify a refusal, or the undertaking of some form of ADR, or ADR at some other time in the litigation."

Peter Vinden is a practising adjudicator, arbitrator, mediator, expert and conciliator. He is Managing Director of The Vinden Partnership and can be contacted by email at pvinden@vinden.co.uk

OMFS, for its part, argued that it had made several offers to mediate the dispute throughout the course of the litigation which PGF had simply ignored.

As a consequence, PGF asserted that OMFS should be denied recovery of its costs even though it was acknowledged that PGF was technically the victor by virtue of OMFS' ultimate acceptance of PGF's Part 36 Offer.

In its judgement, the Court of Appeal concluded that "silence in the face of an invitation to participate in ADR is, as a general rule, of itself unreasonable, regardless of whether an outright refusal, or a refusal to engage in the

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UKC COMMENT

Don’t lose your way with incorrect mapping The face of Britain changes, every day and Ordnance Survey is advising clients of land and property professionals and the professionals themselves to check the mapping data they have is up to date, licensed and legal An Ordnance Survey study carried out across Great Britain reveals that approximately 45% of all planning application maps submitted are either unlicensed or incorrectly displayed. This news follows Ordnance Survey’s 2011 study that showed 40% of land and property professionals, including civil engineers, architects, property lawyers, developers and housing associations, could be using out of date or unlicensed mapping information in their work.

Using out of date or unlicensed mapping data carries the risk of making decisions based on incorrect information, and means land and property professionals who do this may not be giving their colleagues and clients the full and accurate picture. This issue affects all clients, from homebuyers, and homeowners undertaking renovation projects, right up to major construction projects. Discovering something in reality that was not featured on an outof-date map can be an unnecessary cause of delays, dispute and increased costs to the client, and could be avoided or planned for by having correct, up to date and licensed mapping data.

As well as having the potential for creating delays, conflict and increased project costs, the use of unlicensed copyright mapping data is also against the law.

Julian Heathcote Hobbins, General Counsel at The Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) says: “Land and property professionals have a legal duty to ensure all copyright mapping data is correctly licensed, but it appears some professionals are unwittingly jeopardising their reputation and are leaving themselves vulnerable to potential legal action for copyright infringement. If a practice is a small business, the owners or directors are more likely to know of the unlicensed use, which is more serious in law. Under such circumstances a professional indemnity insurance could be put at risk.”

Dan Hughes, Land and Property Sector Manager at Ordnance Survey says: “We

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know this is a problem for the land and property industry and its clients, and we want to help. We urge professionals to protect their reputation by contacting our partners or us to check the mapping data and licences are correct. We also advise clients to protect themselves against the risk of delays and increased costs by asking their land and property professional

to ensure that the mapping data they have submitted is up to date and legal.”

If you are a land and property professional or a client and have concerns with your mapping data, either email: cschelpdesks@ ordnancesurvey.co.uk, or visit: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/licensing

COMMENT UKC

A case of mistaken identity You would be surprised how often the parties get the basics wrong by failing to fill in the contract details properly, particularly the names of the contracting parties. If this happens and subsequently the project does not go according to the plan will you be able to enforce the terms of the contract against the party that should have been named?

Most parties would expect that if you filled in the name of the other party incorrectly this could be amended, but this is not always true. In the recent case of Liberty Mercian Ltd v Cuddy Civil Engineering Ltd [2013] EWHC 2688 the employer found this out the hard way.

Liberty wished to engage a contractor and negotiated a contract with the Cuddy Group. During negotiations various documents were exchanged recording the Cuddy Group as the contracting party.

Meanwhile Liberty’s solicitor searched Companies House and assumed that Cuddy Civil Engineering Limited (CCEL) would be the correct contracting identity. He asked the Cuddy Group that any reference in the contractual documentation to the Cuddy Group be changed to CCEL. The Cuddy Group did not object, the changes were made and the contract executed.

Subsequently defects emerged. It also came to light that CCEL were in fact a dormant company within the Cuddy Group and the Cuddy Group was a reference to the trading name of Cuddy Demolition and Dismantling Limited (CDDL).

As part of the wider dispute Liberty

Kasia Dickson

sought a declaration that the contract learnt is that you should check and check was entered into with CDDL and not again and make sure that the party you CCEL. Judge Ramsey re-iterated the legal are actually contracting with is the party principles. If there was a clear mistake you intend to contract with. Look up the on the face of it and it is clear what company name against the number on correction ought to be made in order to Companies House website; do not assume rectify the mistake, then the correction the name of the letterhead is correct. can be made as a matter of construction.

It is a basic lesson, and that is perhaps However the judge found that the request why it is so commonly overlooked. for the contract to be in the name of CCEL was not a mistake. For this to amount to Kasia Dickson, paralegal at a mistake Liberty would have to show Thomas Eggar LLP that something had gone wrong with the language in naming CCEL rather than CDDL, and the parties’ intention in doing so must be one that a reasonable person would have not understood them to have had. Here there was an unequivocal request to change the name and that meant there was no mistake. Once Liberty made a positive choice to request that the Cuddy Group be Start your FREE Business Website replaced with CCEL it could not go back by claiming that Go to www.bonline.com a mistake was a misnomer worthy or of correction Call 0800 804 8 804 by contractual construction.

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UKC COMMENT

UK air quality and implications for future development ADAS is a national agricultural and environmental consultancy concerned with two major issues of our time: food security and enhancing the environment.

ADAS Environment experts deliver a range of solutions to meet a growing number of environmental challenges. Clients range from governments to local authorities and from global companies to small businesses.

Ahead of the European Commission’s Autumn Review of air pollution policy and the publication of the British government’s revised proposals for local air quality management, Environmental Consultant (EIA and Air Quality) at ADAS, Sally Walker, discusses the current air quality policy in the UK and what this means for development proposals in areas of poor air quality.

Air pollution control in the UK was first introduced as a result of high levels of smoke and sulphur dioxide pollution – known as smog – experienced across cities during the first half of the 20th Century. Today, pollution from industrial sources has fallen due to the closures and re-location of heavy industry and tighter environmental regulation. However, pollution from road traffic has remained high and poor air quality still affects significant proportions of the population - particularly in major urban areas.

Under the Air Quality (Standards) Regulations 2010, local authorities are required to monitor and report on air quality. Where pollutant levels exceed or are likely to exceed the specified standards, local authorities must put into place Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and action plans to reduce air pollution to within permitted levels.

In areas where road traffic is the main source of air pollution, the corrective measures applied by local authorities are often unable to bring the pollution down to within what is deemed to be safe limits.

Consequently, many AQMAs have seen little improvement in air quality since they were first declared three years ago.

As a result, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that the UK is in breach of the EU

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Air Quality Directive and has referred the matter to the European Court of Justice.

It is not surprising air quality is frequently raised by consultees as one of the main constraints to development - particularly in large urban areas which are often already subject to AQMAs - and some local authorities have implemented policies to restrict further development in these areas.

This can present a conflict with other social and economical policy drivers to stimulate growth and to re-generate inner cities.

For example, new developments in city centres are often subject to poor air quality but perform well against other criteria in terms of reducing reliance on car use, accessibility to work force and co-location with other services. To demonstrate consideration of such issues, planning applicants are often required to complete an air quality assessment. This assessment identifies the impact on air quality from a proposed development and demonstrates measures to reduce, and where possible, remove these impacts.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has recently launched a review of Local Air Quality

Management, including proposals to reduce or remove the level of air quality duties imposed on local authorities. At ADAS, whatever the outcome of the consultation, we expect that on-going budget restrictions will mean many local authorities defer some responsibility to planning applicants. As a result, planning requirements are likely to shift increasingly towards more strategic consideration of air quality to include greater use of site-specific monitoring, input to scheme layout and identifying air quality mitigation or enhancement measures.

This will present an extra challenge to developers although we expect that in most cases simple, low cost and quick-win solutions will be sufficient to ensure proposals can progress through planning determination with minimal delay. Developers should engage with Environmental Impact Specialists as soon as possible. Armed with this expertise, proactive engagement with local consultees between developers and environmental consultants will be essential to securing agreement to such measures.

COMMENT UKC

Putting an end to ‘Wear and Tear’: A guide to Industrial Waste Container Health and Safety Emma Elston, founder of UK Container Maintenance (UKCM) and 2012 UK Businesswoman of the Year Though I accept that any industry which processes and transports millions of tonnes of waste every year is admittedly never going to be synonymous with presentation, there are three words, which to me, sum up the wrong attitude towards health and safety in every aspect of professional life - ‘wear and tear’.

Since we founded UK Container Maintenance in 1998, I have been working across the length and breadth of the UK with an array of the country’s leading construction & demolition firms, local authorities and waste management companies. In those 15 years I have seen an outstanding improvement in the industry’s health and safety record, but there is so much more to be done.

Operators and employers have done so much improve the construction industry’s previously concerning and well-publicised health record and have become, quite rightly, very conscious of legal implications of not following ever-tightening laws and regulations protecting employees.

However I believe that there is still an underlying, seemingly acceptable and concerning cost-cutting trend affecting the use of waste containers across the industry, both onsite and during transport.

In my opinion, the phrase ‘wear and tear’ has very worrying and lifethreatening connotations. It suggests that a certain amount of damage caused to active container units is not only unavoidable but an accepted danger.

Maintenance and safe practice does not suddenly become an issue when a container falls out of working order, it is an everyday necessity and writing off and ignoring small damage, considered ‘inevitable’, often goes hand in hand

with serious health and safety risks.

My concern grows with the obvious lack of agreed standard practice covering the safe usage of containers and crucially any regulated level of acceptable damage needed before a container is deemed ‘broken’.

I’m always struck by the number of authorities and businesses, big and small, which are plainly overlooking many small issues with containers of all shapes and sizes, from skips to large shipping containers, which could put lives in danger.

At the end of the day, what good is your company’s brand if you are better known for health and safety failures?

We continue to work closely to the HSE WISH (Waste Industry Safety Health) guidelines to address issues and safe practice regarding matters such as operation and maintenance and I think it is time the industry took a stand on protecting not just its staff, but the public.

Just because containers are often stored on site and in yards doesn’t mean that they are not accessible to anyone.

There have been many scare-stories over the years, and sadly a number of tragic accidents, involving containers left unlocked, unsecured or damaged.

Regardless of the fact that the public should never be interacting with industrial containers, companies are often ‘powerless’ to prevent access, especially to trespassing children, when bins are stored on site. But you must remember there is an extremely thin line between powerlessness and ignorance.

Proper maintenance of containers and clear signage is absolutely essential to ensure both the public’s safety and that, should there be an injury, you are not culpable.

It is also vital to remember that before any containers are moved or emptied, they should be checked thoroughly. Over the years I have sadly heard a number of stories of homeless or intoxicated people sleeping in containers. The tragic consequences of this are obvious, should an operator fail to check the container.

Although all businesses across the construction industry are dealing with budgetary pressures, the picture isn’t all doom and gloom. Out of hard financial times can come creative thinking and innovative efficient frontline solutions such as locking posts preventing the movement of containers and additional security to prevent them from being opened by anyone but trained employees.

Capital tied up in these containers can also be unlocked through proper maintenance, whether it be a full factory refurbishment or a simple repair and modification to a locking mechanism, at about one third of the cost of a new container. Additionally, mitigating this safety risk can play a large role in reducing a company’s carbon footprint by re-use of existing resource.

I believe the first important step is to change attitudes during waste disposal and the importance of container maintenance.

The forlorn and neglected state of some containers I have seen may be viewed as a sign that essential maintenance is being neglected as ‘wear and tear’ and potentially putting lives at risk, so it is now up to the companies to take responsibility.

For more information on UK Container Maintenance visit www.ukcontainers.co.uk

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UKC COMMENT

Heat recovery delivers wide-range of benefits Heat recovery is becoming increasingly important in building management – not least because of tightening of Part L of the Building Regulations in 2014, says Martin Passingham, Product Manager, DX at Daikin UK. Next year’s changes to Part L will demand an increase in efficiency standards of 9% for non-domestic buildings. This, combined with the Government’s carbon reduction commitment scheme (which will see the cost of carbon ‘allowances’ rising by 33% for 2014-15), is providing an extra imperative for building managers to improve energy efficiency.

As a result, businesses are looking at fully integrated climate control systems incorporating heat recovery to improve energy efficiencies. This is because heat recovery solutions can dramatically lower running costs and carbon emissions in both new and refurbished buildings, driving savings on energy bills and surrendered carbon allowances.

Daikin’s VRV systems, for example, which can incorporate heat recovery, are suitable for any size of building, particularly medium to large commercial spaces. They are regularly installed in offices, hotels, restaurants and bars, leisure centres, healthcare environments, shops and public buildings. The system is modular, which means it can be scaled up or down depending on the size of building and can be installed floor-by-floor as part of a retrofit project, minimising disruption to businesses and their staff.

An example of where this technology has been used to achieve unprecedented energy efficiencies is at homeware store The Range in Warrington. Formerly a fitness centre, this 7,800sq m store required extensive refurbishment to turn it into the high quality retail space required by the company. Refurbishment included

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the backfilling of four swimming pools to create a retail floor, and the removal of a 400m running track on a mezzanine level.

Heating had been provided by a 12 year old gas boiler. However, contractor CDS Group Services, which has a longstanding partnership with The Range, required a solution to provide the right levels of climate control, balanced with energy efficiency.

CDS Group chose a complete climate control solution from Daikin that incorporates heat recovery for both the back-of-house areas and across the shop floor. For the office and warehouse areas, a VRV III Heat Recovery system was installed and connected to a Low Temperature hydrobox, a 200 litre hot water tank and VRV fan coil units. A heat recovery ventilation unit (VAM) supplies fresh air to these areas.

The lift motor room was fitted with a Daikin Sky Air Seasonal Smart condenser to provide high levels of seasonal efficiency. This system was chosen because long piping lengths were required, plus evaporating and condensing temperatures can be altered to further enhance energy efficiency levels.

Finally, a VRV IV Heat Pump serves the shop floors, in combination with Daikin’s Self Cleaning Roundflow Cassettes.

A total of seven, twin module VRV IV heat pump condensing units were fitted internally to the shop floor along with the 69 indoor units. While air conditioning is often set to a nominal 21ºC, the VRV IV heat pump is set to operate within a set temperature band to save energy.

Heating is also uninterrupted during defrost to ensure continuous comfort.

The Self Cleaning Roundflow Cassettes provide either heating or cooling with a 360º air discharge for uniform air flow and temperature distribution. Maintenance is simplified and energy efficiencies increased

with automatic daily filter cleaning.

A Daikin RTD intelligent retail control system sets the temperature parameters for system operation and thermostat cut off. The temperature band can be widened to save even more energy.

The entire system is controlled by Daikin’s iTouch Manager. This provides detailed monitoring and easy system operation with accessibility to current and historical energy consumption performance data and allows climate control systems to be monitored and adjusted remotely via the internet. The iTouch Manager, which acts as mini building management system, also controls the lighting and extractor fans.

Brad Hurter of the CDS Group, said: “This fully integrated renewable system provides heating, hot water, and air conditioning, creating a fully controllable system with operational flexibility according to requirements.”

The VRV IV heat pump delivers a 28% increase in seasonal efficiency compared with the VRV III heat pump model. Its new Variable Refrigerant Temperature technology also allows continuous adjustment of the refrigerant temperature to the actual temperature and capacity needed, thus providing optimal seasonal efficiency.

Simulations have demonstrated that over five years, the VRV IV heat pump system installed at The Range in Warrington could produce savings of almost £190,000, compared with installing the previous generation of VRV. Combined with the additional savings in both energy consumption and costs through the VRV III heat recovery system in the rest of the building, this project demonstrates how these systems can go a long way to increasing energy efficiencies in the retail sector and to help meet increasingly stringent legislative standards.

COMMENT UKC

Copyright on design David Johnson, Boodle Hatfield Developers are beginning to revisit and dust-off schemes shelved at the beginning of the economic downturn. There is a temptation to use old designs, but not always with the original designers. Boodle Hatfield’s David Johnson explains the legal position and the risks facing developers.

The question of ownership and the right to use and reproduce designs will always be key to whether a developer is legally entitled to dust-off and use drawings and designs that were prepared years ago. A developer cannot copy and use drawings and the designs comprised in them, whether in two dimensions (as working drawings) or in three dimensions (as the actual building), unless it owns the intellectual property in the design or has a valid licence to use and reproduce that design.

When a designer creates a design for a client, the starting point is always that the design is the intellectual property of the designer, subject to the terms of the contract under which the designer has been appointed.

Where the designer has been formally appointed, it is relatively simple to establish whether there is a right to use the old designs: a properly drafted design consultant’s appointment will always deal with copyright and other intellectual property rights.

Intellectual property can be dealt with in two main ways. The appointment may provide that the ownership of the intellectual property in the design is to be transferred to the developer. This is extremely unusual: a design is very much a designer’s stock in trade, and designers are always unwilling to part with this. Far more frequently, the appointment will provide for the grant of a licence by which the developer is entitled to use the design.

The appointment should spell out the limits of the licence: it is likely that the developer will only be entitled to use the design for a particular project and will not be entitled to use it on a future

extension of that project, let alone on any further projects. Licences to use and reproduce designs are frequently subject to conditions. For example, a licence may be conditional on the designer having been paid in full or to the design or the project having progressed to a certain stage.

Unfortunately, designers are often appointed informally or by an inadequate fee letter, which does not contain or refer to any properly drafted terms and conditions and without any reference to intellectual property rights. This is particularly so where designers are appointed to prepare initial feasibility studies or concept designs.

In this case, the correct approach is to either use the original designer for the project or, alternatively, to negotiate a licence to use and reproduce the design in return for an agreed fee.

Simply going ahead and using and reproducing the design without obtaining a licence is extremely risky. The designer will inevitably become aware of the dusted off project and will demand either that it is involved in this, or that a fee is

paid in return for a licence. The designer may threaten, or commence, legal proceedings: where intellectual property rights are infringed, by unauthorized use and reproduction of a design, the designer is entitled to claim substantial damages or even, in certain cases, an injunction to prevent construction of the building, or sale of the finished product.

Almost the only defence available to a developer faced with legal proceedings is to argue that there is an implied licence to use and reproduce the design.

However, this is not an easy argument and, even if successful, serious legal fees may be incurred and delay suffered whilst the position is resolved. It is far better to regularise the position before proceeding with the project.

David Johnson is a partner and head of the construction practice at law firm Boodle Hatfield. He can be reached by email: djohnson@boodlehatfield.com.

Visit www.boodlehatfield.com for more information.

David Johnson

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UKC COMMERCIAL

Pargat Housewares

40,000sq ft of warehouse space A new storage facility in the West Midlands has now been completed and with completion of two further phases to come in 2014, this facility will provide all the space Pargat Housewares need.

Pargat produces bakeware and cookware and is the biggest supplier of Teflon coated goods in Europe.

The new build will help facilitate high production rates and Pargat, which was founded in 1976, has increased turnover by 30% with a £30M target reached at the end of 2013.

Located in West Bromwich, in an industrial area, the storage area is open plan with no offices.

Comprising a single-storey in a double height building, the new facility is approximately 40,000sq ft.

Pargat has benefited from a £560,000 loan provided by NatWest through the government’s Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS).

The Company manufacturers more than 450,000 pieces of bakeware each week. But the firm hopes to grow further following completion of a new warehouse and product development unit in July 2013, paid for by the FLS-funded commercial loan.

Expansion of the premises has safeguarded 60 jobs and is set to create another 30 for Pargat, who employ 120 people altogether.

Narinder Kaur, Head of Sales and Finance at Pargat Housewares, worked with NatWest Senior Relationship Manager Neil Mellings to arrange the financing.

He said: “With the new warehousing and R&D facility we will be able to further expand our international markets and product development. Thanks to Neil and his team at NatWest, we can continue to grow the business.

“We have had a great working relationship with NatWest and they have been there to support us when we’ve needed it for 15 years.”

The firm, founded by Inderjit Singh in 1976, became a limited company in 1998 and began working on the principle of batch production.

Neil Mellings said: “I am so pleased to have been able to support Pargat Housewares’ growth at this level; its ability to adapt, integrate and use new technologies to create the very highest quality products that will undoubtedly ensure the future growth of the Company.”

A lot of groundworks and civil works were required prior to construction,

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in order to build up the land to make it ready for development.

There was a big difference in the ground levels, therefore it had to be raised by more than two metres in places. There also had to be retaining walls and steel structures, so there was an awful lot of groundwork.

It is a steel metal framework structure with Kingspan insulated cladding on walls and ceilings. The roof is Kingspan with insulated roof panels, and it is also pitched.

Windows are all double-glazed and there are some aspects of curtain walling within the development.

The warehouse has been constructed with all the necessary facilities for the disabled and both soft and hard landscaping has been incorporated.

In terms of security, there is CCTV

and a fire protection system in place to give all those who use the warehouse the peace of mind they require.

The Main Contractor for the project was Pargat. In turn, they employed Simran Contracting Ltd to project manage the development on their behalf.

So Simran did the on site agent and project management, and office backup, and the development team also included HG Design, who was the Architect, and GHW Engineers, who was the Structural Engineer for the project.

Work on this part of the project started in November 2012 and was completed in November 2013, but with more phases to come, this promises to be an exciting time for Pargat Housewares.

x 130 H

Oakdale Trading Estate, Ham Lane, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 7JH

publishing limited

Tel: 01384 377 449 Email: g.s.d@aol.co.uk Mobiles: Martyn 07976 834235 Lee 07860 785400 Matt 07974 693093

to advertise in this magazine please call Exterior Metal Solutions is all about flexibility, innovation and, above all, results. Our team of experienced installers and dynamic management team will focus on your precise wishes to deliver cost-effective solutions to any project.

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01257 231900 www.pro-mark.org.uk

www.exteriormetal.co.uk

M.M. Taylor & Son Sub Contract Roofing & Cladding Contractor We are pleased to be associated with the Pargot House Warehouse redevelopment and wish all involved continued success

TBL Fire Protection offers a highly professional service to the Construction Industry and are capable of fulfilling all of our clients’ requirements from initial survey/tender pricing through to completion.

We are based in the West Midlands and use locally based labour, and consequently are able to offer competitive prices for projects in the central area whilst still maintaining a high quality service.

Our key management personnel all have over 20 years’ experience within the industry and have worked on projects varying in size and complexity from simple applications through to large multi-disciplined contracts.

This experience ensures that we can offer a service that delivers competitively priced installations within budget on programme time after time.

We enjoy extremely good relationships with most major manufacturers and can offer the following solutions:

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Tel: 01246 451001 Mo Mobile: 07773 283264 Steve Mobile: 07970 385776

● Structural Fire Protection: Intumescent Paint & Fire Protection Board ● Fire Stopping ● Cavity Fire Barriers ● Air Sealing ● Sound Attenuation

Our contract at Pargat required us to provide a 60 minute fire rating to boundary steelwork. This was achieved by the spray application of intumescent paint which also provided a decorative finish. This is demonstrated in the photos above.

www.tblfireprotection.com Email: info@tblfireprotection.com

33

UKC CIVIL

Loughborough Town Centre New inner relief road

UKC PROFILE

Work needed to improve the town centre of Loughborough and move traffic to a new inner relief road is underway following approval from Local Transport Minister Norman Baker in March 2013.

The scheme will see Leicestershire County Council deliver improvements to the A6004 junction, completion of the inner relief road, and improvements to the town centre.

Speaking after approval was granted, Norman Baker said: “This important scheme will help to reduce traffic demand on the town centre road network and help regenerate the town encouraging economic growth and inward investment.

“It will improve public transport facilities and improve accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.

“The £14.8M we are putting into this scheme shows that the coalition government is serious about investing in the infrastructure the country needs to drive economic growth.”

Work will see the connection of parts of the town separated by the A6 to help regenerate the town centre, removal of most vehicles from the A6 Market Place by diverting traffic onto the completed purpose-built Loughborough Inner Relief Road, reduce accidents in the town

Miller Homes South East For 75 years Miller Homes has been at the forefront of the private house building industry, building not just houses but communities and providing their customers with a home that they can love.

In the South East region Miller Homes provide a range of developments, with houses or apartments designed to be the first step on the property ladder to large family homes. Many of these are found within good commuting distance of the large towns and cities in the area.

Aspect in High Wycombe provides a range of good family sized homes overlooking the town set within a beautifully landscaped development. Two-, three- and fourbedroom houses with private gardens, a local green play area and community facilities are situated just a half hour train journey from central London.

The houses come in a variety of styles including The Thursley which makes use of a curve in the road of the development by providing a stylish three-bedroom townhouse set over three floors. The house features a garage, covered bin store, downstairs WC, under stairs storage and open plan dining room and kitchen on the

34

centre and provide a safe and attractive Gate/Lemyngton Street. environment for people in the town centre.

Leicestershire County Council appointed Improvements being made to the Ringway Infrastructure Services to build Bridge Street/Derby Road junctions the new inner relief road. The Company include carriageway widening and previously worked on the Loughborough the installation of new traffic signals Eastern Gateway project, improving the and pedestrian crossings. area around the town’s railway station.

Lane closures are in place between Moor Work started in May 2013 and is due to Lane and Aumberry Gap and footpath continue on the junction until March 2014. closures are also in place next to the site.

Laffran Plant Hire, Building & Civils Work to demolish the Select-a-tyre Operated Plant Hire; JCB 3CX, Tracked Excavators, 8 Wheeled tipper building will follow lorries, Rollers, Dumpers, Hydraulic Breakers, Hydraulic Wacker plates and Patch Planers. All of our operators are C.P.C.S and C.I.T.B card holders. at a later date. Peter Osborne Leicester Tel: 01400 230954 Mobile: 07778 776813 – 07866 569999 County Council Email: Laffran@btconnect.com cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This is an exciting scheme which we anticipate will have real economic benefit for Loughborough.”

Resurfacing Tel: 01205 363008 www.parkinsons.co.uk work also took place at Baxter

ground floor. The lounge, third bedroom, room and utility room. On the first floor study and a shower room are located on there is a family bathroom and four large the first floor and the master bedroom bedrooms, the second and third bedrooms with ensuite, second bedroom and family have access to a Jack-and-Jill shower bathroom can be found on the second room and the master bedroom comes floor. External areas include back garden, with ensuite and fitted wardrobes. accessed from the ground floor dining room and a terrace located to the rear of the lounge on the first floor, the lounge also features a Juliet balcony to the front of the property.

For larger families The Conway home will provide ample space to live, learn and play.

The home offers a We are pleased to be associated with driveway, garage Miller Homes North East and wish them with workshop and continued success for the future an inside refuse store to the front, within the main 20 MEADOW LANE, EAST HERRINGTON, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3RQ home space there is a large lounge, Tel / Fax: (0191) 385 9807 downstairs WC, Mobile: 07930 431 896 dining room, kitchen, family

HOUSING UKC

Bellway Homes New apartments in Strood Bellway Homes is one of Britain’s largest house building companies and is continuing to grow throughout the country.

Since its formation, Bellway has built and sold more than 100,000 homes catering for first time buyers to more seasoned home buyers and their families.

The Group’s rapid growth has turned Bellway into a multi-million pound company, employing more than 2,000 people directly and mainly more subcontractors. From its original base in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the Group has expanded in to all regions of the country and is poised for further growth.

Homes are designed, built and marketed by local teams operating from regional offices managed and staffed by local people.

This allows the Company to stay close to its customers and take key decisions about design, build, materials, planning and marketing in response to local and not national demands.

A stunning new development of

one- and two-bedroom executive apartments from Bellway, De Montford Apartments are perfectly positioned within Strood itself, close to the riverfront and within easy walking distance of Strood mainline railway station.

Also within easy walking distance is Strood’s delightful High Street. Shopping facilities mix big high street names with individual stores and boutiques, a regular market and a choice of supermarkets including Morrison’s Tesco and Asda.

The town also boasts a first-class leisure centre with three pools, gym and sauna.

Just over the bridge lies the historic town of Rochester with its stunning castle, cathedral and further shopping opportunities, while nearby Medway Valley Park offers a nine-screen cinema, nightclub, restaurants and leisure complex.

In general, one-bedroom apartments at De Montford comprise of an entrance hall, quality fitted kitchen/

living/dining area with a door to the balcony, while there is a bedroom with a fitted wardrobe and a bathroom.

Residents can choose from a range of bespoke additions that cover kitchen, flooring, electrical plumbing and security products.

This includes granite worktops, dishwashers, ceramic hobs, a built-under double oven in the kitchen, full and half height tiling, a choice from carpets, vinyl or ceramic, additional sockets and switches, light fittings and BT and TV points.

In terms of plumbing, residents can have a water filter tap and heated towel rail, while security lights and intruder alarms are fitted.

There are landscaped gardens, fencing to rear gardens, and residents can have full height mirrors.

Bellway Homes was the Main Contractor and Architect for this project, which was completed in October 2013.

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UKC EDUCATION

NEW College

Learning resource centre in Pontefract A new three-storey modern Learning Resource Centre has been built to accommodate all support services for learners by providing a triage, signposting and one-stop shop for learners.

NEW College Pontefract is located less than one kilometre from the centre of Pontefract and combines modern digital media formats and traditional media formats, dedicated base for the provision Additional Learning Support to individual and groups of students.

The offices and resources house the college’s career advisors, UCAS and HE progression team, work experience coordinator and Connexions advisor, there will be a base for learner mentors and progress tutors who support students on an individual basis throughout the academic year, while there are also supervised study areas such as quiet, silent and group areas.

The site in Pontefract has been used for education for more than 100 years and has established recreational land use to the north east and west and Park Lane in the south.

A block has been demolished to make way for the new building. Dating back to the early 1970s, this block was originally constructed as a sports building with a gym on the upper floor and showers on the lower floor.

The design incorporates a three-storey glazed atrium to maximise the natural daylight to the open plan floor plates, which connects all floor levels allowing free movement of media over all floor levels.

Built by Britcon (Scunthorpe) Ltd, the building’s superstructure is a steel frame with composite metal deck and reinforced concrete floor structures, while

36

the façade is clad with a combination providing access to all three levels, of white high gloss ceramic granite while there are disabled toilets and all tiles, red smooth facing brickwork rooms and spaces accommodate both with natural stone string courses. ambulant and wheelchair users.

The design philosophy from the outset The building has a Redcare fire was to provide an open plan transparent alarm and intruder alarm system flexible layout. Each level comprises of that is supplemented with a CCTV an open plan space with an element of system throughout the college. cellular private office and/or study space Designed by Heppenstall Architects, incorporated using full height glazed the compact nature of the campus partitions with full height glazed doors. combined with the position of the There are two enclosed escape stairs construction site remote from the positioned to the front and rear of campus created an issue in mobilising the building, and the front stair is the construction work and ensuring accommodated in a glazed projecting stair the safety of the staff and students. tower displaying an intuitive circulation.

The solution was to mobilise construction The south elevation has an element of works across the adjacent Pontefract Park white aluminium framed glazed curtain land with the consent of Wakefield Council. walling and incorporates a brise soleil Work commenced at NEW solar shading system. The second floor College in August 2012 and was level incorporates a north projecting bay completed in July 2013. window with views in to Pontefract Park At a cost of approximately £2M, the new and high-level clerestorey glazing. building was occupied in August 2013.

Sustainability comes in the form of automatic lighting that incorporates daylight and occupancy sensors to all areas, extensively natural Wytek has been established since 1987, we are an Electrical & Mechanical business working within the Commercial, Industrial and domestic field. daylight, waterless urinals and air All aspects of Electrical & Mechanical works are carried out. source heat pumps.

Disabled facilities We specialise in student accommodation. come in the form Unit 5, Calderdale Road, Wakefield, WF1 5PE of a platform lift, Office : 01924 363282 Mob : 07976563588 / 07961155751 glazed on three Email brian.clark@wytek.co.uk / adamroz@wytek.co.uk sides with the www.wytek.co.uk glazed atrium

Established in 1998, Yorkshire Painting Contractors continues to be one of the leading painting & decorating contractors.

From modest beginnings over 15 years ago in Shipley, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Painting have become renowned for our ability to undertake contracts successfully in any location, of any size, nature or duration with the personal service that one expects from a well established firm. Our outstanding reputation has been achieved and maintained through a succession of experienced managers and staff and a well trained team of directly employed operatives.

We continue to strengthen our relationships with customers by offering a flexible service and developing our capabilities to meet your changing needs.You can feel assured that by choosing Yorkshire Painting Contractors you will be working with a company that has a commitment to health & safety, the environment, quality and people.

Commercial • Industrial • Health Care • Education • Housing Associations Retail • Government • Public & Domestic • Leisure • Frame Work Agreements Unit 2 Peel House , Taunton Street , Shipley , BD18 3NA

Tel : 01274 790030 Email: info@ypcltd.com www.ypcltd.com

Phase II of large-scale student accommodation Opening in September 2014, Phase II of the Leeds Central Village student accommodation scheme will see a further 413 ensuite rooms created in a magnificent 18-storey tower.

This will complete the new high quality mixed-use development, comprising retail as well as the residential accommodation.

The tower seeks to enhance the skyline, creating a high quality marker while enhancing the ground plane and completing the fourth side of a new public square.

It is being built by Downing Developments, who secured a significant pre-let agreement with the University of Leeds. The six year lease was agreed more than half a year ahead of the September 2012 opening of Phase I. Ideally located in the heart of the Leeds higher education quarter, and only five minutes from Leeds main shopping and leisure centres, the redevelopment is a mixture of major refurbishment and new build accommodation, transforming the former university campus site into four high quality buildings designed by the acclaimed John McAslan + Partners.

Phase I has seen the completion of a 568-bed student village, ground floor retail space and extensive public realm. Downing

HOUSING UKC

Leeds Central Village also secured a deal to bring retail giant Tesco to Central Village, in a 4,500sq ft Tesco Express store, offering additional life style facilities to residential students.

With more than 25 years experience developing and managing competitively priced accommodation for students, Downing Students understands what the student lifestyle demands and the experienced management team aim to ensure that everyone in Downing Student The four-year scheme at Leeds Central Accommodation enjoys their time at Village will be completed in less than a year. university in a safe, modern and well designed home away from home.

Behind Downing Students is a business with more than Strafford Fabrications Ltd are pleased to be associated £500M of mixedwith the Leeds Central Village Project. use schemes under active Suppliers of: development, • Staircases and balustrade • Architectural metalwork and around one • Structural and secondary steelwork million square feet of commercial E: info@straffordfabrications.co.uk buildings under T: 01226 296767 its ownership and W: www.straffordfabrications.co.uk management.

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UKC CIVIL

London Underground

Celebrating 150 years

On 9th January 1863, the world’s first underground train pulled out of Paddington station to make its 3.5 mile maiden journey to Farringdon.

This previous January marked the 150th anniversary since that first Tube journey took place, and a huge range of activities will be held this year to explore London Underground’s fascinating history and the vital role it continues to play – both in the lives of Londoners and to the economic life of London and the UK. The Tube has always played an important role in the success of London – from growth of the early network, which led to the expansion of the suburbs in the last century, to the development of Canary Wharf’s financial powerhouse

38

in the 1980s, and on to today’s system that successfully moved record numbers of people during the Queen’s Jubilee and London 2012 Games.

Over the next 20 years, London’s population is expected to grow by well over a million people, underlining the crucial importance of continuing to improve and upgrade the Tube network.

A massive Tube upgrade programme, one of the largest and most complex engineering projects in the world, is now delivering huge tangible benefits for passengers. Journeys on the Jubilee and Victoria lines have been improved through massively boosted capacity and faster journeys.

Stations like King’s Cross, Green park

and Blackfriars have been rebuilt. A fleet of new air-conditioned trains has been introduced on the Metropolitan line, and over the next few years will be introduced to some two fifths of the Tube network.

Reliability on the Tube is now 40% improved on 2007/08 levels and this is the best in the network’s history.

Further improvements to come this year include higher frequency services on the Victoria and Central lines.

By the end of next year, the Northern line will be completed, with higher frequency services and shortly afterwards key stations in central London such as Victoria and Tottenham Court Road will have been rebuilt. continued page 42 >

Initial Specialist Services has provided London Underground with a comprehensive range of cleaning and maintenance services including station, tube fleet and depot cleaning, track litter cleaning, ventilation shaft cleaning and white and yellow line painting.

Specialist Commercial Cleaning Services Initial Facilities provides exemplary facilities management to many of the most successful public and private sector organisations across the UK and Spain.

Its range of specialist services includes contract cleaning for commercial or retail premises, specialist cleaning for manufacturing, deep cleaning, IT sanitising, and high level window cleaning.

• Airport Cleaning Services • Specialist Food Industry Cleaning • IT Hygiene Services • Retail Contract Cleaning Services • Industrial Cleaning Services • Hotel and Leisure Cleaning Services • Commercial Office Cleaning • Train and Railway Station Cleaning Services

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The number of step-free stations is being expanded, alongside the use of ramps, platform humps and other accessibility improvements, an extension to the Northern line to Battersea is being planned, and Crossrail will be delivered – transforming travel across London.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The arrival of the Tube was truly revolutionary and today it is still admired around the world. It annihilates distance, liquidates traffic and is the throbbing cardiovascular system of the greatest city on earth.

“Our massive upgrade programme builds on the engineering ingenuity of our Victorian forefathers and through new signalling, trains and track, millions of Londoners and visitors will continue to benefit from what is arguably the best and most iconic, underground transport system in the world.”

Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “As we mark the 150th anniversary of the world’s first

42

underground railway we are also building for the future – transforming stations and replacing trains, signals and track.

“Our passengers are already seeing the benefits, with more frequent and reliable services on the Jubilee and Victoria lines among many other improvements.

“This year will see even more – with a greater frequency of services on the Central and Victoria lines and more of the new air-conditioned trains, which will soon serve 40% of the Tube network.

“It is this sustained investment that will enable us to create a network able to support London’s growing population and maintain our city’s vital role in the UK economy for the next 150 years.”

As part of the events to mark the enduring role of London Underground, the first Tube passenger journey was recreated on Sunday 13th January, with a series of specially restored trains including the Metropolitan Steam Locomotive No 1 and the Metropolitan Railway Jubilee Carriage No 353 – the oldest

operational underground carriage in existence, which was restored with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A series of additional heritage rail trips, including use of steam trains will be available, which will enable many members of the public to experience the Tube’s rich heritage, and a comprehensive new history of the Tube underground, How the Tube shaped London, co-authored

by Sam Mullins, Director of the London Transport System, has been published.

There will be new two pound coins issued by the Royal Mint that will go into circulation this year to celebrate the anniversary, and from February, Poster Art 150: London’s greatest designs, will be unveiled at London Transport Museum.

This exhibition will focus on the iconic poster art that has been a feature of London Underground for much of its history.

One of Britain’s great transport stories is the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which continued page 44 >

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S

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carries more than 80 million passengers a year with consistently high levels of reliability and passenger satisfaction.

Since opening in 1987, it has extended to Bank, Beckton, Lewisham, London City Airport, Woolwich Arsenal, and Stratford International.

DLR Ltd owns the railway’s assets apart from the Lewisham extension.

Part of Transport for London, its role is to oversee the operation of the railway and plan development that meets the needs of east and south east London.

DLR Ltd works with franchise operator Serco Docklands, a concessionaire responsible for building and maintaining the Lewisham extension and contractors for maintaining the Woolwich Arsenal, London City Airport and Stratford International network. Their aim is to deliver a safe, reliable and cost effective service for east and south east London

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residents, commuters and visitors.

During the Olympic Games, the DLR carried over seven million passengers – an increase of over 100% compared to the same period last year – and ran services with an average of 99% of trains running on time.

This was only possible after a programme of investment since 2007 ranging from new line extensions and additional rail cars to crucial projects including lift upgrades and improvements to real-time passenger information.

The DLR’s £850M project – ‘INVESTING IN…a better railway’ – has been the biggest package of work and is now complete. It is thanks to this and other behind the scenes work that the railway now has 45 stations, 40km of track and 149 rail cars and expects to carry an estimated 100M passengers by 2015.

The long-term benefits of investment in the

DLR for 2012 will be felt for years to come.

These improvements include 55 new rail cars providing increased capacity, which also provided more comfort during and after the Games, three car trains, extended platforms and upgraded stations that allowed the DLR to handle more passengers than previously, the new station at Woolwich Arsenal that provided access to the Royal Artillery Barracks for London 2012, which created a new river crossing and interchange with the national rail network.

Additional new stations like Langdon Park and Smith Quay help more passengers make the most of the improved DLR, and a new staircase and improved platform and concourse at Shadwell has increased comfort for passengers.

There is also an additional entrance at Bank, speeding up connections and continued page 48 >

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escalators ltd SDV Escalators is an independent specialist escalator company. We have gained a deserved reputation for our quality of service, technical expertise and standard of workmanship. Such is the strength of our reputation and the quality of our work that we have been engaged across the UK and Europe for clients keen to ensure that their latest project is delivered on time, on specification and on budget.

Established in 1989, with Head Office and workshop facilities based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, we concentrate solely on escalators. Thus our specialist skills make us the experts, expertise which enables us to optimise our services to you, reducing total lifetime costs and increasing the safety, reliability and efficiency of your escalators and moving walkways, both now and into the future.

right options to meet their needs.

This work has ranged from modernisation, to relocation up to the purchase of brand new equipment. SDV Escalators is ideally placed to assist you because of our extensive specialist knowledge, enabling us to identify solutions early in your project lifecycle that offer you the best value. SDV Escalators Limited can become an effective and integral part of your supply chain.

The depth and diversity of our knowledge and experience allows us to offer a complete portfolio of services for escalators and moving walkways regardless of type and manufacture, whilst our size allows us a flexible, client based approach to tailor our solutions to our customers’ exact requirements.

Our services include consultancy, supply & installation of new and refurbished units, removal, modernisation, spare parts, repairs, service & maintenance. We have invested in a comprehensive stock of spares and specialist components to further improve the flexibility and timeliness of our response to your needs and the needs of your customers. Further, we continue to invest in the modern technology and field service systems required to maintain the level of service and support that our customers have come to expect of us.

We develop and sustain long term relationships with our suppliers and customers for the benefit of everyone. Long term relationships allow for greater innovation, the growth of a consistent business culture, more opportunities to deliver truly outstanding value, and better outcomes for all. We know that our reputation rides on your escalators. As a company, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of quality, value and service.

SDV possess extensive consultancy experience, assisting organisations both large and small to choose the

We know in the current economic climate that many organisations are committed to reducing energy use in order to reduce costs and environmental impact. We are pleased to offer energy saving technologies for escalators and moving walkways, including LED lighting and our new motor efficiency controllers - bespoke versions of which can be developed to your requirements.

We are proud of our ability to work to British Standards and current

Health and Safety legislation. SDV Escalators Limited considers Health & Safety to be the paramount concern. SDV works with documented method statements and risk assessments, to provide a safe method of work. In addition, we possess the major industry accreditations to underline our commitment to quality, service, reliability and safety ISO9001:2008, CHAS, SAFEcontractor, CSCS, Constructionline and FORS. We are also an Environment Agency Registered Waste Carrier.

Our customers include household names and High Street brands (such as Next, House of Fraser, River Island, Morrisons) , plus other organisations both large and small from across a wide range of business sectors including transport, retail, leisure, office and infrastructure. SDV customers benefit from our experience, allowing them to make well-informed decisions to ensure the maximum level of equipment availability with the minimum of cost and disruption.

From new installations to minor repairs, we should be your contractor of choice.

Escalators are our Business –

Our specialist skills make us the experts

escalators ltd

SDV Escalators is an independent specialist escalator company, serving the whole of the UK and Ireland. We provide a complete portfolio of products and services for escalators and moving walkways of all types and manufacture.

SDV have provided services to major High Street names, Local Authorities, Airports, Railway Stations, well known Facilities Management organisations and the London Underground.

SDV Escalators Ltd Snaygill Industrial Estate, Keighley Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 2QR

Office: +44 (0)1756 701 649 Fax: +44 (0)1756 701 650 E-mail: info@sdv-ltd.co.uk Web: www.sdv-ltd.co.uk

improving platform crowding, two new escalators for Custom House for ExCeL that delivers a better, faster experience and more frequent services, a second entrance at Royal Victoria reduces passenger congestion and shortens the walk from the new Emirates Airline, and increased platform space at Canning Town helped to reduce overcrowding during the Olympics.

New stations and extensions, station enhancements, additional trains and improved passenger information have left a lasting legacy for everyone to enjoy now and into the future.

At the end of January, HRH Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall joined passengers to travel by Tube as part of a visit to mark the 150th anniversary of London Underground and celebrate the important role that engineering and infrastructure plays in the UK.

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The visit celebrated the importance of engineering and transport infrastructure projects in London.

Their Royal Highnesses visited Farringdon station, which was part of the original underground network built in 1863, and can be seen as the “birthplace of the Tube�, before taking in some of the other important infrastructure projects in the capital.

Farringdon is currently being transformed in preparation for the arrival of Crossrail - the new east-west rail link - in 2018.

New ticket halls, lifts and other facilities have already been added, and now work is underway to prepare for the arrival of the Crossrail tunnels being dug from Royal Oak in the west and Limmo Peninsula near Canning Town in the east, with new shafts sunk to enable two new ticket halls to be constructed for Crossrail at

Farringdon and Barbican. Farringdon station will become a major hub - one of the busiest rail stations in Britain.

It will be the only station to be served

by London Underground, Crossrail and Thameslink services and will enable passengers to travel in any direction around London and beyond.

Their Royal highnesses were given a brief overview of the history of London Underground and then visited the Crossrail site.

They met some of the apprentices and other young people engaged in building Crossrail and in upgrading and running the Tube network, before meeting London Underground staff and taking a ride with them between Farringdon and King’s Cross St. Pancras, part of the original 1863 route.

The journey enabled them to try out one continued page 52 >

Lighting the way for 50 years This year Designplan celebrates its 50th anniversary. That’s 50 years of providing the industry standard in tough, durable, environment-resistant fittings.

In that time we have lit up Kennington, Tufnell Park, St. John ’s Wood, Chalk Farm, Manor House and Green Park Underground stations to name but a few.

But our experience and understanding of the unique requirements of stations and transport terminals means our fittings also light the overground stations St Pancras International, Euston, Birmingham New St. and Clapham Junction, as well as the New York Subway, Paris Metro and Hong Kong MTR. To learn more about our extensive rail projects and bespoke solutions, simply go to www.designplan.co.uk/images/Railway.pdf or visit our website www.designplan.co.uk

020 8254 2020 sales@designplan.co.uk www.designplan.co.uk Designplan Lighting Ltd, 6 Wealdstone Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9RW

Quay Office Group partnership with the ‘True UK Manufacturer’ Gresham Office Furniture provides an extensive collection of products combining design, quality and functionality.

The latest additions and unique styles complement our established ranges and offer solutions for all environments.

Due to our manufacturing capability we can also offer bespoke products to suit your exact requirements.

Therefore, if you do not see the product or style you require, please contact our Sales Office.

Specialist in business interiors Design • Quality • Service

View our latest brochures online at: www.quayofficegroup.com/catalog.htm

Contact Quay Office Furnishers Ltd 114-126, Westmoor St, London SE7 8NQ. T: 0208 858 4748 F: 0208 858 3139 E: sales@quayofficegroup.com www.quayofficegroup.com

of London Underground’s new S-Stock trains, which are being introduced to 40 per cent of the Tube network.

The spacious, walk-through, airconditioned trains are built at the Bombardier facility in Derby, which The Prince of Wales also recently visited.

At Network Rail’s King’s Cross station, The Prince and The Duchess were welcomed onto the construction site of

52

London’s newest open space, King’s Cross Square, due to open in autumn 2013.

They saw the final pieces of the much unloved green canopy being torn down to reveal for the first time in over 150 years the magnificent Grade I listed Victorian station façade - a structure designed by Lewis Cubitt, the brother of Thomas Cubitt who is an ancestor of The Duchess of Cornwall.

After a walk down the newly restored train shed, they visited the spacious new western concourse.

Opened in March 2012, it is the largest single-span structure in Europe and features iconic design by John McAslan.

They also visited one of the most popular parts of the station made famous by Harry Potter, Platform 9 ¾, and took a continued page 54 >

www.satra.co.uk/flooringUKC

look into the Parcel Yard public house, the largest pub on the railway network.

Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground & London Rail, said: “It was an honour to have The Prince and The Duchess visit us today and help us mark the 150th anniversary of London Underground and the enduring importance that the network has to London and to the UK economy.

“As we mark the anniversary we are also building for the future - transforming stations and replacing trains, signals and track. Our passengers are already seeing the benefits, with more frequent and reliable services on the Jubilee and Victoria lines among many other improvements.

“This year will see even more - with Their Royal Highnesses today having experienced one of the new airconditioned trains, which will soon serve 40% of the Tube network.

54

‘It is this sustained investment that will enable us to create a network able to support London’s growing population and maintain our city’s vital role for the next 150 years.”

Terry Morgan, Crossrail Chairman said: “150 years on from the birth of the Tube and London is experiencing the biggest transformation to its transport network in 50 years with the construction of Crossrail. Crossrail will increase London’s rail capacity by ten per cent, deliver new journey opportunities and bring an extra 1.5 million people within 45 minutes commute of the capital.

“Thousands of jobs have been created to deliver Crossrail with thousands more employed across the UK in regional based suppliers. Crossrail will move London forward for the next 150 years or more.”

Today’s visit highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and training in

engineering for young people.

TfL is an employer committed to developing and maintaining the skills and talents of its workforce and addressing the skills shortage within the transport industry for now and the future.

Within the last two financial years, 135 graduate roles have been created in TfL, with 86 graduates enrolling in September 2012. More than 400 apprenticeships are being created by Crossrail.

Many are being trained at the new Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy in east London where up to 3,500 people will receive training in the skills required to work below ground.

Station Square, Portrush

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UKC PROFILE

CBRE

Advice for successful data centres CBRE advise more clients than any other commercial property adviser, combining the market making of management consultants with the accountability of professional advisors.

The Company works with occupiers, investors and developers of office, industrial and logistic, residential, retail and hotel property.

Services provided include strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing, tenant representation, corporate services, facilities, property and project management, appraisal and valuation, development services, investment management, energy and sustainability services, and research and consulting.

Within the UK, CBRE has 1,600 staff with offices in Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Southampton.

CBRE has long been recognised for success and leadership in the commercial real estate services marketplace.

The Company has led the industry in establishing a global offering and a full spectrum of services, and continues to lead in superior client service, volume of business activity, financial performance and many other measures.

The concept of responsibility is not new at CBRE, and all staff have been working diligently in several of these areas for many years. CBRE’s people are some of the largest supporters of charitable causes in their communities and the Company has led the industry in good governance and ethics practices for some time.

In terms of data centres, the Company provides advice to occupiers and developers about data centres thanks to having a complete understanding of how data centre

56

mechanical and electrical (M&E) services, IT platform requirements and property interact for data mission critical businesses.

Only CBRE’s data centres can provide full peace of mind that when it comes to property decisions relating to data centres, nothing is left to chance.

Data centre services include acquisition, disposal, project management, merger and acquisition advice, quarterly and bespoke research, and landlordspecific services investment.

Volta, which was opened earlier this year at the Great Sutton Street facility, is one of the data centres that has benefitted by CBRE’s advice. Following a year long project to strip out and re-fit a former BT exchange, Volta’s multi-million pound investment represents a significant commitment to London’s technology infrastructure.

Volta’s Great Sutton Street facility is the first new central London data centre to open in a decade. It provides a resilient, secure and sustainable IT environment for businesses requiring a central London location and facilitates high-speed domestic and international connectivity provided by some of the world’s leading telecommunication carriers.

Located on the edge of the city, Volta is ideally placed to serve companies in the financial services sector, SMEs and technology entrepreneurs in and around Tech City, as well as the media industry in London’s West End. The data centre benefits from a unique and diverse 33kV power supply fed from two separate parts of the National Grid. In effect, the whole of London would have to suffer an outage before Volta’s back-up power systems are required, making it one of the most resilient data centres in the UK. Another London data centre specialist

that CBRE are working with is Virtus, who are challenging the traditional data centre landscape with some fresh thinking.

The Virtus Intelligent Data Centre range offered by Virtus goes beyond just the supply of physical collocation space to include high quality flexible colo and connectivity solutions as well as a wide range of other customer services. Virtus is committed to innovate the way businesses of all types can deploy their IT solutions offering lowest TCOs in London.

Its LONDON1 data centre in Enfield is designed to meet the growing demand for scalable, reliable, on-demand collocation services. Its flexible configuration offers customers a wide range of choice on how their IT solutions are deployed, from a single rack to a bespoke data centre suite.

Opened in 2011, LONDON1 has a growing community of Tier 1 and Tier 2 carriers offering diverse connectivity services, enabling low cost, low latency, high speed and high quality access to different networks, internet exchanges and customer locations globally.

Virtus recently announced that work has commenced on LONDON2 in Hayes. This promises to be London’s most effiecient data centre with design PUE of less than 1.2. The new site will use a range of energysaving technologies including indirect evaporative cooling and highly efficient UPS systems that will allow Virtus to deliver significant TCO reductions to their clients.

When LONDON2 goes live next summer, the high speed, low latency connections between both sites will allow them to operate as one common market place, making it easy and cost efficient for end user customers, MSPs and network service providers to serve each other’s needs while expanding their own businnesses.

London’s most efficient data centre Construction on Virtus Data Centres’ LONDON2 site in Hayes has now commenced with Bouygues E&S Contracting UK Ltd delivering the first phase of fit out. Once operational, this highly eco efficient facility will be London’s ‘greenest’ data centre delivering 11.4 MW of IT load in 65,000 sq ft of net technical space.

Phase 1 works, consisting of the shell and core and two fully fitted data halls, will bring on line 27,000 sq ft of net technical space ready for client occupation in summer 2014.

Virtus’ new flagship data centre is designed to meet the growing demand for scalable, reliable, on-demand colocation services and will be the first in London to deploy a new ground breaking fresh-air, evaporative cooling technology that dramatically decreases energy consumption - bringing site power usage effectiveness (PUE) to below 1.2.

By using this evaporative cooling technology together with solar panels, ground water from its own well, chimney racks for heat extraction, highly efficient UPS systems, and other innovative technologies, Virtus LONDON2 will be the most energy-efficient data centre in London. It will reduce its environmental impact even further by using 100% green power from renewable sources and heat pumps to recirculate heat generated by the IT equipment into communal areas.

Talking about Virtus’ innovative new site in Hayes, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “London is leading the global digital technology revolution.

Up and coming companies like Virtus are at the heart of that whole explosion of talent in London and I’m delighted to see them using so many state of the art ways of saving energy and improving efficiency.”

+44 (0)20 7499 1300

info@virtusdcs.com

© Virtus Data Centres

www.virtusdatacentres.com

The facility, designed to deliver high quality customer solutions, will have six data halls, all capable of being subdivided, allowing clients to have anything from a cabinet, in a shared space, to their own suite or data hall, with dedicated power and cooling.

Neil Cresswell, CEO of Virtus, commented: “With the range of energy-saving technologies we are putting in place we will now lead in being able to deliver the most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly data centre solutions, offering significant TCO reductions to our clients in power, cooling, connectivity and services charges”.

To follow progress at LONDON2, or find out more about Virtus visit www.virtusdatacentres.com.

Twitter: @VirtusDCs In: Virtus Data Centres

UKC RETAIL

Morrisons

Delivering on its expansion promise Morrisons is continuing to expand across the whole of England, Scotland and Wales with a particular emphasis on London and the south of England where the Company is currently under represented, with an exciting range of new formats and a market leading retail proposition.

It is the UK’s fourth largest supermarket with more than 500 stores and ambitious expansion plans, targeting over two million square feet of new sales space over the next three years.

Every week nine million customers pass through the doors at Morrisons and 132,000 colleagues across the business work hard each day to deliver great service to them. With competitive prices and hundreds of special offers, the Company is proud to save its customers money every day.

When the future outlook is considered and achievable goals are laid out, much attention is focused on those areas of greatest significance to the business. With that in mind any potential sustainability issues are assessed relating to these areas and a direct link is made between the sustainability challenges and the business strategy.

This is the year in which Morrisons is becoming fit for the future. The building blocks are in place so the best can be brought to customers across all channels and formats.

Two Morrisons M locals are being opened every week and by the end of the year there will be more than 100 convenience stores across the country. The expansion will continue, taking what Morrisons offer to many more communities.

The Company has been ably supported

by NVELOPE, the rainscreen cladding specialist, which has supplied a support system to a new Morrisons store in Abbeydale, Gloucester.

This new 70,000sq ft store features NVELOPE’s NV3 mechanical concealed fix support system to support the external cladding. Gloucester County Roofing Ltd supplied the supermarket with the NVELOPE support system that consists of brackets, L profiles and a horizontal rail and cleat.

Gloucester City Council hopes that the 140,000sq ft of empty space surrounding

58

the new supermarket development will distribution centre in Bury, Lancashire, attract other businesses, such as high tech later this year to deliver to its fast manufacturers and engineering companies. expanding convenience store network.

In addition the site is possibly being subject The lease of the site, which has to a bid by the new Local Enterprise the potential to service over 100 Partnership to become an Enterprise Zone.

Morrisons M local stores in the North In this fast track construction project, of England, is another significant step which was completed in five weeks, in ensuring the retailer has the capacity 750sq m of the Morrisons store was toe deliver on its stated plans for fitted with high pressure laminate growth in the convenience sector. boards. The NV3 versatile cladding It is the retailer’s second convenience system brackets were ideal for fixing distribution hub, following on from the cladding to the supermarket as they the opening of its site in Feltham, allow the cladding to absorb the dead West London, in March and will loads and the wind loads, which allows sup port the opening of the 62 sites for adequate expansion and contraction. acquired from Blockbuster, HMV Mark Dodd, Managing Director of and Jessops earlier this year.

Gloucester County Roofing Ltd, said: “We chose to use NVELOPE’s NV3 system as not only is it cost effective and suited the project perfectly but the support system is extremely Commercial - Residential - Retail - Leisure - Maintenance easy to install.

Astryan Ltd was established in 1999 and is a specialist painting “The NV3 system contractor based in the North East, providing high quality interior and was such an easy exterior decorating service for the commercial market throughout the to use support UK. We are continually completing high quality office fit outs, system and the Government buildings, schools, sport complexes and hotels and finished project industrial units for our existing client base. is liked by all.”

The vertical cladding application was secured using hangars which effectively provides a concealed fixing giving the Morrisons store an aesthetically pleasing finish. The 8A Beaumont Street • North Shields • Tyne & Wear • NE29 0DG NVELOPE materials Tel: (0191) 272 8488 Fax: (0191) 296 3928 used were manufactured from extruded aluminium alloys conforming to BS EN 573-3 and production BS EN 755.

FINALISTS IN JOHNSTONES ‘PAINTER OF THE YEAR’ AWARDS Morrisons will FOR WORK COMPLETED AT THE THEATRE ROYAL open a new

Astryan

Painting Contractors

www.astryan.co.uk

JOHN DAY (DECORATORS) LTD.

• RETAIL, OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING • SPECIALIST COATINGS • HIGH QUALITY DOMESTIC AND CONTRACT DECORATING SERVICES

Prospect House, Prospect Court, Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3AY Tel: 01773 743825 Fax: 01773 513808 Email: reception@john-day.co.uk Web: www.john-day.co.uk

• •

A reliable provider understanding our clients’ needs throughout the UK for over 30 years A managed seamless decorating and pre-paint repairs service, quality controlled prior to completion

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Productive out of hours and turnkey programming supporting your needs

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Extensive experience in epoxy protective, anti-slip and hygienic coating applications

•

Our directly employed workforce are CRB checked and have relevant CSCS, IPAF and Pasma Certification

•

Fully insured and safety trained.

services.

www.mittonmechanical.com

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UKC COMMERCIAL

Sainsbury’s Distribution Centre

New facility in Basingstoke A new Sainsbury’s distribution centre is being built in three phases to allow the company to continue operating from the site.

The large, multi-million pound distribution centre is under construction in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Located on a 36-acre site near the town centre, the warehouse complex will include over 51,000sq m of chilled and ambient storage as well as 4,000sq m of office space.

Because the steel portal framed structure is being built in phases, Sainsbury’s can supply to its stores from an existing smaller depot during construction.

In order to expand operations, Sainsbury’s bought the land adjacent to its depot and cleared the site in early 2012 which paved the way for the entire site to be redeveloped.

Phase I started in March 2012 and as well as demolition, a cut and fill operation was required in order to remove some 50,000cu m of overburden.

The overall distribution centre is 392 metres long by 132 metres wide, incorporating four internal spans of 33m each. Perimeter columns are spaced at eight metre centres with 15m clear height at the eaves.

Phase I houses the complex’s chilled goods section, Phase II will comprise the produce section and Phase III will accommodate an ambient section along with an attached three-storey office block.

Steelwork contractor, Atlas Ward Structures, has completed the erection of Phase I, which required 750 tonnes of steel. This section of the building will eventually house a large chiller unit and for future maintenance of the equipment, a walkway gantry has been installed at roof level.

Installed along with the main frame steelwork, the gantry walkway consists of two support beams which are cantilevered off a central line of valley columns. The beams have handrails attached and

also support metal mesh flooring.

An attached energy centre and a goods delivery unit have also been erected as part of Phase I. The energy centre is slightly smaller than the main building.

One of the main challenges for the project team is a live substation located within the footprint of Phase I. This has meant that there is an off limits corridor within the construction area until the station is decommissioned.

Sainsbury’s moved its chilled goods section into the completed Phase I in June 2013, which allowed the Main Contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland, to demolish part of the existing depot to make room for the erection of Phase II. Atlas Ward erected the 500 tonnes of steelwork needed for Phase II at the end of the year, and the final phase is due to be completed in May 2015.

GEA Refrigeration UK Grenco – The Refrigeration Specialist Industrial refrigeration specialist GEA Grenco has successfully completed the design, manufacture and installation of the refrigeration space for the storage of chilled goods, fruit and frozen products at Sainsbury’s newly opened state-of-the-art ambient and refrigerated warehouse in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

These services include complete design and build packages, offering innovative solutions tailored to individual applications. GEA Grenco places great emphasis on interpreting its clients’ exact requirements in order to offer the most appropriate solutions. This strong design approach ensures the primary ‘client objectives’ are met in the most cost effective and practical manner.

GEA Grenco carried out the design of the facility to meet the highest standards of sustainable environmental responsibility by minimizing impact, through choice of materials, managed energy consumption and elimination of harmful emissions. In addition to delivering a highly efficient and reliable refrigeration plant with a 20 years plus life expectancy, GEA Grenco is also providing ongoing support to meet technical servicing requirements with tailored maintenance programs and skilled personnel.

In particular, GEA Grenco has many years of involvement with the cold storage industry, from large facilities to small independent cold stores, and recognises that refrigeration is an important factor in all stages of manufacture, storage and distribution of food products.

GEA Grenco UK and Ireland is a major manufacturer, supplier and provider of industrial refrigeration services to a wide variety of industries throughout the UK and Ireland. The company has a long history of serving both large and small client organisations with their refrigeration requirements.

With our Head Office based in Sittingbourne UK and a further 9 regional offices based across the UK as well as 3 regional offices in Ireland, we are ideally suited to provide a comprehensive range of contracting and after market services.

GEA Grenco offers a range of products specifically designed for these applications including cold and chilled storage, cross docking facilities, process area air conditioning, blast freezing and chilling tunnels, plate freezing and scraped surface heat exchangers.

GEA Grenco is one of 12 contracting and service companies within GEA Refrigeration Technologies, a division of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft. GEA RT also includes various refrigeration equipment manufacturing companies such as Grassso, Goedhart, Kuba.

GEA Refrigeration UK Grenco Unit 9 Conqueror Court, Velum Drive, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 5BH Tel: 01795514630 Fax: 01795 514661 Email: graham.young@gea.com www.grenco.co.uk

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HEALTH UKC

Rectory Lane Care Home The site of the former Loughton Sports Centre is now home to the new Rectory Lane Care Home, which opened this month.

The care home has been planned so that each floor can be used for different categories of care.

On the ground floor, there is a separate unit for residential nursing care and the first and second floors accommodate residents in need of specialist nursing care and also for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and living with dementia.

The majority of residents within care homes are highly dependent on nursing and staff care. It is therefore very important that the new home buildings are well designed and equipped to enable residents to spend most of their time within the home.

It is designed with this in mind and provides residents with high quality facilities that are self-contained within the home, including lounges and dining rooms on each floor.

In addition, there is the ability for each floor to have two separate units in order to create smaller homely units.

The care home also employs full-time activities co-ordinators who are responsible for organising a range of activities such as cards, bingo, drafts, board games, music, sing along and arts & crafts.

External professional services such as optician, dentist, physiotherapist, chiropodist and hairdresser will be brought to the home on a regular basis to fulfil the needs of residents.

Demolition works and site clearance was undertaken in a carefully planned manner to ensure that they were undertaken safely and with minimal disturbance to neighbours.

Steps were taken to reduce impact of noise and dust. Wherever possible, demolition was undertaken by hand, especially where it was possible to salvage materials such as roof tiles and timber for reuse elsewhere.

All bedrooms have been provided in accordance with the Care Commission Regulations and there are three staircases serving all floors except the roof space ancillary accommodation at first floor level and all of which are planned for emergency escape and between floor access for staff.

There are two passenger lifts included that are accessible off the main corridor and both serve all floors. Both lifts have hand rails all around them inside.

Bathrooms are sized to accommodate wheelchair use with appropriate high/low baths and equipment provided,

and are all distributed to suit bedroom accommodation.

Assisted toilets are located close to day rooms and are sized and fitted out as Part M of the Building Regulations, with some supplementary grab rails.

The Architect for the project was DWA Architects. Formed in 1988, the Practice has gained an international reputation for original, creative design and professionalism, with a service provided that is comprehensive and competitive.

The Main Contractor for the development that is now complete was Dalton Homes Ltd.

Derwent Lift Services Ltd Service & Maintenance of all Types of Lifts Installation of all Lifts in the UK Refurbishment of Lifts Advice and Consultation Derwent House, Unit 8, Greencroft Industrial Park , Annfield Plain, Stanley, Co. Durham, DH9 7YB

Sales: 01207 529 196 Service: 01207 529 188 Fax: 01207 529 915 Email: derwentlift@btconnect.com www.derwentliftserviceslimited.co.uk 61

UKC PROFILE

Darlow Lloyd (Construction) Ltd

Successful growth in five years of trading Darlow Lloyd (Construction) Ltd (DLC) specialises in civil engineering, building works, design and build, refurbishment and maintenance works within a wide cross spectrum of industries.

The Company’s roots are within the heavy industrial sectors such as Tata Steel Strip products and it currently operates the Term Maintenance Framework Agreement at both Port Talbot and Llanwern sites.

Established in August 2008 as a member of the Darlow Lloyd Group, the construction company was formulated to complement the successful sister company Darlow Lloyd and Sons, which is a family run business that offers services such as landfill and recycling management, bulk much shifting, screening and grading operations, sea defence, irrigation systems and landscaping services.

The Company is currently based at its newly refurbished facility that was purchased by the Group in March 2013 – on Village Farm Industrial Estate, Pyle.

DLC can call on a wide range of experience. It’s working directors have more than 40 years of experience between the two of them, while having various site and project managers who have been within the construction industry for a minimum of 15 years each.

Currently employing 95 people, the Company specialises in sectors such as industrial manufacturing plants and factories, stone quarries and mining infrastructure, but also the light commercial sector.

One of the major projects that DLC is currently involved in is the Nantyffyllon RFC redevelopment.

The existing club was erected in 1964 and was a pre-fabricated structure with an estimated lifespan of 30-40 years.

Unfortunately, the building has now well exceeded its lifespan and is in a very bad state of repair. The repair costs were considered impractical and the club declared the building no longer fit for purpose.

The club is also in close proximity to residential housing and with it being a busy social club, there are problems such as sound nuisance for the surrounding areas.

To help fund this very ambitious project, Nantyffyllon RFC committee has worked tirelessly to secure funding via grants and so over the past few years has been accruing small pockets of derelict land adjacent to the site with a view of selling it off for housing made possible by the redevelopment of the club.

The South East Wales Community Economic Development programme, Community Facilities and Activities Programme

and European Regional Development Fund have also assisted in making the project become a reality.

Once work is completed, it is envisaged that the new social club

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PROFILE UKC

R N Wooler and Company Ltd One of the north’s most reputable construction companies R N Wooler and Company Ltd is a family firm that works with the fundamental ethos of quality, value and complete client satisfaction. The personal touch, coupled with high standards sets the Company apart from the crowd, and the long-term relationships with clients speaks for itself.

Founded in 1985 by current Managing Director, Mr R N Wooler, many of the employees have worked alongside the family for the past two decades.

Since its inception, it has grown steadily and sustainably to become a very respected organisation, both within and outside the industry.

The flexibility and commitment to customer satisfaction has facilitated an impressive and ever evolving client portfolio, while the health and safety record, and ongoing training programme demonstrates that not only does the Company value clients, but also the welfare and development of its employees.

An impressive portfolio of successful

projects is managed from purpose built premises in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

This incorporates an extensive builders’ yard, storage depot and a substantial joinery manufacturing workshop where Wooler’s own trained craftsmen prepare bespoke joinery work. A dedicated small works/maintenance department offers a 24-hour callout service.

Originally built in 1993, these premises were expanded in 1997 and once again in 2007 due to the Company’s increasing project portfolio.

R N Wooler is currently working on a new extension on the Farmers Boy food production facility in Bradford.

Originally designed and built in 1998 by Watson Batty Architects, Farmers Boy is a purpose-built fresh food factory.

Watson Batty Architects has worked with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc for a number of years, undertaking internal alterations and extensions to keep up with Wm Morrison Supermarket

Plc expanding number stores.

This new extension will form new state-of-the-art automated pie and quiche production lines.

Watson Batty Architects will be working closely with all involved in the construction phase to ensure a successful delivery of this key production facility.

Other major projects have included a new £1.5M office block and £2.7M extension to award winning brewer Timothy Taylor, a £3.5M development for Gala Bingo in Hull and an £800,000 expansion of Skipton’s Craven Swimming Pool.

The Company proved its suitability for construction when it completed a £600,000 design and build fit out of a developer shell for the Dutchbased gym operator, Fit 4 Free.

The project was undertaken in a logistically difficult environment with significant programming constraints.

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Pitts Wilson Electrical Limited Cutler House Wakefield Road Bradford BD4 7LU 01274 771100

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UKC PROFILE

AECB

Providing sustainable building The Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB), is a network of individuals and companies with a common aim of promoting sustainable building.

It brings together builders, architects, designers, manufacturers, housing associations and local authorities to develop, share and promote.

The objective and aims of the AECB is to facilitate environmentally responsible practices within building. Specifically the AECB aims to promote the use of products and materials that are safe, healthy and sustainable encourage members projects that respect, protect and enhance the environment make available comprehensive information and guidance about products, methods and best practice in environmentally sustainable building.

The AECB was established in 1989 with the aim of increasing awareness within the construction industry of the need to respect the environment.

It is run by its members and is an independent, not for profit organisation.

The Association has a continued affiliation partnership that has been agreed with Co-operative Energy for the benefit of AECB members.

Co-operative Energy is part of The Midcounties Co-operative, the third largest co-operative in the UK with sales of £780M and 430,000 members.

Midcounties set up Co-operative Energy in 2010. Although founded by a regional co-operative, Co-operative Energy is very much a national business, covering the whole of England, Wales and Scotland.

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The consumer body ‘Which?’ awarded Co-operative Energy their prestigious Consumer Action Award 2011 for steps taken to change the energy supply industry for the better.

Co-operative Energy is committed to tackling climate change, pledging to do this in four ways: ••Sourcing more electricity from low carbon generators, including renewable energy generators such as wind and hydro.

••Investing in new renewable generating capacity.

••Adopting energy efficient practices throughout their trading group.

••Helping customers save energy with tips on how to lead a lower carbon life.

The Association has continued to improve as more experience has been gained since it was set up in 1989 by Keith and Sally Hall as the Sustainable Building Association.

Last year’s Annual Members’ Conference was held in June at the new academic building of Goldsmith’s College, London and was branded ‘Never Mind the Greenwash’.

The two-day conference coincided with a first visit to the UK by Wolfgang Feist from the German Passivhaus Institute and a joint event was held on the Saturday with the Passivhaus Trust for members of the public.

The conference also featured an evening debate under the heading ‘Sustainability is more than just Energy’. This packed session began with contributions from a panel, with AECB’s Chief Executive, Andy Simmonds and long-standing AECB members Neil May of Natural

Building Products and Pat Borer from the Centre for Alternative Technology.

Also last year, a Herefordshire based property development company was proud to be awarded the Silver Certification from the AECB, the first development in the UK to receive this.

The building is designed to offer its occupants a 75-80% reduction in heating bills compared to standard homes.

AECB Silver Certification is a selfcertification scheme open to building projects that meet the AECB Silver Standard design and performance criteria.

The AECB self-certification route has been developed whereby the self-certifier – typically the building’s energy consultant – takes responsibility for certification and for underwriting the Silver Standard claim.

During last year, the AECB entered into a new contract with the Passivhaus Institute to sell the 2012 Passive House Planning Package software (PHPP).

PHPP is a design tool for use by building architects and designers. Based on dynamic thermal simulations validated by data gathered from hundreds of lowenergy buildings, PHPP is the software to calculate energy use and CO2 emissions.

PHPP’s level of sophistication enables it to take into account a wide range of variable characteristics that affect heat loss and subsequent energy use, allowing for a superior fit between predicted energy use and real world performance.

Suitable for both residential and many non-residential applications, PHPP is supported by the AECB CLP courses.

Incentivising Sustainable House Building Despite DECC’s assertions in their recent report “An investigation of the effect of EPC ratings on house prices” about the energy performance of houses driving up their value, we see no evidence of this in East Anglia, says Simon Bennett, founder and managing partner of Greenright Homes. In contrast, prospective purchasers can be wary of renewable energy systems such as heat pumps and mechanical ventilation/heat recovery (MVHR) because of system complexity, a lack of understanding and an unjustified fear of high maintenance costs.

Greenright Homes is a small East Anglian developer striving to build future-proofed, high quality houses in the local vernacular style, with a sustainable approach to design and construction at heart. Our standard offer includes high levels of insulation and mechanical ventilation/heat recovery (MVHR) coupled with air-source heat pumps serving under-floor heating and, where there is a suitable south-facing roof space, solar thermal panels delivering hot water and solar PV panels generating renewable electricity. With rainwater harvesting and a host of other sustainable design features, our homes achieve certification to at least Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4.

Recent new builds have impressively achieved Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores of 95 and air-tightness of better than 2 m3/m2.hr at 50 Pa. Even refurbishments, when taken back to the basic structure of the house (e.g. a timber frame in the case of a listed Suffolk barn conversion), can be achieved to similar standards.

We have received several awards for our approach (Premier Guarantee Environmental Project of the Year in 2012, highly commended in Suffolk Greenest County Awards, RICS (Eastern Region), Bury Free Press Business Awards (Environmental category) and the Suffolk Property Awards (Residential and Environmental categories).

However, such awards ring a little hollow if houses are selling without a premium for their sustainability and energy performance. Unsurprisingly, building to these standards comes at a price, with build costs typically 10% higher than those of more traditionally-constructed properties that rely on hydrocarbon fuel sources. House buyers, once in residence, are convinced of the efficiency of well-designed heat pumps (particularly when operated on the competitive Economy 18 tariff (regrettably available only from E.ON) and free energy from their solar panels.

Of course, good standards of air tightness make MVHR essential in achieving a really good atmosphere and environment in the houses.

David Cameron’s “Greenest Government Ever” has much to achieve if longer term goals of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions from the housing stock are to be delivered. Proposed changes to the Building Regulations, Part L, requiring new homes to achieve zero carbon standards from 2016 seem at odds with recent proposed changes to standards described in the Government’s recent Housing Standards Review consultative document, where the modest proposals therein will not really drive the radical changes required to achieve zero carbon. The Review rightly suggests sensible space and disabled access standards and proposes harmonisation of general new build housing standards across local planning authorities, with no scope for local variations (surely to be welcomed by hard-pressed developers who often have to tailor their plans to the whim of the local planning and building control officers), but misses out on changes to improved thermal performance and sets unambitious targets on water use and mechanical ventilation systems.

The likely demise of the Code is also disappointing for developers who have built their businesses around the very sensible requirements of it.

Unfortunately, most estate agents and new build customers are neither aware of the Code nor do they pay any attention to energy performance and EPCs. Arguably, energy in the UK is still too cheap to change behaviours.

Much more needs to be done if we are to reduce the energy demands of our UK built environment. The days of self-sufficiency in inexpensive North Sea gas are long gone and we are now dependent on the global energy market. Is it possible that consumers will wake up to the reality of the market and start demanding higher housing standards not lower energy prices? We could be campaigning for much greater awareness of energy consumption, and incentivising sustainability.

How about, reduced stamp duty on house sales for properties with high EPC ratings and council tax on a reducing sliding scale according to improving energy performance? That might change attitudes and even get some take-up on the Green Deal.

Building homes for the future Residential homes of great quality and style incorporating both high levels of insulation and modern sustainable renewable technologies www.greenrighthomes.co.uk Greenright Homes: Guildhall Place, The Street, Wyverstone, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 4SJ Telephone: 01449 781194 / 07595 985524 Email: enquiries@greenrighthomes.co.uk

UKC RETAIL

Aldi

New store soon at Lytham St Annes After enjoying sales that soared 40% last year, Aldi is continuing with its expansion, with the St Annes development one of 50 new stores scheduled to open by the end of this year.

The three-storey scheme will comprise a 14,155sq ft Aldi foodstore and 70 parking spaces for shoppers, plus 34 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments with sheltered basement car parking for ten residents.

The development is situated on the site of a derelict five-storey building that was the former home of St Annes Conservative Club, which has relocated to new premises.

The 34 apartments will be spread across three floors and are being developed by Hollinwood Homes, which is the residential property division of The Marcus Worthington Group.

Construction work for the £5.5M development is on schedule after Aldi, the Which? Magazine supermarket of the year for 2013, was handed the keys to the property in August.

The store is expected to open its doors for trading before Christmas.

Mike Clarke, Property Director for Aldi, said: “We are committed to

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Image courtesy of Ell Brown

delivering an attractive, high quality store, which we believe will prove extremely popular with residents.

“We identified Lytham St Annes as somewhere we wanted to develop as part of our existing growth strategy and we are pleased that the scheme is coming together as planned.

“Worthington Properties (the Main Contractor) is delivering the construction phase of the build to the highest standards and we are certain the people of Lytham St Annes will enjoy shopping in this modern, purpose-built store for years to come.”

The one-bed apartments on site at what is known as St George’s Court are available from £100,000, while two-bed apartments are priced from £168,000.

Reservations on the properties are being taken now with the first buyers expected to move in to their homes later this year.

The properties are ideal for those looking to downsize but also provide plenty of living space. Each apartment includes a large living room and spacious kitchen with an upmarket modern specification adopted throughout.

Aldi, which sells a limited range of ownlabel groceries at low prices, has been

grabbing market share from supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Morrisons and its popularity is continuing to grow.

The retailer opened its 500th store in September and after opening 34 new stores last year, which added a further one million shoppers, Aldi has looked to expand in order to increase its market share.

Aldi has taken first place on the winner’s podium at this year’s prestigious Grocer Gold Awards, beating Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose to scoop the highly coveted Grocer of the Year award.

The award follows record market growth for the retailer, and signifies clear industry recognition of the moves Aldi has made in challenging the retail sector.

Aldi is currently enjoying one of its most successful trading years to date, and continues to hold an all-time record market share of 3.5%, representing an incredible 31.5% increase from May last year.

Tony Baines, Managing Director of Buying, Aldi Stores UK, said: “Winning Grocer of the Year is a real honour for Aldi and highlights the progress we are making in offering UK consumers an alternative to the big four supermarkets.”

COMMERCIAL UKC

Great Guildford Business Square Regeneration in London An £11M project, designed by Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects, will see the refurbishment, extension and regeneration of an existing group of three interconnected buildings in Southwark.

To be relaunched as The Metal Box Factory, the work will bring together these three former industrial and warehouse buildings, creating a new entrance, four-storey high atrium and a further two-storeys of office accommodation.

A new entrance is created with the removal of an existing single-storey building and parts of the warehouse beyond, opening up a slot in the building fabric into which an open sided two-storey concrete arch is inserted, signalling the new entrance providing a new and open route through to the heart of the site.

A gently inclined stone walkway leads visitors through a ribbon of wild grass planting, in what is otherwise a hard urban environment, to the new reception from which the new atrium carved from the existing building structure hosts a café, break out space along with two large

passenger lifts and a circulation stair. heat pumps, and PV array on the roof.

On top of the larger 1950’s former Being built by Kind & Company, demolition printing works building, a two-storey steel and enabling works were carried out framed extension is created, providing

by Randall Contracting and took place approximately 2,400sq m of office space, in autumn 2012, while the main work served by new passenger lifts installed started in December 2012 and will within the old goods lift shafts that pass be completed in summer 2014. through the ETFE roof over the atrium.

A smaller open courtyard and separate terrace next to the retained chimney are also provided.

Achieving a twoSTRUCTURAL STEELWORK, FIRE ESCAPE STAIRCASES, storey roof top CLADDING AND ALL TYPES OF STEEL FABRICATION. extension in this area of Southwark is rare, and makes UNIT 5A, ALBRIGHT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, the development FERRY LANE, RAINHAM, ESSEX RM13 9BU stand out from others. A BREEAM TEL: 01708 521249 FAX: 01708 522388 rating of Very Good WWW.ACSTRUCTURES.COM is proposed, making use of air source

Building communities, valuing people, delivering excellence North Star Housing Group brings together the skills, resources and values of two operating companies, Endeavour Housing Association and Teesdale Housing Association to form an equal partnership.

This is a strong body with a clear vision of what is required to achieve for the people who live in the region.

All of this culminates in an exciting new phase in the creation of affordable, high quality housing and sustainable communities.

While the partnership is equal, both operating companies continue to retain their separate identities and operating locations in addition to their relationship with residents.

An example of the work undertaken is apparent in County Durham, where there is a brand new heating system for residents thanks to a successful funding bid from North Star for more than £100,000 from the Department of Energy & Climate Change.

The money will contribute towards the installation of air source heat pump heating systems to 34 properties in Teesdale, lowering household fuel bills and providing environmentally friendly heating and hot water.

North Star Housing Group currently

PROFILE UKC

North Star Housing Group has 96 existing air source heat pump systems installed across Endeavour and Teesdale properties, which have used by Hartlepool NDC Trust to provide had a positive impact overall. a programme of training and support for The Group signed a contract with local people who are keen to get into work Cosyseal Insulation Ltd, a local, in partnership with Housing Hartlepool. family owned firm based in Stockton Day-to-day work experience will see on Tees to carry out the work. the empty homes brought back to life, Endeavour pledged almost £7,000 to providing much needed high quality support a Hartlepool empty homes affordable homes to rent in the area. initiative in June.

The project, which will be delivered in partnership with Hartlepool NDC Trust, Housing Hartlepool and the Belle Vue Community Centre, aims to We are pleased to be associated with the North Star Housing Group bring homes in the and wish them continued success for the future.

Belle Vue area of Hartlepool back to LETITIA STREET, LETITIA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, life using the skills MIDDLESBROUGH TS5 4BE and labour of local TEL: (01642) 251662 FAX: (01642) 220649 unemployed people.

TEL MOBILE: 07836 371148 07909 527333 The £7,000 that EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@GVDECORATORS.CO.UK Endeavour has pledged will be

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UKC PROFILE

Southern Water Partnership with Clancy Docwra The Clancy Group Plc, through Clancy Docwra Ltd, is well established as one of the leading national construction companies in the UK, operating principally in the utility, transportation, power and infrastructure sectors.

With offices across the UK, from Livingston in Scotland to Longham in the South, the Company has a strong base in the water sector, as well as a significant presence in the gas, electricity, rail, highways, new build and refurbishment sectors.

Clancy Docwra is recognised for its outstanding client service, the quality of the Company’s work and its commitment to health and safety. These strengths have helped the Company to retain key clients and win new ones.

Utilities have been the cornerstone of the business for a number of years. However, roles and arrangements change and develop; integrated teams are the way forward and are delivering the cost savings and efficiency improvements demanded.

Clancy Docwra has built an enviable reputation as market leaders in the water sector through innovation and the provision of leading edge technology.

The Company is the largest water service provider in England, serving

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approximately 20% of the population.

In September 2009, it was announced that three groups have been confirmed as framework contractors for Southern Water’s multi services framework.

Clancy Docwra, Morrison Utility Services and a joint venture of Barhale and Trant Construction (BTU) are to take on the maintenance, repair and renewal worth between £300M and £600M, depending on OFWAT funding.

The six-year deal involves mechanical and electrical improvements at hundreds of Southern Water assets, such as treatment works and pumping stations.

It covers the five-year AMP 5 contract.

There is also an option for a renewal for the subsequent five-year AMP 6 framework.

BTU will carry out mechanical and electrical improvements at hundreds of Southern Water assets, such as treatment works and pumping stations, from now until 2020.

Southern Water’s Chief Executive, Les Dawson, said: “It is essential that the suppliers we engage to work on our behalf not only deliver a service which is of the highest standard, but also share Southern Water’s ethos of having customers at the heart of its business.”

Southern Water supplies fresh, quality

drinking water to more than one million households and treats and recycles wastewater from nearly two million households across Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight.

One of the mains replacement mains schemes that Southern Water is working on is the B3354 at Colden Common.

This is an essential scheme to reduce the risk of bursts, which have caused problems for customers on several occasions in the past due to the loss of water supply and emergency road closures.

The Southern Water project team h as liaised closely with Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, parish councils, the Highways Agency and emergency services. It is in the process of talking to customers and businesses in the area about the scheme.

Work is being undertaken in three phases: • Phase I started in September at the junctions with the B3354 and at the roundabout junction with Church Lane. Temporary traffic control using temporary traffic lights were in place. It lasted six weeks.

• Phase II started in October, and temporary traffic lights were used at continued page 70 >

Oakmoore Contractors Ltd. New house builds up to DPC • All ground works including concrete • Tarmac crossovers • Sewer connections • Drainage works • Block beaming• Patios • Fencing

We are a well established contractor, who in various forms have been serving Southern Water Services, both directly, or indirectly, through term contractor for the last 15 years, offering a 24/7 call out service for all reactive works such as burst rising main repair, foul and surface water, mains, and lateral repair, telemetry duct laying, air vent duct laying etc. From these reactive works, come larger scale projects such as new foul and surface water mains relays, rising main relays, anti flood valve installations, hydro brake, head wall construction, new lateral relays and connection to main sewer, pipe bursting (old to new sewer lay), pitch fibre re rounding and section 24 ( residential properties), relays, together with all the civils, final reinstatements and landscaping.

We have carried out a large amount of development site works, including, kerb and edging laying, type 1 prep tarmac pavement, road and drive laying, also extensive block paving, pavement, road, drive, car hard standing, car parking areas, grasscrete block, hard standings, and car parks, slabs, granite sets, cobbles, etc.

Together with this, we also have extensive experience in potable water mains and services relays, both by open cut and pipe burst methods, in both ductile

iron and M.D.P.E, including service tapping from main to property boundry as applicable.

We have provided mains diversion works to make way for development and have worked within site laying foul and surface water mains and connections, including road gullys, yard gullies, channel and grid works, block paving, kerbs, edgings, man hole construction, and generally all 1st and 2nd phase ground works to suit, and have also carried out works for local councils, housing trusts, light industry, and many other clients.

Lastly, we hold all industry accreditations including N.R.S.W.A ( supervisor and operative), C.S.C.S ( supervisor level) C.P.C.S, and NVQ in construction safety management and supervision, we also adhere to Southern Water Services strict code of practise with regard to Health, Safety, and Welfare in the work place, together with keeping up with all environmental and ecological regulations. We also on larger scale works, put in place all C.D.M measures where requested, and we have in place the public liability insurance required.

OAKMOORE CONTRACTORS, 44 FIRS AVENUE, BOGNOR REGIS, WEST SUSSEX PO22 8QA 01243 586313 07540 696522 enquiries@oakmoorecontractors.co.uk

www.oakmoorecontractors.co.uk

the junction of Portsmouth Road B2177 and Main Road B3354 for six weeks.

• Phase II is expected to start next month. A road closure will run north from the junction with Portsmouth Road B2177 at Fishers Pond to the roundabout junction with Church Lane. This phase should take approximately 12 weeks.

Roadworks are being suspended in December to avoid the Christmas period but other than that, Clancy Docwra will be working seven days a week, using extended working hours to complete the job as quickly as possible.

Southern Water Project Manager Peter Simmons, said: “This water main has burst a number of times in the past, causing problems for customers who have lost their water supply, and also causing traffic disruption. We must replace the main with a more durable pipe, which will reduce the risks of bursts and leaks.

“Although the timing of the scheme has been carefully planned, it will inevitably cause some disruption. We’ll do all we can to minimise this and will be updating customers throughout.

“We’ll be in the area for a few months but the benefits of the work – a more reliable supply of water to customers’ taps and fewer emergency road closures – will last long into the future.”

Phase I of the work was completed three weeks ahead of schedule, while Phase II was able to start

three weeks earlier than planned. old sewer running under the River Clancy Docwra has undertaken a sewerage Medina from Medina Road in West improvement scheme in Newport.

Cowes to the Esplanade in the East Southern Water replaced 150m of old with a new 500mm-diameter pipe. sewer pipe while increasing the diameter Clancy Docwra has now successfully of a further 25m of pipe in Field Place, completed the installation of the new Newport, as part of the Company’s sewer, 25m under the River Medina. wastewater renovation programme The new pipeline was drilled and pulled that will ensure the sewer system into place using highly specialised network continues to work effectively. equipment and techniques to ensure A section of the road was closed minimal disruption to the environment. from Caesars Road to Mall Court to It is part of Southern Water’s allow teams to carry out the work, £10.5M programme of works to and access was not affected. rehabilitate and replace 30km of Southern Water worked closely with Isle sewers across the South East. of Wight Council Highways to ensure that traffic disruption is minimised.

The work was carried out by Clancy Docwra and commenced in May 2013. It took three months and is now complete.

Work was completed in March 2013 on essential works on a main sewer in Cowes.

North Fairlee Farm, 301 Fairlee Road, Southern Water Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 2JU began work in November Tel: 01983 522139 Email: hfoss@btconnect.com 2012 to replace 550m of the

H. C. & P.A. FOSS CCTV Survey, Drain Tracing, Jetting and Clearance

WSM can provide a fully certificated pipeline commissioning service Pressure testing, disinfection, water quality sampling & analysis for all size and length of main.

For more information on our full range of services go to www.wsm-associates.co.uk

MAPPING ASSETS CLEANSING EXCELLENCE FM CONWAY HAS INVESTED IN ITS CCTV SERVICES TO PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH GREATER NETWORK COVERAGE – HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR DRAIN AND SEWER ASSETS AND MAINTAIN THEM TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS. We provide: • CCTV drain surveying • GPS and HADDMS surveying • Off-road surveys and specialist ‘no dig’ operations

• • • •

Tankering High pressure water jetting Interceptor and wet waste recycling Flood remediation

Works are carried out by fully-trained and directly-employed staff and, with our extensive fleet, we’re expanding on the one million gullies we clean each year.

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For more information on our cleansing, surveying and drain waste recycling services: Please call 0844 880 6204, visit www.fmconway.co.uk, or follow us on @FMConwayLtd.

We value our customers as the foundation of our business. Our relationships with customers and suppliers are based on principles of respect and mutual benefit. We aim to develop profitable and lasting relationships. We want to build on what we do well and to innovate to meet our changing customer needs. Our goal is to work together with Southern Water with its key sub contractors to benefit the community as a whole, we are all intent on maintaining this ethos by supplying the widest range of waste management services, with the same level of dedication long into the future.

MTS House, Royal Eagle Close, Medway City Estate, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4NF

T: 01634 250326 E: info@mtscleansing.co.uk W: www.mtscleansing.co.uk

UKC EDUCATION

Ludgrove School

All set for a new performing arts building The exciting new development of Ludgrove School’s new theatre is now well underway.

Situated at the end of the current music block in the orchard, this wonderful new building will have permanent seating for 200 people and full capacity for 350.

Up to now, the school has been using the sports hall for performing arts of various descriptions such as plays and concerts.

It has been an ambition of the school for many years to have a purpose-built theatre, and thanks to sufficient funds being available to undertake the project, the time was right to go ahead with the project.

Ludgrove was founded in 1892 by Arthur Dunn in Cockfosters, north London. After his death in 1901, G O Smith and W J Oakley became headmasters and ran the school until 1934. Frank Henley then took on the headship, but soon handed over to Alan Barber and Tim Shaw.

In 1937, the school moved to its current site at Wixenford, Wokingham under an hour from central London. This new location would ensure that the founding rural character of Ludgrove would remain and gave great scope for growth and improvement.

In July 2008, after 35 years, Gerald and

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Janet Barber retired and Simon Barber and Sid Inglis took over as joint headmasters.

This year, Simon became the sole headmaster.

The performing arts building will be behind the main block of the school and will eventually link up with the music department, creating a hub in that part of the school for arts and performance that in itself produces its own dynamic.

It’s a building that will be used on a daily basis but not just for performing arts and also for assemblies, meetings, open days for prospective parents, as well as many other uses.

Designed by Proctor Watts Coles Rutter, the building will have a classic ordinary stage as well as a sunken atrium so a there can be a performance in the round if necessary. This enables the creative people to do more than a conventional theatre would provide.

This will not only be an iconic building but also from the school’s perspective, a confidence in the ‘business’ itself.

Ludgrove School is popular and is investing in the future with this new building.

The building will be constructed using Douglas Fir. Conventional buildings would have used a metal structure that then

would have been closed over. Instead a wooden frame is being incorporated, which will be open. This will make it more attractive visually to people who go in it.

The design is different but brick and slate are being used, while externally it will look similar to the existing, internally it will be different to the existing school.

Being built by Amiri Construction, the development will have a main ground floor and then a galleried first floor as well as the control room, and the new performing arts building will also benefit from the latest energy saving kit to comply with building regulations.

Disruption to the running of the school has been minimal up to now, with only one particular track where the boys walk to a sports pitch.

Work on the project has deliberately used an external track, creating a temporary roadway for the heavy lorries and therefore disruption has been almost non-existent.

Keeping the project on time and to budget has been a challenge, and this is currently the case, even though some days have been lost due to bad weather.

Work on the £1.6M project started in August 2013 and will be complete in May 2014.

Mechanical & Electrical Contractors throughout London & the South East

www.aesltd.net

AES have been selected for the M&E fit-out by Amiri Construction at Ludgrove School AES are delighted to have been nominated by Amiri Construction as the M&E contractor at the PWRC designed Performing Arts Centre at Ludgrove School (above).

We are commencing on site shortly, with the building due to be open to the school in July 2014.

In recent years, expansion and recruitment of additional M&E engineering staff has allowed AES the opportunity to offer clients like Amiri, a one-stop M&E package that commences at the design stage and progresses right through to project completion.

2013 has also seen us completing major M&E fit-our projects at the NUS (National Union of Students) in London, Barking & Dagenham College and three exclusive properties in Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Hampstead.

For more information about our recent and current projects or for technical and tendering advice, please contact us on the numbers below or visit our regularly updated website at www.aesltd.net T: 0118 979 8500 F: 0118 978 4600 E:info@aesltd.net

UKC CIVIL

World’s largest wind farm blows into action London Array Full capacity has now been reached at the 630MW first phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the London Array. The commissioning of the 175th and final turbine took place just after 4pm on Saturday 6th April.

With all turbines now exporting power to the national grid, London Array is expected to produce enough green electricity to power nearly half a million homes a year.

Project Director Richard Rigg said: “This is the final major milestone of the construction phase and the culmination of more than two years’ offshore construction work which began in March 2011 with the installation of the first foundation.

“It has been a complex operation but I am delighted that the commissioning of the wind farm has now been completed on schedule, despite the worst of the winter weather.”

Turbine installation began in January 2012 and has been completed by MPI Discovery, A2SEA’s Sea Worker and Sea Jack.

Turbine installation was completed in December 2012, and since then the project has focused on fully commissioning and putting into operation all 175 of the 3.6MW Siemens turbines by this spring.

With all turbines in place and 55 connected and supplying power to the national grid, the wind farm is on track to be fully operational in spring this year. The wind farm itself has been generating

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energy since October 2012 when the first turbine began producing power.

The installation of the last turbine at London Array is the culmination of a huge amount of effort and coordination by everyone involved in the project. Last year saw 84 foundations, 175 wind turbines, 178 array cables and three export cables were installed at the project. London Array is now focusing on the commissioning and testing of the remaining turbines before the project is handed over to the Operations and Maintenance team this year.

Benj Sykes, Head of DONG Energy’s UK Wind business, said: “Having the final turbine installed is another landmark in this flagship project for the UK and for DONG Energy.

“The London Array will soon be the largest operational offshore wind farm in the world – building offshore wind farms of this size and larger in the future allows us to harvest the advantages of scale and is an important element of our strategy to drive down the cost of energy.

“Building London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, is a great achievement.

“As we now look to our pipeline of future projects, DONG Energy is determined to drive down the costs of our offshore wind farms to e100 per megawatt hour for projects we’ll be sanctioning in 2020.

“What we have learnt at London Array, together with our continuing focus

on innovation in technologies and techniques, will help us achieve that.”

DONG Energy is one of the leading offshore wind farm developers in the world, with more than 20 years’ experience in the wind power industry and has built every third wind farm in Europe.

On the day it was announced that the final turbine had been installed, Tony Cocker, Chief Executive Officer of E.ON UK, said: “Today is another significant milestone for London Array and the UK as t he installation of the final turbine brings us one step closer to the completion of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

“We are proud to mark this achievement and I pay tribute to all involved in the construction to date. I look forward to seeing London Array’s contribution to the UK’s low carbon energy mix for many years to come.

Mr Cocker continued: “London Array is a significant achievement in renewable energy. The world’s largest operational offshore wind farm will be capable of generating enough energy to power nearly half a million homes and reduce harmful CO2 emissions by over 900,000 tonnes a year.

“It’s been a tough time for the team working on site. The recent b ad weather and north easterly winds have whipped up the waves preventing access to the site so this milestone

is true reward for their hard work.”

E.ON is one of the world’s leading power and gas companies. With annual sales of more than e82Bn and around 79,000 employees, it is one of the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas companies.

E.ON is active in onshore and offshore wind, concentrating solar power (CSP), solar PV and biomass and currently has over 4.2GW of renewable capacity in operation, which makes it a leading global renewable player.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, commented: “This milestone brings us a step closer to showcasing the economic, social and environmental benefits of clean energy.

“London Array is a testament to how collaboration, the right policies and a commitment to sustainability can advance the new energy industry.

Masdar is a proud partner, and we look forward to the completion of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

“Just over two years ago, we celebrated the first of 177 foundation installations in this massive undertaking. Today, after overcoming challenges on both land and at sea, we celebrate the commissioning of the final turbine.

“As a partner in some of the world’s most sophisticated and large-scale renewable energy projects, Masdar recognises the value of robust collaborative efforts as exemplified by the London Array.

“Masdar is proud to be contributing to the United Kingdom’s clean energy mix and remains committed to growing offshore wind capacity in the UK and worldwide.”

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions.

The Company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future.

Backed by the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.

London Array is being built around 20km off the coasts of Kent and Essex. The wind farm is being installed on a 245sq km site in two phases. Phase I covers an area of 90sq km and includes 175 turbines with a combined capacity of 630MW. If approved, Phase II will add enough capacity to bring the total to 870MW. Of the project consortium partners, DONG Energy owns 50%, E.ON has 30% and Masdar has a 20% stake.

Once completed, there will be annual maintenance on each turbine, and if there are any breakdowns of turbines, preventative work and regular checks will also be undertaken.

London Array is the largest offshore wind farm in the world. On top of the sheer size and difficult marine environment, some of the turbine locations dry out at low tide, making access harder than normal. Fortunately, quality contractors and experienced owners are involved, so these challenges will be met.

There will be approximately 90 people working at London Array on an ongoing basis, with the majority of these being

local, and some local people are being trained on apprenticeships, ready to work on the site later this year.

The project has started handing over to the Operations and Maintenance Team. This will be completed in the summer when the last shallow array cable has been buried.

The EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH (EEW SPC) has been vital to the scheme at London Array, which is one of the largest the Company has had in its history.

Since 2008, its mill in Rostock has been engaged in the production of heavy steel pipes as well as the appropriate pipe components. The Company’s customers are mainly from the offshore wind industry sector.

Thick-walled, longitudinally welded large pipes, with diameters of up to seven metres, lengths of up to 120m and up to 1,000 tonne-piece weights can be fabricated.

The annual capacity is 144,000 tonnes per year. Considering the current order intake, EEW SPC has participated in the installation of almost 1,000 WTGs as manufacturer of foundations.

After a two-year production time, EEW SPC finished the manufacturing of 177 monopiles for the offshore wind farm in April 2012, using a total of 70,000 tonnes of steel.

With the construction of a new fabrication hall, which will be completed in 2014, EEW SPC is equipped for the production of XL monopiles with a diameter of up to ten metres and with unit weights up to 1,500 tonnes in the future.

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Understanding the certification process and the importance of training Words: Lone Wigh, DNV KEMA

Lone Wigh, Sales and Marketing Coordinator

Figure 1: DNV Type and Project Certification system with IEC modules shown

Going through the certification process for a wind turbine, support structure or substation related to the wind farm ensures that your asset adheres to required industry standards and best practice, and hereby reduces the total risk during the life cycle of the project. However, in a market with tight time schedules and scarce resources, it is important to understand the mechanisms of the certification process and how to interpret the regulatory requirements to meet project milestones.

Savings can be made Since 2009, DNV KEMA has been delivering a seminar on the certification process several times a year. The objective of the seminar is to prepare project partners for the tasks ahead and establish an understanding regarding the level of interaction needed for the process to be efficient. The seminar is designed to provide an understanding of the DNV certification system including: • client deliverables (documentation requirements according to DNV and IEC) verification activities for each technical discipline and module of the certification system, ref. Figure 1.

• DNV deliverables (technical reports, statement of compliances and certificates)

Technical engineers benefit from examples showing actual solutions to documentation for certification as well as discussions on how to deal with, for example, novel design methodologies or topics not covered well in standards. One such topic is geotechnical design. It is not straightforward to establish unambiguous rules and regulations for soil investigation and geotechnical design.

The soil conditions may be uniform and well defined, or extremely varying and complex and the amount of soil investigations necessary will therefore vary significantly. The type of foundation structure intended for the wind farm will also have influence on the type of soil investigation that is needed. The design of a monopile is dependent on the dynamic soil stiffness and damping properties, while the design of piles for a jacket will be

“Understanding the verification process, the requirements according to DNV standards and related international standards” Typically, a wind farm project involves multiple project partners and combined with multiple technical disciplines, as illustrated in Figure 2, it is obvious that project management can be challenging. Understanding the verification process, the requirements according to DNV standards and related international standards, as well as the interfaces will enhance the design process.

The seminar also demonstrates how certification can be divided into stepwise approvals, which allows the project manager to make status and communicate how much of the needed documentation for a prototypecertification, for example, has been approved.

Figure 2: Interaction of technical disciplines in offshore wind farm projects

Activities The purpose of type certification is to confirm that the wind turbine type is designed, documented and manufactured in conformity with design assumptions, specific standards and other technical requirements, while the purpose of project certification is to evaluate whether the type-certified wind turbine(s) including foundation(s), substation(s) and/or met mast(s) are in conformity with the external conditions at a specific installation site (IEC 61400-22). An overview of the activities to be carried out to obtain a DNV type or project certificate is reflected in Figure 1.

A DNV type or project certificate is issued based on satisfactory final evaluation and demonstrates not only compliance with applicable codes and standards, but also that the turbine/project meets performance and safety requirements and that the development and operational risks are correctly addressed and managed.

governed by soil friction and reduction of friction capacity in tension due to cyclic loading. The session on geotechnical design presents various issues that may govern the geotechnical design, and the DNV KEMA approach to certification of the same. A detailed programme of the seminar is available from www.dnvkema.com/windenergy.

The DNV certification system is in compliance with the international certification system developed by the wind community and documented in IEC 61400-22

The seminar lasts three days. Day 1 covers type certification (EUR 750/person), while Day 2 and 3 relate to project certification (EUR 1000/person). The seminar is run by eight to ten senior and principal engineers working with certification on a daily basis at DNV KEMA.

lone.wigh@dnvkema.com or visit www.dnvkema.com/windenergy.

The next seminar on type and project certification is scheduled for 24-26 March 2014 and will be held in Hellerup, Denmark.

For information on seminars or in-house training possibilities, please contact

SEMINAR ON 24-26 MARCH 2014, HELLERUP, DENMARK www.dnvkema.com/windenergy

Certification seminar Wind turbine type (Day 1) - Offshore support structures and substations (Day 2+3) As a leading provider of type and project certification services, DNV KEMA offers this seminar intended for technical staff, engineers, and project managers responsible for designing or navigating the certification of wind turbines, offshore support structures and substations.

Why attend: The seminar is designed to increase attendees’ understanding of the standards and certification process to save time, reduce costs and ensure capture of value added in the asset.

The seminar will provide training on the mandatory and optional tasks of the certification process and is built around DNV standards and related international standards in IEC 61400. Sign up for one day or all three days.

Scan the code to view the program details.

DNV KEMA's wind energy offices: Americas USA (Seattle, Boston, Houston) Brazil (Rio)

Asia Korea (Pusan) China (Beijing) Singapore

Europe UK (London, Aberdeen, Manchester) Denmark (Copenhagen) Germany (Hamburg) The Netherlands (Arnhem) Norway (Oslo)

Registration: www.dnvkema.com/tcpc-seminar-registration

UKC PROFILE

Masseys DIY & Gardening Store Masseys DIY & Gardening Store was established in 1947 and has more than 18,000 lines in stock.

This family-run business, which prides itself on excellent customer service, was founded in 1947 by Reginald Massey.

He did this by decanting five gallon drums of paint into treacle tins and then selling the treacle tins to the public.

Within five years, Reginald Massey had started the Masseys DIY store, selling tools, ironmongery and paints.

The current Directors, Peter and Robert Massey, are both grandsons of Reginald.

They are both trained accountants and have been directors of the business

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for 30 and 27 years respectively.

They have grown the business from a small store in Woodville to a 12,000sq ft DIY & Gardening store less than half a mile away from the original shop, as well as a smaller high street Cook Shop in Swadlincote.

Products include lawnmowers, strimmers, chainsaws, plumbing, gardening, garden centre, plant food, weed killer, nuts & bolts, paint, electrical, tools, power tools, ironmongery, timber, tiling, kitchen shop, and ladders.

Masseys cover Burton-on-Trent, Swadlincote, Ashby de la zouch, Coalville, Tamworth, Derby, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Next year will see the Company open its new £2M store in the new year.

Bosses at Woodville business Massey’s spoke as work started to gather pace at its new home in Swadlincote Road onto, a site previously occupied by the Osborne drinks factory.

A spokesman for the store said: “We actually have a building structure in place now and things are really starting to take shape. We are now looking towards opening in January next year.”

Massey’s new 28,000sq ft store, twoand-a-half times larger than its existing premises, will solve both of these problems continued page 80 >

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while keeping the businesses on a key arterial route but nearer Swadlincote.

Manager Andy Massey said: “It’s great news and means we can keep expanding the business and taking it forward.

“If we stand still we will slip behind our competitors and we’ve got to be looking forward.”

Mr Massey said the new store would merge the existing Swadlincote Road business and the branch in Swadlincote High Street, which would close.

“Swadlincote town centre is not a particularly desirable place to have a retail business,” he said.

“People don’t have a great reason to go.

What we need is a catalyst to spark it off – something like an M&S-style of store.

“There’s a lot of planning going into it and making sure everything is going to be right.

“We’ve got one shot to do it properly.”

He also indicated the expansion was likely to see the firm add to its existing 24 employees.

“We are going to take what we’ve got from the two stores and if we can cop, we can cope,” he said.

“I would have thought there was a very high possibility that more staff will be employed but we’ve got to be in to make that call.”

The Company has won awards for the

quality of its work. These include silver was an all expenses paid trip to Las at the 2011 DIY Week Awards. This was Vegas, as well as a week at the Oxford due to Masseys’ continued high level of Retail School, where Andrew rubbed customers service and ambitious plans shoulders with some of the high flyers for expansion with the development from the world’s largest retailers. of the new Swadlincote Road store.

With the imminent arrival of the new Meanwhile, Masseys were awarded silver store, it is a very exciting time for at the 2010 Britain’s Best Retailer Awards the Company, who will continue its due to the high quality of service offered association with the Swadlincote area. by staff as well as the great product range.

The new development is designed by Andrew Massey is no stranger to SG Design and the Main Contractor awards and in 2011, he won Britain’s is Hardwick Coleman + Whotton.

Young Retailer of the Year award.

“All remarkable achievements for one still relatively young. This young man truly is one HG - the specialist in terms of to watch, he has cleaning, protection and achieved great beautification in and around the things in the short house. Our range consists of time he has been approximately 300 high-quality in the business,” products that offer your customers said the judges. solutions that are neither offered Richard Thomes, nor equaled by any other brand.

President of the All these products – we refer to IHA, had flown them proudly as ‘problem solvers’ - are brought to the attention of in from the USA your customers in a considered way. especially to When you include HG in your range, you include more than just a see the award product! You offer customers a total concept, consisting of four handed out. “building blocks”, namely: Part of the prize

HG – a considered concept

• the HG shelf plan and shop presentation • the HG shelf-information system • the HG website • the HG door-to-door magazines.

But we never lose sight of one thing - a most attractive margin for you! We believe in partnership, and therefore we have worked on a win-win situation from the very beginning. The returns on HG shelves are proven to be amongst the highest in our product category. ®

HG International b.v.

Lanswood Park, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex. C07 7FD Tel.: +44 (0) 1206 822 744 Fax: +44 (0) 1206 827 019 Email: info@hg.eu

www.hg.eu 80

HOUSING UKC

Scotswood Creation of a sustainable community

Work commenced earlier this month on the first affordable homes on a 66-hectare site for a long awaited regeneration scheme.

Home to the £300M Scotswood project, the development will provide 1,800 homes, schools, retail, leisure, commercial and community buildings over the next 15 years.

The development received a £20M funding package in 2010 to prepare the ground for new homes, while Newcastle City Council also invested in excess of £20M worth of resources in the broader regeneration of the area over the longer term.

Work on advanced infrastructure started two years ago to prepare the site for future development, with earthworks and remediation of the site for housing, as well as the diversion of utilities and the creation of a modern sustainable drainage system.

When the development started earlier this month, a group of local residents were joined by representatives from the public/private partnership driving the regeneration project – New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) – to lay the first bricks of the 58 affordable homes that will be built at The Rise.

The creation of these sustainable homes will rejuvenate Newcastle’s West End. With backing from the Home and Communities Agency (HCA), the plan is to provide mainly family homes with over 60% being three- and four-bedroom homes.

A partnership between Newcastle City Council, Barratt/David Wilson Homes and Keapmoat, NTWDC is leading the project in which Phase I of development will comprise 377 homes – including the 58 affordable houses for rent and shared ownership, which will be available through Tees Valley Housing – part of the Fabrick Housing Group.

The design of The Rise provides green links through to the existing

neighbourhood and tiered gardens Already, a commitment has been across the sloping 66-hectare site. made to employ six apprentices during All of the properties constructed will Phase I of building and workshops incorporate eco-friendly features, with have been held to help small local firms hot water and heating supplied from bid to be part of the programme. a neighbourhood energy centre. The project will also include community and commercial facilities, parks and public open spaces.

Duncan Bowman, Development Director with NTWDC said: “This is a really exciting milestone in the delivery of this project.

“The start of work on the affordable homes at Scotswood supports our vision Elcot Environmental, the UK's leading Japanese of the creation of a sustainable Knotweed Control Specialists since 1998. community and our aim to provide Knowledge from Experience affordable housing With experience in Japanese Knotweed treatment going in Newcastle’s West End.” back to 1982 and providing specialist Japanese Knotweed Throughout the management services since the mid 90’s to clients including building project, the Welsh Development Agency, local Authorities, and major NTWDC will developers; Elcot Environmental is the company many continue to work contractors use time and time again with the local community, Elcot Environmental schools, training Kingsdown Lane, Blunsdon, Swindon SN25 5DL and employment providers, along t. 01793 700100 with business support agencies e. enquiries@elcotenviro.com to increase www.elcotenviro.com opportunities for local people and firms.

81

UKC RETAIL

B&M Bargains

Targeting more than 400 stores across the UK From its first store in Blackpool, B&M has grown to more than 330 stores and employs over 10,000 staff. B&M believes in selling top branded products at sensational prices, and attracts over two million happy customers through its doors each week.

B&M prides itself on selling strong brands albeit at low margins. Unlike other discounters, the Company focuses on the key brands rather than own label or tertiary brand products.

There are two formats: B&M Bargains and B&M Homestore. The former has between 8,000 and 10,000sq ft of sales area and the extremely competitive offering attracts a high footfall, stores achieving 10,000 transactions in an average week, peaking at nearly 30,000 per week. This footfall is one of the highest enjoyed by any UK retailer and demonstrates the crowd-pleasing offer brought to any retail destination.

The B&M Homestore format has a bulky goods bias, and can trade up to 25,000sq ft in good visibility out of town locations. Many Homestores also have a garden centre attached.

These Homestores primarily sell paint, wallpaper, furniture, home textiles, furnishings, wall décor, garden & leisure products.

A huge effort has been put in to ensure retail standards are the highest possible, with stores clean, well lit, attractively merchandised and easy to shop. B&M’s store fixturing is exactly the same used by the major UK retailers and supermarkets.

The Company is proud of its bright, modern shopfronts and typically use good quality wood effect floors, suspended ceilings and recessed lighting to provide shoppers with a pleasant environment.

With a large national estate, B&M has a dedicated property care department that ensures it looks after each customer’s asset as if it was one of B&M’s.

It is now a privately owned company, having previously been backed by Phildrew Ventures. The management team have ten years of experience in product sourcing for blue chip retailers like Marks & Spencers, Tesco and Asda.

B&M is always looking for new and exciting products, and occupies more than one million square feet of warehousing. This enables the Company to buy in bulk, and offers a single delivery point to suppliers.

The philosophy is to keep things simple – offering quick and clear decision-making.

Products must be of good quality.

The Company offers great value for money, rather than cheap goods.

Approximately 30% of purchases are clearance buys. B&M offers manufacturers a tightly controlled exit route for overproduction. The stores are in secondary retail locations but the high footfall

82

enjoyed allows high volumes to be sold through in the quickest possible time.

A new warehouse development is underway in Liverpool, which will create 200 new jobs in Speke.

The Company won planning permission last October for a new 500,000sq ft distribution warehouse in Speke.

B&M already employs several hundred people at its warehouse and headquarters nearby, and the expansion at Liverpool International Business Park represents a £20M investment.

Planning committee chairman John McIntosh said: “This is a good news story - £20M investment and 200 jobs in the south of the city where people are crying out for jobs.”

This project hasn’t been without its problems, as plans attracted opposition from residents in nearby Blackburne Street and Banks Road, which border on the site.

However, the warehouse is at least 60m from the nearest residential properties and a two-metre high mound of earth will be built to shield noise, with trees and shrubs planted on top of it. There will also be an acoustic screen to help reduce noise.

Dave Trimingham of Turley Associates, agents for B&M, said: “This represents a £20M investment and is an expansion of a successful Liverpool-based Company. They (Arora brothers) chose Liverpool after a nationwide search.”

The new distribution centre in Speke will offer logistics space and will be part of the distribution chain to the 300 stores of B&M. The building will be close to the existing warehouses and headquarters of the retailer.

It is expected to be complete in 2014.

B&M opened a new store in Basingstoke last month, which has provided continued page 84 >

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employment for more than 70 people.

The new store’s strengths will be in paint, wallpaper, soft furnishings, homewares and gardening goods.

The fit out for the 28,000sq ft store and its warehouse in Worting Road was overseen by project manager Andy Gray, who last year opened 17 stores for the chain, which has been recognised as one of the top 100 fastest growing private companies in the UK by The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 ranking.

Speaking about the store, he said: “As we have expanded, every store in the south has been successful – every customer just loves to have a little bargain.

“This store is fantastic – it’s what the customers are looking for, where we’re selling the right products at the right price.”

B&M has recruited more than 70 part-time and full-time employees, the majority of whom have been longterm unemployed. To help them get up to speed, the Company provided a two-week training course.

There have been major changes on the corporate side of the Company in recent months, when in December, Sir Terry Leahy became chairman of B&M, which has been sold to US private equity firm Clayton Dubliner & Rice.

The three Arora brothers, who bought B&M in 2005 from UBS Capital, which acquired it in 1999, stand to make millions from the sale, which is thought to have valued the business at about £965M. They are staying on to manage the Company.

David Novak, a Partner at CD&R, said: “B&M is a fantastic retail format in the growing discount sector. We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the management team to accelerate the growth of the business by widening its market presence outside the UK, and to continue to build the B&M brand.

“We believe the value based general merchandise retail model could have significant appeal in overseas markets.”

Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora, commented: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with CD&R. We are proud of the success we have had with B&M since acquiring it in 2005, but recognise that we need a partner to bring the expertise to ensure the business fulfils its overseas potential.

“CD&R has very relevant retail sector experience and a strong track record of working in partnership with management teams to successfully grow business across different territories.”

Don Gogel, Chairman and CEO of CD&R, said: “The Aroras are exceptional entrepreneurs who have done a great job building a business that is trusted and supported by loyal customers. B&M has excellent opportunities for growth and we look forward to working with them to help the Company realise its prospects.”

CD&R’s input will undoubtedly make an already thriving business become more successful. Just two months ago, it was announced that B&M’s profits jumped 43% last year as cash-strapped shoppers sought

out its low-price groceries and homewares.

The Company revealed pre-tax profits of £90.6M after sales rose 31.5% to £937.2M in the year to 31st December.

Simon Arora said: “The Company’s growth is testament to the fact that everyone loves a bargain. Our colleagues have delivered another successful year through hard work and great teamwork.”

B&M opened 53 stores last year, in a wave of discounter expansion alongside Home Bargains, Poundland and Aldi.

The new funding from CD&R is expected to back expansion into Europe as well as plans to have at least 400 stores across the UK. B&M Retail Ltd, The Vault, Dakota Drive, Estuary Commerce Park, Speke, Liverpool, L24 8RJ.

www.paynters.com Contact us on 01274 400092 or email us at: sales@paynters.com

84

COMMUNITY UKC

Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park New purpose-built sports pavilion A new sports centre located on Bawtry Road in Sheffield was officially opened last month. The Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Park now boasts facilities such as its Graham Solley pavilion which has 12 team-changing rooms, a social hub, kitchen and ancillary accommodation.

It is designed with a high degree of flexibility in mind, where the ground floor could easily be divided into three pavilions, each with four changing rooms, allowing a mixture of changing room sizes in each zone.

There are two 3G synthetic turf pitches for football and rugby and six natural grass pitches for football and rugby of an international standard.

The existing site accommodated a sports hall dedicated for cricket use and a small traditional pavilion, a few football pitches and a redundant athletics track.

Designed by Watson Batty Architects, the new development provides university students and local community teams with access to high quality sports facilities for cricket, football and rugby union.

The concept has been shaped through careful site analysis and concluded in locating the new two-storey pavilion in the centre of the pitch to allow 360 degree views from the first floor social hub and surrounding viewing balconies onto the show rugby pitch, full size football pitch, the synthetic pitches and the existing improved cricket square.

Locating the pavilion in the centre

of the site frees the location of the existing pavilion following its demolition at the completion of the new pavilion to allow future development of an additional four-badminton sports hall.

The main site access has been improved to allow the two lanes entry and exit points as required through discussions and consultations with the planning authority.

The existing car parking is also being improved and extended to accommodate additional parking spaces and the circulation of buses and coaches. The site is designed to allow a direct and safe pedestrian and cyclist route from the main site entry and the car park up to the main entrance of the pavilion and the sports hall.

The pavilion is designed with a high level of flexibility in mind to achieve maximum supervision and control, with a ground floor that could be easily divided into three pavilions each with four changing rooms allowing a mixture of changing room sizes in each zone.

Built by Henry Boot Construction Ltd, the structure is a combination of a steel frame and load bearing cavity walls with isolated steel members, while lightweight construction was used on the first floor.

The external façade is a combination of splitface blockwork on the ground floor and a mix of rockpanel cladding and render finish to the first floor. The building has a flat roof construction with single ply membrane and double glazing windows are used throughout with combined timber to the inside and powder coated aluminium on the outside.

Costing £4.8M, the facility was officially opened in November 2013.

Project Management Electrical Mechanical Data Comms

0845 872 1315

www.elecomm.co.uk

Elecomm Ltd, Unit C4, Old Colliery Way, Beighton Links Ind Est, Beighton, Sheffield. S20 1DJ

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UKC RETAIL

Nando’s It has been 20 years since the first Nando’s restaurant opened in the UK, and although it wasn’t an initial success, the food store has grown and grown on these shores.

Founded in South Africa in 1987, the first restaurant in the UK opened in 1992 in Ealing but it was more of a take-away and didn’t really work. However, just three years later, a restaurant in Camden opened.

This model worked so much better and in 1996, a restaurant opened in Putney. In 1999, the first restaurant to be designed by Harrison Design opened.

That one in Kilburn was significant because Harrison Design has gone on to design more than 60% of Nando’s restaurants in the UK and Ireland.

The expansion continued a year later with Manchester, Birmingham and Milton Keynes getting a taste of Nando’s and the first restaurant in Scotland opened in 2006.

The Republic of Ireland followed suit with its Dundrum restaurant opening in 2008 and expansion has continued ever since.

Nando’s has done everything from creating an oasis of calm in a hectic shopping mall to transforming a crumbling railway bridge arch into a stunningly atmospheric restaurant.

The Company’s Afro Portuguese heritage is very important, and whether it’s just a hint in the decoration or artwork on display, people can find roots in every Nando’s restaurant.

Not only are top restaurant designers commissioned, Nando’s also supports the contemporary South African art scene. Pieces from the collection

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are displayed in all restaurants.

A strong design ethos is apparent across all of the restaurants. Any restaurant will feel like a Nando’s but still have something that little bit different.

Nando’s opened up a new restaurant in Falkirk in November at the Central Retail Park.

It includes an outdoor seating area, and is one of five new sites that are opening across Scotland.

The Company will be opening new branches at Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, Braehead Shopping Centre, the OMNi Centre in Edinburgh and the Palace Towers Retail Park in Hamilton as well as the Falkirk restaurant.

The Palace Towers restaurant opened to the public in October, in which Nando’s has taken on a 20-year lease with rent of £95,000 a year, while another had launched in St Andrews back in March.

Having opened in November the lease of the Falkirk restaurant is for 15 years at £53,000 per annum.

The other openings at Braehead, Glasgow and Edinburgh are scheduled for this moth, January and February respectively.

They will also be on leases of £113,500, £63,500 and £120,000.

Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) handled all the acquisitions on behalf of Nando’s.

Isla Monteith, an associate at C&W, said: “Nando’s is continuing its rapid expansion to meet demand from Scottish customers who can’t seem to get enough of its fantastic combination of great tasting food, world-famous spicy sauce and laid-back,

family-friendly, dining experience.”

Ms Monteith added that the firm is also looking at a number of other sites in Scotland, giving hope that a wide array of hospitality jobs will be created across the region over the next year or so.

The Company’s flagship restaurant at Junction 27 Leeds was opened four years ago and is still going strong.

This free standing purpose-built restaurant set out to be carbon neutral from the outset, as well as full of low carbon innovative designs.

Caswells was part of a diverse design team, from the initial stages of the project, while also working with other designers – each specialists in t heir fields.

Caswells’ scope of works included the complete HVAC systems. High efficiency heat recover unit was used to provide tempered air to the toilets and back up areas, utilising the waste heat form the exhaust air.

The Nando’s in Leeds became the first UK restaurant to use its own waste cooking oil to power the restaurant.

Convert2Green re-process the waste oil to bio-fuel, which drives a micro generator at the restaurant, fulfilling all of its power needs. Nando’s export any surplus electricity to the national grid, allowing them to become a supplier of renewable energy.

Convert2Green collects the waste cooking oil from all Nando’s restaurants nationwide and processes it in to a range of quality bio-fuels. continued page 88 >

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This virtuous cycle of utilising their waste cooking oil for green power has contributed to Nando’s achieving a highly coveted ‘A’ grade in its energy performance certificate, a close to zero carbon emission status and the ability to fix its energy bills for up to five years.

All of Nando’s food deliveries are made by food wholesaler/distributor 3663, which also runs its vehicle delivery fleet on a bio-fuels mix produced by Convert2Green.

Combined with the fact that Convert2Green run an entirely sustainable production and distribution operation, Nando’s have been able to achieve a 90% reduction in carbon emissions compared with the use of mineral fuels.

Working with Convert2Green has enabled Nando’s to reduce its waste disposal costs, fix energy costs for the life of the project and deliver a 90% reduction in carbon emissions.

Convert2Green has also managed to substantially increase the volume of waste cooking oil collected from the Nando’s estate, due to the efficiency and quality of its collection service.

Another of Harrison’s designs, and one of the largest, is Nando’s Westfield Stratford City, which accommodates up to 260 diners in Europe’s largest urban shopping centre.

Everybody involved in producing the restaurant was anxious to see fresh, innovative and dynamic ideas that would complement the scale and grandeur of the Stratford development, while still embodying the Nando’s brief of feeling African and Portuguese, natural, warm, fun and creative.

Every Nando’s location is unique, which affords a good degree of creativity to the architects and designers and avoids the formulaic interiors often seen in chain restaurants.

Stand-out features in this restaurant include a hand-woven hickory ceiling supported by carved timber columns, vibrant artwork, bespoke wall tiles, a copper bar, cast concrete seating booths and mosaic flooring.

Most of the artwork in the restaurant was produced by African artists at the Spier Arts Academy in Cape Town, South Africa – working in collaboration with Harrison.

This includes the 800 ceramic ‘pages’ tiles, which are installed at the entrance, each of

which was individual and handmade. Tile the commissioned artwork above the supplier Parkside Tiles made cream tiles servery area and the timber shingles are all in a bespoke size to fit between the pages bespoke, and there is a visual consistency tiles, and maintain visual consistency, flowing through the curved wall, from the as the full wall had to be covered. entrance to the very rear of the restaurant.

The artwork above the kitchen area Wide engineered board, burnt oak mostly comprised canvas pieces using flooring was supplied in a time-worn paints and mixed media along with effect. It provides natural warmth and some mosaics and beaded artwork. harmonises with other rustic elements Grey glazed wall tiles, used at the front of the interior while contrasting with of the kitchen and on the back wall, the raw concrete circular booths and were made by Solus Ceramics to a size the soft red leather upholstery. specified by the design team. They were The large, heavily textured hazel ceiling rough glazed to reflect light well and were coffer was formed with ten-metre long installed in a vertical brick-bond format panels that were traditionally woven in consistent with the artwork above them. a Suffolk field using split hazel branches The luxuriously patterned black and gold by master hurdle maker David Downie. mosaic tiled floor, featuring products They were transported to site by articulated supplied by Parkside Tiles, led to lorry before being very carefully lifted Harrison being nominated for the Tile and knitted into place overhead.

Association Awards 2012 for the best Four huge circular columns punctuate the use of tiles in a hospitality project. hazel weave with spiralling swirls of colour.

Parkside Tiles was approached by Two of the columns have been created by Nando’s to supply tiles for the Westfield the artistic arrangement of hundreds of Retail Park restaurant at Stratford. individual recycled bottle tops and the final The result was a stunning, eyetwo are made up of thousands of tightly popping array of colour, shape and coiled paper rolls from unwanted magazine texture that truly showcases the tiles publications bonded onto the column face. through a design that challenges the The scheme is now complete, which is breadth and depth of use of the humble another great addition to the Nando’s chain. ceramic, its design and application.

Nando’s now operates approximately A copper bar was designed by Harrison and 1,000 outlets across 30 countries on this sweeping seven-metre long server has five continents and as of last year, an organic, rolling, golden oak counter top had sales of $650M (£404M). and a snaking frontage clad in glistening polished copper ‘armadillo’ bands.

Nando’s, Erico House, 93-99 Upper At the rear of the restaurant, timber Richmond Road, Putney SW15 2TG. shingles were used to clad a large area of wall. They are generally used for external cladding applications, so Harrison asked the contractor apply an aging fluid to weather SPECIALISTS IN JOINERY AND METALWORK them artificially to give them a T: 01484 649 029 01484 646 252 reclaimed feel.

E: chris@manzanacontracts.co.uk The shingles www.manzanacontracts.co.uk introduce additional rustic texture into Colneside Business Park, Pollard Street South, Off George Street, Milnsbridge, the scheme. The Huddersfield HD3 4JD design tiles to the entrance area,

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CIVIL UKC

University of Liverpool

Benefiting from two new Combined Heat and Power engines Work is well underway at the University of Liverpool to construct a new energy centre that will boost the heat and power on campus while breathing new life into a historic building.

It will see the installation of two new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engines into a Grade II listed building that was previously the old infirmary boiler house.

As part of its carbon management plan and ongoing improvements, the University of Liverpool appointed Vita Energi, the sustainable energy specialist, to implement the improvements on the £6.02M scheme.

The basement area will incorporate the oil tank, pump sets and control panels, and there will be a new ground floor slab to house the two engines, which will be two megawatts thermal each.

The first floor is mainly used for ventilation, and the engines will be powered by gas and supply electricity to the university campus.

An impressive example of Victorian architecture, the 19th century red brick boiler house forms part of the original infirmary complex and was designed by Sir Alfred Waterhouse.

In 1978 the infirmary closed and was empty until it was bought by the university in 1994.

This project is a key element in the university’s strategy to improve its energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

It will add a further four megawatts of electricity to the existing plant that is already housed in the university’s existing energy centre in Ashton Street.

Vital Energi is working alongside the university within tight constraints to ensure all the original features of the boiler house are preserved during the restoration and conversion of this Victorian-era building into a contemporary energy centre and that noise levels are kept to a minimum.

It is also collaborating with the university’s design team to complete major structural alterations and adaptations of the existing building to create three floors to accommodate the pumping and electrical units, the two CHP engines and the best heat recovery system.

All plant and equipment is being carefully selected to ensure it fits into the limited space available and the roof of the boiler house is being partially removed to allow ventilation equipment to be installed.

This is the latest in a long line of improvements to the university’s energy infrastructure that have been carried out

by Vital Energi in the last six years.

In that time, Vital Energi has installed the university’s main district heating system, laying a total of 1,900m of superior pre-insulated district heating pipe.

In February, Vital Energi signed a new £4M contract to carry out additional district

heating installations across the University of Liverpool’s campus for a further five years.

Ian Whitelock, Joint Managing Director of Vital Energi, said: “This project is giving a traditional old boiler house a new lease of life and installing innovative new sustainable energy within its walls.

“Converting a listed building into an energy centre is challenging but we have extensive experience of retrofitting sustainable energy solutions into existing buildings and have the capability to handle this type of project in-house.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue to help the University of Liverpool transform its energy infrastructure.”

Ian Murray, Consultant Project Manager at the University of Liverpool, added: “Vital Energi was awarded this contract because its proposal achieved the highest score during the OJEU tender process in terms of its quality and overall financial offering including both capital and whole of life costs.”

Designed by AFL Architects, work will also see a new fire alarm system and intruder alarm incorporated, as well as hard and soft landscaping and parking facilities for delivery vehicles.

Work started in July 2013 and will be completed in June 2014.

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UKC PROFILE

Martin Walsh Associates

Dedicated to investing in the local economy and its people Founded in 1976, Martin Walsh Associates (MWA) is an architectural consultancy based near Leeds that has a wide portfolio of expertise and experience.

MWA has an abundance of modern creative design flare but also an old school foundation on which the architectural practice is based.

It is a family business made up of friendly, approachable specialists in various fields, which are eager to assist clients with all their planning and construction needs, whether these are in the residential, industrial, commercial, ecclesiastical, education and healthcare sectors.

MWA thrive on problem solving for its clients’ requirements and are aided to do this through a network of highly trained and motivated specialists.

It is MWA’s diverse skills and multidisciplinary nature that enabled the Practice to ride out the recession and it has proven to be effective because MWA has survived the dip and avoided making redundancies.

From small to large-scale jobs, MWA is a versatile practice that can handle all aspects of any project, from concept feasibility schemes, topographical surveys, detail specification design to contract administration.

The Company employs highly experienced staff, specialising in a variety of areas.

MWA is committed to the training and development of all staff members to ensure they are up to date with the latest methodologies and technologies.

Martin Walsh Residential recently designed five bespoke executive stone houses

on Greenfield land in Cleckheaton with accommodation over three levels for Mayfair Curzon Developments Ltd. The Practice recently secured planning approval to convert a vacant mill in Dewsbury into a new children’s nursery and residential accommodation.

MWA recently completed a project for Associated Waste Management, which was the erection of an acoustic enclosure over the existing yard and process facility.

The completed project now enables Associated Waste Management to operate its facility 24 hours a day, Monday to Saturday, which will increase the throughput of waste by 200%.

The new balling process also dramatically reduces the amount of waste material sent to landfill sites by the waste being sent to Scandinavian countries to be used as fuel in power stations.

MWA is already witnessing growth and hope next year will see a return to a more stable financial atmosphere for the sector.

Led by Damian Walsh, the Practice has been involved with the government’s GrowthAccelerator initiative which is

Acoustics & Noise Control Consultancy

Tel /Fax 01274 879 020 Mobile 07909 832 347 www.paulhorsleyacoustics.co.uk enquiries@paulhorsleyacoustics.co.uk

We are proud to be working with Martin Walsh Associates providing full acoustic consultancy services for all their varied contracts throughout the UK. Consultancy Services We Provide Include:-

• • • • • •

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Acoustic Consultancy Environmental Noise Surveys Noise Impact Assessments Workplace Noise Assessments Sound Insulation Testing Bespoke Acoustic Product Design & Manufacture

Martin Walsh Associates, Firth Buildings, 99 – 101 Leeds Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 7BU Tel: 01924 464342 www.martinwalshassociates.co.uk Twitter: @MartinWalshArch E: d.walsh@martinwalshassociates.co.uk

Industrial & Commercial Building Contractors

1 Upper Lane Gomersal West Yorkshire BD19 4JD

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helping MWA get to the heart of barriers that were holding the business back and identifying the critical steps needed for the Practice to achieve the next phase of growth – rapidly and sustainably.

MWA is involved in projects all over the UK and next year will see it expand into new areas.

Specialists in Machine Foundation Construction

Crossland House, Bank Street, Wakefield Road, Liversedge, West Yorkshire WF15 6BJ

Tel: 01924 407003 Fax: 01924 402225 Email: office@ccl.me.uk

COMMUNITY UKC

St Paul’s United Reformed Church Striking refurbishment in London The joint venture between St Paul’s United Reformed Church, Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church, and SUSD Notting Hill Ltd has seen the refurbishment of St Paul’s, situated just off Westbourne Grove.

Originally built in the late 1870s, it consisted of a small area of basement, a five metre high ‘ground’, which contained the church and public meeting spaces.

There were three levels of additional accommodation above which were primarily used for meeting and office spaces.

The existing building is constructed from load bearing masonry with timber floors and a timber mansard roof/upper floors.

There are discrete elements of steel beams and columns supporting the upper floor levels to create an open plan at ground floor for prior use as a church meeting room.

Work was undertaken because the building was in need of general repair and refurbishment to prolong its life but also, significant alterations were required to church facilities in order to make them fully accessible and to extend the church’s use to the community.

To fulfil this, SUSD formed a joint venture with the United Reformed Church to develop the building, altering and dividing the existing building into two parts; creating church community space and offices, and adding two residential apartments at the second, third and roof space floors, with a private roof terrace.

The existing basement has been extended towards the rear of the building, which required the dig and removal of a significant amount of earth, while the existing ground floor was removed along with the front internal mezzanine structure.

The majority of timber stud walls were removed throughout. As a number of these were structural, a new structure had to be introduced, but maintaining the primary structure and load paths.

At approximately 735sq m, the development includes an entirely new

basement level and the ground floor Full disabled access has been provided to all has been raised to provide level access members of the community and complete throughout, improving access for all the new safety, security and fire protection community to the new public spaces. systems have been installed throughout.

The design pays particular attention in Designed by Theis and Khan Architects, retaining the building’s existing features at and built by Philiam Construction Ltd, street level, opening up spaces to improve work started on the project in June 2012 natural light and sustainable and energy and was completed in September 2013. conservation elements such as a new efficient boiler and heating system, high levels of insulation, natural ventilation, water saving devices, provision for recycling waste, and improvement of air tightness on existing windows, doors and Whether you are a security-conscious individual or the owner of a skylights, while new business, our extensive range of products will help you to keep your glazing elements will premises safe. Just some of the products we can supply and install use a low u-value. include: roller shutter doors, security shutters, electric shutters, fire Internally, the shutters, continental shutters, aluminium shutters, steel doors, new basement, ground floor, and collapsible gates, retractable gates, mesh grills, window bars, steel first floor provide security doors, collapsible window grilles, external security shutters and church community window security grilles. spaces and offices.

Apartment one occupies the entire second floor while the second apartment is on the third floor and a there is the newly created habitable space in the roof void.

Repairs and cleaning have been undertaken to the masonry Brickfield Business Centre, Brickfield House, and stonework, High Street,Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6TH a new thermally lined slate roof has Telephone : 0844 583 8787 been installed and Email: sales@dmisecuritygroup.co.uk all external walls www.dmisecuritygroup.co.uk of the apartments have been thermally lined internally.

91

UKC HEALTH

Southampton General Hospital

Teenage young adult unit and haematology day centre The first young people moved into a new Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Southampton General Hospital in September.

The unit has six ensuite bedrooms with pull out beds for parents or friends to stay the night, and a four-bed day treatment room.

There is a large social room where patients can mix with other patients their own age, play pool, listen to music or just chat.

There is also a parent kitchen and lounge to give parents some time to themselves while meeting other parents.

A group of former and current young cancer patients worked with the hospital architect to advise on the design and colour themes and what furniture and entertainment equipment should be included to ensure that the particular needs of teenagers and young adults were met.

To build the unit, Teenage Cancer Trust ran an appeal to raise £2.4M. The local community, businesses, schools, colleges and families have responded incredibly.

Now the unit is open, the Trust continues to fundraise locally to support the maintenance and services it provides as well as the other work in supporting young people, such as free cancer awareness talks in schools and colleges.

The impressive unit boasts the latest technology, spacious treatment areas and a feelgood factor that makes the years of hard fundraising all worthwhile.

Previously, patients had to go to another area of Southampton General Hospital and share facilities with patients suffering from solid tumour cancers.

But as the number of patients needing treatment has soared, the clinics have become very overcrowded, causing more

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stress and more importantly, putting blood of a switch can be frosted over. cancer patients, who have low immune There are two individual rooms for systems, at risk of more infections that those patients who need privacy, a could seriously compromise their recovery. large consulting room and an open plan The new unit is vital in ensuring that treatment bay that can treat up to eight these patients, who have already patients, who will sit in green leather comfy battled so hard to fight the disease, chairs while receiving chemotherapy. get the very best quality care without Louise Hooker, Teenage Cancer Trust Lead putting them in unnecessary risk.

Nurse at University Hospital Southampton Walking through the double doors of the NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I know unit, people are immediately met with our patients will really benefit from the bright colours and lots of space, offering a Teenage Cancer Trust unit, so that they sense of calm to patients, who due to their can receive treatment alongside people treatments will have to visit on numerous their own age in an environment that occasions, each time for several hours. has been specifically design for them.”

The new unit boasts a dedicated Designed by Studio Four Architects Pentamidine Suite that is twice the size and built by Kier, work is now of the one previously used by patients. It complete on the development and also has windows, to the delight of staff the unit is now operational. who have been desperate to offer patients a more comfortable sealed facility to have the treatment, which involves gas being pumped into the room.

Along the corridor there is the hospital’s first Consulting Civil & Structural Engineers Apheresis Suite, another specialist treatment that Our business is founded on core values that put the timely delivery of a competent and allows this group professional service at the forefront of everything we do. Our service is based on of patients to be unrivalled technical expertise backed up by years of experience. treated in one area where they have all the latest machines to provide the Malt House Studios, 4 Brook Street, Bishops Waltham, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 1AX best care, plus Tel: 01489 894574 www.whitestructures.co.uk privacy windows, which at a flick

Building Services Design Consultants …with extensive experience and specialist knowledge in Acute and Community Healthcare, Research and Higher Education.

We are delighted to have a long-standing and successful working relationship with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; and to have worked on the Teenage Young Adult Unit, the Haematology Day Centre and its other Estate and Research developments since 1999.

Our Services…

Henderson Green specialises in the following in-house Services:  Mechanical & Electrical Building Services Engineering Design  Client Advisor  BREEAM Assessment and Accredited Professional (AP) Services  Sustainability and Renewable Energy Design and Advice  Registered Low Carbon Consultant  Lifts  Public Health Drainage Design  External and Façade Lighting Design  Power Systems and Generators  Estates Infrastructure  Building Information Modelling/Management (BIM) Henderson Green Limited Consulting Engineers 31 Carlton Crescent, Southampton SO15 2EW t: +44 (0)23 8022 5900 f: +44(0)23 8022 5916 e: headoffice@hgce.co.uk w: www.hendersongreen.co.uk

New HQ The new Army HQ Support Command building at the Hammersley Barracks in Farnborough is nearing completion.

Costing £9.2M, the scheme is the largest project to be commissioned by the Ministry of Defence under the Allenby Connaught initiative.

Work started on site following a tree planting ceremony led by Major General Colin Boag, the General Officer Commanding HQ Support Command.

Designed by Broadway Malyan, the building has been designed in accordance with the latest counter terrorism measures and is being constructed with a steel frame and composite floors.

It will contain 55,000sq ft of open plan office space across three floors, connected by two atria and featuring a ‘street effect’ circulation spine. The floors will be completely open to the atrium affording views across the office areas.

External features include a slate tile roof, masonry envelope with curtain walling aluminium windows and a Brise Soleil system. Internal finishes include porcelain floor tiling and decorative wall panels to the entrance atria with glazed roofs.

The principal internal areas will be naturally ventilated through the vertical sliding windows and the automated ventilators. for Rydon, spoke of his delight when Air will be extracted via the natural stack the contract was awarded. effect through automated ventilators at He said: “Securing the Army HQ Support the top of each atrium. The windows will Command building is tremendous news offer personal control while the automated for Rydon and testament to the standard of ventilators will be controlled by sensors work for the MoD from our Bristol office.” through the Building Management System.

The project will be completed next month.

Ventilation to the perimeter cellular offices and meeting rooms will be managed solely through the windows and automated vents. External air source heat pumps ABS specialise in the Design, Engineering and Contracting of full will provide the Mechanical and Electrical Services with in-house Mechanical and Electrical heating via under Design, CAD and Estimating departments undertaking Design and floor heating.

Installation of services for both Main Contractor and end user clients.

The Main You can visit our website at www.absme.co.uk Contractor is Rydon or contact our Ringwood, Hampshire offices on 01425 477777.

Construction, and Paul Barber, South West Regional Director

COMMERCIAL UKC

Hammersley Barracks

93

UKC HOUSING

100 Kings Road

New life to the area

House of Fisher, a leading provider of executive serviced apartments, is expanding with a multi-million pound conversion of the Kings Road former office building into an exciting mixed-use scheme.

Opening in early 2014 in the very heart of Reading, close to the iconic Blade, shops, restaurants and everything that is important for 21st century living, 100 Kings Road is an apart-hotel scheme unmatched in Reading.

Balancing the style, convenience and hospitality of a hotel with the space and comfort of a fully appointed private apartment, 100 Kings Road is designed for long stay comfort and value.

Unparalleled home comforts await in the selection of executive studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. It’s a perfect residence for short or extended stays, whether one night or several months.

Offering the flexibility, privacy and space of an apartment with all the hospitality and convenience of a hotel in a superb central location for vibrant, cosmopolitan living, 100 Kings Road is an unrivalled alternative to hotel accommodation.

Work began in January on the conversion. The upper floors will become an apart-hotel for House of Fisher comprising the 55 furnished, one- and two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites offering high levels of refinement Each will be finished to a high quality with contemporary interiors throughout, air conditioning Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and fully equipped kitchens to ensure high levels of comfort and productivity for the business traveller or long-stay executive.

A 24/7 reception, guest lounge with tea and coffee facilities plus on site private parking will also be incorporated.

John Fisher, Chairman of House of Fisher, said: “100 Kings Road, Reading is a project that we are very enthusiastic about.

“The completed apart-hotel will be an excellent choice of accommodation in central Reading and is an exciting addition to House of Fisher’s growing

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portfolio of executive apartments.

Studio facilities will feature a full “Primarily aimed at the increasingly programme of classes including transient business market, namely Spin, Bootcamp, Hardcore Abs, project workers, consultants, etc, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba and more. typically those that have variable stays, The Architect for the development these fully equipped suites offer a new is Harding Rose and the Main level of luxury and comfort coupled Contractor is Feltham Construction. with excellent leisure facilities.

It is scheduled to be completed “Operating as an apart-hotel means guests and opened in January 2014. will be provided with hotel-style services such as the customary checkin procedure and concierge services, but still retain that unique home-fromhome set up that gives the more space and flexibility during their stay.

It’s a first for Reading and a hotel alternative that is second to none in Thames Valley.”

Buzz, a state-ofthe-art health and fitness facility from Advance Gym, will occupy the ground and first floors.

Featuring the biggest free weights space in Reading and With over 20 year’s experience in the industry, Harmony design and install fitted with some custom made office furniture and reception desks to the commercial trade. of the industry’s Uniquely, we manufacture our own vinyl wrapped doors and are specialists in top of the range bespoke, custom made high quality reception desks, providing a full design gym equipment service for all furniture. including cardio machines, strength Harmony have a showroom and workshop in Basingstoke, Hampshire and cater for small or large projects which are installed by our team of qualified fitters. straining, functional training and a Visit our Showroom: combat zone, Unit 11 Basingstoke Business Centre, Winchester Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 4AU the £1M gym is T: 01256 844993 E: steve@harmonymadetomeasure.co.uk expected to be www.harmonymadetomeasure.co.uk the best on offer in Reading.

HEALTH UKC

Asher Loftus Way Care without compromise

through the merger of two like-minded charities, and has since become the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the South East of England. The organisation currently meets the needs of some 7,000 Jewish people each week. Here Jewish identity is recognised and respected and shared traditions are preserved to ensure comfort for those at their most vulnerable.

Built to a BREEAM Excellent standard, the 3,638sq m structure is composed of a traditional concrete frame at groundfloor level with load bearing masonry above.

The varied topography of the site has made for some significant design challenges for the appointed architect MR Partnership.

Entrance to the three-storey building is at first floor level as the steep gradient of the site dictates that the groundfloor remain partially below ground. This will make for a visually unique building, however, like all good buildings, which

M•R PARTNERSHIP

Work is well underway in Friern Barnet, North London, as the construction of a state-of-the-art care home begins to take shape. The 48-bed Asher Loftus Way development represents an approximate £10M investment by the specialist care provider, Jewish Care, and will accommodate those with nursing and dementia care needs.

Once built, Asher Loftus Way will sit alongside two of Jewish Care’s existing care homes – Lady Sarah Cohen House and Rosetrees. Alongside the build of the new care home and specialist day centre for people living with dementia, Jewish Care plans to undertake work to modernise existing homes and link the three homes and day centre through a series of covered walkways. The special care charity aims to develop a unique care community at Asher Loftus Way with shared facilities including a cafe, shop and synagogue.

Jewish Care was first established in 1990,

compliments the surrounding area.

Internally, Jewish Care has always exceeded national minimum care standards and in this regard Asher Loftus Way is no different. High specification materials will be present throughout with innovative facilities, such as temperature controlled lighting, included to provide residents with a stimulating environment.

Jewish Care has also worked with contractors to ensure a schedule which takes into account days when work is not permitted – on the Sabbath and on various festival days throughout the year. This sensitive approach to construction is indicative of the organisation’s ongoing priority – the comfort and care of all residents.

Construction began in September 2013, with Durkan acting as the Design and Build Contractor. Overall completion of the Asher Loftus Way development is expected in December 2014.

M•R PARTNERSHIP 41 FOLEY STREET LONDON W1W 7TS

T 020 76315405 E post@mrpartnership.co.uk www.mrpartnership.co.uk

ARCHITECTURE / URBAN PLANNING / INTERIOR DESIGN 95

UKC PROFILE

Countryside Properties Countryside Properties is a responsible Developer of new homes and communities, also specialising in regeneration, as well as design and build contracting.

Established in 1958, the Company has a reputation for sound governance and good management practices certified to internationally recognised standards, and also boasting Investors in People accreditation.

With the blend of skills on offer, estate regeneration, private and affordable housing, and the creation of sustainable communities are a significant feature of the Company’s activities.

A proportion of this includes commercial property and mixed-use development.

Countryside Properties has the ability to add value by constructing highly attractive homes, work places and environments, while boasting a great track record for delivery.

This, along with a proven track record of successfully achieving planning consents for development proposals has resulted in the Company being welcomed by local authorities and local communities alike.

At Countryside Properties, the vision is to create outstanding new homes in excellent locations for people to enjoy now, and in the future.

The Company can boast the Skyline 120

Business Park at Great Notley in Braintree as one of its major developments.

All buildings at Skyline 120 are designed to achieve a minimum BREEAM rating of Very Good.

They are thermally efficient through selecting materials with low heat loss values and installing a significant amount of insulation.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has selected Skyline 120 to house its new Special Operations (HART) facility.

The HART (Hazard Area Response) team is part of a critical national network that has specially recruited and trained personnel to provide ambulance response to major and specialist incidents; as well as being part of the normal ambulance provision within the east of England.

The scheme was granted full planning consent by Braintree District Council in March 2012 and work commenced two months later. It was completed at the end of last year and became operational earlier this year.

One of the Company’s projects received ‘Housing Project of the Year’ in the Building Awards 2013.

Against stiff competition, Horsted Park in Chatham was awarded the accolade at the industry event that took place at

the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Hosted by Building Magazine, the Building Awards celebrated 170 years of construction. Horsted Park’s use of the local vernacular and high quality landscaping ensured that it took the winning prize.

The judges said: “We were so impressed with the use of high quality landscaping and the environment created for residents that we were pleased to award Horsted Park as the Housing Project of the Year.”

Countryside Properties, Countryside House, The Drive, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3AT.

Coll Associates Ltd, The Gallery, 20A Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8EF

Tel: 020 7493 6228 Fax: 020 7493 3475 Mob: 07798 732 346 Email: r.coll@collassociates.co.uk www.collassociates.co.uk

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PROFILE UKC

Marl International

Providing the best quality of product and service Established in April 1973, Marl International is still going strong and celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year.

Based at Marl Business Park in Ulverston, the Company focuses on the design, development, test and supply of LED based lighting systems for illumination and indication, while also providing a number of ancillary services to support this, and Marl has an EMA capability so it can construct to print electromagnetic assembly.

The current Managing Director Adrian Rawlinson joined the Company in 1977 just after the move to an old school premises in the middle of the town. Originally, the Company distributed medical equipment and manufactured safety systems for the chemical industry.

Marl began design and manufacture, involving packaging of LEDs, in the late 1970s when it was realised that these products were required by the telecom and defence industries.

At this time the LED colour range was limited to red, green and amber and were only bright enough to be used as status indicators. By the end of the 1970s Marl employed nine staff, and by 1989 this number had increased to approximately 40.

In addition to panel lamps, the other core ranges were PCB mounting status indicators and some of the world’s first miniature LED bulbs to replace filament bulbs in switches and control panels.

The growth of the Company has continued and Marl now has 95 employees, and all are trained and educated – two absolutely vital elements.

Internal training is provided within departments and the Company also integrates with the local college for apprenticeships and electrical courses.

There is also a link with the engineering department, management school and the environment centre at Lancaster University, which is a key part of Marl’s staff development strategy.

Marl was always known for its work in the rail industry but has experience in all types of transportation, defence and quite a few industrial segments including indoor and outdoor lighting.

Projects are wide ranging and varied, one of which was with Havells-Sylvania, particularly their concord range.

They have recently upgraded and added to their product range using Marl’s technology and expertise to help them through the design process.

Marl has also partnered with Marshalls and has an exciting range called Outdoor LED’s. This includes illuminating paving, patios and driveways, and has been added to with wall lights and bollards.

Another interesting project is at Alnwick Garden. Lasting approximately 15 months, this included Phase I of illuminating for The Duchess of Northumberland in Alnwick.

Marl designed the lighting scheme, manufactured the special lighting systems, undertook all installation and software programming and the commissioning and after sales testing of the systems. A

combination of RGB and white lighting with approximately 200 fittings, Marl undertook the whole project from start to finish.

The Company is proud of its values that radiate quality of service and product, flexibility to the changing needs of customers, and integrity, which is a fundamental building block in the Marl success story over the last 40 years and will continue to be in the future.

Marl International, Marl Business Park, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9BN.

Please fax or email with your quotation requirements

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UKC HOUSING

Sydenham Court Improvement to 179 flats

UKC PROFILE

Refurbishment of almost 200 apartments in Portsmouth is close to completion after a year long scheme to bring the properties up to the required standards.

The project involves 179 flats at Sydenham Court, which will see the installation of replacement double glazed uPVC windows to all elevations, installation of replacement lighting columns and new lightning columns to the car park.

This is being carried out on behalf of the Southern Housing Group, which was established in 1901 and owns and manages more than 26,000 homes in London and the South East of England.

Southern Housing Group provides housing for more than 66,000 residents and employs more than 800 people, offering a range of housing options for rent and home ownership.

The Group is committed to providing housing of a high quality to all in housing need, which gives a first class housing management service to a range of tenures including social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sales.

Kincraig Construction is the Main Contractor for the project. The Company

Lingard Styles Ltd 35 successful years Established initially as a Practice in 1978, Lingard Styles Ltd is a highly regarded Company of chartered architects and environmental consultants that offers a wide range of design and environmental services including design and project management throughout the private, public and government sectors.

With a head office in Shrewsbury and another in Welshpool, the Practice also undertakes Landscape Visual Impact Assessments, ecology and tree reports and general environmental projects.

There are a whole range of design and environmental services offered within that, Lingard Styles gets involved with a whole range of different projects such as education, urban design, leisure, sports and commercial developments.

Many of the previous projects have received awards for their innovation and sensitivity.

At the moment, projects are being undertaken in the education and housing sectors throughout the UK, while LVIA is another big market developing for the Company.

Other industries really taking off for Lingard Styles include renewable energy

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was first established in 1971. Since this Goddard, who offers a wide range of time, it has developed a high reputation construction related professional services as a specialist refurbishment contractor. to the housing, education, commercial In recent years, Kincraig Construction and public sectors providing expert has primarily focused on domestic advice in the fields of design, building and refurbishment works, specifically quantity surveying, project management kitchens and bathrooms, for housing and CDM co-ordination with a strong associations and local authorities emphasis on sustainable development. and has been extremely successful Work at Sydenham Court will in this field of operations. be completed next month.

The aims and policies that were introduced by the directors of the Company in 1994 concerning committed leadership, focus on the customer, integrating the We specialise in the manufacture and installation of all types of process and the windows and doors, both internal and external. team around We supply glass, cut to size, and double glazed units. the product, commitment to ‘Kent Glass & Joinery Ltd.’ trading as ‘Greenwich Joinery’ people and a quality 82 Christchurch Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0AE driven agenda.

The Architect T: 0208 692 0217 / 01322 225 700 F: 0208 711 3800 is Brodie Plant

Merton Place, Colwyn Bay

providers including wind turbines, process that will see the very best biomass and solar energy farms. leisure facilities brought to the area.

A recent project in the education sector that was completed a month ago is Lingard Styles Ltd, Kingston Grammar School, London.

9 College Hill, Shrewsbury, Costing nearly £500,000, the development Shropshire, SY1 1LZ was interesting, as it had a tight window and for construction and some difficult issues The Studio, Lodge, Welshpool, with highways, planning and listed building Powys, SY21 8HJ consent, but this didn’t prevent work from being completed on time • Wildlife protection fencing and within budget.

Another project is • Invasive species control Chadwell in North • Sensitive site clearance London, which • CHAS accredited is a golf course and destination restaurant development that has recently been awarded full planning Ecological Land Management Ltd permission. This Unit J, Prospect Industrial Units, Rackery Lane, LLay, Wrexham LL12 0PB is the culmination T: 01978 800193 E: mail@elm.uk.net of a four-year development

CIVIL UKC

Ferrybridge Multifuel Facility

One power station under construction, another could be on the way SSE Plc and Wheelabrator Technologies Inc (WTI) have entered into a 50:50 joint venture to develop a new £300M multifuel generation facility at SSE’s Ferrybridge power station in West Yorkshire.

The joint venture – Multifuel Energy Ltd (MEL) – began full construction of a 68MW multifuel facility in late 2012 and will be completed early in 2015.

Hundreds of jobs will be created during the three year construction period and more than 50 new full-time jobs will be required once the plant is fully operational.

SSE – formerly Scottish and Southern Energy – is one of the UK’s leading energy companies and the largest non-nuclear electricity generator, operating a diverse generation portfolio across the UK and Ireland.

WTI is a leading developer, owner and operator of Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities and has been established for more than 37 years.

WTI currently owns and/or operates 22 energy facilities in the US, 17 of which are EfW facilities. It has also recently acquired part of a business in China, which has three operational plants and a further five under development.

Every year in the US, WTTI processes more than 6.9 million tonnes of waste (over twice the EfW capacity in the UK), which generates more than 4.5 billion kilowatts of energy.

WTI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Management Inc, the largest provider of integrated waste management services in North America, with 22 million customers.

In 2013, Waste Management was recognised by the Ethisphere Institute, the leading business ethics thinktank, as one of the 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies.

This is the sixth year the Company has been honoured for promoting the highest of ethical standards. Out of a record

number of nominations for the award, Waste Management secured a spot on the list by implementing and maintaining business practices and initiatives that are instrumental to the Company’s success, benefit the community and raise the bar for ethical standards within the industry.

Consent to develop the facility, which will use a range of waste derived fuels to generate electricity and heat, was received from the Department of Energy and Climate Change in October 2011.

When operational, the electricity generated by the plant will be sold to SSE. MFE has entered into a long-term fuel procurement contract with 3SE – SSE’s joint venture with Shanks Plc – which will provide processed waste derived fuels using waste taken from nearby Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster councils.

To support this contract, 3SE intends to develop a new Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) and Anaerobic Digestion

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(AD) facility at Bolton Road, Manvers.

The multifuel power station produces low carbon electricity and heat by burning waste derived fuel from various sources and processed municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste and waste wood.

These are first processed at an off site facility to remove recyclable materials.

The remaining materials are then delivered to the power station by road or rail to be used as low carbon fuel.

Much of the fuel for Ferrybridge Multifuel 1 (FM1) is coming from the local areas and it is hoped that future fuel supplies will come from local, regional and national suppliers. This will be assessed and evolve as the project is developed.

Fuel will come to site in sealed containers, which will be opened in the indoor fuel reception area.

All fuel handling will be in a self contained building. The fuel store is an integral part of the main boiler structure and air is drawn from the fuel reception building into the boilers, thereby maintaining a negative pressure, which will reduce the possibility of odours and dust escaping from the fuel reception area.

Multifuel power stations generate electricity and heat from a range of low carbon fuel sources including fuels produced from waste known as waste derived fuels.

High levels of interest from potential fuel suppliers has demonstrated that there is demand in the market for further waste derived generating facilities so

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this year, MFE began looking into the possibility of constructing a second multifuel power station at the site, known as Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 (FM2).

FM2 would have a capacity of up to 90MW. Much like FM1, it will be capable of producing approximately 68MW of low carbon electricity, enough to supply in the region of 160,000 homes.

The electricity will be supplied to the electricity grid and to achieve this, a new connection will need to be made. As was undertaken for FM1, an evaluation of the potential for exporting heat to available off site users is being undertaken.

The energy will be produced by burning waste derived fuels from various sources that will be processed off site to remove recyclable materials and create the fuel, which will then be delivered to FM2.

During the last two months of the year, MEL has consulted the local community, local organisations and statutory bodies on its plans and has encouraged comments and feedback from local people.

There has been significant interest from suppliers in providing fuel to the FM1 power station, providing evidence of sufficient demand and fuel availability for a second facility.

This has led to the decision to pursue the development of a second multifuel facility at the Ferrybridge site.

The UK needs to develop new facilities to generate electricity in order to provide secure, clean, affordable energy and reduce carbon emissions from energy generation.

The new multifuel power station will

contribute towards preventing a shortfall in electricity in the future as an increasing number of the UK’s aging oil, coal and nuclear power stations close.

As well as generating low carbon energy, the construction of a second multifuel power station at Ferrybridge will also further reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. This will help the UK meet the landfill diversion targets set out in the European Landfill Directive.

The facility has not been designed to take hazardous waste and would not be permitted to do so. It would only be able to accept the wastes specified under the Environmental Permit granted by the Environment Agency.

Fuel will need to be delivered to the site and ash taken away, so alternative options to road are being examined.

However, as these options are still under consideration, as a precaution, MEL will be assessing the impacts on the local area should all the transport movements be made by road.

It is envisaged that the construction of Dish Hill Roundabout as part of FM1, which will be completed by the end of the year, will take HGV traffic away from the centre of Ferrybridge and Brotherton, removing the traffic from the residential areas and improving road safety.

Emissions are tightly controlled and monitored and the view of the experts responsible for protecting the health of people is clear and unambiguous.

After reviewing the latest literature, continued page 102 >

Complete Weighbridge Systems and Software Weightron Bilanciai Ltd have established an unrivalled position as market leaders in the supply of complete weighbridge systems for a wide range of major construction projects. Key areas of activity include Energy from Waste, Waste Management, Utilities and Biomass.

The key to the company’s success is its ability to integrate all aspects of the vehicle weighing and management process within the operational site.

Fully Integrated Design Unlike most of its competitors, Weightron design and build all key components in the weighbridge measuring chain, including the load cells and instrumentation. The DD2050 driver terminal sets new standards for automatic weighbridge operation, providing a robust touch-control interface with user-friendly pictograms and easy-to-follow operator procedures. When used in conjunction with the company’s powerful Winweigh weighbridge software, the DD2050 provides a highly versatile control and data management resource.

Weighbridge Software Winweigh can provide control for a wide range of peripheral control equipment including: automatic number plate cameras (ANPR), card readers, control barriers, traffic lights and radiation detection systems. A key advantage is that Winweigh integrates seamlessly with standard management software solutions including: SAP, Sage, Navision and proprietary waste management software systems.

Weighbridge Design Weighbridges can be supplied in surface and pit-mount versions with capacities up to 120 tonnes (higher capacities are available for special applications). Their design ensures optimum reliability in the harshest of environments. At the heart of the weighbridges are Weightron’s digital CPD or analogue CPR, fully-weld sealed stainless

steel load cells, installed using proprietary mounting assemblies.

These are designed for optimum load introduction and have proven long term reliability.

Radiation Detection Systems Minimising the risk of radioactive material entering the waste processing and recycling chains is a major consideration, especially given the growing complexity of the sources of waste material.

Weightron’s Safeweigh radiation detection system is ideal for installing at the approach to a weighbridge, acting as a critical control point. The Safeweigh system links directly with Winweigh and can be used to check incoming and outgoing vehicles for contamination.

the Health Protection Agency’s general position remains unchanged: “Modern, well managed incinerators make only a small contribution to local concentrations of air pollutants.

“It is possible that such small additions could have an impact on health but such effects, if they exist, are likely to be very small and not detectable.”

The multifuel plant at Ferrybridge is not intended to replace the existing 1,000MW of coal capacity that is closing in 2015 due to the European Large Combustion Plant Directive.

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SSE has not yet made a decision on the future main use of Ferrybridge Power Station, which is currently also home to the UK’s largest carbon capture trial, CCPilot100+, in conjunction with Doosan Power Systems and Vattenfall.

Paul Smith, SSE’s Managing Director of Generation, said: “Multifuel technology is a tried and tested way of generating clean, base-load power.

“This new multifuel plant will provide additional diversity to SSE’s generation portfolio and make a useful contribution to ensuring we have reliable

energy supplies for the future.

“The transactions that make up this project represent a strong partnership between four major players in the multifuel sector, who are committed to making a serious level of investment in this technology.

“Between them, the companies involved have extensive experience in sourcing and processing waste, constructing and commissioning multifuel technologies, and operating generation plant.

“This partnership creates a great platform to develop multifuel technology in future.” continued page 104 >

info@hodsonandkauss.co.uk Grimsby: 01472 882433

Hodson & Kauss The Forge, Stallingborough, Grimsby, Lincolnshire DN41 8AQ

Est 1990 Steel Fabricators • On site installation / fabrication Suppliers of H.T. H.D Bolt sets • Supplier of S355 plate washers galvanised & self colour Supplier & installation of hand rails / pedestrian barriers Supplier & installation of security fencing & access systems • Nationwide service

HODSON & KAUSS have been delighted to support SISK in their latest project at the Multi Fuel Energy Plant at Ferry Bridge. During the contract, we have understood Sisk’s requirements for quality products at a good price with a ‘top speed’ turnaround.

We have achieved all three aspects of the supply chain by having clear and precise instructions from the excellent QS/Engineers and QC Management of the SISK team. With their information, we were able to instruct our suppliers who, in turn, excelled with prompt response and delivery deadlines complete with all Q A Docs required.

Hodson & Kauss were established in 1990 with 2 Directors, Derrick R Hodson and Kristian Kauss, who both worked with and for Ron W Hodson (founder of a local blacksmith Company). Following R W Hodson’s retirement in 1990, the newly formed Hodson & Kauss expanded to employ between 20-30 employees and diversed into the supply and installation of High Security Fencing and Access Systems, servicing the local Humber bank refineries and factories. With the prospect of an ever increasing workload, plans are in place to move into purpose built premises, equipped with new state of the art machinery to meet the needs of all clients whether large or small. Be assured, the aspect of ‘Customer Satisfaction’ is paramount.

Keeping one eye on the developing renewable energy market, Hodson & Kauss are equipping themselves with up to date literature on the requirements needed to be at the forefront of the renewable energy supply chain resulting in the supply and installation of high security fencing to leading wind turbine companies who have made camp on Grimsby’s Dock side. Being based in the north east of Lincolnshire (which is also within one of the largest food growing areas in the UK), Hodson & Kauss have always had a very close working relationship with the agricultural sector, supplying and repairing, on and off site, various items of farming machinery from re laying harrows in the early days when the “forge” was in full swing to the supply of large grain hoppers and barn installations.

Hodson & Kauss have been and will always be a very versatile supply company to all types of industry within the UK. We hope the relationship we have with Sisk Building Contracts will continue well into the future, whether it be in the construction of large multifuel power stations or repairs to a tea room kettle. Hodson & Kauss have the capability to adapt to any situation required.

Managing Director of WTI in the UK, Gary Aguinaga, spoke of his delight before construction began.

He said: “Wheelabrator is delighted to reach contractual close with SSE to design, build and operate a modern multifuel facility at the Ferrybridge site in West Yorkshire.

“We are committed to forming strong partnerships as we continue to expand our operations across the UK and Europe.

Through the Multifuel Energy joint venture, we are combining our expertise and experience to deliver a state-of-the-art facility which will provide significant amounts of clean energy.”

The combined heat and powerenabled facility of FM1 will take fuels from across Yorkshire and the wider region.

It will work in a similar manner to the existing power station, where fuel is burned under controlled conditions to raise high temperature steam that is then used to generate electricity.

Some of the steam will be used for heating purposes within the multifuel facility itself.

There will be approximately 50 full-time jobs and around 300

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temporary roles during the three-year construction phase, and the facility will be fully operational in 2015.

It is expected to create approximately £10M of additional business for local hotels, restaurants and other service providers.

FM1 alone underlines MEL’s commitment to working in partnership with the local community and follows on from a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event held in Castleford last summer by MEL and the project’s Main continued page 106 >

edc provides a full range of services in the areas of Mechanical, Electrical & Sustainable Engineering, Project Management and Construction Supervision. All our work is performed to the highest ethical standards using a unique approach for each project.

Progressive technologies such as 3D and Thermal Modelling, i.e. BIM, IES AND CFD, allows edc to produce accurate and efficient services designs to develop buildings of the future.

Comprehensive drawings and documentation are produced for each project, helping to ensure that construction runs smoothly and within budgets. edc provide an optimised solution for Building Services which account for a significant proportion of the cost of modern buildings. Whilst increasingly complex and challenging, edc specialise in achieving reduced levels of energy usage and carbon consumption.

OUR SECTORS Energy from Waste Commercial/Retail Hotel & Leisure Industrial Residential Educational Health care/Hospitals Sustainable Pharmaceutical

“edc realise that each project is specific to its site conditions and end user requirements and we take pride in tailoring cost effective innovative engineering solutions for each of our clients’ projects.”

OUR SERVICES Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Sustainable Engineering Energy Analysis & Conservation Studies Cost Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting Instrumentation & Automation Low Carbon Consultants EPC Assessors

London Office 23 Princes Street, London, W1B 2LU

Richard O’Farrell, Director, edc

Tel: +44 (0) 203 004 0062 Fax: +44 (0) 203 031 1386 www.edclondon.co.uk Cork Office River House, Blackpool Business Park,Blackpool, Cork, Ireland

Tel: +353 (0) 21 428 0476 Fax: +353 (0) 21 430 8282 www.edc.ie

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Contractor, Hitachi Zosen Inova with its civil engineering supplier John Sisk & Sons.

Some of the regional companies who have been confirmed as subcontractors to the project include Slipform Structures Ltd, based in Leeds, Cidon Construction Ltd of Barnsley, Jakto, based in Barnsley, TW Catering of Pontefract and CBR Engineering Ltd, who is based in Castleford.

In addition, Construction Testing Solutions Ltd in Doncaster, Windgate electrical of Leeds, Tarmac Ltd also of Leeds, Black Diamond Ltd in Doncaster, Structural Soils Ltd and Vanguard Security and Services Ltd – both of Castleford – have also been appointed as subcontractors.

Mark McCarthy, Managing Director of MEL said: “Multifuel Energy Ltd and Hitachi Zosen Inova are committed to sourcing local and regional suppliers at all stages of this multi-million pound project, which will create hundreds of jobs during its construction.

“The ‘Meet the Buyer’ event was a huge success and it’s great to see that some of the local business we met last summer (2012) are now involved in building the facility.”

Slipform Structures Ltd, a Leedsbased specialist in the construction technique used to quickly construct large-scale buildings such as towers and dams from concrete, was awarded a contract to construct a waste bunker for the multifuel plant. The work was completed in early June and involved approximately 150 workers.

Jim Marley, Construction Director at Slipform, said: “We are very excited to be involved in this prestigious West Yorkshire project.

“As a local employer, it’s a welcome boost for the construction industry.

We fully intend to contribute to the benefits being brought to the local area by utilising our local supply chain and our locally based labour force.”

Last month saw more than 100 local residents attend public exhibition events that were held over a couple of weeks to find out more about the proposals for the FM2 power station. It is expected to be similar in scale to FM1.

The seven public exhibitions, which were for the Secretary of State for Energy held in Ferrybridge, Brotherton, Airedale, and Climate Change, and a decision is Pontefract and Monks Fryston, gave expected in the third quarter of 2015. the local community the opportunity FM2 is expected to create approximately to see how the plans have progressed 350 jobs during the three-year construction over the last few months since the period, provide up to 50 full-time jobs informal consultation in the summer. once the power station is operational and Members of the MEL project team were on create secondary jobs associated with fuel hand to answer questions from the public. deliveries and the wider supply chain.

Ashley Comerford, the FM2 Project Many of these are much like the benefits Manager, said: “During the development of FM1. In addition, FM2 will provide of the first multifuel project at Ferrybridge, further financial benefits to the local the level of interest from potential fuel economy via contract opportunities suppliers demonstrated that there for local businesses and a positive is demand in the market for further knock-on effect for local hotels, shops waste derived generating facilities. and petrol stations for example.

“We are pleased that the local residents FM1 has already created hundreds of have taken the time to come and speak construction jobs, involved approximately with us to find out more about how 30 local companies and the local our plans for a second multifuel plant economy will benefit from £10M of are developing and the results of our additional business for local hotels, preliminary environmental investigations. restaurants and other service providers.

“The involvement of the local community If plans for it are approved, it is expected is greatly appreciated and we value that FM2 would create similar benefits. this input into our plans. A wide range The next step would see construction of views have already been expressed begin in 2015 and the power station through our feedback forms and I would could then be operational by 2018. encourage anyone with an opinion or question on the plans to get in touch before consultation closes.”

Formal public consultation began earlier at the beginning of November 2013 and residents were given the opportunity to provide further feedback on the proposals until 20th December 2013.

MEL will then continue to engage with various stakeholders before Petar Petrov - Freelance Construction Supervisor expecting to submit a Development Consent Order We are pleased to be associated with (DCO) application John Sisk & Son Ltd and wish them to the Planning continued success for the future Inspectorate in summer 2014.

The Planning Inspectorate will Tel: 07590 924 430 then examine Email: pypconstruction@gmail.com the application and make a recommendation

PYP Construction Recruitment Ltd

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For a prompt and professional service Call Procomm on Freephone 0800 1971864 for your next project.

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UKC CIVIL

Crossrail

Breathing new life into the Connaught Tunnel Crossrail’s race against the clock to complete a key part of its work to the Victorian Connaught Tunnel in east London has been completed ahead of schedule.

Earlier this year, dam walls were installed in a section of the Royal Docks that run above the tunnel to allow Crossrail workers to access the tunnel from above. However, this dam had to be removed in September to allow ships to pass through the dock ahead of a trade exhibition at ExCeL London.

Three months of working around the clock has resulted in completion, with the dam walls removed and the dock reopened.

A cofferdam the size of a football pitch was installed and 13 million litres of water were drained from the Royal Docks. This allowed workers to deepen, widen and strengthen the central section of the tunnel so that it can accommodate new Crossrail trains.

Sections of the tunnel were in poor condition and parts of it were narrowed

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during the 1930s so that the dock could be deepened to accommodate larger ships with brickwork removed and steel segments installed.

During World War II, more than 40,000 explosive devices were dropped on London with the docks and rail lines particularly targeted due to their crucial role in delivering supplies to the British war effort.

Connaught Tunnel was hit by a bomb in 1940. Crossrail undertook further repair work to the damaged section of the tunnel.

Before the major work commenced on the tunnel, Crossrail undertook an extensive search of the wider construction area to identify any remaining undiscovered devices that failed to detonate on landing during World War II. The geology of the Royal Docks area meant that some devices that didn’t explode on landing sunk into the first few metres of soil.

A team of highly trained specialists used armoured vehicles with magnetic

equipment to investigate the ground around Connaught Tunnel, with their work involving sending probes into the ground in three metre intervals and analysing the results.

Crossrail has a detailed understanding from existing London-wide maps and ground surveys about where any potential devices could exist.

The dock floor above the Connaught Tunnel was searched by divers and given the all clear, as was the area under the Connaught Bridge, directly above the Connaught Tunnel.

After surveys for unexploded ordnance were completed, Crossrail archaeologists opened excavation trenches in an attempt to locate evidence of human settlement and farming in an area dating back nearly 6,000 years.

Crossrail worked with the Museum of London Archaeology to map the effect of the River Thames on the area during historic and prehistoric times.

Sitting above the Connaught Tunnel near Connaught Bridge is the tunnel pump house. This attractive Victorian Building was too small to accommodate the larger modern pumping equipment that was installed as part of the tunnel’s major refurbishment. After structural surveys, Crossrail offered to donate the structure to the SS Robin Trust.

The SS Robin is one of the world’s oldest steamships and was built in east London. The ship’s trust was seeking a permanent berth in the Royal Docks and the pump house structure now forms the quayside ticket office.

Tunnel material has now been removed and a larger, stronger structure has been put in place in preparation for the start of Crossrail services in 2018.

The tunnel was built in 1878 and has not been in passenger use since December 2006. It is the only existing tunnel that will be re-used for Crossrail.

Crossrail’s Chief Executive is Andrew Wolstenholme and he said: “In refurbishing this Victorian rail tunnel, the team at Connaught has had to think on its feet and overcome some unique challenges.

“It is a source of great pride that our engineers and everyone on the project continue to deliver, often in difficult and complex circumstances.”

Linda Miller, Connaught Tunnel Project Manager, said: “It was a race against the clock to get the work completed and the dock re-flooded, so it’s great news that we’ve got it finished ahead of schedule. It’s been a fantastic effort

by the whole team to get the job done safely, quickly and effectively.”

When the south-east section of Crossrail opens, up to 12 trains an hour in each direction will run through the Connaught Tunnel, reducing journey times and supporting the wider regeneration of the Royal Docks.

With Crossrail, the journey from Abbey Wood to Bond Street will be around 20 minutes quicker and passengers travelling to Heathrow will be able to cut around 40 minutes off their journey.

As well as widening and deepening the central section of the tunnel, the work at the site will include laying new tracks, waterproofing, installing water pumps and cleaning the 135 years of coal and soot from the bricks.

When Crossrail opens in 2018, it will increase London’s rail-based transport network capacity by ten per cent and dramatically cut the journey times across the city.

Through the new transport links and significant over-station developments being delivered, Crossrail will support regeneration across the capital with economic forecasts suggesting the project will add up to £42Bn to the UK economy.

Crossrail outlined its key delivery milestones for this year back in January because between now and 2015 will be the peak years of construction.

The huge transformation at Crossrail sites in central and south-east London include flagship new stations in central London and Docklands at Paddington,

Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf.

Tunnelling sites on either side of the capital, where four huge tunnelling machines – Ada and Phyllis in the west, Elizabeth and Victoria in the east – were launched in 2012.

Work will create a new 1,500 acre nature reserve at Wallasea Island in Essex – one of the largest new wetland nature reserves in Europe for 50 years – using excavated material from Crossrail’s tunnelling programme.

Huge excavation works to create a 25 metre deep station box at Woolwich along with the completion of the Plumstead portal where tunnelling machines will burrow beneath the Thames to create part of Crossrail’s south-eastern section.

A purpose built temporary factory will be constructed at Old Oak Common in west London, which will produce 75,000 concrete tunnel segments to line Crossrail’s western tunnels.

By January, more than 20 million hours had been worked on the project with 7,000 people working at over 40 sites across London and the South-East. Also

by January, more than 1,000 people had passed through the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) in Ilford, east London – the centre of excellence for tunnelling set up in 2011.

As well the work already completed, the end of the year will see the completion of the six kilometre western section between Royal Oak and Farringdon.

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Connaught Tunnel cofferdams once fully de-watered

Connaught Tunnel Cofferdams CMP partnered with GPS Marine in 2012/13 providing the perfect blend of marine construction expertise to install two large temporary sheet pile double skin marine cofferdams, for the Connaught Tunnel works, forming part of the London Crossrail project. The cofferdams spanned across the existing dock passage between the Victoria and Albert Docks near London’s Excel Centre. The work was carried out for Vinci Construction UK to allow the dock passage to be de-watered and permit access for the construction of the tunnels for the new train route.

The project began in November 2012 with removal of underwater obstructions with

specialist dredging and breaking equipment. Long reach excavators worked from barges to break the concrete where the temporary pile line was required. Piling rigs were then loaded onto the barges to allow sheet piles to be installed. This part of the project required careful planning and execution to enable the piling rigs to work under the flight path of the nearby London City Airport.

Piling operations were carried out during airport closures at night when the piling rigs were permitted to raise the mast of the rig into the air to pitch and vibrate the piles into the ground. The piles were vibrated until they stopped in the London Clay, then were back driven during the

daytime using a crane suspended hydraulic hammer. Special methods were developed by CMP/GPS team to allow the back-driving to continue during the day, by using short telescopic crane jibs that were safely under the flight path.

Following completion of the piling, the project required an intensive programme of underwater diving with over 800 diving hours used to install the cofferdam waling, ties, underwater packing and huge props to span between the dock walls. Finally, before de-watering could commence, both cofferdams had to be filled to top of dock wall level with 14,000 tonnes of granular fill material.

Upon completion by Vinci of the tunnel works required within the dock passage area, the previously installed temporary works were then required to be removed completely within a demanding 6 week working window.

The project was successfully completed during a demanding part of the Crossrail Construction phase, and the programme was met to allow the dock passage to be re-opened in time for an important project milestone to be achieved. This project is a great example of combined marine expertise applied in the demanding London civil engineering market.

Connaught Tunnel Cofferdams , photo showing 0.7m diameter wall props installed underwater, photo taken during de-watering

CMP constructing cofferdams and bored in place piles – Poole Bridge, Hants

Marine Construction & Marine Civil Engineering Working in the field of marine construction and civil engineering for over 20 years, Commercial Marine & Piling have the capability to undertake maritime construction projects in the most hostile of environments. The volatility and unpredictability of conditions caused by storm, waves, currents and tides provide additional challenges to those faced by civil engineers working onshore.

With a highly experienced team, CMP provides an expert service for marine construction

services ranging from Principal Contracting to specialist sub-contract works. We operate with a high regard to Health and Safety, with all our workforce and management trained to high safety standards. In the offshore construction environment, we constantly have to assess risk and ensure we are well placed to manage these risks.

As part of our service we offer clients an Early Contractor Involvement service where risk mitigation and innovation from CMP can

Mooring piles and pontoons supplied and installed by CMP

provide significant project savings. Working in and around water, we are very conscious of our environmental responsibilities. Our sites are often located in Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and we pride ourselves in safeguarding our activities from polluting the environment.

Our works vary through a wide range of marine civil engineering disciplines, from subsea pipeline installation and marine piling, to river and coastal flood protection.

CMP installing an Archimedes screw – Windsor Royal Palace

Photo of the CMP Jack-up barge installing 1m diameter piles – Barrow in Furness

Commercial Marine & Piling Ltd Unit 3, Stag Business Park, 164-166 Christchurch Road, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3AS

tel: 01425 489600

fax: 01425 489606

email: info@cmp.uk.com

www.cmp.uk.com

UKC HOUSING

Amblecote Estate

Social housing and extra care scheme Work on a social housing development in Salford has been boosted thanks to a £1.5M investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

City West Housing Trust is using the money to help finance Phase I of its flagship Amblecote Green development.

Now underway, the scheme in Little Hulton will deliver 73 new family homes and five bungalows for rent.

A second phase of development at the scheme involves City West working in partnership with Salford Council to deliver a brand new extra care facility, with 66 state-of-the-art homes for older residents.

The total investment in the Amblecote regeneration project is £14M including the £1.5M grant secured from the HCA. The investment came after City West was named as an Investment Partner by the HCA, meaning the landlord is eligible to bid for future government investment to build more new homes across West Salford.

This key HCA finance comes through the 2011-15 Affordable Homes Programme.

“We are delighted to have achieved Investor Partner Status from the HCA. We all know that there is a desperate need for more affordable homes in the city,” said Colette McKune, City West’s deputy chief executive.

“The new homes at Amblecote Green will provide a lifeline for dozens of families on housing waiting lists. We’re thrilled that work is underway.

“We hope that this development will be amongst many brought forward by City West in the coming months and years and our partnership with the HCA and Salford City Council will go a long way to ensuring more new homes and regeneration projects in communities across West Salford.”

Deborah McLaughlin, executive director North West of the HCA, said: “This investment and new partnership is great news for City West and for Salford.

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We are proud to be working with the Clegg’s Lane and local bus routes. housing association and their partners Vehicular access to the building is also to help deliver new homes, create from Amblecote Drive West where jobs and to train young people.” there are small drop off and staff parking Designed by DC Architects, there will points along the front of the building. be a ‘home zone’ street giving priority to The Main Contractor for the project is pedestrians and cyclists, benches, street Bardsley Construction. It will be built to art and a children’s play area. The extra BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard and is care scheme will provide accommodation scheduled to complete next summer. for more than 70 residents who require extra care provision in order Gibson Groundworks carry out all forms of to live fulfilling, construction; bulk excavation; ground independent lives. remediation; structural foundations and The landscaping for the extra care underpinning; ground beams; insitu floor facility will be in slabs; beam & block floors; retaining walls; keeping with the landscaping for Main and domestic drainage; road the other areas construction including tarmac & block paving; of the estate.

There will be areas all forms of external works & landscaping. of private gardens to the rear of the main building for the sole use of residents and their guests.

In addition, there will be small areas of soft landscaping to the front of the property that adjoins the green public realm space that an element of the scheme Gibson Groundworks Ltd also overlooks.

PO BOX 123, Ormskirk, L40 9WW The primary pedestrian access to the extra care t: 01704 889 705 facility is from e: jeff@gibsongroundworks.co.uk Amblecote Drive West, within a www.gibsongroundworks.com short walk of

PROFILE UKC

North Warwickshire Council Various improvements including council offices The offices of North Warwickshire Borough Council are undergoing a refurbishment that is worth £1.6M. Known as the Council House, the offices are situated on South Street in Atherstone. The building was constructed in two phases, commencing in 1979 and completed in 1981 and since then only limited upgrades have been carried out to the mechanical and electrical installations.

The condition of the electrical installation has given the greatest cause for concern over recent years. Fixed installation tests revealed the wiring to be unsatisfactory and in need of urgent replacement.

The Council recognised that there may be an opportunity to undertake a more comprehensive refurbishment incorporating improved space utilisation resulting in other public agencies being accommodated.

It was decided that work was required to replace the mechanical and electrical installations including network and telephone systems. The roof covering is also being included in the scheme as the existing built up felt has reached the end of its life.

Other factors considered during the design process include the potential to incorporate renewable energies, replacement of the various air conditioning/cooling equipment, replacement windows and doors.

Designed by IDP Architects and being built by Wates, work on the replacement roof, windows and key mechanical and electrical systems are underway. It will result in a building that is safe and energy efficient for staff, customers and visitors.

Work will be completed in July 2014.

There are many other projects going on around North Warwickshire, including the development of the new Coleshill Leisure Centre.

The Council and the school worked extremely hard to ensure the success of the funding application and both parties are continuing to work closely to ensure that the local community and school students can benefit from a modern, fit for purpose

leisure centre for many years to come.

Following on from that success, there will be new facilities at Polesworth Sports Centre, doubling the size of the Lifetimes Fitness Suite.

The project will see the suite extend into the adjacent squash court, while refurbishment will also see improvements of the remaining squash court.

More recently, the Mayor of North Warwickshire opened the new Local Nature Reserve at Abbey Green Park in Polesworth.

Councillor Dominic Ferro cut the red ribbon at the event, which included free dog microchipping, bird box making, meet the minibeasts, willow weaving and guest celerity Peppa Pig. By the end of the event, around 100 people had visited the park and nature reserve.

Improvements at the Abbey Green site have included clearing the channels of silt and reeds, planting native plants, creating new footpaths and seating areas and installing fish platforms.

Activities for local people have included bat walks and talks, wildflower planting and bug hunts while a school event saw 97 children

visit the reserve.

Mayor Councillor Dominic Ferro said: “I would like to thank all the team at North Warwickshire Borough Council, Phillipa and her team from the Wild:LIFE project and everyone else who has worked so hard to make these wonderful improvements to Abbey Green Park and all the other Local Nature Reserves in North Warwickshire.”

North Warwickshire Borough Council, South Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CU9 1DE.

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UKC PROFILE

Electro-Motive Diesel

New maintenance facility in South Yorkshire A completed design and build scheme has seen the construction of a large, newly built rail maintenance facility in Doncaster.

This landmark scheme by ElectroMotive Diesel Inc (EMD) will be used to repair locomotives passing through via the existing rail tracks and is a large and exciting project.

Existing rail tracks have been diverted and extended to allow the locomotives entry to the new purpose built facility.

The shed contains all manor of specialist mechanical equipment such as wheel lathes and re-profiling mechanisms as well as three in-situ cranes ranging up from 30 tonnes designed to elevate the units while repairs are undertaken.

Significant demolitions took place prior to the main build beginning. These included substantial breaking out of existing concrete slabs, removal of existing rail tracks and the deconstruction of the existing shed, which was in disarray.

The shed itself is a large steel structure with a Kingspan composite roof system and Kingspan cladding throughout.

Works included the formation of new inspection pits, jacking pads and wheel lathes as well as new office and messing facilities, car park formation, external drainage, external hardstanding, siphonic drainage, mechanical and electrical works, cladding and external lighting.

The structure created four maintenance bays, and the development is a twin track maintenance shed, 72.2m long by 20.5m wide. There are two roller shutter doors to the west end and two roller shutter doors to the east end.

Both ends also have single pedestrian access doors, separate to the roller shutter doors. The roller shutter doors are electronically operated.

The height of the building to eaves level is 12.5m, suitable for the operation of an overhead gantry crane as and allow for the safe operation of a crane over a locomotive unit.

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The height of the building also allows for fume extraction and appropriate ventilation and heating systems to operate without fouling either locomotive units or the crane.

The minimum height from floor to the underside of the crane hook, when fully retracted, is eight metres. The space from the top of the crane gantry to the highest point of the roof has been specified to allow safe and practical operation of heating, lighting and ventilation systems without risk to the crane equipment.

Designed by Michael Cunningham Architects, the scale of the overall buildings were designed in context with the original building and surrounding buildings within the depot site, accommodating a new maintenance facility and allowing the once derelict depot to be reused.

While the site was limited in terms of landscape potential, everybody involved identified areas where design impact could be made.

The landscaped buffer between the residential dwellings and the building had to be removed as part of the groundworks. This has been replaced with a mix of trees and shrubs.

A pedestrian route into the site and around the site received a paved finish and is raised a minimum of 100mm above the car parking and road areas. Kerbstones were chosen to complement this, while drop kerbs were used at crossing points and adjacent to disabled parking bays.

The general car park areas and access roads have stayed the same, with any new spaces surfaced in macadam or equally approved, and bays were painted on with appropriate paint markings. A lighting scheme defines these areas while also assisting people who are visually impaired.

Signage panels with company information have been mounted at the gateway with a security cabin sited at the site entrance.

Company logos are wall mounted on the front and side elevations of the building.

There have been no changes to existing

boundary treatment but any damaged fencing was either made good or replaced to match existing material.

The development has been designed to allow safe, separate routes onto the site for pedestrians and vehicles.

Pedestrian routes are clearly defined with raised routes, while road access to site is good, controlled by gates with a security cabin sited at the site entrance.

Access is suitable for use by HGVs, mostly road plant and for special and emergency vehicles.

Built by Nobles Construction, the project was handed over to EMD in October 2013, and the Company was understandably delighted.

For more than half a century, EMD has hauled freight and passengers, powered ships, and generated electricity for over 100 countries around the globe.

Its products are built to last and to outperform the competition.

EMD products have performed in nearly every imaginable condition – from the sands of the Sahara to the heights of the Andes, to the demanding grades of the Power River Basin.

With that performance, the Company has not only helped its customers achieve their goals but also earned a reputation for quality, service and innovation.

Today, EMD is the world’s largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications: Freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining.

The Company’s headquarters, engineering facilities and parts-manufacturing operations are located in LaGrange, Illinois, just west of Chicago.

Final assembly is performed in the United States at the Muncie, Indiana facility, as well as at a variety of locations around the world.

EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, continued page 116 >

Senate (mech) Ltd Building Services Engineers

Specialising in all aspects of Mechancal Services, Commercial Heating & Plumbing Systems Proud to be working in association with Electro Motive Diesel Clients of Senate Mech Ltd include Local Archdiocese, Local authorities & health services, Universities and surveyors, individual schools, & Liverpool & Everton Football Clubs.

Approved agent for

13 Love Lane, Liverpool, L3 7DD Tel: 0151 222 3411 Fax: 0151 236 6090 E-mail: senate.mech@btopenworld.com

offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs, and stationary power generation.

Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardised components.

EMD engages in a lifelong relationship with its customers and offers a complete line of value-added services to enhance the performance of its products. The equipment management and maintenance services offered by EMD set industry standards for service excellence.

Through technological advancements and customer-focused solutions, EMD

customers achieve new levels of availability, reliability and asset utilisation.

Listening to and supporting customers, pursuing continuous improvement and building on a reputation for manufacturing excellence, EMD and its employees look forward to their next quarter century of innovation and service to the fast changing global railroad and products industries.

www.maraelectrical.co.uk

Maintenance

Installation

Mara Electrical ltd are a well established North Wales based electrical contractor with a proven track record across many sectors such as Industrial, Healthcare, Education, Retail, Rail, Transport, Heritage and Renewable Energy. With a wide variety of clients from Main Contractors to end users. Mara electrical have the knowledge base and experience to manage any type of electrical project.

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Renewable Energy

01244 470222 @mara_electrical

COMMUNITY UKC

Manuden Community Scheme Building for the future

A community and sports complex is taking shape in Manuden with the development in Hertfordshire.

In addition to the community centre, the development on the edge of the village is part of a scheme to build new parish facilities including two full size football pitches, a junior pitch, a multiuse surface pitch for two tennis courts or five-a-side football and a cricket pitch.

Pelham Structures has been working with a steering group in Manuden, which has been trying to secure the sports and community facilities for more than 14 years.

Planning permission for similar community facilities at the site was granted more than seven years ago, but the group failed to secure lottery funding.

Villagers then turned to the alternative idea of ‘enabling development,’ where a scheme of housing is only permitted if there is a clear wider benefit to the community.

The development of 14 homes includes four low cost properties available to local families, and ten sold through estate agent Mullucks Wells.

The scheme was backed by more than eight out of ten people in the local community, who voted in a referendum before building work started. The village hall and sports facilities on the 19-acre site have cost more than £1.6M. Football pitches are carefully engineered and their construction has involved moving 100,000 tonnes of earth and installing drainage.

The village hall has meeting rooms, a bar, and a catering kitchen, while it can also accommodate badminton matches.

There are also changing rooms with showers for home and away teams, and officials. The building is designed for low maintenance costs and will be partly run using air sourced heat

pumps and photovoltaic electricity.

Pelham Structures Managing Director, Bill Bampton, said: “This is an unparalleled scheme for the area and it’s been a superb opportunity to build something amazing, which at the same time has provided local employment.

In this case, everyone’s a winner.”

There will be seating in the village hall for up to 150 people, a smaller meeting room, fully fitted kitchen, large reception and masses of storage space.

In addition, there will be separate male and female toilets, a disabled toilet, baby changing facilities and a club room providing a place for teams and spectators to congregate and have light refreshments.

Also designed by Pelham Structures, all areas will be accessible and suitable for wheelchair users, and there will be enhanced acoustics for the hard of hearing.

Quality tiling to the trade Bathrooms, Kitchens, Conservatories, Swimming Pools, Wetrooms also undertaking of Screeding, Levelling, Waterproofing, Tanking Systems.

We have a great team of high quality tilers ready to push your project on.

Contact John 07854252827 Ian 07973130267 or 01799 528113 Email johnwilliamtiling@btinternet.com

Established in 1953 and family owned by father and son team, A.E. Sprigham and J. Springham, A.E. Springham and Son Ltd undertake all areas of Plastering including Internal and External Finishes, Interior Fit Out, Screeding, Pargetting and all Lime Work and Acrylic.

We provide work on Domestic, New Build and Developments and work for major developers in the area.

Speed.... Versatility.... Efficiency....

Our services include Sports Pitch Construction and Maintenance (Natural Grass), Sports Turf and Agricultural Drainage, Wetland Habitat Creation, Path and Cycle Trail Construction, Landscaping, Narrow Trenching, Leachate and Land Fill Gas Pipework Systems.

Hugh Pearl (Land Drainage) Ltd. New Farm, Bobbingworth, Ongar, Essex CM5 0DJ

tel: 01277 890274 fax: 01277 890322 email: admin@hughpearl.co.uk www.hughpearl.co.uk

We are pleased to be associated with the Manuden Village Hall project and wish all involved continued success

12 Chantry Close, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. CM23 2SN

Telephone: (01279) 833072 Mobile: 07855 749341 117

UKC PROFILE

J A Ball Ltd

Successful family-run business Established in 1992 by a husband and wife team, J A Ball Ltd began life with a brand new house build and has gone on to thrive into the Company it is today, securing major contracts in the heart of Leicester and surrounding villages.

The Company specialises in extension work, loft conversions, commercial projects and building quality homes in the East Midlands. The business has evolved and grown into the Company that so many people have now come to recognise as J A Ball.

All types of construction work is carried out, while new homes are provided, including a wide range of house types with the design and materials used being sympathetic to the local architecture and characteristics of the area.

All projects are constructed to a high specification and offer a range of practical features and thoughtful finishing touches.

Operating out of the main office at Stephenson Industrial Estate, J A Ball works within both the commercial and private sector.

Highly skilled staff offer the service to clients whereby they can describe how they would like to see a home refurbished and J A Ball will translate it into practical working drawings.

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No matter what the style, contemporary or traditional, the Company’s experience, design skills can craftsmen can deliver the transformation on time and on budget.

This refurbishment expertise suits all projects and the most effective solutions are guaranteed.

Commercially, the Company is responsible for several large student accommodation renovations and new builds, while also built, restored, converted or extended many beautiful new family homes.

More than 200 homes have been built up to now and J A Ball has also undertaken all types of other construction work, including building local churches and schools.

These have been designed for people from all walks of life, such as first-time buyers, families and retired couples.

The high quality of work has been noticed by others in the form of awards and J A Ball won one from the local authority for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

This was for a development in Markfield Chase, Leicester, which consisted of replacing a factory building with 16 dwellings, using the same building style as the surrounding areas. The award was presented at Leicester Guild Hall in 2006.

Another proud moment for the Company is the fact that it was a finalist for

‘The Best Domestic Extension or Alteration’, in the regional LABC Building Excellence Awards for workmanship and outstanding construction at High Street, Packington, Leicestershire.

In addition, the Company is delighted to have been nominated for a ProCon award for a major development in Leicester.

This prestigious award celebrates the excellence and dynamism of the property construction industries in Leicestershire and with the present very high level of construction regeneration taking place in the city and county, it is a great honour for J A Ball to be shortlisted for such an award.

This award came for J A Ball’s work on a student accommodation project in Leicester.

Located at Newarke Street, it consists of three phases, two of which are refurbishments to the existing buildings and the third is a new build that will utilise high performance building technology with fusion lightweight frame construction – bringing together the structural efficiency of light gauge steel with Neopor® insulation.

It is a great example of another project that challenges the capability and versatility of the team - something that is always done successfully in continued page 120 >

Proud to be associated with J.A. Ball on all their past and future developments, a much valued customer Supplier of Commercial and Domestic Quality Ironmogery, Fixings, Sealants, etc. The whole package

Whiteleaf Furniture has been designing and manufacturing high quality contract furniture since 1870.

Today, we are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of quality contract specification furniture. We remain family owned and run and we pride ourselves on providing a wealth of experience, expertise and flexibility.

As a British furniture manufacturer producing residential furniture within our own factory, we are ideally placed to provide nationwide coverage, with our dedicated sales team providing expert local knowledge and service.

Assured Drive, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8BB

Tel: 0844 335 8451 Fax: 0844 335 2235

sales@ottima.eu

Whiteleaf Furniture Ltd Lupton Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3SE t: 01844 261199 f: 01844 261711 sales@whiteleaffurniture.co.uk www.whiteleaffurniture.co.uk

www.twwholesale.co.uk

Supplying the trade and DIY with power tools, hand tools, workwear, heaters and specialist equipment from our Swadlincote superstore in Derbyshire across Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham and the great Midlands.

01283 55 83 13 UNITS 11&12, CADLEY HILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SWADLINCOTE, DERBYSHIRE, DE11 9EU

Based in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, T.W.Wholesale LTD expertly supply & distribute hand tools, garden tools & power tools across the length & breadth of the country.

Over the years, we have constantly improved & evolved the business into a well-respected & trusted company used by thousands of clients with a customer base that grows year on year.

Our aim is to supply the right products at the right price, backed up with excellent service. It's what we would expect as a customer so it's what our customers can expect when they use us!

Our customers have the option of either buying on line www.twwholesale.co.uk or from our cash & carry superstore located in Swadlincote Derbyshire. We have thousands of products, IN STOCK, and we offer some of the best brands in the business and of course always at excellent prices!

Our product range caters for everyone from the industry professional to the keen DIYer, so whatever your needs, we will have a product for you.

We have grown and grown over the years, as have many of our customers and we look forward to having a successful working relationship with both new and existing customers in the future.

National Next Day Delivery on 1000’s of products.

Order before 4pm 119

relation any given development. developing further by pursuing more generating an ample land bank to secure Other work includes pledging support to exciting new developments, to continue its future growth and determine its the Rainbows Children’s Charity throughout to give the design and construction teams position within the construction industry. the year, taking part in various fundraising the type of challenges they like to take on. events such as a charity shoot and also Moving forward, J A Ball is hopeful of J A Ball Ltd, Unit 2 Property Court, supplying the Hospice with a new car park. expanding by increasing the number Telford Way, Stephenson Industrial Estate, In recent years, the global stability of of houses built and the number of Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3HE. the planet has been at the forefront commercial projects undertaken, which Tel: 01530 833400. of talks between world leaders will hopefully take the Company’s and the general public alike. name to a whole new level.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that J A Ball is currently in the process of everybody needs to do their bit in order to help the environment.

The construction industry has long been a major contributor to the problem of global warming and with this in mind, J A Ball has teamed up with The National Forest Company to help combat this problem for future generations.

During its lifetime, a single oak 101B High Street, tree can absorb approximately Syston, Leicester LE7 1GQ three tonnes of CO2. The average CO2 emissions created during the construction of a standard Tel Syston: (0116) 260 5351 three-bedroom dwelling equates to approximately 2.1 tonnes.

Established in 1981, we have a wealth of knowledge in the plumbing & heating industry and are J A Ball therefore put forward experienced in boilers, bathrooms, drainage products and much more. the proposal to plant a new tree in The National Forest for every Kendor (Leicester) Ltd are open to the trade and the general public, and offer trade accounts. We J A Ball home that is built. stock everything from boilers, radiators, bathroom suites, guttering, all the way through to washers.

Although it won’t have an immediate effect on the environment, in Our Syston premises has a bathroom and shower showroom, where you can see samples of baths, the long-term it will enable the basins, showers and ancillary products, to give yourself an idea of what would look right in your reduction of CO2 levels within home. the atmosphere, which will in turn protect and preserve the planet.

The Company is planning on

www.kendorleicester.com

Fusion House, Scirocco Close, Moulton Park, Northampton NN3 6HE Tel: +44 (0) 1604 490540 Fax: +44 (0) 1604 490549 Email: info@fusionbuild.com www.fusionbuild.com

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UKC COMMERCIAL

Canary Wharf Group Plc

Modern retail and commercial space Canary Wharf Group Plc (CWG) is an integrated property development, investment and management group of companies.

It has achieved one of the greatest feats of civic transformation, developing previously derelict docklands into more than 16 million square feet of office, retail and leisure space across its iconic businesses and shopping district in inner London.

In the last two decades, it has developed more top quality office space in London than any other company, helping to position the capital as one of the best places in the world to locate a business.

Canary Wharf’s 35 completed buildings, including three shopping malls, are occupied by some of the world’s best companies employing 100,000 people in a diverse range of industries.

CWG has successfully delivered several projects away from Canary Wharf including in the City of London.

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All design, construction and project management is undertaken by Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd – the UK’s foremost exponent of tall building design and construction.

CWG and its joint venture partners have planning permission to approximately double Canary Wharf’s working population over the next 20 years. These sites offer bespoke office buildings designed and constructed to the highest standards of architecture, infrastructure and resilience.

Through its subsidiary, Canary Wharf Management Ltd, the Group manages all of the external areas on the 97 acre Canary Wharf Estate, 20% of which is landscaped parks, plazas and walkways with more than 1,000 trees and 70,000 seasonal plantings.

It also manages more than four million square feet of Grade A office space and approximately 690,000sq ft of retail space.

CWG has developed more than 240 shops, bars, cafes and restaurants

at Canary Wharf – including many of the world’s leading brands.

It runs over 100 performing arts and events annually, most of which are free. More than 60 art works by 45 artists and designers are on public display throughout the Estate.

One of the projects currently underway is the Wood Wharf masterplan that will transform the area into a truly mixed use sustainable community with a range of homes, offices, shops and community facilities, set within a water space and public realm. The development will create in the region of 25,000 new jobs and will continue the growth of Canary Wharf and Docklands as one of Europe’s premier business districts.

The scheme features approximately two million square feet of net office buildings and over 1,600 homes including a proportion of affordable housing.

Integrated into the design are the public continued page 126 >

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• Metal Stud Partitioning • MF & Grid Suspending Ceilings • Metsec • Render & Plastering • Fitout • Screeding We are a specialist provider of dry wall lining solutions in London and the south of England. We are specialists in suspended ceilings, partitioning, dry-lining and related �inishes and have a portfolio of top standard completed works behind us. Bucking the trend of the current climate, we are a successful company that keeps on growing - a testament to our specialist, dedicated workforce and strong work ethic. Our professional approach to all interiors jobs, large and small, has established us as a key player in our �ield.

Our company ethic ensures we fully understand our clients' aspirations and expectations from the outset. Whatever the project our only concern is consistently delivering the highest possible quality of service.

Our vast portfolio includes of�ices, hotels, hospitals and residential developments and we have won high praise from clients including Berkley Homes, Canary Wharf Contractors, John Sisk & Sons and Carillion, to name but a few.

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We choose our suppliers carefully, to ensure long life and high quality is built in as standard. We are committed to creating a safe working environment for everyone involved.

We are pleased to be associated with Canary Wharf

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Power Protection with Riello UPS Ltd In a modern, efficient building it is essential to have a resilient power infrastructure in place to support business continuity. Installing Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) technology on critical equipment ensures a good quality, clean power supply and offers protection from interference and black-outs.

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Riello UPS also provides a range of software solutions to complement its UPS units and energy storage solutions such as Super-Caps and DC Flywheels. Riello UPS’ products combine the very best in Italian high-end engineering with reliable performance and energy efficiency.

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open spaces, shopping, restaurants, community facilities and a new canal linking South Dock with Blackwall Basin.

At the heart of the transformation of London’s South Bank will be the famous Shell Centre Tower.

Joint venture developers CWG and Qatari Diar have unveiled the plans that will revitalise the area with high quality architecture and much improved public spaces.

A mix of offices, homes and retail space will integrate with open and attractive public areas, while new pedestrian routes will connect nearby Waterloo Station with the South Bank or the River Thames.

A widened Chicheley Street will open up the approach to the London Eye, while a ‘city square’ at the heart of the scheme will provide open space and help people move around the area.

The well-known Shell Centre Tower will remain the centrepiece of the new site, occupied by Shell which is taking a further 245,000sq ft of space. The Tower will be complemented by eight new buildings, one of which will incorporate new offices and trading floors for Shell.

Approximately 800,000sq ft of office space, including the Shell Centre Tower, along with around 80,000sq ft of new retail units, restaurants and cafes, will be accompanied by approximately 800,000sq ft of residential space incorporating up to 790 new homes, including affordable housing. The development is planned for completion in 2019.

The proposals for the development incorporate a highly efficient energy centre that will reduce the carbon

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footprint of the site. The system will be designed to interconnect with a district heating network being explored for the wider South Bank area.

Canary Wharf will be Construction Manager for the project.

Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd is also working on the project to convert part of the Jubilee Place basement car park into shopping space.

The project will delivery approximately 43,000sq ft of additional retail space within 26 new shopping units. The majority of new stores will be located below the existing mall, which opened ten years ago.

The new shopping level will connect directly into the concourse of the Jubilee Line Underground Station, with the majority of the new units accessed from the new mall.

New escalators will connect directly to the shopping level above and additional retail space will be provided at the centre of the existing shopping level by the re-planning of the area occupied by the existing escalators and stairway plus additional area at mezzanine level slab.

Modifications will be made to the existing structure, stair cores, delivery routes and flood defence walls.

The number of car parking spaces will be reduced and the circulation adjusted to facilitate the revised layout. Light wells will be formed through the existing mall floor to allow natural daylight to reach the new lower level mall.

Pedestrian links from the ground level garden will remain into the existing glazed pavilion with modified connections leading down in to the mezzanine

and on to the retail levels below.

Jubilee Place will provide extended shopping facilities and maintain public access from the Jubilee Line and car parking to the adjacent office buildings.

The project is on track for phased openings this year and in 2014.

The whole area will benefit from Canary Wharf Crossrail station when it opens in 2018. It will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twinbore 21km tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

The station is being constructed to shell and core specification under a design and construct contract with Canary Wharf taking all the design, cost and programme risk.

Construction commenced with the relocation of dock silt in January 2009 followed by the formal commencement of the piling for the coffer dam in May 2009.

A top down method of construction was adopted so that the potential for ground movements was minimised and the plan area of the work site was kept clear for the piling works and subsequent activities.

Work will also be completed next year on the 37-storey landmark office building at 20 Fenchurch Street and with 25/30 Churchill Place set to offer modern office facilities from next year, Canary Wharf will continue to be a major attraction for businesses.

LEISURE UKC

Sleaford Leisure Centre Refurbished centre with growing number of users The refurbished Sleaford Leisure Centre is now complete and was officially opened by Sharron Davies MBE at the beginning of November 2013.

It has been constructed for less than half of what it would cost for a new centre, and has provided community swimming and fitness facilities of an equivalent standard to a new centre, while also significantly extending the building’s lifespan.

The new reception area provides natural light and views into the pool hall and separates the pool environment from the newly created studio and extended fitness gym.

A five-lane pool has been transformed to a level deck with its base and gradient modified to meet Sport England guidelines.

A toddler splash zone themed on the surrounding Lincolnshire countryside is easily accessible from the pool area and a sauna and steam room are also accessed from the pool surround.

A new changing village has been created with a mixture of family, single and accessible cubicles, and with open and private showers.

Group changing rooms are provided

for school children, while all areas are it was designed by ArchialNorr and designed to a high quality, to simplify Project Managed by Faithful and Gould. management and staff supervision and to When officially opening the centre, make the customer experience enjoyable.

Sharron Davies MBE said: “I think the Externally, the appearance and visibility of new centre is fantastic. I get so many the building have been transformed when emails and texts from people concerned viewed from all sides by the addition of that their local council wants to close their a new double height entrance, a feature pools, so for a council to be investing canopy over-sailing the river and new in its facilities is really impressive.” coloured cladding.

North Kesteven District Council’s Community Wellbeing agreement with Eco2 Lincs will Safe and secure scaffolding for see the Sleaford high level access renewable Energy Plant supply free If you are looking for a professional and trustworthy scaffolding heat to the leisure company, AAA Scaffolding (Lincoln) Ltd is here to help. centre through a With over 25 years of experience working with builders district heating and developers, our professional scaffolders have the skills system from to provide access for any building requirements.

January onwards.

26 Laburnum Close, North Hykeham, Lincoln, The Main Lincolnshire LN6 8JQ Contractor for Email: aaascaffoldinglincoln@gmail.com Phone: 01522 697 130 Mobile: 07903 126 553 the project was RG Carter and

PROFILE UKC

Woodford Building & Plumbing Dedicated to providing quality Woodford Building & Plumbing is a family run business with many subsidiaries, specialising in the work within the north west region.

Woodford Plumbing and Heating supplies works primarily in the Stockport area, supplying all materials for plumbing and heating to all trade and retail customers at trade prices, and there is also a free delivery service available for clients.

With over 50 years of combined experience, the Company is dedicated to providing quality, affordable merchandise alongside a customer service experience that is second to none.

Within the Company showroom is software called ‘Virtual Worlds’, which is a 2D and 3D bathroom design programme and it is product specific.

So if a potential customer sees something they like in the showroom, the Company are able to enter that design into the software and see the finished product, giving all customers complete satisfaction before they even place an order.

Woodford Plumbing and Heating Supplies can deal with all aspects of heating, including underfloor heating, central

heating systems, radiators, boilers, heating controls, gas, oil and LPG systems.

One of the subsidiaries within Woodford Building & Plumbing is Brick Market Ltd – a large, family-run builders merchant that provides a full range of products to builders, developers, landscapers and home improvers in the south of Manchester area.

Operating from its premises in Woodford, Stockport, the Company started trading in 1999, beginning as a road transport company that delivered building materials for customers throughout the industry.

The business has grown rapidly in the years since, and can offer customers a free brick matching service and a reliable next day delivery service.

There have been

a number of large projects undertaken by the Company, including extensions in Wilmslow, apartments in Bramhall, an extension in Cheadle Hulme for GB Builders and extension and landscaping work in Woodford on behalf of Buildmarks.

With successful companies like this, Woodford Building & Plumbing will continue to prosper in the future.

Our latest branch is now open in Macclesfield!

Rinus Roofing Supplies

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UKC PROFILE

Staffordshire County Council

Improving education facilities in the area Staffordshire County Council has made concerted efforts in the region to ensure that children can have the very best education available and this year has seen the development of many facilities for this purpose.

One such school, which has already been completed is Christchurch Infants’ School in Burton upon Trent.

As part of a raft of measures to ensure there are enough primary school places for children in Burton, Christchurch Infants’ School has been turned into a primary school, with the school’s new building built on the existing site.

The £4M new school accommodates 315 pupils and combines state-ofthe-art facilities with innovative design in order to become a focal point for the community.

Headteacher Vicky Anderson, spoke at a topping out ceremony in June when the finishing touches to the roof of the new building were made.

She said: “We are very pleased to be able to mark yet another important milestone in the school’s exciting future.

This development is much needed and we would like to thank everyone who

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has supported us in making this happen.

“The children have enjoyed watching the work with the opportunity to follow every stage of the construction programme and

are excited about their new school.”

Staffordshire County Councillor Ben Adams, Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills, added: “This really is a fantastic

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opportunity for Christ Church and the wider community. A lot of work has gone into planning primary school places in Burton to cope with the increase in pupil numbers and this latest development will not only benefit pupils and parents, but also members of the wider community.”

It has been built by Seddon Construction and the Business Unit Manager Richard Sapcote, said: “This is a special moment in the construction programme and we are really pleased to have joined with school staff and pupils and Staffordshire County Council to help celebrate.

“Our team is proud of its involvement in delivering these important new educational facilities for the local community.”

To minimise disruption and to ensure the building project represented great value for money for Staffordshire taxpayers, the previous school remained open until the new one was complete, and was then demolished to make way for additional outdoor playing space.

The new school opened in September.

Seddon Construction is also building the Scientia Academy, being built on the former Belvedere Park Club site in Belvedere Road, Horninglow.

The state-of-the-art academy, sponsored by the REAch2 (Raising Educational Achievement for Children) Academy Trust, will accommodate 420 pupils.

Seddon organised and hosted Open construction tradespeople Doors events at the end of September working on the new building. at the academy, giving visitors the The tour also included some fun activities opportunity to go behind the scenes at in the site office and the chance to the new primary school development as speak to the Seddon team about well as meet the construction team and jobs in construction, apprenticeships find out about working in the industry. and other training opportunities.

The Scientia Academy events formed part Completion of this project has been of a national Open Doors weekend where delayed due to adverse weather conditions construction sites were opened to the but will be finished in January 2014. public, enabling them to discover more about the sector and career opportunities.

It was organised by leading industry bodies in the UK Contractors Group, Chartered Institute of Building, the Considerate Constructors Scheme and training organisation CITB. Visits included a presentation from We can undertake any commercial, Industrial, private schemes all fully project managed to offer complete confidence the project team about the Scientia Roads Car Parks Drives Private Estates Academy project School Playgrounds Footpaths Access Roads Play Areas Tennis Courts Caravan Parks Farm Roads and a tour of the development, Asphalt & Macadam Surfacing Machine & Hand Laid Road Planing - Excavation & Groundworks focusing on Kerbing and Drainage Concrete Block & Slab Paving the machinery Decorative Surface Dressing Thermoplastic Lining and technical Sandybrook Garage, Buxton Lane, Sandybrook, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 2AQ innovations in Telephone: 0844 848 1430 Email: angela@alanbrownsurfacing.co.uk use at the site www.alanbrownsurfacing.co.uk and the different ●

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Strata Group Limited.

For over 30 years there has been a company based in the Stoke on Trent area that has prided itself on first class, honest and reliable service.

That company is Strata.

Formerly known as Strata Window World, the company set out to provide a very high standard of both product and service that puts other window installers to shame.

Strata Group Limited, the home of quality and reliability. Strata has been a trusted name within the replacement window industry for over 30 years serving Stoke on Trent and the surrounding areas.We have an impressive range of windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries all on display within our showroom based on Festival Park, Stoke on Trent.

Forge Lane, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent

Tel. 01782 279081 Fax. 01782 202353 www.stratawindows.co.uk

Now re-branded as Strata Group Limited, after a successful management buy out in August 07, Strata has developed their product range vastly and now incorporates specialist products such as Aluminium Curtain walling, Commercial Upvc section, Hardwood windows, doors and Orangeries – all manufactured to exact standards and with the years of installation experience, Strata really can cater for all glazing requirements.

Trust.

A small word but one that makes all our lives so much easier.

When you trust a specialist to carry out any task the confidence just grows and grows. That’s why Strata have build a reputation designed to take away the hassle factor of any project, large or small.

Strata’s accreditation to Chas, Constructionline and to BSI for the survey and installation shows that getting right first time is exactly what the company is about.

Be inspired.

Based on Festival Park, Stoke on Trent, Strata’s showrooms house all the product displays, including commercial products that your clients would need to view. Having just completed two state of the art Orangery displays, customers cannot fail to be impressed with the potential improvements they are planning.

All the showrooms are manned by experienced staff who will guide clients through the planning and design process.

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UKC HOUSING

Ouseburn Valley

42 new apartments

Construction is well underway on a new housing scheme that will see the first new homes built in the heart of the Ouseburn Valley in more than 50 years.

The £6M project, commissioned by Tyne Housing Association, will create 42 new one-bedroom apartments at the site on Foundry Lane, and will support 40 jobs until it is completed.

Tyne Housing Association Ltd provides supported housing and day services for vulnerable and isolated people via its subsidiary companies; Byker Bridge Housing and Support Ltd, Under the Bridge Ltd and Ouseburn Farm Ltd. The Group provides services throughout all the local authority areas on Tyneside, as well as in Northumberland.

Overlooking the Ouseburn Farm, the new homes, delivered by integrated infrastructure, support services and construction group Robertson, will provide social housing for vulnerable

people in the heart of Newcastle.

Robertson and Anthony Keith Architects have been working closely with English Heritage on plans for the development, which is being built on the site of a section of Hadrian’s Wall.

Once completed, the apartments will form an L-shaped building that sympathetically straddles the Roman wall.

Complete with a roof garden providing residents with outdoor space and enviable views of the area, the development will also feature mural depictions of the site’s Roman history.

Martin Westgate, Business Development Director for Robertson in the North of England, said: “With a strong track record in successfully delivering social housing projects, Robertson is pleased to have been appointed as the Main Contractor for the Ouseburn Valley scheme.

“Working closely with Tyne Housing Association and the Architects, we are

Steel Building Solutions Think it. Design it. Kingbuild it.

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The Kingbuild System (KBS) is the result of a development process driven by market demand.

The outcome is a panelised load bearing steel frame system together with insulation, that integrates with concrete or steel joisted floors, timber truss, concrete or steel joisted roofs and a range of cladding types to complement a wide variety of architectural contexts.

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confident in our ability to deliver homes that not only meet the needs of future residents, but are also sensitive to the historic significance of the site.”

Geoff Cook, Chair of Tyne Housing Association, which also runs the Ouseburn Farm, said: “We are extremely excited and proud of this development. We are already a landlord in the valley and contribute to the valley’s unique and vibrant cultural side through Ouseburn Farm.

“These apartments will not only help bring a greater sense of community to the area but will also provide the city with additional, much-needed social housing.”

Tony Keith, of Anthony Keith Architects, said: “The site, with its dramatic backdrop of the Ouseburn bridges, faces south and west, giving us the opportunity to create apartments with panoramic views over the valley and city.”

The project started in June 2013 and will be complete in August 2014.

LEISURE UKC

Pitch perfect

New artificial sports pitch for Blackburn Rovers

Rovers officials hope to have opened the doors to an influx of future first team talent after unveiling a new state-of-the-art facility at the club’s Senior Training Centre.

The all-weather artificial pitch, which is located at the entrance to Brockhall Village, has been officially opened and is set to play a major role in the development of Rovers’ rising stars.

The 3G synthetic surface, which comes complete with a ball-stop fence, spectator area and floodlights, will be a great asset to the Academy, as it will create extra contact time with the club’s young players.

It will also help in Rovers’ quest to secure Category 1 status, as this is one of the mandatory requirements in the new Elite Player Performance Plan that has been put in place by the Premier League.

Rovers’ Academy Manager Phil Cannon said: “When I first came to the club I asked what the biggest need was and I was told an artificial pitch, so I said let’s work towards that and I was told that we wouldn’t get it. But fair play to the owners, they have invested heavily in the Academy, for the future of the club, so let’s hope that it bears fruit with more players coming through.

“The aim is for us to use it 24-7.

With the new categorisation of the Academies, they are asking us to get kids out of school from the age of nine right through, so without this facility, especially if we have poor weather, they wouldn’t have anything to do all day.

“The more minutes you get with the boys, the better the players will be. You aren’t going to get a bad bounce on this surface, it is going to be consistent and that will give the boys confidence at an early age

on their technique. Being able to play football on a surface like this will allow us to produce technically better players.”

Rovers’ Head Groundsman Steve Patrick said: “I’m very proud. There’s a lot of hard work gone into it, in inclement weather conditions as everybody knows, but it has been achieved and full credit to the lads involved. It has been a team effort and we have all done really well.

“It is the latest technology, it is the nearest you can get to turf, we can use it all the time and hopefully we’ll be producing one or two lads that will help pay for it. It is a massive step forward for us.”

Rovers’ Managing Director Derek Shaw added: “It is a wonderful facility, which will be very important for the football club and the Academy, and our plans to get Category 1 status in the

EPPP. All credit must go to the owners for funding this project. Without their investment we wouldn’t have this.”

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UKC EDUCATION

Lancaster University

Bowland Tower refurbishment Lancaster University is an internationally highly-ranked leader in the provision of inspiring teaching and research.

Located on a beautiful campus in the North West of England, the University places great emphasis on a strong student experience and employability and gives students access to academics who are experts in their field.

The Lancaster University campus occupies a beautiful 360 acre parkland site at Bailrigg, just three miles from Lancaster City Centre. Built between 1965 and 1970, the campus was developed on a greenfield site after originally utilising buildings in the city and housing many students in Morecambe.

One of Lancaster University’s most distinctive and original buildings has benefited from a complete makeover, worth approximately £4M. Bowland Tower is located at the heart of Lancaster University’s campus and is well recognised as part of the university’s architecture.

Standing 14-storeys high, the upper floors give spectacular views over both Morecambe Bay and the surrounding fells.

Opened in 1968, this striking feature has seen the refurbishment of accommodation within the tower and the south and east wings of the connected buildings, both of which are two-storeys.

Work comprised a full strip out of existing windows, fixtures, fittings and services, as well as removal of asbestos.

External work included a full repointing of the brickwork, recovering to the tower and wing roofs, tiling of balconies, new glazing and handrails, while internally all rooms are fitted out with flooring, furniture and decorated.

Whilst A floor will be maintained as entrance and stores, B and C floors will be converted from office to student accommodation, providing shared kitchen, toilet and shower facilities for the flats within Bowland East.

Floors D to O within the tower will be

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adjusted to five bedroom flats, complete with ensuite bathrooms, on each floor and shared kitchen/lounge facilities.

Both floors of Bowland East contain an almost identical layout of one five-person flat and one seven-person flat arranged either side of the existing staircase.

Both floors of Bowland South contain and almost identical layout of two ten-person flats and one six-person flat, served by two existing staircases. The kitchen and washrooms for the six-person flat are within Bowland Tower footprint, although the existing connecting door is to be removed and the corridor opened up to form a complete self-contained flat.

New partition walls and doors will form new shared kitchen, toilet and shower rooms within the flats.

Each bedroom is to receive new built-in desks, wardrobes, and bookcases with maple effect veneer laminated furniture.

The new kitchens will be fitted out with new modern built in cupboards, counters and cooking appliances and sinks, as well as all new loose kitchen appliances and dining furniture.

The accommodation will be available from January 2014.

The building was previously used for student accommodation and offices but has been unoccupied for four years. All works that could disrupt university operations during construction were successfully monitored.

Lancaster based company, Askam Construction, was awarded the contract to refurbish Bowland Tower.

Since its formation in 1986, Askam Construction has grown and changed considerably, now employing more than 100 full-time employees and managing major projects for various blue chip and private clients.

Having initially built an enviable reputation as a civil engineering contractor, the Company has grown and expanded its services to include

industrial and commercial buildings, refurbishment works, design and build in the health, education and leisure sectors.

Managing Director of Askam Construction, John Lowery, commented: “This is great news because by employing a local company like Askam Construction, the University is ensuring that the cash from its projects stay in the area. Every £1,000 the University spends with Askam is used locally to pay staff, local suppliers and subcontractors. That in turn is used to employ local people and buy a high proportion of their supplies in the area. The trickle-down effect means that the same £1,000 (minus the government’s cut) can be spent five of six times in the Lancaster district.”

The Architect for the project was Wilson Mason. Work started in April 2013 and the scheme was completed at the end of the year.

“No leaks, no tiles, no fuss……”

Leading shower cubicle and bathroom pod manufacturer, Taplanes Ltd, provide pre-fabricated solutions to a variety of end users throughout the UK and Ireland.

With a strong client base including Universities, Schools, Hotels and Housing Associations, Taplanes modular showers overcome the inherent problems associated with conventional bathroom areas.

Both one-piece and sectional enclosures are provided by Taplanes. The sectional designs are aimed towards the refurbishment sector allowing the units to be maneuvered into the most restrictive of locations with speed and ease. Alternatively, and if the build process allows, the one-piece pods could be considered.

Durability and speed of installation, together with a guaranteed ‘leak proof’ construction ensures Taplanes are the preferred choice within their chosen sectors.

Additional information about the services and products provided by Taplanes can be found at www.taplanes.co.uk or call Taplanes direct on 01423 771645.

UKC HOUSING

The Romans

Taylor Wimpey development in East Anton

Homebuyers in search of their perfect property in Andover, Hampshire, can see a variety of stunning new showhomes at one of Taylor Wimpey’s latest housing developments.

The Romans at Augusta Park opened in June and showcases no fewer than four beautifully decorated and furnished properties, all displaying a superb range of homes in the latest phase of development at The Romans.

Based in East Anton, The Romans is a great mixture of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

First-time buyers can discover the stylish two-bedroom ‘Canford’ terraced home, while the impressive three-bedroom ‘Fulford’ and ‘Crofton’ properties and the four-bedroom ‘Shelford’ detached home offer a wealth of choices for families.

Tim Betts, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, said that the team of expert interior designers pulled out all the stops to make sure that such fabulous showhomes were ready and impressive ahead of the official opening on 22nd June last year.

He said: “It’s not often that we’ll open four showhomes on the same day but we wanted to give people the chance to experience a flavour of the full range of properties available in the new phase at The Romans – and to discover the Taylor Wimpey home that’s perfect for their needs.”

There are a choice of high quality homes on sale at The Romans at Augusta Park,

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including the two-bedroom ‘Edale’ coach house, priced from just £175,000, threebedroom properties from £200,000 and four-bedroom designs from £300,000.

The Edale is a two-bedroom home that has an open plan kitchen/living room/dining area with French doors to a Juliet balcony.

There is a master bedroom with ensuite facilities and one further double bedroom as well as a master bathroom. Homeowners will also have use of a garage.

The four-bedroom Shelford home is in two-storeys. Downstairs it has a hall that leads to a spacious living room and a private study room, as well as a large kitchen and dining area.

There is also a cloakroom and a rear garden for the house buyer to enjoy.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is ensuite and the other three bedrooms are all of decent size.

The Government’s new Help to Buy scheme is available at the development, which means first-time buyers and those looking to move on from their existing property can secure their new home for 80% of its full price, including a deposit as low as five per cent.

Help to Buy customers benefit from a Government loan of up to 20% which is available on new build properties up to the value of £600,000 and there is no salary cap for purchasers taking advantage of the scheme.

Alternatively, the NewBuy initiative enables credit-worthy homebuyers in a

range of circumstances to access their choice of plots with a 95% mortgage.

Situated just over a mile to the north east of Andover town centre, Augusta Park is part of a major regeneration programme that will bring new schools, colleges, entertainment venues and thousands of new homes to this already wellestablished and bustling Hampshire town.

This is an area with its own rich history.

Andover is the location of major crossing point of two important Roman roads, the Portway from Winchester to Marlborough, and the Icknield Way, which runs past Augusta Park on its way between Salisbury and Silchester.

The actual site of the crossroads is very close to the development, but excavations in 1970, while revealing many Roman remains, failed to find the exact location.

Augusta Park benefits from easy access to many of Andover’s excellent amenities so it’s the perfect location for young professionals and for growing families.

There are primary schools within walking distance, and secondary schools just over a mile away.

Andover Station offers regular services to London Waterloo, with a journey time of just over an hour.

The A303 trunk road connects with the M3 for easy trips to London and the South Coast, making it a great choice for the commuter.

Taylor Wimpey is the Main Contractor for the project, which will be completed next year.

publishing limited

to advertise in this magazine please call

01 257 231900 www.pro-mark.org.uk

Pinnacle Spray Renders Ltd have been a leading render applicator for more than 30 years in the UK. Based in Wimborne, Dorset and with an area office in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire; we operate on a national basis contracted by many of the UK's top housebuilders, commercial developers and self-builders.

The company has built up a successful business as one of the first contractors to introduce to the UK the spray technique of 'Monocouche' or 'single-coat' render. Pinnacle use products and system renders by Weber , Parex and Kilwaughter's K-Rend. Pinnacle is also an approved installer of the Weber.therm XP External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems.

A&B Homes (South) Ltd Brickwork Contractors We are pleased to have worked on another quality development for Taylor Wimpey.

Pinnacle Spray Renders Ltd. Henbury Manor, Henbury Park, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3RL

01258 858147 or 01258 857327 kaye@pinnaclesprayrenders.co.uk www.pinnaclesprayrenders.co.uk

Telephone: 01794 368744 info@AandBHomes.com

AJC

AJC Carpentry Southern Limited

Professional Carpentry Subcontractor providing services to the Construction Industry

Crown House, Studio 6, High Street, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, RG27 8NW Tel: 01252 845467 Fax: 01252 843360 Email: info@ajccarpentry.co.uk Web: www.ajccarpentry.co.uk Company Registration No: 07601716 Vat Registration No: 112 3531 66 CITB Registration No: 4244492

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UKC PROFILE

Castleoak

Specialists at providing care and residential homes Castleoak was established as a family partnership back in 1984 and the first care home was built three years later.

A specialism was gradually developed and since 1996, the Company has worked exclusively in the care sector.

Today, Castleoak is a £60M turnover group comprising: ••Castleoak Care Partnerships (CCP) – the design and build company.

••Castleoak Care Developments (CCD) – the development arm, which provides care operators with the option to buy or leas a brand new, purpose-built care home.

••Castleoak Timber Frame (CTF) – a timber frame design and manufacturing company that works on a solus basis to supply CCP. The Group works across the not-for-profit and commercial sectors and its customers include registered social landlords, charities and independent companies.

Castleoak has considerable experience of strategic reprovisioning, which sees the Group run rolling design and build programmes over several years to replace a region’s outdated care facilities.

This has seen work undertaken on programmes in Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, various London Boroughs, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and a two-year, ten care home externalisation programme is about to begin in Suffolk.

To date, Castleoak has built more than 150 homes, delivering over 9,000 care bed spaces and more

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than 3,000 extra care apartments.

Having worked exclusively in the care sector since 1996, Castleoak understands the challenges it faces, and its commitment to it runs deep.

And, as a commercial organisation working solely in the social care arena, the Group is in the fortunate position of being able to support key sectors bodies and events.

This has included sponsoring the Laing & Buisson annual Extra Care and Long Term Care Conferences for the past seven years, as well as the replacement event for this year, the Social Care Forum 2013.

The National Care Forum’s (NCF) Annual Conference has been sponsored every year since the first one back in 2004 and this year will see Castleoak’s fourth sponsorship of the English Community Care Association’s (ECCA) Annual Conference.

Six years ago, the Group launched its own event, the Innovation Exchange, with the sole aim of gathering together key care professionals to exchange ideas and experience on the key issues facing the sector.

The event in 2011 – positive choice – looked at the very topical issue of the public image of social care and how to make living in a care setting a positive choice for people rather than the option of last resort.

This led directly to the establishment of Your Care Rating, an independent, confidential and standardised annual survey giving residents living within a care home the opportunity to provide views and feedback.

This values-driven organisation has a

strong track record for being a good employer and for having a strong sense of social responsibility.

Castleoak is accredited under Investors in People, including under its Leadership and Management module. The Group has been listed in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For and is rated as ‘one to watch’ in the Best Companies to Work For Survey 2013.

The Group provides customers with complete turnkey solutions, working on around 95% of projects right from the feasibility phase to its handover, including the commissioning and registration processes.

In fact, wherever possible, the Group gets involved with a project at the earliest stage so that, alongside its customers, Castleoak can plan in detail and minimise risk.

The project is broken down into defined blocks of activity, from initial feasibility through to the post-handover defects period, and a joint set of outcomes and objectives are agreed for each stage, ensuring that these are delivered against customer targets.

Every stage is supported by a dedicated Castleoak team, with one of the Partnership Directors ensuring continuity throughout.

The pre-construction team includes partnership directors, the M&E director and an estimator. Once contracts are signed, the project team comprises a contracts manager, project surveyor, design and build manager, continued page 138 >

M&E project manager, construction manager and finishing manager.

Castleoak is committed to being excellent neighbours at each of its sites, which are all registered under the UK-wide Considerate Constructors Scheme.

This means they are each regularly inspected and scored by an experienced, independent industry professional to assess each teams’ consideration towards the workforce, the environment and the general public.

Finally, the Group’s customer care team takes control during the 12 months post-handover.

Work is ongoing to add to the portfolio of Castleoak care homes. This includes Britten Court Care Home in Lowestoft.

This 80-bed care home and wellbeing centre will be the fourth of ten care homes with wellbeing centres for older people in the Suffolk externalisation programme.

It features ensuite, spacious bedrooms, dining rooms and lounges shared by small numbers of residents, landscaped, secure gardens and sitting out areas, café, hair salon and a cinema.

The new care home for 80 residents will provide residential as well as specialist nursing and dementia care, plus the new wellbeing centre providing day care and services for those still living in their own homes.

The state-of-the-art wellbeing centre will provide a broad range of services and committed teams of carers who will help clients maintain

their interests and independence This design and build project will result while living in their own homes. in a three-storey, 78-bed residential It will be open seven days a week, have and nursing home, and will include day clubs that are fun and informal, staff facilities such as a kitchen and provide specialist care including laundry, as well as a residents’ garden, services for those with dementia and including a dementia activity garden. other progressive illnesses, assisted Work started on this project in April 2013. bathing, activities tailored for each Meanwhile, Castleoak has recently finished individual’s needs and scope for different work on a 90-bed, two-storey care home clinics and therapy sessions to help at Fremantle Court – the fifth development with health, nutrition and mobility. to be backed by the CarePlaces Fund.

Castleoak is committed to keeping site Located in Stoke, the home meets a disruption to neighbours at a minimum. demand in the local area for nursing, Therefore, no construction work will take palliative care and specialist dementia place on Sunday, noise disruption will support, with landscaped grounds, be controlled, vehicles will only access courtyard gardens, residential the site during normal working hours allotments and individual patio areas. and will never park on the street.

Work started in July 2013 and will be complete in summer 2014.

In addition, Castleoak is undertaking a project for Bupa Care Home Ltd at the former Heol Don Resource Engineering your project’s future Centre for the Elderly in Whitchurch.

Four-M Development Services Limited The site was vacant c/o Hammond Architectural Services Melrose Court, Melrose Hall, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0EG after the council resource centre Tel. 02920 776900 Email: info@fourm-ltd.co.uk was demolished in 2010.

Ilec & Imec Building Services We are one of the UK’s leading mechanical, electrical and building services contractors. Thanks to the passion and commitment of our team we have, over the past 15 years, grown into a major player in the industry. Our services include: Electrical: Our qualified and experienced workforce delivers high quality workmanship for all our electrical services including: • Lighting and emergency lighting systems • Thermarestor fire prevention (www.indumission.co.uk) • Lighting control systems • Fire alarm and call assistance systems • Mains distribution • High and low voltage systems • Lightning protection • Telecoms • Audio Visual Systems • CCTV systems • Voice / data cabling & infrastructure • External and facade lighting • Access and security systems • Fixed wiring inspection and testing Mechanical: Our qualified and experienced workforce delivers high quality workmanship for all our mechanical engineering projects undertaking the following services: • Air conditioning • Air source heat pump systems • Chilled water system • C.H.P installations • Design and build installations • Energy recovery systems • Gas services (domestic and commercial) • Ground source renewables • Heating (domestic and commercial) • Rainwater systems • Sanitary ware and water services installation • Soil and waste water systems • Solar thermal installations • Ventilation (domestic and commercial) Contact details: Apson House, 3 Manchester Park, Tewkesbury Road, Gloucestershire GL51 9EJ Tel: 01242 518026 Email: info@ilec-imec.com

www.ilec-imec.com 138

Crosskeys Structures has been a successful civil engineering company since 2009.

Our projects

Below is a small selection of our recent works carried out.

We are steadily building a larger client base as word spreads of our reputation. Our company started with a turnover of £350k in year one, in year 2 a turnover of 1.5 million, we predicted year 3 would yield a turnover of 2 million but this was exceeded due to demand by 0.5 million.

We specialise in shuttering, steel and concrete works and, during year 2, developed a specialist arm in insitu concrete laser floors. At the start of year 3, we have moved extensively into groundworks and demolition, both of which are working extremely well and giving our client the option of putting demolition, groundworks and all RC works under one roof. This means fewer orders, far less risk due to crossovers in trades, and more importantly, a better buying margin for you using economies of scale.

Some of our clients include: • • • • • • • • • • • •

R.K Civil Engineering Ltd Carmac Buckingham Group Contracting CK Services Ltd Volker Fitzpatrick (Joint venture with CK Services) Breheny Civil Engineering Costains Wilmott Dixon (Joint Venture with John Construction Services) John Sisk & Son Sisk Rail JBS Roofing Caddick Construction

Silverstone Buckinghams gave Crosskeys Structures work at the Silverstone Campsite to get it ready for The Formula 1.

It included Construction of a haul road, RC concrete yard slabs, drainage diversions and land drainage.

All of our workers have CSCS cards, 70% holding PTS tickets, Confined Space tickets, COSS tickets, IPAF tickets, Forklift Drivers, Dumper tickets, etc. All workforce on site hold the relevant tickets and receive regular training and refresher courses to ensure the work is carried out in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations.

We issue method statements and risk assessments at the start of every job we do.

Examples of these can be given on request; our health and safety policies and environmental policies are also available upon request.

Our health and safety record is exceptional and we are very conscious that all of our workforce wear the appropriate PPE and supply them with new items on a regular basis.

We would comfortably take on contracts valuing from £5k to £1.5million

Carlsberg Brewery In May 2012, we were given Groundworks and RC Works to new factory in Northampton. The site was falling behind with the subcontractor originally on site so Caddicks called Crosskeys Structures in to help bring the works back on programme. Our works often got extended and we often returned to site to help the client out further.

• Formwork • Civil Engineering • Labour Supply Crosskeys Structures Ltd Unit 125 - K2 House, Heathfield Way, Dallington, Northampton NN5 7QP Tel: 01604 754846 Fax: 01604 754847 Mobile: 07872 906691 Email: info@crosskeysstructures.com

www.crosskeysstructures.com

Pilz Automations Ltd During construction of a new Warehouse and Office, Crosskeys Structures were given all Groundworks along with Foundations, Drainage, Services, Tarmac Surfacing, External Works and RC Ground Floor Slab.

Work started in June 2012 and was completed 4 weeks ahead of schedule.

UKC HOUSING

Thomas Jones and Sons: Quality where it counts

Lisroan, Frodsham

For over 75 years, Thomas Jones and Sons has been a reliable and respected name among house builders in the North West Family run, with family values, the Company builds homes that people love to live in. Great locations, packed with character and beautifully finished, you can tell the difference as soon as you walk in.

Founded in 1934, Thomas Jones and Sons has been a successful family builder for four generations. The Company’s core values remain the same. In good times and bad, from the depths of the Great Depression, to the run away boom of recent years, Thomas Jones and Sons has continued to build high quality homes which represent value for money. Since the NHBC began, Thomas Jones and Sons has always maintained the A1 rating, so when people are choosing a new home, they can choose a name they can trust.

The Company has always maintained a trusted and solid reputation in the acquisition of land. As a well funded, privately owned company, Thomas Jones and Sons can purchase sites quickly. As planning legislation continues to become more complex, the Company has been successful at securing the most viable planning consents - essential in achieving the best outcome for landowners.

Whether the site is greenfield or brownfield, with or without planning, Thomas Jones and Sons has the ability and commitment to deliver a successful outcome.

Unlike some of the larger volume house builders, Thomas Jones and Sons has the ability to keep the very ‘closest eye’ on every detail so that each new home is as well built as the last.

Lisroan is a new development by Thomas Jones and Sons, based in Frodsham. This select development comprises just ten three-bedroom homes close to Frodsham town centre.

The historic town of Frodsham has always been a desirable place to live.

Alongside the thriving outdoor market

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the town is well served by both national over the main bath in the main bathroom and independent retailers. There are and heated chrome towel warmers. also bustling pubs and restaurants whilst Super efficient gas fired central heating those looking for the open air can enjoy system with combi boiler and separate direct access onto the Sandstone Trail. zone controls place the development firmly With a main line rail station and the in the eco zone, with a super insulated loft M56 just minutes away, the town and thermostatic valves to all radiators. boasts excellent transport links. Add to Small touches like square chamfered this renowned primary and secondary spindles to staircases and white torus schools plus the new state-of-theskirting and architrave throughout art Frodsham Medical Practice and highlight the quality of build. everything is on hand for modern life.

Other recent developments by the As with all Thomas Jones and Sons Company include: Pool Bank Farm in homes, the finest workmanship and Lymm, an exclusive development of just quality materials have been used to eight three-bedroom semi detached homes create the development. Generous located in an idyllic rural setting and Manse specification and meticulous design make House, a select development of six luxury for a comfortable and spacious interior, two-bedroom apartments in the most while high standard fixtures and fittings sought after area of the Heatons, Heaton are used to create a home that is safe, Moor. Manse House is perfectly situated in secure and perfectly suited to its owner. this vibrant and stylish area, within the quiet Homes at Lisroan boast large kitchen and leafy Conservation Area of Parsonage diners, with beautifully proportioned Road, yet just a short stroll to the village bedrooms, with the master suite benefitting centre and all the facilities on offer. from ensuite facilities. Spacious lounges While forthcoming developments will can be found on the ground floor, together see the creation of 12 three-bedroom with a cloakroom, while a family bathroom homes at Village Farm in Daresbury and a completes the space on the first floor. select development of 18 two- and threeThe internal specification is quite high, bedroom homes at Remer Street, Crewe. with designer kitchen cabinets and worktops found in the kitchens, with stainless steel gas hob and electric oven SLATING AND FLAT ROOFING SPECIALISTS complementing the room. A choice of FULLY INSURED ALL WORK GUARANTEED AND wall and floor tiling CARRIED OUT BY SKILLED CITB TRADESMEN is provided to the buyer. Bathrooms All Types of Leadwork - Fascia Boarding - Plastic Cladding are also of high Chimney Repairs - Over 35 Years Experience standard, with No Job Too Small - Insurance Work white designer bathroom suite 60 WEAVER ROAD, NANTWICH, CW5 5NP with chrome taps and fittings, TEL: 01270 620216 MOBILE: 07973 445234 plus shower and glass panel

T & D Roofing (CHESHIRE) Ltd

axelmayer@btinternet.com We offer a full supply and fix service to builders, shopfitters etc. Recent and current projects include William Hill, new build’s and Costa Coffee.

We work alongside the builders in choosing both wall and floor tiles to achieve the desired finish, bringing different ideas and options to gain aesthetically pleasing results for the client.

A N Hobson Electrical, the first choice in electrics, fire alarms and lighting systems

Electrical, lighting and fire safety services throughout Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, Crewe and Nantwich

A N Hobson Electrical is a professional business with many years' experience in electrical installation. We serve commercial and domestic customers with a number of varying requirements. We have an excellent reputation in the industry for being reliable and professional with a team of qualified and knowledgeable electrical engineers.

Our domestic electricians and commercial electrical contractors are all TrustMark and ECA approved and have a vast range of experience in all areas of electrical work.

We can handle new build electrical wiring installations, home rewiring, distribution of boards and fuse boxes, garden sockets and lighting, installing extra sockets and switches in rooms, electrical appliances, security systems and also electrical checks.

At A N Hobson Electrical, we are electrical specialists. Our qualified electricians offer a range of services for every type of building, from homes to office building and industrial premises. For total building protection, we also offer a range of fire safety services including fire alarm installation, testing and repair.

A N Hobson Electrical Unit 57/58 Shelton Enterprise Centre, Bedford Street, Shelton, Stoke On Trent ST1 4PZ Tel:+44 (0) 1782 410 780 Mobile: +44 (0) 7836 602170 Email: andy@hobsonelectrical.co.uk or aimee@hobsonelectrical.co.uk www.anhobsonelectrical.co.uk

For our commercial clients, who work in any number of settings from offices to shops and anything in between, we can offer full and partial electrical installations, fault locating, general electrical installation and maintenance, emergency lighting installation, office lighting, and rewires.

We are experts in energy efficient lighting and can design and install any number of lighting requirements for you, to help save you money on your energy bills. We can also help you with your regular inspection reports and conduct PAT testing on your behalf. Leaving this to us means that you can get on with your business without any worry, knowing that your electrical systems are 100% safe and reliable.

We run a fire alarm service which includes commissioning, installing and maintaining fire alarm systems for homes and commercial buildings. We work with our clients to ensure electrical systems are updated and maintained to the highest standard.

You will find all of our free estimates to be reasonable and competitive, offering great value for money. This is the reason many of our clients come back to us time after time for any of their electrical needs, including electrical advice and guidance.

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UKC PROFILE

CONSTRUCT

For the benefit of all its members Registered as a Company in 1994, CONSTRUCT is a trade association for subcontractors working in the concrete frame industry. It consists of 29 contractors, 45 supplier members and ten clients and engineers. The supplier members are drawn from the concrete industry, the formwork industry, the material supply industry and the fixing industry. With a very significant percentage of all major concrete frame contractors working among its members, suppliers have opportunities not just to network with, but to work closely with those contractors who are clients. Sitting alongside those contractor clients means all suppliers are at the forefront line in understanding the specific challenges and opportunities that exist for product and material development in line with changing regulations.

Operating from one office in Camberley, the four main areas on which the Association focuses are to help members in health, safety and environmental performance; to look at training needs and the provision of competent training; to work at the promotion and further use of concrete and concrete processes, and by looking at fair trading conditions. Its Council of elected members meets quarterly.

Strategy meetings plan ahead and set out targets and objectives, while subcommittees work tirelessly in members’ interests to turn that vision into a reality.

Companies applying for membership are required to provide a completed application form and all other supporting documents and information requested by the Membership Committee, according to the membership category being applied for.

Specialist concrete frame contractors have to be active in concrete frame construction, be able to demonstrate that concrete frame construction is a core activity, demonstrate that industry performance standards can be achieved contractors also have to prove they are financially stable.

All prospective contractors must have

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a health and safety policy, conform to acceptable industry employment practices, provide relevant references relating to concrete frame construction, and be capable of providing labour, materials and plant as a minimum.

Wherever appropriate, CONSTRUCT acts as the face of its membership, positively representing the industry with a united voice to the benefit of all. As a respected and recognised voice in the industry, it is represented on the board and committees of the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) which assists the Association in lobbying both clients and government.

Within the Association there is an Executive Secretary, a Training Manager, a Health, Safety and Environmental Manager and a personal assistant. There are various committees made up staff from member companies. These members employ somewhere around 7,000 workers with a turnover of £1Bn. (Neither figure includes the non-contractor members).

CONSTRUCT exists for the benefit of its members. As an organisation, it is positioned to directly and specifically improve the concrete frames and structures industry, to constantly evaluate and respond to industry needs, and to influence developments in speed and economy.

Initially the membership did not extend to suppliers or other stakeholders, but to be a true and representative voice to the industry, CONSTRUCT recognised that all players needed to collaborate.

CONSTRUCT is keen to involve all stakeholders by working in partnership with designers, architects and other consultants who have an interest in the specialist field of concrete structures. By getting involved with CONSTRUCT and its committees, consultants get direct access to all leading contractors, suppliers and problem solvers. Developing close relationships with contractors can only help to ensure construction and logistic

issues are resolved as early as possible and the expectations of clients are realised as painlessly as possible. Since the supplier members represent every part of the concrete frame supply chain, they are invited onto the CONSTRUCT council and into every committee.

The health and wellbeing of the workforce is the Association’s number one priority.

The vision is one of workplaces that are incident and injury-free, where everyone returns home safely. CONSTRUCT works with designers, clients and other stakeholders to achieve that goal. CONSTRUCT’S health and safety committee meets quarterly to share best practice, to learn from incidents and to work together across the industry to produce publications and policies that are better for all. External organisations and other stakeholders within construction are also invited by the committee to present and share their views, and such an honest and open forum has resulted in substantial collaborative improvement.

During 2013, six interactive DVDs have been produced focussing on Behavioural Safety. These are available with training packs and credit card sized checklists.

In addition, CONSTRUCT has developed an extensive list of publications that are free of charge for all members, who are actively encouraged to share knowledge, experience and best practice. Environmental support is an important associated area in which the Association is actively working, and all members are assisted in remaining environmentally compliant through: ••Sharing of best-practice concerning environmental issues in the concrete structures arena.

••Availability of environmental plan templates and supporting documents.

••Access to consultancy support and advice.

The project to develop the EnviroWeb, continued page 146 >

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Backed up by a product range including many unique innovations and enhancements, substantial stock holding and a customer focused branch network across the UK, RMD Kwikform will provide you with the most cost effective solution possible.

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ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 14001

structures

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As a major supplier to the construction industry, we are always developing, researching and improving our innovative system solutions for the concrete and brick/ blockwork sectors. Our aims are to provide high quality, easy-to-install products and invest heavily in technical research and product development.

Schöck's core competencies lie in providing tried and trusted solutions for applications such as thermal energy insulation, noise suppression and new building protection, through the installation of our Isokorb®, Novomur® and Tronsole® ranges. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our products and redefine technical boundaries. In the field of reinforcement technology Schöck are well on the way to adding new core competencies with the anti-punching shear Bole® system and the Schöck Dowel.

detailed consulting, engineering and design services and on-site support to our local clients.

We also place a very high value on customer support and offer a totally comprehensive information service which includes: planning, in-house training, seminars, measurement programs, comprehensive technical details and what's more, your area co-ordinator can arrange the technical backup necessary to help you construct simply better buildings... with simply better construction methods.

Solutions

Service

Committed to the axiom "Partnership and Progress", Schöck Ltd. customises and sells the products of the German parent company directly to the UK construction industry. We provide

Our advisory team is ready to help you to get the most out of our comprehensive service back up. So whether by post, phone, fax or e-mail - contact us directly for advice.

If you have questions about CPD seminars, proposals or ordering please give us a call.

Schöck has grown to become Europe's leading supplier of innovative thermal insulation, noise impact suppression and reinforcement technology solutions to the construction industry.

Although the Isokorb® thermal break is currently the major Schöck product range in the UK, the company is also one of Europe's leading suppliers of innovative noise impact suppression and reinforcement technology. Manufacturing remains at the main plant in Baden-Baden, southern Germany, but Schöck has a strong presence in the UK, with an established sales, marketing and technical support operation based in Oxford.

which is now part of CONSTRUCT’s website, has been completed. CITB has recognised the development and accomplishment made by awarding CONSTRUCT a certificate of achievement.

The website provides a service enabling members to gain valuable knowledge and insight concerning environmental issues.

As one of the four strategic areas, training provision and setting out of best practice is extremely important. As the central hub of knowledge for the whole concrete structures industry, CONSTRUCT and its members are committed to leading the way in the provision of world-class training in construction at all levels. This commitment continually expands, with new courses being added, to transfer the knowledge that is critical to the ongoing development of the industry and the individuals operating within it. The priorities are to discuss and pursue good practice; to identify shortfalls in training and the provision of training; to understand and communicate the availability of grants and funding, and to promote apprenticeships and qualifications.

This includes an apprenticeship scheme for formwork carpenters who make up the teams that create and fix the forms that will hold the concrete in place when it is first poured. All programmes start with a significant period of time spent at the National Construction College in Norfolk. This gives grounding in any one chosen occupation so that apprentices can contribute safely and productively when they first go onto a construction site. The programme includes taking a health and safety test, gaining a trainee CSCS card and, where necessary, improving literacy, numeracy and IT skills. The remainder of the apprenticeship is a mixture of onsite experience and a number of block release sessions, which are two or three weeks in duration and assist in leading to the appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and an Apprenticeship Diploma. While working on site, each

146

apprentice is supported by a company mentor and a Construction Skills Apprentice Officer who helps each apprentice gain the right experience and skills, as well as monitor their progress. In total, over the two-year period, apprentices will spend at least 13 weeks at the College with all periods being residential, though with the option to travel home at weekends. Every year there is an awards ceremony attended by senior CITB officials, employers, apprentices, parents and families. Awards are presented for effort as well as ability in all the training areas. People wishing to become general construction operatives can also make the scheme. The general construction operative, also known as a ground worker, has to be able to work at many tasks, including helping to lay concrete, drains, kerbs and paving. As part of the CONSTRUCT Apprenticeship Agreement, everybody will be expected to work for a minimum of a year for their sponsoring company following the completion of the apprenticeship.

CONSTRUCT organises training schemes covering everything from NVQs to the latest UKCG requirements such as Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS). It is wide-ranging and it covers the operative level up to director level.

The latest scheme (SEATS) requires environmental testing or environmental competency, which are both related to this particular industry. CONSTRUCT has written a bespoke one day course entitled “Major Safety Incidents and You” designed for site supervisors and managers.

Through combined buying power and broader data collection capability, CONSTRUCT is able to promise greater value and efficiency to its members.

The full-time Training Manager ensures that members have access to all the training they need. This has led to focus on a number of key areas, including: ••Provision of short-term training and support at all levels.

••Overcoming and rebalancing the obstacle of funding for training, to increase the benefit members receive from the CITB ••in 2013, the £125,000 of grant income that was issued to CONSTRUCT to fund specific projects and training provision was used to directly benefit members.

••Improving and increasing the recruitment of suitable apprentices, including working with schools, technical colleges and ex-offenders.

••Increasing grant claims and income for short-term training courses.

This has led to an extra 2340 days of training via training plans and seen grant income increase by over £430,000 under a pilot scheme being undertaken with NSCC and CITB. ••Ensure that training and apprenticeships meet the needs of CONSTRUCT members by actively change the content and curriculum where necessary by liaising directly with the CITB. ••Consultation with and representation on bodies such as CITB, CSCS, and NSCC. CONSTRUCT’S training committee draws on the knowledge and skills of all members as well as external expertise to guarantee that the development in the area is second to none.

The Association is active and respected within the construction industry as a whole. This includes working with all the main players in concrete including The Concrete Society and The Concrete Centre, as well as a number of research and academic institutions such as British Research Establishment (BRE) and the Construction Skills National College.

CONSTRUCT liaises directly with individual members and the membership to understand the needs of the whole industry so that their needs are communicated to influence research. Design issues are important to members and as such work is underway to improve mandatory design standards. Materials such as concrete continued page 148 >

and system formwork are currently being reviewed in co-operation with BRMCA and the Formwork Suppliers Group.

Fair trade is another of the important areas in which CONSTRUCT is engaged.

CONSTRUCT wants to actively engage with clients, designers and stakeholders to allow a better understanding of the value that its members can bring to the sector through early engagement and the establishment of a fairer trading environment. As well as improving trading policies for all, fair trade also means that everyone has the same power and ability to do things regardless of size.

It is very important to the Association that the membership is wholly inclusive and fair trade is one area where it can be ensured so that smaller businesses within the Association do not feel pushed out or left out by the bigger firms. If one operation is every bit as good as, or better than, a larger player, the Association

sees no reason why the playing field should not be level. Among members, the scale of operation may be different, but the ability to deliver a high quality product and service remains the same.

This level of care and attention for all members has helped some of them to win many awards in the past. The Shard, Glasgow Southern General Hospital and the School of Art at Manchester metropolitan University have all recently won awards as outstanding examples of excellent concrete frame buildings. Another great testimonial for the Association was the work many of its members did on all the 2012 Olympics.

These included the stadia and the housing development at the Olympic Village.

CONSTRUCT also runs its own four awards recognising excellence with the industry. Two are related to innovation: Innovation for Design and Process; Innovation in Materials; the third is for Health and Safety initiatives and the fourth

is an Apprentice of the Year Award.

Going forward, there are many issues still to tackle. These include shared apprentices; improved and relevant training; fair trading as payment terms and retentions drift away. Companies still have to take work that is returning a very low margin, despite the fact it could mean not being paid for half a year. The Association is also working with NSCC on the whole area of the competency card scheme, which has a number of shortcomings that will hopefully be changed. The increasing use of cement substitutes, the regular supply of high strength and self-compacting concrete are all topics which CONSTRUCT has to challenge.

CONSTRUCT, Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park, Station Approach, Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 9AB Tel: 01276 38444 www.construct.org.uk

CCL SPECIALIST SOLUTIONS • POST-TENSIONING • PRE-TENSIONING SYSTEMS • REPAIR AND STRENGTHENING • ENGINEERING SERVICES • BRIDGE BEARINGS

www.cclint.com

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COMMUNITY UKC

Durham Police Head Quarters New building for Durham constabulary The construction of a new multimillion police headquarters is making good progress in Durham.

Situated at Aykley Heads for the Durham Constabulary, the new Head Quarters facility is being developed for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham.

Work was only allowed to go ahead on the scheme after a deal was reached over the welfare of protected newts spotted nearby.

The long-awaited new Head Quarters was delayed by several months after great crested newts, one of the most heavily protected creatures in the UK, were found hundreds of yards off site.

Natural England, the guardian of the country’s natural environment, was initially unconvinced by police analysis of the colony and refused a great crested newt development licence.

However, February saw a licence granted.

A spokesperson said: “It’s good news for the police, who will get a new Head Quarters development and it’s good news for the newts in the long-term too.”

Work was required because the current Head Quarters, which is also in Aykley Heads, is costly to maintain, needs repairs and is no longer fit for purpose. Its replacement will be much cheaper to run.

A special newt fence will be erected to stop the amphibians moving onto the building site. Temporary amphibian fencing consists of low-level plastic sheeting, buried into the ground and supported by posts.

Comprising three-storeys, the development will also boast a single-storey ancillary area on land that used to be occupied by sports pitches. Before work could commence, an adjacent former sports hall also had to be demolished.

Designed by Ryder (Architecture Design and Management), the development is situated close to Rivergreen Centre, Sunderland and Marine Insurance, and Durham City Hall, and is also just over two miles away from Durham Cathedral in Durham City, which is a world heritage site.

Internally, there will be office facilities over three floors with a distinctive central atrium.

It will include a café, changing rooms, lockers, communications facility, reception, and has been designed to be open plan.

Being built by Kier Construction, the Head Quarters will feature a concrete frame with post tensioned concrete floors, curtain wall composition, and a flat liquid membrane roof that is over clad with insulation and paving flags.

Externally there will be glazing, brise soleil and rain screen cladding.

Windows will be double-glazed, comprising four panels with two automatic opening lights at high and mid level. They will be aluminium framed with an external glazing factor of 0.39 at the most, and a minimum glazing light transmission of 0.71.

Sustainability will be catered for in the way of solar hot water panels, photovoltaic and an air source heat pump.

The building will fully meet Part M of the building regulations, and will have two lifts within the Head Quarters.

CCTV and access control security will be used throughout, while

all areas will have alarms and fire detection.

Car parking facilities will be available and external landscaping will create a memorial garden.

Work started in the spring of 2013 and will be completed in summer 2014, ready for the opening in autumn.

The cost of the development is £14M.

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UKC PROFILE

SAEMA

Installed façade access equipment industry The Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association (SAEMA) has over 40 years of experience in representing the UK’s permanent and temporary suspended access industry.

Members are divided up into two categories, representing: ••The permanently installed façade access system industry and they can b e involved in the design, manufacture, installation and ongoing maintenance of the façade access system equipment.

••The temporary installed façade access systems where the member installs a system for a specific task to be carried out and then removes the equipment from site once the work is completed.

It was formed in 1973 by the companies who specialised in the provision of suspended access systems and has the ultimate aim of providing safe places of work for operatives carrying out work at height from the equipment of suspended access systems.

SAEMA encourages developers, architects and contractors to engage with member companies in the early stages of building design.

It acts in the clients’ common interests in all matters concerning the business of design, manufacture, installation, maintenance and testing of façade access equipment and systems.

Later engagement with specialist contractors results in the loss of opportunity to employ industry products with many years’ research and development behind them. Major projects continue to demand ever more complex suspended access solutions with unique specifications.

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Suspended access systems produced on that work will be carried out by experienced a project by project basis run a BS8560, and trained personnel, adequate insurance the new standard and guidance document will be in place, the service provided for ‘Designing for Working at Height’, will be clean and cost effective and which was published in 2013 and provides there will be supervision at all times. guidance for designers in one document.

Instruction on the correct use of the It focuses on the post construction phase façade access system will be given, as and the need to plan early in the design will advice on the ongoing maintenance phase for working at height requirements. and testing of the equipment needed Following a two-year discussion to undertake particular work. with Construction Skills, the National Just as importantly, all members agree to Construction College delivered a abide by the SAEMA Code of Conduct, SAEMA ‘Testing, Inspection & Thorough which makes safety and quality paramount Examination’ three-day training course in the provision of façade access systems. in March 2013. It was also reviewed The Association is also developing the

by Construction Skills for possible relevant British and European Safety endorsement as an NVQ module.

Standard, which govern the niche industry The development of SAEMA suspended that the membership works within. access ‘Duty Holder’ and ‘Operator’ training This will undoubtedly benefit a whole has continued to progress. The content host of people for years to come. of both training formats has benefited from HSE consultation and comment, www.SAEMA.org plus support from the AIF and its membership.

Monthly technical meetings are held at hired rooms and there are 26 members who represent 80% of CoxGomyl was formed and incorporated in 2008 by the merger of E.W. Cox, Cradle the Permanently Runways and GomyL s.a. CoxGomyl is now the worldwide leader in facade access Installed Equipment solutions and railway maintenance equipment.

Market and 60% At CoxGomyl, we cover all aspects of building façade access and we specialise in of the Temporary the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of Building Maintenance Units (widely known as BMUs or Gondolas in Europe & Asia, and Cradles, Scaffolds or Installed Equipment Platforms in North America).

Market.

Anybody choosing 19 Schooner Park, Schooner Court, Crossways Business Park, Dartford, DA2 6NW a SAEMA member Phone: + 44 (0)1322 221414 Email: london@coxgomyl.com can be comfortable Website: www.coxgomyl.com in the knowledge

UKC CIVIL

Flying high

Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and the most efficient single-runway airport in the world.

The airport serves around 200 destinations (more than any other UK airport) in 90 countries for 34M passengers a year on short and long haul point-to-point services.

The airport is also a major economic driver for the South East region, generating around 23,000 on-airport jobs and a further 13,000 jobs through related activities.

London Gatwick is 28 miles south of London with excellent public transport links into the heart of London and elsewhere.

It’s quicker to get from Gatwick to central London than from any other London airport, taking just 28 minutes from the airport direct to the financial district in London or 30 minutes to key tourist attractions.

Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the majority shareholder.

Gatwick became an aerodrome as early as 1930, but the airport we know today opened with just over 186,000 passengers

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passing through in its first year of operation.

Today it’s a different story. The airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and now serves around 34.2M passengers each year.

Gatwick is the world’s busiest single runway airport and the second largest airport in the UK. Around 45 airlines operate form the airport including Air China, Vietnam Airlines, British Airways, easyJet, Norwegian Air, Emirates, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Thomson and Virgin.

Gatwick serves no more than 25% of the London and South East market and it aims to provide services that compete in all sectors of this market.

In addition to the major long haul leisure operations of British Airways and Virgin, Gatwick Airport is now seeing the emergence of long haul services to the Far East, with the arrival of Vietnam Airlines, Air China, Turkish Airlines and Garuda Indonesia. These complement the existing long haul services already provided.

Gatwick has been competing vigorously since the change in ownership in

December 2009, winning new routes to the UK’s key trading partners and providing direct connections between London and high growth economies.

Since 2011, Gatwick attracted new routes to Indonesia, Turkey, Vietnam, China and Russia, and continues to provide connections to closer destinations with new routes to Germany and Iceland recently announced and has seen growth from some of the established carriers already based at the airport.

This December sees London Gatwick celebrate four years as a stand-alone airport, competing head on with Heathrow, Stansted and other major European airports for airlines and passengers.

Some £1Bn has been invested in the airport in order to maintain and improve its position, from modernising the forecourt, check-in and security areas, to overhauling the departure lounges, upgrading the departure gates, runway and immigration halls – the airport has gone through a monumental transformation. continued page 154 >

For more information contact Bob Skrine:

bob.skrine@spie.com www.spieuk.com

Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick’s Chief Executive, said: “Turning round the decades of under-investment in Gatwick, transforming it into a friendly and efficient place to visit, as well as ensuring the airport remains a major international gateway for London and the South East has been my priority over these last four years.

“I would say we are making good headway.

We now have the UK’s only direct link to Vietnam, routes to high growth markets such as China, Russia and Turkey and in 2014 we will fly to Indonesia – countries that some claim can only be connected via a hub airport. This coupled with growing our African and Middle Eastern routes helps make up over 200 destinations that Gatwick connects its passengers with.

“Looking ahead, and as we enter our fifth year as a competing force in the market, my priorities for the airport won’t change.

We will remain focused on delivering high levels of service and affordable prices for our customers, and we will continue to compete for airlines that will help us connect the UK to established and strategic markets. That of course means competing for the UK’s next runway. On that issue, I believe that a second runway at Gatwick is the most deliverable option that will give the UK the economic benefits its needs, at a far lower environmental cost and will ensure affordable fares for the next generation.”

The Capital Investment Programme at Gatwick aims to create a bright, contemporary airport that provides a smooth journey for everyone, and is flexible enough to deal with growing business. Benefits that passengers

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are already enjoying include: ••A quick and convenient connection on an improved shuttle ••A quick and easy access into North Terminal through a new interchange which includes a new forecourt, shuttle station, lifts and escalators ••A stunning extension to North Terminal, including new check-in zones and a new baggage reclaim area While improvements are also being made to help with the daily operations of the airport.

Further investment is being delivered through a new Airfield Operations and Safety Unit, which is relocating the existing AOSU to Stand 169, providing an improved and more efficient facility.

Not only will the development enhance the Airfield Operations Building (AOB) facilities but it will also provide the opportunity to rationalise the facilities and operations of other airside operational functions. These include the relocation of the anti-icing facility, safeguarding for the possible relocation of a future Airfield Ground Lighting department and for a possible future extension of the Airport Fire Service, which is located adjacent to the new building.

The AOB team provide essential services to manage the safe operation of the airfield areas. These functions range from checking the condition of the runway and pavement and managing snow clearance to dealing with any emergencies. The AOB therefore needs to be located in a central accessible airside area with good visibility of the runway and airfield. It needs to accommodate various facilities

including control room, offices, meeting rooms and workshops to lockers, drying rooms and staff welfare facilities. External facilities need to include parking for airside operational vehicles and de-icing vehicles.

The new building provides some 1,280sq m of floor space over a ground and first floors with a second floor control room at the eastern end of the building providing a high level viewing platform across the airport.

The building height and dimensions have been sized to avoid infringing the safeguarded obstacle limitation surfaces from the northern emergency runway and to safeguard lines of sight from the air traffic control tower to the north.

As a prominent airfield building which will provide one of the first impressions visitors have of the airport, careful consideration has been given to its appearance. The use therefore of differing materials is proposed for vertical cladding elements on part of the building which will step outside the norm for an operational building.

Careful consideration has also been given to the environmental performance of the building, with an Air Source Heat Pump system being used alongside conventional gas fired hot water circulation, with insulated wall cladding, plus a rainwater collection system for toilet flushing. Glazing will maximise the use of natural light and reduce dependency on artificial lighting, while internal lighting will comprise energy efficient high frequency fluorescent or LED luminaries with automatic sensors.

The Main Contractor for the development is Vinci.

OLIVER CONNELL & SON LTD

AOB (Airfield Operations Building) Gatwick - Main Contractor Vinci Oliver Connell was founded in 1974 and has continually delivered quality packages in reinforced concrete frames and groundworks on time and to budget.

Our office is situated in the London Borough of Ealing in West London.

We are all committed to delivering the best possible results for our clients without compromising our health & safety policies.

We have airside passes for men and vehicles at Heathrow and Gatwick.

Oliver Connell & Son Ltd. 35 Junction Road, Ealing, London W5 4XP Tel: 020 8568 0001 Fax: 020 8232 8151 Email: info@oliverconnell.com www.oliverconnell.com

UKC LEISURE

Lend Lease

Giving the best performance Since its formation in 1958, Lend Lease has led the way in outstanding performance in the construction industry.

Over 50 years of experience has taken the Company across the globe from Australia to Asia, Europe and the Americas. Lend Lease employs more than 18,000 people around the world and manage an extensive portfolio of assets.

Clients, partners and investors can choose to leverage Lend Lease’s strengths and local expertise at any stage of the property and infrastructure spectrum - from development, investment management, project management & construction, and asset & property management - or partner with the Company right through the complete journey.

There is a flexible and creative capital approach to projects, resulting in superior investment performance.

Using a truly collaborative approach, Lend Lease guides clients and investors beyond just maximising value to innovative, sustainable outcomes.

One such development that Lend Lease is currently involved in is the Royal National Theatre at the Southbank Centre in London. This major redevelopment, named NT Future, will see an overall change for the theatre, both internally and externally.

NT Future is the vision of the National Theatre to improve all of its services. Not

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content with only providing the public with performance space the theatre also provides learning environments, craft workshop areas, project spaces and production offices so that everything from writing plays to performing them can happen under one roof.

Learning spaces for the community, schools and workplaces have been offered by the National Theatre for a number of years but will now be upgraded to allow access for more than 50,000 people every year to engage with the theatres productions, and learn about theatre-making. This will be provided in the theatres first dedicated centre for teaching, the Clore Learning Centre, and replaces the former props workshop which has been relocated. Work on the Clore Learning Centre began in September as part of the Phase A works.

Other Phase A works include the refurbishment of The Cottesloe Theatre, which will be renamed the Dorfman Theatre. These refurbishment works will work towards increasing the capacity, providing more comfortable seating and better sight lines for the audience and a larger foyer space. A new production building, named The Max Rayne Centre, will be built at the rear of the building on Upper Ground and will provide adequate space for the new design studios, work

spaces and modernised facilities for the existing craft workshops and technical departments. The work on the Max Rayne Centre started in May and is progressing well, the facade was installed in November and the building is due to complete early next year. The centre will feature a public viewing platform, under the name of the Sherling HighLevel public walkway and viewing gallery, which will allow visitors to see first hand what it takes to create the scenery and props used during performances.

The development plan includes a Phase B which, should funding targets be met, will provide restaurant, cafe, atrium and bar spaces on the riverside and will open up the main entrance to the Riverfront.

As part of the Phase B works the external landscape will be revitalised, providing green spaces and seating by the river.

A temporary performance space to the front of the theatre has enabled performances to go on and the National Theatre and Lend Lease have worked together to ensure day to day running of the theatre could carry on during the work.

The Architect involved in the design of the development plan was Haworth Tompkins.

It is hoped that the overall development will be completed by the end of 2014.

WE REALIZE DREAMS Founded some 68 years ago in Attnang-Puchheim / Upper Austria as a metalworking company, today GIG is a globally respected and proven competence centre for facade construction and project management. Perfect tailor-made facades in premium quality constitute the trademark of the GIG facade specialists.

Making your dreams come true As a pioneer in the field of flexible, long-term solutions in facade construction, GIG makes dreams come true around the globe by means of its leading know-how and constant innovative strength.

Moreover, for many years the company has made a major contribution to the realization of unique buildings and is regarded in the branch as a reliable and creative partner. Work combining durability and perfect craftsmanship, and highly efficient and economic cooperation with clients and suppliers forms the basis for this mutual confidence.

Internationally successful GIG focuses primarily on markets in Europe, the USA and the

CIS, whereby the export quota amounts to over 80 per cent.

Successful projects around the world and many international awards are visible symbols of GIG’s exceptional performance.

A longterm excellent business relationship with Lend Lease Ltd GIG has been acting on the UK and Irish market for about 25 years. Since these early days we have already been cooperating with Lend Lease Ltd. on a variety of prestiguous projects. As well as being involved with the current façade package at the Royal National Theatre Phases A and B1 in London, GIG has been awarded with many Lend Lease-projects such as MediaCity Plot B4 in Manchester, better known as “Orange”, 10 Brock Street NEQ Regent’s Place London, Riverside House London, New Bond Street London, Horizon Norwich or Microsoft Building 5 in Reading, which are only some of the landmark projects successfully executed with Lend Lease Ltd. For more premium facade references around the globe, please visit us under www.gig.at.

UKC LEISURE

National Trust

New roof for Attingham Park A £1.4M roof restoration at a historic property in Shropshire is well underway.

The two-year scheme will see the roof replaced above the picture gallery at Attingham Park, outside Shrewsbury.

The National Trust, which owns the 18th century property, said it had leaked ever since it was built by Architect John Nash.

Specialists will also be refurbishing glass domes over the grand staircase.

In 1805, Nash was asked to re-model Attingham’s original George Steuart design, to create an exhibition space.

Nash used cast iron to support glazed panels in a bid to increase the amount of light over the picture gallery.

A spokesman said the roof was ‘flashy but flawed’ with bills for damage caused by leaks dating back as early as 1807.

The restoration project will see a new glass roof installed over Nash’s original.

A story of love and neglect lies at the heart of this 18th century mansion and estate.

Attingham Park was built for the 1st Lord Berwick in 1785 and was in continuous ownership by the

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family for more than 160 years.

As their fortunes rose and fell they proved themselves to be spenders, savers and saviours – providing a fascinating story of love and neglect.

There is the atmospheric dining room set for an evening banquet that reflects its Regency splendour, or the delicate decorative scheme in the Boudoir, which has recently been revealed.

The Mansion is at the heart of this great estate between Shrewsbury and the River Severn and is set in beautiful parkland designed to impress.

Home to a wide range of wildlife, the main highlights of the estate include the Deer Park, the walled garden and miles of beautiful walks.

For families, the Shoulder of Mutton play field is the perfect location for picnics, games and running off steam, with natural play equipment and wide-open spaces.

The project is moving on at a pace now and in September lots took place. One of the most exciting things is the discovery that the area underneath the lead over the two

jib staircases is probably original and has revealed the wooden boards and handmade nails that have not been seen for 200 years.

The boards were held in place with handmade iron nails. While this was taking place the outer lantern protecting the stained glass lantern on the Nash staircase was being prepared for removal.

The outer lantern is being removed to allow access to the stained glass lantern below, but also to be refurbished and to have a new layer of opening windows added to the base so access to the stained glass will be less complicated in the future.

Glass was removed carefully before each wrought iron bar was removed and numbered.

All work was done by Barr and Grosvenor who has an iron foundry and are traditional iron-workers. After the lantern was removed, it gave access to the filthy stained glass below.

The glass is now cleaner than it has been for many years. A specialist conservator has been on site to remove the stained glass piece by piece.

It has been cleaned and stored ready for reinstatement after the repairs to the wooden glazing bars have taken place and the new lead has been laid.

In addition, the glass has been tested for composition and age as there is a mystery as to when the stained glass was installed – it was not John Nash’s original lantern.

The stained glass has been removed, cleaned and conserved before being retained after the lead is replaced.

Scaffolding is now completed with the ‘roller blades’, the top of which has a temporary roof and plastic walls to provide a completely dry space for the lead to be removed from the Nash staircase and the jib stair flat roofs.

Once the temporary roof was set up, the construction team could remove the lead to investigate the construction of the Nash staircase dome and lanterns.

The dome itself appears to be made of lath and plaster supported by timber curved beams.

Supporting the lead roof are timber beams and a modern layer of chip board. There are also modern steel universal beams that seem to be providing additional support for the timber joists supporting the lead above.

The modern additions date from the 1970s so the archives are being scoured to find out when exactly the work happened.

The outer lantern covering the inner stained glass has also been looked at in more

detail, as the frame appears to be made from wrought, not cast, iron, but samples have been sent away for analysis. The frame was in a particularly bad condition.

Interestingly, closer analysis revealed that the outer glass was originally curved. It is speculated that the glass was originally in smaller overlapping panels with a scalloped lower edge.

This would have allowed the glass to fit better in the frame; the current ‘flat’ glass sits high above the glazing rebate at the base, whereas curved would have sat better within the rebate.

The project will benefit from the expertise of ST Walker & Duckham – formed in 2000 by the merger of ST Walker & Partners Chartered Architects in Birmingham and David Duckham, Chartered Architects of Worcester.

ST Walker & Partners was established over 50 years ago by Maurice Foreman and ST Walker. David Duckham’s Practice was established in 1990 in succession to one originally established in Worcester in the 1940s by Maurice Jones, Surveyor to the Cathedral.

The Practice operates from a single office near the centre of Worcester and is a RIBA Chartered Practice, which means it operates to the higher than normal standards required by the institute for this system.

The six technical staff are supported by one full-time and three part-time secretaries,

administrators and book keepers.

The Practice is best known for conservation work but also has received awards for high quality new buildings. For many years some of these designs have incorporated features to minimise energy consumption.

The Technology Building at Malvern College – which won a 1993 RIBA award – was an early example of this type of work.

Senior members of staff have extensive experience and extra formal qualifications in conservation work, and the Practice is able to offer the service of CDM Co-ordinators and frequently act in this capacity. David Duckham is qualified in law and in arbitration and works regularly as an expert witness.

The Main Contractor for the project is Norman & Underwood Ltd – set up in Leicester in 1825 by the great grandfather of the current Managing Director and it is one of the oldest family owned companies in the region.

Originally specialising in general plumbing and glazing, the Company has evolved to provide architectural and structural glazing, metal roofing and cladding, and building conservation services including leadwork and stained glass restoration.

The Company also manufactures sand cast sheet lead to traditional methods from the production facility in Leicester.

Work on the project will be complete in May 2014.

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Norman & Underwood A family run business for 188 years Norman & Underwood was founded in Leicester in 1825 by the great grandfather of the current managing director and is one of the oldest family owned companies in the region.

Originally specialising in general plumbing and glazing, the company has evolved to provide architectural and structural glazing, metal roofing and cladding, and building conservation services including leadwork and stained glass restoration. We also manufacture sand cast sheet lead to traditional methods from our production facility in Leicester.

Architectural Roofing Norman & Underwood is one of the UK’s leading roofing contractors, undertaking both new build and restoration projects. Our work crowns a whole range of buildings here and overseas – from corporate headquarters and theatres to cathedrals and churches, private houses or even bus shelters.

Norman & Underwood’s Roofing Division is a specialist contractor for all types of architectural and industrial roofing, structural steelwork and metal roofing projects, including: • sand cast lead (cast and fix) • milled lead sheet roofing • copper roofing • zinc roofing • stainless steel roofing • aluminium roofing • architectural rainwater heads and pipes (lead and cast iron) We can also manufacture and install ornamental rainwater goods including hoppers and downpipes.

With almost two centuries in the trade, Norman & Underwood offers traditional skills and exceptional expertise for roof restoration projects.

We have worked on many of the most important buildings in the UK and internationally, including all the major cathedrals, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace, as well as numerous churches and historic houses.

Our craftsmen still come across major roof works carried out by previous generations of Norman & Underwood staff; both Westminster Abbey and Salisbury Cathedral, for example, have been protected from the elements by our craftsmanship for decades.

Glazing Norman & Underwood is one of the leading independent glazing companies in the UK, operating nationally on small, bespoke installations and multi-million pound contracts.

With more than 180 years’ experience, we have the expertise and resources required for specialist refurbishment projects or major new builds. Working with leading developers, architects and builders, we’ve successfully tackled every type of project from restoring stained glass windows in historic churches to installing curtain walling and glazed roofs in futuristic technology centres. We also provide an emergency and replacement glazing service for local companies.

We were one of the founder members of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and have been fitting glazing systems since they were invented. We can advise on the best systems for any development and are approved installers for Pilkington Planar, Kawneer, Schuco, Metal Technology and other specialist acoustic and fire resistant glazing systems.

Conservation Norman & Underwood Conservation is the latest addition to our expanding group of companies. The division aims to support and strengthen other Group activities while itself becoming a leading contractor for conservation and restoration projects.

The division has a dedicated team of highly skilled, time-served tradesmen, including Stone Masons, Heritage Carpenters, Traditional Lime Plasterers and Bricklayers.

We have many years of experience working on historically important buildings such as churches and cathedrals, castles and stately homes, and can carry out complete packages or restoration work according to a client’s requirement.

Our specialist trades include: • Stone masonry • Stone cleaning – Jos and Doff • Traditional lime plastering • Fibrous plaster works • Heritage carpenters and joiners • Stained glass creation and restoration • Lime washing • Sand cast lead We are members of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Conservation Ltd Architectural Metal Roofing • Leaded Lights • Stonemasonry / Cleaning Heritage Joinery • Decoration • Traditional Lime Plastering Tel: 0116 231 8000 Fax: 0116 231 8005

The Freeschool Building, 170 Scudamore Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 1HP

info@nandu.co.uk www.nandu.co.uk

UKC COMMENT

Sheridan Gold

Named Sub-Contractors and the JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2011 Employers often like to influence what sub-contractors are appointed. This is not surprising with regard to the role that subcontractors play. Also if the project includes specialist works, the employer may have involved a specialist in developing the concept for the project, and the employer may then want the Main Contractor to appoint the specialist to carry out the relevant specialist element of the works.

However, if an employer is going to foist a particular sub-contractor onto a Main Contractor, this does raise an interesting issue as to who should bear the risks arising out of the sub-contract works.

The JCT Intermediate Building Contract 2011 (IC 2011) is one of the few contracts that expressly provides for named sub-contractors, albeit it still leaves a few questions unanswered. I briefly summarise the key points and comment on related documents.

Identification and appointment of a named sub-contractor The named sub-contractor mechanism works in two ways: either (a) the named sub-contractor and the work it will be carrying out is identified at tender stage (clause 3.7); or (b) in instructing the expenditure of a provisional sum (clause 3.13), the contract administrator can require that the work being carried out by a named sub-contractor.

With the former, the contractor has to enter into a sub-contract with the named sub-contractor within 21 days of entering into its contract with the employer. With the latter, the contractor can make a reasonable objection to appointing the named sub-contractor.

Contractor’s liability for the named sub-contractor’s works The contractor is expressly not responsible to the employer for: ••any design or selection of materials and goods undertaken by the named sub-contractor; and ••the satisfaction of any performance specification or requirement for the sub-contract works (paragraph 11, Schedule 2).

The contractor remains responsible for all other aspects of the sub-contract works (paragraph 13, Schedule 2).

Presumably the intention was to have a

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demarcation between design and selection, and workmanship and the supply of materials, with the contractor remaining responsible for the latter, but not the former. However, this is not entirely clear.

Firstly, stating that the contractor will not be responsible for the satisfaction of any performance specification or requirement for the sub-contract works does not limit this exclusion to design or selection issues.

Secondly, it is unclear what the position is if the sub-contract works, and, in turn, the main contract works are delayed or disrupted by design or selection issues or the failure to satisfy any performance requirements. Is the intention that the contractor is entitled to an extension of time and/or otherwise relieved of liability for the delay; and can the contractor recover its own costs? There are no provisions in clauses 2.20 (loss and expense) and 4.17 (extension of time) to this effect. However, paragraph 11 of Schedule 2 does say that the contractor “shall not be responsible to the employer under this contract for anything to which such terms relate”.

Termination and replacement of the named subcontractor (where it was identified at tender stage)

Where the named sub-contractor has to be replaced, the contractor is entitled to an extension of time arising out of this, but not loss and expense.

Following termination the Contract Sum payable to the contractor is adjusted by the difference in the price for completing the sub-contract works, but excluding any amount to be paid to the replacement named sub-contractor for remedying the defective work of the original named sub-contractor (paragraph 8.1, Schedule 2). Therefore the contractor cannot recover the cost of remedying defective work, which is partly consistent with the risk allocation I have outlined above. Although this assumes that such defects are not design defects.

The contractor is obliged to take such reasonable action as is necessary to recover from the original named subcontractor whatever the employer has had to pay to or allow to the contractor as a result of the termination (paragraph 10.2, Schedule 2). Although this does not require the Contractor to commence proceedings.

JCT Intermediate Named Sub-Contractor / Employer Agreement

This is a direct agreement between the named sub-contractor and the employer that aims to achieve a number of things, and reflect the points above. The key points are that: ••there is provision for the named subcontractor to develop the design of the relevant works and/or provide design information, in advance of the named sub-contractor being appointed by the contractor (clause 1.1); ••there is also provision for the named sub-contractor to commence the procurement or fabrication of materials, in advance of being appointed by the contractor (clause 2); ••the named sub-contractor provides a warranty to the employer in respect of those matters listed above for which the contractor is not liable to the employer (clause 1.4), which is obviously very important; and ••there is a general warranty that the named sub-contractor will comply with the terms and conditions of its subcontract with the contractor (clause 4.3).

Jonathan Gold Partner Sheridan Gold LLP

Jonathan Gold

Oil Fired Site Heaters from

IMA Series

IMA Series • • • • • • • •

High efficiency heat exchanger.

Radial fans for powerful heat distribution.

Protection bars all around.

Lifting hooks & fork truck slots.

Tigerloop standard.

Burner with rain cover and lower tray for oil containment during servicing.

Available with 1 and 3 phase radial fans.

Outputs of 65Kw, 110Kw, 150Kw & 185Kw.

Also available: Direct Fired Propane Gas and Oil Fired Portable & Mobile Heaters, Infra-Red Radiant Oil Fired Heaters , Electric Heaters and Dehumidifiers.

IMAC Series • • • • • •

IMAC Series

High efficiency heat exchangers.

Stainlees steel frame on box girders with fork truck slots & lifting hooks.

Lockable door panels for control box and burner area with feed through glands for cable and fuel hoses.

Return air flanges are optional.

IMAC 2000E model with 185 Kw heat output.

IMAC 4000E model has a 2 stage burner & 2 speed fan with heat outputs of 261Kw or 383Kw and heated air outputs up to 24,000 cubic metres per hour.

Thermobile UK Limited 11 & 12 Buckingham Close, Bermuda Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7JT Tel: 02476 357960 Fax: 02476 357969 E-mail: sales@thermobile.co.uk www.thermobile.co..uk