Green light for 3,000 homes at old Ford Dagenham site

A major development for up to 3,000 new homes in east London has been approved after being called in by the London Mayor.

Plans to redevelop the former Ford assembly site at Beam Park in South Dagenham had been blocked after Havering Council refused permission claiming it would harm the character of the local area due to the height of the buildings.

But now developer Countryside Properties and London & Quadrant Housing Trust can build a new neighbourhood at the 29-hectare site which sits alongside the River Beam in South Dagenham

Their ambitious plans include a new rail station, two primary schools, a nursery, community facilities, retail and open spaces, as well as the new homes.

As a result of negotiations between City Hall and the site’s developers, L&Q and Countryside, the proportion of genuinely affordable homes has been raised from 35% to 50%, as well as building heights which has been upped by as much as seven storeys since the original plan was submitted.

The site straddles the border of two boroughs: Previously Barking and Dagenham Council approved the development but Havering Council refused permission, over concerns it would harm the character of the local area due to the height of the proposed buildings.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “This is a large, very important site and these plans will deliver 3,000 much-needed new homes, along with transport, schools and community facilities to help make this a liveable and attractive new neighbourhood for this part of east London.

“Having weighed up the evidence available to me and given the overall importance of the application, I have decided to grant approval.

“The wider area around Beam Park has the potential to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs, and could play a crucial role in London’s economy in the decades to come.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/10/01/green-light-for-3000-homes-at-old-ford-dagenham-site/

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Watkin Jones forward funds five student projects

Student room and build-to-rent specialist Watkin Jones has completed the £180m forward sale of four planned purpose-built student accommodation schemes to an investment joint venture between KKR and Round Hill Capital.

The group has also exchanged an option agreement with the joint venture, conditional on gaining full planning, for a fifth purpose-built scheme in Bristol.

This is the first student housing deal for KKR and Round Hill, which own student halls in Spain and the Netherlands.

The portfolio consists of 2,163 student beds and associated facilities.  Four of the schemes have planning consent granted with Bristol in the planning process.

Development

Kyle Street, Glasgow: 401 beds – September 2019

Albion Way, London: 283 beds – September 2020

Forest Road, London: 353 beds – September 2020

Whitefriars Lane, Coventry: 778 beds – September 2020

Wilder Street, Bristol: 348 beds – September 2021

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/10/01/watkin-jones-forward-funds-five-student-projects/

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Council drafts in Interserve to finish Carillion stalled school

Peterborough city council has called in Interserve as replacement builder for a new city primary school that Carillion had previously been signed up to build.

The pre-construction services deal with Interserve to build Hampton Lakes Primary School is one of two new deals signed in the wake of Carillion collapse.

The council has also confirmed that local firm R G Carter will restart work shortly to expand the Jack Hunt School in Netherton, where work had to be halted at the start of the year.

When fully up and running in September next year, the Hampton school will provide 420 new primary school places for children living in Hampton East and the wider Hampton area, and 26 nursery places.

It will be built to the east of the A15 near Teardrop Lake in the new Hampton communities to the south of Peterborough.

At the stalled £8m Jack Hunt school expansion project work is now set to be completed next June on 11 new classrooms, a science classroom, an unlit all-weather sports pitch and new dining hall and kitchen constructed.

R G Carter will complete stalled £8m Jack Hunt School expansion project

The expansion will enable the school’s capacity to increase from 1,800 to 1,950 pupils.

Councillor Lynne Ayres, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “As the fourth fastest growing city in the country, the need to create extra school spaces is an urgent one and we are actively working to address this.

“We are committed to providing sufficient classroom spaces to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people in the city continues to be met.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/10/01/council-drafts-in-interserve-to-finish-carillion-stalled-school/

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Barratt starts subcontractor drug and alcohol testing

Britain’s biggest house builder has started testing its site workforce for alcohol and illegal drugs use.

Barratt is rolling out random testing regime amid fears of substance abuse and a 20% rise in injury rates.

During the year, the house builder’s injury incidence rate increased to 462 (2017: 379) per 100,000 persons employed, including trade contractors.

The firm said: “We have already undertaken a review into factors that have contributed to this increase and will be working with our management teams to drive improvements in the prevention of injuries.

Barratt said it was also meeting the challenge of increased activity levels across the industry in terms of site openings and production volumes combined with shortages of skilled workers which has contributed to an increased risk on sites.

The firm said that as part of a move to ramp up its focus on health and safety it had also decided to enhance its drugs and alcohol policy and commenced a programme of random sampling across the business.

“Our aim is to achieve a reduction to a rate which is more reflective of our business commitment to health and safety.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/10/01/barratt-starts-subcontractor-drug-and-alcohol-testing/

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HSE launches construction dust blitz

Construction firms across the country will be targeted on their health standards in an HSE campaign to tackle the dangers of site dust.

It is the first time the regulator has targeted the industry with a specific focus on respiratory risks and occupational lung disease.

Inspectors will be focusing on measures firms have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust.

The inspection blitz will last throughout October.

HSE’s Peter Baker, chief inspector of construction said: “Around 100 times as many workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work than are killed in construction accidents.

“Annually, work-related cancers, mainly linked to asbestos and silica, are estimated to kill 3,500 people from the industry. Thousands of others suffer life-changing illnesses from their work.

“Not all lung diseases take years to develop. Some, like acute silicosis or occupational asthma, can occur more quickly.

“As a result, we’ve launched this inspection initiative to find out what exactly businesses in the construction industry are doing today to protect their workers’ health, particularly when it comes to exposure to dust and damage to lungs.

“We want construction workers to be aware of the risks associated with the activities they carry out on a daily basis; be conscious of the fact their work may create hazardous dust; and consider how this could affect their health, in some cases irreversibly.

“We want businesses and their workers to think of the job from start to finish and avoid creating dust or disturbing asbestos by working in different ways.

“We want to see construction firms encouraging their workers to firstly keep the dust down and wear the right mask and clothing.

“Ultimately, we want construction workers’ lungs to be protected from ill health, so they can go home healthy to their families and enjoy long careers in this important industry.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/10/01/hse-launches-construction-dust-blitz/

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Quantum mechanics work lets oil industry know promise of recovery experiments

Physicists developed detailed quantum mechanical simulations that accurately predict the outcomes of various additive combinations in water used for enhanced oil recovery.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180928162318.htm

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Value in unusual type of plant material

Scientists have shown that a recently-discovered variety of lignin called catechyl lignin (C-lignin) has attributes that could make it well-suited as the starting point for a range of bioproducts.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180928162306.htm

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New, highly stable catalyst may help turn water into fuel

Breaking the bonds between oxygen and hydrogen in water could be a key to the creation of hydrogen in a sustainable manner, but finding an economically viable technique for this has proved difficult. Researchers report a new hydrogen-generating catalyst that clears many of the obstacles – abundance, stability in acid conditions and efficiency.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180928131311.htm

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Berkeley Group targets Birmingham as London cools

Luxury London house builder Berkeley Group is making a beeline for Birmingham with ambitious plans for major schemes.

Its two housing brands, St Joseph and St Edward, have exchanged contracts on vacant sites in the fast-growing city with plans to invest £300m in building a major mixed-use scheme, including what will be one of the city’s tallest residential towers.

Berkeley Group chairman, Tony Pidgley, said he had ambitious plans to expand in the city as the firm’s traditional central London market cools and planning redtape in the capital slows new schemes.

The firm’s new St Joseph Birmingham business has acquired a site at Eastside Locks to the east of the City Centre, close to the coming HS2 station and Birmingham’s knowledge quarter.

While St Edward, a joint venture between Berkeley Group and Prudential, has also announced its first foray into the city with the acquisition of a site at Snow Hill Queensway, for a high-rise block.

The two projects will deliver homes for up to 2,000 people, alongside a mix of new shops, cafes, offices and inviting public spaces.

St Joseph will also develop its new regional head office at the Eastside Locks site. Once complete, the company will move here from its current home in the city.

The announcements follow the recent launch of St Joseph’s first Birmingham based development, Snow Hill Wharf, where the first of 404 new homes are now on sale.

Pidgley said: “In partnership with Birmingham City Council, we will transform these long-vacant sites into thriving communities with the new homes, jobs and amenities local people need.

“The council has real commitment and vision to create homes and communities for its people. It’s a fantastic city and a great place to do business.

“We have ambitious, long-term plans for Birmingham and these sites will be followed by many others in the years to come.”

Berkeley Birmingham schemes

Eastside Locks (St Joseph)

This 2.6-acre site will offer a mix of apartments, set above a collection of canal-side bars, cafes, offices and public space set around the Birmingham and Fazeley canal and locks. The plans will complement the on-going transformation of the wider Eastside area, which is close to the coming HS2 station and home to three of Birmingham’s top university campuses.

 

Snow Hill Queensway (St Edward)

This vacant 0.6-acre site will include one of Birmingham’s tallest residential building, with a mix of communal facilities and commercial space on the lower floors. 

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/28/berkeley-group-targets-birmingham-as-london-cools/

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Lendlease gets thumbs up for fourth Stratford office project

Plan for £125m Birmingham Jewellery Quarter scheme

Joint venture partners Galliard Homes and Apsley House Capital are aiming to build a mixed-use scheme that will create a gateway to Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter.

The £125m development, known as the St Paul’s Quarter, will consist of more than 320 flats and shops and restaurants across 20 individual buildings of between two and five storeys.

The development bounded by Newhall Street, Graham Street, Brook Street, James Street and Northwood Street has been master-planned and designed by architect Glenn Howells.  

Two Grade II listed buildings at the site – 109 Northwood Street, the former Harper’s Hill Works, and a neo-Georgian factory on the corner of Newhall Street and James Street – will be preserved.

Northwood Street historic buildings will be preserved

The developers propose to retain a further two buildings considered to be of architectural merit: 123 Northwood Street, which extends to Regent Place, and 128 Northwood Street.

Plans include a new pedestrian boulevard from Newhall Street into the heart of the Jewellery Quarter. Northwood Street, now a private road serving the AE Harris factory, will also be opened up to public.

A public square (above) will be incorporated, in the centre of the scheme, surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants at street level.

The development is anticipated to take five years to complete. 

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/28/plan-for-125m-birmingham-jewellery-quarter-scheme/

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ISG lands £70m duo of north west build to rent jobs

Build-to-rent developer Brickland has signed up ISG to deliver two major city centre residential schemes in the north west.

The larger of the two projects is a £48m, 363-apartment scheme set over two towers of 16 and 19 storeys in the Cornbrook area of Manchester.

ISG will also deliver a £24m, nine-storey, 200-unit development in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool.

The Cornbrook scheme comprises one and two-bedroom units, as well as duplex and townhouse apartments. It also includes a co-working space, a library, gym, two rooftop gardens and resident lounges.

Both tower blocks will incorporate a slipform concrete core and traditional brick façade, with undercroft car parking and raised courtyards.

Enabling works are underway with main work expected to start on site in November, with completion scheduled for autumn 2020.

ISG will also deliver a 200-unit residential development in Liverpool

Within Liverpool, ISG will deliver a nine-storey steel frame and brick-clad structure, with two levels of car parking.

The 200-units comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, and residents will benefit from a landscaped upper floor terrace, gym, lounge and concierge service. The development also includes commercial space at ground floor level.

Work is due to commence in October and scheduled for completion in summer 2020.

Paul Munro, regional director for ISG’s north west business, said: “This appointment showcases our capability to deliver high-value projects in our core cities as we continue to contribute to the ever-changing skylines across Manchester and Liverpool.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/28/isg-lands-70m-duo-of-north-west-build-to-rent-jobs/

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Polymer coating cools down buildings

Engineers have invented a high-performance exterior PDRC polymer coating with nano-to-microscale air voids that acts as a spontaneous air cooler and can be fabricated, dyed, and applied like paint on rooftops, buildings, water tanks, vehicles, even spacecraft – anything that can be painted. They used a solution-based phase-inversion technique that gives the polymer a porous foam-like structure.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927145555.htm

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Ride-hailing increases vehicle miles traveled

Ride-hailing accounts for an 83 percent increase in the miles cars travel for ride-hailing passengers in Denver’s metro area.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927122934.htm

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New mechanism for developing electronic devices

Scientists have demonstrated a new mechanism that may help develop electronic devices differently.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180926110928.htm

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10 cities shortlisted for £840m transport funding

The Government has shortlisted 10 city regions to bid for a share of £840m to upgrade public transport links.

Local authorities in Derby & Nottingham, Leicester City, the North East, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and West Yorkshire will now work up schemes to bid for funding.

This is the second tranche of the £1.7 bn Transforming Cities Fund.

Previously funding went to six mayoral combined authorities to deliver schemes such as the Brierley Hill tram lines extension in the West Midlands and £160m towards the Beeline Cycle Network in Greater Manchester.

This is set to be the largest cycle network of its kind in the UK. The proposal for 1,000 miles of interlinked bike and pedestrian lanes will connect communities across its 10 boroughs.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “These 10 areas now have the chance to transform their transport systems – making it easier for people to get around and enhance links to work, school or shops.”

The ten shortlisted city regions will each receive an initial £50,000 as well as bespoke support from government to co-develop the strongest cases for investment.

While the city regions finalise proposals, £60m from the Fund will be made available over the next year to share across transport schemes aimed at tackling head-on some of the most pressing challenges faced by communities.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/27/10-cities-shortlisted-for-840m-transport-funding/

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Build-to-rent schemes soar in London

Build-to-rent schemes have helped to more than double the total number of new homes registered in the capital.

The steep rise ends a period where London has been in the doldrums due to private homes for sale projects falling off as prices for one and two-bed apartments softened.

The surge in the capital helped to drive up total sites registered with the NHBC over the three months to August by 11%.

Soaring numbers of both private rental and to a lesser extent housing association schemes lifted house building starts by 145% to 5,774 compared with the same period a year ago.

A business development boss for one major contractor said: “Manchester and Birmingham have been the real hotspots for big build-to-rent schemes.

“While London has had its share of these project things are really taking off now in the capital with many projects out to bid.”

NHBC chief executive Steve Wood said: “We continue to see strong numbers in many parts of the UK with a substantial uplift in London, driven by increased activity by housing associations and the continued flow of inward investment on for-sale and private rental developments.

“The continuing uncertainties around Brexit and the UK’s economic outlook do not seem sufficient to dent confidence in the new homes market, where NHBC’s focus remains on helping developers to build more, high-quality homes for people across the country.”

More than 13,700 new homes were registered to be built in the UK during August, according to the latest NHBC registration figures, with strong growth in London.

Other regions to show growth over the three month trend period included Yorkshire & Humberside and the West Midlands.

NHBC – UK Registrations by Region
England – Regions	June 18 – August 18	June 17 – August 17	% change
NORTH EAST	1,870	1,724	8.5%
NORTH WEST & MERSEYSIDE	4,373	4,786	-8.6%
YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE	2,632	2,201	19.6%
WEST MIDLANDS	3,770	3,407	10.7%
EAST MIDLANDS	3,029	3,420	-11.4%
EASTERN	3,914	4,289	-8.7%
SOUTH WEST	4,156	3,698	12.4%
LONDON	5,774	2,354	145.3%
SOUTH EAST	6,457	6,653	-2.9%
TOTAL ENGLAND	35,975	32,532	10.6%
SCOTLAND	3,381	3,381	0.0%
WALES	1,230	1,529	-19.6%
NORTHERN IRELAND & ISLE OF MAN	1,961	854	129.6%
TOTAL UK	42,547	38,296	11.1%

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/27/build-to-rent-schemes-soar-in-london/

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Building boss gets 3-year ban for dangerous site

The boss of Ruislip-based building firm has been banned for three years from acting as a company director after poor conditions at a building site were found to be dangerous.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court also ordered managing director of C J Langs, Kewie Doherty, to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work. His company was also fined £80,000.

The court heard how HSE inspectors had visited the site in Sherborne Gardens, London, following an incident in January 2017.

They found evidence of poor health and safety conditions on site including dangerous work at height, a lack of suitable equipment, and untrained operatives working without adequate supervision.

A subsequent investigation found the construction company failed to plan, manage and monitor the work on site and its Doherty was responsible for the poor conditions on site.

C J Langs and Doherty pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kevin Smith said: “Dutyholders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/27/building-boss-gets-3-year-ban-for-dangerous-site/

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Construction falls out of top 10 professions for young

Construction has slipped from 7th to 12th most popular profession for 22 to 29-year-olds in the space of six years.

While the industry is losing out in the popularity stakes, the industry can take some comfort that construction’s actual share of employment of youngsters increased from 2.2% to 2.7%.

The latest ONS data suggests that the industry’s efforts to improve its image is slowly starting to pay-off but more industries are doing better in the fight for young talent.

The slide represents the biggest fall for any sector.

Blane Perrotton, managing director of the national property consultancy and surveyors said: “The industry is facing a perfect storm of dwindling interest among young recruits and a steady loss of skills as older and more experienced workers retire.

“Such a chronic skills crisis has forced the industry to rely heavily on labour imported from abroad.

“EU nationals account for a tenth of all construction workers in the UK and a third of builders in London.

“While the spectre of Brexodus remains more of a threat than a reality – for now – the prospect of EU workers leaving or staying away from a post-Brexit UK is truly chilling for an industry that is already struggling to cope because of skills shortages.

“If Brexit shuts off the tap of skilled European workers on which UK construction relies, there’s a real danger we could reach a point where the industry can no longer deliver everything that is asked of it.”

He added it was more vital than ever that construction step up efforts to attract young blood and shrug off the negative stereotypes.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/27/construction-falls-out-of-top-10-professions-for-young/

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Smart devices could soon tap their owners as a battery source

The world is edging closer to a reality where smart devices are able to use their owners as an energy resource, say experts.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927105647.htm

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Metal that withstands ultra-high temperature and pressure identified

Scientists have identified a metal able to stand up to constant forces in ultrahigh temperature, offering promising applications including in aircraft jet engines and gas turbines for electric power generation.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927105555.htm

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Betting Spy: United Europe can win Ryder Cup

It’s off with the studs and on with the spikes this weekend as football plays second fiddle for once to golf.

The Ryder Cup is one of those great sporting events – and this year’s is shaping up to be the best ever.

I’m not sure what will happen to team Europe post-Brexit so it’s time to enjoy the union while we can.

The future could be one of borders between the front and back nines and limits on unskilled players travelling abroad.

But this weekend everyone will be pulling together and it could be enough to beat an American team which appears better on paper.

The US have been strong betting favourites for months.

But the odds are tightening and I like the look of Europe at 5/4 to win back the trophy.

Le Golf National course outside Paris is a thinkers’ track and not one for the big bombers off the tee.

The Europeans play the course regularly and home advantage and the backing of a partisan crowd could see them edge the weekend by a point or two.

Betting Spy will be over in Portugal with a few mates playing out our own (wayward) version of the event.

Hacking round the Silver Coast in the morning then watching how it should be done in the afternoon – perfect.

Obviously I can’t let the column pass by without mentioning West Ham’s 8-0 Caraboa Cup win on Wednesday.

It may only have been against Macclesfield but that’s just not the West Ham way against lower league cup opposition.

I got a text from a mate at 4-0 saying “One more and we’re guaranteed a replay” which sums up our mentality nicely.

And I’m backing the Irons to heap more misery on Man United on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho is the unhappy captain of an unhappy ship so now is a great time to play them.

Odds of 7/2 on a West Ham home win are too tempting to resist – so I won’t.

Betting Spy has joined forces with Paddy Power to offer all readers a £20 risk-free bet when they open an account. Just click on the link below to visit construction’s favourite bookmaker for full terms and conditions and discover how to set-up an online, telephone or mobile account

Running total of all bets to a £10 stake for 2018/19 season: +£35.00

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/09/27/betting-spy-united-europe-can-win-ryder-cup/

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