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Regal London to build 25-storey tower on Watford site
Residential-led mixed-use developer Regal London has acquired a site in Watford for a £150m new scheme.
The site at 37-39 Clarendon Road has planning permission for 168 homes and substantial grade A office space with ancillary café and gymnasium.
Enabling works have started on the site which will be transformed into a 25-storey resi towers and 150,000 sq ft of office space by the end of 2024.
Regal will also be acting as main contractor on the job.
Up to 380 full time jobs will be supported during the construction phase of the project including 120 training opportunities on-site through the Regal London Real Estate Academy in partnership with charity Building Heroes, which provides skilled training to military veterans and members of local disadvantaged groups.
Paul Eden, Co-Founder of Regal London, commented: “This acquisition comes during a particularly active period for Regal London, which has seen us secure new sites and planning permissions across the city that complement our strategic growth ambitions whilst creating substantial social and economic benefits to the surrounding area, including hundreds of jobs.
“We’re looking forward to bringing our mixed-use expertise to a fantastic part of Greater London with this project, supplying 168 new homes and grade A office space at a time when many businesses and workers are reassessing their office needs and increasingly looking to convenient, exciting areas beyond the city centre.”
Jetpack launched for hard-to-reach construction sites
A new jetpack prototype has been launched in a bid to transform the way challenging maintenance and inspection work is carried-out on site.
Experts at Maverick Aviation believe their jetpack can replace costly helicopter operations and time-consuming traditional inspections on inaccessible sites.
The jetpack is the brainchild of Hollywood animatronics expert Matt Denton and Royal Navy Commander Antony Quinn.
It uses a unique Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) system and is designed to be operated hands-free, allowing people to make safer flights, and precision landings on structures that are difficult to access — from wind turbines to buildings and construction projects.
Advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and materials including aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre make the jetpack very light allowing it to travel at between 10mph and 30mph depending on the task.
The control system is extremely intuitive and the operator can switch on an in-built autopilot so they can multi-task while in flight if necessary.
Early work on the control system software was funded by a £97,000 grant from Innovate UK, secured by Maverick’s grant partner Catax.
The first manned test flight is scheduled for next summer and the company is about to start seeking further investment to take the jetpack to market.
Co-founder Matt Denton is well regarded for his work on animatronics and control systems, having worked on numerous Star Wars movies that saw him develop the BB-8 droid from 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Antony Quinn, CEO and co-founder of Maverick Aviation, added: “The jetpack uses the same sort of jet engines that you see on a passenger plane, only ours are the size of a rugby ball.
“What is unique about what we’re doing is the computer-controlled autopilot system that makes flying effortless and easy to control with precision. That’s how we have changed jetpacks from exciting to useful.
“It’s so intuitive to fly that the cost of training is going to be low, so you’re going to have all sorts of professionals suddenly able to work in the most inaccessible environments safely and quickly.
“I realised that the growing onshore and offshore wind industry really needed a solution like this. Their engineers climb up ladders inside these structures for hours each day and, in an emergency situation, it’s almost impossible to get down quickly. Drones can be useful for inspections, but in many circumstances you need to get an engineer up there.
“During tours of Afghanistan and Iraq, the number of possible use cases just kept on mounting and I realised how big the opportunity was. The potential is almost endless.
“Before, people would have used a £30m helicopter to perform some simple tasks, we can offer a more tailored solution at a fraction of the cost.”
Record infrastructure spend to support 425,000 jobs a year
A record £650bn of public and private investment will be pumped into infrastructure over the next decade, according to the updated Infrastructure Pipeline launched today.
This pipeline includes for the first time the forecasted future workforce demand based on planned investment on projects and programmes.
In the more immediate four-year period up to 2024/25, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority estimates over 425,000 individuals will be needed on an average annual basis to deliver planned investment of £200bn as part of the Government’s Build Back Better extra spending pledges.
Funding mix of planned pipeline from 2021/22 to 2024/25 by sector (£’m)
To help suppliers make business-critical decisions as the country emerges from the coronavirus crisis, the Government is also setting out details of £30bn of planned procurements over the next 12 months in social and economic infrastructure.
This will create new opportunities for thousands of apprentices, technicians, graduates and skilled workers.
Today’s new Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030 also sets out a vision to put digital technology and innovation at the heart of our approach to infrastructure investment and delivery.
This pipeline outlines the extent to which new work will incorporate delivery through Modern Methods of Construction.
Some 170 of the contracts in procurements, worth between £15.4bn and £22.4bn, are planned to include elements delivered by making best use of MMC.
National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline spreadsheet
Click here for link Infrastructure Pipeline webpage.
Cleveland Bridge to close as hunt for buyer fails
Attempts have failed to find a buyer to run collapsed steelwork contractor Cleveland Bridge UK as a going concern.
Administrators from insolvency practice FRP have given up hope of salvaging the business and today announced they will now proceed with a property and assets sale leading to the liquidation of the historic bridge builder.
Redundancies will also now start among the remaining 133 staff as resumed production winds down altogether over two weeks.
FRP said 104 staff were currently working on site, while a further 29 employees were furloughed.
Administrators had always been hopeful of finding a buyer to save the business, which collpased on 22 July.
On 9 August, production was restarted after terms were agreed with customers, giving the remaining workforce a glimmer of hope that their jobs could be saved.
But despite talks with several interested parties from across the globe, seven weeks of searching and talks ultimately proved fruitless.
Martyn Pullin, Partner at FRP, said: “We have worked tirelessly in the hope of finding a buyer who would continue to operate Cleveland Bridge as a going concern, running a thorough and extensive sales process.
“However, with no current viable offers remaining to take the business on, we must now prepare for a property and asset sale.
“Regrettably, production will finally end on site later this month. Our specialist employment team will continue to work closely with the staff, their representatives, Unions and the council to support all the workers through what we know has been an extremely challenging time.”
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Homes England names 66 firms as preferred partners – list
Homes England has selected a mix of 66 contractors, house builders and housing associations for its new Delivery Partner dynamic purchasing system.
This new system replaces the Delivery Partner Panel 3, transforming the way Homes England procures house builders and disposes of land.
Switching to a dynamic purchasing system means that house builders and contractors can now apply to join the agency’s list of preferred developers at any time, rather than having to wait until the list is renewed once every four years.
It marks the biggest DPS of its kind, and, valued at £20bn, and is Homes England’s largest procurement exercise to date.
Previous delivery panel partners including national contractors like Kier, Laing O’Rourke and Mace have dropped out, although they could now apply for inclusion at any time.
The new line-up includes 24 SMEs far more small firm’s than the previous delivery panel.
Homes England delivery partner DPSBDW TradingJohn Graham ConstructionRowlinson ConstructionsBellway HomesKeepmoat HomesRP Tyson ConstructionBromford Housing GroupKingswood HomesSanctuary Housing AssociationBugler DevelopmentsLindum GroupSeddon ConstructionCastle Green HomesLioncourt HomesSigma HomesClaritas PSP ConsortiaLondon Square PartnersSt Modwen DevelopmentsCountryside PropertiesLonghurst GroupStewart Milne HomesCrest NicholsonLovell PartnershipsStonewood PartnershipsCrossfield LivingMcDermott HomesStory HomesDeeley GroupMcLaren ConstructionStrata HomesDevonshire HomesMercer Building SolutionsTaylor French DevelopmentsDurkanMidas ConstructionTaylor WimpeyEDAROTHMorris HomesTermrim ConstructionEG Carter & CoMulalley & CompanyThirteenENGIE RegenerationMulberry HomesTilia HomesEric Wright GroupMuse DevelopmentsTolent ConstructionEsh ConstructionNorthstone DevelopmentUnited Living (South)Feltham ConstructionOptivoVistry PartnershipsHighwood GroupPersimmon HomesWates ConstructionHill HoldingsPlaces for People GroupWestridge ConstructionJ. Harper & SonsPlatform Housing GroupWiggett ConstructionJessupRobert WoodheadWillmott Dixon Construction
The Delivery Partner DPS will also be available to Homes England’s public sector partners to help them procure a developer or contractor to build homes on sites they own.
Stephen Kinsella, Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England, said: “This marks a significant step forward in the way we work with developers to build homes.
“We’ve also simplified the application process, so whether you’re a large, nationwide housebuilder, or a small local developer, it will be easier for you to access land you want to build on.
We encourage all housebuilders interested in working with us to monitor our recently updated Land Hub, and apply to join the DPS when they see a site of interest.”
The application process is proportionate, and depends on the size of the sites that a developer wishes to bid for, making it more accessible for smaller developers.
In addition, during the application process house builders can express interest in the locations and types of sites they want to develop.
Homes England has a number of sites that it is planning to issue expressions of interest for via the DPS in the coming months.
This includes a 14-acre site on Homes England’s Northern Arc scheme in Burgess Hill, which will support around 350 homes, 30% of which will be affordable homes. The site will be divided into two or three sub plots, making it particularly suited to SME developers.
Click here for more
Another site soon to be marketed via the DPS is in Cradley Heath, Dudley. Over the last couple of years Homes England has cleared disused industrial buildings from the site, and it now has outline planning permission for 89 homes.
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Strike threat by cement drivers adds to materials woes
Lorry drivers employed by Hanson on the Castle Cement contract are holding a strike ballot in a dispute over pay.
The 200 plus lorry drivers and engineers, who are members of Unite, have rejected a pay offer of 2.5% for this year.
Unite added that “the workforce is deeply unhappy about the high handed management style and a marked lack of dignity at work.”
Drivers deliver dry cement to major sites and merchants across the country.
The ballot will open on Friday 10 September and close on Friday 23 September If members vote for strike action industrial action could begin this October.
Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “Our members are simply not going to accept a pay offer which amounts to a pay cut in real terms.
“With the ongoing driver shortage, our members are seeking a pay increase which recognises their hard work and dedication.
“If strikes do occur then it will have major implications for the construction industry. Supplies of cement will quickly run out, which will result in projects being delayed.”
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N G Bailey raids SES for new London director
Building services contractor NG Bailey has hired former SES building services director Matthew Towner as regional director for London.
Towner has worked as operations director for the London region of SES Engineering Services for the past three and a half years.
He has also previously held senior operational roles at Balfour Beatty Engineering Services and Lorne Stuart.
Towner said: “I’m excited to be joining the team in London after admiring the work they’ve done on projects such as Wood Wharf and London Bridge Station.”
NG Bailey also appointed Andrew French as director of ICT. He joins after three years as technology and IT director at MWH Treatment.
His role will see him overseeing the continued development and modernisation of the company’s ICT systems and infrastructure to maintain its position as an industry leader.
Surging demand sees JCB “sold out until next year”
JCB said most of its products are now sold out until next year as demand hits historic highs.
The machinery giant is recruiting another 100 new welders for its Staffordshire factories in a bid to keep up with orders.
So far this year JCB has recruited 1,350 new shop floor employees and handed permanent contracts to 1,000 agency employees.
The firm said “demand for JCB machines has reached historic highs with most products now sold out until next year.”
Mark Turner, JCB Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to be building on that success with the creation of 100 permanent new welders’ jobs.
“We offer some of the best conditions and pay rates in the region and with opportunities for nightshift work and overtime, this is great news for welders in the area looking to join a successful global company.”
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Vistry bags share of £5.2bn affordable homes funding – list
Homes England has selected its 31 new strategic partners to deliver grant-funded affordable homes over the next five years.
Under the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26, Homes England is committing almost £5.2bn in affordable housing grant to 31 strategic partnerships.
Vistry is one of the new private sector partners bagging £83m to build nearly 1,500 affordable homes. Retirement specialist McCarthy & Stone and new modular housing entrant Legal and General are also among the new faces securing direct funding.
Homes England’s strategic partners will deliver nearly 90,000 grant-funded affordable homes across the country. London has decided its own extra £3.46bn funding allocations focused on councils and housing associations to deliver nearly 30,000 affordable homes over the next five years.
It is the first time that councils and for-profit providers have been able to access strategic partnership funding after a change to the rules that previously allowed only housing associations to apply.
Homes England Affordable Homes Programme grantsOrganisationGrant fundingNumber of homesAbri£250m3,218Accent£210m3,305Aster£114m1,550Bromford£240m4,000Clarion£250m4,770Curo & Swan£160m2,425EMH & Midland Heart£172m3,551Flagship£93m1,500Great Places£241m4,920Greensquare Accord£213m3,755Guinness & Stonewater£250m4,180Hyde£250m3,000Karbon£132m2,200Legal & General£126m2,121LiveWest£124m2,550Longhurst & NCHA£230m3,935McCarthy and Stone£94m1,500Metropolitan Thames Valley£623m1,500Onward£152.m3,208Orbit£104m1,500Places for People£250m4,403Platform£250m4,680Riverside£81m1,530Sage£74m1,750Sanctuary£100m2,000Sovereign£167m3,338Thirteen£191m3,270Together£250m4,047Torus£140m2,736Vistry£83m1,474Vivid£106m1,550
Peter Denton, chief executive officer at Homes England, said: “These strategic partnerships give our new partners the funding, flexibility, and confidence they need to build much needed affordable homes across the country, it also establishes a large network of organisations looking to share their skills and capabilities to expand the affordable housing sector and transform communities.
“By forming strategic partnerships with a wide range of public and private organisations, we are creating the conditions needed for institutional investment to catalyse affordable housing supply and in future give local authorities more of the tools they need to plan and act strategically, shaping their communities and building new homes.”
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£3.46bn London affordable housing grant awards – list
The London Mayor has secured £3.46bn to deliver 29,456 homes with councils and housing associations in first round of bidding for a new five-year affordable homes programme.
This latest grant bidding round cements the council housing comeback in London, with more than four in 10 of the homes being built by councils, totalling 12,024 homes.
More than half of the social rented homes will be built by councils, and 57% of all homes will be for social rent.
A further £5.2bn was announced by the Government today for affordable homes to be delivered outside London by Homes England, but details have yet to be released.
The Mayor’s new 2021-26 programme – running alongside the extended 2016-23 programme – will see 79,000 new homes started over the next five years.
Affordable homes programme 2021-26 allocationsOrganisationTotal
HomesSocial Rent
HomesAHP
FundingHavering395161£35.2 mEstuary Housing Association3016£1.3 mRichmond Housing Partnership13180£13.9 mCity of Westminster Council230106£24.1 mParagon Asra Housing1,455930£181.7 mHammersmith and Fulham394186£32.3 mPoplar HARCA227145£21.2 mA2Dominion Homes500300£56.0 mBarnet217105£23.5 mPlaces for People Homes4444£4.0 mEaling1,032561£109.6 mHarrow – Housing411219£44.4 mThe Guinness Partnership300150£32.7 mTBG Open Door Homes4810£3.8 mNewlon Housing Trust12080£15.8 mBromley535535£38.0 mOptivo1,500825£180.8 mWandsworth289138£23.4 mHyde Housing Association1,476590£163.8 mLewisham456285£70.0 mCroydon Churches Housing Association12050£12.5 mKingston upon Thames105105£13.1 mCity of London200150£16.5 mSouthern Housing Group300100£33.5 mLondon Legacy Development Corporation825149£67.7 mBrent701701£111.7 mCamden569569£86.6 mOne Housing Group386252£41.7 mHexagon Housing Association18090£24.9 mRiverside Housing Association15190£18.8 mPhoenix Community HA7348£10.0 mLambeth311212£28.2 mHounslow540540£93.2 mGreenwich230230£38.1 mLondon & Quadrant539154£55.1 mCromwood Housing7575£11.3 mNewham550500£91.7 mSutton6554£10.1 mWaltham Forest7777£15.4 mHackney100100£17.5 mHaringey647647£127.5 mBarking and Dagenham1,757573£171.0 mEnfield1,119824£166.6 mTower Hamlets194194£32.0 mMetropolitan Housing Trust1,035538£128.8 mCatalyst Housing1,000535£118.9 mNetwork Homes1,000500£122.5 mNotting Hill Genesis1,265577£126.8 mOctavia Housing450225£55.1 mReSI Homes1,250£56.3 mClarion Housing Group2,0001,250£240.0 mSouthwark852664£126.5 mPeabody Trust1,000500£120.0 mTotal29,45616,739£3.46bn
In total, almost six in ten of the homes (16,739 homes) funded by the first round of this affordable homes programme will be made available at the cheapest social rent.
The remainder will be for shared ownership and London Living Rent which can help Londoners on average incomes move into homeownership.
The Mayor has set ambitious targets for London to be a zero-carbon city by 2030 and expects homes built with funding announced today to be environmentally sustainable.
New standards introduced in the Mayor’s New London Plan include requirements for all developments of ten or more homes to be net zero-carbon and to incorporate sustainable urban green spaces.
Housing providers building homes funded by the new AHP will also have to meet new conditions on building safety and design.
HP funding project conditions
1. The installation of sprinklers or other fire suppression systems in new blocks of flats
2. A ban on combustible materials being used in external walls for all residential development, regardless of height
3. Minimum floor-to-ceiling heights and a requirement for private outdoor space
4. A ‘sunlight clause’ requiring all homes with three or more bedrooms to be dual aspect, any single aspect one- or two-bedroom homes to not be north-facing and at least one room to have direct sunlight for at least part of the day
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am delighted that we have been able to come to a deal with the Government to get started on nearly 30,000 genuinely affordable homes.
“Today’s funding is good news but I know we can still go further, faster, working with ministers, housing associations and councils to deliver more of the homes Londoners so desperately need.”
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