A radical rethink of rebuilding an existing school using a construction model based on reduced carbon has delivered a whole life carbon savings of two-thirds and cut energy consumption in half without a significant cost increase.

The theorectical industry-led project known as Circular Twin involved digitally building a school that had already been completed.

The school was reworked from start to finish and with help from 250 supply chain partners so that each decision and design choice favoured a lower carbon outcome.

Morgan Sindall Construction led the research team, which also drew in experts from procurement specialist SCAPE, architects HLM and Lungfish and consultant Cundall.

The Circular Twin team discarded conventional industry approaches and collaborated taking decisions based on the modelled lifecycle carbon of the building, not cost.

The findings highlight how the early alliance of designers, clients, contractor, and the supply chain can lead to a significant reduction in Whole Life Carbon for modest capital cost uplift.

In comparison to the original school – built in 2017 – Circular Twin achieved:

67% reduction in Whole Life Carbon72% reduction in upfront embodied carbon (EC) (48% reduction in lifecycle EC – this achieves the RIBA 2030 and LETI 2030 Embodied Carbon targets)52% reduction in annual energy consumption39% reduction in forest consumption (for products and 30-year UK offset)CAPEX delivered within standard budgetary parameters with multiple over asset lifetime

Louise Townsend, director of social value and sustainability at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “This initiative has uncovered a revelation – that low carbon construction is inhibited by our industry’s reliance on traditional design and procurement approaches.

“The outcomes show that achieving low carbon buildings is possible today.

“Ultimately, Circular Twin represents hard evidence of what can be achieved and is a much needed industry-led response to all the urgent challenges we face that will be highlighted at COP26 and have already been made explicit by the climate emergencies declared by local authorities around the country.”

Circular Twin is believed to be the first in the construction industry to put into practice the strategies of the government’s Construction Playbook.

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Plans have been approved for a £300m themed leisure development off the Golden Mile in Blackpool.

Developer Nikal has teamed up with entertainment business Media Invest Entertainment to develop the Blackpool Central scheme, which will include three indoor entertainment centres, a hotel and restaurants.

The new indoor theme park will including a flying theatre, rides for all the family and the latest immersive virtual reality experiences.

It will also feature a new major public square for live events, such as music concerts and sporting events.

The first phase of development, which received detailed planning includes a 1,300 space multi-storey car park, set to be built by Dutch firm Ballast Needam, which will free up land for future phases which were granted outline planning by Blackpool Council’s Planning Committee.

Construction of the multi-storey car park and restoration of heritage buildings is expected to start in 2022 and will take around two years to complete.

Nikal and Media Entertainment Invest Entertainment will also prepare a detailed planning application for the wider scheme during the delivery of the multi-storey car park and Heritage Quarter.

The site is located on the south western edge of Blackpool town centre just off the Golden Mile

Richard Fee, Chief Executive Officer, Nikal said: This is a key moment for levelling up Blackpool’s visitor economy post COVID.

“Blackpool Central will help transform and future-proof the town’s tourism offer.

“Our lead investor, Alan Murphy, has been behind the project from the beginning and is delighted to see the scheme coming to fruition.

“We have worked hard to ensure that the scheme will complement Blackpool’s current attractions and wider leisure offer.

“This approach will help us to secure game-changing benefits for Blackpool – drawing in 600,000 additional visitors a year and boosting annual spend in the local economy by £75m.

“We are now looking forward to getting spades in the ground to build the multi storey car park and Heritage Quarter, which are the catalysts for delivering our wider vision.”

The scheme is a key part of the Blackpool Town Deal supported by £39.5m of government funding.

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Keltbray has agreed a deal to acquire a portfolio of infrastructure contracts and associated assets from nmcn which went into administration last week.

The latest move secures the futures of 117 former nmcn employees and Keltbray will take over existing contracts with immediate effect.

The acquired contracts will be managed within Keltbray’s existing infrastructure division reporting to Managing Director, Phill Price.

Keltbray CEO, Darren James said: “Keltbray are pleased with the ‘on strategy’ opportunities presented by the acquisition of these contracts, working with clients on some of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects.

“Today’s announcement accelerates our plans to build a resilient, growth-oriented business.  Equally important, we have also safeguarded 117 valuable jobs and livelihoods that could otherwise have been lost to our industry.

“The acquisition has required a very rapid, but collaborative approach, and Keltbray would like to thank all parties for their proactivity throughout.  I look forward to working with my new colleagues as we build a rewarding future together as one Keltbray.”

Cheltenham-based plumbing, heating and electrical specialist Shackleton, Wintle and Lane Limited (SW&L) has gone into administration with the loss of 69 jobs.

Administrators at Mazars said the firm was brought down by the impact of the pandemic.

SWL has been in business since 1983 specialising in new build housing schemes and bespoke property renovations.

The £9.2m turnover company had seen strong profitability and year-on-year sales growth of 10% in the first half of the year ended 31 July 2020, but the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns saw an almost complete shutdown of the business resulting in losses of circa £400,000 during the year.

The pandemic continued to make its mark during 2021, with global material shortages, building materials price increases and a shortage of labour meaning that the company was unable to meet significantly increased demand for its services as restrictions eased. During this period sales continued to fall and the company accrued further losses.

Mark Boughey, Joint Administrator, said: “It is sad to see a company like Shackleton, Wintle and Lane Limited fail as a direct result of the prolonged impact of the Covid Pandemic, having previously traded successfully for nearly 40 years.

“The directors had to make the difficult decision to cease trading and enter administration to prevent the position for creditors worsening and we are now working closely with the company to oversee the winding down the business’s affairs for all of its financial stakeholders”.

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