Green light for £65m canalside scheme in Wolverhamption

Full planning permission has been granted to build-to-rent developer Placefirst for 366 new homes and commercial space in the heart of Wolverhampton’s historic Canalside Quarter.

Site preparation work is now expected to start next summer on the £65m scheme.

The development will provide a mix of townhouses, new build apartments and commercial space across five acres of brownfield land.

Sensitive restoration of heritage canalside properties including several listed buildings, and major environmental improvements will be implemented in the scheme which is designed by architecture practice jmarchitects, with WSP as planning and heritage consultants.

Darran Lawless, development director for Placefirst said: “We are proud of all the hard work undertaken by the whole team and our partners, that will enable a brownfield site situated in such a historic location to reach its true potential, creating an exciting, sustainable new neighbourhood.

“The focus on placemaking and development of public realm at this ­waterside development, is another example of Placefirst’s commitment to delivering schemes that will rejuvenate communities, and adds to our track record of creating neighbourhoods with a real sense of place.”

Councillor Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “They will deliver a nationally significant development that not only brings back into use a large parcel of brownfield land but also enables the city to take advantage of our fantastic waterways, and the heritage that comes with it, to provide a sustainable community where people want to live and work, now and in the future.

“The Placefirst scheme will also generate around 150 jobs and boost our economic recovery from Covid-19.

“Urban living forms a critical part of how we are re-imagining our city centre and will help us meet the increasing demand for housing.”

Sellafield names £250m HVAC key delivery partners

Sellafield has selected the first key delivery partners for its new integrated delivery team model for key work packages in the clean-up of the nuclear site in West Cumbria.

Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick and EJ Parker Technical Services have taken the prized key delivery partner spots for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, a framework agreement worth up to £250m over the life of the programme.

The HVAC package is the first of several to be awarded by the overarching Programme and Project Partners – a five-strong team of firms delivering the massive clean up plan spanning the next 18 years.

The PPP partnership is made up of lot partners KBR (integration partner); Jacobs (design and engineering partner); Morgan Sindall Infrastructure (civils construction management partner) and Doosan Babcock (process construction management partner) and Sellafield as the fifth partner.

This new Multi Project Procurement (MPP) model has been set up to encourage long-term collaboration throughout the supply chain.

Key delivery partners will be selected for work packages covering everything from electrical and instrumentation and fabrication and manufacturing to groundworks and general civils.

Two firms are due to be announced for a £170m mechanical pipework deal and another two for £400m worth of electrical & instrumentation works in January.

A bid contest is already underway for building interior fit-out and finishes, and  concrete structures, groundworks and blockwork packages.

Eldon Garnett, on behalf of PPP management board, said: “It’s really pleasing to award our first contract as part of the MPP process, enabling us to start to realise the benefits that we know this programme will deliver.

“Looking at the responses during the HVAC tender process, there is clearly huge enthusiasm right across the supply chain to be part of the PPP team, addressing the wider Sellafield Ltd mission and we look forward to welcoming more Key delivery partners in the months ahead.”

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.thegraduatemag.com/?p=1524

Ex-Laing O’Rourke boss to head rejigged BAM UK business

Royal BAM has rejigged its operational structure to concentrate on just two dedicated growth businesses in the UK and Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Its remaining businesses in Germany and Belgium will be managed for value with operational cuts and divestments.

Royal BAM will also set its sights on investing to become a top-three contractor in the UK and Ireland as part of the new business focus.

This new structure will replace the existing group business lines, which were split down construction, property and civil engineering disciplines.

Former Royal BAM Group civil engineering divison chief operating officer John Wilkinson will now take responsibility for the activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Wilkinson joined BAM a year ago from international consultant SNC-Lavalin where he was president of infrastructure, based in Montreal, Canada.

Before that held senior positions with Laing O’Rourke, Kier and May Gurney, respectively as managing director UK Infrastructure, executive director Services and managing director.

The new reporting structure, which comes into effect from January, will effectively unite the BAM Construction building business and Bam Nuttall civil engineering operation under one senior executive for the first time.

In a statement this morning the board said: “With this new organisational structure, BAM will enhance its effectiveness and focus on growth, leveraging its top-3 market positions in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“This change will also contribute to faster development of innovative solutions, supporting BAM’s clients to improve their sustainability and lower their carbon footprint.”

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.thegraduatemag.com/?p=1518

Leeds £270m Lisbon Square towers approved

Plans for a £270m mixed-use scheme to transform the former International Swimming Pool site in Leeds have got the green light.

Development partners Marrico Asset Management and Helios Real Estate are behind the Lisbon Street scheme, which will consist of a cluster of four high-rise buildings.

The partners plan to start work work next spring on 600 build to rent flats in 33 and 22 storey towers.

A further 550 student beds will be delivered in a 24-storey student block, a 15-storey aparthotel there will also be 150,000 sq ft of office space, along with further retail and leisure.


More than half of the site will be given over to gardens and landscaping

Marrico’s Partner, Mark Barnes said: “The Lisbon Street development will remove an unsightly site and deliver high-quality architecture and public realm, while creating an attractive and distinctive urban development in its own right.

“The scheme will reinforce the confidence in the continuing regeneration of the area, acting as a catalyst for further on-going investment and regeneration.”

Professional team

Architecture: DLA Architecture

QS: Richard Boothroyd & Associates

Structural consultant: Curtins

M&E: Commercial Services Design

Energy & Sustainability: Hydrock