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.”

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.”

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Stockport NHS Trust has announced it will be bidding for Stockport to have one of the 40 new hospitals to be built as part of a £3.7 bn Government programme.

The New Hospitals Programme aims to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.  Thirty-two have already been announced and the Government is now looking for a further eight projects.,

Karen James, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said Stockport would bid to be one of these last eight.

“Stepping Hill Hospital is an ageing hospital that was not designed to deliver modern acute services and we are also facing a £95m maintenance bill.

“But even if we had the funds available to carry out all the work needed, it still would not provide the modern hospital environment patients and staff deserve.”

While the final design will influence the cost of any new build, it is estimated the Government would need to invest around £500m in the creation of a new hospital for the people of Stockport and surrounding areas.

With no room on the existing site to build a new hospital, the Trust has been working with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to identify possible alternative sites and is currently looking at an area of the town centre that incorporates the Heaton Lane multi-storey car park and former Debenhams store.

James said: “While a number of NHS organisations across the country will also be bidding to be part of the New Hospitals Programme, it is hoped that Stockport’s plan will stand out due to the town centre site which would tie into the Government’s levelling up agenda.”

James added: “Securing the funding and then designing and building a new hospital is not a quick process.

“It could take seven to eight years before we open a new state-of-the-art building, but a new hospital is very much part of our medium to long term strategy for the future of local health and care in Stockport and surrounding areas.”

Suppliers to civils contractor O’Keefe Construction (Greenwich) Ltd have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposed Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with 90% of creditors supporting the move.

CEO Patrick O’Keefe said: “We wish to wholeheartedly thank our creditors for this vote of confidence in the business.

“We have a robust underlying business supported by a strong order book. This CVA has rapidly restructured the business and ensures the business is well placed going forward.

“As shareholders we are committed to the business and we will be injecting £0.75m to support the restructuring. Again, could I reiterate my thanks to the company’s creditors for supporting us.

The well-known firm has been in business for more than 50 years on sites across London and the South East.

It ran into trouble after suffering a “significant loss” in the financial year to May 2021.

Damian Webb of RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP,said: “The approval of this CVA demonstrates the credibility of the proposal and the strong reputation built up by O’Keefe from over 50 years of trading.”

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