Environment Agency opens consultation on East Yorkshire oil production
The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on a permit variation application from Rathlin Energy in East Yorkshire.
The company, which has operated at West Newton north-east of Hull since 2013, has an environmental permit for drilling wells and long-term oil and gas production.
It has applied to vary the permit for West Newton A well site at Fosham Road in High Fosham, about which the Environment Agency is now seeking views from the local community and interested groups in a consultation running from now until January 3rd.
Rathlin is asking for permission to carry out ‘reservoir stimulation’ on the existing WNA-2 well. This is a process used by the oil and gas industry, which is designed to improve the efficiency of the flow of oil or gas through the reservoir rock and into the well.
Mining and extractive industries must have an environmental permit to operate. Issued by the Environment Agency, environmental permits detail the conditions that an operator is required to meet to ensure its activities minimise the risk of harm to people and the environment.
Peter Stevenson, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We will carry out a detailed and rigorous assessment of Rathlin Energy’s permit variation application. Our regulatory controls for the onshore oil and gas industry are in place to protect people and the environment.
“We may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally obliged to issue a permit. ”
British Steel invests £10m in rail stocking facility in Scunthorpe
British Steel has opened a £10-million rail stocking facility – the largest of its kind in the country, at the home of the country’s only rail producer.
The investment is part of British Steel’s strategy to support the supply of rails to Network Rail, ensuring there is stock ready, as and when required, for its supply chain.
Craig Harvey, British Steel’s Commercial Director, Rail, said: “We are committed to building the railways of the future, and this investment supports the government’s ambition to improve rail travel and connectivity throughout the UK.
“It will also enhance our long-term strategic partnership with Network Rail – a partnership which helps millions of UK passengers and freight operators enjoy safe, enjoyable, and timely journeys. Together we have an integral role to play in strengthening the UK’s infrastructure, enabling development, and supporting hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs in the supply chain.
“The new facility is the latest in a series of major investments in British Steel by our owner, Jingye, which is resolute in its commitment to enhancing our operations and helping us build a sustainable future for our business.
“British Steel is proud to be a global leader in rail production and innovation, and ventures like this will help ensure we keep delivering the high-quality products and services our customers demand.”
Julia Territt, Network Rail’s Supply Chain Operations Director, said: “We have a long running relationship with British Steel, who support the delivery of our track maintenance, renewal and enhancement activities.
“Our focus remains on ensuring that we have continued delivery of rail supply, now and into the future, so that we can continue delivering reliable services for our passengers. We’re pleased to see the ongoing commitment to supporting the UK rail network with the investment in the new facilities in Scunthorpe.”
The facility has 11 multi-gantry hoists to lift finished rail stock to customer rolling stock. From there it will be transported for installation on mainline routes within the UK.
When fully stocked, the storage facility will hold around 25,000 tonnes of 108m finished rail.
Inflation rises, ahead of expectations
UK inflation rose last month, with energy prices in part to blame, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation ticked up by 2.3% in the 12 months to October 2024, up from 1.7% in September, and ahead of expectations of a 2.2% rise.
The largest upward contribution to the change came from housing and household services, mainly because of electricity and gas prices. The largest offsetting downward contribution came from recreation and culture.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, rose by 3.3% in the 12 months to October 2024, up from 3.2% in September.
Alpesh Paleja, Interim Deputy Chief Economist, CBI, said: “Inflation was always expected to pick up in October, but the increase was bigger than the Bank of England had expected.
“We’ll continue to see bumpier inflation over the coming months, as more base effects play out in the data. But the big picture should still remain one of headline inflation being much lower than this time a couple of years ago.
“Despite the upside surprise in today’s data, the Bank is still likely to continue cutting rates at a gradual pace going forward. However, renewed price pressures from the fiscal loosening in October’s Budget means that the CPI rate is likely to stay above the 2% target for longer than previously expected.
“Coupled with continued strength in services price inflation and wage growth, this all but rules out the prospect of a faster pace of rate cuts in the year ahead.”
Golf day secures hole in one for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Streets Chartered Accountants, with its Yorkshire offices based in Hull, Wakefield and Halifax, hosted their eleventh annual Charity Golf Day raising a record amount of more than £7,500.
The total amount fundraised will be divided between three regional charities: Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The winning team on the day was Bickford Ltd with Martin Sheardown coming in second and Fisher Motor Factors in third place. The winners of the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin competitions were Scott Park (Mens) and Alice Gray (Ladies) and Rory Colhoun respectively.
Streets would like to say a huge thank you to all those people who sponsored, donated, gave their time and helped in some way, without whom the day would not be possible.
The event received fantastic support with 25 teams taking part and more than 30 local businesses sponsoring the day. There were Stableford team prizes as well as competitions such as Longest Drive, Nearest the Pin, Beat the Pro, All four hit the Green and Hole in One.
Commenting on the day, Streets Partner Andrew Manderfield said: “The support we have received has been truly overwhelming and has helped us raise a staggering £7,545 for our three local Air Ambulance services. We’re delighted to be able to support our local Air Ambulance Services, who are the true winners of the day.”
Streets’ 12th Charity Golf Day will take place on Friday 4th July 2025 at Lincoln Golf Club, Torksey. Once again this will be in aid of the three Air Ambulances for which Streets have raised more than £70,000 for over the last 11 years.
Streets Chartered Accountants makes latest in string of mergers
Lincolnshire-based top 40 professional service firm, Streets Chartered Accountants has established Streets Bush Limited.
The announcement follows the merger of the Exeter chartered accountancy firm of Bush & Co with the fast-growing multi regional practice, Streets Chartered Accountants. This latest merger, along with that of the Bristol practice of Streets Steele following a merger only 12 months ago, now sees Streets firmly establish a presence in the South West.
When asked about the merger Shane Cann, Managing Director of Streets Bush, said: “We are thrilled to announce our merger with Streets and are excited about the future for our team and our clients as we move forwards as part of the wider Streets team.
“Bush & Co was founded in 1955 and over the years has grown into one of the leading accountancy firms in Exeter thanks to our strong reputation and excellent client care and continuity.
“It was very important to us that we joined forces with a firm who shared our values and ethos with an underpinning focus on excellent client service.
“We chose Streets because they also provide a tailored and bespoke service covering all areas of expertise across a broad range of sectors and in addition, we wished to retain some independence and investment in the existing business, providing for the continued longevity of the practice for our clients and our team.
“Being part of a wider, thriving UK practice means that we can now offer a more diverse range of specialist services including specialist corporate and private client tax planning, banking and finance, grants, R&D tax reliefs, international advice and personal financial planning. It also improves career prospects and training for our team, as well our ability to attract quality staff.
“The merger will strengthen our position in Exeter and Devon and enhance our reputation as a pre-eminent accountancy and business advice provider benefiting from the support of a multi-office and multi-region firm.
“Now we are very much an integral part of the further growth of the Streets practice we are all working closely to explore further expansion of the firm across the South West, including Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, both organically and through other merger opportunities.”
Looking at what the merger means to Streets, the firm’s Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We are especially pleased to have Shane Cann, his fellow directors and all the team in Exeter join the practice.
“We have wanted for some time to have a meaningful presence in the South West. In Streets Bush we have not only realised this but also our wider ambition to be amongst the region’s leading professional service firms looking after and supporting the needs of businesses, large and small, as well as private individuals.
“This latest merger, along with others over recent months, now means we have surpassed our target revenue of £40m for the year, a position we are delighted to be able to report and which reflects the success of our growth strategy and all the hard work by the team involved in our merger and acquisition activity.
“The profession is going through significant consolidation with heightened levels of merger and acquisition. In contrast to many, our approach seeks to build on the success of merging firms, ensuring we retain and build on their winning approach – an approach we believe is particularly liked by many of those looking to exit routes, the challenge of growing their practice or facing increased competition and the need to widen their service offering.”
Streets Law, the firm’s dedicated corporate and commercial law offering led by Managing Director and Solicitor, Adam Aisthorpe, undertook the legal work on behalf of Streets for the merger, including drafting the sale and purchase agreement and dealing with the due diligence process in collaboration with internal colleagues in the tax and audit teams at Streets.
Funding secured for £8m second phase of business park in Rotherham
South Yorkshire property company EV Waddington has secured part funding for the £8m second phase of a business park in Rotherham.
Construction of three new blocks of speculative industrial buildings and warehouses totalling 91,010 sq ft, which can be split into 13 units, has begun at Kingsforth Business Park, part of the established Thurcroft Industrial Estate.
The most recent phase is part funded by the SY JESSICA Fund (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) with a First Loss Loan together with a Development Loan Facility. The Fund is designed to promote sustainable investment, growth and jobs in urban areas through providing development support in the form of traditional loans and intervention funding.
Units in phase two have been designed for flexibility and can be combined to offer a range of unit sizes from 5,440 up to 10,980 sq ft and premises will be finished to a high specification to include 5.7-6.5m clear internal height; full insulation with full height roller shutter loading doors; fitted office accommodation to ground and first floor; warehouse lighting; connections to all mains services, including three phase electricity; good sized external loading area with dedicated car parking and fibre enabled.
Developer Tony Waddington, who was helped by Mercer & Co and Mascot Management on the funding application, said: “The multi-let unit project, made possible with a £1.45m award from the JESSICA programme, helps support continued economic growth in the region, which is key for us.
“This second speculative development demonstrates our confidence in the South Yorkshire market, our product, the location and the appetite within the industrial and logistics sector for units of this size within the region.”
Rebecca Schofield, office head at Knight Frank in Sheffield and head of industrial Yorkshire, which is acting as agent on the scheme, said: “The much needed, speculative accommodation at Kingsforth will bring 13 units from 5,440 sq ft to 10,980 sq ft available offering flexibility to be combined to accommodate larger requirements if needed.
“Kingsforth is aimed at industrial, warehouse and manufacturing occupiers with 6.5m eaves height, full height loading doors, lighting and office accommodation.
“These industrial and trade schemes address a shortage of small units across the region. Waddingtons continue to develop quality industrial units in South Yorkshire helping satisfy the pent-up demand for smaller, flexible units.”
The first phase of Kingsforth Business Park was completed by the developer without funding and is now let to occupiers including The Panel Company, UK Doors Online and EMED. Two units of 5,440 sq ft remain available.
Sheffield-headquartered training provider secures funding to deliver expansion strategy
Realise, the Sheffield-headquartered training provider, has reinforced its strategy for future expansion through acquisition by entering a partnership with a digital bank which specialises in helping organisations grow.
Supporting more than 16,500 learners a year across the UK through apprenticeships and adult education programmes, Realise has enjoyed a period of major growth since being the subject of a management buy-out in 2020.
It has now utilised its strong financial position to finalise a multi-million pound loan agreement with OakNorth, a digital bank designed to empower SMEs to support growth and innovation.
Realise employs more than 500 people across England and focuses its apprenticeship offering around early years and education, health and social care, business skills and transport.
In addition, it provides adult education training programmes in numerous locations, including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands, to support local authorities in their quest to upskill residents.
Gregg Scott, CEO of Realise, said: “We have an ambitious business growth strategy which we will be delivering in 2025 and beyond and partnering with OakNorth has given us the opportunity to continue seeking the acquisitions which we believe are crucial to our future progression.
“We have a long history in the apprenticeship and adult education training market and we are now actively seeking future acquisition opportunities, helping more people fulfil their potential while at the same time playing our part in addressing skills shortages in the UK economy.
“Of course, acquisition opportunities in the sectors we currently operate in would be of major interest but we would be fully open to conversations with any providers whose owners are looking to exit their business.”
Realise secured investment from private equity firm Endless (Enact Fund) to support a management buyout in 2020 and made two acquisitions to its early years portfolio two years later by securing FW Solutions and Training Plus Merseyside.
Gregg added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with OakNorth to help deliver our future growth plans and are extremely grateful for the support we have received from Endless – who are fully supportive of this move and have been involved in all discussions – and Deloitte’s Debt & Capital Advisory team who have been fantastic in guiding us through the process.”
Stewart Haworth, Debt Finance Director at OakNorth, said: “Realise has been supporting people to fulfil their potential and helping businesses to grow by upskilling their workforce for decades.
“It has established a market leading position across several sectors, received industry-wide recognition and developed a strong EBITDA profile organically and without debt.
“Led by a highly capable management team and backed by very strong sponsors in Endless, Realise has consistently delivered impressive growth and performance. We’re delighted to be supporting a business that is not only highly successful and growing quickly, but one that is also making a positive contribution to people and communities across the UK.”
The transaction was advised by Deloitte (debt advisory), Womble Bond Dickinson and Pinsent Masons (Legal), KPMG (tax DD), GK Strategy (political DD), CIL (commercial DD) and Grant Thornton (financial DD).
Lupton Fawcett makes commercial property and employment team promotions
Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett has promoted two of its long-standing partners to head up its commercial property and employment departments and help bolster the firm’s growth ambitions.
Julian Rowden has been appointed head of commercial property at the firm, while Angela Gorton has taken on the role of head of employment.
Julian joined Lupton Fawcett in 2013 and has over 30 years’ legal experience. He acts for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants of commercial and agricultural property, with a particular specialism in the acquisition and disposal of rural land holdings.
With more than 25 years’ experience – including 15 as a partner at Lupton Fawcett – Angela is an employment law specialist who advises employers and senior executives on a range of human resources issues across the housebuilding, education, manufacturing and real estate sectors.
Lupton Fawcett’s managing partner, James Richardson, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate Julian and Angela on their new leadership roles within the firm.
“As well as having excellent – and well-deserved – reputations in their fields of expertise, their commitment to providing outstanding service aligns perfectly with our approach to client care and will support our future success.”
Julian said: “I’m looking forward to leading and strengthening our commercial property team as we continue to offer high-quality legal advice to existing clients, and welcome new ones.”
Angela said: “I’m excited at the prospect of managing a team of incredibly talented, commercially-minded and friendly experts in providing a first class, cost-effective service across all aspects of employment law.”
Forge New Homes appoints Head of Land to drive site acquisitions in Yorkshire and East Midlands
Forge New Homes has appointed Lindsay Salvin as its new Head of Land and Development, furthering its ambitions to secure key sites across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
Salvin joins the Sheffield-based company from Hallam Land Management, where she spent two years overseeing nationwide land acquisitions. With decades of experience in the built environment, her career includes senior roles at companies such as Vistry Partnerships and Strategic Team Group.
Commenting on her new role, Lindsay said: “Forge New Homes is on the cusp of an exciting new era.
“The team has ambitious plans for growth, and I’m eager to leverage my experience in land acquisition to help secure the right sites that will deliver much-needed homes across the region.
“I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to shape thriving and accessible new communities across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.”
Her appointment follows a period of significant activity for Forge, which recently broke ground on two new residential developments – one at Waverley in Sheffield and another in Bolsover in the East Midlands.
Additionally, the company has announced the purchase of a seven-acre greenfield site in Beckingham, an attractive commuter village on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border from Wilgoose Homes.
Andy Beattie, Managing Director at Forge New Homes, said: “Lindsay is an incredible addition to our team. Her depth of knowledge and experience in land acquisition will be invaluable as we continue to grow our portfolio.
“Forge New Homes is committed to delivering high-quality homes, and with Lindsay on board, we are well-positioned to secure the best sites and deliver our pipeline of developments.”
Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing and Chair of Forge New Homes, added: “Lindsay’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Forge as we continue to expand our footprint. Her expertise in land acquisition will play a critical role in helping us identify strategic opportunities and drive forward our mission of creating sustainable communities.”
Lincolnshire-headquartered Jointline makes £300,000 investment in hydroblasting
Lincolnshire-headquartered specialist civil engineering firm Jointline has fuelled its continued expansion with a £300,000 investment in hydroblasting technology. Established in 1987, the privately-owned company – which works across highways, airport runways and internal lining projects – is on track to achieve a record annual turnover approaching £18m.
The hydroblasting equipment delivers rapid line and rubber removal and retexturing across concrete, asphalt and composite surfaces. The new investment has enabled the company to add a service that had been wholly outsourced to its raft of in-house capabilities.
Two members of staff have been recruited to operate Jointline’s new hydroblaster unit, which benefits from a bespoke fit-out, eight-hour operation and low noise emission. Two high-performance jet driers have also been purchased to enable quick drying across external surfaces.
Gary Massey, Managing Director of Jointline, said: “The demand for hydroblasting from airfields, National Highways, tier one contractors, and local authorities led to our strategic decision to invest in bespoke machinery and boost our in-house capabilities. While we will continue to work with preferred supply partners on some major projects, by self-delivering this service we can be more flexible and reactive to client needs.
“We are proud that one of the new members of staff we have taken on to operate the hydroblaster is ex-army and applied for the role because he saw that we were members of the Armed Forces Covenant.
“It is encouraging to see the new wave of infrastructure projects being tendered across the UK and overseas in recent months, which will help to our expansion plans. We are also eager to see the detail of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, which is anticipated to be published in late spring. The early success of this investment may even lead to us commissioning additional hydroblasting units next year.”
Jointline’s recent hydroblasting projects include the removal of thermoplastic lining at Immingham Docks for Dyer & Butler, to make way for the installation of new walkways. The firm has also removed epoxy road markings and parking areas airside at Heathrow Airport for Ferrovial to allow for temporary roadway linings to be applied.
In Norfolk, Jointline was commissioned by Tarmac to remove old road markings and install a new cycle path and thermoplastic road marking configuration.
Jointline has four main divisions; airfields; highways; off-highways and civils; and maintenance. Earlier this year, it deployed £1m of company funds in the investment of specialist grooving plant and machinery and took the headcount of skilled professionals to a record high of 120 employees.
The Witham St Hughs-headquartered firm has recently completed extensive rehabilitation works and grooving on the Southern Runway at Heathrow Airport, along with the significant Aircraft Servicing Platform (ASP) replacement works at a military airbase in Lincolnshire.
The team has also successfully completed a comprehensive National Highways project to upgrade M1 North and Southbound carriageways from Junctions 39 to 42.
The firm has undertaken renovation and improvement works at the majority of major civilian airports in the UK, as well as runways across continental Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
