Ground broken for major Doncaster logistics facility
Panattoni has put the first spade in the ground to start speculatively developing its 417,570 sq ft logistics facility at Doncaster.
Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed main contractor for the construction of Panattoni Doncaster 420, following the approval of planning consent from Doncaster Council in February. Completion of the development is expected in January 2024.
The development which is the largest speculative logistics facility under construction in Yorkshire, is strategically located close to junction 3 of the M18, the M1, A1(M) and M62 motorways. The facility benefits from its easy accessibility to the ports of Hull, Immingham and Liverpool.
Panattoni continue to deliver its commitment to developing sustainable buildings. This facility will be Net Zero Carbon and is being built to a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’. Other sustainability features include 20% electric vehicle charging spaces, 15% roof lights and the roof being designed to hold up to 100% PV panels.
The project comprises 37 loading doors, an 85m deep yard with parking for 74 HGVs, 358 parking spaces, 15m clear internal height and up to 1.5 MVa of power.
Dan Burn, development director at Panattoni, said: “Panattoni are delighted to be underway with another sustainable speculative commitment in the South Yorkshire region and we were very pleased to welcome Cllr Glyn Jones and representatives of Business Doncaster to the site to witness the early progress we have made.
“Panattoni Doncaster 420 occupies a prime location in South Yorkshire with fantastic transport links, providing easy access to both national and international consumer and industrial markets.”
Danny Nelson, director of industrial, distribution and logistics at Winvic, said: “It’s great to be working in partnership with Panattoni once more and we’re delighted Winvic was selected to construct this facility due to our expertise in delivering projects with Net Zero Carbon credentials and delivering social value.
“We will be working in partnership with Panattoni, our supply chain and the local authority to take an active role in the community, committing through an Employment and Skills Plan, to prioritise training and employment opportunities for local people and businesses. The team has just commenced the initial groundworks programme and we aim to build on our already excellent relationship with Panattoni throughout the project.”
Letting agents are CPP, Colliers International and Cushman & Wakefield.
Outfield Digital acquired by Danish firm
Barnsley-based Outfield Digital has been acquired by Umbraco. It sees Umbraco take ownership of Outfield’s eCommerce platform, Vendr, as well as its other commercial package, Konstrukt, a rapid back-office UI builder.
Outfield Digital is owned and managed by Matt and Lucy Brailsford, who will be joining Umbraco HQ. Matt will continue to maintain and develop Vendr as part of the D-Team and Lucy will be joining the Community Happiness Team working with Developer Relations.
Matt said: “I’m so excited to be starting my new role as commerce technical team lead at Umbraco HQ. I’ll get to continue developing the product I’ve been working so hard on for the last 3 years, but now with additional assistance from the composable DXP team, as well as customer support from the support warriors and sales from the suits. Together, I’m confident that we can take commerce in Umbraco to a whole new level.”
Lucy said: “I’m super excited for the future of Vendr in the hands of Umbraco, taking the product we have nurtured and giving it the opportunity to grow and realise its full potential. I’m equally looking forward to my new opportunity to join the Community Happiness Team, learning new skills and having the chance to connect with the wonderful Umbraco Community even more.”
This is the second acquisition Umbraco has completed in the last 12 months.
Kim Sneum Madsen, CEO at Umbraco, said: “We believe that in order for Umbraco to stay relevant we need to look beyond just content. We want to be able to offer a powerful commerce offering that is well-integrated with Umbraco and that can be added to Umbraco projects where needed. And we believe Vendr to be just that.”
Step closer for hotel and office in Westgate
As part of Wakefield Council’s long-term regeneration plan for the city, it has purchased the 19th century Westgate railway station. The station closed ten years ago when the new one opened next door.
The plan is to construct a hotel and office at this location, which aims to attract businesses back to the city centre and reverse the trend of out-of-town locations.
Local business leaders have supported the move and emphasised the need for a hotel in the city centre.
Following the purchase, the council will do soft market testing to determine the commercial interest for a hotel, office block or both at this location, before inviting developers to submit bids.
The construction of the new premises will complete the regeneration of Westgate. CAPA College, a performing arts college, and Burgage Square, a mixed-use development with accommodation, retail and office space, were the most recent projects to redevelop this area.
Mark Lynam, Wakefield Council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic growth, said: “When completed, the Westgate Gateway will be an excellent location for businesses due to its convenient railway links, places to stay, high-quality offices and nearby restaurants.
“It’s part of our vision for Wakefield to be a flexible and adaptable city, easily changing to customer demand. The provision of high-quality offices and a hotel will be the final feature to our Westgate Gateway, well positioned on the East Coast Main Line railway and adjacent to some of the city’s most valuable cultural assets.”
Kevin Trickett, interim chair of Wakefield’s High Street Task Force, said: “Wakefield suffers from not having a quality hotel in the city centre. In my role as Civic Society President, I sometimes organise events where I bring people from across the region or even further afield and it’s really difficult trying to organise logistics when the hotels are outside the city centre.
“Going back further, in a previous job I used to organise conferences and I would’ve loved to have brought that business to Wakefield, but I couldn’t because we just don’t have that sort of hotel, so, it’s an exciting prospect.”
This is one of several projects in the Wakefield masterplan that together aim to transform the city centre into a thriving and culturally vibrant city. Others include Tileyard North, The Orangery and Civic Quarter, Kirkgate Gateway, a flexible multi-use outdoor space at Cathedral Square and a new home for the Wakefield Library and Museum in the heart of the city centre.
The purchase of the Old Westgate Station is one of the city centre projects being funded through a £24.9m grant from the Towns Fund which was allocated in 2021.
Unity Homes and Enterprise appoints new director of housing operations
Unity Homes and Enterprise has appointed Katherine Proctor as director of housing operations.
She joins the Leeds-based BME housing association after nine years at Yorkshire Housing where she held a succession of senior positions including head of repairs and investment, head of homeworks and building service manager.
A graduate of the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, Ms Proctor is a former chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Board.
In her new role, she will provide strategic direction for the delivery of Unity’s housing services including tenancy management, responsive repairs, planned and cyclical maintenance, estates services, customer services and rental income.
Established in 1987 and holding the highest gradings from the Regulator of Social Housing, Unity manages more than 1,350 properties for tenants in some of the most deprived and multicultural neighbourhoods in Leeds.
Alongside its role as a landlord and provider of housing services, the association helps people to set up and run their own businesses and access employment, training education opportunities.
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “Unity is making great progress in delivering a transformational Corporate Plan rooted in our social purpose which was recently reviewed.
“Being the best performing and a well-regarded landlord is at the top of our priority and Katherine will be at the heart of this work.
“She possesses all of the skills and experiences that are key to the role.
“We are excited to welcome her to the Senior Management Team.”
Katherine Proctor said: “I look forward to leading on the delivery of services that matter most to Unity customers and make a significant difference to people’s lives, particularly customers from the BME community who continue to face inequalities socio-economically and in housing provision.
“Unity has strong values and its social purpose demonstrates that the association cares about making a difference, mirroring my own values and purpose which really matter to me.
“It is clear that Unity has high ambitions for itself and the people whose needs it works so hard to address.
“Working with colleagues at every level of the organisation, I know we can achieve a lot together.”
Ms Proctor will take up post in June.
Manchester courier company expands into Yorkshire
Speed Couriers, the Manchester-based courier company, is expanding into Yorkshire.
The company, which was founded 37 years ago, specialises in urgent same day transport for the medical sector across the UK, providing a secure distribution channel for NHS Trusts, GP surgeries and private pathology services.
In addition to collecting and delivering blood, pathology samples, records, they also deliver a wide range of non-medical supplies, from internal mail and small packages up to large non-haulage items.
Director Carl Truscott explained the significant decision to move permanently into Yorkshire.
“Over the past couple of years, we have been providing more and more courier services across the Pennines. As a result, we are now looking for additional premises in Leeds, ideally in the North East of the city, which will enable us to further develop and have easy access to North and East Yorkshire too.
“This is a very important move for us as we aim to increase our geographical range and become the largest and most successful independent courier company in the north of England. We have built a stellar reputation in the North West and we trust this will stand us in good stead as we strengthen our links with Leeds, Bradford, York, Scarborough, Hull and many other places in between.
“It is fair to say that the past few years has been hard for the courier and distribution sector with the pandemic changing the face of what is normal and since then rising costs that affect us all. We are proud to be able to buck that trend, having worked hard during this time to protect the 37 years past coming out the other side having grown and developed as a business that provides a respected and reliable same-day service which never lets our customers down.
“We are passionate about our very loyal 60 plus fleet of drivers, many of whom have been with us for years, and of course our loyal customers. To maintain our exemplary service, we will be looking to add to our fleet to support our operations in Leeds and these other areas.
“These are exciting times for Speed Couriers. Apart from our move into Yorkshire, we are also strengthening our position in other areas across the UK, where we are making good progress with new medical, corporate and private clients.”
Henry Boot Construction wraps up Sheffield’s new city centre park
Henry Boot Construction has completed the main phase of work on Sheffield City Centre’s brand-new public space, Pound’s Park.
The landmark park was handed over to Sheffield City Council and officially opened on 3 April – just in time for the public to start enjoying the space over the Easter weekend and school holidays.
Named after Sheffield’s first chief fire officer, Superintendent John Charles Pound, the park is located on the former fire station site between Rockingham Street, Wellington Street and Carver Street, and will offer a multitude of experiences, including spaces for play, relaxation and socialising.
The 6,000 sq m space has been developed with families in mind and boasts a significant new children’s playground at its heart.
The playground includes two large pyramid towers – the tallest standing at 11 metres, with stainless steel slides, climbing structures, playhouses, a seesaw, wheelchair-accessible play equipment and more.
Another feature, which involved careful installation from the Henry Boot team, is a unique three-by-eight-metre climbing boulder, reminiscent of a Peak District rockface. The boulder is designed to include multiple natural-looking hand and foot holds and be suitable for would-be climbers of all abilities.
Henry Boot will be back on site later this month to facilitate some final utility work that will enable the water play features, lighting and accessible WCs to open to the public.
Tony Shaw, Managing Director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “We are extremely proud to announce the completion of Pound’s Park and hand it back to Sheffield Council. It’s been a real team effort to get it all ready in time for the public to enjoy this Easter.
“Sheffield is renowned as one of the country’s greenest cities and Pound’s Park is making it even greener and continuing to build on the exciting Outdoor City ethos.
“At Henry Boot, we understand that the need for major public spaces in our urban environment continues to grow. With more people living and working in city centres today, these accessible and attractive spaces are crucial to creating a modern, liveable city centre – one that supports people’s physical and mental wellbeing. It helps reduce vehicle congestion and the resulting carbon emissions.”
Henry Boot’s management of Pound’s Park has been exemplary, with the construction site recently receiving marks of 45/45 following an inspection from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).
The Sheffield-based company are also working on two other major developments in Heart of the City – either side of the park.
To the west of the park is Kangaroo Works – a major residential development delivering 364 new apartments. To the east is Elshaw House – the city’s first zero carbon-ready office building, and Cambridge Street Collective – a contemporary hospitality space featuring a food hall and rooftop restaurant.
“Due to the park’s location between our Kangaroo Works and Elshaw House sites, it made perfect sense for our team to also deliver the adjoining public realm,” continued Tony.
“Our team’s extensive knowledge of the project ensured the Pound’s Park project ran extremely efficiently. The continuity of the project team enabled us to better manage workflow, supplies, budget and timelines. These benefits are understandably hugely appealing to local authority clients.
“It also enabled us to support local supply chain and jobs. We partnered with many great businesses from the region, including Timberplay, who designed and installed the play area.”
Sheffield firm completes Magna refurb as part of £20m project
Sheffield-based interactive exhibition specialists Aivaf Ltd has refreshed existing exhibits, installed new ones and added digital information points to update the 22-year-old Air Pavilion at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.
The make-over is the first of many at the centre as several exhibits, public areas and facilities are due to be upgraded over the next 18 months to improve the visitor experience and the venue’s sustainability.
This programme of work is part of a £20m investment secured by Rotherham Council to help improve the leisure economy and skills in Rotherham. Other attractions also benefiting from the Levelling Up funding include Wentworth Woodhouse, Thrybergh Country Park, Rother Valley Country Park, Maltby Learning Trust and Skills Street at Gulliver’s Valley.
Magna Chief Executive Kevin Tomlinson said: “We are proud to be part of Rotherham Council’s vision for a strong and sustainable visitor economy across the borough, alongside our fellow attractions Wentworth Woodhouse, Thrybergh Country Park and Rother Valley Country Park.
“This support has enabled us to invest in our unique building, protect its heritage and develop our exhibits, which provide energetic and enquiring minds with a place to have fun, explore the wonders of science and develop a love of STEM learning. We are very pleased to be playing our part in making Rotherham a great place to visit now and in the future.”
Rotherham’s cabinet member for jobs and local economy, councillor Denise Lelliott said: “The Council aims to grow Rotherham’s leisure economy by making the most of our unique assets and green spaces and investing in training to support jobs in this sector.
“Magna Science Adventure Centre is a landmark visitor attraction and events venue for Rotherham, and it’s great to see these first improvements going live and being enjoyed by schools, families and groups from across the borough and all over the UK.”
‘Living lab’ scheme will transform Humber into ‘silicon estuary’, say developers
The world’s biggest offshore wind ‘living lab’ is to be created off the Grimsby coast through the development of a 5G Testbed that includes ABP’s Port of Grimsby, Port the Lynn, and Inner Dowsing wind farm.
The £2.8m project will accelerate the development of a new generation of digital technologies essential for the huge expansion of offshore wind generation required to meet climate targets. It is being driven by a consortium led by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and bringing together the expertise of Microsoft, Vilicom, JET Connectivity, XceCo, ABP, Acceleran and Satellite Applications Catapult.
The offshore wind sector is growing rapidly, increasing the need for Operations & Maintenance, which can be both expensive and hazardous. On average, these activities account for 25% of the total lifetime cost of an offshore wind farm, and as the sector expands, there is a strong push to reduce this cost by using robotics and autonomous solutions for inspections, maintenance and repair.
The 5G Testbed will allow technology providers to test and demonstrate their equipment in real world conditions, with access to reliable, high-speed communications. It aims to kickstart a digital revolution in offshore wind O&M in the region and attract users from the global offshore wind sector.
Ben George, head of Smart Operations and Maintenance at ORE Catapult, said: “This 5G Testbed is a hugely exciting development for O&M in offshore renewable energy. The Testbed will demonstrate the benefits of new remote digital solutions that require high bandwidth, low latency wireless communications – aimed at making O&M safer, greener and more effective.
“It will provide a real-world development, demonstration and test zone for robotics and autonomous systems, remote sensors, wearable technology, cyber security, zero emission vessels, smart ports, and aquaculture that will drive the digital future of O&M. This gives UK innovators and technology developers the upper hand as they bring new products and services to market, including for export into an offshore wind sector that is booming around the world.
“We are delighted to be working with our group of expert partners as we seek to transform the Humber into a new ‘silicon estuary’.”
To create the Testbed, two 5G technology development and demonstration zones over the existing fibre network will be built – one at Grimsby Port and the other within the Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm. Fifteen 5G radio transmitters will be placed across five sites including wind turbines and a radio mast, and two 5G solar powered buoys will provide an extended 5G network beyond the range of the wind farm. JET Connectivity is providing the 5G solar powered buoys for the project.
Credited for being the world’s largest operations and maintenance (O&M) offshore hub, the Port of Grimsby is an established centre of excellence for these activities for Round 1 and 2 wind farms in the North Sea. The port offers a number of sites suitable for the development of the operations and maintenance (O&M) industry, as well as other offshore wind-associated activities.
Simon Bird, ABP Humber Regional Director, said: “We are very proud that the Port of Grimsby has been chosen as the primary site for the 5G network and look forward to working with partners on this project to make it a success.
“At ABP, we’re committed to supporting innovation in the renewable energy sector, alongside decarbonising our own operations, as reflected in our net zero sustainability strategy, Ready for Tomorrow, which was launched last month.”
The offshore wind sector is growing rapidly, increasing the need for O&M, which is currently expensive and hazardous. On average, O&M accounts for 25% of the total lifetime cost of an offshore wind farm, and as the sector expands, there is a strong push to reduce this cost by using robotics and autonomous solutions to support necessary inspections, maintenance and repair.
However, many new digital solutions rely on high-fidelity wireless data communications that 5G provides, and while 5G is being installed in new wind farms, these are not available for wider development and testing. This project will create the 5G infrastructure that provides an accessible and operationally integrated Testbed for new technologies that are essential to the roll out of offshore wind globally.
The project will be funded with £1m from the Innovate UK Cyber Physical Infrastructure (CPI) fund, an expected £1m from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and industry match funding.
Farmers offered share in £34m to improve slurry storage and store water
Farmers are being offered a share in Government funding of £34m to better manage slurry storage and to store and use water more efficiently, as a key part of a new Plan for Water.
With and estimated half of slurry stores in England not being fit for purpose, the grants will provide farmers with between £25,000-£250,000 to build, replace or expand storage and can contribute towards a range of solutions like lagoons, steel and concrete ring tanks and large slurry bags.
More than 1,200 applications were received for the first round of the grant. Defra wants to help as many farms as possible to upgrade their slurry storage, but needs to balance the high demand for grants with the capacity of slurry store suppliers to increase production.
374 projects have been invited to submit a full application for a share of £33.9 million in funding – up from £13.2 million when the grant was first announced last year. This is based on an assessment of what the market could handle following conversations with suppliers and installers and considering the types of store farmers have applied for.
Better management of slurry from farming means less pollution washing off into rivers when it rains, says the Government. More investment into water supply will mean farmers are more prepared for climate change impacts – from reservoirs to better irrigation.
The money comes from the first round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant – more than two-and-a-half times the original budget. The government will also publish the guidance for the second round of the Water Management Grant, which will open for applications later in April and provide £10m in funding to help farmers manage their water use through better irrigation and more on-farm reservoirs.
The government’s new Plan for Water covers the quality of the water environment – how clean it is – and water resources – how much of it we have. It will transform the whole water system – tackling every source of pollution, including from storm overflows, agriculture, plastics, road run-off, chemicals and pesticides, as well as the pressures on our water supply as a result of hotter, drier summers and population growth.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “Communities across the country want to see clean and plentiful water in our rivers and streams, and farmers have a huge role in helping to deliver this.
“We know that farmers want to do the right thing, which is why – as part of today’s Plan for Water – we’re providing even more funding for farmers both to reduce their water pollution from slurry and better manage the water on their farms.”
The second round of the Water Management Grant will see £10m in funding made available for farmers to improve farm productivity through more efficient use of water for irrigation, and to secure water supplies for crop irrigation by constructing on-farm reservoirs and adopting best practice irrigation application equipment. Grants will be available for between £35,000 and £500,000, which will ensure that funding supports farms of all sizes while committing to supporting higher value projects which align with the fund’s objectives. The grant will be open later in April with an online checker available to help farmers determine their eligibility and likelihood of success.Company fined £2.3m after workers put at risk of death
A major pipeline transportation company has been fined £2.3 million for safety breaches after its employees were exposed to risk of serious injury and even death while working on a leaking pipeline containing petrol under pressure.
Workers at Exolum Pipeline System Ltd, formerly known as CLH Pipeline System (CLH-PS) Ltd, were excavating a suspected pipeline leak in the woodland adjacent to the B1398 and M180 near Holme, North Lincolnshire, between 7 to 10 March 2018. The employees were working in an area where a previous repair had taken place.
The risks arising from the excavation work and exposure were significant. An unknown defect on the previous repair of the pipeline which contained petroleum under high pressure had the potential to form a flammable cloud extending over several metres from the work area, causing those in the immediate vicinity to potentially be covered in a heavy spray of petrol and engulfed in petrol vapour. If ignition had occurred before the area could be evacuated, then there would have been a very high risk of death or serious injury.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that Exolum Pipeline System Ltd failed to properly identify and control the risks associated with carrying out a pipeline repair.
Exolum Pipeline System Ltd, of King William Street, London, was found guilty of an offence contrary to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and an offence contrary to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following a trial at Grimsby Crown Court. The company was fined £2.3 million and ordered to pay £157,431 in costs at Grimsby Crown Court on 24 March 2023.
HSE inspector Mark Leadbetter said: “This incident had the potential to cause serious injury or death to multiple casualties and could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Leeds firm signs deal to invest in clean energy in Paraguay and Iceland
Leeds-based Atome Energy has signed an agreement with the Itaipu Binational Technology Park to invest in state-of-the-art green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities in Paraguay.
The agreement aims at large-scale production of green hydrogen and ammonia from clean energy sources. The company intends that production will be ramped up from an initial 50 MW unit by the end of next year, with plans for a gradual increase in production up to 250MW. Atome Energy will simultaneously implement the same project in Iceland, where they will also have access to clean energy sources.
The announcement highlights the virtues of Paraguay as a location for its production centre. Easy access to clean energy from hydroelectric dams, as well as its participation in Mercosur, make it an ideal location for such a large-scale project.
The production centre will be less than a mile from the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, with ample access to the power provided by the dam and easy access to the river for easy transport. With markets interested in these products, both within Paraguay and Mercosur, it is possible to project exports to the rest of the world in the future.
The project is aligned, among others, to Paraguay’s Green Hydrogen Roadmap and decarbonization goals established in its National Development Plan 2030, as well as the objectives in the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions within the framework of the Paris Accord..
Green Hydrogen (and Ammonia) has been described as the “Swiss Army Knife” of energy, as they are important alternatives for companies trying to make the transition to net zero emissions.
Ambassador Ramin Navai commented: “We are very excited about this news. The future production of green hydrogen and ammonia would be a great bilateral achievement, with the UK providing its expertise, and Paraguay providing its clean energy from Itaipu.
“We are going to produce green energy with green energy! That’s the way forward to a commercially competitive future, in an environmentally friendly way.”
Plans revealed for affordable homes and extra care scheme in Bridlington
New plans have been unveiled for 54 affordable homes and a 68-apartment extra care scheme just two miles from Bridlington Town Centre.
The planning application has been submitted by Esh Construction in a £25 million land led development brought forward in partnership with Housing 21 and a regional registered housing provider.
The proposed design features a three-storey extra care building containing one and two-bedroom apartments and communal facilities including a restaurant, hair salon and a resident lounge. A mix of two and three-bedroom houses, two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom ‘walk up’ apartments will be constructed for affordable tenures, including affordable rent, shared ownership and rent to buy.
Earmarked for land off Pinfold Lane in the north of Bridlington which is allocated for residential development in the East Riding Local Plan, the development meets an identified need for affordable housing in the area and homes for older persons aged over 55.
Laura Devaney, Land and Partnerships Director at Esh Construction, said: “We have worked closely with East Riding of Yorkshire Council to ensure local need was fully considered within plans for the development, including both design and housing tenures.
“It is widely documented that our ageing society is causing a shortage of later life living options which means building new extra care housing is a high priority. Add to this, the Government’s target to build 180,000 new homes through the 2021-2026 Affordable Homes Programme, and schemes which foster inter-generational living can make a significant difference to the shortage of these types of living options within communities.”
Housing 21 will take ownership of the extra care facility which will allow people to live independently in their own home, while accessing on-site care and support should they need it. All apartments will be made available for social rent.
Deborah Hope, Head of Development at Housing 21, said: “We are pleased that planning permission for Housing 21’s Extra Care scheme in Bridlington has been submitted. We look forward to being able to build homes for local older people where they can live independently for longer, in the community that they know and love.”
The two-storey houses, bungalows and ‘walk-up’ apartments will be constructed for a regional registered housing provider. Modern methods of construction (MMC) will be used throughout the scheme and 26 homes will be built with a timber frame.
Jonathan Millea, Land & Planning Director at Millea Group, said: “I am extremely pleased with how this project is panning out so far. From the beginning our client, Esh Construction, has approached this with professionalism by carrying out all the necessary due diligence prior to submitting their planning application. Communication is paramount to ensuring all interested parties remain updated and as a wider team this is something we’ve all worked on very well.
“Millea Group is looking forward to seeing the planning application progress and the development bring forward the much needed accommodation.”
Devaney added: “An extensive amount of work has gone into this scheme to date, and I would like to thank all parties for their involvement, including Acanthus WSM Architects, Devcom Ltd, Millea Group Ltd, Engineering Services Consultancy Ltd and ID Planning.”
In the event of a successful planning decision, Esh Construction will continue to work with BWA (Europe) Ltd, AA Projects and Eastwood Consulting Engineers throughout the development.
Irwin Mitchell Asset Management acquires business of Leeds-based wealth manager
Irwin Mitchell Asset Management Limited (IMAML) has invested further in its business, strengthened its financial planning expertise and grown its client-base by completing a deal to acquire the business and assets of Leeds-based Andrews Gwynne LLP.
The deal will add specialist investment management capacity and capability to the growing IM Asset Management team as well as providing Sheffield-based Irwin Mitchell the opportunity to offer its full suite of legal services to Andrews Gwynne clients. The acquisition is expected to increase assets under management to £1.2 billion.
Current partner at Andrews Gwynne, Mark Smith, is joining as head of the team and will report directly to IM Asset Management CEO, Richard Potts. This deal follows Irwin Mitchell Asset Management Limited’s acquisition of Alderley Edge-based financial planners TWP Wealth last year.
Richard Potts, CEO of IMAML, said: “The addition of the Andrews Gwynne team gives us the opportunity to attract more clients from outside of Irwin Mitchell who come direct for our wealth management and investment planning services – as well as adding capacity and capability for existing Irwin Mitchell clients. We’re pleased to have the team on board and welcome them to IM Asset Management.”
Mark Smith, partner at Andrews Gwynne, said: “We’re delighted to be joining the Irwin Mitchell group and the IM Asset Management team. Our values and vision for the future are shared and our joint capabilities mean we’ll be able to provide all our clients with an increased depth and breadth of wealth and legal services.”
Adler and Allan acquire wastewater monitoring and management specialist Detectronic
Harrogate environmental services business, Adler and Allan, has acquired sewer and wastewater network monitoring and management specialist Detectronic, to further enhance its wastewater telemetry and monitoring capability.
Detectronic is an environmental and engineering company with a proven track record of helping customers prevent flooding and reduce pollution. Detectronic design and manufacture a range of flow and level monitors for wastewater monitoring including LIDoTT, a market-leading range of sewer level monitoring devices. LIDoTT is specifically designed for widespread deployment across entire networks and provides utility companies with an early warning system for pollution events.
Neil Butler, Managing Director, Detectronic, said: “We are delighted to be joining the Adler and Allan Group. The services Adler and Allan offer, combined with its established position in the utilities market, allows us to extend our expert monitoring and management solutions to more companies.”
Henrik Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer, Adler and Allan, said: “This is our fourth acquisition in the utilities sector, and sixth overall in the last 18 months.
“It is a further step in the group’s ambitious growth plans to support customers with a broader set of environmental challenges including trade effluent, wastewater management and the hugely divisive and the high-profile topic of CSOs.
“With this latest acquisition, we are cementing our position as a strategic partner to the water industry to manage and monitor their assets through the full lifecycle.”
This acquisition follows the announcement that consultative asset management, engineering, and commercial services company Aqua Consultants joined the Adler and Allan Group in February 2023.
Hippo Digital expands data and engineering capabilities with fellow Leeds firm
Digital services partner, Hippo Digital, has acquired Leeds-based data consultancy, The Data Shed.
Hippo Digital has been on a mission to transform the delivery of digital services across the NHS and central government since being founded in 2016.
Both Hippo Digital and The Data Shed have experienced exceptional double-digit growth in the last year, and demand for their services continues to increase.
The coming together of these two businesses creates a nearly 400-strong team and a new alternative to the traditional, legacy systems integrators and digital transformation organisations that have historically dominated this space.
Adam Lewis, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hippo Digital, said: “The Data Shed has an impressive track record of delivering for clients and has established itself as a real leader in the data field.
“This acquisition significantly strengthens our data and engineering capabilities, helps us solve wider problems for clients, and The Data Shed’s private sector experience extends our reach. We’re delighted to welcome the team to the Hippo family.”
Ed Thewlis, co-founder and chief commercial officer of The Data Shed, said: “Hippo and The Data Shed are united in the belief of doing what is right for our clients and adding value every step of the way. Value and good design are at the heart of every project we complete.
“By bringing the two businesses together, we believe that we have the talent and the experience to disrupt the current market offering, driving meaningful transformation to more clients and ultimately driving better outcomes for citizens and customers everywhere.”
This acquisition takes Hippo Digital’s headcount close to 400 and revenues in excess of £40m.
The transaction was supported by Grant Thornton (finance and tax due diligence), Squire Patton Boggs (legal and legal due diligence), Armstrong (customer due diligence), Vista (insurance due diligence) and The Data Shed advisors KPMG and DWF. NatWest provided funding for the transaction, and legal support was provided to NatWest by Addleshaw Goddard.
Water companies share in £1.6bn to improve water quality
Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, and Severn Trent Water are amongst five companies to share more than £1.6bn of new investment for vital infrastructure to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes and coastal waters and secure future water supplies, the government and Ofwat has announced.
As part of the new package of investment, announced in draft form by Ofwat, companies will commit £1.1 billion to help eliminate harm caused by storm overflows. A further £400 million will be spent on water resilience schemes and £160m to help reduce nutrient pollution.
It includes major new projects such as:
- Yorkshire Water improving wastewater treatment infrastructure in Ilkley to improve the bathing water quality of the River Wharfe (£67 million)
- Anglian Water accelerating its regional storm overflow reduction plan in the east of England (£27 million)
- Severn Trent rolling out smart meters and modifying its Draycote Water reservoir in Warwickshire to increase water capacity (£70 million)
- Essex and Suffolk Water increasing water resilience in their area to better meet the needs of local customers including businesses (£18 million)
- United Utilities reducing around 8,400 spills per year, including reducing discharges into Lake Windermere (£800 million)
ITM Power signs 15-year lease on Bessemer Park extension plan premises
ITM Power has signed a 15-year lease on factory and office space at Sheffield’s Bessewmer Park.
The expansion will allow creation of a dedicated R&D and product validation centre which will include science laboratories and testing facilities for future technology developments, enabling use of the existing fabrication space at Bessemer Park more effectively for higher volume output.
ITM personnel operate from a number of different locations in Sheffield, and it is our intention to consolidate them all at Bessemer Park, at both its new and existing units.
The initial lease period is for 15 years, covering more than 83,000 sqft. Fitting out of the laboratories and validation areas will start towards the end of this year, and the firm will move in early in 2024.
Dennis Schulz said: “We are well on track on delivering against our 12-month plan laid out in January. One of our priorities was the need for ITM to strengthen product validation and to debottleneck factory space and product testing. Today’s announcement is not only a critically important step on our journey to scale up manufacturing, but it will also enable the focussed development of future technologies.”
Loans to IT recycler create expansion and new jobs in Wetherby
Loans of £150,000 have allowed Wetherby-based IT recycling firm Zixtel Ltd to expand its recycling facilities, hire five new people and safeguard existing jobs.
The company, founded over 26 years ago, received the loans from Business Enterprise Fund and NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance, which is managed by the Business Enterprise Fund and FFE Microfinance, and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. Specialists in IT recycling for businesses with redundant equipment, Zixtel expanded its services to include a recycling plant during the pandemic. With a mission to never send anything to landfill, Zixtel was dismantling all products by hand prior to the investment.Toni Cox, HR and compliance manager at the firm, said: “The loan has helped future proof Zixtel, given us the ability to hire five new people in our warehouse and recycling teams as well as safeguarding two jobs. Plus, the investment into new machinery will enable us to help other businesses with their environmental goals long-term.
“The new machines have helped us to improve efficiencies, allowing us to recycle more equipment faster. We can now easily separate materials such as precious metals and these then go on to be recycled further and re-introduced to the market lessening the need for mining of raw materials.”
According to research from Uswitch, the UK produces the second highest amount of e-waste per capita in the world, with IT and telecoms e-waste almost doubling in the UK between 2008 and 2022.
Mark Iley, investment manager at the Business Enterprise Fund, said: “It’s more imperative than ever that businesses do what they can to support the future of our planet – with Zixtel’s improved separating and recycling facilities, they’re offering companies peace of mind that their IT equipment can be recycled ethically and without sending anything to landfill.
“At BEF we’re committed to supporting businesses who are conscious about their own social impact, so providing the loan to Zixtel to enhance their recycling services and support their recruitment initiatives made perfect sense.”
Sean Hutchinson at the British Business Bank said: “Supporting innovative and sustainable businesses like Zixtel is at the heart of what the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund is for. It’s businesses like this that are the driving force of the Northern business community – contributing to the nation’s net zero goals through its expertise in recycling, whilst supporting the local economy by creating jobs and expanding its facilities.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project (NPIF) is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
UK Export Finance given an extra £10bn to support increased overseas sales
UK Export Finance has been granted an extra £10 billion of capacity to drive more UK exports, raising its maximum exposure limit from £50 billion to £60 billion.
The additional capacity will ensure the export credit agency’s continued ability to support UK exporters and to deliver on its mission: to advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.
UKEF CEO Tim Reid said: “This is fantastic news for the UK companies that we are here to support. It means we can help more British businesses export and will enable us to support more jobs and help to fuel growth.”
In 2021-22, UKEF provided £7.4 billion in financing to exporters of all sizes, which supported up to 72,000 UK jobs. The increased capacity will help UKEF continue to deliver on the government’s priorities, supporting economic growth and jobs in communities across the UK.
UK Export Finance is committed to increasing its support in clean growth and climate adaptation. This new capacity will help build on the £7 billion of support UKEF has provided for sustainable projects since 2019, as it focuses on long-term, sustainable economic growth.
Drax invited to sit down with Government to discuss carbon capture project
Drax has been invited to talk to the Government immediately to move forward carbon capture project that the firm believes is the only one that canensure the Government is able to fulfil its restated commitment to achieving 5Mtpa of engineered Greenhouse Gas Removals by 2030.
Separately, the Government has stated that it will work closely with electricity generators currently using biomass to facilitate a transition to Power BECCS.
The Government has also confirmed that its response to the Power BECCS business model consultation, which took place in 2022, will be published imminently, providing further clarity on the delivery of BECCS as soon as possible.
Drax Group CEO Will Gardiner said: “Delivery of BECCS at Drax Power Station will help the UK achieve its net zero targets, create thousands of jobs across the north and help ensure the UK’s long-term energy security.
“We note confirmation that our project has met the Government’s deliverability criteria and Government remains committed to achieve 5Mtpa of engineered Greenhouse Gas Removals by 2030 – a goal that cannot be achieved without BECCS at Drax Power Station. We will immediately enter into formal discussions with Government to take our project forward.
“With the right engagement from Government and swift decision making, Drax stands ready to progress our £2bn investment programme and deliver this critical project for the UK by 2030.”
The Government recognises the important role which BECCS will play in delivering net zero and aims to deploy 5Mt of engineered CO2 removals per annum from BECCS and other engineered GGR technologies by 2030, rising to 23Mt in 2035 and up to 81Mt in 2050 to keep the UK on a pathway to meet its legislated climate targets, The Sixth Carbon Budget and net zero.
Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity and BECCS is the only technology that can produce reliable renewable power, provide system support services and permanently remove CO2 at scale.
