42 new homes set for Slaithwaite
Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield planning sub-committee has voted in favour of a new housing scheme in Slaithwaite, which will see 42 homes built by local builder, SB Homes.
The scheme ranges from one to five-bedroom homes, set over one-, two- and three-storeys.
SB Homes purchased the land on Lingards Road three years ago and has been working closely with Kirklees Council’s planning department to deliver the project – which features in the council’s Local Plan.
Stephen Byram, Managing Director and founder of SB Homes, said: “I have lived and worked in the Colne Valley my whole life – it matters to me and us as a family business.
“We feel this development will bring many benefits to the local community: new housing, social housing, contributions to local schools, new footpath links linking Lingards Road to Manchester Road, open space through the site and footpath links throughout the site.”
Stephen continued: “We are currently building a scheme of 18 new homes off Gillroyd Lane in Linthwaite and have recently completed a build-to-rent scheme in Marsden, providing much needed rental accommodation.
“We are also pleased to see some of our newly completed commercial premises thriving, including business members’ club, Empire House; Sass Yoga & Wellbeing; Arcade Marsden and Swan House – which features three AirBnBs and five small businesses. Our primary aim is to see the Colne Valley thrive, and we look forward to building more high-quality homes at Lingards Road too.”
East Yorkshire business site welcomes “world-leading” manufacturer as latest tenant
One of East Yorkshire’s biggest business sites has welcomed a home-grown and “world-leading” manufacturer as its latest tenant.
Paneltex, a manufacturer of specialised commercial refrigerated vehicles and storage systems, has completed a deal to move into a 140,000 sq ft industrial facility at Dianthus Business Park, premises which also include first-floor offices and amenities including a gymnasium and canteen.
Formed in Hull in 1991, Paneltex produces hundreds of refrigerated vehicle bodies, vehicle body kits, and portable cold stores each week, out of six specialised factories across the UK.
The business announced last year that it had secured a major contract to work with new zero emission electric vehicle brand Volta, supplying the cargo boxes for the new range, described as the world’s first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne vehicle designed for urban logistics.
The move to the Newport facility, which is based directly off the main A63 out to the motorways network, will help create another 240 jobs and take employee numbers to around 900 once full fit-out of the premises is complete and manufacturing begins in May to produce products to ship to Austria.
It follows significant investment at the firm’s premises in Somerden Road, Hull, and a new export kit factory on Sutton Fields.
The deal to move to Dianthus Business Park was overseen by David Garness, of Hull-based commercial property specialists Garness Jones, which handles lettings at the site on behalf of its owners.
He said: “I am delighted to have completed this latest letting at Dianthus Business Park to Paneltex as they are a fantastic business and real success story – a locally formed company which is leading the way in its industry through innovation and ambition.
“It is a business, which like many others on this site, is creating a lot of highly-skilled jobs and making a really positive contribution to the local economy. It is fantastic to be able to support them on the next step in their journey and it is another landmark letting for Dianthus Business Park, adding to the great diversity of businesses in occupation.”
Jelle Zwemstra, Managing Director at site owners Newport Buildings, said: “We are delighted to bring Paneltex onto Dianthus Business Park, they are a local, fast growing, successful company with a very strong management team, who require good quality modern facilities for their operations.
“We look forward to working closely with Paneltex and ensure that they can keep growing and bring even more employment to East Yorkshire.”
MP congratulates site manager Matt on award success
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart has visited Bovis Homes’ Longfields Development in Beverley to congratulate site manager Matt Earnshaw for winning a Seal of Excellence in the National House Building Council Pride in the Job Quality Awards.
Matt said: “I am extremely proud to have been among the Seal of Excellence winners at this year’s Pride in the Job Awards. It is a real team effort and it’s fantastic that our commitment to delivering the highest quality homes has been recognised. It was a pleasure to welcome Graham Stuart MP to the development and to show him the new community we’re creating.”
Graham, who was joined by local council candidate Harry Bulmer and Conservative Ward Representative for St Mary’s Peter Stevens, enjoyed a tour of the site and spoke with Matt and his colleagues, area build managers John Firth and Liam Knowles, about his award and the development.
Graham said: “It was great to visit Longfields Development and congratulate Matt on his amazing achievement. When new homes are built in Beverley we want them to be built to the highest quality and to fit in with the area which is why I am so pleased that Matt has won this prestigious award.”
“The Pride in the Job Awards are about celebrating the highest standards of house building and championing top calibre site managers,” commented Toby Hollis, Regional Director, North East at NHBC. “Matt’s work at the Longfields development is an example of a great site manager taking real pride in his team’s work, resulting in quality homes its residents will enjoy.”
ABP commits to planting 21,000 trees to boost environmental commitment
Hull is to get a share in 21,000 trees from a nationwide commitment to by Associated British Ports under a partnership with charity Trees for Cities.
The project will help transform urban areas into greener, healthier spaces, says ABP, which has committed to sponsoring 21,000 trees because ABP owns and operates the Humber ports amongst the 21 to has in England, Scotland and Wales, supporting over 119,000 jobs across the supply chain.
Rory Field, Corporate Partnerships Director at Trees for Cities, said: “We are proud to work with Associated British Ports on this strategic project. Urban trees sequester CO2, improve air quality and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
“The trees also host thousands of species and subspecies in the harshest of environments and contribute to our physical and mental health. ABP is helping us to create a greener, happier, and healthier environment for today’s and future generations.”
Forming part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, with more than a million trees already planted across the UK in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP’s CEO said: “Improving social, economic and environmental sustainability in the communities surrounding our ports is important to us, which is why we are delighted to sponsor Trees for Cities to improve biodiversity.
“This fantastic project will enable the planting of thousands of trees across diverse UK regions, helping to improve air quality and community wellbeing.”
In addition to supporting biodiversity, ABP’s ports play a key role in enabling the UK clean energy transition. With ABP’s sustainability strategy due to be launched in late February 2023, the company will be publishing its targets to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations.
Smart repairs sees turnover soar to £8m
Smart Repairs, the independent cosmetic vehicle repairer, has announced a record-breaking 2022.
The Leeds-based company, based at 18,000 sq ft freehold premises in Weaver Street, saw its turnover grow by 38 per cent to £8m last year, whilst trebling its workforce.
Turnover is predicted to rise to £9m this year.
The company now has 100 staff across the country, with 40 based in Leeds. At least another 15 technicians are being recruited this year.
As part of its national expansion programme this year, Smart Repairs has invested £1m into its van fleet and equipment.
Darryl Short, Managing Director, said: “This has been a game-changing year for us, by far the most successful year we have ever had. We had previously concentrated on looking after customers and clients in the north of England, but now we have expanded our operations to service the whole of the UK.
“We have recently expanded into Scotland and we have further sustainable growth plans for the North West, the South West, the Midlands and the area by the M25,” said Darryl.
Smart Repairs, which boasts most of Yorkshire’s major car dealerships among its clients, is co-owned by its founder Dan Besau and major investor Phil Newstead. The company carries out 180,000 vehicle repairs a year.
Phil Newstead said: “The second-hand car market remains buoyant, despite the cost-of-living crisis and the current economic uncertainty. The outlook for the sector is positive and we have every reason to be confident about the future, though we will never be complacent.
“We can see that our future lies in providing a quality repair offering across all of the UK, to warranty companies, insurers, dealer groups and vehicle remarketing companies.”
Lindum Group starts work on Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe
Contractors Lindum Group have symbolically cut the first piece of ground for East Lindsey District Council’s flagship Town Deal project The Campus for Future Living at a celebration event.
The £8.6m project, supported by the Connected Coast board and due for completion in spring 2024, is the first council-led Town Deal project to start being delivered to level up the district and transform communities.
Cutting the first piece of ground was Victoria Atkins MP for Louth and Horncastle, watched by Cllr William Gray, Campus Political Lead for East Lindsey District Council; Chris Baron chairman of Connected Coast; Professor Mark Gussy from the University of Lincoln and local and national partners including representatives from the Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea Town Council, Health Education England, Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Linkage Trust and NHS Lincolnshire ICB.
The Campus for Future Living on Stanley Avenue offers significant potential to improve the health and wellbeing for residents in Mablethorpe, the Lincolnshire coast and wider East Lindsey.
For the first time, Mablethorpe will be at the forefront of medical innovation, training, research and development.
The main Campus building will include the following facilities:
• Two large consultation rooms
• Seminar and teaching rooms
• An event space including a coffee hub
• Pathology laboratory and additional laboratory space
The campus site also includes an accommodation block, a children’s play area, a 35-space car park including eight disabled bays and electric vehicle charging points.
Lindum Group MD Freddie Chambers said: “As a Lincolnshire-based business, we are delighted to be involved in a project which will be of such benefit to local people and health care services.
“We will add to this by trying to procure with local suppliers and contractors to ensure the investment remains within the district and county’s economy. Furthermore, we will prioritise positive engagement with people who live and work near the site to bring value to the wider community too.”
Victoria Atkins, MP for Louth and Mablethorpe said: “Today, we celebrate as a community reaching this important landmark in the development of the Campus for Future Living.
“With shovels now in the ground our bright vision for Mablethorpe and the surrounding area is being made a reality.
“The transformational Mablethorpe Town Deal, which has received Government investment of nearly £24million, will deliver economic growth, help businesses grow, bolster tourism and improve health and social care along our Lincolnshire coastline.”
Regular engagement and activities for the community through the project’s social value will take place throughout the duration of the build.
Wealth management and professional services group snaps up Harrogate business
Evelyn Partners, the wealth management and professional services group, has acquired Leathers LLP, a firm of Chartered Accountants and tax specialists with offices in Newcastle and Harrogate.
Leathers was founded in 1990 by Michael Leather and is focused on advising high net worth individuals, families, business owners and corporates, with strong expertise in personal and business tax planning, succession planning, as well as property and business structuring. It offers a broad array of audit, accountancy, tax compliance and corporate finance services.
Andrew Wilkes, chief professional services director of Evelyn Partners, said: “We are delighted to have acquired Leathers LLP. Michael Leather has built a highly respected firm with a great client base and one which is a very complementary fit with Evelyn Partners both in terms of expertise and culture.
“Strategically this acquisition will further develop our professional services presence in the North of England, supporting our ambition of being able to provide our range of professional services to private clients and businesses right across the UK.
“I look forward to welcoming Stuart Wright and Ryan Harrison to the partnership group where their expertise and experience will be a great asset to us in developing our professional services offering in the North of England.”
Michael Leather, senior partner and founder of Leathers LLP, said: “Forward planning, client service and development of the team have been at the forefront of our success but in a changing environment, it is time for the business to gear up, extend the resources available to clients and to further develop the client service offering.
“Identifying the best way to do this has been challenging, but Evelyn Partners’ clear commitment to developing the business and their range and depth of resource have been key to the decision we took.”
Reed Boardall efforts to support former soldiers are recognised by the MOD
Boroughbridge-based Reed Boardall has been earned a Bronze award by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme as an employer supporting defence personnel and inspires others to do the same. Already, the Yorkshire-based logistics business has 23 veterans, serving personnel employed part-time and reservists in the team at its Boroughbridge site.
Over the last year, the company has formalised its support of former and serving defence personnel, as well as building links with the prison services to increase the employment of ex-offenders. It has partnered with organisations such as Career Transition Partnership (CTP), Army Families Federation, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Prison Service and People Plus, as well as charities Veteran into Logistics and Clean Slate Solutions.
As a result, the company has introduced a number of initiatives both to actively recruit from these communities and also to ensure that it provides adequate support once people join the Reed Boardall team. It also takes part in recruitment fairs and virtual workshops with CTP and local Regional Resettlement Centres, linking with service personnel going through the resettlement process and giving them an insight into the logistics sector, including Reed Boardall’s Driver Academy.
One of the leading providers of cold storage and distribution services to food producers and retailers across the UK, Reed Boardall’s Bronze award is a demonstration of its pledge to advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align its values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Daniel Delacoe-Eyre, a veteran who served for over 17 years in a number of regiments before joining Reed Boardall in 2020 to lead its HR operation, comments: “As a former soldier and officer myself, I understand only too well the concerns and even fear felt by service personnel as they contemplate leaving the armed forces. It’s vital that businesses do what they can for them when they return to civilian life.”
Accountancy firm offers free insight into energy markets
Businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire have been invited to a joint seminar later this month to help them understand the current energy market and how they can make potential savings as well as accessing finance to support growth, whether existing firms or startups.
Yorkshire accountancy firm 360 Chartered Accountants is hosting the free event with Ashley Hunter from River Energy and Rebecca Pickering from Mercia Asset Management giving presentations and taking part in a Q&A session. There will also be members of the 360 team available to discuss the impending taxation changes or any other accounting issues.
360 MD Adrian Hunter said it’s a crucial topic for businesses, particularly as energy bills are set to soar from April when the Government’s subsidies for gas and electricity are slashed. “A report last year found that 54% of UK SMEs are at risk of collapse from rising fuel and energy prices. That’s an alarming figure. We are all looking at ways we can make our workplaces as energy efficient as possible to save costs as well as to reduce our environmental impact. And as our bills continue to rise, we want to help businesses better understand how they can use the renewables market to drive down costs – and show them how to finance their growth.”
The free event is taking place on Tuesday 21st February, at the MKM stadium, Hull between 12 and 2pm. It will include a tour of the stadium. Lunch will also be provided.
Engineers who solved telecoms security challenge raise £1m for roll-out
A Sheffield company which has developed a new encryption solution for telecoms and data networks has raised over £1m from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), Mercia’s EIS funds and private investors.
Sitehop’s system solves a major challenge for telecoms companies, cloud and internet service providers – how to add encryption to their network to ensure it is secure but without affecting quality or causing it to slow down.
Sitehop’s Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) board can be added to an existing network with minimal time and cost. As encryption takes place on the board rather than on the server, it enables the network to maintain superior performance while using just a tenth of the energy of current systems. It also protects against cyber attacks as hackers would need to access the board to breach the system.
In addition to telecoms and cloud providers, Sitehop’s solution can be used by big companies to create secure private networks at a fraction of the cost by removing the need for physical interconnections. It could be used to safeguard IoT systems such as ‘smart’ factories and connected devices such as drones and self-driving cars.
Sitehop was founded in 2021 by two engineers. Melissa Chambers was co-founder of Prism Microwave which provided products for wireless infrastructure and was sold to Tongyu Communications in 2016, while Ben Harper has worked on cyber systems for companies including BAe Systems and Sheffield-based Curvalux.
The company is in talks with a number of international network providers and is set to begin a trial in Brazil before launching the system in spring. The funding will enable it to invest in equipment to support the trial and expand its six-strong team with the creation of 20 new jobs by the end of 2023.
Melissa Chambers, CEO, said: “With the surge in demand for video calls and cloud computing, network operators are under pressure to roll out high-speed services rapidly and security is often the last consideration. Because of the impact on performance, many services are being launched without encryption which puts users’ data at risk.
“Our hardware-based solution has none of the disadvantages of current systems and makes the addition of security a ‘no brainer’. The funding will help us to take the final step and bring it to market.”
Dan Thomas of Mercia added: “Almost every aspect of our lives now relies on the internet but the connected world brings with it new risks. Until now there has been no way to provide the necessary security without slowing down response times and affecting quality. Ben and Melissa have found a novel way to address a problem that even the big tech companies have so far failed to solve. We are pleased to be able to support them on the next stage of their journey.”
