Fosse Green launches Statutory Consultation for energy park
Fosse Green Energy is launching the Statutory Consultation ahead of its application for development consent for its solar and energy storage park.
The proposed site straddes the A46, known as Fosse Way, and will be made up of solar photovoltaic panels, battery energy storage areas and associated infrastructure. The solar and energy storage park is expected to provide enough clean energy to power in the region of 110,000 homes.
Fosse Green Energy Ltd, a partnership between Windel Energy and Recurrent Energy, intends to make an application to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for a DCO for the Proposed Development.
The Proposed Development sits inures controlled by Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council, and involves building, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic generating station with battery storage, onsite substation and associated infrastructure to generate more than 50MW of electricity, as well as areas of landscaping and biodiversity enhancement.
The Proposed Development also includes a Cable Corridor of approximately 10km in length within which a 400kV underground cable will connect to the proposed new National Grid Substation near Navenby. The Proposed Development will export and import electricity to the national electricity transmission network.
This Statutory Consultation follows a non-statutory consultation held in Autumn last year where Fosse Green Energy Ltd presented and sought feedback on a preliminary study area and two grid connection corridor options.
76% of UK financial services chiefs to increase office attendance in next 12 months
More than three quarters (76%) of financial services leaders across the UK are planning to increase office attendance in the next 12 months, according to new research from KPMG UK.
The survey of 150 leaders working across banking, insurance, asset and wealth management and private equity found that more than a third (37%) of those planning to increase attendance will expect employees to be in the office at least four days a week.
Financial services were a first mover in returning staff to the office post-pandemic, with some of the major investment banks being the first to vocalise a vision for a full office return. However, they also see the value of the hybrid working model, with more than half (58%) of UK financial services leaders saying it is a competitive opportunity for the sector; 20% of these say the opportunity is significant.
A separate study by KPMG into the working preferences of financial services employees found that just 10% want to work in the office full time. Despite differing locational working preferences, all age groups of employees said flexibility around hybrid working is important when choosing a job.
Karim Haji, Global and UK head of financial services at KPMG, said: “There is no one-size fits all approach to this and businesses are still trying to find the hybrid working sweet spot more than two years on from the pandemic.
“Leaders see the commercial value of hybrid working models, particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, but they are still expecting greater office attendance in the coming months to retain collaboration with colleagues and clients. Leaders also have to balance regulatory and risk pressures as part of managing hybrid models, which will be a contributing factor for getting staff back into the office.
“What is important is that companies find the right balance that works for their business and their employees. This will ensure that the sector retains good people and fosters a collaborative, productive culture that is successful and competitive.”
Leaders are planning to track attendance in several ways. Almost 45% plan to monitor attendance through office card swipe systems, followed by 40% using timesheets and just under a third (29%) will install digital cameras.
Lindum Group starts second phase of regeneration project
Lincoln-based Lindum Group has begun work on the second phase of a town centre regeneration project in Sutton in Ashfield.
Ground has been broken in Portland Square, where Ashfield District Council has ambitious plans to create a modern, attractive and usable town centre.
The new-look Portland Square will feature two raised lawns with inbuilt seating, ambient lighting, planting and semi-mature trees to bring greenery back into the urban setting.
Alongside the planters will be CCTV cameras, streetlighting, a new level flooring and more room outside businesses for outdoor seating.
Work is expected to be completed mid-2025. The Portland Square transformation is part of the council’s £62.6 million Towns Deal which is funding transformational projects across the district.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, said “We’re delighted that another transformational project is starting. Portland Square is a vital part of our Town Centre and it’s an exciting time for Sutton. The plans for Portland Square are ambitious, not just with the physical changes but how we are creating a cultural shift towards a thriving night-time economy.
“In combination with the development of Fox Street and the brand-new Cornerstone Theatre, Sutton’s future looks bright. Ashfield District Council was the most successful council in the whole UK to bid for this Town’s funding. We are transforming Sutton before residents’ eyes.”
Lindum is also redeveloping the derelict Fox Street site on behalf of the council, having started on site in May.
Funded by the £6.27m Future High Streets Fund, the improvement work will create a flexible outdoor space, providing a new home for Sutton market, events, and special markets, and provide a pedestrian link from ASDA to the town centre.
Agrovista chooses Yorkshire-born Ben to expand Rural Consultancy department
Agrovista has expanded its Rural Consultancy department with the appointment of Yorkshire-based Ben Sutcliffe, who will advise farmers across the county on rural policy developments and on-farm implementation.
Ben currently helps farmers navigate the Sustainable Farming Incentive and will provide advice on other relevant grants and schemes as demand increases.
Growing up on a mixed family farm in South Yorkshire gave Ben a solid grounding in practical agriculture. He then spent a year on a sheep and arable farm in Western Australia before returning to Yorkshire, where he became a self-employed agricultural contractor working across a wide range of farming businesses.
He gained a BSc in Agriculture at Bishop Burton College during this period, before joining vegetable equipment specialist Haith as a national sales engineer.
He returned to the 440ha family farm for three years, managing the arable side and then implementing whole-farm SFI actions.
Ben has been building his client base since he started with Agrovista in the spring, working with agronomist colleagues who notify him of farmer customers requiring guidance on the constantly expanding number of actions available under SFI.
He said: “Working alongside established agronomists, who know the lie of the land as well as anyone, in addition to the farmers themselves gives us a unique insight into their farm business.
“Our overall aim is to keep as much land in production whilst tailoring the most suitable SFI actions to each individual business. And, importantly, once we’ve walked the farm and discussed suitable options, it leaves farmers to crack on with the farming while we do the rest.
“Having experienced SFI as part of a farming business, I have no doubt this is the right approach. I look forward to helping farmers make best use of England’s evolving rural policy programme whilst maintaining a profitable farming base to ensure their long-term viability.”
ABP contracts JLL to promote its property portfolio
Associated British Ports has signed a strategic agency partnership with Jones Lang LaSalle to help promote the property portfolio across its 21 ports in England, Scotland and Wales.
As part of the partnership, ABP and JLL will raise market awareness of the strategic importance of ports in future-proofing the businesses of occupiers, as ABP continues to invest in acquisitions and regeneration.
Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP CEO, said: “When businesses choose to locate on ABP’s port estate, they are choosing the future. Our ports are at the epicentre of building a greener tomorrow, providing businesses with access to multimodal distribution links, urban skills centres and the ability to plug into a vibrant community of like-minded industry partners, committed to clean growth, decarbonisation and energy generation.”
Melinda Cross, Head of Industrial and Logistics at JLL, added: “This partnership with ABP represents a significant opportunity to bring cutting-edge industrial and logistics spaces to the market. JLL’s extensive network and understanding of occupier needs will help showcase ABP’s diverse portfolio, which offers businesses resilient, future-proof locations and emerging clean energy hubs. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to driving sustainable growth and supporting the evolving needs of modern supply chains.”
ABP is one of the largest commercial landowners in the UK, with a portfolio of 8,600 acres, over 2,400 acres of development land and a rent roll of £130m. ABP’s locations provide development options, including the recently-acquired 227 acre-Stallingborough Interchange at Immingham.
These locations provide the access to major distribution hubs via road, rail and sea. ABP is also leading the way in creating clean growth hubs, offering competitive, sustainable options to help prepare businesses located on port estate for the future.
Forgemasters welcomes agreements between Europe’s two biggest defence spenders
The signing of the Trinity House Agreement marks a fundamental shift in the UK’s relations with Germany and for European security, says Sheffield Forgemasters.
The agreement between Europe’s two biggest defence spenders aims to strengthen national security and economic growth in the face of growing Russian aggression and increasing threats.
A proposed, new UK Rheinmetall factory will see the UK manufacture artillery gun barrels for the first time in 10 years, with steel supplied by Sheffield Forgemasters.
The deal will see the UK and Germany work together systemically for years to come on a range of ground-breaking defence projects and across air, land, sea, space, and cyber.
Gary Nutter, CEO at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “I am delighted to confirm that Sheffield Forgemasters is working to reinstate gun barrels manufacture after a 20-year hiatus, to supply large-calibre gun-barrels to Germany’s Rheinmetall AG, servicing UK defence contracts and exports.”
Keepmoat subsidiary starts housing projects in Manchester
Keepmoat subsidiary MCI Developments has started on site at three developments in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, which will deliver 84 affordable homes across the region.
When complete the homes in Oswaldtwistle, Leigh, and Tyldesley will be made available through housing associations Places for People, Your Housing Group and Torus, representing a multi-million pound investment into the regeneration of the North West.
In Oswaldtwistle the developer is regenerating abandoned and derelict land, formerly home to Ryddings Mill. The site will be transformed into a 37-home development available for affordable rent in partnership with Places for People. MCI Developments will create 27 semi-detached and mews properties, consisting of two and three-bedroom homes, and 10 semi-detached town houses.
The developer has also started work with Torus on a site in Shakerley Road, Tyldesley, unlocking another important piece of land in the North West. MCI Developments will transform the 2.4 acre site into 37 affordable homes which will be managed by Torus.
In Leigh, 10 additional homes will be delivered on MCI Developments’s joint venture at Waterside Point with Your Housing Group. The additional plots make use of derelict brownfield land with the site formerly home to a closed nightclub and gym. The scheme will deliver a mix of one bedroom flats, two- and three bedroom homes.
Craig Murphy, Regional MD at MCI Developments, said: “Across these sites we are making a significant investment into creating fantastic communities, improving biodiversity and upgrading frequently used public footpaths. We’re proud to stand alongside our partners to mark the beginning of our delivery of new developments.”
Target date set for bus station reopening
A target date of January 5 has been set for the reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is working to bring the facility back into operation ahead of a final decision on reopening, which will be made by members next week.
Rail passengers will be able to use the lower concourse of the Interchange after the morning commute on October 28th (from midday) as part of a phased reopening of the wider structure.
Combined Authority officers took a decision to close the Interchange on safety grounds after some concrete fell in the basement.
Following initial findings from structural surveys, the Combined Authority has been reassured that the bus Interchange could safely reopen with mitigation measures in place.
These findings have been backed by an independent expert.
Preparations for reactivating the bus station are already underway, including health and safety checks, staff training, deep cleaning and relocating the travel centre back to the bus station.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “I’m glad to see progress being made on our plan to safely reopen the bus station as soon as we can.
“In the meantime, access to and from the rail station will be made easier before the end of the month.”
Due to the need to complete carriageway waterproofing works which were underway before the Interchange closed, six bus stands out of a total 29 will stay out of action until at least April 2025, meaning some services will remain on-street until that time.
Which services will return is not yet confirmed.
Real time information will also be unavailable until at least February whilst new bus timetables are being developed for services moving back to the Interchange.
Extra staff will be deployed at the bus station, and printed information will be available at bus stops to keep passengers informed.
The lifts, escalator and toilets will all be in operation when the lower concourse reopens on October 28th.
At the same time, the rail station access ramp will close to allow for resurfacing and the installation of new lighting and artwork. Work to transform the former taxi rank into a new public plaza area is ongoing.
Sheffield looks to welcome more major events with development of new strategy
Sheffield could play host to more major events if plans are approved to develop a new city-wide events strategy.
Sheffield already has a reputation as a city of major events, festivals and conferences. The city has played host the Women’s Euros 2022 and the Rugby League World Cup, the 2024 MOBO Awards, and most recently, the third leg of the Tour of Britain. Sheffield was also shortlisted to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in solidarity with Ukraine.
Alongside successfully bidding for some of the most high-profile and internationally significant events, Sheffield has its own home-grown festivals, from DocFest, which has been in the city for over 30 years, to Tramlines, one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals. Sheffield is also home of Off the Shelf and No Bounds, which was recently described by the Guardian as ‘dizzingly daring’ and ‘impressive’.
Earlier this year, a brand-new podcast festival, Crossed Wires, was also launched in the city, attracting talent from across the UK and beyond, to Sheffield.
The city also has a strong track-record for bidding for and hosting a range of world-leading conferences, including the International Coeliac Disease Symposium and the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons.
Esther Britten, Deputy Director and Head of Events at UK Sport, said: “Sheffield has been a supportive partner and host to UK Sport funded major events over the last decade.
“Their commitment to not only staging the very best events but maximising their impact on the local community has enhanced the city’s reputation through the UK as a recognised host of the very best major international sporting events, we see them as a key host city looking into the future.”
A new proposal from Sheffield City Council to develop a city-wide major events strategy would seek to take things a step further – attracting more events to the city, better events and by creating a framework to ensure events hosted have a lasting, positive impact on local people, local businesses, communities and the Sheffield economy.
If given the go ahead, a new major events plan will be developed, aiming to provide a clearer ambition for events in the city and an action plan to transform Sheffield into a recognised destination for home-grown, curated, commissioned, and nomadic events.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Events are big business, not just in Sheffield, but across the UK.
“Not only is the economic impact of events significant for the city, but events help us build our reputation and allow others to see and experience Sheffield on a different scale. Events bring people together, they celebrate our diversity and all of our local communities, helping to make Sheffield the vibrant place it is to live in and visit.
“Hosting more events, and more diverse events will help us attract more visitors to the city, generate more income, they will bring investment and help us to grow our economy.”
The idea behind the proposed plan is to create an approach that helps decision-makers identify the very best and most beneficial events for Sheffield and its people.
The plan would focus on ensuring events being held in the city are of a real benefit, with things like economic impact, community benefits and ensuring inclusivity and diversity always considered when bidding for and putting on events.
It will look to identify opportunities across sport, business and culture and find events that Sheffield is not only a good fit for, but that are also a good fit for Sheffield and the city’s ambitions.
Councillors will be asked to approve proposals to begin development of the Major Events Plan for Sheffield at an Economic Development and Skills Committee meeting on Thursday 31 October 2024.
If agreed, the first phase of development will involve engaging with experts in the field and local partners to help identify future opportunities for Sheffield.
This will be vital in ensuring the pipeline of events is right for the city and well positioned to attract wider investment.
Sheffield City Council snaps up former Salvation Army Citadel
A building which has stood in Sheffield city centre for well over a century, and now the former Salvation Army Citadel, has been acquired by Sheffield City Council.
The building, on Cross Burgess Street, opened in 1894 and was used by the Salvation Army for more than a century as their main church venue, before the charity moved out in 1999. Since then, the building, which includes a Grade II listed, red-bricked castle-style frontage, has remained empty.
The Citadel is surrounded by developments that have already transformed the city centre including the Heart of the City project, the award-winning Cambridge Street Collective foodhall, Leah’s Yard and several new shops, cafes and leisure venues including Pounds Park.
The building stands next to the brand-new Radisson Blu Hotel, a 4-star hotel with 154 rooms and rooftop bar and restaurant including an outdoor terrace overlooking the Peace Gardens.
Across the road is the former Cole Brothers department store, where regeneration company Urban Splash are currently putting plans together for the future of the building. Work is also nearing completion on Fargate to transform it into a new public realm area complete with ‘Grey to Green’ planting with the project linking in with the upcoming pedestrianisation of Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.
Sheffield City Council has already started the process of assessing the building and determining what the future usage of it could be with a further announcement expected in the coming months.
In a joint statement following the conclusion of the deal, Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council and Mr Robert Hill said: “Sheffield City Council and Tandem Properties Limited are pleased to have reached terms to settle court proceedings and at the same time the Council has acquired the property known as the Citadel.
“Sheffield City Council will now be progressing plans to see this important heritage building improved and both parties look forward to proposals then being progressed to see the building brought back into use. Neither party will be making further comment on this agreement.”
