Council pushes back against erection of increasing numbers of broadband poles

Stuart Pearcey
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Council pushes back against erection of increasing numbers of broadband poles
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is to urge Ofcom to launch an emergency market review and pause the erection of more broadband poles in the Hull Telecoms Area. Reacting to residents’ concerns, councillors feel that waiting until the next scheduled review in 2026 is too long to wait. The council has limited powers to control the erection of more masts, since they don’t ned planning permission. Coun Coleen Gill said the review was necessary because more telegraph poles were being installed in areas across the Hull Telecoms Area, already served by an existing gigabit capable duct and pole Network. She wanted Ofcom to consider: 1. Imposing a duty on telecoms companies to demonstrate reasonable efforts have been made to reach an agreement with existing providers for access to infrastructure. 2. Compelling existing providers to publish pricing for access to its infrastructure. 3. In the event that no agreement is reached, oblige companies to pursue a formal dispute via Ofcom, prior to installing further infrastructure of their own. 4. And to reiterate, stop any such installations until a Market review has been concluded.  

UK economy shows growth but precarious position remains

Tess Egginton
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UK economy shows growth but precarious position remains
The UK economy grew in November, with GDP* (gross domestic product) seeing a 0.3% rise, stronger than the 0.2% month-on-month growth expected and following a 0.3% fall in October. However, GDP was down 0.2% over the three months to the end of November, keeping the economy in a precarious position. Monthly growth reflected strong performance in services, particularly in information and communication which grew 1.5% thanks the computer games industry and telecommunications. Services output grew 0.4% month-on-month, following a 0.1% dip, while in another positive swing production output grew 0.3% month-on-month, following a fall of 1.3% in October. Meanwhile the construction sector fell 0.2% month-on-month, after a fall of 0.4% in October 2023. James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The economy grew more strongly than expected between October and November, driven by a recovery in our services sector including strong black Friday retail sales and a high performing ICT sector, making it less likely Britain will fall into recession. “The final verdict on 2023 will come next month, but it is essential that Britain builds some economic momentum in 2024.” Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “It’s encouraging to see that economic activity rebounded in November after the previous monthly fall. But while this means the UK should avoid a technical recession last year, it masks an overall picture of a flatlining economy. “The CBI’s latest surveys suggest the economy will struggle to gain any traction in the near term, as consumers rein in spending and firms face a trio of headwinds in the form of subdued demand, cost pressures and ongoing difficulties finding the staff they need. “With an election fast approaching, all parties need to look at measures which can get the economy firing on all cylinders. Full capital expensing was an exciting first step in this direction, but the Spring Budget is a chance to press ahead with a wider programme of measures around innovation, skills and decarbonisation that provide the foundations for sustainable economic growth and kick-start productivity.”   *GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in the UK. It estimates the size of and growth in the economy.

British Steel turns to biomass experiment for sustainable fuel

Stuart Pearcey
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British Steel turns to biomass experiment for sustainable fuel

A university research study supported by British Steel is investigating the production of an environmentally friendly green fuel.

The research will investigate whether the fuel, known as biochar, can replace injection coal in blast furnaces and act as a future clean carbon source for electric arc furnace steel production.

Peatlands are some of the most fertile lands in the UK for food growth, but decay of the peat soil emits large quantities of carbon dioxide. Alternatively, farming the land as sustainable wetlands, growing willow for biomass, prevents degradation of the peat.

Subjecting the willow crop to a thermochemical treatment called pyrolysis would be used to provide heat to enhance indoor farming productivity and produce biochar – a man-made charcoal. This biochar might then be used as a coal replacement, reducing the requirements for fossil fuels and reducing the net emissions that contribute to global warming.

Academics from the University of Lincoln have secured funding from the Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre for the project, and are working with farming estate and biochar supplier Lapwing Energy, CATCH – a champion for clean industrial growth – and British Steel.

As a partner in the project, the steelmaker is helping to steer the study and give a technical view on requirements to determine if biochar could replace injection coal and act as a future clean carbon source for electric arc furnace steel production.

Dr Andy Trowsdale, our Head of Research and Development, said: “By partnering with suitable suppliers, it is possible to provide sustainable feedstock materials and at the same time support land use projects that provide environmental benefits that far exceed those related to the fuel.

“A tonne of sustainable bio-carbon optimised for our steelmaking needs will reduce our net CO₂ emissions by three tonnes. But if the requirement for this material can prevent the degradation of peat re-wetting the land, then the CO₂ benefit can be nearly 10 times this amount. Combined with off-setting benefits from not extracting coal and each tonne of bio-carbon from this project has the potential to reduce UK net CO₂ emissions by nearly 30 tonnes.”

The project is funded by the UK Government as part of the Direct Air Capture and Greenhouse Gas Removal programme. The UK aims to reduce industrial emissions to net zero by 2050 and research projects that have received funding each support that ambition.

Building society highlights how to get extra income without working any harder…

Stuart Pearcey
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Building society highlights how to get extra income without working any harder…

Millions of people could be missing out on almost £1,000 extra income a year because their savings are in low- or no-interest paying current accounts, analysis from Yorkshire Building Society and CACI suggests.

There are nearly 13 million current accounts held in the UK with balances above £5001, and of those people who hold at least £5,001 in their current account, the average balance held is £24,500.

Almost £400bn is being held in current and savings accounts earning 1% interest or less, but people’s lack of understanding of the impact of their savings habits means millions are losing out on potentially thousands of pounds in interest.

Research also completed by Yorkshire Building Society suggests that over half of savers haven’t compared the interest paid on their accounts in the last year, and over a third  hold most of their savings in a current account, offering little or no interest.

Chris Irwin, director of savings at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Despite savings interest rates getting a lot of attention over the last year, following the significant increases in the Bank Rate, it’s surprising that there are still large pockets of people who are significantly missing out on savings interest – shopping around can now make a substantial difference to the returns available.

“Keeping large amounts of funds in low paying current accounts has become a costly mistake for millions. It’s understandable to want to have money accessible for emergencies or even topping up everyday expenses, but with so many instant access savings accounts currently available in the market paying a much higher return, there has never been a better time to review the home of your savings.

“Reviewing finances and savings can sometimes be an afterthought, with other things in life taking priority, however the start of a new year provides the perfect opportunity to take a close look at your finances and increase awareness of your situation and from there look at how you could make small changes which add up to much bigger returns.

“It doesn’t matter how you choose to go about it, but making just one positive change to your finances, could make a big difference in the long-term.”

Bradford bed firm secures Manufacturing Guild Mark for business excellence

Stuart Pearcey
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Bradford bed firm secures Manufacturing Guild Mark for business excellence
Bradford bed manufacturer Easy Rest Beds has announced plans for growth and new jobs after securing the Manufacturing Guild Mark for business excellence by the Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and furnishing industry charity. Founded in Dewsbury in 1997, Easy Rest Beds is a family-owned business making divan bases and mattresses under the Barker & Finch brand. The company employs 30 people at its 60,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in the West Bowling area of Bradford, where it has been based since 1998. MD Talib Hussain said: “Our beds have always been known for their quality and, as a manufacturer, being recognised by the Furniture Makers’ Company for our high business standards is incredibly rewarding and a testament to our fantastic team. “I founded Easy Rest Beds nearly three decades ago with my father and brother Tariq, and now my own children are part of the third generation of the family to work for the business. “We are so proud of our diverse and talented workforce and as a Bradford business we’re committed to investing in our community and providing skilled employment opportunities in this great city where so may positive things are now happening.” Mr Hussain said that current escalating demand for Easy Rest Beds’ products was already driving growth. “Building on the honour of achieving the Manufacturing Guild Mark, we hope to be able to create new jobs in 2024 and we are also looking at either expanding our current manufacturing facility, or relocating to new larger premises, driven by the need to increase production.”
Steve Bulmer, Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman, said: “Remaining loyal to its West Yorkshire roots, the business has achieved extraordinary levels of quality, innovation and craftsmanship from humble beginnings and as an employer they are a great asset to their community and to our industry.” The Manufacturing Guild Mark is only open to businesses that manufacture most of their products in the UK. Companies undergo an independent audit every three years by the Furniture Industry Research Association on behalf of The Furniture Makers’ Company to ensure their standards of operation remain high.

Lincolnshire’s apprenticeship award scheme includes northern Lincolnshire in catchment area

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincolnshire’s apprenticeship award scheme includes northern Lincolnshire in catchment area

For the first time ever Lincolnshire’s Apprenticeship Champion Awards will also accept applications from North and North East Lincolnshire.

Nominations can now be made for this year’s awards, that recognise the successes of apprentices working across the county, as well as employers and training providers. Cllr Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for adult learning at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We’ve run these awards for two years now, and I’ve been so impressed with the impact that apprenticeships have had on both the individuals undertaking them, and the organisations they’ve worked in. I’m delighted that this year the awards will cover even more learners and organisations as we cover the whole Greater Lincolnshire area. “Applications can be made for apprentices of any age who have made significant progress, overcome challenges or have made a real difference during their apprenticeship.” Training providers and employers who want to showcase how their apprenticeship programme have been supportive, innovative or flexible in helping apprentices, can also apply. The Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Champion Awards are run in partnership between the Public Service Compact group, local councils and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP). The three categories for entries are:
  • Greater Lincolnshire Apprentice Champion 2024
  • Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Employer Champion 2024
  • Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Training Provider Champion 2024
Award winners will need to demonstrate commitment, excellence in skills development and a clear drive to support success and growth. There are several online workshops being held over the next month to support those looking to apply. An awards event will be held in May 2024 to celebrate those short-listed for awards and to announce the winners. Further information on how to apply, and the application forms can be found online. Nominations are open until 9am on Monday 11th March.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet to discuss pre-let for Sea Road building in Cleethorpes

Tess Egginton
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North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet to discuss pre-let for Sea Road building in Cleethorpes

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet are set to discuss a pre-let for the Sea Road building in Cleethorpes.

Sea Road, in the heart of the town, has been remodelled over the last few years, with the former “Waves” site being demolished for redevelopment. Interrupted by COVID, the scheme has picked up again in the last few months following the award of Government’s Levelling Up Fund monies for three projects in the heart of the town, with the main construction works starting later in 2024. The landmark Sea Road building has been marketed by local agents, PPH Commercial, generating serious interest in the site from interested parties. Discussions regarding a long-term pre-let agreement are in advanced stages, and proposed Heads of Terms have now been agreed, subject to Cabinet approval, for most of the ground floor and all of the first floor of the building, to a leading independent national hospitality company. The remainder of the building will continue to be marketed for use. The Cabinet meeting is on Wednesday 17 January at 5pm at Grimsby Town Hall.

Harworth completes six land parcel sales

Tess Egginton
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Harworth completes six land parcel sales
Harworth Group plc, a regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, completed 964 residential plot sales in December. A number of further land parcel sales are expected to complete in the coming months, reflecting continued housebuilder appetite. The December transactions comprised six land parcel sales in Yorkshire and the Midlands to four housebuilders, and the Group’s first forward funding agreement with a registered provider as part of Harworth’s affordable housing portfolio. The total headline sales price for these transactions was £41.2 million and all were completed at prices in line with, or ahead of, book values. The largest of the disposals was the whole of a site in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, which has been sold jointly to both Harron Homes and Homes by Honey. In the first half of 2023, an outline planning consent was secured to develop up to 397 family homes at the site. At its South East Coalville development in Leicestershire, Harworth has sold a land parcel to Strata for the construction of up to 184 homes. The wider development occupies a 250-acre site and has outline planning consent for more than 2,000 homes, with land now sold for over half of these, together with a new supermarket. A new 21-acre park was opened at the site in late 2023 and construction has begun on a new two-form entry primary school. At its Prince of Wales development in Pontefract, Harworth has sold a land parcel to Harron Homes for the development of 141 new homes. The regeneration of the former Prince of Wales colliery, which will see the creation of a new community of over 900 homes, began in 2013 and is now nearing completion. To date, over 400 homes have been built and occupied at the site, with almost half of these being delivered by Harron Homes, following its first land acquisition there in 2016. At Thoresby Vale in Nottinghamshire, a land parcel has been sold to Homes by Honey to deliver 114 family homes. The development lies on the site of the former Thoresby Colliery, which Harworth is transforming into a new community of around 800 homes, including a new primary school, retail and leisure facilities and a 350-acre country park. Land at the site has already been sold to two housebuilders – one parcel to Harron Homes, and three parcels to Barratt and David Wilson Homes – for the delivery of over 530 houses in total. The primary school received planning approval in 2023 and construction is expected to commence later this year. At Waverley in Rotherham, where Harworth is regenerating the former Orgreave Colliery & Coking Works into over 3,000 homes alongside the nationally-significant Advanced Manufacturing Park, extensive green space and amenities, land was sold to Homes by Honey to develop 54 family homes. At its Gedling site in Nottinghamshire, Harworth sold a remaining small land parcel to Keepmoat Homes, which has an outline planning consent to develop 24 houses. The land parcel is adjacent to a separate development being delivered by Keepmoat Homes and Homes England on the site of the former Gedling Colliery. Finally, Harworth signed its first forward-funding agreement for its affordable housing portfolio, at Riverdale Park in Doncaster. Harworth entered into an agreement with Great Places, which manages 24,000 homes across the North West and Yorkshire, to develop 50 new affordable housing properties at the development. Under the terms of the agreement, Harworth has sold a land parcel to Great Places and will oversee the construction of the homes in return for a development management fee. Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group plc, said: “Our large number of residential land sales at the end of 2023, all in line with or ahead of book values, demonstrates the continued strong demand for Harworth’s de-risked serviced residential land product from a wide range of housebuilders, and we are seeing strong sales momentum as we move into 2024. “We are also pleased to have completed our first forward-funding agreement for our affordable housing portfolio, proving the appeal of our mixed tenure model. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver much-needed new homes across these regions.”

CBRE hires head of science and technology for North

Tess Egginton
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CBRE hires head of science and technology for North

CBRE has appointed Jonathan Lowe as head of science and technology for the North. The strategic, new role will further strengthen CBRE’s offer for occupiers, operators and investors in this quickly evolving sector.

Formerly head of life sciences at Avison Young, Jonathan brings a diverse range of expertise advising developers, investors, occupiers and universities across multiple asset classes including offices, industrial and EV. Additionally, he has public sector experience, having been seconded to central government departments Ministry of Justice and Department of Education/MHCLG.

Jonathan will work across CBRE’s Northern region, providing enhanced sector specialism to align with the growing science and technology sectors. Whilst further developing the offering to existing clients such as Bruntwood Sci-Tech and GMPF, Jonathan will develop out the occupational work by advising life science occupiers and advising science and technology companies.

Joe Rigby, CBRE’s head of office agency – North, said: “Jonathan joins the business at a pivotal time for the science and technology sector, during which we are acting for a diverse range of dynamic occupiers and investors. With vast sector-specific experience, Jonathan can offer a unique insight and ensure a full-service offering for clients.”

Jonathan added: “Science and technology are critical components and key economic drivers for the majority of northern regions, as well as across the UK. I am proud to be joining CBRE at this exciting time, to become a trusted adviser within these high growth sectors. I look forward to leveraging deep data driven insights through global sector expertise to add real value to existing and future clients.”

Devolution deal would mean more new homes for Hull, says council leader

Stuart Pearcey
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Devolution deal would mean more new homes for Hull, says council leader
Devolution would provide up to £4.6m over the next two years to pave the way for new homes where local people need them, with the possibility of more to follow, according to Hull City Council.. Council leader Mike Ross says the money could be available for the 2024/25 financial year, and would help to provide essential funds for new homes on brownfield land in Hull. He said Hull City Council’s ambition was to ensure the city had enough homes for people in the locations in which they want to live. “Hull has seen a rise in demand for city centre living and this funding would help to provide that, as well as giving new powers to drive regeneration and building more affordable homes. “Building on brownfield land can take advantage of existing services and facilities, is often close to places of work and also helps to ensure that valued areas of open space in and around the city can be safeguarded. “Local people tell me that new homes in the city is a priority for them and this devolution deal delivers on this major issue. Many of the development sites in Hull are on brownfield land and funding from this new devolution deal would help to bring new homes built more quickly. “The council’s planning work ensures that high-quality development meets the needs of the surge in demand for city centre living. East Bank Urban Village, a project already underway, is a proven example of the council’s commitment to this. You can have your say on the devolution proposals here.
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