Waverley land parcel sold for development of 32 houses
Harworth Group has sold a serviced land parcel at its Waverley site in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, to Forge New Homes for the development of 32 houses.
This is Harworth’s first sale to the regional housebuilder, which was established as a joint venture between five housing associations – South Yorkshire Housing Association, Great Places Housing Group, the Guinness Partnership, Together Housing and Yorkshire Housing.
The new development will comprise two and three-bedroom terraced homes and will be built as part of Olive Lane, a new focal point for the community with amenities such as cafes, restaurants and local shops, alongside a new medical centre.
The new homes will provide a distinctive offer and be available for market sale. They will feature attractive street frontages, free-flowing layouts and a design that allows blended indoor and outdoor living, while also being fully electric.
The homes will have individual south-facing gardens, parking spaces with EV charging ports, and will be set amongst landscaped communal areas and footways. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has awarded Forge New Homes grant funding from the SYMCA Brownfield Housing Fund to support the delivery of the new homes.
A planning application for the retail and leisure element of Olive Lane is currently awaiting determination by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Subject to the timing of a planning approval, Harworth intends to break ground on the development later this year.
The medical centre already benefits from a planning approval and is expected to open by the end of 2024. Elsewhere at Waverley, a new learn-to-ride cycle track was opened in September by triple Olympian Ed Clancy, the latest in a series of community facilities that Harworth has built to date at the site.
Ed Catchpole, Regional Director – Yorkshire & Central, Harworth, said: “Forge is building a track-record of delivering high-quality modern homes designed for families, and we are delighted to be welcoming them to Waverley.
“This latest sale demonstrates the robust demand we are seeing for our serviced land products, which are located in established communities with plentiful green space, amenities and well-designed public realms, allowing housebuilders to start building much-needed new homes from day one.”
Andy Beattie, Director, Forge New Homes, said: “Olive Lane is a fantastic scheme by Harworth, one that will continue to transform the area and create a strong community at Waverley. We’re delighted to have been granted planning approval to build 32 family homes by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
“The development will have a focus on open space and outdoor community areas, providing a vibrant neighbourhood for buyers. With customers at our heart, we’ll continue to build liveable spaces for thriving households and growing communities.”
Sheffield IoT start-up raises £1.8m
A Sheffield IoT start-up that helps manufacturers to maximise productivity and reduce energy use has raised £1.8m from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Mercia’s EIS funds and private investors.
The funding will enable FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics to further enhance its machine monitoring platform and expand its customer base. FourJaw’s platform acts as a fitness tracker for machines, monitoring ‘vital signs’ such as machine utilisation and energy usage. It then turns the data into actionable insight that enables manufacturers to remove inefficiencies from the factory floor.
Unlike traditional monitoring systems which are usually costly to set up and have to be hardwired into each machine, FourJaw’s technology can be installed in minutes, connected to any machine and is accessible to manufacturers of all sizes.
FourJaw was founded in 2020 by Chris Iveson and Robin Hartley-Willows, who had previously worked together at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. Its platform is now used by over 120 manufacturers worldwide in sectors ranging from aerospace and automotive to energy and food production.
The company currently employs 20 staff. The latest funding brings the total raised to date to almost £4m and will enable FourJaw to accelerate product development and invest in its technology and customer success teams, creating seven new jobs.
Chris Iveson, co-founder and CEO, said: “Improving productivity, sustainability and profitability are the three key challenges facing manufacturers today. FourJaw provides an affordable solution to overcome them and unlock opportunities by providing real-time insights to inform operational and commercial decisions.
“The funding will help us accelerate our vision to maximise manufacturing productivity across the globe which in turn will help elevate lives, communities and society.”
Chris Borrett of Mercia said: “Manufacturing is an enormous industry that is undergoing massive digitisation. Until now individual machine data across the entire assembly line has been prohibitively expensive and cumbersome to install.
“FourJaw is changing the game, providing the data, the platform and the intelligence required for manufacturers from all sizes and sectors to radically evolve their operations.”
Six new hires strengthen APSS team
Lincolnshire-based commercial design and fit specialist APSS has appointed six new staff to strengthen the team and add new skills to the business.
Sean Cuffley has returned to APSS in a new role as commercial manager. With 18 years’ experience of the industry and his existing knowledge of APSS, Sean will be mentoring newer staff and passing on his expertise. His appointment will help speed up internal processes and ensure projects are completed within budget.
Luke Krossoy has started as a site joiner in the company’s commitment to upskilling the workforce. While in a bid to combat the labour shortage in the construction industry, Finley Davis and Ben McGarragh are welcomed to APSS as joinery apprentices as part of its programme to develop the next generation of workers which is crucial to future-proofing the business.
Finley and Ben will be gaining hands on experience learning a unique trade whilst continuing to study at Lincoln College. Luke will be responsible for ensuring that projects are installed on site as efficiently as possible while meeting the highest quality standards.
Designer, Caitlin Maginess has joined the in-house design team, and brings with her a wealth of knowledge of building regulations for new builds, extensions and conversions. She will inject fresh ideas into the business and enable the team to take on additional and more complex work.
Project manager Mark Barnes has more than 20 years’ experience overseeing construction and interior fit out projects. With his knowledge of on-site joinery, he will be an asset to the team ensuring that customer projects are completed as efficiently as possible and within the agreed timescales.
Managing Director Laurence Barrass said: “We’re committed to delivering the best possible service to our customers and supporting our team by adding new strengths and capabilities. These new appointments focus on key disciplines out on site and in the office, helping to support the management team.
“We have an impressive work culture within the business which is proven when staff return to us like Sean has recently. We are thrilled he has come back to the APSS family and with the combined skills we now have in the business, we will be able to provide an even better service to our customers.
“As an SME, our customers are everything to us. Having staff who are willing to go the extra mile for them is an important part of who we are as a company.”
For over 25 years, APSS has specialised in commercial interior designs, office fit outs, retail refurbishments, healthcare and educational interiors. The company supports its clients to refurbish their workplace and ensure the best use of space, boosting productivity.
Hear about changes to the way the self-emloyed and those in business partnerships are taxed
A webinar taking place this week, on Thursday 12 October (11.00am – 12.00pm), will discuss the changes to the way the self-emloyed and those in business partnerships are taxed.
HMRC, His Majesty”s Revenue and Customs, has introduced changes to the basis period, the defined timeframe used to calculate the taxable profits for taxing the self-employed and those in business partnerships. The changes relate to this tax year, 2023/24 and beyond.
This special webinar, led by Streets tax partner Michael Ball, aims to provide a clear understanding of what the basis period is, the recent changes, who it affects, when it takes effect and considerations for those affected.
This presentation will be recorded and available on demand for those not able to join us live. Simply register to receive a link to watch on demand.
Renovation project breathes new life into historic dock buildings in Grimsby
Historic buildings at ABP’s Port of Grimsby are being brought back into use as part of a programme of renovation works.
Twelve buildings have initially been earmarked for requiring urgent works, identified from condition surveys undertaken by ABP, Historic England, and North East Lincolnshire Council, as part of grant-funded projects or through other surveys.
Simon Bird, Regional Director for the Humber said: “We are at a crucial stage in this exciting project. Ensuring works are carried out to these initial buildings proves our commitment to the value of our heritage and bringing the buildings back into use to pass on to future generations.
“The success of our recent Heritage Open Day at the port is part of the wider work we’re doing to help people understand this historic environment, while bringing new business and employment opportunities to the port, like the filming that has been taking place.”
Greg Lacey, Head of Property said: “The regeneration work being undertaken in the historic quarter known as The Kasbah is vital to the long-term future and security of this location. These buildings will become a great asset to the port and the town appealing to a wide range of business users. We are kick starting the works by prioritising building 74. This will include full scaffolding to the building to make it structurally secure as well as rebuilding the upper elevations and a full roof replacement.”
Part of the funding for the first of the buildings to be repaired, building 74 on Wharncliffe Road South, has come from the Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas heritage grant worth £150,000. The scheme is being delivered as part of the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone. The scheme is a joint project between Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council, with support from Associated British Ports (ABP).
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy at North East Lincolnshire Council shares the excitement of all involved in what is currently happening in many areas of the Port of Grimsby, and the support of PsiCA (Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas) in enabling the works on Building 74.
He said: “The rebirth of both the Kasbah and its surrounding area is a fine example of how partnership working and a desire for change is seeing a transformation that few would have envisaged a decade or so ago. To see this new life and new future happening before our eyes is fantastic – it allows us all to be reminded of what made our town and area great, whilst proving that we can provide fresh opportunities in very different ways.”
Louise Brennan, Regional Director (Midlands) for Historic England said: “We are very pleased to be able to support ABP in arresting the decline of Building 74 and carrying out repairs. It is a key building in the Kasbah conservation area. The huge success of the recent Heritage Open Day shows the interest the people of Grimsby have in the historic docks and the progress made to regenerate the area.”
The work being undertaken in the port of Grimsby within the Kasbah conservation zone has shown a shift by the company when it comes to what is left of our heritage. The Kasbah masterplan examines future opportunities and developments that present themselves in the context of historic buildings located within an operational port.
The Kasbah is becoming a place to go for many film makers, as being one of the few areas outside London and the south east which has conserved its heritage. Henderson Street, which features in the latest Netflix drama Bodies, which airs on the streaming platform on October 16th, is one of the few streets on the port which presents an ideal closed film location with its red brick period buildings.
This roll out of renovation works is only the beginning for the historic area of the docks as it enters a new golden age.
Building 74 was once the offices for Sir Thomas Robinson and Son Limited. Tosh Robinson, as he was known, was a trawler owner, who had a few business operations on the port. He came from a long line of Cleethorpes fishermen, and converted from smack fishing to steam trawling and was one of the many pioneers to establish Grimsby as the premier fishing port in the world.
Hull gets share in Government cash to build almost 100 new homes
Almost 100 new homes are to be built on the site of a former school in Hull thanks to a Government grant of almost £1m as part of the city centre regeneration.
The homes are part of more tan 60,000 to be built on brownfield sites, through money given to councils to transform unused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods.
Across the country, from Hull to Somerset, nearly 100 regeneration projects will receive £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The investment is part of the second phase of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund, with cash going directly to councils so they can release the land and get building as soon as possible.
Derelict car parks, industrial sites and town centre buildings that have fallen into disrepair will all benefit from the new funding, with the Government supporting communities to bring land back into use.
The Government has been clear it has a brownfield-first approach to building the homes this country needs through its long-term plan for housing and today’s announcement will help deliver that.
Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean MP said: “We know we need to build more homes, but this cannot come at the expense of concreting over our precious countryside.
“That is why we are doing all we can to make sure we’re making use of wasteland and unused brownfield land, so we can turn these eyesores into beautiful and thriving communities.”This builds on the success of the first round of Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, where funding is enabling the release of land for almost 2,400 homes.
To date, the fund is supporting at least 89 local authorities, over 160 projects, and providing almost £100 million to support councils to release land for almost 8,600 homes. At the same time, the £1 billion Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund will unlock up to 65,000 new homes across England.
1,200-tonne crane lifts White Rose bridges into place in Leeds
Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group has installed two new link bridges at the £26.5 million new White Rose Rail Station in south Leeds, connecting the main station buildings to platform level at the new station next to the White Rose Park on the main trans-Pennine route to Manchester via Huddersfield.
The scheme is being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Munroe K, Leeds City Council, Network Rail and the Department for Transport.
The two link bridges were installed overnight over the course of two weekends with the help of a 1,200-tonne crane built on site. It had to be transported in sections and took a week to assemble with more than 25 lorry deliveries of components.
The east link bridge, which had to be built in two halves and welded together on site, is 40m long and weighs 84 tonnes. The west link bridge is 20m long and weighs 46 tonnes.
Anna Weeks, Principal Programme Sponsor at Network Rail, said: “It’s always special to reach milestones such as this in the large-scale infrastructure projects that Network Rail supports alongside its partners. We’re proud to be playing our part in delivering a new accessible railway station for local residents and the wider public, offering them more sustainable ways to travel into Leeds city centre and beyond.”
Joe Bennett, Operations Director at Spencer Group, said: “The installation of the two link bridges represents a major milestone in the project.
“We had to work around external obstacles with the bridge lifts, including gas main renewals on the main road, but it went very well. The station is now really beginning to take shape.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’re determined to create a better-connected region where everyone has the same opportunity to get on in life.
“Investing in transport schemes that support economic growth, like the White Rose Rail Station, has a key role to play in that.
“This investment will bring new opportunities for people in nearby communities by boosting transport links, regeneration and jobs.”
Steel industry at the heart of UK economic potential, says new report
Trade body UK Steel has published a new report highlighting how the industry is the bedrock for Britain’s supply chains, and why it is central to the nation’s economic potential and resilience at a time of geopolitical turbulence.
Called ‘Why the UK needs a strong steel sector’, it also says the UK deserves to have a strong, national industry making products for infrastructure, homes, energy and transport across the nation instead of importing high-emissions steel.
The report states: “We need more steel, not less, in our Net Zero future. The UK is in a prime position to lead green steelmaking, having one of the largest scrap resources in the world and a leader in renewable energy. Now is the time to be bold and seize the opportunity to lead the world by building a Net Zero steel sector.”
It sets out why:
- Steel is central to meeting the UK’s decarbonisation objectives, from reducing the emissions of the material itself to its use in energy infrastructure and technologies that will enable a Net Zero economy. A meaningful decarbonisation strategy must clearly focus on consumption emissions, not just emissions from steel produced domestically.
- Increased reliance on steel imports could lead to higher emissions if imported steel is produced in a more carbon-intensive steel plant. UK steel production sites are less carbon-intensive than the global average for both blast furnace and electric arc furnace steelmaking, and therefore import increases will likely lead to a rise in UK greenhouse gas emissions.
East Lindsey SMEs offered a share in £1.85m
Businesses in East Lindsey are being invited to apply for a share of £1.85million in a bid to help them to thrive and grow – while aiming to boost employment opportunities and bring wider benefits across South & East Lincolnshire.
Following an award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund of £1.85million, SMEs are being invited to apply for their share of the money – and, if successful, will be awarded grants of between £1,000 and £24,999 (or 30% of the total eligible cost).
The new source of funding will allow a continuation of the Grants4Growth programme to support a greater number of businesses through a wider range of methods.
There are three types of grant available, which can be used towards increasing capacity, finding new markets and boosting productivity. This could be through capital costs, such as machinery or equipment, and revenue expenditure, whether it’s training, marketing or digital support.
The third option will give businesses with fewer than five employees looking to spend up to £5,000 the opportunity to apply for grants that can cover up to 50% of both capital and revenue purchases to a maximum of £2,500.
Additionally, there is now a new Business Advice Team on hand to provide free guidance to firms looking to grow, offering advice around sales development, productivity, manufacturing, HR issues and other challenges which business can face.
The cash is being invested across South Holland, Boston and East Lindsey, ensuring the benefits can be felt throughout the area.
To be successful, businesses need to demonstrate how the proposed investment will help increase capacity, improve efficiency, bring new products to market, or make the changes they need to remain competitive in the future.
To be eligible to apply for a grant a business must:
• Be classed as an entity involved in economic activity and must have been trading for at least 12 months.
• Trade through a Business Bank Account.
• Be classed as a Small or Medium sized enterprise (SME). This means it must have less than 250 employees, a turnover of less than £40 million and a balance sheet of less than £35 million.
• Not be more than 25% owned by a larger company and if the business is part of a group then all parents and subsidiaries must be included when calculating number of employees, turnover and balance sheet totals.
• Have premises in East Lindsey, Boston or South Holland
• Any equipment purchased with help of a grant must be homed in the area.
Councillor Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for The Coastal Economy, and Councillor Adam Grist, portfolio holder for Market Towns and the Rural Economy at East Lindsey District Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see businesses in East Lindsey be given the chance to grow and to turn their plans into action through the Grants4Growth funding.
“This can make a real difference and bring about positive change across the district that will benefit coastal, urban and rural businesses while also increasing the chances for employment for our residents.
“Alongside our other major funding, including £48.4million for our Skegness and Mablethorpe Town Deals and £8million Levelling Up funding, this is a really exciting time for major, transformative positive change in East Lindsey that will benefit residents for generations to come.”
Planning consent secured for sustainable Wakefield employment scheme
Opus North and Bridges Fund Management have secured outline planning permission from Wakefield Council for the City Fields employment scheme, which will deliver over 500,000 sq ft of highly sustainable employment space on a 31-acre site in Wakefield. The new development could bring around 800 new jobs to the local area.
In July 2022, Opus North and Bridges acquired the site for an undisclosed sum from Keyland Developments Ltd. The approved scheme will run adjacent to the £33m Wakefield Eastern Relief Road (WERR) and will support the regeneration of the wider City Fields community.
The planning approval has given the go-ahead for the commercial site to include Class B2, B8 and E(g) consent for urban logistics, as well as industrial accommodation in a varied range of unit sizes. There is also significant potential for further development through trade counter schemes and associated pub/restaurant/drive-thru options.
The development will incorporate a number of sustainable features to reduce emissions and mitigate occupier costs, targeting BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC A as a minimum.
Opus North and Bridges are submitting a further Reserved Matters application for the site-wide enabling works. This will include site clearance and plateau preparation as well as drainage and utility installation works.
Subject to approval on the Reserved Matters application, works are scheduled to begin in early 2024 with the first phase of construction focused on a drive-thru plot, followed by circa 80,000 square feet of industrial buildings with the aim of the first building to complete in late 2024.
Ryan Unsworth, Joint Managing Director of Opus North, said: “We are delighted that our plans for the City Fields site have been granted approval.
“The half a million square feet of employment space will be the key commercial element of the regeneration plans for the wider City Fields site which, at a total of 373 acres, will make a significant contribution to the area’s economic prospects.
“A regeneration scheme of this scale is something we are hugely invested in and its delivery will make great strides in growing the northern commercial sector.”
Guy Bowden, partner at Bridges Fund Management, said: “City Fields is one of the most exciting development opportunities in the region. We’re looking forward to transforming this site into a highly sustainable commercial and industrial hub, with a range of ‘build to suit’ units of different sizes.
“This will help to address the clear regional shortage of high-quality space, while also enabling occupiers to achieve their own ESG goals and supporting the transition to Net Zero.”
Appointed agents for City Fields are Carter Towler, Knight Frank and Avison Young.
