Construction begins on 367,000 sq ft logistics development in Sheffield
Trammell Crow Company (TCC), a global developer and investor in commercial real estate, has begun construction on a 367,152 sq ft logistics development at its 20-acre Shepcote Lane site in Sheffield.
It is the second project on which TCC has appointed Glencar as principal contractor, with the construction company having begun work on TCC’s first project in Europe – in Milton Keynes – over the summer.
The Grade A logistics facility will be constructed by Glencar consisting of a structural steel multi-span portal frame with a clear height to the underside of the haunch of 18m. The project also includes site access improvements, estate roads, an 83m deep service yard with HGV & trailer parking, car parks, motorcycle and cycle parking, landscaping, security fencing, a gatehouse and automatic access barriers.
The site is located only half a mile on a direct route from Junction 34 of the M1 motorway. It previously housed a 455,750 sq ft facility, let to fencing manufacturer Betafence. Located in an established industrial area with an existing logistics allocation, tenants such as Clipper Logistics; Pretty Little Thing; ITM and Great Bear have recently taken space nearby.
In keeping with its global standards, TCC is targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A certifications, while also installing electric vehicle charging points for passenger cars and HGV vehicles aimed at reducing emissions and improving local air quality. Additionally, occupiers will benefit from photovoltaic roof paneling to offset the base electrical consumption, which is expandable to cover the entire building.
Chetwoods is the architect and WSP is the civil and structural engineer. KAM is appointed as cost manager and employer’s agent, and CBRE is the planning consultant.
The unit is expected to create 450 new jobs. Additional employment opportunities are envisaged during the development and construction of the new scheme.
Graham Reece, head of European Logistics Construction at Trammell Crow Company, said: “This is a great next step for our growth in Europe following the start of construction at our first UK site in Milton Keynes and in Spain, reinforcing Trammell Crow Company’s position as a leading global developer.
“As we continue to secure new sites and prepare for construction across the continent, we are ensuring all our developments meet investors’ and occupiers’ needs with high-quality and consistent design and specification. We look forward to transforming this space into a high-quality industrial and logistics offering.”
Pete Goodman, Managing Director Midlands and North at Glencar, said: “So soon after being awarded our first project for Trammell Crow Company at Merton Drive in Milton Keynes we are absolutely delighted to receive this second, subsequent instruction in Sheffield which serves as TCC’s second logistics site in the UK and fourth in Europe as it continues to expand rapidly.”
Yorkshire-based spring manufacturer secures six figure grant to enhance digital technology in manufacturing
Spinks, pocket spring manufacturer and the components supplier to the mattress and furniture industries, has been recognised for its innovative manufacturing efforts after being awarded significant funding by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
One of just 12 UK companies awarded a UKRI grant under its Made Smarter innovation challenge, Spinks, which is part of Yorkshire-based luxury bedmakers Harrison Spinks, will look to develop an application of digital technologies within wire drawing, spring manufacturing and bed making.
The grant – which totals £670,000 – will be put towards developing a smart network of digital decision tools to simulate and predict resource and energy use, with sensors and meters to assess production and improve its effectiveness.
Darren Marcangelo, Managing Director of Spinks, said: “We are delighted to be one of only 12 UK companies recognised for our digital innovation efforts and continued focus on driving forward the sustainability of our manufacturing processes.
“It is vital for the manufacturing sector to continuously evolve and adopt the very latest in digital technology solutions and we’re proud to be a part of pioneering these efforts.”
Projects applying for the UKRI funding were required to show an innovative development and application of data or digital technology that could help optimise material usage, and reduce, reuse or separate waste materials, or lower energy consumption to increase sustainability throughout an area of production.
Spinks will be working alongside consortium partners; Bespoke Automation Controls Solutions, with expertise in machine programming languages and the Manufacturing Technology Centre, who have deep experience in digitised factory projects.
HBD exits Pennine Property Partnership in £20m deal
Sheffield-headquartered property developer HBD has sold its half-stake in Pennine Property Partnership and Acre Mill in a £20m deal, reflecting a yield of 3.56%.
Pennine Property Partnership (PPP) is a project that began in 2013, with HBD appointed as development partner to Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. It later won MIPIM Public Private Partnership of the Year.
The decade-long partnership saw the redevelopment of a listed mill building into a 56,000 sq ft outpatient clinic, and the transformation of a former hospital site into 226 new family homes and a convenience store.
As the partnership approached its natural end, the Trust wanted to retain its stake in the partnership as opposed to selling the main income producing asset. In order for the Trust to retain its interest, HBD devised an alternative structure for the sale, divesting its own share to a long-term fund – despite the additional complexity of the deal and a lower return, the partnership remained a priority for HBD.
Tom Wheldon, director and head of region at HBD, said: “The regeneration of the St Luke’s site is a great example of what can be achieved via public private partnership and a long-term approach to regeneration. We’re pleased to have been able to support the Trust in delivering the scheme, providing the local community with new healthcare facilities and delivering much-needed new homes.”
Work begins on new Passivhaus homes in York
Work has begun to build City of York Council’s first Passivhaus homes at the Duncombe Barracks site.
The 34 new Passivhaus homes support low carbon lifestyles in a low-traffic setting. It is the first Passivhaus site to be built under the council’s Housing Delivery Programme, providing a minimum 40% affordable homes.
This first phase of Passivhaus construction by the council is being carried out by contractor Caddick Construction. It involves building the housing foundations, together with drainage works, and constructing the site’s internal roads and temporary site offices. The site road’s foundations are being built from rubble recycled from the few demolished, unused buildings on the site which saves on materials, transport and labour. The new pathways and routes will include a new car-free route through Duncombe Barracks and the neighbouring Persimmon site at Bootham Crescent, to connect Burton Stone Lane and Grosvenor Road.
In 2023 the first above-ground construction will become visible, which will include a show complex on the ground floor community hub. The complex will have a sales office and an innovation centre with a temporary exhibition about Passivhaus homes.
There will also be 2 show homes to visit.
As part of the landscaped spaces within the development, 79 new trees will be planted. That’s 69 more trees than were originally on the site. The species will include apple trees, field maples and juneberry trees which together will provide springtime blossom, shade in the summer, fruit and autumn colour.
The show homes are scheduled to open in autumn 2023 and the overall project will complete in 2024.
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer communities at City of York Council, said: “This first Passivhaus site of our Housing Delivery Programme comes with big ambitions. These, our first zero carbon in use homes, aim to help inspire more climate sensitive homes to be designed and built. Importantly, by allocating at least 40% of this site for shared ownership and social housing, we’re delivering twice the planning requirements for affordable homes.
“Being set in a landscape which encourages communities to develop and thrive, these new homes build on the city’s rich history as a housing pioneer.”
Richard Greenwood, Caddick Construction’s director of housing, said: “We are delighted to be on site for this project which is already award-winning following its success in the Housing Design Awards earlier this year.
“It’s also exciting to be working on something that not only delivers high quality Passivhaus standard homes for York, but will hopefully inspire and encourage future developments to follow suit and take up green technology alongside other net carbon building methods.”
Business volumes in financial services rise by more than 305 in latest quarter
Business volumes in the three months to September were up 31% from 0% in June according to the latest CBI/PwC Financial Services Survey, with volumes growth expected to ease in the quarter ahead.
While slowing slightly on the previous quarter, profitability growth across the sector remains robust and is expected to increase at a quicker pace in the next three months (+44%).
Hwever, despite volumes and profitability growth holding firm, industry sentiment over Q3 fell at the fastest rate since September 2019.
Investment intentions were lacklustre across the sector. Capital expenditure on IT (-1% from +33%) and vehicles, plant & machinery (-2% from -13%) is set to be broadly unchanged in the next 12 months (compared with the previous 12). Meanwhile, investment in land & buildings (-12% from -6%) is expected to decline.
Firms cited inadequate net return (62% from 22%) as the factor most likely to limit investment in the next 12 months.
Employment contracted modestly in the quarter to September (-8% from +12%). The decline in headcount is expected to accelerate next quarter (-21%).
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said: “While activity in the financial sector looks to be in a good position, with profitability and volumes growth remaining strong, the rapid fall in sentiment and lacklustre investment intentions illustrate the challenging conditions that firms find themselves in.
“Recent market volatility stemming from the Government’s “mini”-Budget – alongside other global developments – underlines the clear need to restore macro-stability and boost business confidence. The decision to bring forward the publication of the OBR forecasts and medium-term fiscal plan is the right one and can help demonstrate to investors that the UK has a credible plan for stabilising debt to GDP at a sustainable level.”
Isabelle Jenkins, Leader of Financial Services at PwC UK, said: “Despite the steep drop in sentiment this quarter, it’s good news to see that just over a third of all FS firms have either tangible initiatives in place to support consumers through the cost-of-living crisis or are intending to put such plans in place.
“The headwinds coming from inflation and other economic changes likely played a role in the sinking of sentiment, with over half of firms expecting significant disruption coming from this area.
“However, with 74% of firms seeing clarity as the key to supporting consumers, both in terms of simplifying decision-making process and providing vital educational resources on products, firms seem to see the importance of keeping their eye on the ball. As we enter into another tricky quarter, I hope this stability and clear thinking continues.”
First Freeport activity brings steel into the Humber region
The first activity of a Freeport anywhere in the UK has involved a consignment of steel destined for a manufacturing site on The Humber.
It was handled by Casper Shipping, the first UK Customs Site Operator, which received about 100 tonnes of steel from Blackwood Biofuels & Logistics and logistics firm AV Dawson into the South Bank area of Teesworks, which has been designated as a customs zone as part of the region’s Freeport, for onward delivery. Nikki Sayer, Director at Casper Shipping Ltd, said: “There has been a lot of hard work to bring this project to fruition but we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the official Customs Site Operator, and to be part of such a significant moment in Teesside’s redevelopment and future. “We are grateful for the guidance given to us by Dominic Ward and the team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors who provided us with invaluable advice relating to our contract with the South Teesside Development Company, which owns the land on which our Customs Site is located.” Dominic Ward, senior partner and head of shipping and transport at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, added: “It has been a pleasure to assist Casper Shipping in securing this significant contract for the Teesside Freeport project. Having worked with the team at Casper for several years, we are particularly delighted to see them go from strength to strength as they underline their position as the UK’s leading independent maritime services company.” Freeport sites offer businesses tax and customs incentives including reducing red tape and providing relief from duties and import taxes. It is anticipated that the Freeport will create 18,000 jobs and drive billions into the economy by 2027.MP includes business briefing in her Big Conversation for the first time
For the first time Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy is urging businesses in her constituency to join her “Big Conversation” and share comments and feedback on the issues they face.
She has undertaken a listening tour of groups and organisations every year since her election in 2017, and has this year added a business briefing to the programme. She will meet owners and directors of businesses from 2.30pm until 3.30pm on Thursday 20 October at Nordic House, the business and cultural venue which is housed in the Danish Church at the corner of Osborne Street and Ferensway in Hull. Saying that the opportunity was open to all businesses regardless of whether they are members of any support organisation, she added: “The Big Conversation provides helpful information and an opportunity to gather the thoughts and feelings of constituents, businesses and agencies to give me a better understanding of the challenges they face at a local level. “All the issues raised in the individual Big Conversation meetings then form the basis of my Parliamentary Action Plan. “The wider Big Conversation programme is engaging with members of the community and local organisations about topics such as the cost of living, loneliness and isolation, youth mental health, Ukraine, immigration, crime and anti-social behaviour, the environment, violence against women and girls and many more. “Business owners are likely to have their own views on all of those issues and more, and I want to hear about the things that are good and bad for their organisations and their employees. The invitation is open to all businesses. We are conscious that time is precious so we will limit the event to an hour and we will aim to follow up with people if they need more time than that. “I always look forward to the Big Conversation because it’s a fantastic opportunity to get out in the community and hear the issues that matter to people most. As part of that I really want to hear how businesses are coping with the challenges they face and what extra support is needed.”Almost 70 estate agents fined under money laundering regulations
Dozens of estate agents have been fined a total of more than £500,000 for breaching anti-money laundering requirements.
HMRC has named the 68 estate agents that have been fined a total of £519,645 for not complying with rules designed to stop criminals laundering money from illegal activity.
The fines followed the first prosecution of an estate agent for trading despite not registering with HMRC, to ensure compliance with money laundering regulations.
Nick Sharp, HMRC’s Deputy Director of Economic Crime, said: “We are determined to create a level playing field for businesses who play by the rules. That means taking action against the minority of businesses who fail to fulfil their legal responsibilities under the money laundering regulations.
“Money laundering is not a victimless crime. Our regulations are there to protect businesses from those criminals who would prey on their services to wash their dirty money.
“Serious and organised crime costs the UK billions of pounds every year and our anti-money laundering supervision is a vital tool in combatting that.”
The full list of businesses not complying with money laundering regulations is published on GOV.UK and sees 175 businesses receiving penalties totalling £2,180,708. The list was previously published in May 2022, which saw 147 businesses, including 41 estate agents, receive penalties totalling almost £800,000. This latest round of penalties also sees the first business in the arts sector being fined. HMRC is currently investigating a number of other cases of businesses failing to register whilst trading, which could lead to prison sentences of up two years and an unlimited fine.Firethorn trust granted planning for Leeds logistics site
Commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has been given planning consent to deliver 660,000 sq ft of logistics warehousing in North Yorkshire.
Sitting adjacent to the Sherburn Enterprise Park in Leeds, Firethorn’s 37-acre scheme will comprise four highly specified Grade-A units, delivered to net-zero carbon in construction.
With approval from Selby District Council, work on site will begin in November, with completion expected in Q3 2023. The ‘Excellent’ BREEAM-Rated scheme includes 15% roof lighting and future provisions for power generation, with particular attention paid to the landscaped environment, which looks to enhance local biodiversity whilst creating an attractive working space.
Paul Martin, development director at Firethorn, said: “With units ranging from 57,750 to 280,000 sq ft, Sherburn42 is set to be a significant development for the region.
“Providing a flexible, modern and sustainable space, and with excellent transport connections linking road, rail and sea, we believe the scheme offers a smart solution for businesses looking to expand their operations.
“Now that we have received the green light from the council, we look forward to beginning work on site and bringing this project forward at pace.”
Benefiting from up to 4MvA power, the approved plans include eaves heights of 15m to haunch, 11 ground-level access doors and 633 parking spaces. Close proximity to junction 42 A1 (M) provides direct connections to Leeds, the M1, M62 and coastal ports of Hull and Grimsby, as well as a number of regional rail stations and airports.
The scheme’s letting agents are Colliers, Lambert Smith Hampton, and Carter Towler.
Funding agreed to develop historic building in Dewsbury to create new homes
A £2.38m grant has been approved that will kickstart the work to turn Fieldhouse into Station Apartments.
Fieldhouse is a four-storey building which stands opposite Dewsbury Railway Station, in the area around Daisy Hill and Bond Street – one of the key areas marked for development as part of the Dewsbury Blueprint.
Kirklees Council plan to create a new neighbourhood around Daisy Hill, made up of homes which are both excellent quality and affordable to rent or buy.
Once completed, the neighbourhood will feature both new buildings and converted ones. The plans will give Fieldhouse – and other buildings – a new purpose and lease of life, and will future-proof some of Dewsbury’s beautiful historic architecture for future generations.
Fieldhouse itself will be the flagship of the development, transformed into 23 spacious apartments and commercial space. Once finished, this building will be known as Station Apartments.
The aim of the neighbourhood is to create a type of residential development that doesn’t currently exist in Dewsbury. Kirklees Council want to attract more people to live in the town centre, including commuters to Leeds and Manchester.
These plans will drive more spending in the town centre, supporting local retailers and boosting Dewsbury’s economy.
Fieldhouse is a Grade II* Listed building, part of the Dewsbury Town Centre Conservation Area and the Dewsbury Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). The area was awarded HAZ status in 2017 – this means Historic England want the area to be protected because it’s historically significant.
Since then, the building has been purchased by Mood Developments, who have gone about getting all the permissions required to bring these plans to life.
The project has already had £1.38m of funding approved towards the £2.83m grant. This comes from the Dewsbury Town Deal and is part of the Town Investment Plan, which is aimed at boosting Dewsbury’s economy and long-term prosperity.
The developer plans to start construction work in November this year. This stage of work should take about 12 months to complete.
