Plans submitted for major Leeds riverside development
Glenbrook and Leeds-based property investor and car parking operator, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) have submitted full detailed planning applications as part of a joint venture for the £280million masterplan for the development of Whitehall Riverside in Leeds city centre.
The proposal by Glenbrook comprises 500 build to rent apartments across two blocks of 15 and 18 storeys with commercial space at ground floor. The Sheppard Robson designed scheme includes residents’ amenities set across the ground and first floor with expansive terrace gardens overlooking the River Aire, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and the health and well-being of residents.
Speaking about the planning application, Danny Roberts, senior development manager at Glenbrook, said: “Whitehall Riverside represents one of the best residential development opportunities in Leeds city centre. We have a strong track record of successfully delivering high quality and sustainable new homes and have worked closely with TCS to bring this site forward to planning stage. The residential building is a key component of the wider masterplan and will have a transformative impact on this significant stretch of riverside benefitting residents, visitors and the wider community.”
The wider masterplan by Enjoy Design which is being brought forward by TCS includes detailed proposals for a smart enabled and energy efficient office building of 118,165 sq ft, and a state of the art multi-storey car park and travel hub for CitiPark. This will deliver one the largest EV charging sites in the north of the UK using renewable and sustainable electricity. A further two buildings are proposed as future phases which include an aparthotel and additional office accommdation.
A landscaping and public realm proposal designed by re-form will deliver a new riverside park and enhance the biodiversity of the riverside environment. A series of interlinked green streets and cycling routes will improve connectivity and access to the existing riverside to create a high quality destination, attracting new residents and visitors to the scheme.
Craig Burrow, development director at Town Centre Securities, said: “The new Whitehall Riverside masterplan has been designed for the demand of today but with flexibility in mind to adapt to the changing requirements of workspace, residential, electric vehicles and the visitor economy.
“It will further enhance previously delivered phases and create a truly mixed use scheme and neighbourhood for generations to live, work and play. With connectivity and sustainability at the forefront of the design, the next phase will activate the unique stretch of riverside frontage with high quality landscaping and public realm throughout.”
New housing development set for Yorkshire village as land deal completes
Persimmon Homes has completed the purchase of land to unlock a new housing development in the popular village of Anlaby in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
51 new homes will be built as part of the final phase of a wider housing development included in the adopted Local Plan of East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
The development will showcase Persimmons Homes’ new range of houses with properties ranging from one to four bedrooms with thirteen homes to be handed over to a housing association.
Along with the boost to local housing, the scheme will bring community benefits including significant public open space and an on-site play area.
Persimmon is also contributing over £100,000 to local sports facilities and over £80,000 to fund extra places at nearby schools.
Joel Frank, land director for Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have secured reserved matters planning permission for this exciting development in Anlaby.
“Following the success of our nearby developments, we are pleased to once again be working with the local authorities to successfully deliver much-needed high-quality new homes in the East Riding and Hull.
“This scheme will be the first in the region to showcase our new range of houses and with great access to Hull city centre and excellent commuter links to Leeds and York, we know that this scheme will undoubtedly prove popular with homebuyers.”
University of Hull raises £86m to accelerate carbon neutral ambitions
The University of Hull has secured £86m of green funding to invest in sustainable facilities and infrastructure, accelerating its ambition of becoming a carbon neutral campus in 2027.
The private placement funding, provided by three UK and US institutional investors and arranged by Lloyds Bank, will be used to create world-class laboratories and teaching spaces. This will include new carbon efficient and carbon neutral buildings, as well as additional renewable energy and digital infrastructure, providing the highest quality education and research facilities.
One of the university’s key priorities is providing its students with the skills and understanding essential for a career in green industries and tackling the climate emergency.
Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: “As students look increasingly to universities to take a leading role in tackling the climate crisis, this investment demonstrates to our current and prospective students that we are leading the way in the fight against climate change through the introduction of competitive, cutting-edge and sustainable campus infrastructure.
“All universities need to invest in their facilities to stay at the forefront of research, teaching and innovation within this challenging landscape. This funding and the subsequent developments will enable the university to focus on upgrading facilities that are key to our long-term strategy and our sense of place, allowing us to carry out world-leading research into climate and health inequalities and providing students with the green skills to contribute to the UK’s net-zero ambitions.”
Andrew Connors, Head of Higher Education at Lloyds Bank, said: “We are delighted to support the University of Hull’s debut Green Private Placement, Green Financing Framework and Revolving Credit Facility. This funding will help the university achieve its ambitious plans to reach Net Zero in 2027. Its impact and benefits will be felt across the whole of the region and we look forward to working with them on this in the coming years.”
Financial advisory and legal services for the investment were provided by QMPF and Mills & Reeves LLP.
First look of exciting new public space in Rotherham town centre revealed
The first look of an exciting new public space in Rotherham town centre has been revealed.
Riverside Gardens is a new public space which will form a key gateway to the flagship Forge Island leisure development and wider town centre.
The introduction of additional green spaces and play, with connections to the river and nature is a major part of the vision for the town centre.
The proposals include a series of soft landscaped terraces, accessible routes from Market Street and Domine Lane, natural play space for children and the creation of a riverside walk along the River Don. There will also be new seating and dwell spaces for visitors to relax and enjoy the views.
The scheme extends to Market Street and Domine Lane, with a prime focus on pedestrian access along and into Riverside Gardens. With the pedestrianisation of Domine Lane, the aim is to form an entrance leading to Riverside Gardens and Forge Island from the town centre.
The leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr Chris Read, said: “Riverside Gardens will provide a great gateway into Forge Island but will also be a destination in its own right.
“This scheme is a key part of the Town Centre Masterplan and will complement other public realm work across the town centre as we seek to ensure the area is something the whole town can be proud of.”
The Forge Island leisure development will include an 8-screen state-of-the-art boutique cinema, delivered by The Arc Cinema, alongside a 69-room Travelodge hotel. This will be complemented by restaurants, bars and attractive public spaces, creating an exciting mixed-use destination.
You can view and comment on the plans online now until Sunday 15 May at www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk/riverside-gardens
£300,000 investment helps barrister launch new system to record witness statements
A barrister who recognised the value of accurate transcriptions while working as a legal aid lawyer has launched a new system that can automatically capture witness statements.
Sophie Walker’s software is the only AI-driven transcription tool designed specifically for the legal sector.
Her Leeds-based company JUST: Access developed the technology with the help of a £300,000 investment from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, and private investors last year.
The software has now been incorporated into video conferencing systems to assist lawyers when interviewing clients or conducting investigations, allowing them to take accurate statements and comply with new regulations.
Dan Thomas of Mercia said: “Transcription is vital to legal practice, but predominantly relies on old-fashioned processes, making it ripe for transformation. The funding has helped Sophie and her team to commercialise the software and explore new opportunities in the legal sector.”
Tech industry asked for advice about tightening security on app development
Tech industry specialists are being asked by the Government for advice about enhanced security and privacy requirements for firms running app stores and developers making apps.
The calls comes after publication of a new report on the threats in app stores published today by the National Cyber Security Centre. It shows people’s data and money are at risk because of fraudulent apps containing malicious malware created by cyber criminals, or poorly developed apps which can be compromised by hackers exploiting weaknesses in software.
Millions of people use apps every day to shop, bank and make video calls and the UK app market is worth £18.6 billion – but there are few rules governing the security of the technology or the online stores where they are sold.
Under new proposals, app stores for smartphones, game consoles, TVs and other smart devices could be asked to commit to a new code of practice setting out baseline security and privacy requirements. This would be the first such measure in the world.
Developers and store operators making apps available to UK users would be covered. This includes Apple, Google, Amazon, Huawei, Microsoft and Samsung.
The proposed code would require stores to have a vulnerability reporting process for each app so flaws can be found and fixed quicker. They would need to share more security and privacy information in an accessible way including why an app needs access to users’ contacts and location.
Cyber Security Minister Julia Lopez said: “Apps on our smartphones and tablets have improved our lives immensely – making it easier to bank and shop online and stay connected with friends.
“But no app should put our money and data at risk. That’s why the Government is taking action to ensure app stores and developers raise their security standards and better protect UK consumers in the digital age.”
The NCSC report found all types of app stores face similar cyber threats, and the most prominent problem is malware: corrupted software which can steal data and money and mislead users. For example, last year some Android phone users downloaded apps which contained the Triada and Escobar malware on various third-party app stores. This resulted in cyber criminals remotely taking control of people’s phones and stealing their data and money by signing them up for premium subscription services without the individual’s knowledge. The NCSC report concludes the government’s proposed code of practice will have a positive impact and reduce the chances of malicious apps reaching consumers across different devices. NCSC Technical Director Ian Levy said: “Our devices and the apps that make them useful are increasingly essential to people and businesses and app stores have a responsibility to protect users and maintain their trust. “Our threat report shows there is more for app stores to do, with cyber criminals currently using weaknesses in app stores on all types of connected devices to cause harm. I support the proposed Code of Practice, which demonstrates the UK’s continued intent to fix systemic cybersecurity issues.” The code follows a government review of app stores launched in December 2020 which found some developers are not following best practice in developing apps, while well-known app stores do not share clear security requirements with developers. The app stores call for views is part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to ensure UK citizens are more secure online and is alongside other tough UK safeguards for people using internet-connected devices. It is also part of the government’s work leading international efforts to raise awareness on the need for security and privacy requirements for apps to protect users.Administrators’ intervention saves ten joinery jobs in Elland
Ten jobs have been saved at Elland-based commercial joinery and shopfitting firm Crossley Webb Contracts thanks to the work of joint administrators Bob Maxwell and Louise Longley from Begbies Traynor, who have sold the business to the Oak Touch, also in Elland, as a going concern.
Founded in 2002, CWC specialises in bespoke furniture and specialist joinery, fit-out and refurbishment contracts for a range of well-known clients in the corporate workplace, hospitality, hotel and leisure sectors.
Bob Maxwell said: “It is excellent news that we have secured a buyer for CWC, safeguarding the jobs of the entire team. The business ran into financial difficulties as a supplier to the fitness and gyms sector, which itself suffered from severe trading restrictions during successive covid lockdowns.”
Forgemasters’ new press arrives in UK from Japan
A massive logistical effort has seen the UK’s largest forging press shipped from Hiagari Port, Japan, to King George Dock in Hull bringing the 8,000 tonne load 13,000 nautical miles.
Destined for Sheffield Forgemasters, the press was offloaded from MV Hanna, a 19,000 tonne heavy-lift cargo vessel, onto the Hull quay with 13 ultra-large components forwarded via barge to Goole, due to size and weight restrictions over the Ouse bridge.
Sheffield Forgemasters contracted the shipping requirements to Allseas Global Logistics and GB Shipping & Forwarding, who worked with specialist heavy-load haulier, Allelys, to deliver the cargo from both docks to Sheffield with police escorting seven loads over 200 tonnes each.
Craig Smith, Import Export Manager at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “This is one of our largest logistical projects to date, requiring the press to be decommissioned in Japan and all of its thousands of components sorted into 488 packages.
“The 13 largest items, half of which weigh more than 200 tonnes each with the heaviest at 255 tonnes, required a second vessel to be chartered to ship the components to Goole, beyond the Ouse bridge, for loading onto Allelys’ largest transport vehicles.
“The cargo took 14 days to load, 45 days to travel from Japan to Hull and 12 days to unload.”
Following the historic company’s acquisition by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) last year, there are plans to invest up to £400m over the next decade to support defence-critical assets, including a new heavy forge line and building.
Jamie Slater, Project Development Manager at Allseas Global Logistics, said: “One of the first hurdles was to source and charter a heavy lift vessel which had the capacity to stow all the cargo under deck but had a narrow enough beam to enter the locks at Hull Docks. Our chartering team worked for several months to find the right vessel available at the right time within the budget of the project.”
Andy Wormald, Project Manager at Allseas Global Logistics, said: “This is a complex freight package to transport and ship, with many different multimodal aspects and the utilisation of various items of heavy lift equipment.
“We worked closely with Allelys to ensure that all of the press parts were handled with efficiency, regardless of size or weight and managed the journey by sea and overland to arrive safely in Sheffield.”
David Allely, Managing Director at Allelys, said: “We have provided transport for the whole Sheffield Forgemasters consignment to deliver the press components from Hull and Goole to Sheffield, using our 45 tonne ballasted tractor units and modular 24 axle trailers.
“Loading and unloading the barge required our Liebherr LG1550 lattice-boom crane, with lifting capacity of 550 tonnes, which in turn, required two other cranes to assemble it at the dockside.”
Priest Abnormal Load services accompanied also accompanied all of the large loads from the ports into Sheffield. The press will be housed in a proposed new building at Sheffield Forgemasters’ Brightside Lane site, with commissioning of the facility set to take place in 2025.
Sheffield Forgemasters specialises in the design and manufacture of high integrity forgings and castings offering end-to-end manufacture including steel production from a single site in the UK.
Small firms make rebate plea as UK loses 149 million working days to sickness
149.3 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in the UK last year, with Covid-19 accounting for nearly one in four of all absences, according to new research from the New Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Small businesses are struggling under the pressure and are asking policy makers for a small business sick pay rebate. Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Policy and Advocacy Chair Tina McKenzie commented: “The average cost of sickness absence, including finding cover, stands at more than £3,000 a year for small employers, equating to £5 billion across the small business community as a whole.
“With operating costs surging in the round, small firms need more financial assistance to go on doing right by their staff when they’re unwell.
“On the day that the Government has announced yet more help for big energy-intensive companies, we’re asking policymakers to take forward our joint proposal with the TUC for a small business sick pay rebate which will support those who have received no assistance whatsoever with utility bills.
“Allowing small community businesses to recover sick pay costs will give them that much more space to invest, recruit and retain staff, spurring our economic recovery from the grass roots up.”
Yorkshire & North East continue to reach highs in CBRE’s UK Q1 2022 Logistics Market Summary
Global real estate advisor CBRE has published its UK Logistics Market Summary for Q1 2022.
Despite experiencing a quieter quarter in terms of logistics take-up in Yorkshire and the North East, with only 1 build-to-suit deal of 0.4m sq ft completing, a strong pipeline of deals is anticipated with the second largest amount of space under offer compared to other UK regions. The region concluded the quarter at 5.8m sq ft with 3 build-to-suit units over 1m sq ft.
Despite Yorkshire & North East having the lowest vacancy rate in the UK at just 0.94%, the region has increased QoQ from 0.55% with availability increasing by 52% QoQ reaching 2.3m sq ft. Take-up is predominantly made up of speculative under construction spaces.
Nearly all UK regions have experienced rental growth throughout Q1 with Yorkshire and North East climbing to £7.75psf, a 24% YoY rise. Prime yields within the region hardened 10bps to 3.65%.
Across the UK, highlights included the development pipeline, which was up 36% QoQ to 28.3m sq ft and there were record high levels of speculative under construction space, 14.97m sq ft at the end of Q1, though 5.9m sq ft of this space had already been taken by the end of the quarter.
Nationally, take-up of logistics space totalled 10.43m sq ft in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 100% compared to Q1 2021’s figure of 5.21m sq ft. The South East and the East Midlands captured the largest shares of UK take-up, whilst unusually Yorkshire and North East captured the smallest share.
A total of 41 deals have completed nationally this quarter, a 64% increase compared to Q1 2021 stats, which saw 25 deals complete. The quarter ended with a record level of space under offer, 22.46m sq ft, a 132.7% rise from the end of Q4 2021, suggesting a busy year ahead for the sector. 42% of space taken fell into the smaller size category of 100k-300k, whereas there were 5 deals exceeding 500k sq ft, equating to 29% of total take-up.
Mike Baugh, senior director for CBRE Leeds, said: “The supply forecast is positive with circa 9m sq ft of space coming to the Yorkshire market over the next few years. This may sound a lot, but it only equates to two-to-three years’ worth of supply. In addition to the imbalance between supply and demand, the sector faces additional challenges including labour availability and the continued rise in construction costs.
“Interestingly, only 5% of take-up came from the online sector for Q1 2022, while other sectors provided a significant amount, including 3PL, showing the diversity in the types of occupiers currently seeking a significant quantity of warehouse space throughout the UK.
“Investors continue to focus on the logistics sector and aligned to occupier requirements, are really driving the ESG agenda leading to some exciting new, best-in-class schemes in our region.”
