Infrastructure – the solution to the housing crisis?

In 2017 the elected Government pledged to deliver one million homes by the end of 2020, and half a million more by the end of 2022. Recent figures suggest that housing targets are on track, despite being in the midst of one of the most turbulent and challenging periods of UK politics.

Putting statistics aside, many believe that the UK is still experiencing a housing crisis and questions have been raised as to whether the determination to hit a housing number is in fact overshadowing a larger issue – the ability to provide appropriate and viable places for people to live, work and grow.

In the longer term, could the relentless drive to meet politically generated targets compromise the availability of quality places for people to live?

Across the country there is a perceived imbalance in the approach taken to the housing problem. Inflated land prices, predominately in the South, have created a tough environment for developers, as they attempt to provide affordable housing in otherwise unaffordable surroundings. However, the Midlands appears to offer a number of success stories. A combination of many positive factors, including affordable land and large amounts of business investment in the region, has helped to create increased confidence and opportunities.

Providing homes that people want to live in is only part of the solution. Ensuring properties are set in viable communities is key to a development’s longevity and appeal. Infrastructure is central to ensuring new homes are well connected and it shouldn’t be overlooked when encouraging communities to grow and develop.

New developments are often built in places that lack the essentials needed to become a true community, such as local amenities, recreational land and improved transport links. People understandably wish to have homes with clear access to public open space and the ability to shape their surroundings to meet the requirements of a growing community. Home owners influence the public realm and environment around them, presenting them with something that money can’t buy: a rightful pride in an ever changing but sustainable ecologically-friendly community environment.

Furthermore, people of course wish to be well connected, both in terms of essential transport links and broadband: they want to live in areas where they can shop locally and register with a local health practice which is suitably resourced and capable of meeting the increased demand by the growing community. It is essential that the infrastructure provision reflects these vital aspects.

However, putting in place large-scale infrastructure is increasingly expensive. Contributions to infrastructure such as roads, drainage, improved transports links, education, healthcare and emergency services are taken straight off the developer’s bottom line, affecting the initial decision to build in the area in the first place. This aspect also influences the extent to which vital community services are sourced and invested in, as well as how long they will be provided for after the developer has moved on.

There is no denying that the current economic uncertainty has scaled down the appetite for larger scale developments, with anecdotal evidence suggesting more housebuilders are increasingly choosing to instead progress smaller sites with fewer homes. Smaller sites usually have fewer infrastructure contributions, yet when considered in aggregate, still affect the number of cars on the roads and increase demands on essential services such as healthcare and education. As a result, it is generally the larger sites that are left to provide for the shortfalls, which often leads to delays to decision making about whether the largescale sites are economically viable.

For those developers committed to building bigger sites already, there is a desperate need for a more joined-up approach between planners, developers and local authorities. This is necessary to ensure that new infrastructure meets the requirements of growing communities and are proportionate both to the viability of the development in question, as well as the locality and region in which they are situated. Getting this right will ensure that sustainable homes can be provided, both in terms of quality of build and economic viability. Additionally, it will also allow developers to generate suitable profits to offset the associated investment and risk when providing essential infrastructure which encourages a community to properly grow and thrive.

Typically, controls are put in place to limit the number of homes a developer can build before they must begin work on facilities. However, different parties often have different priorities. On one hand a developer may wish to build homes of a certain design and type to generate the returns needed to pay for infrastructure investment, while a local authority’s priority may need such designs to meet requirements for the area as whole. In planning and development terms, these opposing approaches can often produce conflicting results and stifle the much-needed development altogether.

Having conflicting priorities can have huge implications on the viability of a site.  For instance, housing officers may ask for there to be more bungalows, yet by doing so the needs of the community may also change. The demand for a new school may diminish and instead be replaced by greater provisions of health centres and wraparound care. A little more freedom from planners when approving designs for developments could make a vast difference, allowing fledgling communities to establish themselves before specific infrastructure requirements are imposed at a local authority level. In turn, early collaboration can ensure homes for different generations of people with understandably different priorities can be provided in future.

Similarly, such jarring measures are often reflected in the approach taken when working with an applicant to agree a scheme. With often incompatible criteria, local authorities face the challenge of balancing various demands from either side of the table, which have the potential to block developments altogether. To overcome this, an independent role could be created within local authorities to deliver a scheme which takes every element into consideration from the outset, resulting in a scheme that ultimately works for every stakeholder.

Good infrastructure is crucial to successful housing delivery, boosting the development of new homes while enabling and encouraging people to invest on all levels in an area that they want to live in. While the housing crisis is unlikely to dissipate once the million new homes mark has been reached, a joined-up approach between developers and the public sector has the potential to accelerate the delivery of more quality homes in thriving communities. Applying that joined up approach is perhaps a greater, if not more important, challenge than meeting targets.

 

Article supplied by Martin Jones, partner and head of projects, infrastructure & regeneration at Shakespeare Martineau.

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Stornoway awards deep water port design contract

Stornoway Port Authority has awarded a design contract to civil engineers Wallace Stone for a deep water port.

The new deep water port is due to be one of the biggest projects ever undertaken in the Hebrides. Marine consulting civil engineers Wallace Stone have been chosen for phase 1 of the project, which forms part of a 20-year plan to increase tourism and provide jobs in the area.

Work will include land remodelling, dredging, land reclamation, a new quay, finger pier and linkspan and associated civil engineering works. The port will allow cruise ships and other large vessels up to 350 metres to dock in the port, allowing for increased tourism and exports to the area.

Aileen Campbell, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government said: “Our coastal seas are a central feature of Scotland’s economy and our plans for job creation and economic growth. Remote communities in particular benefit from marine tourism which generates additional business, jobs and prosperity.”

“The creation of a new deep-water facility, which will allow cruise ships to berth alongside, will have a positive effect on the wider economy for years to come.”

“Through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the Scottish Government has contributed £1.75m to the marina project. We are fully supportive of the ports industry, and we recognise the hugely beneficial impact Stornoway Port Authority (SPA) has on both the local, regional and national economy.”

A turf-cutting ceremony was attended by Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy Kate Forbes and representatives from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Stornoway Sailing Club. Through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the council and Scottish Government are contributing £2.75 million to the marina project, while HIE has approved £3.5 million.

It is hoped the new port will allow 35-40 large vessels to berth alongside the port a year, generating up to 200 jobs and introducing new industries including renewable energy. An upgraded marina is also planned, with an engineering workshop and infrastructure to support future development.

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Majority of UK business still not budgeting for post-Brexit immigration

Despite a possible exit date looming, the majority of UK businesses are unprepared for recruiting talent in a post-Brexit world, new research reveals.

Faced with the prospect of access to EU skills and labour curtailed, research conducted by law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, has found that 76% of UK mid-market businesses have no funds in place for post-Brexit immigration and 41% of businesses have already experienced a decrease in talent and skills since March 2017.

The survey, conducted with 132 decision makers in UK businesses, shows the effects of Brexit are already affecting HR and recruiting strategies. Since the triggering of Article 50 on 29 March 2017, one third (33%) of businesses said they had already experienced a decrease in the number of workers coming to the UK, and more than a quarter (26%) said they had already recruited fewer EU workers into their organisation.

The prospect of no longer having unfettered access to EU talent means that businesses will have to look towards other international labour pools. However, this does come at a cost and currently, the cost of recruiting someone on a Tier 2 visa for a three-year contract in the UK is over £5,000 per person. This includes costs for application fees, immigration healthcare charges and immigration skills charges. If the worker wanted to bring their spouse and two children, this sum rises to approximately £11,000.

Tijen Ahmet, head of business immigration at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are now so close to having a decision finalised – whatever it may be – about the UK’s future relationship with the EU and despite evidence that many businesses have felt pressure on their recruitment channels so far, there appears to be inaction within the marketplace.

“The UK has enjoyed access to EU labour for so long and once that tap is turned off, many organisations will find themselves faced with a hole in their recruitment strategy. Exploring other global talent markets is going to be increasingly important, however this comes at a price. The current Tier 2 visa system for skilled workers is expensive and if employers find they need to use this system to plug gaps in their businesses, the costs could soon climb.”

The survey results also show that many UK businesses are burying their heads in the sand when it comes to assessing how Brexit will affect their workforce. More than a quarter (27%) of organisations surveyed said they had yet to analyse the impact of immigration changes on their HR and recruitment strategies going forward.

Tijen Ahmet, continued: “Immigration has been one of the fiercest Brexit battlegrounds so far, but at least we now have some clarity about what the future system will look like, and how it will function. It’s positive that EU migrants and their families who are already here will be able to stay – providing they apply under the new EU Settlement Scheme – but many will already be leaving and businesses must prepare.

“The first vital step is undertaking an audit to understand the makeup of the workforce, understanding which people will be affected and how. After gaining that insight, plans can be put in place to help plug talent gaps which might spring up in future. If this involves recruiting from other non-EU geographies, careful thought must be given to how to get individuals over to the UK and the costs must be picked up by employers along the way.”

To see the full report, click here.

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Design team appointed for Scottish Manufacturing Institute

The Scottish National Manufacturing Institute has progressed towards its completion with the appointment of design practice HLM.

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NIMS), hosted by the University of Strathclyde, aims to be a world-leading institution and launch Scotland as a leading centre for manufacturing. Glasgow-based architecture firm HLM has been appointed to lead the design of the building.

The team includes Waterman Civil & Structural Engineers, Davie + McCulloh Building Services Engineers, and Robinson Low Francis LLP Cost Managers. HLM will lead landscape architecture and interior design, with Turner and Townsend acting as project managers.

Ross Barrett, Associate HLM, said: “HLM and the design team are excited to be working closely with the University of Strathclyde and their partners to develop the new NMIS facility. This is a huge opportunity to create an innovative, flexible and collaborative environment which will help inspire and attract industry partners and academics alike, reducing barriers to innovation.”

NIMS will sit opposite Glasgow Airport and include a Manufacturing Skills Academy, Digital Factory 2050, and open working spaces. It will establish the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and allow Scottish organisations of all sizes to access leading services, training programmes, and demonstrator facilities.

The centre has received a £48million investment from the Scottish Government and £8million from the University of Strathclyde as well as £9million for the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, the first stage of NIMS. Partners of the centre include the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, Renfrewshire Council, Advanced Forming Research Centre, and HVM Catapult.

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Map of underground pipes and cables to prevent disruption

The government is producing a detailed map of underground pipes and cables to prevent disruption due to accidental damage.

It is hoped the map, led by the government’s Geospatial Commission using existing data, will prevent disruption to utility networks as well as protect workers from accidental damage. The Underground Asset Register will detail the location of phone cables, electricity cables, water pipes, and gas pipes.

Currently, the whereabouts of certain pipe and cable networks are detailed on individual company sites but there is no national combined register. Prototypes are currently in use in Sunderland and London which allow workers to access maps on phones and computers before they start projects.

David Henderson, the managing director of Ordnance Survey Great Britain, said: “The creation of an underground map of utility assets has long been an ambition of Ordnance Survey. And over the last year we have been working closely with Northumbrian Water and a consortia of utility companies and local authorities in the North East of England, to explore how accurate geospatial data can improve underground infrastructure maintenance and inform new-build development projects.”

“The investment being made by the Geospatial Commission will ultimately enable the utility industry to more efficiently access, use and share data describing otherwise hidden infrastructure, thereby reducing operational costs, minimising disruption and accelerating completion of site works.”

It is estimated that accidental damage to pipes and cables costs around £2.2billion a year. As well as causing damage to vital infrastructure and disruption, it can be extremely dangerous for construction and maintenance workers who accidentally strike them.

In the North East, the prototype has been developed by the Ordnance Survey along with Northumbrian Water, Northern Gas Networks, Northern Powergrid, and Openreach. The London project is being led by the Greater London Authority with local infrastructure providers and authorities.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about key infrastructure trends today, you may wish to attend the flagship infrastructure exhibition at the NEC next week: UKIS 2019

Register for your delegate place now: UK Infrastructure Show 2019. 

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Dealing with hazardous waste

The construction industry has never been more lucrative for potential investors and eager entrepreneurs. With a growing population and a demand for greater infrastructure in our city spaces, the Office for National Statistics confirmed that the number of firms operating around the UK is rising, with a significant increase of 6.2%, in 2017 — meaning that 314,590 were active in the country.

The numbers for the sector do sound impressive, with the highest level of employment on record, increased earnings, and rising value of new construction orders. But despite this, the industry does encounter some downfalls that can have a negative impact on client delivery.

Hazardous waste is an issue that continues to present itself on building sites, and once hazardous materials have been detected, it can change an entire development plan. This will inevitably cost both time and money to the business, which might not always be an option. As a result, construction developers are having to invest into environmental consultancy firms and know that any waste of this type needs to be detected as early as possible.

What is hazardous waste and how can you handle it?

The Health and Safety Executive state that waste is hazardous when it contains substances that are harmful to human health or the environment, although it is not required to have an immediate effect. Businesses have a responsibility for handling hazardous waste, however their duty of care will depend on whether they are a producer or holder, carrier or a consignee.

The most common types of hazardous waste are:

• Asbestos
• Chemicals
• Batteries
• Solvents
• Pesticides
• Oils
• Various equipment that include ozone depleting substances and general hazardous waste containers — which can be quite common in construction.

Reflecting on the above, these hazardous substances can come in various forms which could include solids, liquids, vapours, gases, and micro-organisms. However, under certain conditions a substance can exist in more than one form at the same time, which means businesses must be correctly equipped to handle them.

It has been reported that we produce 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste each year globally — that’s 13 tonnes every second. As this figure has significantly increased over time, governments around the world are applying pressure on businesses to keep waste to a minimum through the encouragement of prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste in that specific order. This is known as The Waste Hierarchy.

Hazardous waste must be sorted and stored differently to general waste, with a focus on safety and security. As a standard, this waste can be categorised within four main sub-categories which will depend on the type of development you are working on:

• Construction
• Demolition
• Industry
• Agriculture

Once stored away, you must make sure that your waste is secure and labelled appropriately so that it can be easily identified. To prevent any contamination on your construction site, waterproof covers are recommended so that no waste can run off to any other area.

As well as the physical precautions you put in place, you must keep records to make sure that everything is accounted for. Before your waste management company comes for collection, you must also fill out a consignment note which is required when:

• Collections from businesses that are registered waste carriers.
• Movements from one premises to another within the same organisation.
• When another business has produced waste, movements from customer premises.

The consignment note is not needed when:

• The movement of domestic hazardous waste – other than asbestos.
• Waste has been imported and exported under international waste shipment controls that require a different movement note.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to hazardous waste on your next development project. Make sure you’re prepared ahead of your next build by analysing your site before putting plans in place or discussing with environmental consultants.

Sources:

https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview

http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/key-points.htm

https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste

https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/number192018edition

http://www.theworldcounts.com/counters/waste_pollution_facts/hazardous_waste_statistics

Article submitted by Patrick Parsons.

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Thames Tideway and a link to London’s past

Benjamin Craig, R&D tax manager at Ayming UK, explores the link between the Thames Tideway Tunnel and London’s original sewer system.

Here’s a question to ponder upon. Who has made the biggest difference to the lives of Londoners? Harry Beck, who first designed the tube map? Dick Wittington, the mediaeval merchant and Lord Mayor? Boris Johnson?

My own nominee is someone else: Sir Joseph Bazalgette, a civil engineer who served as chief engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works.

Bazalgette was born on 29 March 1819, the son of a Royal Navy captain, at Hill Lodge in Enfield. Then a small, rural community, Enfield was far removed from the great metropolis of which it would soon become a part. Initially working as a railway engineer, Bazalgette joined the Commission of Sewers in 1849, and when the Metropolitan Board of Works was created to manage London’s infrastructure and government in 1855, he was immediately appointed Chief Engineer. It is in this role that he made his most significant contributions to the city.

In the early nineteenth century, almost all of London’s waste emptied into one of the many small streams and rivers. Ultimately, the Thames itself functioned as a vast, open sewer, running through the heart of the city. The effects on public health were disastrous, and cholera epidemics were common. The smell was also becoming extremely unpleasant, particularly in hot weather, and in the summer of 1858, the “Great Stink” rendered the central parts of London virtually uninhabitable. Work in the Houses of Parliament (only recently rebuilt after the 1849 fire that destroyed most of the old Palace of Westminster) was affected, and the Earl of Derby considered moving the Government out of London. Attempts to mitigate the problem by pouring lime into the rivers proved futile, and in June the Government passed the Metropolis Local Management Amendment Act. Becoming law only 18 days after being introduced (a sign of the urgency required), this placed the responsibility to clean up the Thames on the Metropolitan Board of Works. The job landed on Bazalgette’s desk.

The result was one of the greatest, and most innovative, feats of Victorian engineering. Over the next seven years, Bazalgette oversaw the design and construction of a vast and complex network of interconnecting sewers, including over 100 miles of ‘interceptor sewers’, and pumping stations. These sewers were designed to channel the waste of the growing metropolis downstream to Beckton and Crossness, where it could be discharged to the Thames Estuary away from the growing metropolis. The design of the network was highly innovative, with Bazalgette drawing inspiration from the existing system: street sewers drained into small rivers which led to the Thames, so Bazalgette’s network consisted of a network of sewers or increasing size, culminating in the large interceptor sewers which (loosely) followed the course of the Thames downstream.  He then recognised the need for steep enough gradients to ensure adequate flow rate – a challenge given that certain parts of London actually lie lower than the outfall sewers – and developed the pumping stations to allow for a sufficient gradient. He also built the largest sewers in an unusual shape: rather than a more conventional circular cross-section, the interceptor sewers were constructed as an oval, narrower at the bottom but widening towards the top. This combined great strength with the capacity to ensure adequate flows even at relatively low water.

Building this network was a huge undertaking – over 1,100 miles of new sewers needed to be constructed, requiring the excavation of 3.5 million cubic yards of earth. Some 318 million bricks were laid, held in place by a million cubic yards of cement. This cement itself was revolutionary: Bazalgette recognised the need for the cement to be waterproof, so he used Portland cement (still a relatively new product) instead of lime mortar. However, Portland cement required very precise mixing, and if the balance of limestone, clay, and water was not correct then the cement lost much of its strength. Bazalgette, therefore, refined the process for mixing the cement, and implemented a rigorous testing procedure for each batch, ensuring that the network was only built using cement that was up to the task. Lessons learned are applied to this day, and I will examine further developments in concrete being made in constructing the new sewer network.

The completion of the sewer network in 1865 achieved its goal – sewage no longer contaminated the Thames in the centre of London. Although the problem was merely moved downstream (a problem that challenged engineers for the next 50 years), health and conditions in central London improved dramatically. It is ironic, however, that the health improvements were actually achieved coincidentally since the spread of disease was not well understood at the time. For most of the 19th century, miasma theory held primacy, based on the idea that disease was spread by noxious vapours and “bad air”. Germ theory, the more modern idea of diseases caused by microorganisms, was in its infancy.  In fact, one of the most significant works that contributed to the acceptance of the theory was contemporaneous with Bazalgette’s sewers. Dr John Snow’s seminal investigation of the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak was one of the first scientific papers to attribute disease spread to water contamination (and this led scientists to investigate what might be contaminated water), but it was several decades before the theory met with serious scientific acceptance. Nevertheless, the removal of sewage from central London reduced water contamination, and as a result reduced disease, even if the mechanism was misunderstood.

Some of the significance of Bazalgette’s work can be appreciated in the life of the system he built. He recognised that London was a growing city (between his birth and the sewer works, the population had more than doubled), and expected this to continue. He, therefore, ensured that the capacity of the system was vastly in excess of the expected need, building larger diameter sewers than even the most extreme forecasts of volume required.  The foresight thus shown continues to pay dividends to this day, since the network built in the 1860s still serves the city 150 years later, with the population four times that of Bazalgette’s day.  Now, however, the network is starting to creak, and as a result, London is embarking on another enormous infrastructure project to enhance its sewers for the 21st century. The Thames Tideway, also known as the supersewer, is a 25km long tunnel being constructed between 30 and 60 metres below the Thames, linking Acton in the west to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works to the east of London. The objective is very similar to Bazalgette’s interceptor sewers – to channel sewage and wastewater from the multitude of collector sewers away from the centre, and to avoid discharging untreated sewage into the Thames.

Despite being similar in concept to Bazalgette’s system, the Tideway is presenting today’s engineers with new challenges. Building a tunnel of this scale, at this depth, through the congestion of subterranean London is no easy task. Already, even though the project is still at an early stage, innovative new techniques are being developed to facilitate the construction. Some examples that our clients have worked on include:

• New types of waterproof concrete are being developed, suitable for joining between tunnel sections and application by spray-concreting techniques. Previously, the additives required to make concrete waterproof, and for spray-application, have been incompatible, which has limited the techniques for constructing tunnels such that waterproof membranes had to be incorporated in the inner lining of tunnels was to be spray concreted. Given the scale of the Tideway, however, the economy of spray concrete was significant, so the investment has been made to find a suitable mixture of additives which offers both features.
• A new method for installing primary lining sections, without the use of temporary securing bolts.  Modern tunnels are lined using precast concrete segments (a substantial development from Bazalgette’s bricks), but these segments are usually fixed in place using temporary retaining bolts until the ground is stable. Such a process is time-consuming and weakens the waterproofing of the finished tunnel, so the contractors are creating an improved process using plastic dowels to interlock the segments. This is simpler to install and does not introduce the same water ingress potential. It does, however, create difficulty with regard to both the structural strength of the tunnel (until ground stabilisation is complete) and maintaining the correct tunnel shape during construction.
• Expansive polymers are being used for ground stabilisation in London Clay. Expansive polymers are relatively new to ground stabilisation and usually used at relatively shallow depths in surface soils. They have never before been used at depth, in the complex geotechnics of London Clay. Experimentation is ongoing to explore the use of the polymers in place of a more conventional cementitious grout, on the basis that the technology could be used to provide a more ‘real-time’ approach to ground stabilisation.

Since tunnel boring is only commencing in early 2019, much of this development is still ongoing. There is no doubt that, over the remainder of the construction of the Tideway, the engineers will continue to face challenges and to develop new engineering solutions to overcome them.

The legacy of Bazalgette lives on, in the innovation required to manage a problem today that would have been very familiar to him 150 years ago. Perhaps one of the most significant tributes to this legacy lies in the name of the company constructing the Tideway: Bazalgette Tunnel Ltd.

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Infrastructure and the environment

Large scale infrastructure projects: how environmental factors impact on time, cost effectiveness and delivery; we speak with Lynnette Pearce, Principal Ecological Consultant (Guildford) and James Turner, Regional Office Manager (Birmingham), Thomson Environmental Consultants.

Large-scale infrastructure projects have the power to shape and re order our lives and the countries we live in by creating new job opportunities, faster and easier travel and increased productivity. These projects take years to plan and build, providing employment for hundreds, if not thousands of people. A key part of the strategic planning process is to ensure that any negative environmental impacts as a result of the project are avoided or mitigated and that steps are taken to ensure compliance with any relevant legislation to preserve natural habitats and environments. Therefore, the expertise and diligence of an environmental consultant is key to a project’s success. A project will go through various stages as set out below in order to help bring a project to fruition and ensure that environmental issues are fully considered and addressed.

Environmental consultancies, like Thomson, are well versed in working with their clients from the earliest planning stages to ensure that their proposed scheme rigorously complies with UK environmental legislation.

Stage one: Surveys and compliance requirements for planning consent

Most development projects that we provide assistance with require a Preliminary Ecological Assessment (PEA) which will provide a baseline knowledge of the ecology of the site. For large scale development, a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required and legislation and planning policy relevant to the ecological constraints affecting the development would then be presented as an Environmental Statement Ecology Chapter.

A PEA is essentially an assessment of the ecological value of a site and the potential of a site to support protected and priority habitats and species. This assessment helps to determine the need for any further surveys and/or mitigation solutions required in order to comply with legal and planning policy considerations. The potential impact of the development on designated ecological sites is also considered and the report will include recommendations on what ecological requirements are likely to be needed for the project to comply with legislation and planning policy considerations.

Depending on the outcome of the PEA, there are various mitigation options that may be available to avoid impacts and therefore reduce the requirements for further survey and mitigation. This involves the environmental consultant working strategically with the developer to ensure all parties understand the options and can work together to develop the most pragmatic, cost effective and timely solution to facilitate the project and ensure that it complies with the law. The PEA report along with the further survey reports are often used to provide evidence in support of a planning application and therefore have to provide a clear assessment of how the project will be compliant with environmental legislation and policy.

In reaching planning decisions, Local Planning Authorities will need to ensure that the requirements of relevant wildlife legislation and policy are addressed. Early surveys such as PEAs are vital because, if a developer does not carry out a PEA or any subsequent recommended surveys at an early stage in the project, it can cause severe delay to a project which can lead to significant additional costs.

The Legal framework

UK environmental legislation, such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), give legal protection to a range of habitats, designated sites and individual species such as great crested newts, bats and reptiles. The level of protection afforded to each type of habitat, site and species varies considerably.

This legislation gives developers and ecologists a lawful basis to work from when assessing projects and planning applications. However, further consideration is required to ensure the project will also comply with good practice guidance and planning policy.

Planning policy, such as that found in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plans created by Local authorities, set out how decision makers should promote the protection and enhancement of the environment throughout the planning process. This may include, for example, refusing planning consent where significant harm to biodiversity cannot be avoided. Planning policy not only sets out how local planning policies and decisions should contribute towards protecting the environment, but also requires measures to enhance the environment. Enhancement of biodiversity in planning policy can relate to particular ‘priority’ species and habitats and more generally biodiversity and eco-systems as a whole, and the habitat corridors which connect them.

As may be evident from the description above, the framework for environmental compliance can be confusing and vast and therefore the expertise of experienced environmental consultants is vital to help navigate through the requirements. Careful consideration of the development impacts must be made in determining the scope for appropriate further surveys and mitigation, required to address any identified threats to protected species, habitats or designated sites.

The following examples demonstrate how the legislation works in practice particularly on large scale infrastructure projects and looks at the role of the environmental specialist:

Strategic environmental advice: Habitats Regulation Assessment and European Impact Assessment

In addition to expertise in the residential development and rail sectors, the team at Thomson also have specialist expertise in the ports and harbours sector. New ports and harbours are generally construction sites on a large scale. To ensure that environmental issues are considered, the team is brought in at an early planning stage to provide strategic advice, assess the site and suggest appropriate mitigation.

On one such site, which was part of a large UK port construction project, the ecology team were called in to conduct initial baseline surveys as the potential for impacts to protected species and European designated sites was identified. A Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site were located within 20m of the proposed works. The team advised the client and subsequently provided all information and analysis for the Competent Authority to complete the Appropriate Assessment (part of a Habitat Regulations Assessment) of the impacts on the European sites adjacent to the development.

We produced the ecology chapter of the Environmental Statement, which was informed by the initial PEA survey and a full suite of protected species surveys, to gain consent for the proposed work. Bespoke mitigation packages, combining different species mitigation to maximise efficiency and manage costs, were proposed by the team, and the mitigation plans approved by the Statutory Authority.

In order to ensure full compliance with legislation following approval of the planning application, we applied to Natural England for numerous protected species development licences including for great crested newts, badgers, water voles and bats.

Diligent assessment and project planning ensured all relevant surveys, assessments and mitigation plans could be undertaken at an early stage and in line with best practice. This resulted in the timely preparation of robust planning application and licence application packages, which gained approval from the Statutory Authority and Natural England and avoided costly delays.

Stage two: Implementing plans

The different facets of the environmental role: project management and mitigation

Once a project is through the planning process, physical work can begin. This often involves large numbers of people working on site undertaking a variety of roles as well as a large supply chain. If we look at any large-scale railway construction project, the sheer size and complexity of infrastructure projects of this type can involve several sites and therefore a number of different project managers. On one such rail project recently, project managers in all four of our offices were looking after seven sites in total under a large contract involving a supply chain of over 40 suppliers.

The aim of ecological mitigation works on this project was to create suitable habitat for great crested newts, other amphibians and reptiles, to be moved to, once their translocation from areas along the route takes place. Often sites are situated far from road access, and across some extremely soft ground. Therefore, temporary road ‘trackway’ comprising aluminium panels may have to been installed, to allow plant and equipment access to the site for habitat creation work. Once that work is complete the team may need to continue to visit the site as part of ongoing maintenance until the site matures.

Following habitat creation, the work required to physically catch and move species such as great crested newts and reptiles can be undertaken. All stages of the mitigation, including habitat creation, species translocation, clearance of the proposed development site and subsequent monitoring need to be undertaken in line with the methods set out in the plans submitted with the planning application as well as protected species development licence documents.

The role of strategic environmental advice and management of large-scale infrastructure project sites is key to successful completion.  Due to their scale and size they can take many years to complete and involve hundreds of ecological and environmental specialists to ensure that they comply with environmental legislation, mitigation plans and licences. There is a wide range of roles that fall to the remit of environmental and ecological consultants and it is imperative that these are carried out efficiently and to budget while minimising environmental impact.

The wider role:  environmental specialists working alongside developers

The current legislation framework around protection of environment and wildlife in the UK is rightly comprehensive and detailed. With the need for new major infrastructure and housing in the UK, a careful balance has to be met between meeting the needs of development and following UK wildlife and environmental guidance. Helping to ensure this balance is met, through careful consideration and adoption of a pragmatic approach, will help to ensure that we create a landscape which meets the requirements of our population but also preserves our fragile natural landscape and protects native wildlife.  The role of environmental consultancies like Thomson is to provide such expertise to help developers meet their project objectives, whilst complying with environmental laws, guidelines and planning consent requirements effectively.

Through designing appropriate, species-specific mitigation for any loss or damage of habitat resulting from development, populations of protected and priority species can be maintained, and biodiversity protected.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about key infrastructure trends today, you may wish to attend the flagship infrastructure exhibition at the NEC in April 2019: UKIS 2019

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK: UK Infrastructure Show 2019.  

 

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Fund launched to improve infrastructure procurement

A £3M fund has been launched by the Construction Industry Training Board to improve infrastructure procurement.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) launched the fund after saying that infrastructure procurement often becomes stuck in cycles of dysfunction. Research from the Institute of Civil Engineers found that problems often arise due to low investment, poor relationships, low margins, and poor training standards.

These problems can lead to projects which are delivered behind schedule and run over budget. Recent high-profile infrastructure projects like Crossrail have come under fire for such problems and the collapse of Carillion was seen as an example of poor infrastructure investment.

Steve Radley, CITB director of strategy and policy said: “While other sectors have seen increases in productivity in recent decades, construction has lagged behind with weak approaches to procurement playing a key role.”

“We want to explore new and more collaborative ways of working that can improve supply chain relationships within procured projects, meaning more housing and infrastructure delivered on time and on budget to the benefit of clients and the construction industry alike.”

The fund will go towards pilot schemes developing new ideas to improve the procurement process. The schemes will cover housing and council-led procurement and construction.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about key infrastructure trends today, you may wish to attend the flagship infrastructure exhibition at the NEC next week: UKIS 2019

Register for your delegate place now: UK Infrastructure Show 2019. 

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Yorkshire council offers contracts for major civil engineering work

Yorkshire and Humber councils have released information on engineering contracts worth £2billion in new EU adverts.

Yorkshire and Humber public sector construction hub YORhub has released an EU advert offering contracts for major civil engineering projects. The contracts will provide large scale infrastructure works with eight contracts expected to be awarded in total.

Work will include flood protection, construction and maintenance of new highways and bridges, public realm, transport works, and resulting hubs. Clients can choose between either NEC3 or NEC4 types of contracts.

YORhub is managed by 5 lead authorities on behalf of the region, namely East Riding of Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Rotherham and Scarborough. The new work follows the success of the current YORcivil2 hub that has led to a commitment from local authorities throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region to delivering their large scale infrastructure projects through this new contract.

Tenders are to be returned in early June 20 and are expected to be awarded by September. The advert describes the work as ‘principally civil engineering works, bridges/structure works, highway surfacing works and flood alleviation works, including contractors design when required.’

The contracts will last 48 months with the winners being announced later this year. YORhub has a well-established Supply Chain Engagement Programme that organises project-specific and contract events; at the last event, more than 400 sub-contractors met with 37 YORhub main contractors.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about key infrastructure trends today, you may wish to attend the flagship infrastructure exhibition at the NEC next week: UKIS 2019

Register for your delegate place now: UK Infrastructure Show 2019. 

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Building excitement for the UK Infrastructure Show

With less than a week to go to the UK Infrastructure Show, buyers, suppliers, speakers and exhibitors are gearing up for this key event.

With infrastructure shining through as one of the few bright spots for the construction industry over the last year, this sector has become ever more important to driving the industry forward and achieving the high ambitions held for the sector.

The planning pipeline is particularly positive for infrastructure with a 113% increase on 2017, while 2018 saw it hold the position of second largest sector for contract awards in 2018 with 21% share.

Barbour predicts that infrastructure will remain strong in 2019 and beyond due to the commencement of HS2 projects in the rail sector with further investment in electricity distribution and generation also forecast to continue.

Our recent survey indicates that infrastructure is hugely important to those ‘on the ground’ as well – with respondents supporting both large-scale projects and the repair and maintenance of existing.

The UK Infrastructure Show brings together this diverse sector under one roof, at the NEC 30^th April 2019. Running in conjunction with Procurex National, this event gives you the opportunity to access the supply chain across local and national projects, as well as key representatives from leading infrastructure organisations such as HS2, Transport for the West Midlands, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, and the National Infrastructure Commission.

With the National Infrastructure Pipeline set at some £600Bn in both public and private investment over the next ten years, this event gives delegates the opportunity to become part of this exciting pipeline. The infrastructure marketplace offers opportunities to sole traders, small enterprises and micro businesses, whether contracting directly or as part of the supply chain – so this is the must attend event for those looking to enter the infrastructure supply chain.

The main event of the day is the Live Keynote Arena, where some of the most influential people in infrastructure will give you key insights into these £600Bn of opportunities.

Robert Jenrick MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, kicks things off discussing the National Infrastructure Strategy and the government response to the National Infrastructure Assessment released by the National Infrastructure Commission. Following the publication of a government consultation on alternatives to PFI and supporting private investment, Mr Jenrick said that both “public and private sectors will need to play their part”; in his key note speech, he will discuss the government objectives for infrastructure and how the sector can be adaptable to growing technological changes.

Phil Graham, Chief Executive of The National Infrastructure Commission follows, giving his views on the progress of the Commission, the publication of the inaugural National Infrastructure Assessment, and the future of infrastructure. Being able to harness technological advances for use in infrastructure and future-proofing ambitious projects is crucial the success of the sector, and Mr Graham will discuss how the Commission is influencing this.

Next up, Matthew Vickerstaff Chief Executive at Infrastructure and Projects Authority, takes the podium. “Project prioritisation, initiation, performance and capability are the basics that we have to get right” said Mr Vickerstaff at the government’s first Project Delivery Conference, and his talk and UKIS 2019 reflect this, the progress that has been made and provide an overview of the National Infrastructure Pipeline.

One of the key projects in this pipeline – and indeed the largest infrastructure project underway in Europe today – is HS2. The keynote address from this important project will cover progress, supply chain opportunities and future progress of the project.

Catherine de Marco, Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Skills and Efficiency at Department of Transport, will address delegates next. The use of MMC and technological advances is crucial in improving efficiency – but we also need trained and qualified people to apply these advances. The Skills Strategy from Department of Transport is aimed at increasing uptake of apprenticeships in transport, and over the last few years has successfully increased these by 22%, bucking the wider trend. Catherine will discuss the skills strategy, how we can encourage the best people into the sector and retain them, particularly in the face of Brexit.

Finally, Adrian Hill, Director of Frameworks at Scape Procure, will bring to the arena the importance of housing and social infrastructure, and how intelligent procurement can help the government achieve its ambition of a million new homes.

Two separate zones will support the key note arena -= giving more detailed insight into the subsectors they are hosting.

The Energy & Social Infrastructure Zone hosts a number of exciting discussions and talks, with housing development and key energy infrastructure projects the highlights of the day.

In this zone, Jonathan Bretherton, MD of the Urban Growth Company will lead the discussions. The Urban Growth Company (UGC) is a special purpose delivery vehicle, established to lead and develop major infrastructure investment in The Hub, a key component of the UK Central strategic economic growth area. The UGC will help to realise the full economic potential of the 1,300 hectare Hub area, set to be home to the HS2 Interchange Station from 2026, which will itself spark the creation of a truly international transport hub and world-class development opportunity.

This will be followed by our various sponsors discussing advances and advantages for those on site, with CompeteFor leading a session on how to access these supply chain opportunities.

In the Transport Zone, major projects and a more regional outlook is the order of the day, with major projects such as HS2 represented.

The Transport Zone will see Robin Lapish discuss supply chain opportunities with HS2, providing crucial information for those wishing to exploit this lucrative area.

Fittingly, being hosted in Birmingham, and the heart of the West Midlands, this zone will see discussions on how devolution is helping priorities infrastructure projects throughout the UK’s regions. Anne Shaw from Transport for the West Midlands, Elaine Clark of Midlands Rail Forum and Sarah Spink of Midlands Connect will all host sessions on the opportunities abound in this region and how devolution is helping promote investment across the UK.

One of the major issues for the construction industry as a whole is the skills shortage, and rounding off the day will be Rebecca Young from HS2 discussing the skills strategy for the project.

Along with opportunities to meet key deliverers of the supply chain, network with exhibitors, and learn how to find and secure part of the £600Bn pipeline – UKIS 2019 is a must visit event.

 

Register for your delegate place now: UK Infrastructure Show 2019. 

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Infrastructure before expansion

As the UK housing crisis deepens, ensuring the country’s ageing infrastructure is fit-for-purpose before building new homes is essential to maximise connectivity between communities.

Event Partner: Scape Group

Lifting the Housing Revenue Account cap could be the starting gun local authorities need to turn back the clock on years of undersupply. As discussed in our recent report ‘The Future of Social Homes for Rent,” It will require an innovation in house building and sound planning, but with the right resources, we could see the delivery of homes for social rent return to the halcyon days of the 1970s. Government targets to deliver 300,000 new homes a year is admirable, but if this is to happen it is essential, we have the right infrastructure in place to support growth.

As Homes England’s strategic plan sets out, ambitions can often be frustrated by planning challenges and insufficient infrastructure. Our Essential Infrastructure report revealed that construction output on infrastructure projects has increased by just £70 per person in real teams since 1997. This fails to take into consideration the additional demand a growing population is placing on our existing infrastructure and the requirement for new infrastructure.

The importance of infrastructure

Roads and railways are the lifeblood of a functioning and efficient society, in 2017, 327.1bn miles were travelled on British roads and in the financial year 2017-18, 2.13bn passengers used the UK’s railways. Yet construction output on the road network has dropped by £2 per person over the last 20 years.

More homes ultimately puts stress on our ageing infrastructure and regional road networks are paramount to the success of new communities, helping to keep regions well connected and economically viable. Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in the Autumn 2018 Budget a £28.8bn investment in major routes across England and earmarked an additional £420m for councils to fix potholes and carry out repairs. It was a step in the right direction and recognition of the importance of the transport network for the country’s productivity.

In the mind of consumers, digital infrastructure is as vital as a functioning road network. People looking to buy homes ask about broadband speeds in the same breath as schools and a doctor’s surgery. A lack of suitable infrastructure and amenities has seen over 2,000 villages across England categorised as unsustainable, restricting the ability for new affordable and private housing to be delivered.

If the government is committed to laying the groundwork to facilitate the number of new homes the country needs, we must focus on providing infrastructure to ensure the homes we are building are in the right place for the right people.

The way forward

Decision-making on infrastructure must become more streamlined to ensure we are delivering essential infrastructure now. One way of doing this is by driving home the devolution agenda. By providing greater fiscal freedom, local authorities will have the ability to deliver the improvements and new infrastructure they need. The pace of devolution must be maintained and steps taken to encourage cross-boundary working to understand and deliver common ambitions and aspirations. Investment in infrastructure could be provided proportionate to the strength of shared ambitions.

Nationally, the ‘politicisation’ of infrastructure decision has long hindered progression. There is a lack of cross-party and intra-party consensus on infrastructure priorities, which makes meeting challenges across the entire country and ensuring value for money more difficult. Ministers, often through no fault of their own, are in post for a short period of time. Ministers would be better placed to make long-term decisions if they are in a department for years rather than months, which would enable them to understand the complexities of specific policy and develop important relationships with relevant stakeholders.

One of the key recommendations from our recent Essential Infrastructure report urges the government to widen the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) remit to prevent the ‘politicisation’ of infrastructure decisions. The NIC already holds a central role in independently assessing infrastructure and advising the government. However, statutory independence to propel projects forward would help to reduce political pressure on the government of the day to postpone important decisions and could speed up project delivery. The cross-party support that the NIC can develop through a national strategy would effectively end the ‘stop and start’ process, where a change in political fortunes means infrastructure projects are abandoned or delayed.

The government plans to invest billions of pounds in infrastructure in the next few years, and this investment needs to take place where it supports the creation of new communities and connects existing ones. New homes are essential, but before expansion we need infrastructure.

Written by Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive

Article first appeared on Scape group website

Mark Robinson will be speaking in the Key Note arena at The UK Infrastructure Show on 30th April. 

Register for your delegate place now: UK Infrastructure Show 2019. 

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New tools bring unique insights for policymakers and planners

The UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC) is the driver behind much of the UK’s groundbreaking research into infrastructure modelling and analytics; analysing future 5G network requirements through to the UK housing stock and construction requirements.

Led by the University of Oxford, ITRC is a consortium of seven leading UK universities whose mission is to investigate ways to improve the performance of infrastructure systems in the UK and around the world. The goal is to help reduce the risk of infrastructure failure and ensure investments are better targeted.

There are two developments which are particularly interesting for readers of Construction Excellence: PopNation and the Urban Development Model.

Dr Nik Lomax, School of Geography, University of Leeds & ITRC

PopNation is a model which projects future demographic changes and the impact that this will have on the size and composition of the population and households in the UK. It models people and households at high spatial resolution, providing data which has not previously been available. PopNation can model different growth scenarios to estimate the number and attributes of households, which can be used to predict the number of homes required in an area. The model uses the 2011 UK Census of Population as the starting point and then adds demographic characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity plus the characteristics of household such as dwelling type, household type, and socio-economic status. UK Census microdata from the Office of National Statistics is used to weight the assignment of people and households. The projection also incorporates other data sources on areas such as fertility, mortality and migration along with survey data from Understanding Society which helps to identify trends in household composition, like increasing numbers of single occupant households.

Rather than today’s very granular and high-level local authority level modelling, PopNation allows users to look at developments and produce projections of households for small areas, at the statistical geography of Output Area. The model can produce visualisations for a range of scenarios, to allow policymakers and planners to see exactly where new developments might be needed, what type of housing stock will be required for households at a point in the future, and the infrastructure which will be required.

Much infrastructure is supplied direct to individual houses, such as broadband, telephone, electricity, gas and sewerage. However, it has previously not been possible to map infrastructure demands to this level.

Nik Lomax, from the University of Leeds, is ITRC’s expert in modelling changes in demographic behaviour and responsible for PopNation. He explains, “PopNation will allow highly refined investment and infrastructure planning to ensure new housing developments meet future needs much more accurately than before. Policymakers will be able to use the scenarios and to have detailed information on the composition of the population as well as the size when looking at demand for different infrastructures. It will also allow planners early sight of any issues during the scenario modelling stage, well ahead of breaking ground and putting in requests for planning.”

Stuart Barr. Geospatial Systems Engineering, University of Newcastle & ITRC

PopNation’s demographic modelling also underpins and complements other aspects of ITRC’s work, one of which is the Urban Development Model, led by Professor Stuart Barr, ITRC’s expert in geospatial data analysis, based at Newcastle University.

The Urban Development Model, or UDM, is a new research tool which can identify areas in the UK suitable for future residential development and simulates the types of dwellings these areas can accommodate. Stuart and his team assign people and households to building stock and can then present a variety of scenarios to policymakers and planners which take into account future demands due to population growth and changing household structures.

It can pinpoint details such as land shortages in a particular areas due to different planning scenarios, and the impact this could have on the housing stock and infrastructure services in that particular area. For example, UDM can evaluate whether demand would need to be met predominantly by multi-storey flats rather than detached or semi-detached properties?

In addition to playing an important part in town planning for residential developments, the Urban Development Model will also help planners to identify whether offices and factories are being planned in convenient locations for employees to get to. It can also be used for aspects such as planning transport networks and other infrastructure, and to predict and future-proof against climate-related changes such as shifting flood patterns.

Scenarios can also be useful for policymakers, as they can look at scenarios of development and how these alter when constraints on Green Belt development or the floodplain are relaxed.

Perhaps the most high-profile use of the Urban Development Model to date is in the analysis of the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Arc; an immense proposed new development which will sweep from West to East, involving potentially 1 million new homes and new road and rail developments, schools, healthcare facilities and centres for employment. Designed to capture and maximise the knowledge intensive industries in those areas, the new development must also protect the environment and planners must present a cohesive plan for the entire region, satisfying pressures from land supply to transport, locations of jobs, financing for the infrastructure and meeting the need for new homes.

For further information about the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium, visit itrc.org.uk

 

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Infrastructure driving construction in 2019

Despite consistent inconsistency from the government over Brexit fraying the nerves of construction companies across the country, the industry has remained mostly consistent over the last two and a half years.

Most of the larger cities saw a record number of completed projects in 2018 and each city has a rich variety of ambitious projects still ongoing. But are ambitious new projects the real driving force of the industry? Are new projects faring more successfully or are developers leaning towards renovation to take advantage of the minimal space available in prime city locations.

The Deloitte crane survey of 2018 is positive about each of the five cities it covers: London, Manchester, Leeds, Belfast and Birmingham. Each city has big ticket projects underway, just beginning or coming to a close, but each city also has a huge amount of new space opening up in old locations, with a number of major renovation projects seeking to exploit the nostalgia element of their predecessors.

Each city has different needs and different objectives, but what’s the main driving force?

London

The largest infrastructure project in London right now is the development at Battersea Power Station. As developers work to bring to life a new hub on the edge of the Thames across the eight million square feet of land, this project is an interesting mix of major infrastructure and renovation. Developers have retained the iconic Grade II listed building at the centre of the new area, which will host hundreds of shops, restaurants and event spaces, as well as 46,000sq m of new Apple office space.

Manchester

As one of Deloitte’s ‘fastest growing cities in Europe’, Manchester stands out as a particular frontrunner in new developments. The twin buildings at Deansgate Square and the development which will soon be starting at Angel Meadow Park will dwarf Beetham Tower, currently the tallest building in the city.

Manchester is less strapped for space, meaning developers are free to keep building from scratch in the heart of the city and major renovation projects are not so significant to the life of the industry.

Leeds

Leeds is about to undertake the largest infrastructure project in the city for over 100 years across the city centre, spanning 27Msq ft of land in total. This will include a 40-storey skyscraper which will take the title of tallest building in the city and a number of projects breaking ground at Holbeck in the near future.

However, Leeds is also set to regenerate their train station in anticipation for HS2. This £500M investment will accommodate over 60 million passengers a year and seeks to maintain Leeds’ reputation as the busiest train station in the North.

In Leeds, the hugely ambitious South Bank project mixes new infrastructure and renovation in a feat that will double the size of Leeds city centre, showcasing the health and capabilities of its industry.

Belfast

The major developments in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast are coming to a close but the overall project is expected to conclude in 2034. New buildings such as the Belfast Metropolitan College campus and the Northern Ireland Science Park have helped the quarter shift the city’s centre of gravity and host 18,000 people at work, living or studying across eight million square feet.

Major renovation projects include hotels at Crumlin Road Courthouse and the War Memorial building. This, coupled with the Titanic Museum and Titanic Hotel, show how the city is combining its exciting future with its long standing heritage to drive infrastructure.

Birmingham

Particularly in hotel space, Birmingham has a much larger focus on renovation, with plans to build on the old House of Fraser store in the city centre and adding almost 100 rooms to the Royal Angus hotel. The old House of Fraser building stands at Cathedral Square and will be replaced with a 200-bed hotel, 365,000sq ft of office space and 60,000sq ft of retail space.

One of the largest projects in the city, the Paradise Project, plans to introduce ten new buildings across the city. This project was halted recently due to a £51M shortfall but has now been restarted following a bail out by the council.

While new builds still contribute massively to the health of the industry, this suspension of activity will have cost the developers dearly, suggesting that renovation has more to offer in terms of stability.

Each of these cities has their own blueprint for construction depending on space, investment and history, but each is still able to balance new builds with renovations to sustain the industry even during economic instability.

This article was written by Damon Culbert from Lift Mini Cranes Ltd, mini and spider crane hire across the UK.

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Report details shortfall in UK housing market

A new report has highlighted how the UK must improve investment in the housing market to provide affordable homes.

New research from the National Housing Federation, the G15, and Homes for the North has suggested the government must look away from private investment in the housing market to reach its goal of 300,000 new homes. The report also showed that issues such as Brexit and the end of the Help to Buy Scheme could also affect the rate of development.

As the housing market currently stands, housebuilding may have to increase by a third in order to reach the 300,000 a year target and make up for the end of the Help to Buy Scheme. Government funding for affordable housing has fallen from 50% of building costs before the financial crash to just 12% today.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “This research shows that relying on private developers to end the housing crisis is fatally flawed. Without Government investment in affordable housing, it just won’t be possible to build enough homes to ensure that everyone can have somewhere stable and affordable to live.”

“If we are serious about ending the housing crisis, the Government must do the right thing and invest in affordable housing at the upcoming spending review. Doing nothing is simply not an option.”

The findings in the report suggest that increased government funding will add to, rather than reduce, private investment in housing. It also calls for collaborative work between the private sector, councils, and housing associations. The report recommends greater use of long-term funding strategies such as the partnerships lead by Homes England and the Greater London Authority.

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Transforming Construction with the new Active Building Centre

We need to change the way our buildings are made to contribute to a more sustainable future. Currently, we’re still using outdated construction methods that haven’t been changed for 40 years! This causes a number of issues. One of the main ones is energy inefficiency.

So, change needs to happen – sooner rather than later.

However, steps are being taken in the right direction. Here’s a closer look at transforming construction with the New Active Building Centre.

What is the Centre?

The New Active Building centre aims to research and develop best practices for construction and sustainable living. This innovative technology will be implemented in 300 other buildings in the UK. It has been funded to explore the generation of green technologies and ways to cut energy bills.

Why does construction need a facelift?

Most of our buildings were constructed in the 1980s, using now-outdated methods and techniques.

Problems with energy

Traditional building standards did not account for climate change. This means our homes are now energy inefficient and extremely expensive to run. They fail to retain heat in the colder months, which means bills can be sky-high. Combined, these issues have been described as the ‘second housing crisis’ – as many families have found themselves in fuel poverty.

The UK is obligated to cut its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 under the 2008 Climate Change Act. Currently, our buildings account for 40% of these emissions. So, the connection is clear!

We need to move towards a more sustainable future – with construction leading the way.

Lack of Productivity

Construction is a labour intensive industry that relies on the mobilisation of a skilled workforce, therefore it can lag behind other sectors in the economy. However, there are other reasons. One of the main ones is that the way we construct our homes and buildings hasn’t been updated in around 40 years!

Currently, the system has a number of issues, such as:

• Lack of strategic planning
• Inefficiency
• Failure to utilise technologies
• Failure to look at the bigger picture e.g. how people will experience their built environment
• Lack of sustainable planning
• Inconsistent techniques

There are a number of solutions to these issues, such as collaboration in the construction industry. But, change is happening slowly.

Failure to meet today’s needs

1980s construction methods didn’t take today’s needs into account – meaning our buildings no longer keep up with demands. We need to get the most out of our built environment.

How can it transform construction methods?

Clearly – change needs happen. Does the New Active Building Centre provide the answer?

It has a number of exciting features that are set to transform the way we design and use our buildings, including:

Generating power

The building is a powerhouse all on its own. It generates its own heating and electricity from the sun, paving the way from others to follow in its footsteps. It’s a demonstration of how buildings can use solar power to its full potential. Used in this way, green technology can lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and create better buildings to live and work in.

Contributing to a greener world

The building generates more power than it uses, meaning the surplus can then be reused rather than wasted. This means it can contribute to both electric vehicle utilisation and decarbonisation.

How did Innovate UK help?

The centre is a central part of the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which aims to transform the way we live, work and move around.

Want to find out more? Subscribe to Innovate UK’s YouTube channel.

 

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First home complete at Daedalus village

Wates residential has finished the first home at the historic Daedalus village development at twice the industry standard speed.

Wates residential added the roof to the Daedalus village home in Gosport after just five months and marked the occasion with a ‘topping out’ ceremony. The site is one of seven pilot schemes the government is funding to develop affordable homes that can be built quickly.

The village is at the former site of a seaplane base used during the First World War and later became a training centre for the Fleet Air Arm and a Second World War naval base. The site was acquired by Homes England after being decommissioned in 1996.

Construction Manager for Wates Residential Richard Manville said: “Since November, work has been progressing well on our Daedalus Village site and we are extremely proud that we are already able to lay the last roofing tile on the first home.”.

“The ‘topping out’ ceremony marks a significant step forward for the scheme and it was a pleasure to have been able to share this moment with veterans Mollie and Edward. My thanks go out to our project team and the local community for their ongoing commitment and support to the project, which will see 200 high-quality homes built in the next 18 months.”

Wates residential plan to preserve the military history of the area and have buried a time capsule to be opened in 2043. Local schoolchildren were invited to name the new roads and veterans of the former base were invited to the ‘topping out’ ceremony.

The finished site will include 120 private homes and 80 affordable homes managed by Radian. Developers are confident that the project will create job opportunities and support the local economy, providing lasting benefits for local people.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about key infrastructure trends today, you may wish to attend the flagship infrastructure exhibition at the NEC in April 2019: UKIS 2019

Register for your delegate place now: UK Infrastructure Show 2019. 

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Hook, line and sinker – don’t get caught by the phishers

It’s a dangerous world for businesses; almost half were hit by a cyber attack last year, and construction companies are increasingly finding themselves in the cross-hairs of the criminals. With complex supply chains consisting of numerous contractors and third-parties, those in the construction sector are often seen as an easy target as there are so many avenues into the corporate network. Government recognised this earlier this year, announcing fines of up to £17M for infrastructure firms that fail to implement adequate security measures.

Every day a myriad of emails are exchanged, forming a complex web of communication between architects, contractors, clients and other stakeholders. And it’s not only the emails that can be a conduit for a successful cyber attack, but phone calls, physical access to facilities, contractor computers with access to networks and poorly managed user accounts. Exploiting these vulnerabilities is known more broadly as social engineering.

The construction industry is particularly susceptible to cyber attacks since its security practices are generally less formal. Historically, the construction industry has adopted new technology at a slower rate than other sectors, leading to vulnerabilities that cyber attackers are beginning to exploit. With an extensive supply chain, too, it’s difficult for the construction industry to consider the potential impact of contractor security on its own networks, which make it a prime target.

Social engineering is all about deception – making a target hand over sensitive information, such as passowrds, physical locations and network identifiers, without realising. Often, all a potential cyber criminal will need is an employee name or user name – but even the technology in use or work schedules can create a potential opening for later exploitation, and since the majority of this information could be seen as being relatively mundane, an employee may be willing to hand this over while on the phone or via email. Security technologies are becoming stronger by the day, so attackers instead hope they can exploit human psychology to persuade individuals to unwittingly give them the data they desire.

In practical terms this usually takes the form of a ‘phishing’ email purporting to be from a trusted party, asking you to either reply with log-in details or visit a website that then asks you to log-in. But in reality the cyber criminal is sitting behind it all, hoovering up the credentials and using them to plan a more substantial attack on the corporate network.

Cyber criminals opt for this tactic because it’s so successful, and pretty easy to do. The FBI believes corporate phishing has become a $5 billion global business. The McAfee Labs Threats Report warns that for every ten phishing emails sent by attackers, at least one will be successful. McAfee presented ten real emails to more than 19,000 people from across the globe and asked them to identify whether they were dangerous or legitimate. It found 80% incorrectly identified least one phishing email.

The reason the success rates are so high is because humans are always the weakest link in the security chain. People make mistakes and humans will always be fallible. These attacks exploit social norms and human nature, including reciprocity, curiosity and pride.

Phishing emails have become more sophisticated. Gone are the days of the ‘Nigerian prince’ scam which was sent en masse to millions and tried to trick people to wiring money to a foreign account. These days the attackers can be targeted; impersonating a colleague or contact and asking a seemingly innocuous task to be carried out. It might be the CEO asking a finance assistant to send an advance to a new supplier, or the head of IT asking for your username and password for the intranet. Cyber criminals are putting in the work to research their targets in order to create very convincing communications. The best can be almost impossible to spot.

For construction companies, once an attacker has picked a target there are a huge number of suppliers and third parties that could be spoofed through a spear phishing email.

The question is, what can be done to effectively defend against these attacks? It’s well worth educating staff about security basics and regularly reminding them of the risks. Sensible advice includes only opening emails you are sure about – if the name is familiar but the content seems unusual, check with them first – and not giving the benefit of doubt to strangers or staff members when they ask for sensitive information. But precautions of this kind alone are not enough to stop breaches occurring.

However, the best advice is to implement defences that either prevent the attack from being successful, or at least minimise the effects. These don’t have to be costly either, with some simple steps that are easy to implement being multi-factor authentication for passwords and device encryption on laptops or mobile phones to protect against access to stolen physical devices. It’s about getting the right security foundations in place rather than spending all of your IT budget on ‘next generation’ solutions that end up doing very little if the basics aren’t spot on.

On a practical level, this also involves ensuring admin rights are removed from all employees. Essentially, this means staff are empowered to do the jobs they need to do but don’t have the ability to access the wider network. Therefore, if they do fall for a phishing scam and have their account or machine compromised, the attacker is then prevented from moving through the corporate infrastructure.

Application control is another measure that can make a big difference. Through this only approved applications can run, so anything malicious that is accidentally downloaded by an employee cannot cause any harm.

Construction companies are more vulnerable to targeted social engineering than many other sectors. However, if you get the foundations of good security in place you’ll be in a much stronger position if staff do slip up.

Article submitted by Kevin Alexandra, principal technical consultant at Avecto. If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

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