New Lubbesthorpe hits major milestones
Blaby District’s community at New Lubbesthorpe is celebrating a whole series of major milestones.
Construction is starting on the first local centre with work already underway on the 66-bedroom care home which will feature in the mixed-use scheme.
Progress on the centre’s two-storey building, which will house a Sainsbury’s Local store, three additional retail units, a café and bistro and GP surgery, is expected to begin within weeks.
Both are scheduled to be finished by next spring, completing the Tay Road feature square which includes New Lubbesthorpe Primary School.
Developers have also reported a major residency achievement – as at the end of December some 1,022 homes were occupied. And one of the partners, Davidsons Homes, has begun work on the next 163 properties as part of Phase 2 of the scheme.
Another developer, David Wilson Homes, recently received planning permission to install solar panels on its houses – the first advance of its kind at New Lubbesthorpe.
Other sustainable features making a difference to the community are dedicated bus services – NovusDirect, running into Leicester city and NovusFosse which journeys to Fosse Park.
The popularity of NovusDirect has seen the number of buses on the route increase from two to three, running up to every 20 minutes on weekdays. Residents are also able to rent a car through the Enterprise Car Club. These initiatives are coordinated by GO Travel Solutions and funded by landowners, the Drummond Estate.
The very latest development approved is the restoration and conversion of the historic but derelict Abbey Farm. Old buildings on the site, which would otherwise have fallen into further decay, will be transformed into homes and offices.
Councillor Ben Taylor, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Planning Delivery and Enforcement and Corporate Transformation, said: “It’s exciting to see the progress being made at New Lubbesthorpe with all these milestones being achieved. I’m sure residents are delighted work is commencing on the new local centre. It will be a most welcome addition.
“With new homes under construction it’s fantastic to see the neighbourhood growing and evolving. We now have more than 1,000 homes occupied and people report a real sense of community. Clubs and groups are thriving and residents enjoy social activities and events as well as sustainable travel options.”
New Lubbesthorpe will eventually feature more than 4,000 new homes and is being developed in phases over two decades. Ground was broken in 2015 and the first families took residence in 2017.
Edwalton development land sold for executive homes
FHP, working with sister company FHP Living Limited, have completed the sale of a development site on Melton Road in Edwalton, for housing on behalf of a private client.
David Hargreaves of FHP said: “The site was 1.5 acres and had the significant benefit of planning consent being in place for 9 detached executive homes, each of 4,500-5,500 sq ft each.”
Jules Hunt of FHP Living, who has sold a number of similar houses in the area over the past couple of years, said: “This is one of the best small development sites to hit the market for a long time and unsurprisingly attracted a lot of developer interest.”
Hargreaves said: “Despite the undoubted strength of the site in terms of its location and planning permission being in place, our clients had a pretty rough ride with this sale, as indeed did many vendors selling development sites this past 18 months, with 2 sales collapsing.
“This was due firstly to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent levels of inflation which fed into much higher build costs.
“Thereafter we had the Liz Truss budget and the resulting record increases in base rates from 1.00% to 5.25% which undermined confidence and made developers and their funders pretty nervous about any form of property development.
“However, despite these ‘head winds’ the many hours we put in to selling this site, the hundreds of phone calls and our dedication to the job we were eventually rewarded with a sale to a local family development company who, once terms had been agreed, exchanged contracts and completed the acquisition quickly.”
Hargreaves concluded by saying: “The buyers and their solicitors were great, they were quick and they did exactly what they said they would do, which was a nice change after the previous sales had collapsed – I guess we got our due reward in the end as did our clients.”
The price achieved equated to circa £285,000/plot or £1,700,000/acre.
£1.5m funding boost for university partnership with ITP Aero
The University of Nottingham, Manufacturing Technology Centre and ITP Aero are celebrating after being awarded £1.5m in Government funding to support a three-year Laser Welding research and development project.
The three-year project, known as LADDER (Laser Automation and Design Development for future Engine Requirements), will see a total investment of £2.59m, both from ITP Aero itself and the Government’s Innovation Funding Service. This significant milestone reflects a shared commitment to investing in technology across the East Midlands.
Also a research partner on the project is the Manufacturing and Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. Together with the university and ITP, they will bring world-class expertise to the project, with the aim of developing and implementing an innovative laser beam welding (LBW) solution, as a robust joining technology for complex sheet-metal aeroengine fabrications.
The use of laser beam welding produces narrow welds with a small heat-affected zone, at high production rates. The highly repeatable process offering low-distortion will be used in the short term to reduce the costs associated with non-conformance. In the longer term, it is recognised that stringent new emissions targets will necessitate further increases in engine temperatures, meaning higher performance and more complex products will be needed. Design specifically for LBW will enable increased functional capability to be achieved on a range of commodities, while at the same time increasing integrity and cost competitiveness.
Rob Mitchell, Head of Engineering for ITP Aero UK, said: “This is a real milestone for us in ITP Aero UK. We are a young company in the UK, but a site with a huge amount of aerospace heritage.
“This is our first stand-alone project where we have sought and secured Government funding and underlines our commitment to invest in the UK in line with our research priorities. I am delighted we are able to work closely with our partners in the MTC and University of Nottingham to develop this industry leading capability in the UK.”
Professor Chris Bennett, Director of the Institute for Aerospace Technology at UoN, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with a company with a growing presence in the aerospace sector in the UK and globally.
“This project builds on existing strengths and a history at Nottingham in the field of welding modelling, while being at the cutting edge of Aerospace manufacture and allowing us to consider some of the challenges associated with the production of real components.”
Matthew Kite, Director of Power and Energy, Industrial Sector at the MTC, said: “After a long association with ITP Aero’s Hucknall site, it is a real pleasure to accompany them on the next stage of their new journey, whilst also having the opportunity to work closely with the University of Nottingham, one of our founding partners.
“With our extensive experience in laser-based collaborative projects in the Aerospace sector, combined with ITP Aero’s commitment to the adoption of new technologies in this area, we have a real opportunity to boost the UK’s expertise.” Logicor expands UK footprint by forward funding 500,000 sq ft Derby distribution warehouse
Logicor, an owner, manager and developer of European logistics real estate, has expanded its footprint in the UK by agreeing to forward fund a 500,000 sq ft distribution warehouse on a prime logistics site in Derby.
Planning permission has already been secured for the warehouse on Infinity Park Derby.
Throughout the construction phase, and when the building is complete, there is the potential to create over 1,300 jobs.
The development will be sustainably built and will target EPC A and BREEAM Excellent certification. In addition to solar panels, LED lighting and air source heat pumps, there are plans for extensive landscaping with 112 trees, wetland habitats, bird boxes and bug hotels to improve the levels of local biodiversity at the site.
Employees on the site will have access to nature trails, cycleways and footpaths to promote sustainable travel.
Construction is due to start early 2024.
Charlie Howard, Managing Director, UK at Logicor, said: “Infinity Park Derby fits perfectly with our strategy of further growing our footprint in areas where we know demand for quality real estate continues to outstrip supply.
Plans submitted for new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Trent
Plans have been submitted for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Trent.
The Waterside Bridge project is being delivered using grant funding secured in 2020 from Central Government through the Transforming Cities programme.
While the Section 114 Report means that money Nottingham City Council can spend is currently strictly controlled, because external grant funding has previously been specifically allocated for this project, it will continue go ahead.
The new bridge, the first over the Trent since Clifton Bridge was built 60 years ago, will create new links between the expanding Waterside regeneration area, Colwick Park on the north bank, and the Lady Bay/West Bridgford area to the south.
By enhancing connections between communities, green spaces and riverside paths, the proposed scheme will make it easier for people living and working in the Nottingham area to travel in a more sustainable way.
In addition, new and enhanced connecting paths and crossing points will be developed, which will connect the bridge to the wider walking and cycling network, providing access to housing, employment and leisure opportunities across the city and beyond.
The new bridge will also provide strong links between exciting new developments in the Island Quarter, as well as significant housing growth taking place in West Bridgford, and Nottingham city centre.
It will also provide easier access to green and open space south of the river, as well as the sports grounds, for people living in communities such as Sneinton and the city centre.
The project is being led by Nottingham City Council, working in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and in consultation with Nottinghamshire County Council.
Since funding was allocated in 2020, the City Council has explored location options for the new bridge, including looking at environmental and flooding factors and engaging with local people.
Feedback from residents led to the width of the bridge being increased and additional connecting routes being considered.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “The bridge could create further positive connectivity for residents on both sides of the river and we welcome government funding that has enabled the project to come to fruition.
“We have been pleased to work with our city colleagues on designs for this new community bridge so far and look forward to seeing the next stage of the project progress subject to an independent planning process.”
196 affordable new homes given green light for Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Gleeson Homes has received planning permission for the development of 196 new homes on Farm View Road in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.
The site, named Hollinwell Heath, spans 16.2 acres and will include a range of Gleeson’s 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes in a mix of rural and urban elevations.
As part of the development, and its ongoing commitment to community engagement, Gleeson will gift an existing barn to Ashfield District Council, which will be converted into a new Community Hall for local residents. This represents part of a donation of around £750,000 that Gleeson will provide to improve local facilities such as libraries, travel, and highways.
Gleeson expects to commence building in late Spring/early Summer this year, with plans to start welcoming viewings in early 2025.
Allen Marshall, Regional Managing Director at Gleeson Homes, said: “We are delighted to have secured this development, a key project for the region, and we can’t wait to get started. This development is in a great location and will showcase the best of our product offering to potential customers.
“We are passionate about supplying much-needed high-quality affordable homes, and will also continue to invest in the areas in which we build to make a positive impact for our local communities.”
Second floor let at i2 Centre, Mansfield
Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP has let the entire second floor of the i2 Centre, Oakham Business Park, Mansfield, which comprised five office suites and totalled 10,243ft².
This was not a straightforward transaction with tenants vacating, dilapidations, landlord works and a phased move in by the new tenant.
The property comprises refurbished Grade A office suites which are located in close proximity to Mansfield town centre and the A38.
Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP said: “I am particularly pleased with this letting as we have managed to complete the occupation of a full floor across five suites at the i2 Centre to a large local occupier. This was a fantastic deal to complete and entailed lots of moving parts, but I am delighted we could put all the jigsaw pieces together in the end.
“This is a deal I am very proud of, achieving good terms which both parties were happy with. I look forward to more success at the i2 Centre which I think is an absolutely beautiful building with so much to offer for the Mansfield area with great transport links, great connectivity to the Motorway alongside great parking ratios and a high quality internal specification. This is a high quality product with a fantastic line up of tenants, a sense of community and a feel of professionalism.
“I have the two final suites available currently at the i2 Centre available on flexible terms and suitable for a variety of uses. The ground floor suite extends to 170m² (1,832ft²) and the first floor suite extends to 200m² (2,159ft²).”
Martin Betts, of M7 Real Estate, the landlords, said: “We are delighted, in conjunction with FHP, to have achieved this significant letting at the i2 Centre. It demonstrates that there is clearly ongoing demand for well-located and well specified offices.”
Global Brands makes changes to senior leadership team structure
Independent, Chesterfield-based ready-to-drink experts, Global Brands, has revealed continued growth plans, following changes to its senior leadership team structure.
Following Mark James’ decision to step down, Julian Atkins has been appointed as Global Brands’ Managing Director. Shaun Bacon remains Group Finance & Managing Director.
Previously holding the role of Commercial Director, Atkins has been with Global Brands for almost 15 years. During this time, he has played a major role in the resurrection and relaunch of premium mixer brand, Franklin & Sons, subsequently turning it into a £14m turnover brand. It has now launched into more premium channels, leading to a foothold in HORECA and wide-ranging distribution across 61 countries.
Most recently, Julian has championed the brand new, innovative ‘be.’ cocktail range, featuring several classic cocktail flavours, suitably served in ready-to-drink 200ml cans.
Other senior appointments include Matt Bulcroft stepping up from On Trade Sales Director to join the main board as Marketing Director, Mike Smith rejoining the business as UK Sales Director and Rebecca Jarvis-Hook taking on a newly crafted role as Head of People & HR.
The changes to the senior leadership team structure reflect Global Brands’ ambitious five-year growth plan, with the recent appointments aiming to further establish the business as the independent drinks experts in the UK, with plans to increase turnover to more than £135m and break into 100 international markets.
Founder and Chairman Steve Perez said: “I would like to thank Mark James for his outstanding contribution to Global Brands, who has been integral to the company’s development and success, since joining in 1993.
“As Mark transitions to pursue new opportunities, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Julian Atkins as the new Managing Director. Julian, a respected, well known, and popular figure in the industry, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to this role. Under his leadership, I am confident that the company will continue to thrive exponentially, to achieve new heights.”
The restructure comes on the back of substantial growth results for Global Brands, with the company increasing its net revenue since 2019, from £55m to £75m, and becoming the largest supplier of canned cocktails to the off-trade category in the UK (Nielsen RTD data 2023).
Julian added: “We have an ambitious 5 year growth strategy, which will see Global Brands expand on its export business and move into new categories within the drinks sector.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Matt, Mike and our broader first class team, to develop our portfolio, through an exciting combination of acquisition, NPD and distribution agreements.”
Global Brands’ portfolio of brands now includes VK, Frankin & Sons, be., Hooch, All Shook Up, Shake Baby Shake, Beviamo, Kick Energy, Lustre and Amigos Tequila Beer.
Broad Marsh named site for Community Diagnostic Centre
Plans have been revealed showing that a new state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre will be located in the Broad Marsh regeneration development in Nottingham city centre, and will be run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Department for Health and Social Care announced last year that it is funding 13 new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), including one in the centre of Nottingham, to help reduce the backlog of patients waiting for diagnostic tests.
CDCs are designed as a one-stop shop which support GPs by providing direct access to diagnostics services such as MRI, CT, x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, and lung function testing. This allows for more rapid diagnosis of conditions such as cancer, which in turn will help patients access the life-saving treatments they need more quickly.
The building will be leased from Nottingham City Council, with an initial agreement in place to proceed with the £25m NHS facility.
The Broad Marsh regeneration has already seen the development of a new Central Library, car park and bus station, a new Nottingham College city hub and has transformed streets and public spaces in the area by increasing footfall, particularly supporting businesses on Lister Gate.
When the CDC opens in Spring 2025, it will provide an additional 100,000 diagnostic appointments each year. Once at full capacity it will provide in excess of 140,000 appointments annually, which will be available to patients through hospital consultants initially, and eventually also via GPs.
To help address the immediate backlog of diagnostics tests before the permanent CDC is open, temporary community diagnostics tests have been available behind NEMS Platform One near Nottingham Railway Station since December 2023.
Paul Matthew, Chief Financial Officer at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted that we can now share the news that our excellent, highly skilled and dedicated NUH staff will be running the future CDC facility in Nottingham city centre, which will help to change the lives of so many of our patients for the better.
“This centre will be vital in reducing the number of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire waiting too long for diagnostic tests so that they can then either have peace of mind they deserve, or can begin any treatment required sooner. It will also enable patients to access these tests without needing to travel to a hospital.
“We look forward to working with our partners to further develop plans to help more patients across the city access the care they need.”
Nottingham City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “This is another major step forward in the transformation of the Broad Marsh area that has been taking place over the last couple of years.
“Following the opening of the new Central Library and with work underway on the new Green Heart city centre park, we’re really pleased to be able to announce with Nottingham University Hospitals that this fantastic new health facility will also be located at Broad Marsh.
“When the shopping centre closed following the collapse of intu, we said we wanted to see something different for Broad Marsh, not another shopping centre. This was underlined by the feedback we received from local people as part of the Big Conversation engagement exercise, the largest the council had ever undertaken.
“The Community Diagnostic Centre is exactly the kind of facility everyone wants to see at Broad Marsh. It will provide a boost for businesses and jobs in the area by increasing footfall. By reusing part of the frame of the old shopping centre, as proposed in the Broad Marsh vision, the building will support the city’s ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2028.
“It will also help address some of the significant health issues and inequalities Nottingham faces as a city. People will be able to access vital health services right in the centre of the city, near to the new bus station and car park and a short walk from the train station, in a state-of-the-art building surrounded by new people-friendly green streets and public spaces.”
In addition, the CDC will create 75 new jobs in Nottingham across a range of disciplines including consultant radiologists, radiographers, imaging assistants, physiologists and administrators. When the unit is at full capacity it will employ 135 staff.
Planning applications and formal contracts will now be drawn up to enable this new NHS centre to progress.
Public consultation sees mixed results for Retford market proposals
A report to Bassetlaw District Council’s Cabinet on 8th February is recommending that plans for semi-permanent market stalls on Retford market are scrapped following the results of a public consultation. The report calls for new proposals to be worked up instead, in collaboration with market traders and wider stakeholders.
However, the Cabinet report separately recommends that plans to repurpose the Buttermarket at Retford Town Hall to provide an additional indoor trading space are taken forward.
The Council launched a six-week consultation in November and received 571 formal responses. On the plans to install bespoke, semi-permanent, multi-purpose market stalls on the Market Square in Retford town centre, two thirds of respondents (66.38%) either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposal. This was largely due to concerns about new stalls being a target for anti-social behaviour, the long-term visual impact on the Market Square and the functionality of the proposed stalls. A petition opposing the proposal was also received by the Council.
In contrast, the plans to repurpose the Buttermarket were positively received with 64.10% of respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing with the proposal. The Cabinet report recommends that the Council, therefore, continues to develop the Buttermarket project.
Outside of the main consultation, Council officers spoke to more than 80 traders across the Provisions, Antiques, Farmers and Craft Markets. Traders have provided a wide range of feedback and moving forwards, the Council will directly engage with traders from all markets, alongside the National Association of British Markets, to work up proposals and explore these ideas further.
Councillor James Naish, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “I’d like to thank everybody that took part in the consultation which showed how much people value their local market. It is clear from the responses that the plans for semi-permanent market stalls lack public support, and it is important that we listen to this and identify other options.
“I think we also have to acknowledge that we could have worked with a wider group of market traders to develop the proposals for the market in advance, and we will make sure that this happens moving forwards.
“I am pleased that the evolution of the Buttermarket did have public support, and I am looking forward to seeing these plans further developed to offer new trading opportunities in the future.
“We all want Retford Market to be sustainable in the long term, with the Market Square used for its historic purpose for many years to come. I will ensure that we work with our traders and key stakeholders to bring forwards new plans that help to safeguard the future of the market.”
