Planning application for new homes in Blaby refused
Councillors have refused plans for the development of 12 homes in Blaby after the applicant failed to satisfy concerns about access for refuse and recycling collections.
An application for the demolition of the existing dwelling and construction of 12 houses at the rear of 43 New Street in Blaby was considered by councillors on Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 24 November.
The proposal followed the refusal of an earlier application in 2021 for seven homes, which went to appeal with the Planning Inspectorate upholding the Council’s decision.
One of the Council’s reasons for the original refusal was due to the layout and design of the development, which would not allow refuse and recycling lorries access to the site to collect bins.
The proposals were also considered to lack any facilities to present waste bins at the boundary to the site.
This was considered “poor design” by the Council, which goes against the Blaby District Core Strategy (2013) and the Blaby District Local Plan (Delivery) Development Plan Document (2019).
It also conflicts with the aims and aspirations of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework.
Councillors considered the new plans, for 12 homes instead of seven, on a larger plot, had still not resolved the lack of access for refuse and recycling vehicles.
The intensification of the site, with the increase in houses, was also considered to be a problem, exacerbating issues in relation to distances to the adopted highway and the associated impacts on the street scene, residential amenities and restriction of pedestrian and vehicular movements.
Councillor Louise Richardson, chair of the Planning Committee, said: “When refusing the initial application, a decision which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate, we made it clear the development did not meet the standards required for us as a Council to carry out our statutory duties to empty residents’ bins.
“Our planning policies and Local Plan are clear that any new development needs to be accessible. If developers fail to take these important factors into account, we can and will refuse them, as in this case once again. This result is the best for the residents of Blaby and highlights our robust planning policies which protect the whole district from poorly designed development.”
Northampton IT service provider acquired by German group
Bechtle AG has acquired Northampton-based ACS Systems UK Ltd.
ACS focuses on cybersecurity, modern work concepts as well as managed IT and cloud services, offering customers its own cloud hosting capacities.
The IT service provider covers a wide customer spectrum from regional companies to large corporations and the public sector.
In the past, Bechtle direct UK and ACS have already delivered a number of successful customer projects together, and by joining the Bechtle Group, ACS co-founder Jon Thorpe is securing the company a future-oriented succession plan in good time.
The executive management team of ACS will remain in their current roles and oversee the process of integrating the company into the Bechtle Group together with James Napp, Managing Director of Bechtle direct UK.
With this purchase, Bechtle is continuing to effect its acquisition strategy, which for the first time saw sites outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland added to the IT System House & Managed Services segment in 2021. After expanding the segment into the Netherlands, Bechtle can now also strengthen its foothold in the British market with a much-expanded portfolio and the aim to establish a joint managed services platform to support customers together. Founded in 1995, ACS has 93 employees working out of Northampton. Co-founder and CEO, Jon Thorpe is set to retain his current role at ACS: “Having co-founded the company, it was very important to me to know the company will be in good hands down the road, both for our colleagues and our customers. “Together with Bechtle, we’re well poised to keep growing while ensuring consistent, long-term support for our customers during their digital transformation. I’m very much looking forward to this new chapter in our company’s history.” “We see excellent prospects on the horizon of the British market with ACS. We already have a successful track record together and are very positive that, by joining forces, both companies can offer huge added value in terms of end-to-end customer support. The two teams complement each other perfectly,” says Konstantin Ebert, executive vice president for France, Benelux and UK, Bechtle AG. James Napp, Managing Director, Bechtle direct UK, said: “I’ve known ACS for many years and have always enjoyed working with Jon Thorpe. ACS has a very experienced and highly capable team and will undoubtedly put us in a position to accelerate our growth and expand our offering for our customers. The cultural fit could not be better and we look forward to the opportunity to scale our mutual business together and become one of the top 10 IT solutions providers in the UK.” The purchase price and conditions remain confidential.Whittle Estate flying high with new lettings
Businesses are spreading their wings with the lease of premises on a south Leicestershire industrial estate.
East Midlands commercial property specialist Andrew + Ashwell and joint agent Innes England, have negotiated the lease of new-build warehouses on The Whittle Estate at Whetstone.
Located five miles south of Leicester city centre and with a prominent frontage on Cambridge Road, The Whittle Estate is a local industrial business hub, named after Sir Frank Whittle, aviator and inventor of the jet engine.
The site is already a base for major occupiers, including Cavendish Nuclear, The Co-op and National Grid.
Units on phase two of the development have been designed to give businesses a broad remit to relocate and expand within this trading area. The new buildings are part of a terrace of four, including two adjacent units totalling 20,350 sq ft. These have recently been taken by former Wigston-based point of sale unit manufacturer Aark Display Ltd. A third is under offer, with considerable interest in the remaining unit, comprising 13,000 sq ft.
Kelvin Wilson, associate director for A+A, said interest in the buildings had been buoyant amid a resilient industrial property market.
“We still suffer from an under supply of new purpose-built premises and whenever new units emerge there is always an upsurge of interest. The Whittle Estate is a sought-after location and we are confident it will continue to support the growth of local businesses, as well as those from further afield.”
Frasers Group acquires Savile Row tailor
Frasers Group has acquired Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes after the brand was put up for sale earlier this year following its owner’s slip into liquidation.
It continues rapid expansion for Frasers Group, which has this year increased its investment in Hugo Boss and swooped for Missguided, I Saw It First, as well as Studio Retail Limited.
Just last week the Shirebrook-based firm snapped up Coventry Building Society Arena, securing up to 1,000 jobs.
Gieves and Hawkes is a luxury menswear retailer dating back to 1771.
Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group, said the firm was “delighted to have acquired Gieves & Hawkes, securing a long term future for an iconic 250 year old brand.” He added that the acquisition brings credibility and valuable insights to Frasers’ tailoring business across its premium and luxury division.
East Midlands recruitment expert launches independent agency
Brand-new recruitment agency, Nova Talent, has launched in Lincoln offering honest, tailored recruitment services with a personal edge for candidates and clients in the East Midlands region.
Inspired by founder Lizi Fields’ desire to support and relieve pressures and uncertainties from both candidates and clients in an increasingly difficult time – Nova Talent will provide recruitment services specifically designed to help navigate a tough labour market seamlessly.
With 20 years’ experience working across all arms of the industrial recruitment sector – Lizi created the agency, hand-picking the best aspects of service from her long-standing career to provide a transparent, personalised and consultative offering.
Specialising in the securing the best talent in the Food Manufacturing, FMCG, Warehouse and Logistics, Engineering and Office Support sectors from entry level to senior management positions, Nova Talent is based in the city of Lincoln and will be offering its services to the city and wider East Midlands region, as well as Yorkshire.
On her plans for the agency, Lizi said: “In the current climate where the cost of living is a concern, as well as Brexit, it feels like the working landscape is ever changing and there is an exceedingly tough labour market to contend with.
“Having worked in recruitment across a range of industries, I know first-hand that the recruitment search can take time and candidates can be very nervous about change. With this in mind, I wanted to create an agency that takes my lifetime of experience and supports candidates and clients to relieve the pressures and uncertainties that we’re undoubtedly facing.
“I’m incredibly excited about the future of the business, and would love to build the team and continue to grow the agency. I can’t wait to meet and welcome new clients, supporting them with their recruitment journeys and remaining by their side during any tough times that we may encounter.”
Stepnell wins Kettering General Hospital project
Stepnell has won its first project through SCAPE, the public sector procurement authority. The new £1.27m scheme will see the complete construction partner undertake a variety of improvements for Kettering General Hospital (KGH) NHS Foundation Trust in Northamptonshire – starting with a waiting area and adjoining landscaped garden for breast cancer patients.
Procured through the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, the project benefits from money raised by the Crazy Hats Appeal, which generously funded the first extension portion of the project.
Stepnell has committed to prioritise waste reduction of 0.032 tonnes per m2 and with a focus on social value, committed to building back into the region by allocating a minimum of 50% local labour and 60% local project spend within a 30 mile radius of the scheme.
Furthermore, targets have been set to ensure that a minimum 40% social economic value is added through the project. Part of the project spend will also be allocated to local social enterprises and Stepnell will be employing a minimum of one apprentice to help provide skills and employment opportunities in the area.
Adrian Barnes, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Working with Kettering General Hospital and Crazy Hats is an honour and one that continues to add to Stepnell’s expertise in the public sector.
“We relish the opportunity to work with our partners on projects that provide so many benefits to the community. We are also pleased to be demonstrating our commitment to working within the collaborative and efficient scope of working that is so important within the SCAPE framework.”
This is the third scheme that Stepnell has worked on to support the KGH NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with local cancer charity Crazy Hats.
Salam Musa, consultant onco-plastic surgeon at Kettering General Hospital, said: “The Crazy Hats Appeal has made an enormous contribution to breast care facilities at Kettering General Hospital by donating a wide variety of equipment and helping us to make our Treatment Centre more welcoming.
“This final donation will help us to further improve care for our breast cancer patients – and outside of those clinics for other patients as well – by providing the Treatment Centre with a much-improved waiting area, surrounded by a small-landscaped garden.”
Glennis Hooper, executive fundraiser at Crazy Hats, said: “On behalf of Crazy Hats, I would like to say how excited we are that the work is now underway. We are also delighted that Stepnell is the build partner due to the high quality of their work – so we are very confident that the end result will be fantastic.
“Having had breast cancer myself and having supported so many other patients, I know the feelings of dread as you sit in the waiting room, waiting to hear if you have cancer, or not. It can be a lonely space and frightening. We hope that by creating a new tranquil, spacious and light waiting room area, patients, and their loved ones, will feel more relaxed and comfortable.”
Stepnell is one of eight firms to have secured a place on the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework earlier this year, which expects to deliver up to £750m of public sector investment across the East of England and the Midlands. The project with KGH is the first milestone towards significant growth opportunities for Stepnell over the next four years.
Christian White, SCAPE framework manager at Stepnell, said: “We are proud to have been successful in winning our first SCAPE Regional Construction Framework project. Standards are extremely high, but we are always committed to delivering against stringent project requirements.
“We are looking forward to working on this and future SCAPE projects, which will continue to utilise local and national supply chains, sustainable solutions, high social value and collaboration to deliver projects that engage with the community and are both on time and on budget.”
Mark Robinson, group Chief Executive at SCAPE, said: “The NHS and healthcare system is currently facing significant challenges, and schemes like these are vital for improving facilities and care for patients. Therefore, we are delighted to be supporting Stepnell on its first SCAPE project via the Regional Construction Framework, helping to accelerate the project forward and deliver better services for the local community.”
Estate agent expands into new Chaddesden office
Estate agent, Hannells, has expanded into a new, larger office in Chaddesden – across the road from its previous Chaddesden branch.
At 513-515 Nottingham Road, the branch is located at the end of the shopping precinct, where Hays travel used to be.
Michelle Tinson, who has been the branch manager at Chaddesden for over 17 years, said: “We’re really excited about our brand-new office. It’s much more prominent and is so convenient for our customers with loads of parking right outside the front door.
“We’ll be sad to leave our current office as there’s been a lot of happy memories and success stories there over the last 12 years. But, with the team continuing to grow due to our on-going success, we were starting to get a little bit cramped! We can’t wait to get settled in and start creating plenty more moving experiences for our customers!”
Hannells was launched in 2003 from a small office on the high street in Hilton after joint founders Michael and Alison Brain were less than impressed with the options that were available when trying to sell their own property.
Michael Brain, joint founding director, said: “From day one, our secret recipe has been local branches with friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff who serve their local communities. Despite the recent trend of estate agents cutting back on offices and moving to an ‘online’ model to save on costs, we have no intention of moving away from our roots.
“Our track record of success for our customers in Derby speaks for itself. We’re a customer service, people-focused business and we just don’t think it’s the same from behind a screen.”
Renewables experts let Nottingham unit
FHP have let Unit 5a Rani Drive, on behalf of Chartwell Properties Limited, to Green Buildings Renewables, who have been “actively looking in the market for some time.”
The unit comprises industrial/warehouse space with office and ancillary areas situated across two floors of accommodation.
Rani Drive Business Park is an established estate positioned just off Nottingham’s ring road. The estate has a mixture of both office and warehouse occupiers and has now achieved full occupancy throughout the site.
Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, says: “It has been a delight to work alongside both parties on this deal and seeing it cross the line, achieving a rental tone of £7.00 per sq ft. Although it placed itself on the market for a few months, it confirmed that persistence is key and maintaining communication and relationships between present and past enquiries is vital, especially as we are now facing uncertain times approaching 2023.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Jack Digva at Chartwell Properties Limited and I look forward to working alongside him in future endeavours and securing him more tenants. I also wish Green Buildings Renewables all the best in their Nottingham branch.”
Jack Digva at WSD 1 Limited says: “We are delighted with working with FHP, we were confident this unit would let in a short space of time.
“There is a large demand for high-end industrial units and Rani Business Park ticks all the boxes. Chartwell Properties have been in the property market for over 25 years, and we have seen demand has outstripped supply.
“We have many new and exciting projects on the go and look forward to working with FHP in the future.”
Go-ahead given for more than 200 new modular homes at Nottingham’s Alliance Boots campus
Plans for more than 200 new homes within the Alliance Boots campus in Nottingham, set to be part of the ‘residential quarter’ of the wider site redevelopment, have been approved.
The reserved matters submission from GraceMachin Planning & Property on behalf of Ilke Homes Land Limited, sought approval for 207 dwellings, consisting of 96 houses and 111 apartments.
The homes, off Thane Road, are to be delivered by way of modular, off-site construction, by Ilke Homes.
The reserved matters submission relates to a 17.6 hectare site which crosses the boundary between Nottingham City and Broxtowe Borough.
A corresponding ‘reserved matters’ application has been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council for 397 dwellings within their administrative area. In total, 604 dwellings are proposed across the entire site.
Manufacturers report rise in output, but decline expected to resume next quarter
UK manufacturers reported a rise in output in the three months to November, the first increase since the three months to July 2022, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey. However, production is expected to decline in the next quarter.
The survey found that while stocks remained broadly adequate, total order books and export order books were reported as below normal. Selling price inflation is expected to remain historically high in the next three months (though below the record high reached earlier this year).
The survey, based on the responses of 230 manufacturing firms, found:
- Manufacturing output volumes rose in the three months to November (balance of +18%, from -4% in the three months to October), the first increase since the three months to July 2022. However, output is expected to fall in the three months to February (-10%).
- Output increased in 9 out of 17 sectors in the three months to November. The increase in output reported this quarter was largely driven by the food, drink & tobacco, motor vehicles and transport equipment, and chemicals sectors.
- Total order books were reported as below “normal” in November, and to a similar extent to October (balance of -5% from -4%). Export orders were also seen as below normal, but to a lesser extent than last month (-7% from -14%). Nonetheless, both total and export order books remained above their long-run averages (-13% and -18% respectively).
- Expectations for average selling price inflation for the next three months remained at a broadly similar level to last month (+47% from +46%), although this remains comfortably below the multi-decade highs seen earlier in the year (+80% in March). Expectations for selling price inflation remained well above the long-run average (+6%).
- Stocks of finished goods were seen as broadly adequate in November, to a similar degree as in October (+5% from +7%).
