Rayner Davies Architects have submitted a planning application for apartments in Nottingham’s Arboretum Conservation Area. 29 one and predominantly two bed apartments are planned on a disused bowling green, pavilion building and car park on Addison Street. The site is bounded by a tall Bulwell stone wall to the East on Addison Street. An existing pedestrian gate and separate vehicular access points are present to this boundary and form the access points into the site. Whilst the bowling green itself won’t be retained, the rectilinear and open feel of the site as a green square with buildings and mature vegetation to the perimeters is one of the key design concepts adopted in the proposals. The Clubhouse building is Georgian and will be retained, refurbished and converted to apartments as part of the proposal, with new buildings behind the Bulwell Stone wall fronting Addison Street. These buildings are set out in relation to an axis which is created between the reinstated existing pedestrian site entrance and the historical landmark – The Chinese Bell Tower – in the Arboretum. The scale and architectural language of the proposed Addison Street buildings are informed by the semi-detached Victorian villas present in the surrounding area. Materials used are predominantly red brick with ashlar and brick decorative features to gables, dormers and window heads. The use of two-tone brickwork is prevalent in the conservation area and is reflected in the design. The proposed landscaping scheme has been designed to maintain the characteristic of the site. Rectilinear path arrangements are used to define the perimeter of the ‘square’, as a reference to the former bowling green. Unitech Plus are the developers behind the proposals. With ten years of presence in the East-Midlands, Unitech Plus have a long-term strategy to invest in and develop high-end and sustainable apartment complexes for young professionals and families. A planning decision is expected in the summer with work starting soon after.

Landlords will be banned from charging ground rent to future leaseholders, under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, which comes into force on the 30th June. The government is taking action to rid future homeowners of annual costs – known as ground rent. Sometimes worth hundreds of pounds a year, these charges provide no clear service in return and can be set to escalate regularly, with a significant financial burden for leaseholders. Leases granted after 30th June 2022 that breach these provisions will expose the person granting them to penalties and fines of between £500 and £30,000 will be enforced by a civil penalty regime. In preparation, many landlords have already reduced ground rent to zero starting a new lease with them. Anyone preparing to sign a new lease on a home in the next two months is urged to speak to their landlord to ensure their ground rent rate reflects the upcoming changes. Leasehold Minister Lord Stephen Greenhalgh said: “This is an important milestone in our work to fix the leasehold system and to level up home ownership. Abolishing these unreasonable costs will make the dream of home ownership a more affordable reality for the next generation of home buyers.

The ban on landlords charging ground rent on new residential leases, announced today, will also apply to retirement homes. This will come into force no earlier than 1 April 2023 and more details will be confirmed in due course.

Leading construction firm, Henry Brothers, has been awarded an internationally-acclaimed RoSPA Gold Award for its outstanding health and safety practices while delivering the Sherwood Lodge project for its clients, Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. The prestigious award recognises organisations that go above and beyond to ensure the safety of its employees, contractors, and clients, and is one of the most sought-after achievements for health and safety professionals worldwide. David Wallace, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Director at Henry Brothers, commented: “It is a huge honour to win a RoSPA Gold Award and is a testament to the commitment, diligence and dedication of our staff and contractors in completing this project in a safe manner. “At Henry Brothers, our operations are built on the values of acting with integrity and dependability while delivering high-quality construction. All of our employees and partners receive continuous health and safety training, and we actively engage in a number of forums to ensure our high standards are maintained. “The majority of the Sherwood Lodge construction was completed during the Covid-19 pandemic, which presented additional challenges in itself, so we are thrilled that we have been recognised as leaders in health and safety practice.” Sherwood Lodge, part of the new headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, comprises shared office space, conference rooms, a tactical and police control room, training classrooms, and a sports hall. Henry Brothers handed over the building in January. Chief Constable Craig Guildford, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “From start to finish this most complex and demanding project has run extremely smoothly, with minimal disruption of day-to-day activities at a busy operational police facility. Henry Brothers have delivered a genuinely first-class facility that is already revolutionising the way we operate as a force, and I commend them on this award.” Candida Brudenell, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Congratulations to Henry Brothers for this brilliant achievement. As Services we worked closely with the site team to deliver the joint headquarters project, and we know our staff will enjoy the facilities for years to come. “Henry Brothers performance has been of the highest of standards throughout, with the site always well organised, clean, and safe. The team were extremely personable and communicated proficiently at all levels, overcoming challenges to produce an outstanding example of collaboration in Nottinghamshire.” Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. “By receiving this recognition, Henry Brothers join like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to Health and Safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive up Health and Safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”

Local events production company, Presentation Design Services, has taken up a 5,010 sq ft unit on West Meadows Ind estate in Derby. The property is located on West Meadows Industrial Estate, a well-established location for trade counter, manufacturers and storage operators, and is situated conveniently off the A52 at Pentagon Island. FHP Property Consultants are pleased to have completed on the letting and Dan Mooney comments: “The property had been on the market for quite some time, however as a result of an extensive refurbishment to split the former 9,000ft² warehouse into two separate units, both were under offer within a couple of months. This is a great result for all parties involved as we agreed new lease terms for a period of 5 years, so I am pleased to have got this one over the line. I wish Presentation Design Services Ltd the very best and hope that their move into the unit is a success. Clearly this proves that there is still a good demand of occupiers looking to move into sub-5,000ft² second-hand units in Derby. Therefore, I would invite any property owners to get in touch should you be looking to dispose of a freehold or leasehold property.”

The Council’s Corporate Policy and Resources Committee agreed to register the interest of the Council in acquiring RAF Scampton. Councillors made the decision as the Ministry of Defence’s disposal strategy, allows all public sector bodies the opportunity to express an interest in acquiring the site, prior to assets being listed on the open market. Cllr Anne Welburn, Chair of Corporate Policy and Resources Committee said: “We see that the successful redevelopment of the site of RAF Scampton could contribute significantly to the ‘Levelling Up’ of economic and social outcomes across West Lindsey, Lincolnshire and beyond. “The importance of this site both in terms of heritage and social history cannot be overstated. It is hoped that by registering our interest in the site we can take a leading role in ensuring a positive outcome and we look forward to working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Ministry of Defence as we go forwards. “As a District Council we are seeking to provide a safeguard for the future of RAF Scampton. This expression of interest will enable us to do this. It does not commit the Council to anything apart from helping us to ‘explore all options’ available.” The closure of RAF Scampton was announced by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in 2018 as part of cost cutting measures. Since this time officers have worked closely with the community, MOD, the RAF and potential investors to understand opportunities for the future of the site. As previously reported as part of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, RAF Scampton has been identified as an ‘opportunity area’. As such a new policy S74 was added to the draft Local Plan which requires the preparation of a masterplan in conjunction with, and for approval by, the district council prior to a planning application being submitted.

A supplier of process and packaging solutions, Moody Direct, has purchased rented premises (located at West Carr Road, Retford) thanks to a £1m commercial mortgage from Barclays. Originally part of the Moody Group, which was founded by Paul Moody in 1975, Moody Direct was formed in 1996. Based in Retford, Nottinghamshire, the business is a supplier of process and packaging solutions to the dairy, food, beverage, brewery, ice cream, chemical and pharmaceutical industries with a large customer base in the UK, Ireland and around the world. In early 2016, Paul Moody handed over the reins to David Tomlinson and Ken Wild following a management buyout (MBO) of Moody Direct Ltd. With the support of Barclays, David and Ken have acquired their rented premises from the previous owner’s pension fund, following an option as part of the MBO. Moody Direct employ over 80 staff with a turnover expected to reach £17 million this year.  David Tomlinson, director of Moody Direct, said: “We’ve banked with Barclays for over 20 years because of their focus on relationship management, their understanding of our business and their willingness to help us realise our full potential. The last five or six years have been incredibly exciting and rewarding, with the business almost doubling turnover since the MBO. The depth and range of knowledge and support our 80-strong team provide is unrivalled. Investment in our plate heat exchanger division has also allowed us to expand our offerings outside of our traditional hygienic sectors into industrial industries such as oil and power generation.” He continued: “Whilst the last couple of years have inevitably been challenging, we’re proud to continue supporting the critical industries with essential products and services and acquiring the rented premises is another step forward to enable us to take this business to the next level. We look forward to tackling the challenges and opportunities over many years to come.” Alastair West, Barclays relationship director, put together the funding package for the deal and said: “Over the decades, as the market has evolved, Moody’s business model has proved very successful and allowed for expansion into projects, service and the distribution of parts and components. With David and Ken at the helm of a team of long serving, committed, talented employees, the future looks bright for this ambitious business and Barclays look forward to supporting them along the way.”