The University of Nottingham and BAE Systems have formalised a strategic partnership which will see the organisations collaborate on developing new and innovative digital manufacturing technologies.
A recognised leader in Industry 4.0 technologies, the University has extensive capabilities including additive layer manufacturing, lightweight materials, metrology and digital approaches to design and manufacture, as well as sustainable energy and power management systems.
Professor Andy Schofield, Programme & Technology Integration Director, within BAE Systems’ Air Sector, and Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, said: “We’ve had a strong partnership with the University of Nottingham for a number of years, with our teams working closely together to jointly develop next generation manufacturing capabilities that will transform the future of aircraft production.
“We look forward to deepening our relationship and exploring how the University’s world-class industry 4.0 knowledge and research capabilities can be applied to other areas of our business.”
Professor Svetan Ratchev, Cripps Professor of Production Engineering and Director of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Nottingham, said: “Formalising our strategic partnership will allow us to translate the latest research results into industrial applications, develop new technologies and deliver major societal, environmental and economic impact. It will also provide our students with more exciting opportunities to gain valuable industrial experience, enhance their knowledge and develop their future careers.”
Confirmation of the formal partnership follows a sustained period of successful collaboration in key technological areas such as ‘cobotics’, which enables people and robots to work in co-operation on complex tasks. This was born from the Integrated Autonomous Assembly Demonstrator which prototyped robotic assembly of aircraft structures and used data from digital designs to optimise manufacturing processes.
This work was led by the University of Nottingham with input from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
Nottingham and BAEs other strategic universities are also active in research into sustainability, particularly in energy management. This is of great importance to the company, given its target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions operations across its operations by 2030 and help inspire the development of sustainable technologies for its customers.
BAE Systems continues to develop its UK university partnerships, with Nottingham becoming the company’s sixth strategic university partner. This builds on existing partnerships with Cranfield University, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, the University of Southampton and the University of Strathclyde. Work begins on new affordable homes in Sleaford
Work has started on more than 60 new affordable homes on the edge of Sleaford.
The homes are part of the wider Handley Chase development in the town and will be delivered by Longhurst Group.
The Group, which owns and manages more than 23,500 homes across the Midlands and East of England and has offices in Boston, Lincoln and Grimsby, is working with Lincolnshire-based Lindum Group on the development.
In total, 64 affordable homes will be built.
Marcus Keys, Longhurst Group’s Executive Director of Growth and Development, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing more much needed affordable housing to North Kesteven and it’s great to see work underway on site.
“As a Group, we’re committed to providing the homes people want, where they’re needed the most and we’re very pleased to be working with our partners at Lindum Group to respond to the local need in this area.
“As a fully affordable scheme, this development will give local families and residents the opportunity to get onto the property ladder and have a home they can call their own. I’m very much looking forward to seeing work progress on this site and I’m excited to see our plans become a reality.”
Thirty of the homes on the development are to be offered for sale on a shared ownership basis, with the remaining 34 available for affordable rent. It’ll include a mix of two, three and four bedroom properties.
In addition, two public open spaces with new trees will be created as well as a new pedestrian link through to Rosewood Drive.
The development site forms part of the ongoing Handley Chase development, which was approved in July 2015. The wider scheme involves creating a Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) to Sleaford including 1,450 houses, a new school and commercial space.
Lindum Group Contracts Manager Gavin Parker said: “We’re really pleased to be on site at Handley Chase. Lindum Group has been working to bring forward this development for almost two years and so it’s great to be marking the start of construction work.
“The first stage of the scheme is groundworks, which will involve stripping the top soil, excavating the attenuation pond and setting out the new estate road. We intend to reuse the majority of the soil on site at a later date.
“We should be installing the first timber frames during early December. We plan to handover the homes in three phases, with the first properties completed by the end of next summer and the last finished by the end of the year.
“Once complete, these homes will be a welcome addition to the housing stock in North Kesteven and will be central to the new community that’s being created as part of the town’s Sustainable Urban Development.”
Leader of North Kesteven District Council, Councillor Richard Wright, added: “It’s fantastic to see work now underway on these new homes, which form part of the existing Handley Chase development in the town and support the wider Sustainable Urban Extension to Sleaford.
“With thirty of them for sale as shared ownership and 34 of them for affordable rent, this scheme will help ensure that the high quality homes people need are readily available and our communities can continue to flourish as a result.”
New appointment brings three decades of industry experience to DBCP
DBCP has further strengthened its team of building control surveyors at its Derby office with the appointment of Richard Buxton.
Experienced building surveyor Richard, who boasts more than 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, will be based at DBCP’s Friar Gate office in the city centre.
He joins from Erewash Borough Council where he was a Building Control Officer covering the Erewash, Broxtowe and Mansfield areas. As part of the DBCP team of Building Control Surveyors, Richard will now work with builders, architects and property owners in Derby city centre and throughout South Derbyshire.
Richard said: “DBCP offers me a brilliant opportunity to expand my skills and experience, with city-based and larger commercial projects. I’m excited for the brand-new challenge ahead in Derby.”
Richard’s role will include providing plan checks, site inspections and advice and support to clients and contractors for commercial and residential developments in the region. He will also be on call for requests to assess dangerous structures.
Prior to joining the building control sector six years ago, Richard worked within construction, however decided to retrain and completed a Building Surveying degree at Sheffield Hallam University. He is continuing his ongoing professional development with the University of Wolverhampton where he is studying a Building Control Surveying Degree Apprenticeship.
The Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Building Control Surveying was introduced in 2019. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) and LABC created the now nationally recognised and approved Building Control Apprenticeship Standard.
He added: I’ve been in the construction industry for 32 years and working in building control for the last six years. This has given me an excellent appreciation and understanding of projects from both a developer and regulatory position. My skills and experience enables me to contribute to DBCP’s commitment to working with clients to achieve the best outcome on projects.”
£9m awarded for Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Derby
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has awarded Derby City Council over £9m in funding – £6.875m from its Getting Building Fund and £2.2m from its Growing Places Fund – to support the development of a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) at Infinity Park in Derby.
The Nuclear AMRC Midlands research and development facility will provide c.4,300m2 of new floorspace dedicated to research and development, which will support productivity growth and sustainable practises within the manufacturing sector and help to position Derby and the wider D2N2 region as a key advanced manufacturing and innovation hub for the UK nuclear centre and beyond.
Bringing together the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear AMRC and the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Manufacturing (IISE), the facility will carry out research, innovation, supply chain development and teaching with the purpose of developing the skills and capability of businesses in the region and nationally, to support the UK Government objectives for Net Zero by 2050 and growth in manufacturing from 11% GDP to 20% GDP by 2030.
Locally, the facility will support local SMEs to improve their productivity by providing access to high quality research and development opportunities, tailored business support and opportunities to upskill their workforce, creating a broader and more resilient economic base. Workers will have access to specialist training and development to equip them for more productive and higher paid roles.
The Nuclear AMRC Midlands will deliver 70 direct jobs, support 35 collaborative R&D projects and support 100 businesses through the Fit For Nuclear supply chain development programme in its first five years of operation. Fifty learners will be supported, with a further 50 employees upskilled.
Elizabeth Fagan, chair of the D2N2 LEP Board, said: “Our recovery and growth strategy highlights the importance of low carbon growth and raising productivity levels across our region. Our investments into Infinity Park and the Nuclear AMRC will play a critical role to in developing clusters of highly productive and sustainable businesses across D2N2 and supporting local economic development.”
Andrew Storer, Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “We’re delighted to secure funding for the new facility at Infinity Park, and will continue to work with D2N2, the University of Derby and other local partners to deliver high-value jobs and support the region’s economic recovery.
“With the transition to net-zero emissions at the top of the national and international agenda, there will be huge long-term opportunities for manufacturers of all sizes in nuclear and other low-carbon sectors such as offshore renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture. It’s part of our job to help the supply chain in and around Derby to win that work.”
Former Methodist church with luxury apartments plans sold
A former Methodist church in a Derbyshire town could soon be converted into eight luxury apartments after it was sold for £177,500 in an auction.
The vacant building with an attractive frontage on West Street, Swadlincote, had a guide price of £140,000+ but attracted much higher bids, reflecting interest in the existing planning permission for the conversion from South Derbyshire District Council.
The original chapel in the Swadlincote Conservation Area was built by Wesleyan Methodists in 1816, was enlarged around 1823, then further extended in 1837, and subsequently rebuilt in 1863. It ceased being a place of worship in 2017.
Colin Totney, a land and development surveyor at Bond Wolfe, said: “We’re delighted with the price we gained for this stylish building, which is centrally located fronting onto West Street in the town centre.
“Assuming the new owners go ahead with the conversion into eight apartments, it is estimated they would have a gross internal area approaching 8,000 sq ft.
“The attractiveness of apartments in such a grand old building would be immense, with its lofty frontage, three ornate, pillar-flanked entrance doors and five arched windows above, and striking polygonal brickwork corners.”
Mr Totney added: “While this approved conversion is now likely, the property could also be suitable for other uses, although the new owners would need further permission for any such reconfiguration.”
Financial Reporting Council commences investigation over nmcn audit
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has commenced an investigation into BDO in relation to its audit of Nottinghamshire construction and engineering company, nmcn.
The FRC is looking into the accountancy firm’s audit of the consolidated financial statements of nmcn for the year ended 31 December 2019.
The decision was made at a meeting of the FRC’s Conduct Committee on 14 September 2021.
The investigation will be conducted by the FRC’s Enforcement Division under the Audit Enforcement Procedure.
nmcn entered administration earlier this month, with the majority of the business now sold, safeguarding the jobs of most of its employees. Approximately 80 people however have been made redundant.
Following significant cashflow pressures experienced in 2020 and subsequent losses incurred by the business, the group and its advisors worked throughout much of 2021 to deliver a successful refinancing and secure the future of the business.
However, the legacy issues faced by the group and ongoing losses in 2021 were simply too great to enable the refinance to succeed in an acceptable timescale.
Manufacturing activity remains firm, but supply pressures mount
UK manufacturing output volumes in the quarter to October grew at a similarly firm pace to September, according to the latest quarterly CBI Industrial Trends Survey.
The survey of 263 manufacturers reported output increasing in 11 out of 17 sub-sectors, with growth driven by the chemicals, aerospace, and food, drink & tobacco sub-sectors. Firms expect output growth to pick up substantially in the next quarter.
Total new orders grew at a slower, but still strong, pace compared to July, with the deceleration driven by an easing in domestic orders growth. Meanwhile, export orders increased at a broadly similar pace to last quarter. Manufacturers expect total new orders growth to pick up next quarter, led by an acceleration in domestic and export orders.
Concerns about supply shortages in the next three months escalated further in October. Almost two-thirds of firms cited availability of materials/components as a factor likely to limit output next quarter (highest share since January 1975).
Manufacturers also expressed heightened concerns about labour shortages affecting future output, with two-in-five firms worried about a lack of skilled labour (highest since July 1974) and nearly a third concerned about availability of other labour (a survey-record high).
The manufacturing sector continues to face acute cost and price pressures. Firms reported that average costs growth in the quarter to October remained broadly in line with July, which saw the fastest growth since 1980. Rapid cost growth has continued to feed into price pressures, with average domestic and export prices growing at their fastest rate since April 1980 and April 2011, respectively.
Looking ahead to the next three months, costs growth is set to speed up further, with both domestic and export price inflation expected to accelerate.
Anna Leach, CBI Deputy Chief Economist, said: “From higher material costs to labour shortages, manufacturers continue to face a number of serious global supply challenges hampering their ability to meet strong demand.
“Manufacturers are using key levers, such as hiring new workers and planning further investment in plant & machinery and training, to expand production. But with both orders and costs growth expected to climb over the next quarter, we’re not out of the woods yet.
“While the supply chain advisory group is set to help unblock short-term challenges facing production, strengthening the sector over the long-term demands bold action in the Budget.
“By reforming the outdated business rates system and frontloading investment into new industries, the Government can turn the manufacturing industry into an engine for a more innovative and sustainable economy.”
Tom Crotty, Group Director at INEOS and Chair of the CBI Manufacturing Council, said: “It is reassuring to see output and orders continue to grow as we enter the autumn.
“However, the last quarter has been undoubtedly overshadowed by firms facing shortages of materials or components, struggling to fill roles, and grappling with increased energy cost pressures. It is essential that the government continues to work constructively with businesses to identify ways to alleviate this difficult situation.
“On a more positive note, the upcoming COP26 climate summit presents an excellent opportunity for the manufacturing sector to showcase its achievements and highlight its critical role in the UK’s decarbonisation journey.”
Numbers employed in the sector continued to rise at a similarly fast pace to July (which saw the quickest growth since 1973). Headcount growth is expected to pick up further in the next three months.
Business optimism was flat in the three months to October, softening from the strong improvements seen over the last two quarters. Export optimism, meanwhile, grew at a similarly modest pace to July.
Overall investment intentions remain strong, despite softening somewhat on last quarter. Firms expect capital expenditure to increase for plant & machinery, training & retraining, and product & process innovation in the next 12 months (compared to the last 12). Investment in buildings is expected to decrease.
Devolution vision revealed for Nottinghamshire
Leaders from the nine councils in Nottinghamshire have set out their ambitious joint vision for devolved powers to improve investment in the economy, the environment and health.
In a paper to the joint City of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Economic Prosperity Committee, councils have outlined how they would work in partnership to help boost economic investment, improve the environment, and tackle health and educational inequalities across the city and county.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are aiming to be one of the government’s pathfinder sites for devolution deals, the details of which will be outlined in the much anticipated ‘levelling-up’ white paper expected this autumn.
If a deal was to be agreed, powers would be handed equally to Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council to work in partnership with district councils to take responsibility from the government over major decisions and services that affect people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
If successful, a devolution deal could result in extra powers and money from government to deliver a county and city-wide approach to improve investment in education and skills, transport and the environment, the economy and infrastructure, land and housing, health and social care, youth services and support to vulnerable young people and potentially much more. Extra powers could also be gained to deliver community safety, tourism, and heritage, as well as better control over regulatory powers.
Any devolution deal would not affect the status of the local councils who would continue to provide local services to their residents.
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Ben Bradley, MP, said: “Councils in Nottinghamshire serve 1.1 million people. So many decisions that impact on their lives are decided in Westminster. This is our opportunity to bring those decisions closer to home, so they reflect the needs and ambitions of local businesses and communities here in the city and county, rather than 130 miles away.
“The right devolution deal would enable us to deliver economic and social prosperity across our city and county. We would use any powers to grow the private sector by attracting investment in jobs and make sure the skills needed match the sectors that invest in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The long-term result would be to create jobs, raise living standards and to restore local pride. Devolution is also an opportunity to improve public services.
“Levelling up is not just about concrete infrastructure projects such as roads and rail. It needs to go hand in hand with improvements in the conditions for good quality health and education to improve the life chances of people in areas previously underfunded. This could transform the lives of people across Nottinghamshire.”
The government has invited council leaders from areas across the country to show how they can work jointly on the new ‘levelling-up’ agenda, its initiative to make sure every area of the country has the powers and resources needed to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve economic growth and prosperity.
Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s important that councils across Nottinghamshire work together to make the most of the possible opportunities that a devolution deal would represent to bring more investment, jobs and prosperity to the region and address the significant underfunding we have seen over many years.
“Local leaders want what’s best for local people and we share common ground on a number of key issues. It’s still really early days but the themes and priorities are emerging with a focus on transport and infrastructure, skills and employment, and climate change.
“The challenges we face are immense and partnership and collaboration is critical to improving both the long-term future of communities, and the day to day lives and prospects of local people.”
60-bed student scheme gets go-ahead in Nottingham
Plans for a new student accommodation scheme in Nottingham have been approved by the City Council.
The 60-bed scheme would replace a disused play centre – a two storey red brick terrace style property.
Thorpe and Fletcher Developments Ltd are behind the proposals which would see the existing building at 34 Tennyson Street demolished and ten, 6-bed student accommodation dwellings constructed.
Two short terraces of identical three storey buildings would be built.
Each student accommodation dwelling would have a shared kitchen/living space on the ground floor and three bedrooms on both the first and second floors.
National recruitment company lets Lace Market offices
A national recruitment company has let the second floor at 39 Stoney Street in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market.
The office suite provides just under 2,700 square foot of high quality, recently refurbished space, benefitting from period features and modern fit out including heating/cooling system and attractive glazed partition meeting spaces with herringbone effect flooring finishes.
Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Agency Department, who agreed the letting, acting on behalf of a retained client, said: “The Lace Market is one of Nottingham’s premier office locations with the former lace mills providing beautiful period buildings benefitting from modern open plan layouts that offer the perfect opportunity for forward thinking occupiers.
“I have been in touch with the agent who acts on this company’s behalf for a number of months regards their city centre requirement and after several viewings at other properties, it was clear that the second floor at 39 Stoney Street ticked all the boxes in terms of size, quality of fit out and also location.
“I am pleased that this deal has finally completed and wish them the best of luck in their new Nottingham home.”
