Following practical completion of the final plot at the end of October 2022, the six units split equally across three sites at Centrix Park Corby, Castlewood and East Midlands Distribution Centre in Castle Donington – benefitting from B2 and B8 use – have become part of NFUM’s property portfolio. Five of the units were constructed on a speculative basis with no end users secured, while one unit – plot A1 in Corby occupying 162,490ft² – was pre-let to Deichmann Shoes (UK). The other five units occupy a combined floorspace of 838,586ft². Three of the units have subsequently been sold whilst two remain available on an all enquires basis. Involved from the outset, Clowes had a team of experts to assist them in the delivery of deal. IMA Architects acted as planning consultants as well as architects, helping to fine-tune the project and liaising with both Clowes Developments and NFUM throughout. Speaking on the project, Ben Hall, director at IMA Architects, said: “Our professional relationship with Clowes is longstanding and we have successfully delivered over 60 projects since 2009, with more confirmed in 2023. On this particular project, we were the only architects on site and as the demand for commercial rental units grow, so does the development potential – so we look forward to being part of future schemes. We look forward to working with Clowes on upcoming projects, and we are proud to have them as a returning client.” Law firm, Geldards, acted on behalf of Clowes Developments. Heather Dixon added: “We are delighted to have been able to support our long-standing client Clowes on its largest and most important transaction to date. Finding the right funding partner and negotiating six development funding agreements and the associated construction contracts in the current market, with the major challenge of Covid, Brexit and high demand for construction materials, was complex and demanding. “It was particularly pleasing to be part of a delivery team that consisted of advisers solely from the East Midlands, it showed the strength in depth and expertise in the region. The partnership and understanding between Clowes’ internal team and the professional team was key to delivering this landmark transaction.” Clowes Developments instructed construction contractor Winvic to build all six facilities with employers’ agent, Postins Project Services ensuring both client and developer are aligned throughout the term of the project. RammSanderson, ecology experts, advised Clowes at each site with additional guidance required at Centrix Business Park where a 4-acre reserve was created to protect the rare Great Crested Newt, a natural habitant at the former steel works site. Jon Brice, property fund manager at NFU Mutual, said: “Following completion of the last unit within this project, I would like to thank the whole team involved in delivering these fantastic buildings. We are delighted with the quality of industrial units that have been developed by Clowes and I am sure these buildings will continue to be successful going forward.” James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, said: “We are pleased to have completed this project with NFUM and to have had the expertise of our professional team on board from the outset. Their ability to work well with key parties across all sites helped to ensure that the work was completed within the agreed timescales which is essential for us. We are confident that the units will all soon find suitable occupiers and be an asset to the local East Midlands economy for years to come.” Since completing the £100m deal with NFUM, Clowes Developments and their team of expert advisors have been working on another landmark deal with international real estate investment group, Hines, to develop 1.15m sq ft of logistic space across the East Midlands.

McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) Ltd has started works on Phase 1A of Horizon 29 in Bolsover, Derbyshire. Horizon 29 is a new distribution development located one mile from junction 29a of the M1. When complete, it will have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases. On behalf of Equation Properties and Bentall Green Oak, McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) is progressing with the construction of two, single storey distribution warehouses as part of Phase 1A. Unit 1 comprises 70,000 sq ft of warehouse space and 3,500 sq ft of office space, along with six loading docks. Unit 2 features 127,000 sq ft of warehouse space and 6,400 sq ft of office space, with 12 loading docks. All units at Horizon 29 will be constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating and Phase 1A is expected to complete in April 2023. The contractor has also been appointed on Phase 1B, which will consist of a further two units, with an expected completion in Summer 2023. Sustainable features of Horizon 29 include solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging points. McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) is undertaking all external works including general hardstanding, car-parking, electric vehicle charging points, landscaping, mains services and drainage. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “Horizon 29 will be a premier distribution centre in a prime location in the Midlands, making it the ideal address for tenants wanting direct and easy access to the M1 north and south. “We are pleased to be appointed by Equation Properties and to be working with them on the first phase of this impressive scheme.” Equation Properties is a London-based property development company for the distribution and industrial sector. Dick Smallman, construction director at Equation Properties, said: “We are delighted to have appointed McLaren Construction for the first phase of development at Horizon 29. Construction is now underway for the scheme.”

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.”

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.”

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, 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.”