GMI Construction has been appointed as the contractor for Peel L&P’s £7.7m state-of-the-art business hub at Wirral Waters.
The three-storey BREEAM Excellent-rated office complex, No 1 Tower Road South, will be the first speculative commercial office space to be built in Birkenhead for over a decade. The £7.7m project will create a distinct and flexible workspace for existing local businesses to grow and for new businesses to locate in the Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone.
The development plays a key part in Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters masterplan and will pave the way for considerable economic growth and job creation in Wirral.
The announcement of GMI as the main contractor for the build follows recent news that Peel L&P, with support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has secured funding for the project from CBRE and Merseyside Pension Fund.
Peel L&P has appointed commercial property specialists, Matthews & Goodman and Avison Young, as joint letting agents for No 1 Tower Road South.
Construction will commence soon on the 34,000 sq ft workspace, which will boast BREEAM Excellent-rated sustainability credentials and high-tech connectivity. The Grade A flexible office accommodation will include smaller office units, co-working space and larger 3,000 – 4,000 sq ft suites.
The new development, which is expected to create approximately 113 new jobs, will be located on a key waterside site at Wirral Waters, offering tenants views across to Liverpool’s skyline and will support the demand for quality workspace among the region’s small business sector.
As well as the new office complex, the Four Bridges neighbourhood will see the development of Egerton Village, a hub for retail, amenities and the arts, and the Maritime Knowledge Hub which will provide a national base for marine engineering research and development and survival training as well as business accelerator space for the marine sector.
Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters, welcomed GMI Construction on to the project, saying:
“GMI Construction has a proven track record of delivering high-quality, award-winning projects so we are very pleased to have appointed them to deliver No 1 Tower Road South at Wirral Waters.”
“The office complex has been designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability and digital connectivity, so will make an excellent home for forward-thinking, aspirational small businesses.”
“No 1 Tower Road South marks another step forward in the delivery of Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters masterplan and will play a central role in the further development of the Four Bridges neighbourhood over the coming years.”
(No 1 Tower Road South will be built on a site adjacent to the Wirral Met Construction Campus pictured here).
Commenting on the appointment, Marc Banks, Divisional Managing Director at GMI Construction, said:
“We are delighted to be working with our valued client Peel L&P on this fantastic, contemporary and sustainably designed office development. It is great that GMI is able to play a role in such a key scheme that will help with regeneration and economic growth in Wirral.”
The design of No 1 Tower Road South will be in keeping with the £10.5m Wirral Metropolitan College building next door, which was recognised with a number of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) architectural awards, as both buildings have been designed by Glenn Howells Architects.
No 1 Tower Road South is a key part of the development at Wirral Waters, the largest regeneration project in the UK which is set to transform the 500-acre waterside site into a sustainable location for local and international businesses. Over the next 30 years, Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters will create more than 20,000 permanent jobs for the Liverpool City Region, as well as offering new housing opportunities.
Businesses based at No 1 Tower Road South will benefit from excellent transport links with the A41 and A554, leading to the Wirral Peninsula Road and the M53 motorway network as well as to Liverpool city centre via the Queensway Tunnel. The building is also in close proximity to Woodside bus and ferry terminals, Hamilton Square and Birkenhead town centre.
We see possibility. We deliver transformation.
For more information visit: www.peellandp.co.uk or follow us on Twitter: @PeelLandP
About Wirral Waters
Wirral Waters is a 500-acre site comprising former dockland which Peel inherited following the acquisition of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company in 2005.
Peel has launched a 30-year strategy which will see Wirral Waters become one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK.
It will transform the derelict site into a sustainable location for local and international businesses, creating more than 20,000 permanent jobs for the Liverpool City Region, as well as offering new housing opportunities.
The Wirral Waters project is supported by central government and was designated Enterprise Zone status in 2011 – one of the first four Enterprise Zones in the UK and known as the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone.
EINDHOVEN 29-10-2020 – The new BIMcollab ecosystem revolutionizes the way you extract and share information from your BIM model. With BIMcollab ZOOM you can now create insightful overviews via flexible pivot grids, using drag and drop. Dynamically drill down to the quantities you need, while interacting with your BIM model.
Additionally, all lists can easily be shared and viewed via BIMcollab Cloud, to other ZOOM users in your team or exported to PDF, XLS or CSV. Advanced reporting is extremely easy due to a direct connection to Microsoft Power BI. The new BIMcollab ecosystem empowers optimal BIM collaboration.
Flexible pivot tables
The new Lists features enables you to create multiple types of lists. Next to the standard property lists most BIM tools provide, ZOOM offers intuitive pivot grids, where data fields can be dragged & dropped across filters, columns, rows and values with no limitations. The results are immediately displayed in an interactive overview, where every click visually shows you the related components in your 3D view.
Sharing BIM information made easy
Getting relevant BIM information to your stakeholders has never been easier. The new ZOOM facilitates effortless sharing of defined Lists via BIMcollab Cloud to all team members. They can view lists in the BIMcollab Cloud or in BIMcollab ZOOM (even the free version) when connecting to the project. Anyone will have access to correct and up-to-date BIM information.
Connect BIM data to Power BI
BIMcollab’s updated Power BI connector can directly access Lists data, allowing you to create advanced dashboards and reports with the world’s most used data visualization tool. This enables a real-time insight into the progress and quality of your BIM model, even for the non-BIM users among your stakeholders.
Model loading five times faster
The latest BIMcollab ZOOM also offers several other improvements. Project setups, like model and folder structures, whether on local servers or file sharing systems, can now be shared via BIMcollab Cloud, allowing team members to find and open the right models by simply connecting to a project. Like in every update the performance has been improved as well. From now on, BIMcollab ZOOM will load your models up to five times faster than other viewers on the market.
BIMcollab is an issue management system for BIM in the cloud and bridges the gap between BIM applications based on OpenBIM, by offering a broad set of add-ons for all popular BIM tools. It reduces time spend on communication about issues and it’s helping to improve model quality: less construction errors, lower costs.
BIMcollab is a brand owned by KUBUS, a software company offering BIM solutions for Design & Build which is also exclusive distributor for GRAPHISOFT and Solibri, Inc. in the Benelux. KUBUS operates from offices in Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Hasselt and Belgrade. BIMcollab ZOOM has over 17.000 daily users and BIMcollab Cloud is used by over 80.000 building professionals for better models, better buildings
A Royston – based marketing agency that works with construction businesses across the UK has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award just a year after it launched.
SWW Marketing has been named as a finalist in the Small Agency of the Year 2020 category in this year’s Construction Marketing Awards, which showcase the construction industry’s creativity, innovation and effectiveness in marketing.
The company was set up by Ollie Smith, (aged 30) and Lucy Westbrook-White (aged 32) just over a year ago and despite facing an incredibly turbulent year with Covid-19, the pair now have offices in Royston and Yorkshire and have produced some amazingly creative work and campaigns for clients including IWP Dansk, OSL Group, Oxera, Propak and Nueco Group.
Company director and founder Ollie, of Saffron Walden, said: “We’re so pleased to have been shortlisted for this award, construction is such an amazing industry to be part of and we are passionate about helping companies within the sector. We’re grateful to have been recognised for our hard work especially during such a turbulent year which has been tough for so many businesses – it’s a real boost to be a finalist.”
It’s been a busy first year for the company which since launching in 2019, has become proud sponsors of international conservation charity World Land Trust, pledging to donate £100 for every brochure they design to fund the purchase and protection of one acre of threatened habitat through the ‘Buy an Acre’ Programme.
Back in April, Ollie and Lucy raised over £1,000 by each running 100km over 10 days to raise money for the Trussell Trust, which supports the nationwide network of food banks. The pair each ran roughly 10km a day during their daily exercise allowance during the national lockdown and documented their progress on their Instagram page.
The winners of the Construction Marketing Awards will be announced at an online presentation on November 26.
Leeds City Council has awarded Keysource, the data centre and critical environment specialists, a major cooling upgrade project for its facility in Leeds, following a competitive tender. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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Fastflow Group has restructured its business in a move designed to ensure the company is ‘fit for the future’ and able to adapt to the changing marketplace. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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The global ceramic fiber market accounted to US$ 1,547.6 Mn in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period 2019 – 2027, to account to US$ 3,146.6 Mn by 2027. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday
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More than 50 grass roots projects across the UK have received funding as part of LHC’s Community Benefit Fund.
As part of LHC’s commitment to helping public authorities deliver value back to the community. This year £1.3 million has been reinvested across the UK, including £325,000 specifically allocated to community impact schemes, an almost 50% increase on last year.
LHC London and South East has granted almost £119,000 from its Community Benefit Fund to projects that address community wellbeing and empowerment, food poverty, social isolation, employment and the environment.
The members of the SWPA region allocated its £10,000 funds to local organisations that support diversity including the BAME community, older people and those with learning disabilities. It also contributed to charities that support people with mental health issues and young people who are affected by disadvantaged backgrounds, domestic violence or additional caring responsibilities.
Now in its third year, SPA’s Community Benefit Fund distributed £130,000 among 13 projects to tackle social isolation, mental health, employability activities and the development of a community hub. SPA works with the Lintel Trust, the only charity in Scotland to focus on the provision of small grants to help community projects.
In Wales, WPA distributed £60,000 to projects that help to build community cohesion and reduce isolation of vulnerable members of society. It also focused on organisations that help to improve the health and wellbeing of low-income families.
Further information about the projects that have received funding via the Community Benefit Fund can be found in LHC’s latest annual report. The report also outlines the number and type of projects LHC frameworks have been used on, its approach to MMC and provides an update on the newest, best performing and upcoming public sector frameworks.
A total of 721 projects were procured through LHC frameworks in 2019/20, at a total value of almost £350 million, and generating £1.3 million in rebates to LHC’s public sector partners.
Construction sites in the UK must follow strict regulations to keep the sites and employees safe. The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) aims to ensure that people with specific roles in the construction industry meet certain skill and health and safety requirements.
The CPCS Card is a skills card for those who operate plant machinery in construction sites. Construction operators use CPCS cards to provide proof of competence in their role.
What is a CPCS Card?
The CPCS card is an identity card that provides assurance to employers that you are competent and have the skills and qualifications to work as a plant operator. A plant operator is someone who works with machinery and equipment on construction sites. The card is also evidence that you meet CPCS health and safety requirements.
The CPCS card scheme is also designed to ensure that plant operators maintain their skills and knowledge over time and refresh their health and safety awareness.
Why Do I Need a CPCS Card?
If you work in the construction industry, you will need some form of identification and proof of your competence.
The Construction Skills Competence Scheme, CSCS, operates a card scheme that covers a wide range of job roles in construction.
But, if you are operating plant machinery on a construction site, you are very likely to need a CPCS card, since this covers a broad range of categories of plant and equipment.
It is not currently a legal requirement to hold a CPCS card, but most employers will require you to have one as a plant worker. This helps them make sure that their sites are both safe and effective. Sites that are Build UK members will require you to hold a CPCS card if you are going to operate machinery while working on them.
CPCS cards cover these job roles:
Plant operators
Slinger signallers
Securing plant and equipment to trailers or vehicles for transportation
Planning and controlling lifting operations, etc.
What are the CPCS Card Types?
There are three types of CPCS card:
Red Trained Operator Card
Blue Competent Operator Card
Tester Card.
All three types of card require you to complete a theory and a practical test. You will also need to provide evidence of your current experience, qualifications and your skill level.
The Red Trained Operator Card is the first level of CPCS card. At this level, you must pass CPCS Theory and Practical Technical tests, and have a certificate for completing a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the past two years. To pass the CPCS tests, you will need to have had training to a specific standard.
The Red Card lasts for two years, but you cannot renew it. After the two years is up, you can then apply for the Blue Competent Operator Card.
The Blue Competent Operator Card is the next level up, after the Red Card. At this level, you must be fully qualified to operate a particular type of plant machinery unsupervised, as well as meeting the necessary health and safety requirements. To gain the Blue Card, you must show evidence of your qualification, hold a valid CITB Health, Safety and Environment certificate, and pass the CPCS Theory and Practical tests.
The CPCS Blue Card is valid for five years, and you can renew it after this time.
The Tester Card qualifies someone to test others for the CPCS scheme. It is the most advanced of the CPCS cards and comes in two stages: Provisional, which lasts for two years; and Full card, which is valid for five years.
How do I Apply for a CPCS Card?
Before applying, you will need to have had training in your chosen category of plant or equipment, and passed the relevant theory, practice, health and safety assessments.
This is your step-by-step route to applying for a CPCS card:
Pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment touch-screen test. This is also known as the CSCS test, because you also need to pass it to get a CSCS card. This is a multiple-choice test done on a computer. Once passed, the accreditation lasts for two years.
Decide on the card you are eligible for (Red or Blue). If you do not have the relevant NVQ or SVQ card you cannot apply for the more advanced Blue Card.
Pass the CPCS Theory test. This tests your knowledge and understanding of the category you are applying for, to work as a plant operator in. You must take this at an approved CPCS test centre.
Pass the CPCS Practical test. You must do this within six months of taking the Theory test, and while your two-year CITB Health, Safety and Environment certificate is still valid. The Practical test assesses your ability as an operator, and the CPCS Tester will ask you to perform a series of practical activities to show this. Again, this must be at an approved CPCS test centre.
Submit your paperwork. Some test centres will apply for cards on your behalf, or you can send it to CPCS directly yourself. You gather all your relevant certificates and paperwork together for this. While you are waiting for CPCS to issue your card, the test centre can give you a letter of achievement. This will last 28 days as temporary proof of your qualifications to work on a construction site.
Continue your professional development. If you hold a Red Card, you have two years to progress to a Blue Card.
How Much Does a CPCS Card Cost?
The candidate will have to get the CPCS card from an accredited CPCS test centre. These test centres offers training courses to provide you with the skills to pass the technical tests to get the card.
The price of CPCS Theory and Practical tests will vary depending on the category of plant operation you wish to be assessed on, and on what your chosen test centre charges.
You must also pay for your CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.
What Does the CPCS Test Involve?
CPCS Test is a three-stage process:
CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test (CSCS Test)
CPCS Theory Test
CPCS Practical Test.
CPCS produces a digital revision guide for the Theory test, and supporting materials for the Practical test, including test length, the sort of activities you will be asked to do, and a copy of the Tester’s sign-off sheet.
Generally, it is easier, and more cost-effective, to apply for a CPCS card while you are working in the construction industry, as your employer may support you with sponsorship.
Whatever level you are starting out at, whether you’re applying for a Red Trained Operator Card, or a Blue Competent Operator card, there are approved CPCS test centres to help you gain your qualification.
The CPCS card is your passport to working as a plant operator in construction, and to developing your career in this industry.
