"land use planning"

Project:  Refurbishment and restoration of 6 flights of concrete stairs and landings at Pennybank Chambers, London     Client: Emrys Architects, DDC LTDMaterials used:  MicroConcrete coating in Grey colour and Satin finishThe Living Concrete team were commissioned by Emrys to refurbish and restore an old concrete staircase. This was followed by hand application of Microconcrete coating with Anti-slip agent around the cast iron step threads which were cast in brass finish.  MicroConcrete coating is especially suitable to this type of artisan restoration and it is ideal for tougher environments such as stairs, shop and office floors, bars, hotels and exteriors with no need for joins or breaks. It can be applied over existing materials which reduces the time needed for application and maintenance.

Eternit profile 6 fibre cement roof sheets in Laurel Green and natural Yorkshire boarding, was specified on Marston Equestrian Building to help the building blend in with the surrounding agricultural land. As well as providing excellent noise and thermal insulation, the composition of the high strength fibre cement reduces condensation within the building, which is important when multiple horses and riders are exercising inside.

The modernisation programme of the multimillion pound project involves significant remediation of previously abandoned land, followed by construction of six circular primary settlement tanks (PST) and a large activated sludge plant (ASP) with 10 circular final settlement tanks (FST). This work will lead to significant environmental benefits for the site, improving the outflow, and subsequently the quality, of water entering the Manchester Ship Canal.

Canal designed and installed and impressive steel and glass feature staircase for a commercial setting. This bespoke design comprised of four joint free, smooth helical staircases, connected by an intermediate landing fabricated from reinforced concrete. The Canal team designed each staircase to comply with BS5395: Part 2, 1984 (spiral and helical staircases) and Building Regulations Approved Document K.

To fulfil the requirements of BS8102:2022 and BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 a strategy to develop a specification which combines structural waterproofing and ground gas protection were required for this refurbishment project.The project involved creating additional living space to an existing mid terrace Victorian property in W12. The site of the property, whilst not being located on contaminated land was identified as being potentially at risk, it was near what is classed as contaminated land (an old brick yard).To satisfy Building Control requirements gas protection measures were required to meet BS 8485:2015+A1:2019.Site investigations at former brickworks and landfill sites are within expected UK guidelines for contamination. Ground investigations incorporate both soil sampling, ground gas and groundwater monitoring.In accordance with Table 3 of BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 a residential building is classed as a Type A building, creating a “high risk” requirement for ground gas protection. With the structure requiring a Grade 3 habitable environment attention as required to offer a system which meets all requirements.

Lead developer A2 Dominion is running the initial phase of the North West Bicester Eco town project, which has the long-term vision of providing up to 6,000 sustainable new homes and is the first of four planned Eco towns in the UK. Announced in the Government’s Planning Policy Statement in 2009, the Eco towns are designed to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and construction. The initial phase of the North West Bicester project is called the Exemplar and main contractor Wilmott Dixon has already started to build the first 94 of the 393 planned highly efficient true zero carbon homes which will create the UK's first zero carbon community that is using Rivendale Fibre Cement Slates for its roofing. Bicester Eco town was designed to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and construction. Rivendale fibre cement slates were specified for the roofs on the Exemplar phase by main contractor Wilmott Dixon. The homes are highly efficient true zero carbon homes which helped to create the UK's first zero carbon community.

Ruskin Square (also known as Croydon Gateway) is a project to redevelop a parcel of land between South London’s East Croydon railway station and the existing town centre of Croydon. Ruskin Square is part of the major Croydon Vision 2020 regeneration scheme – a former railway goods yard, which represents the largest single development opportunity in the district. The development comprises of homes, offices, shops and leisure

Set on a large plot of land in Louth, Yew Tree Cottage was a tired-looking building in desperate need of renovation. Having undergone various changes over the years, the exterior of the property featured a variety of mismatched substrates, both new and old. This, coupled with a recent extension to almost double the size of the building presented a daunting task when it came to turning this traditional property into an inviting and modern home.

The refurbishment was created with a light touch but transformed the main building entrance and reception, upper-floor common areas, WCs and half of the office floors. Work was undertaken whilst the other office floors remained in occupation.The reception refurbishment reused many of the existing high-quality materials, which complements terrazzo, but also helped to transform the space into a contemporary interior whilst retaining the grandeur and sense of arrival.Terrazzo is also in harmony with the edgier interventions such as the distressed metal ceiling raft and lighting which have contributed to the building appealing to the next generation of banking tenants with start-up bank Monzo taking the vast majority of vacant space in the building.The gentle approach to refurbishment and the reuse of materials as well as the use of terrazzo contributed to meeting British Land’s exacting sustainability targets.

Bucking the trend for dairy brick, Brooklyn Brewery opted for close to 8,000 sq. ft. of urethane cement for major upgrade works to its manufacturing facility located at the former matzo plant where it has operated since 1996.

Hardscape has helped bring local history to life working with Vector Design Landscape Architects and sculptor Emma Hunter as part of the Elk Mill Shopping Park redevelopment project in Oldham. The landscape architects were commissioned by owners, British Land, to create a scheme marking the legacy of Elk Mill – Oldham’s last working cotton mill, which originally started production in 1928 as the largest in the UK.

Cairngorms National Park Authority are responsible for conservation, heritage, land management, ranger services, skills development, recreation and outdoor access, education and visitor experience, inclusion and outdoor learning. With a requirement to extend existing offices to create a modern working environment which would better support their service provision they appointed Moxon Architects and local contractor A W Laing Ltd to carry out the design and alteration works.

This new Multi-Brand Dealership is comprised of three showrooms for the three prestige automotive brands, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and McLaren and has been built in Hatfield Business Park, Shropshire by the award winning MCS Group. Each of the showrooms have been designed to allow freedom to explore the range of vehicles in a contemporary environment that is both luxurious and inviting. The Aston Martin and McLaren showrooms are also the first in the UK to showcase the newest corporate identities for the brands.The Jaguar Land Rover £15 million showroom is both light and spacious. It provides 18 vehicle display spaces and dedicated vehicle handover suites. There is also a drive-in service area, valet and preparation area. The Lusso 25 single glazed frameless glazed partition system was installed to create office spaces which allows uninterrupted visibility to the showroom. McLaren has a history of exceptional design and engineering, so it is not surprising that the design for the showroom includes a feature curved glazed partitioning system with curved glass sliding doors. Lusso rose to this challenge and bravely executed the complex design requirements. With this statement partitioning, the showroom becomes a be-fitting space for the stunning range of McLaren supercars, providing the customer with an unforgettable shopping experience. As a prestigious brand, Aston Martin is well-known around the world for being a car manufacturer that produces vehicles that turn heads. Their stylish new showroom has been designed to provide a luxurious backdrop for their stunning supercars.The development of the facility has created a bespoke environment with a dedicated customer specification lounge, private handover area and aftersales facilities.With the use of Lusso Glazed Partitioning System, the bespoke showroom has been given a sleek look which was required for this brand.Image - 8

Aluminium curtain walling by Kawneer has helped an award-winning and cutting-edge combination of industry and academia achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. The National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC), at the University of Warwick, is one of the largest centres of its kind in Europe, and a partnership between WMG (University of Warwick), Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors UK and features Kawneer’s AA®110 mullion-drained curtain wall.

On the outskirts of Bristol in a busy residential area Wessex Water were tasked with providing a solution to a historic surface water flooding problem which could provide storage during heavy storm conditions. Several options were considered during the design stage but with the restrictive location a solution had to be developed that could provide the necessary storage volume within the existing carriageway as there were no available plots of land to locate a large storage tank.

The Lucent Development creates balance that boosts productivity and wellbeing.Lucent W1 is quite literally built around nature, with a tree towering in the central atrium and an internal green wall that stretches the full height of the world-famous external lights. The innovative Fletcher Priest design has created offices that are cocooned away from the surrounding city, while 20 terraces allow panoramic views across the capital.For this design, Selo used the Quarda Riser Door which are the most high-performance metal riser doorsets. Perfect for concealing fire-rated riser doors, access panels, and internal doors in corridors, landings, and other access areas; Quadra+ is supplied as an integral, four-sided frame and door system, pre-constructed to form a single robust unit. Ideal for hidden commercial access solutions, Quadra+ is designed and manufactured to the highest standards.

This housing development required a retaining wall solution but presented challenges in terms of limited space and existing services. Two retaining walls were required at the sides of the entrance to Nicholls Lane housing development. While a Geogrid Reinforced Backfill method was appropriate for the Secura Grand retaining wall on the righthand side of the development, the retaining wall on the left was met with the challenges of limited space and existing services. The highway boundary limited the amount of space available to construct the retaining wall on the left- hand side. The existing services present within the retained soil caused further complexities. On this occasion minimising excavation was crucial due to the services within the retained soil. Efficient use of land was vital as the Secura wall didn’t have the room at the back for geogrid or for no-fines concrete backfill. It was desirable that both walls at the sides of the entrance looked the same despite their different conditions.

RAF Akrotiri is home to the Cyprus Operations Support Unit providing joint support to British Forces Cyprus and operations in the region to protect the UK’s strategic interests.The base was opened in 1955 to initially relieve the pressure on the main RAF station on the island, and has since grown into a forward thinking training unit. However, back in October 2015 the RAF base was subject to many reports when 114 refugees landed at the British Sovereign base; a critical front line station for the MOD and Royal Air Force.The BriefIn order to detect, deter and delay any potential threat, the client had a number of requirements to meet the increasing level of security for the base.Increase protection of assets and personnel with their security fence line.Approved for Government Use fencing system.Provide a robust solution to stand up against the rigours of daily life and exposure to harsh aviation fuels.

Skyfold rises vertically within the ceilng offering valuable floor space saving and operation by simply turning a key.

Established in 1992, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is one of the UK’s largest teaching Trusts and are responsible for managing two major hospitals in Coventry and Rugby, which serve a population of over a million people.Along with the healthcare of the local population, the Trust is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and land, which has included a new 1,600-spce car park at the University Hospital in Coventry, which has featured on the BBC’s Hospital show recently.

Following AATi’s long association with LUL, and other major rail developments, bespoke versions of AATi's SN93/SL3/280 stair nosings with plain ends and landing plates all cast in Nickel Bronze were specified for the many stairs at St. Pancras Thameslink along with other various products. The castings were all made and cut to specific widths &lengths, the coloured resin fill was stopped short at the ends to satisfy the architect's exacting details.

This large college needed to increase parking capacity for students and staff and commissioned a new 5,500m2 car park. Local planning guidelines encouraged a sustainable approach to drainage to avoid excessive run-off into the local catchment. It would be used throughout the year, so there was also a requirement to avoid standing water during heavy rain. As it would be in frequent use by large numbers of staff and students, the chosen surfacing needed to provide long term durability with minimal maintenance requirement.After discussions with the main contractor, Tarmac’s experienced team recommended ULTIPOROUS, their specialist porous asphalt car park surface. Using a modified binder and open aggregate structure, ULTIPOROUS combines excellent drainage characteristics with long term durability. It reduces direct surface water run-off to help meet planning requirements. It also eliminates the problem of both standing water after heavy rain and ice patches that can occur in cold weather conditions.

We caught up with Anthony and Jeremy shortly after they launched the business. We’d previously worked with them in their previous roles and were keen to hear what they were doing with themselves and to find out more about Vox Ignis.We were quite impressed by the products they’d developed and the prices they were quoting, so we agreed to add them to our preferred suppliers list, and – when a project landed on our desk that fit the bill – we decided to give them a go.Tasked with supplying the most up-to date and reliable products possible in the Emergency Voice Communication market (EVCS) for the redevelopment of the Odeon Cinema at Broadway Plaza in Birmingham, we sourced and supplied a ViLX-TMS touch-screen master station from Vox Ignis and the client was very impressed with the resulting installation.The product is very simple to use, looks great and the team at Vox Ignis are so easy to deal with, which makes the whole process seamless. We are now confident that, no matter what the task at hand is, Vox Ignis can tailor a solution for us.Products used:ViLX-TMS-W-8ViLX-EX8ViLX-OSB

Built on a 5.3-acre plot of land, Barnwood Distribution Centre sits alongside the A417 in Gloucester. Originally commissioned by client Amazon, the project was managed by Bowmer and Kirkland and delivered a 118,000sqm distribution centre that will now be sub-let to another company. The development includes a multi-storey van storage deck, offices and HGV and car parking spaces. We were pleased to supply polyester powder coated (PPC) Anvil metal cladding fins to the multi-storey car park.

The National Automotive Innovation Centre at University of Warwick will bring together academic excellence with real life work experience offered by Jaguar and Land Rover. NAIC will create and develop technologies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and to help reduce CO2 emissions. As well as housing and some of the most advanced automotive technology, the NAIC will also look to secure a strong supplier base in the UK. Find out how we helped Enhance the reception at this location and maintain the internal aesthetics of the building.

Naylor Concrete Ltd supplied Ultrafire and HiSpec Lintels to the Rolls-Royce project in Washington. Miller Construction has landed the contract to build a multi-million pound Rolls-Royce factory in Sunderland. The 20,000m2 facility, at Washington’s Radial Business Park, will manufacture fan and turbine discs for jet engines and is expected to be ready for production to start late next year. The construction contract, thought to be worth £35m, is part of a £950m five-year-investment programme on the part of the company.

One of the most globally anticipated residential developments, Chelsea Barracks takes its place amongst the world’s most prestigious real estate. The transformation from one of the country’s most notable army barracks to a world-class development has created residences that are a showcase of timeless elegance and modern sophistication.Spread over 13 acres of residential land and comprising of a collection of apartments, penthouses and townhouses, Majestic were invited to supply and install Rio and Genoa screens from The Frameless Portfolio.

SAS International bespoke metalwork comprising of a striking waveform shaped ceiling was designed by architects Arup Associates to feature in the construction of Ropemaker Place, London EC2 for British Land. Specialist bespoke wave ceilings were installed in the atrium, main reception area, lift lobbies and main external canopy. The waveform panel, although elegant in appearance, had to have the required strength to support the light fitting. Place, is a state of the art commercial development with impressive sustainability credentials.

We were recently approached by Lanark Golf Club to help with creating a playable pathway directly in front of the 18th green.The existing pathway, which was finished with a rubber topped concrete tile, was causing several problems. Shots were regularly landing directly on the path and the impact was too severe causing the ball often to bounce unfairly through the green. Also the smooth surface on the existing tiles was causing balls to run excessively to the left of the green following the natural slope of the path. Lastly the existing path was not particularly suitable to play shots off or to run balls across.We worked together to identify the 45mm thick Grassflex Play tiles as a suitable replacement. Testing indicated that the impact of the ball landing directly on the tile was far more comparable to turf than the previous solution, this was due to a combination of natural compression offered by the 45mm thick rubber and the drainage channels underside offering further absorption through the air pockets created. The top surface of the Grassflex Play tile also improved the absorption as well as providing a suitable surface to play a chip shot from and to roll a ball across, the grain of the grass also removed the issue of the ball running excessively to the left.Feedback on the job has been very positive and most importantly it looks good!

The ChallengeBowthorpe is a high-quality development of 174 new homes together with landscaped open space, community gardens and a children’s play area on an area of undeveloped land in Norwich.The development was inspired by nearby Bowthorpe Hall and explored the idea of an historic walled garden with homes built within its boundary.As part of the site’s high environmental standards, it was critical that existing features, such as important tree belts and hedges were retained while also accommodating a proposed network of cycle and walking routes.The SolutionForterra’s Breckland Reserve – a red, tumbled, wirecut brick – was used alongside flint on the ground floor of some of the homes to create detailed wall work that echoed Bowthorpe Hall.Traditional red tiled roof pitches sit above the wall and reference Bowthorpe Cottages. On top of the wall sit cedar shingle clad upper floors.Traditional terraces form most of the new homes, with flats provided alongside unique mews-style housing.The BenefitsThe building form, the materials selected, and the use of pattern and decoration, helped to create a visual connection to the local area.

New car lift increases showroom capacity for Jaguar and Landrover car dealer in the NetherlandsCar dealer in Maastricht benefits from space-saving and representable PEGASOS car liftThe newly built showroom and workshop for a Jaguar and Landrover car dealer in Maastricht has been equipped with a car lift from Lödige Industries. The customer decided for a PEGASOS car lift to increase showroom capacities by accessing all elegantly designed levels of the showroom building via car and reducing space requirements for the car lift itself. The installed PEGASOS car lift was taken into operation in July 2020. About the project and buildingThe new Jaguar Landrover dealership in Maastricht reflects the highest standards of both brands – Jaguar and Landrover. Latest models as well as a wide range of approved used vehicles are presented on two levels within the building. Both levels of the newly build facility feature a sleek look via multiple glass surfaces. Thus, the integrated workshop is following the concept of an 'open bar'. Moreover, the almost five-metre-high basement, provides room for storage and workspaces. In total, the site has more than 4,300 square metres of floor space. Lödige Industries - New car lift increases showroom capacity for Jaguar and Landrover car dealer in the NetherlandsPlay VideoLocated at the industrial estate near Maastricht-Airport, the area has now been given a veritable 'Premium Car Boulevard', which, in addition to Jaguar Land Rover Maastricht, also consists of the adjacent PGZ sister companies Porsche Centrum Maastricht and Bentley Maastricht. This has created a unique location that is well worth a visit for all lovers of beautiful cars. Reliable PEGASOS car lift increases show room capacity and improves return-on-investmentFor the new dealership building, JLR required a space-saving, reliable and at the same time representable lifting solution to overcome building levels by car. By having a car lift, staff members can easily transport cars between floors to change the display, take vehicles for test drives and of course deliver them to buyers. With building space at a premium, most car showrooms are modern two or more storey buildings. In consideration of the five-metre-high basement with rooms for storage and workspaces, the PEGASOS offers a significant benefit as it doesn’t require a pit and installation is therefore simple and straightforward.With its range of finishes, the PEGASOS easily adapts to the overall design of the showroom. At JLR Maastricht, the PEGASOS comes in a sleek look of aluminium, steel and metal to match the modern, luxurious feel of the ‘car boulevard’. With a load capacity of 2.700kg it can carry even the heaviest of Landrovers from floor to floor and turns the travel into an enjoyable ride of its own. About the customerJaguar Landrover (JLR) is a global automotive manufacturer and leading technology company, built around two iconic British car brands and driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, providing experiences people love, for life. At heart JLR is a British company with business operations all over the world. Tata Motors, India’s largest automotive manufacturer, has been hosting the companies since 2008, and in 2013 the Jaguar and Land Rover brands merged to form one unified company."It is with great pride that we are using this beautiful location today. The team has been doing a fantastic job at the temporary location for a year and a half now, but compared to that, this new building is really next level. That is our immediate ambition, because with these resources at our disposal, we will be able to offer even more experience and even more service. Like our customers, we have high expectations of Jaguar and Land Rover. With this fantastic showroom and workshop we will not only be able to live up to these expectations, but even exceed them. Everyone is welcome to come and experience that.“- Nick Rouwette, Branch manager at Jaguar Land Rover Maastricht

Described by Dezer Developments and the Porsche Design Group as ‘engineered luxury’, the $560 million Porsche Design Tower is a 57 storey ultra-luxury structure occupying 2.2 acres (8,900 m2) of beachfront land on Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. The tower – the first of its kind anywhere – comes equipped with a speedy 600 ft (183 m) per minute elevator for the residence owner’s cars – allowing owners to park their vehicles right next to their apartments, no matter what floor, in their own sky garage

Early on in the design of this Social Housing scheme at Stump Cross, Pontefract, it was decided that only a permeable pavement would work as the SuDS solution for this development. As the existing drainage infrastructure in the area was already working close to its capacity any additional run off from this developments could cause surface water flooding. Swales and ponds were not be feasible as there was insufficient space available for them. A permeable pavement was therefore chosen as there was no additional land take involved. To view the whole case study please click the link below.

British Land commissioned Adam Richards Architects to design a custom-built barge for a new London restaurant, The Cheese Barge. The floating restaurant creates a distinctive focal point and destination for Paddington Central and the wider area. The boat’s curving, sloping roof is clad externally in Traditional Textures Copper Patina Precoated Aluminium metal to replicate aged copper. On the underside of this roof, a copper colour is visible from inside the boat, creating a warm and convivial interior as it gathers the light reflected off the surface of the water.

Framlingham College was founded in 1864.The land on which the college was built was originally part of the Castle estate, left by Sir Thomas Hitcham in 1636 to Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. Included in the Governors’ recent £4million development initiative was the restoration of the original metal windows within the schools boarding accommodation. Clement were chosen to sensitively replace the windows in both the Stradbrook and Rendlesham buildings. To replicate the unusual, shaped head existing windows, the Clement W20 range of steel windows was specified with vertical pivots and genuine T glazing bars.

Nestled in the heart of London's prestigious Mayfair district.80 New Bond Street stands as a beacon of elegance and luxury. This iconic address is renowned for its exclusive boutiques, high-end galleries, and renowned auction houses, making it a coveted destination for discerning shoppers and art enthusiasts alike. With its historic architecture and contemporary allure, 80 New Bond Street encapsulates the essence of sophistication, offering a unique blend of heritage and modernity.Completed in 2024, it has created new office spaces and has incorporated a sophisticated, spacious reception area.Throughout the development, our flagship product Quadra + was used. It is perfect for concealing fire-rated riser doors, access panels, and internal doors in corridors, landings, and other access areas; Quadra+ is supplied as an integral, four-sided frame and door system, pre-constructed to form a single robust unit. Ideal for hidden commercial access solutions, Quadra+ is designed and manufactured to the highest standards.