YMCA MK scores green roof first


Green roofs are permanent, right? Wrong – and the recent World Green Roof Day event on the top of Milton Keynes’ £13 million YMCA building provided a brilliant opportunity to see at close quarters how flexible, beautiful and relocatable they can be. 

 

The nine-storey YMCA MK became the first building in the UK to be topped off with a green roof moved from one building to another, in this case from former council offices in the city to the new-build YMCA, which provides almost 200 apartments for its residents plus offices, community facilities, a cafe, nursery and social enterprise spaces.

Each month YMCA MK holds a community lunch, with June’s dedicated to World Green Roof Day and, fittingly, held on its rooftop to allow city dignitaries and visitors to see at first hand how a living roof can be incorporated into a build project and find out more about the many benefits they deliver, from supporting pollinators and insects to helping prevent flooding by managing stormwater run-off, cooling buildings/cities and improving air quality.

Dubbed ‘The Green Roof Project’, the installation has played an important role for YMCA MK, with a key part of the socially responsible and eco friendly project involving the training and certification of young people in the installation and maintenance of green roofs, giving them a qualification and career path. They also have a quiet, calming space to make use of, growing fruit and vegetables, keeping bees, learning about biodiversity etc, as well as aiding their mental well-being.

Milton Keynes regularly claims top spots in listings for the UK’s greenest city, with councillors having stated their aim to make it one of the greenest cities in the world and be carbon negative by 2050. Living roofs play a starring role in this aspiration, with councillors describing The Green Roof Project as ‘an asset to the community’ and  ‘key pillar’ of the city’s drive to be more environmentally friendly. Developers are being encouraged to incorporate green roofs into as many commercial and domestic projects as possible, converting unused flat roofs into biodiverse spaces blooming with bee-friendly sedum or wildflowers.

A leading light in this greening movement is Chris Bridgman of city-based ‘gardens in the sky’ specialist installers Bridgman & Bridgman, which trained and supported the YMCA residents to first install the green roof on former council offices at Saxon Court and then lift and relocate it less than a mile to their new building.

Key to the success of the project was utilising a modular green roof system with all elements (including substrate and plants) contained within one-man lift trays. The award-winning M-Tray solution from British manufacturer Wallbarn was chosen, allowing the green roof sections to be relocated with little or no disturbance to the plants.

Chris said:

“M-Tray allowed us to quickly lift and transport. It is totally unique in that way. You can take M-Tray and turn roofs green overnight.”

Wallbarn director Julian Thurbin and the relocated M-Tray on the roof of YMCA MK

Wallbarn director Julian Thurbin visited site on a number of occasions to see work progressing:

“Seeing M-Tray installed first on the roof of Saxon Court and then after being moved to YMCA MK was a first. The trays look great, with gorgeous flowering sedum and wildflowers bringing colour, texture and habitats for a wide variety of pollinators and insects. We’re delighted to support Chris and his team by donating the M-Tray and it was great to return and see it – quite literally – blooming. It just demonstrates how versatile the system is and how easy it is remove and re-lay.”

Julian and his team are no strangers to greening more unusual spaces. Working with out-of-home advertising specialist Clear Channel they have pioneered the installation of green roofs on to bus stops, with many hundreds of square metres of M-Tray topping off transports shelters up and down the country, creating ‘bee super highways’ in urban settings and softening hard city landscapes.

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Cautious Warning After Door Fatality

DHF issues caution following sectional door fatality and subsequent fine

 

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has urged caution with improper installation, maintenance and specification following the tragic death of thirty-three-year-old Mark Mathers who was strangled by his hoodie when it became hooked and wrapped around the balancing system of a sectional door he was working on at Specialist Cars Volkswagen in Aberdeen.

 

The incident, which took place on 15 September 2018, resulted whilst Mr Mathers was replacing a broken sectional door spring.  The court case earlier this month resulted in a £165,000 fine for the door company concerned.

 

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard  that Patrick Forman Industrial Doors had neglected to make a sufficient assessment of the safety risks faced by its employees, such as those associated with door springs.  The company also pleaded guilty to failing to implement and maintain a safe system of work for staff while repairing and maintaining doors.  It also failed to provide the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the safety of its personnel when working with the door springs in question.  Sheriff Christine McCrossan told the court that it is the ‘duty of every employer to ensure the health and safety of all its employees’, adding that ‘it is an offence to fail to discharge that duty’.

 

“This tragedy could very well have been avoided had a safe system been put in place,”  explains DHF’s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Nick Perkins.  “The court heard that Mr Mathers had been replacing a sectional door spring with a colleague when his hooded top got caught and wound around the spring, choking him.  The work was being carried out while one of two springs was still under tension; the tension was inadvertently released and this resulted in fatal injuries.

“To avoid a repetition of such an incident, we strongly urge installation and maintenance companies that, in all circumstances, all of the tension on all of the springs must be removed carefully and methodically, using the correct specification properly fitting tensioning bars or other task specific tools and methodology as a first step before any further work is undertaken.  Appropriate clothing, personal protective equipment, and safe access equipment are also vital to ensure the safe execution of door maintenance tasks.  Companies are reminded that adequate risk assessment and creation of corresponding method statements (RAMS) are necessary for most tasks on site under management of health and safety law.”

 

 

For installation and maintenance companies in the field of industrial & garage doors, DHF provides safety and legislation training.

CLICK HERE for further guidance

 

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LONDON FLOOD RISKS

London is not prepared for another major surface water flooding incident

Despite greater coordination of stakeholders since the floods of 2021, London is not prepared for another major surface water flooding incident and lives and livelihoods are at risk.

Flooding poses a lethal risk to Londoners. In November 2023, the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency told the Public Accounts Committee:

 

“What genuinely keeps me awake at night is surface water flooding. In July, we saw a tragic incident with two deaths in Liverpool. As a society, we have to take that much more seriously. It is difficult to forecast these very intense rain cells, and often we do not have the necessary warning systems.”

 

Once again this is a nationwide problem with London-specific considerations. In July 2021, London was hit by two extreme rainstorms; some parts of the city received. more than twice the average July rainfall in two hours causing major disruption and over 2,000 properties flooded with stormwater and sewage. The voluntary London Surface Water Strategic Group is good, but is not currently moving at the pace needed.

 

 

 

 

Download The London Climate Resilience Review final report here. 

 

 

 

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BARRATT AND WREKIN PARTNER ON SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE

Dave Sanders and Alex Gardiner, Wrekin, on site at Kings Park where the new gully grates have been installed

TO DRAW attention to the damage litter causes to the UK’s waterways, lakes, and oceans, leading housing provider Barratt Homes and specialist civils provider Wrekin Products has partnered on an initiative – ‘The Sea Starts Here’ – to educate the public.

 

The campaign’s message will be featured prominently on Wrekin gully grates in Barratt’s Kings Park, a David Wilson Homes development in Macclesfield. It aims to raise awareness of how small pieces of litter can snowball into lasting environmental effects. To further grab attention, Kings Park gully grates have been painted a stark bright blue.

 

Keep Britain Tidy estimates that the UK discards a staggering 30 million tonnes of litter annually, incurring a cleanup cost of £1 billion. Shockingly, nearly half of this litter (14m) ends up contaminating our rivers and canals, as reported by the Canal & River Trust. This ongoing damage has led to a situation where none of our waterways are currently classified as being in ‘good health’.
Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin Products said:

“We hope this campaign will go some way to increasing awareness about the interconnectedness of our infrastructure and the problems and effects of water pollution on our marine wildlife.

“As one of the most popular suppliers of gully grates in the UK, we’re using our position as an opportunity to create a positive environmental impact by reminding people that there is a correct place for litter to go, and it’s not down our drains.

“We’re lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the planet, and so it’s a shame to see it needlessly harmed by pollution and rubbish. More so when we see the ripple effects of excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen seeping into and harming our freshwater habitats, and in some cases being enough to kill the fish population.

“Kings Park is just the beginning of this campaign, and we’ll be looking to spread this important message even further throughout this year and beyond. The main culprit of river pollution in the UK is smoking-related litter. However, confectionary packets, drinks bottles and cans, fast food, wet wipes, and, more recently, disposable vapes all contribute to a harmful chemical cocktail.”

The government’s Environmental Audit Committee (2022) found that housing developments’ drainage systems which are clogged with ‘a profusion of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste’, in addition to heavy rainfall, often leads to an overloaded sewerage system unable to cope effectively.

 

Alaric Ross-Wagenknecht, project engineer at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia, said:

 

“As leaders in the residential housebuilding sector, we wanted to work with Wrekin to educate children and adults in a fun and informative way about the importance of pollution control and the role of drainage infrastructure and the water cycle.

“To permanently imprint the message ‘The Sea Starts Here’ on a gully grating means the message will be here for years to come, throughout the gully’s whole life cycle. That will get people thinking twice about gullies and their role.”

 

More information surrounding the effect of litter on drainage systems and in the UK’s waterways can be found at the Wrekin website

PLEASE CLICK HERE

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Recruitment Shortage Impacts Construction Sector

  • Businesses report recruitment was more difficult in Q2, with more firms facing problems hiring staff
  • 74% of firms that attempted to recruit over the past three months faced challenges hiring
  • Construction and engineering firms are the most likely to be facing recruitment problems (82%)
  • 59% of companies attempted to recruit in Q2

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), a survey of more than 4,700 UK firms of all sectors and sizes, by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, reveals hiring problems have increased across all sectors.

The second quarter results for 2024 show that 59% of respondents said they had attempted to recruit in the last three months, slightly down from 62% in Q1. 80% of hospitality businesses attempted to recruit, whereas the figure for the retail sector was just 44%.

Of the firms who tried to hire in Q2, 74% reported recruitment difficulties, compared with 66% in the first three months of the year.

Construction and engineering firms are bearing the brunt of staffing issues, with 82% reporting recruitment problems in Q2, up from 69% in Q1. 79% of firms in the transport and logistics sector said they had faced difficulties (up from 69% in Q1). Meanwhile, in production and manufacturing, 77% of businesses trying to recruit faced problems, up from 70% in the previous quarter.

Almost three quarters of firms (71%) in the hospitality sector said they had faced recruitment problems in Q2 (Q1 64%), while 70% of retailers faced difficulties, up from 61% in Q1.

Although most businesses are still struggling to increase investment in workplace training, Q2 did see a slight increase. 28% of firms reported an increase in staff training investment, up from 26% in Q1, with 11% reporting a drop. 61% reported no change in their investment plans for training over the past three months.

Labour costs continue to be the main external pressure on businesses in Q2, with 67% of firms saying they could be forced to put up prices as a result. Concerns around labour costs are highest in hospitality (77%), followed by construction and engineering (76%), and production and manufacturing (72%).

Responding to the findings, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“It’s alarming that recruitment difficulties have increased in recent months across all sectors. The very sharp rise in the construction industry is particularly worrying.

“People shortages and labour costs are ramping up pressure on firms and holding back growth.  We need to prioritise help for people to get back into the labour market and remove the barriers to business investment in training.

“Better planning for skills is crucial. The new government must work at pace to outline a long-term national skills strategy, working closely with the devolved administrations.

“Building on Local Skills Improvement Plans will help develop strong partnerships between employers, training providers and others – to ensure people get the skills and support they need.”

Source: British Chambers of Commerce

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DEVELOPMENT: The Elephant in the Room


Labour’s aim to build 1.5m new homes during their first term is certainly ambitious, but leaves a few things to be desired.

Last week saw the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves deliver her first major speech since Labour’s landslide election victory. Laying out the new government’s plans to rebuild Britain, a significant portion of Reeves’ address concerned reforms to the UK’s planning system, detailing the introduction of mandatory housing targets and the removal of “red tape” for the approval of developments. The overarching goal of the new Labour government is to kickstart an ambitious housebuilding goal of 1.5m new homes by the end of the current parliamentary term. According to David Hannah, Group Chairman of Cornerstone Tax, the plans outlined by Reeves, whilst ambitious, fails to mention one essential factor: private developers.

Across the UK, private developers have gone from crisis to crisis over the past few years, record high-interest rates and the highest tax burden in over 70 years have stymied the ability for developers to take risks and build speculatively. According to a CMA probe earlier this year, the complex and unpredictable planning system has resulted in persistent under delivery of new houses, with developers missing their target by 50,000 in 2023.

In light of Reeves’ speech, Hannah asserts that developers simply do not have the ability to ramp up their work overnight, whilst also suggesting that stricter housebuilding targets will only discourage growth within the construction industry through adverse incentives. In order to stimulate the development sector and get Britain building again, Hannah instead recommends that developers be offered a tax break, encouraging market entrants whilst providing the necessary capital to embark on Labour’s ambitious homebuilding goals.

David Hannah, Group Chairman of Cornerstone Tax, comments:

“The Chancellor’s first major speech was incredibly ambitious, no doubt about that, however, there remain several important elements that are yet to be addressed. It’s been described by some commentators as a ‘War on NIMBYs’ and it’s not hard to see why. The decision to cut red tape and remove blockages to planning make for good soundbites, but we have little clarity as to what this means in practice. Will Labour ignore the concerns of local residents in favour of the ‘greater good’? It remains to be seen.

“Labour must also address the ‘Developer-shaped’ Elephant in the room. For years private developers have been plagued with high interest rates and an ever-increasing tax burden. Earlier this year, a CMA probe found that several major firms had been persistently under delivering on their housing targets, perhaps due to a chronic lack of working capital. Developers cannot simply ramp up their output overnight, the new government must create new incentives for the sector, and punitive housing targets are not the way to go. 

“Private developers ought to be offered a tax break for the vital services that they provide, encouraging new entrants to the market whilst also stimulating further economic growth.”

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Mass Transit Promise for West Yorkshire

  • Mayor of West Yorkshire to set out proposed route options for first phase of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit system
  • It follows Mayor’s successful meetings with the Prime Minister and Chancellor over the last few days
  • Mass Transit key to boosting growth regionally and nationally
  • Plans have the backing of a variety of influential figures

Proposed route options for the first phase of a new West Yorkshire Mass Transit system will be revealed today in a major step forward for the region’s plans for growth.

The Mayor visited Downing Street last week for a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the government’s growth mission and how Metro Mayors will help deliver it.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves subsequently visited the West Yorkshire Combined Authority offices on Thursday for a discussion about growth and how devolution was key to boosting the economy.

Just a few days later (July 15), businesses, politicians and other stakeholders will gather in Leeds city centre to hear more about Mayor Tracy Brabin’s ambitious plans to revolutionise transport in the region.

Earlier this year the Mayor set out high level plans for the first phase of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit network.

Today marks the start of a public consultation in which people will be asked for their views on a series of possible route options across the Leeds Line and the Bradford Line.

The region’s plans for Mass Transit will form a key part of Mayor Brabin’s growth plan.

The first phase will be instrumental in connecting people to opportunity and boosting the economy.

Feedback from the consultation will be considered as part of ongoing development work to determine a preferred route for the Bradford Line and the Leeds Line.

The statutory preferred route consultation will be held in 2025, and the Mayor has previously promised to have spades in the ground on the project by 2028.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“I’m committed to growing our economy and putting more money into people’s pockets – but to do so we need a transport network that is fit for purpose.

“Pivotal to achieving that is a modern, Mass Transit system interconnected with a West Yorkshire bus network under local control.

“I’ve promised to have spades in the ground by 2028 on Mass Transit, but we need to understand the views of the people who will use it to help inform the route it will take.”

Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said:

“Our analysis suggests West Yorkshire is one of the country’s biggest priorities for a major public transport upgrade to meet the needs of local residents and businesses – and this is now firmly on its way.

“The effects of making journeys easier and reducing road congestion should unlock significant and sustainable economic growth for Leeds, Bradford and the wider region, as well as improving everyday life.

“Mayor Brabin and her team deserve credit for progressing plans to this point, where now the public have their chance to shape the future of a scheme that holds so much potential for boosting commuting, trade and leisure links across the region.”

Paul Swinney, Director of Policy at Centre for Cities, said:

“The UK economy will only close the yawning gaps we have with France and Germany if big cities like Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area are able to reach their full potential.

“Improving public transport in West Yorkshire to better link people to jobs will be part of achieving this. This makes the Mass Transit consultation important not just for West Yorkshire but for the national economy too.”

Tom Forth, founder and CTO of The Data City, one of North England’s fastest growing AI companies, said:

“Whether it’s worrying about arriving late for hospital appointments or nursery pickups, opting out of a better-paid job because the commute doesn’t work, or businesses struggling to find the fantastic staff they need to expand, we know in our region how poor connectivity is holding us back.

“I can’t wait to make a positive response to the consultation, arguing for the investment that will unlock new homes, new business sites, and better access to nature, entertainment, family, and friends that long overdue investment can unlock

“This is our chance to make the plans for Mass Transit in West Yorkshire irresistible to a new UK government focused on growth and prosperity.”

Marcus Johns, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR North, said:

“Public transport is mission critical for driving up economic growth, opening up opportunities, addressing the climate crisis, and boosting living standards, all shown clearly by the evidence in the UK and internationally.

“This ambition to rapidly rollout a Mass Transit system across West Yorkshire is a major step in the right direction, and demonstrates how the gap left by decades of underinvestment in our public transport across the North and beyond can be plugged.

“This is not only good for West Yorkshire, as the benefits of bolstering West Yorkshire’s economy will be good for the whole North. It is a clear lesson of the high ambition and benefits that Mayors, devolution, and investment are bringing to our wider region. To unlock shared growth and renewal, we hope to see schemes like this brought forward for cities and towns across the country.”

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Injecta Fire Barrier help support the next generation with Nottingham Skills Academy partnership

 

Fire safety specialist and leading installer of passive fire barriers, Injecta Fire Barrier, have forged a new partnership with the Nottingham Skills Academy to offer work engagement for young people.

To help invest in the futures of aspiring tradespeople and construction workers, Injecta Fire Barrier has partnered with the Nottingham Skills Academy to provide work experience and training opportunities for individuals kickstarting their career.

Having supported over 8,200 learners in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire with fully-funded courses and training, the Skills Academy is expanding their service with help from Injecta Fire Barrier.

“We are delighted to announce our new partnership with the Nottingham Skills Academy! We’re always looking for ways to support the next generation, and by helping provide work placements we hope to give young people of Nottingham the tools they need to succeed” says Shaun.

Skills Academy is a training centre run by the Skills People Group that offers high-quality teaching and learning for construction, digital business administration and warehousing.

Established in 2008, the Skills People Group is the country’s leading provider of construction-related qualifications and now has seven dedicated training centres, including the Nottingham Skills Academy.

Their academies provide a first-class training environment to help young members of the local community to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours.

“Gaining work experience can be a challenge for young people and we’re hopeful our partnership will give eager individuals a practical opportunity which helps boost their employability. As well as helping others, we also plan to utilise their courses to develop our own Injecta Fire Barrier team” adds Shaun.

Currently, Skills Academy works with some of the UK’s biggest construction companies and offer a series of courses for bricklaying, joinery, painting, labouring, CSCS card, Skills Bootcamps in construction and much more.

Now partnering with Injecta Fire Barrier, the Nottingham Skills Academy will be increasing their support materials with new opportunities for ambitious individuals to learn, develop and prosper in the fire safety industry.

“We see that Skill Academy has the location, knowledge and attributes to make a change and we can’t wait to help contribute towards a brighter future for Nottingham residents!” concludes Shaun.

Injecta Fire Barrier are the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system. With years of experience in passive fire protection, the company can help property managers and building owners seamlessly install cost-effective cavity fire barriers that protect their buildings and occupants.

More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/

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West Fraser helps to tend and nurture Tillicoultry community allotment with £1,000 donation

Tillicoultry Allotment 

Cowie-based wood panel manufacturer, West Fraser, has donated £1,000 to a Tillicoultry allotment group, which serves as a nature haven for the local community.

Founded in 1978, the Tillicoultry Allotment Association has grown into a large allotment offering social areas, a community greenhouse, and vegetable plots. It also hosts Alloa school pupils, providing them with dedicated raised beds to learn about growing plants and vegetables.

The donation from West Fraser will help the group repair its communal tool shed floor and install new guttering to prevent water damage during heavy rain.

Elke Mackenzie, Co-chair of the Tillicoultry Allotment Association, said :

“We’re hugely grateful for this kind donation from the team at West Fraser. The Tillicoultry Allotment Association benefits from grants and donations to keep our allotments open for all members of our local community who make use of it, so this support is massively appreciated.

“Thanks to generous donations, such as this one from the team at West Fraser, we can further develop our allotments to cater more for the community, as well as put in place our plans to make the allotments accessible for all with a new accessible gardening patch.”

David Connacher, marketing manager at West Fraser, added:

“As a major employer in the local area, West Fraser recognises the importance of supporting the local community and the businesses making a huge positive difference within them in line with our own dedicated commitment to safety and staff wellbeing.

“We are happy to support the team at Tillicoultry Allotment Association, who provide a fantastic social and educational space for the local community to enjoy, with this donation and are excited to hear how these new updates progress.”

For further information call 01786 812 921

OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEST FRASER WEBSITE

 

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How does the architectural profession get to net zero?

Photograph by Unsplash

 

Architects are on the front line when it comes to achieving net zero carbon and reversing the status quo in an age where buildings contribute to around 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. As the Royal Institute of British Architects notes, “The climate emergency is the biggest challenge facing our planet and our profession. To have significant impact, we need to turn warm words into meaningful actions.”

 

Geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty and an underlying energy crisis are constraints that only reinforce the need for urgent measures to address the sustainability of our built environment. Architects have the capacity to embed and encourage sustainable design strategies at each work stage. They can help their clients reach net zero by creating buildings that have no net carbon emissions during their construction and operation. This applies not only to new buildings but to retrofitting existing buildings to prepare them for a low-carbon future.

 

Choices made at the design stage are critical, contributing directly to the net zero goal. Using sustainable, natural, low-carbon building materials, such as timber, is crucial and allows carbon to be sequestered within the structure. Durable, high-quality materials will reduce long-term maintenance and replacement, creating buildings that last and lock up carbon. A building’s lifespan will also be extended by building in flexibility so it can be adapted to new uses in the future.

 

Second only to a fabric first approach that ensures the highest possible thermal performance and airtightness of the building envelope, comes energy. Often the remit of a variety of consultants, architects should, nonetheless, see the correct specification and integration of everything from solar panels to thermal stores as part of a necessarily multi-faceted approach.

 

In the race to net zero, architects carry an unprecedented responsibility to bring together and educate all those involved in the design, planning and building processes to ensure the best result for their client and the planet.

For further information call 01786 812 921

OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEST FRASER WEBSITE

 

 

 

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