Plans submitted to convert Nottingham office building into student scheme

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Plans to convert a Nottingham office building into student accommodation have been submitted to the City Council. The proposals for Pearl Assurance House on Friar Lane would see 140 bedrooms created on the 2nd to 9th floors of the building.
There will be no change to the retail units at lower ground floor and upper ground floor levels or to the residential apartments at first floor level.
Pearl House was constructed in 1962, designed by architects Evans, Cartwright & Woollatt. The building consists of a 2-3 storey podium which fronts onto Friar Lane and Wheeler Gate, with an eight storey tower which is set back from Wheeler Gate. The 2-3 storey podium accommodates retail units, a car park and residential units. The application follows approval in March 2017 for the conversion of the 2nd to 9th floors into residential apartments.

Corporate insolvencies double year-on-year

The chair of the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 is urging directors of the region’s businesses to seek advice if they are concerned about their businesses, as corporate insolvency figures in England and Wales more than double compared to this time last year. Latest data published by the government’s Insolvency Service show that while the 1,991 companies entering insolvency in April is a 6% decrease on the previous month, administrations have risen by 115.2% compared to April 2021’s figure of 925. R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “These statistics reflect the continued toll the economic turbulence is taking on our local business community. The boom many were hoping for when pandemic restrictions ended simply hasn’t happened. The UK has moved from one damaging set of economic stressors to another with no time to draw breath. “Local businesses are trying to trade amidst rising inflation, a contracting economy and consumer confidence at a near historic low – lower than during the peak of the pandemic – due to cost of living concerns. Alongside this, rising fuel and energy costs and demands for increased wages from employees mean that it’s a challenge simply to break even at the moment, especially for those businesses who are still reeling from the pandemic. “Despite such serious challenges, the number of administrations suggests that there are several insolvent businesses which still have some prospect of rescue, given this is one of the main statutory purposes of the administration process. Wherever possible, the insolvency profession will work to secure the rescue of businesses in administration to help ensure better outcomes for the company, its staff and its creditors. “Now is the time for directors to be alert to the signs of financial distress and to take the necessary action. We know how hard it is for a director to admit that their business is struggling, but seeking early professional advice is likely to result in a far better outcome than waiting and allowing the problem to spiral.”

Landfill concerns see 165-home proposal refused

Councillors have refused plans for 165 homes in Glen Parva after developers failed to show how plans could accommodate potential landfill gas mitigation measures. An application to build 165 homes on land off Cork Lane, Glen Parva was given outline approval in 2016. A Reserved Matters application was received by Blaby District Council in 2019 which sought approval for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development. In this application, the developers changed the originally agreed approach to contamination in the outline planning application. The new approach would see the source of the contamination left in place, with the dwellings and their associated infrastructure designed in a way that protects them from the contamination below. Concerns were raised for the safety of the surrounding neighbours and the future occupiers of the site. Following the appointment of an independent landfill gas consultant to analyse the information provided, five years of additional data gathering was recommended to inform what gas mitigation would be required. The independent report also concluded the site’s layout could not be approved until these mitigation measures were known. Whilst the rest of the application is deemed acceptable, Blaby District Council’s planning officers recommended the application for refusal as these issues were “…not outweighed by the material considerations in favour of approving the scheme, including the delivery of 165 dwellings…and the economic benefits of the construction process and occupation of the dwellings.” The application was refused by members of Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee at its meeting on Thursday 19 May. Councillor Louise Richardson, Planning Committee chair, said: “We were pleased to support the officer’s recommendation to refuse this proposal. Members of the Committee were greatly concerned that nowhere near enough had been done to understand if the plans could accommodate future mitigation measures of this former landfill site. “We hope this sends a message to residents and developers that anyone who wants to build on landfill sites must present robust and acceptable plans. We will not gamble these potential benefits for long-term health risks.” The refusal of this Reserved Matters application also means that the original Outline planning permission has now expired unless the applicant chooses to appeal or legally challenge the Council’s decision.

Approval for next phase of Nottingham’s major Island Quarter development

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Plans for the next phase of Nottingham’s major Island Quarter development have been given the go-ahead. Phase 1B of the Island Quarter includes a mixed-use commercial development comprising an 18 storey, 223-room hotel, 247 build-to-rent apartments (86 two-bed apartments, 154 one-bed apartments and 7 studio apartments), co-working office space, retail uses, and new areas of permanent and temporary public realm.
Conygar are behind the proposals which involve a site to the north of The Great Northern Close, with the Low Level Station (Virgin Active) and Great Northern Warehouse Grade II listed buildings to the south.
Development of the ‘Canal Turn’ mixed commercial use building by the applicant is underway to the west of the site, which is adjacent to the Nottingham Canal and basin. The NHS Urgent Care Centre (Seaton House) and Equinox House offices are to the north. To the east is vacant land forming part of the larger Island Site.

Derbyshire battery storage project acquired

Bluefield Solar the London listed income fund focused on acquiring and managing renewable energy and storage assets predominantly in the UK, has acquired two standalone 40 MW battery storage projects from Green Hedge Energy UK Limited for approximately £4.5 million. The acquisition represents the development rights, grid connection costs and the leasehold of land for the two projects, which are based in Derbyshire and Worcestershire. Both projects are fully consented, benefit from near-term grid connections and the construction of the projects is expected to commence in 2022. John Rennocks, chairman of Bluefield Solar, said: “We are delighted to have acquired these two significant battery storage developments from Green Hedge, which we look forward to building. Energy storage has a key role in supporting the decarbonisation of the electricity system in Great Britain. “Once operational, it is intended the assets will be able to participate in a variety of valuable services to support the grid and to enable the company to further diversify its revenue streams. The Board and our Investment Adviser continues to carefully assess a strong pipeline of opportunities across both primary and secondary markets.”

169-bed student scheme approved in Nottingham

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Plans for a new purpose-built student accommodation development, at 2A Triumph Road, Nottingham, have been approved. The scheme consists of 169 student bedrooms, in 25 cluster flats and 34 studios, with associated amenity facilities. 76 cycle parking spaces and four car parking spaces would be provided within the site.
The site currently hosts a large single storey building sub-divided in two units which front onto Triumph Road. One is occupied by a yoga studio/cafe and the other is a car dealership. The area at the front of the units is used for parking. There is also a single storey industrial outbuilding at the rear of the site, currently used by a taxi rental company. The rest of the site is a hardstanding parking/storage/service area.
The application proposes the demolition of the existing buildings.
DPP Planning submitted the application on behalf of Cassidy (Triumph Road) Ltd.

Anicca continues birthday celebrations by announcing its biggest ever Leicester Digital Live event

Leicestershire’s premier digital marketing conference, Leicester Digital Live, is back with a bang this summer, with organisers Anicca Digital announcing it will take place, in person, on Tuesday 7th June. It will be held in the city’s Winstanley House venue which offers greater capacity than previous conferences, facilitating two simultaneous speaker events, and is also easily accessible from across the region. With the first Leicester Digital Live conference held in 2015, this is the 7th time it has run, with the announcement of the return of this key digital marketing event being very warmly received. Anicca Digital, which is celebrating its 15th year, will be welcoming delegates who will hear from some of the world’s leading eCommerce, Lead Generation, Social Media, Paid Search and SEO keynote speakers and experts. The conference aims to deliver maximum value to delegates by providing practical advice and interesting digital content that can be implemented within their own businesses. Confirmed speakers include:
  • Global tech companies including Microsoft (Amit Sinha)
  • Internationally renowned speakers will be flying in from the USA (Greg Gifford from Search Labs) and from Anicca’s South African technical partner (Ariel Sumeruk from Conversion science)
  • Global tech suppliers including Jono Alderson from Yoast, Joshua Hardwick from Ahrefs, Fernando Angulo from semrush and InLink’s Dixon Jones
  • Local East Midlands favourites (like Callum McKeefery – Reviews.io and Martin Broadhurst from Broadhurst Digital)
  • Plus, some great speakers on mindfulness and cognitive psychology such as Lee Chambers (of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing) and Kenda Macdonald (of Automation Ninjas)
  • Anicca webinar regulars will also be pleased to hear that CEO and founder Ann Stanley will be speaking, joined by creative director Thom Shardlow and head of analytics, Ed Trumann
The one-day event on Tuesday 7th June will consist of two streams of talks providing technical and practical support, with sessions aimed for the most experienced, to those just entering the world of digital marketing. Stream One, which has the theme of Innovation and Inspiration, features live guest speakers from across the globe who will be sharing their insights on getting the most from marketing campaigns in 30-minute sessions. In addition to topics on Social Media, Paid Media, SEO and Data, there will be a raft of inspiring content to inspire delegates, such as the use of AI in marketing and important changes in automation and privacy. Stream Two, a Technology Showcase, introduces some of the key tech and software providers which are used daily by digital marketeers. Each supplier will share a brief demonstration around the functionality of their platform before providing a case study to illustrate how the software can be used. The streams will be held in adjacent rooms, allowing delegates to move between sessions. Delegates will also benefit from an exhibition featuring industry suppliers and organisations, including the Anicca Digital team. During the one-day event, there will be several opportunities to network, including over the hot buffet lunch and breaks. For those who are unable to attend in person, recorded talks will be available as part of Leicester Digital Live’s virtual ‘catch-up conference’. Leicester Digital Live is organised by Ann Stanley, founder and CEO at Anicca Digital, who will be hosting the technology showcase stream. She comments: “There’s nothing like a live conference and we have been thrilled with the interest so far. The world of digital is evolving at pace and when you factor in outside influences from the last few months, there are techniques that all levels of marketeers and business can benefit from. “We will be joined by a range of speakers who will bring their expertise to one of the largest audiences we will have ever had. “Mindful that not everyone is able to attend the live event, we have created a catch-up conference to enable people to avoid missing out on what promises to be an engaging and insightful day.” Anicca is renowned for being a leading provider of free regular webinars and blogs across a range of subjects, including PPC, SEO, Social Media and Analytics. Keep up to date with marketing updates across the year by registering to attend or watching the recordings here. Leicester Digital Live will take place on Wednesday 7th June, from 9am to 5pm and is a ticketed event. There are 100 £30 early-bird tickets available, with general admission priced at £60 (including VAT). Both tickets include a hot buffet and refreshments. The event is non-profit making, with any proceeds donated to a charity supporting the Ukraine refugee crisis. For further information and to register, visit https://anicca.co.uk/leicester-digital-live-2022/ or email enquiries@anicca.co.uk.

6 tips for commercial electrical safety

Electricity is an integral part of our lives. We use it to power our homes, businesses, devices, etc. While it’s a valuable resource, it can also be dangerous if not used safely. As a business owner, it’s essential to know the basics of commercial electrical safety for your and your employees’ protection. Hence, here are six tips to help you stay safe around electricity:
  1. Understand your business’s power needs
Regarding business power needs, it’s crucial to understand your business needs and what you might want. You might want a system with more capacity than you currently need. But it’s important to size your system correctly to meet your current and future needs. Oversizing your system can lead to wasted energy and increased costs. On the other hand, under-sizing your system can lead to power outages and equipment failures. So how do you know what your business needs? Talk to an electrician who understands both commercial and electrical safety. They can help you size your system correctly and ensure that it’s installed safely and up to code.
  1. Inspect your building’s switchgear
You may not think about your building’s switchgear very often. It’s hidden behind walls and locked doors, and it may not seem to affect you at work. But it’s there, quietly protecting you from harm. And when it fails, it can cause a lot of damage and even death. The purpose of the switchgear is to protect people from electrical shock and fire hazards in a building or structure. Switchgear protects people from shocks by providing barriers between electrical circuits and the wires that connect them to power sources such as generators and substations. It protects buildings from fires by separating power sources from vulnerable areas like lighting fixtures, appliances, and equipment during the operation of those devices. Switchgear also provides isolation between different parts of a building’s electrical system (e.g., between various buildings on one campus). It helps prevent dangerous voltage differences between wirings within a building. For example, if one section of wiring is damaged by fire or water, isolating that section can stop the rest of the system from being overloaded by too much current flow. There are several types of switchgear, including circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and fuses. If you’d like to replace your entire switchgear or some of its components, you can discover here many options for your building. Remember to get your switchgear inspected periodically to ensure it is operating efficiently and not presenting any danger to your employees or visitors. You also need to maintain this equipment so that it may continue to protect you for years to come.
  1. Have a professional assess and install your commercial wiring
Having a professional come in and install your commercial electrical system is probably one of the best safety tips we can give. It can help you prevent problems before they even emerge. It will ensure that your wiring is up to code and safe for use, and it can also help you avoid any costly electrical repairs down the road. Having a professional commercial electrician wire in your business could save you up to 70% on electrical costs. So, if you’re thinking about wiring your business yourself, think again! It’s always best to leave the job to the professionals.
  1. Implement a maintenance schedule
One of the most important ways to ensure safety is by implementing a regular maintenance schedule. It includes checking electrical cords, fixtures, wiring, and other equipment to ensure everything is in good condition and up to code. Keeping your workplace safe from potential electrical hazards is essential for the health and well-being of your employees.
  1. Educate your employees
It’s essential to educate your employees on electrical safety. They need to be aware of the potential dangers and know how to use electrical equipment properly. Just as you might already be doing on the quality management side, you also need to provide safety training for your employees. It would be great to have regular refresher courses to keep everyone up-to-date. You can also post warning signs and safe working practices around your workplace. Electrical accidents can happen instantly, so it’s vital to take every precaution to prevent them.
  1. Inspect cords and outlets regularly
Inspect cords and outlets regularly. Don’t wait for something to go wrong. If you see frayed or damaged wiring, immediately unplug the device and replace the lines. Check plugs to make sure they’re tightly fitted and not overloaded. Avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet. If you have to use extension cords, make sure they’re in good condition (no frayed wiring) and rated for the amount of power you’re using. Conclusion Commercial electrical safety is critical for the well-being of your employees and customers. By following these six tips, you can help ensure that your business stays safe and running smoothly.

114 homes set for former British Gas site

Plans for a new residential development on the northern part of the former British Gas Works site on Radford Road, Nottingham, have been approved. The proposals will see 114 build-to-rent dwellings constructed, comprising of 71 two bedroom properties and 43 three bedroom properties. The houses will be a mix of two and three storey in height and made up of a mixture of terrace, semi-detached and detached properties. The site for the scheme is currently undeveloped, disused and overgrown and has been vacant for many years. Strata Homes are behind the plans. A planning statement reads: “The proposals have been designed sensitively to take into account the constraints and opportunities of the site. The scheme will provide a high quality, attractive and distinctive family housing scheme for long term private rent.” The statement continues: “Not only would this development ensure the provision of much needed new homes, but it would also secure and maximise the regeneration of this longstanding Brownfield site.”

Frank Key backs Commercial Development of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

Frank Key has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, supporting the Commercial Development of the Year category for a further year. Speaking with Business Link, Ben Sansom, group sales & marketing director at Frank Key, said: “Frank Key are proud to sponsor The East Midlands Bricks Awards for a third year. “Supplying the building trade for over 110 years we have been privileged enough to be part of some fantastic builds across the East Midlands. We wish all the nominees the best of luck.” The awards, which will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To submit a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

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