Digital Manufacturing Centre shortlisted for duo of awards
£110,000 pledged to furthering sustainable aerospace research
The University of Nottingham’s Aerospace Unlocking Potential (UP) programme has announced it has pledged more than £110,000 in funding to three UK businesses working to improve sustainability in the aerospace sector.
Designed to help smaller companies develop new technologies and solutions to make aviation greener, Aerospace UP, a £20 million programme, is being delivered by the University of Nottinghamand the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA), supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Midlands Engine.
Space debris in low Earth orbit is causing damage to existing spacecraft, meaning satellites require higher, more expensive orbits. Space Resource Laboratory Ltd’s solution, Project Aryabhat, involves the development of a propulsion system that consists of a thruster, fuel tank and avionics control system that can be fitted into a satellite and deliver a de-orbiting solution, minimising the remains left in orbit at the end of the spacecraft’s life cycle.
Meanwhile, Holscot Fluropolymers Ltd is working to produce FEP bladders that will line nano, micro and small satellite propulsion tanks. FEP bladders are a lighter-weight, more compatible alternative to metal tanks, which are potentially re-fillable and re-usable in orbit, in turn, this helps to minimise waste in low orbit space.
Finally, XCAM is developing a device that allows its prototype Particulate Fall Out (PFO) monitor to detect and analyse more complex particulates. The new monitor will include the capability to use neural networks for analysis in space that will, ultimately, minimise the limitations inherent to downlinking data to Earth.
Professor Serhiy Bozhko, Director of the Institute for Aerospace Technology (IAT) at the University of Nottingham says: As the theme of this year’s World Space Week is ‘Space and Sustainability’, we felt it would be the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on companies that are striving to make the world of aerospace greener.
Professor Bozhko continued: “At a time when the road to net zero is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, it’s great to see the innovative and fascinating solutions Holscot Fluropolymers Ltd, XCAM and Space Resource Lab Ltd are creating to minimise the environmental impact of space exploration.”
The programme not only provides funding for projects but also offers small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with unique access to industry experts, academic support, and facilities that might otherwise have been unattainable.
Professor Pat Wheeler, Global Director of the Institute for Aerospace Technology at the University of Nottingham adds: It is with great pleasure that we can support industry through the Aerospace UP programme. We’re leading the way in translating our pioneering research on net zero aviation into real world applications by supporting the aerospace supply chain to create innovation capacity.
Andrew Mair, Chief Executive of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, concludes: “We are proud to be awarding grants to great companies, supporting the development of excellent solutions they offer. This is a pivotal time for regrowth as the supply chain provides a critical foundation for driving innovation at deep levels, ensuring the industry can thrive into the future.”
Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield works begin on Packers Row
Notts Forest wage bill soars to almost double
Award winning baby photography company expands in East Midlands
Baby Art Studios, an award-winning maternity and baby photography company, is set to expand further with their move into one of the barn conversions at Cedars Office Park, in Normanton On Soar, near Loughborough, Leicestershire.
The deal was facilitated by Loughborough-based specialist land development and property consultancy, Mather Jamie.
Andrea Edwards, area manager of Baby Art Coventry, chose Unit 4 at Cedars due to its fantastic location and idyllic countryside setting. Baby Art Studios currently have seven studios nationwide, with four new ones set to open in October 2022.
Cedars Office Park is part of the Paget Estate and benefits from several eco features, including photovoltaic panels, underground clean air ventilation with heat recovery and underfloor heating powered by a woodchip biomass boiler, with woodchip sourced from woodlands on the Paget Estate.
Beth Combes, studio manager, said: “We felt Cedars Office Park was the perfect location for our brand-new studio and we are excited for its opening in October 2022.”
Amber Forster, Rural Estates assistant for Mather Jamie, said: “Cedars Office Park is ideal for businesses looking for a smaller office with plenty of onsite parking and fantastic road links to Leicester, Nottingham and Derby; we are thrilled that Baby Art chose this for their new Midlands branch and would encourage other business to get in touch if they are looking for similar.”
Further expansion the focus for new Growth Partners group CEO
New reservoir for South Lincolnshire
Anglian Water has confirmed the proposed location for a new reservoir in south-east of Sleaford, about halfway between Grantham and Boston.
The reservoir will supply enough water for around half a million homes, as well as protecting the environment by allowing Anglian to reduce the amount of water taken from rivers and underground aquifers elsewhere in the region.
The project forms part of Anglian’s long term Water Resources Management Plans, and is linked to the wider regional plans led by Water Resources East. These plans look 25 years ahead, with the objective of ensuring the region is resilient to more frequent episodes of drought brought on by climate change, all while improving environmental protection.
Dr Geoff Darch, Water Resources Strategy Manager for Anglian Water said: “This project will build on decades of existing investment in resilient infrastructure – like a 400km strategic pipeline which will move water from the north to the south and east of the region, existing networks of reservoirs and water storage, as well as continuing to help customers to reduce demand and driving down leakage to world leading low levels. But we know, that to keep taps running in the future, we’ll need more water storage in our region, in the form of new reservoirs.”
Plans for new reservoirs have been developing over the last 10 years, with the water company now ready to share the findings of a detailed site selection study in the autumn, in what will be the first of a multi-phase consultation on the proposals.
Geoff added: “Following a thorough and multi-stage site selection assessment process, assessing a wide range of criteria, we have now identified the best performing location for a new reservoir.
“We think it’s right those who are potentially most affected find out first and have the opportunity to ask us any questions about what this might mean for them. We are now in contact with those who own property and live within the proposed area and who will be potentially affected by our proposals.
“We know there is wide interest in the new reservoir. The project will create a new strategic water resource to support water supply to Anglian customers. It will help secure water supplies for future generations, so we can address the challenges of a changing climate, environmental protection and population growth. Our proposals go beyond just building a new reservoir, we will create new habitats for wildlife and places for people and create great natural places to explore, and exciting new leisure facilities for people to enjoy.
“A formal consultation process will begin this October, when we will give communities and wider stakeholders the opportunity to have their say and to help shape the development of the design of the reservoir and inform the economic, social, environmental and health opportunities it could create for the local area.
”When the consultation starts, Anglian Water will be launching a new website about the proposed reservoir and providing more details of how people can have their say. An early concept design of the reservoir will be available together with images of what the planned leisure and wildlife features could look like. There will also be webinars and community events in the area for people to meet Anglian Water’s team and ask questions.
Government plans to crank up pollution fines to £250million
“This 1,000-fold increase sends a clear signal that we want clean rivers and coastlines, and that the duty falls to the water companies to deliver – the polluter must pay.”
East Midlands businesses face steep rates rise next April
Organisations in the East Midlands which are liable for business rates are set to face a major potential financial crisis in April 2023, with an average expected rise of around 36% in business rates, according to David Wagstaffe, head of business rates advice at property consultants Matthews & Goodman.
The rise, due to be introduced on 1 April 2023, follows the Valuation Office’s (VO) recent completion of a nationwide revaluation of (non-domestic) properties liable for business rates.
Commenting for Matthews & Goodman, David Wagstaffe said: “Given everyone’s current focus on cost management, it’s important that business leaders don’t ignore the implications of this revaluation – because it’s only six months away.
“The reality is experts believe that the average rates bill in the East Midlands will rocket up by around 36% which is close to the expected average increase of 35% across the country – at a time when every organisation is already suffering from crippling energy and staffing cost rises.
“The anticipated rises are based on the rental values which vary according to location and property type. I strongly advise any ratepayer to seek advice from a business rates specialist to make sure that their position is clear.”
With regards current rates – which can be backdated to April 2017 – David Wagstaffe urges ratepayers to remember that there is still an opportunity to review their current business rates liabilities, as reductions can still be achieved via the Check, Challenge and Appeal process – but he does stress that applications should start as soon as possible as the cut-off date is 31 March 2023.
Matthews & Goodman is also warning that according to the government’s report into the future of business rates, the April 2023 changes could ultimately lead to fines being imposed on businesses if they fail to confirm that data held by the VO on their properties is correct. They could also be fined if the VO is not notified of any alterations undertaken to properties.
“It would be in every ratepayer’s interest to contact us or their business rates specialist to determine how best to mitigate their future business rates risks,” advises David Wagstaffe. “My strong advice is to get professional, expert and experienced business rates advice – and get it soon.”
Changes to VAT filing system just weeks away
