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‘Stronger Economies’ and ‘Stronger Communities’: council plans for the future
Two plans that will steer the future of North East Lincolnshire in the years ahead have been approved by the Council’s Cabinet.
Members of the Cabinet met this week and gave their formal support to both the North East Lincolnshire Council Plan, and the Budget, Finance and Commissioning Plan. Both cover the next three to five years. They detail the plans of each main service area within the council, the projects and priorities within those areas and how they will be supported.
The Council Plan is a far-reaching document that details the services to be delivered and developments planned in the next five years. It also outlines the ambition of North East Lincolnshire Council to work with its partners to create ‘Stronger Economies’ and ‘Stronger Communities’, under five main headers:
Ochiba Business Solutions welcome apprentices to learn IT trade
Ochiba Business Solutions has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing the next generation of IT professionals after taking on three new apprentices.
The Chesterfield-based company helps businesses become more efficient and profitable through implementing SAP Business One – the world’s leading ERP software designed specifically for SMEs.
The three apprentices who have joined Ochiba are Mitchell Batty, Robert Dickinson and Max Easton.
Mitchell, who is studying A-Levels in Economics, Product Design and Maths, is passionate about IT and looking for real-world experience as an IT technician.
Robert, who has a degree in Human Biology from University of Huddersfield, has been a hobby programmer since he was a teenager and wants to turn his passion into a career as a software developer.
Max is currently working as a warehouse and sales assistant and seeks to develop and broaden his work experience and skillset in the IT industry.
Dave Worsman, managing director, from Ochiba, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mitchell, Robert and Max to our apprenticeship programme.
“As a company we are passionate about investing in the next generation of IT professionals so we can continue to provide the first-class solutions our customers expect. Our new apprentices will have the opportunity to work closely with, and learn from, our highly experienced team of consultants and developers.
“We’re sure they will find the apprenticeship a useful and rewarding experience as they prepare to take the next step in their respective careers.”
Major student accommodation scheme reaching to 19 storeys planned for Nottingham
Plans for a major new student accommodation development have been revealed for Nottingham.
The part 6, part 7, part 10 and part 19 storey scheme is proposed to sit at the corner of Traffic Street and Wilford Road, within the Southside Regeneration Zone.
The site has been vacant for several years, and most recently in use as a depot until demolition and clearance.
The new scheme would feature 47 shared cluster flats of varied sizes and 134 studios, equating to a total of 356 rooms.
A statement submitted to Nottingham City Council on behalf of Jensco, who are behind the plans, says: “This development offers significant regenerative opportunities to resolve a vacant brownfield site on a key arterial route into Nottingham City Centre and close to the railway station.”
Bridge Help appoints new business development manager
Chesterfield-based bespoke bridging loan provider, Bridge Help, has further strengthened its business development team with the appointment of Mo Miah.
Bringing 11 years’ experience with major high street banks and building societies, Mo joins Bridge Help’s team of regional business development managers.
His appointment follows significant growth for Bridge Help during 2021 in which the short-term lender exceeded its own projections, lending more than £23 million.
Based in north London, Mo will be working alongside Bridge Help’s business development team managing broker and lender relationships throughout the country.
Making the move from a high street lender background, Mo is looking forward to the challenge of working with Bridge Help which specialises in complex deals that mainstream lenders traditionally avoid.
He said: “I’m passionate about helping people and providing great customer service, that’s why I got into this sector. Working at Bridge Help is a great opportunity for me to develop broker relationships and work alongside them throughout the loan process from initial enquiry to securing funds. That is a very exciting prospect for me.”
Welcoming Mo to the team, Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mo onboard. Developing and maintaining strong broker relationships is at the heart of what we do and a key reason why we can make what seems like an impossible deal, possible.”
Mo added: “Bridge Help takes a refreshing approach to commercial lending and I’m excited to be part of it. I already feel like I’m very much part of the team.”
Outside work, Mo is kept busy with his two young children, spending time with his wife and his extended family. When he does get time to himself, he enjoys playing 5-a-side and 8-a-side football.
Global manufacturer signs up for final phase of Leicester Distribution Park
Property developer Graftongate has announced the first letting in the final phase of development at the 45-acre Leicester Distribution Park (LEDP), a joint venture with Blackrock.
Piping Rock, a global manufacturer and supplier of health products, has signed a 10-year lease on Unit 8, a newly built, speculative distribution unit extending to 75,000 sq ft. The letting marks the US health product giant’s expansion in the UK market.
The final phase three of LEDP will deliver four new distribution and logistics units with a combined area of 300,000 sq ft. All four units will be completed in March 2022 and include remaining units of 30,000 sq ft, 45,000 sq ft and 150,000 sq ft.
The units have been built to carbon neutral construction and operational standards, and are rated as BREEAM ‘very good’. They will benefit from sustainability features including PV solar panels, EV charging points, rainwater harvesting, sustainable drainage systems and intelligent energy monitoring.
Graftongate and BlackRock developed four units with a total area of 400,000 sq ft during the first two phases of the scheme, for established occupiers including Samworth Brothers, Power Towers, Company Shop Group and Leicester Tissue Company.
The completed scheme will contain eight Grade A logistics units with a total combined area of 700,000 sq ft.
Colin Beasley, director at Graftongate, said: “Piping Rock are a welcome new occupier to the scheme and we wish them all the best in their expansion into the UK market. They have chosen LEDP to locate their national distribution centre and will benefit from its location at the heart of the UK distribution network. We have very strong interest in the remaining units and we hope to be able to announce further lettings shortly.”
International Air and Space Training Institute takes another step forward in Newark
The planning application for the IASTI’s permanent home – a state-of-the-art Institute in central Newark – has been approved.
Students at the International Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI) are already experiencing some of the most exciting technical training and development opportunities in the UK, and now the future dreams of Newark’s younger generation take another step forward.
Since launching in September 2021, the first intake of students at IASTI Newark have been honing their flying skills in the flight simulator (currently based at the interim facility at Newark College) and taking to the air in the IASTI’s leased aircraft from Nottingham Aerodrome in Tollerton, to put their theory into practice.
Those studying on the engineer pathway can learn and enhance their skills on brand new equipment, providing the most up-to-date training experience. While learners that elect the ground pathway will have their eyes opened to the varied career possibilities within this field, including air traffic control, airfield operations and aircraft dispatchers.
Once their training is complete, IASTI students will provide the UK with the next generation of pilots, engineers and ground crew thanks to the input and support from industry experts including the Royal Air Force, East Midlands Airport, Inzpire, AAR, Leonardo, Eagle Eye, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and the National Space Centre.
The momentum is set to grow further with building work due to start at the IASTI’s permanent home in Summer 2022. The new state-of-the-art Institute, in central Newark, is expected to open its doors in September 2023, when there will be a focus on both further and higher education offers based on engineering linked with local universities, plus further specialism in cyber, avionics and robotics, and communications.
Director of IASTI Newark, Tom Marsden, said: “We are delighted that our planning application has been approved. The whole focus of the IASTI is to provide training opportunities for local people in Newark and the surrounding area, so that they can enter the aviation and space sectors with the skills and contacts to succeed.
“We are developing a highly productive local workforce that can fulfil the demand for a wide range of careers within this industry; from engineers to air traffic controllers, airport operations staff, aircraft dispatchers and pilots. We are also developing aviation specific data analysis, leadership and management training to provide through life education and skills.
“The planning approval marks a significant steppingstone in our journey. We are excited to see the new Institute take shape in line with our vision and to add recognised social and economic value to our local community by providing high quality education and training.”
The IASTI is one of nine priority projects developed by Newark Towns Fund Board and is funded through the Government’s Towns Fund initiative.
Councilor David Lloyd, Co-Chair of Newark Towns Fund Board and Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am pleased to hear that the planning application for the first IASTI in the UK has been approved. Along with eight other priority projects, the Towns Fund projects play a huge part in transforming Newark for our younger generations to a place where people want to live, work, study and visit.
“It is with much excitement and anticipation that I wait for this transformational ambition to come to life in our wonderful town and the IASTI is an integral part to our future education offer.”
Regeneration plans for former Marks & Spencer site in Newark approved
Planning permission to preserve, enhance and redevelop 32 Stodman Street in Newark, the former Marks & Spencer site, has been granted by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Planning Committee.
The redevelopment consists of creating 29 new homes and between two to four new retail units whilst retaining the art deco façade.
The application, submitted by architects RG+P Ltd, has been developed to retain the significance of the building whilst ensuring that it does not remain an unused building anymore. The new building will complement the surrounding historic townscape while providing high-quality housing and retail premises.
Comments received as part of the application process from heritage and conservation organisations emphasise that no harm to the significance of the front of the building will occur with the retention of the art deco facade.
The new site will also provide an opportunity to reinstate historic links by removing the eastern projection of the building to give visibility from Lombard Street to Stodman Street, improving the pedestrian thoroughfare, increasing the public realm, and returning the area to the historic layout of the town all of which is aimed at increasing greater footfall which will be welcomed by local businesses, retailers and hospitality providers.
The redevelopment of 32 Stodman Street is one of nine priority projects outlined in Newark’s ‘Town Investment Plan’ (TIP), developed by the Newark Towns Fund Board. By increasing the town centre housing offer, and therefore the resident population, it is forecast that the town centre will benefit from an increase in spend, use of facilities, footfall, new jobs, land value uplift, and improved access to services.
Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Co-Chair of Newark Towns Fund Board, said: “It is incredibly exciting that following approval from the Planning Committee, we can start to make tangible progress towards the redevelopment of the former Marks & Spencer site. Despite our best efforts, no retailer was prepared to take on the big site as it currently stands.
“These plans will provide an excellent opportunity to breathe life back into this vacant space with an interesting and imaginative design that is sympathetic to the surrounding heritage buildings in Newark town centre and materially enhance the quality of the public realm. In addition, by creating new high-quality homes, retail space and job opportunities, this redevelopment will benefit our town and its residents in the long term.”
Building work is due to begin in April 2022. The new homes are expected to be available for residents by 2024 and will compromise 16 one bed and 13 two bed apartments with private balcony spaces to the eastern side. A shared amenity space would also be provided on the third floor with 12 car parking spaces, a motorbike parking spot and 48 cycle spaces. In addition, the ground floor will include smaller retail units which are more attractive to businesses.
Inspired Villages grows senior team with two new hires
Retirement villages operator Inspired Villages has grown its senior team with the hire of Louise Read as legal counsel and Tajinder Samra as head of tax.
The appointments, which are new roles for the company, come at a key time for the business. Last year, Legal & General and NatWest Group Pension Fund committed to investing £500m into Inspired Villages to support its growth to 34 retirement communities.
Louise brings 16 years of real estate legal experience to Inspired Villages, joining the company from law firm Browne Jacobson. She was also a part-time law lecturer at Nottingham Trent and Nottingham Law School. Louise will support Inspired Villages with a wide spectrum of legal advice as the company seeks to expand its portfolio to support over 8,000 residents.
Taj, a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor, joins Inspired Villages from High Speed Two, where Taj led on tax matters for the largest infrastructure project in Europe. Taj has over 10 years of corporate tax experience and has also held roles at KPMG and PwC. Taj will take leadership of the tax function within the business, advising on corporate tax matters, managing VAT affairs and overseeing other tax-related projects within the business.
Louise said: “I’m delighted to be joining Inspired Villages at this exciting time in its evolution as a company. I wanted to take my career in a new direction and use the skills I gained in private practice to focus on work with a more obvious social impact. Inspired Villages appealed to me because of the way the company supports older people in society; I was particularly impressed by the way they kept residents safe but not isolated during lockdown.”
Taj said: “In my career I’ve always particularly enjoyed working at companies that work to improve infrastructure, so I’m pleased to be joining Inspired Villages, which delivers vital age-appropriate accommodation for older people. I look forward to bringing my many years of experience as a corporate tax specialist to this role and supporting the company in its ambitions.”
Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages, added: “At Inspired Villages we are driving towards becoming the world’s leading retirement villages operator and we know that we can only succeed in that aim by nurturing the best talent. I’m therefore thrilled to welcome Louise and Taj to the company. They both bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles that will enhance the way we work and help us deliver retirement communities that allow older people to live the best years of their lives with us.”
450,000 sq ft business park secures planning
A new business park, which could bring over a thousand new jobs and significant inward investment to Market Harborough, has been given the go ahead by Harborough District Council – following a planning committee meeting.
The committee resolved to grant outline planning permission for the development of Wellington Business Park, comprising some 450,000 sq ft of industrial, warehousing and office accommodation on 33-acres of land north of Airfield Farm, which already has planning permission for 1,500 dwellings, a primary school and associated community facilities.
The site is strategically located to the north-west of the Market Harborough, within one mile of the A6 and forms part of the wider Market Harborough Strategic Development Area, allocated in the Harborough District Council Local Plan for development. Historically, the site formed part of the airfield that was used by the RAF in World War II and was home to the Wellington Bombers of No. 14 Operational Training Unit of RAF Bomber Command.
Commercial property agent, Prop-Search has been appointed as sole agent to market and promote the new business park.
Director at Prop-Search, Richard Baker, said: “Wellington Business Park represents an exciting opportunity to create business opportunities and we look forward to engaging further local, regional and national businesses in respect of this exciting opportunity now that we have secured the resolution.
“With its proposed sustainable and high-quality design, it will undoubtedly relieve some of the latent demand for space from occupiers and lead to a high level of job creation.
“Working closely with Harborough District Council, we are confident that this site will boost investment in the region and support local economic growth.”
Buildings will initially be available on a build to suit basis with industrial/warehouse units from 10,000 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft and office buildings from 5,000 sq ft. Opportunities will be available on a leasehold or freehold basis.
New City Masterplan set to transform University of Derby estate
A vision for how the University of Derby intends to develop its city centre footprint and improve connectivity between its sites has been launched.
The City Masterplan, which has been devised in conjunction with Matthew Montague Architects, focuses on the development of the area around One Friar Gate Square, Ford Street, Bridge Street, Agard Street and Nuns Street, in Derby.
The overall ambition is to create two distinct but linked areas in the city: an Academic Zone, centred around the University’s current Sir Peter Hilton Court site, and an Enterprise Zone, based around the Princess Alice Court halls of residence and Enterprise Centre area.
In addition to the proposed new Derby Business School, the Academic Zone will have the capability of delivering additional learning space, Union of Students’ facilities, catering, and student residential space, as well as staff and lettable office accommodation.
The Enterprise Zone will aim to deliver a mixed-use development comprising commercial lettable and business start-up/grow-on space, as well as provision for retail, entertainment and student residential space.
The Masterplan supports the University’s ongoing commitment and contribution to the inclusive and regenerative growth of Derby city and its surrounding area, encouraging enterprise and innovation collaboration with businesses and expert academics.
It aligns with the University’s aspirations to develop further as a civic institution with an increased city centre presence and enhanced connectivity across the University’s estate, delivered through the creation of greener and more connected routes from the city out to Markeaton Park, and the University’s sites at Markeaton Street and Kedleston Road.
The plan has been created to be flexibly phased, with the University’s new Business School, proposed to be built in the city centre and set to open in 2024, being the first part to kickstart the development.
Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby, said: “Derby is a city with huge momentum and as its only university we are committed to supporting and driving forward its ongoing regeneration, making a long-lasting positive impact on the communities within it and helping to enhance its overall offer.
“The links between the two areas we have identified are critical to developing a vibrant hub that creates a safe and welcoming space for students, staff and the wider public, and enables them to feel connected and involved in our city. This is an exciting time for both the University and the city as we move towards realising our ambitions, and we look forward to working closely with stakeholders as our plans develop.”
Matthew Montague, principal architect at Matthew Montague Architects, said: “The Masterplan is ambitious and a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future development of the University and the city. With a phased development these plans can come to fruition, and we are delighted to be involved.”
Daniel Evans, lead architect of the Masterplan, added: “The concept for design focuses on simplicity, vibrancy, safety and sustainability. It draws on Derby’s industrial heritage and uses it to create a modern environment, keeping spaces open day and night.”
Last May, the University announced its vision for a new Derby Business School. The building is projected to be the study base for over 6,000 students by 2030, who will benefit from a transformative learning environment delivering teaching, research, innovation and skills aligned to regional, national and global needs. A public consultation on the plans was held at the end of 2021 and a planning application is expected to be submitted in March.
