Housing association CEO calls for political unity after King’s Speech building reforms
The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has urged politicians from all parties to support more housebuilding following the announcement in today’s King’s Speech of proposed changes to planning laws and the introduction of housing targets to boost the delivery of new homes. In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said: “The country has endured a…
Former construction students lead major renovation at building college
A team of ex-students from Leeds College of Building has returned to their roots as skilled construction professionals, ready to start a major £750k refurbishment project. Fit-out specialists Lodestone Projects has kicked off a summer renovation programme at the College’s North Street Campus. The eight-week plan will rejuvenate the site and create contemporary and accessible…
UKREiiF Brings £20.9m Economic Boost to Leeds and West Yorkshire
An independent report by ARUP has highlighted that The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), a major event taking place annually in Leeds, has generated almost £21m of local economic activity in the city and the wider West Yorkshire region in 2024. The event, which brought together over 13,000 official attendees in 2024,…
Spawforths transitions to employee ownership, empowering employees and setting the foundations for growth
Spawforths, one of the largest independent planning, masterplanning and architectural consultancies in Yorkshire, is proud to announce its transition to an employee-owned company. This strategic move is set to empower its 22 employees, allowing them to share directly in the company’s success and future growth strategy. With a rich history of innovative and award-winning work…
54North Homes to build new sustainable homes in Leeds
Work is set to begin on a new scheme that will deliver 28 affordable and sustainable homes in the Armley area of Leeds. The properties will be built by 54North Homes on a brownfield site on Wesley Road, using funding provided by Leeds City Council and Homes England. The £5.1 million development will comprise 26…
Yorkshire Building Society puts forward five opportunities for the new government
Yorkshire Building Society is calling on the new government to support first-time buyers, savers and the mutual sector. The Society also wants to boost skilled jobs outside London and is proposing that all primary school children in England should have lessons on managing money. The mutual is contacting MPs and sharing its five ‘Opportunities for…
Join the conversation about new homes and area improvements in Walmgate and Fishergate
Residents of Walmgate and Fishergate are invited to drop-in sessions about the next steps to build 140 affordable, energy-efficient homes and improve local residential areas. Walmgate People living in Walmgate are invited to chat with members of the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) and the design team including architects from Mikhail Riches. This conversation with…
City of York Council shares feedback following Front Street engagement
Councillors will receive an update on plans to improve Front Street in Acomb at a meeting next week (18 July). In October 2023, the council’s Executive approved £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money for phase 2 improvements to Front Street. The spending deadline for this funding is 31 March 2025. Earlier this year, residents, visitors, businesses…
Real estate team reports strong performance in first half of 2024
Award-winning law firm, Schofield Sweeney, has announced a busy and successful first half of 2024 for its real estate team. In what is perceived to be an unsure market, the team continues to manage and conduct significant transactions, reflecting both the robust market conditions and the team’s expertise in handling complex real estate deals. This…
Quality and quantity of council homes to increase
Councillors are looking at new and innovative ways to significantly increase the quality and quantity of affordable homes in York, so more residents can find secure and genuinely affordable homes. To do this, the Council is reporting on recent house building and buying, and has identified a number of opportunities to boost affordable housing delivery….
Main Contractor for The Beacon – Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
Tender – Closing date: 9pm 15 July 2024 Bradford 2025 are looking for a main contractor to provide pre-construction advice and act as the main contractor during the construction of The Beacon, a touring theatre that will travel across Bradford District in 2025. The contractor will work with the design team to build The Beacon and move the theatre from site to…
Spawforths transitions to employee ownership
Spawforths, one of the largest independent planning, masterplanning and architectural consultancies in Yorkshire, is proud to announce its transition to an employee-owned company. This strategic move is set to empower its 22 employees, allowing them to share directly in the company’s success and future growth strategy. With a rich history of innovative and award-winning work…
Luxury show home offers first look at West Yorkshire development
A brand-new show home has opened its doors to the public at a new development in Burley in Wharfedale. David Wilson Homes has recently unveiled the impressive five bedroom Lichfield style show home at its brand new Imperial Court development on Ilkley Road. Imperial Court is the developer’s latest luxury development, with all homes benefitting…
Inspirational Carolina is a Housing Hero
A Manningham Housing Association (MHA) employee who paved the way for the Bradford-based organisation to become the first housing association in the world to achieve the global Standard for Diversity and Inclusion for HR Management has been named Inspirational Colleague of the Year at the Housing Heroes Awards 2024. Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira, who joined…
Yasper Lands BR2.0 Brief
Leeds-based PR agency Yasper has been appointed by BR2.0 to deliver a media relations and content brief across its group businesses. Yasper will initially be tasked with supporting the firm as it moves its headquarters to Manchester city centre and launches new brands, Xpercity and Inspired, which will sit alongside its established construction business, Big Red, to…
Affordable homes scheme underscores association’s strong commitment to Keighley
The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his pride after the organisation handed over the keys to new tenants of 11 properties which make up the first phase of a new development of 20 affordable homes in Keighley. The remaining nine properties are nearing completion and will be occupied later this…
West Yorkshire homebuilder’s gardens given wildlife-friendly accreditation
Leading developer David Wilson Homes has received accreditation from the RSPB for the wildlife-friendly gardens at its Centurion Meadows development in Burley in Wharfedale. As part of its corporate partnership, the housebuilder has created gardens in line with RSPB guidance, in a bid to create a welcoming space for wildlife and to inspire new homeowners…
West Yorkshire school’s launch event supported by local housebuilder
Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West were recently invited to Southroyd Primary School in Pudsey, where the team watched the children perform their Leeds Rhinos Dance Spectacular, to mark the launch of the school’s exciting new eco-friendly building project – ‘The Cabin’. Representatives of the housebuilder’s Commercial team visited Southroyd Primary School, located near…
The Belfrey awards Simpson contract for its major building project
St Michael le Belfrey, a thriving Grade I listed church in York city centre, has awarded the Contract for Impact – its major repair and reordering project – to Simpson, a York based construction company with significant expertise in restoration and conservation. The rigorous tender exercise was overseen by cost consultants Morham & Brotchie and…
A fine line: top tips for a suitable work-life balance at home
North Yorkshire housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has compiled a series of top tips to achieve a good work-life balance. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (13th to 19th May), the leading homebuilders are stressing the importance of making sure work and home life are kept separate. This year’s theme is “Movement: Moving…
Bradford’s largest housing provider opens new hubs in the community
Housing provider Incommunities has opened two of a planned five local community hubs, helping customers to access their services face-to-face. The hubs will mean that customers in Allerton, Bradford and Deighton, Huddersfield can speak to Incommunities staff without having to travel to Shipley or making a home appointment. The two new hubs are located at…
YorHome announces home improvement grants and 12 months rent up-front for new landlords
City of York Council’s not-for-profit letting agency YorHome is offering new incentives for landlords signing with us. Besides offering probably the lowest management fees in the city, we’re now offering market-beating benefits of 12-month’s rent up front and funding for certain home improvements. Anyone with a residential property in or immediately around York who is…
Major refurbishment to Glen Lodge’s original building starts
After adding 27 extra homes to Glen Lodge in 2018, work is starting to refurbish and make the 32 original apartments more energy-efficient, accessible and comfortable. This popular independent living community in Heworth was originally built in the 1970s and a £4 million investment in 2018 added 25 new apartments and two new bungalows to…
Mix of private and public sector investment keeping Yorkshire & Humber market strong says latest market intelligence from RLB
Leading construction and property management consultants, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) claim that the market in Yorkshire & Humber continues to be strong thanks to a steady level of activity and new starts across a mix of public and private sector projects with clients planning new developments as well as rationalising existing assets, according to…
Relentless dedication earns Housing Hero status for Carolina
Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira, Corporate Project Manager at Manningham Housing Association (MHA) in Bradford, has been shortlisted in the Inspirational Colleague of the Year category for the Housing Heroes Awards 2024. Organised by Inside Housing magazine, the awards celebrate “the leaders, innovators and changemakers across the housing sector.” Originally from Brazil, Carolina joined MHA as…
Yorkshire & Humber shows strong market with more competitive procurement approach
Local Yorkshire construction and property management consultancy, RLB UK’s fifth annual Procurement Trends report reveals that Yorkshire & Humber shows a strong market and more competitive procurement practices than the national picture. Indicators such as Yorkshire having the highest proportion of single-stage projects and with single-stage procurement activity likely to continue going forward, show confidence…
Hot proper-tea: coffee’s the top pick for West Yorkshire developer
With Yorkshire being home to one of the most iconic tea brands in the world, employees at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West have revealed their first choice for hot drinks in celebration of National Tea Day (Sunday 21st April). The survey interviewed employees both on developments and at head office, and shockingly revealed…
Gareth Robertson joins Walker Sime as UK Director of Quantity Surveying
Leeds-based construction consultancy Walker Sime has announced the appointment of Gareth Robertson as the UK Director of Quantity Surveying. He joins from CBRE where he was Senior Director and Head of Cost Management for the North of England. It was in this role that he led and grew the cost management team over his four-year…
Manningham Housing Association shuts down X account
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has closed its account on X, formerly known as Twitter. In a statement, a spokesperson for MHA – which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley – said: “Following a review of our internal and external communications strategy, we have decided to withdraw from X….
West Yorkshire homebuilder awarded five stars by customers for 15th consecutive year
Leading housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has once again received the maximum five star rating in the new Home Builders Federation (HBF) annual New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. This is the fifteenth year in a row that parent company, Barratt Developments, has achieved the top five star rating – far longer than any other…
Leeds Beckett University collaboration to drive innovation in construction industry
Construction innovation experts at Leeds Beckett University have partnered with Yorkshire’s largest public sector procurement framework organisation to drive innovation in the construction sector and boost opportunities for small businesses in the region. Leeds Beckett University will work with YORhub to create a Supply Chain Engagement Toolkit. This aims to increase the number and diversity…
New Yorkshire Building Society mortgage helps first-time buyers get on the housing ladder earlier, for just £5k
Yorkshire Building Society is today launching its new and innovative £5k Deposit Mortgage to help tackle one of the biggest issues preventing people from achieving their homeownership dreams. The new mortgage is available directly to customers and via brokers through Accord Mortgages – the lender’s intermediary-only arm. This new and innovative product, believed to be…
Vastint UK reveals first look at the second phase of Aire Park masterplan
Vastint UK, the developer behind Leeds’ highly anticipated mixed-use district Aire Park, has revealed a first look at its plans for the final phase of its masterplan. The next step in transforming the former brownfield site in Leeds South Bank into a vibrant new destination, the plans feature 502 high-quality 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom homes,…
Andrew Jackson advises on yew tree farm development
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that it has advised Huddersfield-based John Radcliffe & Sons, thought to be the oldest development company in the north of England, on the purchase of land at Yew Tree Farm in Farnley Tyas, West Yorkshire. Radcliffe Developments Farnley has already developed 31 houses in Farnley Tyas on…
Cym D’Souza joins Manningham Housing Association as Vice Chair
Cym D’Souza has been appointed Vice Chair of Manningham Housing Association (MHA). She previously served as Chief Executive of Manchester-based Arawak Walton Housing Association, stepping down last autumn after almost 25 years in the post. Ms D’Souza is a well-known figure in UK housing having served from 2012-23 as Chair of BME National, the umbrella…
Walker Sime launches new regeneration delivery service
Walker Sime, the Leeds-based multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, has announced the launch of a dedicated Regen Delivery service. The launch of the dedicated service comes in response to the increasing demands for regeneration initiatives, driven by government funding for Levelling Up, Long Term Plan for Towns, Future High Street and Sustainable Transport Settlement Funds. Aimed at…
Farming partnerships: beware the higher rate Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) charge on additional dwellings
Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) can be a significant cost on property transactions – and an area that farming partnerships need to be aware of, says Andrew Jackson’s tax partner, Fiona Phillips It is well known that partnerships are treated for the purposes of income tax as tax transparent, with the profits from the trade…
New Manningham Housing Association website goes live
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has launched a new website in the latest stage in the roll-out of its three-year digital business strategy. Delivered in partnership with Yorkshire-based creative design agency Redbak, the redesign seeks to improve accessibility for customers and project partners with a more modern, sleeker look. The revamped site incorporates numerous additional features…
Budget 2024: Housing association tenants were far from the Chancellor’s thoughts
The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has responded to today’s Budget. In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said: “It is disappointing but not surprising that a commitment to build many more urgently needed affordable homes was absent from the Chancellor’s remarks. “Alongside the six-month extension to the Household Support Fund, the well-trailed cut…
Leeds Beckett University and ARC launch building insulation innovations
An Innovate UK-funded partnership with Leeds Beckett University has shaped the future success of Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions – implementing a New Product Development (NPD) department within ARC which has created, developed, and brought to market two new innovative building insulation and fire safety products. ARC – a specialist manufacturer of cavity fire barriers and…
More homes proposed for Council’s low-energy, 100% affordable Ordnance Lane site
A new planning application is proposing an extra 16 low-energy, 100% affordable homes at the Council’s Ordnance Lane site, to be set in even more green space. Following Executive’s decision in November 2023 to build 100% affordable homes off Fulford Road, these zero-carbon in use homes are proposed to increase in number from 85 to…
Walker Sime to showcase commitment to healthy cities at leading real estate event
Walker Sime, the Leeds based construction consultancy, has confirmed its involvement with The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) which takes place between 21-23 May 2024, in Leeds. As a renowned construction, regeneration and infrastructure consultancy, Walker Sime has long been committed to creating lasting legacies of regeneration that positively impact society and…
Leeds College of Building overwhelmed by generous construction crafts donation
Teaching staff at Leeds College of Building are elated after receiving eleven articulated trailers of equipment donated by Legal & General. The materials and tools will be used to train the next generation of construction professionals enrolled across the College’s North Street and South Bank Campuses. The donation includes 60 pallets of fire, moisture, and…
Two new self-build plots available on Dane Avenue
In response to the need for more homes in the city and following the success of Lowfield Green’s six self-build plots which featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, City of York Council is offering two new opportunities for self-builders. These plots are to support people to get on the housing ladder by building their own…
Leeds-based Walker Sime delivers social impact at The Barnum
Chamber members Walker Sime, a Leeds-based construction consultancy firm, have played a pivotal role in the successful completion of The Barnum residential project in Nottingham, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s landscape and community. Serving as Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, and Employers Agent, the company helped deliver a striking 348-apartment and studio development and…
Align announces exciting opportunities for highways and infrastructure professionals
Align, the award winning, multi-discipline building design consultancy, is gearing up for an expansive and growth-driven year in 2024. As the year promises to be the busiest in our history, and with a host of new projects in the pipeline, we are thrilled to announce opportunities for passionate individuals to join our Highways and Bridge…
Local partnerships help York students build their future in construction
Students in York have been learning about careers in the construction industry this month, gaining valuable real-world experience of a wide range of different roles. Year 11 students were given an opportunity to experience life as an apprentice at a range of local businesses across the city last week [18 January]. The construction sector is…
Survey of all York’s council homes begins ahead of developing investment plans
City of York Council is about to start looking at every single one of its council homes through a stock condition survey. This survey of council homes will gather the information needed to plan and fund an improvement programme which regularly invests £10 million per year in the modernisation of the council’s 7,400 homes. The…