Lord Richard Harrington appointed as UKREiiF Advisory Group Chair

The appointment will assist UKREiiF with the next phase of their growth following Infopro Digital’s acquisition of the business. UKREiiF (The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) has announced the appointment of Lord Richard Harrington as UKREiiF’s Advisory Group Chair. He’ll assist UKREiiF with their growth strategy following their acquisition by Infopro Digital in…

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New affordable housing development focused on sustainability opens in Keighley

Local councillors and project partners joined Manningham Housing Association (MHA) Board members and staff for the official opening of a new 20-unit affordable homes scheme at Shann Lane in Keighley. The £4.3 million Odette’s Point project – delivered by MHA in conjunction with Avant Homes, Homes England and Bradford Council – comprises 14 three-bed and…

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Oscrete welcomes new laboratory-based apprentice

Bradford-based specialist construction chemical supplier Oscrete is boosting its team with a further apprentice appointment. New Materials and Testing Apprentice Rennison Forrest-Parkinson joins Oscrete’s laboratory team this month in his first full time role since leaving Guiseley High School. Rennison (19) already has a construction background after shadowing a construction site manager and undertaking work…

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A confident outlook tempered by funding and skills concerns finds latest Construction Market Intelligence from RLB

There is a confident outlook in the Yorkshire & Humber construction sector tempered by funding and skills concerns according to the latest Construction Market Intelligence from Yorkshire based construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK). Major developments including Sheffield Policy Campus and West Yorkshire Mass Transit are driving demand across a range…

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£15m expansion plans for Trinity Kitchen

£15m Expansion Plans for Trinity Kitchen Set to Be Centre’s Biggest Investment Since Opening New 6,000 sq ft roof terrace to be added, offering views over city centre Trinity Leeds owner, Landsec, has submitted exciting new plans to invest £15m into the expansion of its popular Trinity Kitchen concept. Should the application be successful, it…

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Bradford mill demolition paves way for £17m cutting-edge future technologies centre 

Newly appointed contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced demolition of a derelict mill on Thornton Road, making way for Bradford College’s purpose-built Future Technologies Centre. The demolition of Junction Mills marks the start of construction on the state-of-the-art four-storey building, which will become the home of modern automotive and digital engineering training at Bradford College. Once opened, the…

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Blacks Solicitors supports Heywood Homes in the development of 35 “Low Carbon” homes

Blacks Solicitors has advised Heywood Homes on the acquisition and development of a site in Holmfirth, which will boast 35 “Low Carbon” homes with a gross development value of almost £13 million. The development of the site is being facilitated and supported by the £5 million of finance from Homes England with Blacks providing advice…

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Construction company, William Birch & Sons celebrates 150 years

York-based principal contractor William Birch & Sons Ltd has launched its 150-year celebrations at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington, York. Nearly 200 colleagues, retirees, and shareholders gathered for an afternoon of family fun to mark this significant milestone. Since 1874, the company has been delivering restoration, refurbishment, and construction services across the Yorkshire region….

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Infopro Digital acquires UKREiiF organisers Built Environment Networking Ltd

Infopro Digital, a leading business information services company, has acquired Built Environment Networking Ltd which runs UKREiiF (The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum), a must-attend event for the real estate, property and infrastructure communities. The acquisition will strengthen Infopro Digital’s position as a leading international business-to-business trade show and event provider in the…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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….

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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2024 can be year of renewed hope for Bradford – Manningham Housing Association

The Chief Executive and Chair of Manningham Housing Association have said that 2024 can be “a year of renewed hope and expectation” for the district’s residents as Bradford prepares to become UK City of Culture 2025. In a joint New Year message, Lee Bloomfield and Rupert Pometsey also spoke of their belief that, despite a…

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Further growth for Andrew Jackson’s real estate and property team

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that Kirsty Barsby has joined its real estate and property team as a partner, further strengthening the firm’s client services offering across the region and beyond. With over 18 years’ experience across a broad range of property matters, Kirsty’s clients operate across several sectors including hotel and leisure, residential and…

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A fond farewell as Manningham Housing Association Chair steps down

The Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has paid tribute to the Bradford-based organisation’s Chair, Barrington Billings, who is stepping down at the end of December after more than six and a half years in the role. Mr Billings has more than three decades of experience in the housing sector and is currently Head…

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Manningham Housing Association is top of the bots

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has launched a new WhatsApp bot to boost around the clock assistance for tenants. The application is designed to answer common questions relating to MHA’s services including rent payments, maintenance requests and other tenant support via a real-time automated conversational experience. It will also provide useful information about the association’s properties…

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Housing association and partners visit local scheme

Kinara Close in Keighley was the centre of attention when Bradford Council Neighbourhood Wardens and representatives of West Yorkshire Police and Bradford District Credit Union joined Manningham Housing Association (MHA) board and staff members on a special visit to engage with local residents. It was the latest in a series of Scheme Focus events organised…

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King’s Speech lacks commitment to build more affordable homes – housing association CEO

The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has criticised the government for failing to include a firm commitment in the King’s Speech to build more new affordable homes.  In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said the speech – which is written by Ministers but delivered by King Charles – highlighted that taking homeless people off the streets…

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Solberge Hall has been sold to luxury wedding company Wharfedale Grange

Solberge Hall in Northallerton has been acquired by wedding and events company Wharfedale Grange for an undisclosed sum. The 24-bedroom Georgian country house hotel is set in 9 acres of woodland situated near the North Yorkshire Moors and Yorkshire Dales. It has been owned by Classic Lodges hotel group since 2015 when it was purchased…

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Concrete admixture manufacturer marks 40 years with significant growth

Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete is marking 40 years in business with further growth and an increased shareholding in its Northern Ireland division. Oscrete, a subsidiary of Christeyns, is one of the UK’s leading specialist construction chemical suppliers which manufactures and supplies a range of concrete admixtures for precast and ready-mix concrete and the ready-to-use…

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Exciting new platform for Baul music as Bradford prepares for UK City of Culture 2025

A collection of more than 100 original songs of South Asian heritage by Bradford and Keighley writers has been launched at a celebratory event with support from Manningham Housing Association (MHA), Bradford Council and The Leap. The project was the brainchild of Sadar Uddin, MHA Community Partnership and Investment Manager, as a vehicle to revive,…

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Action needed to support BAME housing association residents into smaller homes

The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has told a Westminster inquiry there needs to be better choices for older people from BAME communities to downsize their properties and receive a better offer of accommodation – in terms of both quality and location. Giving evidence in the House of Lords to the All-Party Parliamentary…

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New corporate strategy for housing association ‘at the top of its game’

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has published a new streamlined corporate strategy and action plan with the theme of ‘Investing and Developing in Diverse Neighbourhoods where People Want to Live and Thrive.’ The three-year strategy centres on four overarching objectives: Providing More Affordable Homes, Looking After Our Existing Homes and Tenants, Community Investment and Partnership, and…

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New corporate strategy for housing association ‘at the top of its game’

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has published a new streamlined corporate strategy and action plan with the theme of ‘Investing and Developing in Diverse Neighbourhoods where People Want to Live and Thrive.’ The three-year strategy centres on four overarching objectives: Providing More Affordable Homes, Looking After Our Existing Homes and Tenants, Community Investment and Partnership, and…

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Housing association CEO challenges Government to deliver more homes in Bradford

The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has written to Michael Gove questioning why the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) failed to spend almost £2 billion of allocated funding to deliver more affordable homes. In his letter, Lee Bloomfield added: “It is a shame that neither you nor your officials chose…

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