Weekly News Bulletin – 22nd December 2017

This week we saw an article from Property Wire calling for a shift in culture for UK high rise tower blocks to become safer for tenants. With Chair Dame Judith Hackitt calling on the construction industry to take greater responsibility for what is being built, what is your opinion?

The Express and Star reported that new plans have been submitted to Birmingham City Council for a 13-storey, 280,000 sq ft office building, located at Birmingham city centre’s £700 million Paradise redevelopment. Subject to planning permission, construction of the building is expected to start in 2019 after enabling any final ground preparation works undertaken in 2018.

CBI survey results also showed that almost half of all businesses are expected to recruit more apprentices over the next 12 months. This comes as a result of a surge in the manufacturing industry and a growing concern about a skills shortage. Here at Metsec, we invest in our apprentices because we appreciate the value they add to the company. Are you planning to recruit any apprentices in the coming months?

The Construction Enquirer revealed that Manchester property group MCR has submitted plans to build more than 1,000 homes in a complex featuring two towers in Birmingham’s Southside district. Designed to meet the city’s growing housing needs, MCR aims to start building work at the end of next year, to be completed by 2023. We’ll update you as we know more.

We saw news that Britain is estimated to have £3.8 billion a year of business opportunities in the steel sector by 2030 as the British Government has announced plans to use 3 million tonnes of UK steel for infrastructure projects in the next five years. Do you believe that the steel sector will see these opportunities in the near future?

The Out-Law released an interesting piece urging the UK to create a ‘digital’ twin of its infrastructure to allow virtual projections to be carried out. Here at Metsec, we are BIM Level 2 BSI certified and use this software in the majority of projects, allowing a thorough and in-depth projection to avoid any potential issues. Have you used virtual planning to aid decision making?

Finally, The Telegraph shared news that manufacturing growth is at a 30 year high. With British factories benefiting from a surge in output, this places the manufacturing sector in a strong position for 2018.

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Current building and fire regulations for tower blocks in UK not fit for purpose

A universal shift in culture is needed to help people live in high rise tower blocks in the UK believe they are safe as current building and fire regulations are not fit for purpose, according to a new report.
https://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/current-building-fire-regulations-tower-blocks-uk-not-fit-purpose/

Plans put forward for new 13-storey office at Paradise site

New plans have been submitted for the latest office building at Birmingham city centre’s £700 million Paradise redevelopment.
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2017/12/21/plans-put-forward-for-new-13-storey-office-at-paradise-site/#VaAtujdi5U44h704.99

Apprenticeship numbers will grow next year, CBI survey suggests

Growth in apprenticeship numbers is predicted in a CBI poll, following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy and a subsequent drop in starts
https://www.tes.com/news/further-education/breaking-news/apprenticeship-numbers-will-grow-next-year-cbi-survey-suggests

Plan for £275m Birmingham rental flats scheme

Manchester property group MCR has submitted plans to build a £275m build-to-rent flats scheme in Birmingham’s Southside district.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/plan-for-275m-birmingham-rental-flats-scheme/

UK sees 3.8 billion pounds a year of opportunities in steel sector by 2030

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain will have £3.8 billion a year of business opportunities for steelmakers by 2030, according to an independent study commissioned by the government.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-steel/uk-sees-3-8-billion-pounds-a-year-of-opportunities-in-steel-sector-by-2030-idUKKBN1E91XY

UK urged to build ‘digital twin’ of its infrastructure

A “digital twin” of the UK’s infrastructure should be created to allow virtual projections to be carried out into future capacity needs, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has said.
https://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2017/december/uk-urged-to-build-digital-twin-of-its-infrastructure/

Manufacturing growth at 30-year high as UK factories capitalise on export boom

Britain’s factories are benefitting from an export boom as the weak pound and demand from the strong eurozone economies leave manufacturers with the biggest order books since 1988.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/12/19/manufacturing-growth-30-year-high-uk-factories-capitalise-export/