< PreviousLeeds takes centre stage Leeds has repeatedly hit headlines as of late, thanks to myriad new developments underway in the city. Town Centre Securities has secured planning consent for the next phases on the mixed-use Whitehall Riverside development site in Leeds COMMERCIAL PROPERTYwww.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY W hilst Yorkshire and Lincolnshire continue to welcome a wealth of novel developments transforming their landscape, Leeds has stolen the spotlight over the past month with new schemes gathering pace, as well as by hosting the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). Leeds-based property investor, car park and hotel operator, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), for example, recently secured planning consent for the next phases on the mixed-use Whitehall Riverside development site in Leeds including two office buildings, a 478 space CitiPark car park and a hotel/aparthotel. The plan forms part of the wider regeneration of the strategically located riverside scheme and could see up to 235,000 sq ft of Grade A, smart and energy efficient office space along with a state-of-the-art, multi storey CitiPark car park and travel hub with renewable energy facility. The residential component of the masterplan, which is being delivered by Glenbrook and Legal & General, recently commenced on site providing 500 new homes. Craig Burrow, group property director, TCS, said: “After a lengthy process we are pleased to reach this milestone in the project and secure detailed and outline planning consent for the remaining plots. Our masterplan has been designed for modern needs, but with flexibility front of mind to adapt to the changing requirements of workspace, residential, electric vehicles, and the visitor economy. It will deliver a truly mixed-use scheme and a unique neighbourhood in the West End of the city which is now enjoying increased activity and development.” Meanwhile, works have begun on the next stage of Aire Park, with the latest phase seeing the construction of a new seven-storey commercial building, offering 75,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and almost 7,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor retail and leisure space. Located on the corner of Waterloo Street and Hunslet Road, the new building, designed by architects Cartwright Pickard, will act as a gateway to Aire Park on the approach from Leeds train station and the city centre. Alongside a target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, the scheme, which is due for completion in early 2025, has been pre-certified for a WiredScore Gold accreditation and a WELL Building Gold certificate. Simon Schofield, head of development north at Vastint UK, said: “With works beginning on our third commercial building, Aire Park is truly becoming a reality. Leeds’ reputation as a fantastic place to live and work has been widely documented, and we’re pleased to be playing our part in this by not only driving further inward investment, but creating a brand-new urban district specifically designed to prioritise healthy lifestyles and active participation in nature. As a long-term developer, we’re looking forward to seeing the development thrive over the coming years, and to working with a number of key stakeholders including Leeds City Council to improve connectivity, develop sustainable transport links, and overall help an unrealised area of the city centre to reach its full potential.” Furthermore, City Square House, the new 140,000 sq ft office building next to Leeds Station, was “topped out” in May. This major landmark, which has been developed by MRP and built by McAleer and Rushe, is claimed to be the most 12 Á A new 20-storey residential tower in Leeds’ Arena Quarter, known as Live Oasis St Albans Place, has reached its highest point 12 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY significant new office building in Leeds for a generation. Completion of the £100m City Square House, scheduled for the end of this year, will coincide with the completion of the extensive public realm improvement works at City Square. The workspace will comprise Grade A office accommodation over 12-storeys including low carbon credentials, terraces on the 4th, 5th and 6th levels and extensive cycling, electric vehicle and e-bike charging point facilities. Global law firm DLA Piper has already signed a deal to take 83,000 sq ft of prime office space at City Square House in the largest private sector pre-let deal in Leeds in the past 20 years. Meanwhile Markel, an SME- focused expert in providing integrated insurance, tax and legal services, has taken 20,000 sq ft at City Square House on a 15-year lease. Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council’s Chief Executive, said: “It’s brilliant to see the progress being made on City Square House which is one of the most prominent locations in Leeds city centre. Further investment into commercial space, record cranes on our skyline and the growing appeal of Leeds to global businesses, shows how our great city is really continuing to thrive economically.” Similarly, the construction of a new 20- storey residential tower in Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter has hit a huge milestone with a topping out ceremony. Known as Live Oasis St Albans Place, the scheme on Wade Lane is being developed specifically for the city’s burgeoning student market by Infinity www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group. The development will consist of 212 furnished apartments, complete with their own kitchens, en- suite bathrooms and living areas, as well as first-class amenities. Principal contractor, Farrans Construction will complete work on the development this summer and the apartments will be ready to move into in time for the start of the 2023/24 academic year. The scheme will be managed by YPP Lettings, under the company’s Live Oasis brand. A spokesperson for YPP said: “The topping out of this development is a major milestone. This is YPP’s biggest development to date and from the outset our ambition has been to push the boundaries of what we do both as a developer and in terms of student accommodation in Leeds. The result is a landmark building, in a really exciting area, that will genuinely offer the wow factor, complete with spectacular views from the upper floors and an amazing eighth storey roof terrace for residents to enjoy. This is in addition to all the amenities that make our Live Oasis developments so popular including numerous study areas, residents’ lounges, private dining facilities, concierge services and a fully equipped gym with separate workout studios. As a result, we’re already receiving enquiries from students who want to live in what promises to be the city’s hottest student address and we’re really looking forward to work completing in the coming months.” Works have begun on the next stage of Aire Park, seeing the construction of a new seven-storey commercial building 14 Business Link www.blmforum.net CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT T he UK has always had a strong export market for construction equipment and machinery, enjoying a thriving trade and the kudos of importing less than it exports, resulting in a net profit for the country and the industry as a whole. That said, trade in the wake of Brexit to the EU has fallen drastically, going from 50% of our export market to 44% in 2022. Despite that, sales of construction equipment finished in 2022 higher than they had in 2021, and the highest they had been since the financial crash. One of the leading reasons for the industry’s success has been the adaptation of greener machines. According to statistics, sales of construction machinery involving electric engines doubled in 2022 from 2021, showing a clear and explosive market for more sustainable machines across not only the EU, but further afield. The economic situation in the UK and our regions has led to more of a focus on retrofitting older machines however, indicating that much of the growth is in other countries purchasing out equipment for their own profits – by no means a bad thing, but not ideal either. The construction industry in our region has been doing well of late, but Net Zero 2050 has created both challenges and opportunities; the new requirements for buildings have resulted in more work, including work to modify existing growth Strong The construction equipment and machinery sector remain strong, but the trade surplus the country has enjoyed in recent years has begun to narrow. Will a push toward more sustainable equipment fix the problem? 16 Á The construction equipment and machinery sector remain strong, but the trade surplus the country has enjoyed in recent years has begun to narrow. Will a push toward more sustainable equipment fix the problem? growth Strong www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT © stock.adobe.com/pressmaster16 Business Link www.blmforum.net CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT properties, but the increasing complexity has been a burden on smaller construction companies who have less capital to throw around at these things. There is a lot of talk in the industry currently about what the future of construction equipment will be, and whether AI can be utilised in it in some way. AI is still in the early stages of being used commercially, and it’s harder to wave away accidents on a construction site versus a spelling mistake in a document. Still, companies are exploring how AI can be used to assist and streamline processes, and where it can safely be used. Some suggestions are in autonomous machinery for less complex jobs such as moving construction material across a site, and others are taking more gung-ho measures in seeking to introduce driverless machinery. A middle ground that feels much more realistic has been unveiled overseas, and sees vehicles remote controlled by drivers in simulation cabs back in a main office. These cabs are deigned to mirror the interior of the vehicle itself, including controls, but allow the driver to control any given piece of equipment from a central location. Not only does this mean less chance of injury or accident at a site, but it also offers up the potential for a singular operator to be on multiple sites at once, by doing one job in one part of the region, and then connecting to another vehicle in another, reducing downtime and allowing construction companies to cut costs by having their drivers operate multiple machines. This obviously does not mean multiple machines at once (though that could be a future development) but given that sometimes a piece of machinery is only needed for a few key jobs through the day, a single driver could perform those jobs at five or six sites without being moved around. Not only might this allow for less labour costs, but it could also be a solution to difficulties recruiting skilled machinery operators, as any given construction firm would need less staff. Many of these developments are still in their early stages, and implementation of AI has yet to be fully regulated by the government (it is expected that some laws might be introduced about it in the coming years) but seeing as how much of the talk about using it is to support a human operator, rather than replace them, it is unlikely that they will all be dismissed out of hand. The construction industry may be looking at a rapid paradigm shift in the coming decade toward fully electric, greener vehicles autonomously capable of action, and controlled by operators working off-site or in specially constructed facilities. If so, this may not only revitalise the construction industry, but create an incredible demand among manufacturers of construction machinery and equipment. The important part is embracing the new technology early so that our region, and our country, can benefit. Because innovative new ideas are already being explored in the US, EU and ASEAN regions, and the UK does not want to be left behind. North Lincs Engineering Ltd We specialise in the Supply, Installation and Reconditioning of Industrial and Marine Diesel Engines and Generating Sets. Our team of Service Engineers can Repair, Maintain or Commission Land based or Marine Installations Worldwide. Tel: 01507 328787 • Email: mark@northlincseng.co.uk • Website: www.northlincseng.co.uk www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT © stock.adobe.com/leonidkos18 Business Link www.blmforum.net AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT F rom cultivating crops and raising livestock, to distributing quality products nationwide and beyond, a business mindset helps farmers accomplish each one as efficiently and profitably as possible. For those just starting out in large-scale farming , it may be best to consider this approach as a toolbox with certain implements better suited for certain needs. Two areas you can be certain you’ll need a properly thought-out business model are in your farming practices, and in distribution once you’ve reaped the vast amounts of valuable produce from your hard work. Here we’ll be looking at how you can implement the tools of agribusiness in both of these, for the greatest benefit to you and your commerce. 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Inquiry and investigation into these areas enhances the productivity of livestock, while contributing to their wellbeing and ensuring animals live the longest and happiest life possible. Agribusiness techniques also support farmers in implementing best practices for animal care, feeding and breeding, ensuring efficient and sustainable processes for every stage of the working relationship between farmer and the animals that provide their wages. Even at ground level, precision agriculture, irrigation techniques and soil management can be employed to optimise productivity. Such examples of sustainable farming supporting quality input keeps the old rituals of farming ahead of the curve, bringing them into the future with forward-thinking ideals. Preparatory and crop maintenance practices which are compassionate to our planet and its resources, Business Link explores how agribusiness can leverage techniques to optimise farming practices and streamline distribution processes to maximise productivity and profitability. 20 Á Optimisingwww.blmforum.net Business Link 19 AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/ValentinValkovNext >