Author: Louise Bilbie

Staveley regeneration scheme moves ahead

Category: Construction

Plans for a landmark structure as part of a £6 million town centre improvement plan in Staveley, Derbyshire have been formally submitted.

The news means Staveley town centre is now a step closer to being revitalised under the Staveley 21 scheme, which will deliver a new marketplace, public realm, shops and connectivity with Chesterfield Canal.

Regional complete construction partner Stepnell, appointed through the Procure Partnerships Framework (PPF), has worked collaboratively with Chesterfield Borough Council and consultant partners, Whittam Cox, Rodgers Leask and Ares Landscapes, to progress the project’s plans and prepare it for the design and build stage.

The scheme forms part of a wider package of projects being delivered under the Staveley Town Deal, which saw it awarded £25.2m in March 2021 through the government’s Towns Fund deal.

If planning is approved, the new two-storey landmark pavilion building will sit between the Staveley Miners Welfare building and Staveley High Street, as a striking new focal point in the heart of the town centre.

Designed by local architects, Whittam Cox, the pavilion building aims to reflect Staveley’s heritage with a modern twist, opening up the view of the historic town from the marketplace. Several uses for the building are currently being considered, including as a potential site for a new library, retail and leisure amenities, and business start-ups.

Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said:
“Staveley 21 is our latest project on the Procure Partnerships Framework, through which we are showcasing our vast experience of collaborating with local authorities and partners to enhance public town centre spaces.

“We are a Champion of Chesterfield, and have previously delivered the Wellbeing Hub at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Trust. The same team is currently nearing completion on the refurbishment of the Bluebell Ward at the town’s Walton Hospital as part of the NHS’s Make Room for Dignity Programme to improve mental health provision for older patients.

“As a complete construction partner, we will deliver exceptional quality throughout all aspects of the design and build stages that will generate lasting value to the community of Staveley. By working alongside the needs of residents and businesses in the town, Staveley 21 will enhance the wider package of works as part of the Staveley Town Deal.”

Staveley 21 includes the transformation of the marketplace to create an enlarged public space to support existing uses, such as regular markets, and provide a new public space to host a wide range of outdoor events to encourage footfall to the town centre.

Proposals include tiered seating to support an outdoor theatre and open-air cinema screenings, as well as natural play equipment to help make the marketplace feel more attractive to families.

New paving, energy efficient lighting, street furniture and landscaping will help create an enhanced atmosphere and visitor experience at any time of day or night, while new signage will help connect the town centre with Staveley’s other visitor attractions, including Chesterfield Canal and Staveley Hall.

Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said:
“The Staveley 21 project has the potential to be transformative for the town centre, ensuring that it is a place where local people and visitors will want to spend time whilst also supporting local businesses to grow not only now but in the future. Our aim through the town deal is ensuring that Staveley is a place where people can Start, Stay and Grow and the town centre reflects this with something to entice all ages to visit, support local businesses and to help them to grow.”

During the development of Staveley 21, Stepnell will work with local schools and colleges to increase employment opportunities, particularly for those facing barriers to employment, and engage with the town centre’s community stakeholders.

If the proposals are passed, works are expected to start summer 2024, with completion scheduled for July 2025.

Innovation in construction

Category: Education

Construction works recently started on a new forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire, for Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, with support from North West Leicestershire District Council and Leicestershire County Council.

Designed by award-winning firm Lungfish Architects, the two-form entry school is scheduled to open in 2024, and is being constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) rather than traditional methods.

Our teams paid the manufacturer, Innovaré Offsite, a visit to see how they will work. i-FAST SIPS panels have excellent insulation properties, reducing energy consumption and costs associated with heating and cooling.

i-FAST is a patented closed-panel framed wall system manufactured offsite with intrinsic fire, acoustic, structural, and thermal performance.

Advantages of this system:

  • The i-FAST panels are faced with A1 Non-combustible board and factory filled with A1 rated stone wool. The staggered stud arrangement reduces thermal bridging and acoustic transmission, while allowing protection of the stud in a fire scenario. This allows a unique proposal of a standalone panel system that exceeds 60 minutes’ fire resistance without reliance on additional lining boards.
  • The panels can be used to form the building structure or as infill. All components are recyclable, CE Marked or BBA Certified. The i-FAST system allows architects, specifiers and inspectors to be confident that the building will achieve a minimum level of performance and is fully supported by Innovaré’s in-house design, manufacturing and installation teams offering complete control over the project.
  • This construction method will accelerate the Forest School’s delivery and deliver ambitious building performance outcomes for the school, such as giving thermal values and airtightness significantly below DfE targets, helping to reduce energy demand and lower operational carbon.

Newark College student visits

Category: Construction

Newark College Electrical Installations Students Embark on an Exciting Enrichment Project to Transform Newark Town Centre

In a remarkable initiative, that combines education, hands-on experience, and community development, students from Newark College‘s Electrical Installation Study Programmes and Apprenticeships are shaping the future of Newark’s town centre.

The event led by Stepnell, with Newark and Sherwood District Council, allows the students to observe the project through the different stages of transforming the M&S foodhall on Stodman Street into a vibrant hub of residential homes and retail units. Beyond their initial site visit this week, the students will revisit the site for the demolition phase and continue to monitor the project until its successful completion.

Penny Taylor, MBE, Head of Newark Campuses, said: “We are delighted for our students to be involved in such a project; it reinforces our commitment to providing students with enriching experiences making them work-ready. The collaboration between educational institutions and local government and employers underscores the importance of nurturing the next generation of industry experts. As a college, we can’t replicate these experiences in the classroom – local employers enhance student experience, allowing them to visualise theory on a real project whilst actively investing in the betterment of the community.”

Under the expert guidance of professionals, students will have the unique opportunity to witness and contribute to the entire project life cycle. This enriching work experience with a local employer equips students with sector-specific knowledge for future employment within the industry.

Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This was a great opportunity where we could provide local students with a unique experience to support them in their learning by visiting a major construction project. We’re always looking for opportunities to work with partners and to find ways we can support them in the work that we do. The plan for the former M&S building will help transform the empty building into a thriving area where living, working and shopping come together. We’re excited to get this project underway, and our Officers enjoyed informing students on the challenges and work that goes into renovating such a unique site.”

Image credit: rg+p Ltd

During this week’s site tour, Stepnell Senior Pre-Construction Manager Christian White provided students with valuable insights into the various stages of the project, including the complexities of demolishing a site in a highly pedestrianised town centre, emphasising the need for a controlled process over a 20-week period. Students also gained an understanding of the diverse professionals involved in such a large-scale project, including the coordination with the National Grid to ensure the absence of live cables during the demolition phase and the involvement of archaeologists to assess the need for an archaeological dig to preserve any artifacts – teaching students the importance of liaising with the different trades to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the project.

Christian said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with the electrical installation students from Newark College for their first site visit to this multifaceted and significant development in the town centre. This project showcases the variety and complexity of works that electrical installers may expect to undertake with similar high street projects. We’re looking forward to continuing to engage with the students as the works progress. This education initiative adds to our social value plans during the project, including carbon reduction initiatives, employability programmes and targeted regional spending. These are all integral to generating the added value that we pride ourselves on delivering as a complete construction partner.”

Following their visit students had an engaging and innovative session with Stepnell on the importance of employer encounters. Students learned how they can enhance their CVs, key interview skills and ideal attributes of candidates. Reinforcing our employer-led commitment as a college to deliver an enriching curriculum.

Jake Wood, Level 3 Electrical Installations Apprentice at Newark College, said: “We are doing design at the moment in college which I’m really enjoying. Being on site, we got to see design plans for the new building. It’s good to understand the layout from the start and end of the project.”

The Stodman Street project was procured through the Procure Partnership Framework, these activities form part of our KPI commitments to delivering social value within the local communities of our framework schemes.

More information regarding the scheme please visit:

Work underway on major project in Newark Town Centre

For more information on the Newark College Electrical Installations provision, please head to: https://shorturl.at/gtvB7