Sheffield Forgemasters granted permission for new facility
A major steel producer has been granted permission to build a new plant which would include the country's largest machining hall.Engineering specialists Sheffield Forgemasters will use the facility near Meadowhall to support manufacturing for defence programmes.The Ministry of Defence bought the company in 2021 and the 16-acre site on Weedon Street will be operational by 2028.Forgemasters programmes director Craig Fisher said it "signals an amazing investment for the city and for the wider UK".
Work is already underway to prepare the site, which will contain some of the largest and most advanced equipment ever produced for machining.The main building will be 32m tall and cover a space equal to 12 Olympic swimming pools, which Mr Fisher called "an iconic landmark".A second, smaller building will house a facility for testing products and a dedicated training area for new engineers.Mr Fisher added that the new development would "create highly-skilled engineering jobs for decades to come"."This planning agreement will see construction of the largest machining hall of its kind in the UK, and regeneration of a prominent brownfield site in the city's industrial centre," he said."What we are creating in the centre of Britain's historical industrial heartland is unparalleled in the UK and will not only de-risk supply for the UK's defence programme, but it will also deliver technologically advanced and rewarding working facilities for our employees."Forgemasters has the capability to produce some of the largest bespoke engineered steel products in the world, with the capacity for castings weighing up to 350 tonnes, and the capacity for forgings weighing up to 200 tonnes.The new plant will be able to produce complex nuclear-grade components more efficiently.Construction of another new facility for forging is also underway on Brightside Lane.Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
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Edinburgh Reporter
13 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council approves purchase of more homes on Dreghorn Estate
The council's Finance Committee has approved spending £6.65 million to purchase 38 homes currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, bringing the total number bought in this development for rent by the council to 78. The council says this action, unanimously approved on Monday morning, will prevent 15 civilian households becoming homeless, and will help the local authority deal with the housing emergency. There was a lot of comment during the meeting on the positive way that the collaboration between council officers and the residents had been conducted. But one member of the committee, Cllr Simita Kumar, who leads the SNP group, said that she had to rely on social media for much of her information. She said: ''Securing these 38 homes is a step forward for residents and local housing, but this is just the start of the process. The uncertainty tenants have faced shows the Council and Ministry of Defence must do much better on communication. 'As we await condition surveys, it's clear significant investment will be needed to make these homes safe, energy-efficient, and truly fit to live in.' Cllr Watt said she and the officers had tried to be disciplined about communication but there were several stakeholders involved who had been quick to share information. As part of what was approved today the council officers will set up regular periodic calls with residents which councillors can join to receive the most up to date information. At the meeting Most councillors attended the Special Meeting online, as is usual for a special meeting, although Cllrs Simita Kumar, Joan Griffiths and Phil Doggart as well as the Convener Cllr Mandy Watt were in the Dean of Guild Court Room along with council officers. Local councillor Conor Savage also sat in the public gallery supporting the residents who were there to present a deputation. Finance and Resources Convener Mandy Watt said: 'We're doing everything we can to make sure these residents will remain in their homes and to increase the amount of affordable and social housing we have in the city – and I know the residents are very grateful that this proposal has had so much support from councillors. 'Purchasing these homes is a sensible way to boost the housing we have, and Dreghorn is a community that provides a great place for council tenants to have a suitable, safe and affordable place to call home. 'Council colleagues have worked over many months to negotiate this purchase from the Ministry of Defence, listening to the concerns of Dreghorn residents at every turn and ensuring good value for the council. This is a huge step towards a positive outcome – a fantastic example of doing things differently to make sure we address our housing emergency.' The financial details are set out in the council report: 6.1 The net purchase price of £6,650,000 will be funded with £3,289,000 from the Scottish Government National Acquisition Fund grant delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme with the balance of £3,361,000 funded through rental income and prudentially borrowed over a 30-year period. 6.2 In addition to the purchase price, additional capital works for asbestos removal, lettable standard works, net zero carbon and lifecycle costs have been estimated at £4,737,232 in total (£124,664 per unit). 6.3 The principal re-payment for the net purchase costs, asbestos removal and lettable standard works, is estimated at £4,794,772 plus interest costs of £3,972,565 at 5.25% interest rate, a total loans charge cost of £8,767,337 over the 30-year period. Annual average costs are £292,245. 6.4 The funding requirements for net zero carbon and lifecycle costs will be factored into future years' HRA budgets and approved through the relevant annual budget setting process. 6.5 The purchase of the 38 properties is estimated to generate additional net income to the HRA of £135,522 by year 10, which increases to £1,967,023 by year 30. This has been calculated using the same percentage rental income increase assumptions as used in the 2025/26 HRA Business Plan. Dreghorn residents Deputation Three of the residents from Dreghorn addressed the committee, and spoke of the uncertainty they were living under for the last six months. Reident Mandy Burgen said: 'What sits before you this morning is a proposal that is a testament of determination and what can be achieved when we all work together collaboratively. 'It proves that solutions can be found and that circumstances can be changed. In March, we sat before you with the support of Living Rent and raised awareness of the desolate prospects that were evolving for the families of the Dreghorn Estate. 'Today proves you listened, and now we ask you to act and that our voices be heard again. 'Since November 2024 the families in the Dreghorn community have been no strangers to the feelings of dejection. Imagine feelings of deprived aspirations, a constant sense of futurelessness and having to hit the pause button on every aspect of your lives. It isn't about losing a house. It's about losing our homes, our family security and livelihoods and the fear of being ejected from our community connections on a micro and macro sociological level.' Another resident, Amy Monaghan, explained that she is a worried single disabled mother of two children, both of whom are neurodivergent. She said: 'I work as a dinner lady at one of the schools local to Dreghorn Estate and also care for my autistic brother part-time. November of last year, I've been living under a cloud of constant fear and anxiety that I would lose my house, possibly lose my job because of it, and that my children will lose their friends and stability that's been hard earned over the past few difficult years. 'For my family this house represents more than four walls to shelter in. We've built relationships within our community, discovered support systems, and adapted out lives around a space that is perfect for the complex needs of my children. Our neighbours have become our extended family through this ordeal and having the community is what has helped us cope – and beyond that will help us thrive.' Catherine Lomax spoke on behalf of her daughter who is a disabled adult living independently in the Dreghorn Estate, but who has been affected by the threat of eviction. She said: 'The situation was hopeless, and Sarah was in the depths of depression and anxiety. The threat of eviction was devastating. She was desperately stressed and stopped doing all her normal activities as her mind was entirely focused on becoming homeless. Her coping mechanism was to run away and hide. Since then, the whole community has pulled together to support each other. Losing her home would be a terrible upheaval of her life, but now we have hope that she will keep it and as an added bonus, the campaign has resulted in deep friendships and support within the community.' Cllr Kumar commented that the residents had painted a really positive picture of their dealings with the council officers and elected members, but wondered if they had an ask for what would happen now. The residents replied that the future of Dreghorn is to keep building the community and that working together is testament to the housing policy – and 'that we can make these things work'. Cllr Younie also asked about the new residents association and what they would like the council to do to better support them moving forward. The reply was the same: 'Going forward it is about building sustainable communities. Through this we have bonded even tighter together.' The Finance Convener asked what it would mean to the residents and Ms Burgen said that personally it would allow her to make plans again. She said: 'The incredible amount of work means security. When this news broke six months ago I was in America at my daughter's wedding. She wanted me to go and see her in August. I have had to hit the pause button on that as I didn't know – I could have been homeless going forward. When we saw this proposal today we were over the moon about it and we just ask everybody to pass this proposal today.' Cllr Savage began his address to the committee with thank yous – particularly for council officers and councillors. He said: I want to thank the residents for their patience and engagement, especially given the pressure and uncertainty they've been under. I am confident the residents association will grow going forward. 'These are homes not just houses, and today we have a unique opportunity to save the community, tackle the housing crisis and homelessness in the city.' Cllr Savage said to The Edinburgh Reporter after the meeting: 'I am incredibly happy. We heard from the deputation the impact this whole situation has had on them, so I am happy to see that the committee has approved this. There has been so much hard work done on this by council officers, by the council, other elected officials and as I said to the meeting the work done on collaborating and engaging has been absolutely essential.' Asked about the unknown level of costs – which could be as much as £4.737 million to remedy asbestos in the properties and upgrade them to net zero carbon homes, Cllr Savage did not reply, saying instead: 'I think we have a unique opportunity to save a community to tackle the housing crisis in the city as well as homelessness, in what in my opinion is a good deal as well.' Cllr Doggart asked for more clarity about the repairs needing done to these houses. He said: 'Are we buying properties that are not in a particularly good state at the moment?' He was assured by the council officers that there will be condition surveys carried out as part of the conditions of purchase. Council officers believe there will only be a little work required on the basis of the condition of previous homes purchased. When the purchase is settled the existing leases will be terminated, and capital spending will afterwards be incurred on the repairs. Cllr Doggart asked about the future level of rents receivable. Council officers said that these would be individual conversations with tenants and so had not yet been finalised. Cllr Doggart was assured the purchase price reflects current condition and an officer confirmed that when the houses are purchased – probably in September or October – any remedial works will then be scheduled. Green councillor Alex Staniforth asked that the council maintains the green space around the development to a high standard. The council will become liable for a charge for this common area when they take over ownership, and this was agreed as part of the committee decision. In summing up Cllr Watt said she was happy about the level of support this proposal has had, and this decision of the committee will be referred to full council next week for ratification. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
15 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh residents 'relief' as council backs plan to buy Dreghorn homes from MoD
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A working mother has said she feels 'so much relief' after Edinburgh cou ncil has progressed plans to purchase 36 homes adjacent to an army base. Some 15 civilian families currently live on the Dreghorn estate, which was built as housing for service members at the nearby Dreghorn Barracks. In February, the Ministry of Defence wrote to the tenants saying that they were looking to evict the residents and sell off the houses early next year. But, on Monday, councillors agreed to purchase the homes where the families live and keep them in their houses as tenants, in a move a committee convener has said is 'really pleasing'. Amy Monaghan, a school dinner-lady and a working mother living on the estate, said she feels relieved by the decision. She continued: 'It means everything that we're going to be able to keep our homes. It's the only home my daughters have ever known. 'It means we're going to have our forever home. The security is something I can't imagine. 'There's so much relief. We can get to work on building a community. It's great knowing that there are people there around you.' Dreghorn residents have already started putting together a residents' association, with plans for monthly socials and litter picking exercises. The council already bought 40 other homes from the MOD on the estate, 23 in March 2023 and 17 in January 2025. Labour councillor and Finance and Resources Committee convener Mandy Watt said: "We're doing everything we can to make sure these residents will remain in their homes and to increase the amount of affordable and social housing we have in the city, and I know the residents are very grateful that this proposal has had so much support from councillors. 'Purchasing these homes is a sensible way to boost the housing we have, and Dreghorn is a community that provides a great place for council tenants to have a suitable, safe and affordable place to call home. 'Council colleagues have worked over many months to negotiate this purchase from the Ministry of Defence, listening to the concerns of Dreghorn residents at every turn and ensuring good value for the council. 'This is a huge step towards a positive outcome – a fantastic example of doing things differently to make sure we address our housing emergency.' Of the homes, 21 will be purchased as vacant, with the council intending to use them as mixed-market housing. A total of £6.65 million will be spent on the purchase, with about £3.29m coming from the Scottish Government. The total cost to the council is estimated to be about £8.77m, after asbestos removal and renovation works on the property are completed. Councillor Simita Kumar, the SNP's group leader and a member of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: 'The acquisition of 38 more homes at Dreghorn is a positive step that brings long-overdue security to residents and strengthens local affordable housing. 'However, the uncertainty many tenants have faced highlights the need for clearer, more consistent communication. 'We urge the council to maintain open dialogue with local communities to ensure residents are informed and supported throughout any future transitions.' The MOD had been housing both defence families and civilians on the site as the need for military housing at the base reduced. At present, a handful of defence families still live on the site, but the MOD intends to move them to other housing prior to the sale. Dreghorn residents attended Monday's meeting, and several cried and hugged outside the meeting room after the committee made its decision. Mandy Burgen, another Dreghorn resident, said she was looking forward to the estate's new residents' association growing, and that the committee's decision was a positive step amid the housing crisis. She said: 'We've got a lot of things going on. We've got a social evening once a month. 'We're going to develop ideas as we go along, improving our [public] spaces. 'The decision that has been passed today is not only combating a housing crisis in Edinburgh, but it's actually showing that something good can come out of it by building sustainable communities.' Conor Savage, a Labour councillor for Colinton/Fairmilehead, said: 'I'm really thankful for what council officers have done, and my fellow councillors. 'Other elected officials like Scott Arthur MP, thankful to work with him on this. But most importantly the residents. 'The work they've done to collaborate and engage has been absolutely brilliant, conveying their own personal experiences, what they needed, being a part of the process from start to finish. 'This is a really unique opportunity to save a community and tackle the housing crisis.' The decision to borrow money to fund the council's side of the purchase will be made at the next full council meeting on 19 June, but this is expected to be approved.
The Guardian
18 hours ago
- The Guardian
Nato chief warns of Russian threat and calls for ‘quantum leap' in collective defence
Russia will remain an imminent threat to Nato even if there is peace in Ukraine and the western alliance has to dramatically increase its air defences and tank and weapon numbers as a result, the head of the organisation will say on Monday. Mark Rutte, who is visiting the UK and meeting the prime minister, Keir Starmer, is expected to outline why it is necessary for allies to agree a dramatic increase in military spending to 5% of GDP at a summit in The Hague later this month. At a speech at the Chatham House thinktank in London on Monday afternoon, the Nato secretary general will argue the alliance needs 'a quantum leap in our collective defence' and 'more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full'. Critically, Rutte is expected to say 'the fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends', reflecting a belief that the Kremlin will not demilitarise even it agrees to a ceasefire and eventually a peace with Kyiv. Military planners believe that Russia will seek to retain an active and experienced army in excess of 600,000-strong and maintain elevated levels of defence spending of about 6.5% of the country's GDP, so threatening Nato's eastern flank. Rutte will first visit Sheffield Forgemasters, a nationalised steelmaker owned by the Ministry of Defence which makes complex components for nuclear submarines, before meeting Starmer and then giving his speech. The secretary general, a former Dutch prime minister, has been pushing a proposal for Nato members to agree to lift core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by about 2035, with a further 1.5% on cyber and other related military infrastructure. Britain is expected to sign up to the plan, to be formally confirmed at the summit, as part of an effort to maintain the support of the US president, Donald Trump, who pressed for the new 5% target once he was elected president for the second time. Justifying the need for extra spending, Rutte is expected to say that Nato needs 'a 400% increase in air and missile defence' as part of a wider rearmament to maintain credible deterrence and defence. 'We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,' Rutte is expected to say, according to remarks trailed by Nato ahead of the speech, due to begin at 3.45pm London time (1645 GMT). There will also have to be wider restocking of weapons, run down initially during the long period of post-old ar peace and second, because so much has been donated to Ukraine to help it fend off the full-scale Russian invasion over the past three years. 'Our militaries also need thousands more armoured vehicles and tanks, millions more artillery shells, and we must double our enabling capabilities, such as logistics, supply, transportation, and medical support,' Rutte will add. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Britain has promised to increase defence spending from the current 2.33% of GDP to 2.5% by 2027 and to 3% in the early 2030s. But a week ago, Starmer acknowledged that discussions about Nato's future military needs were also taking place. 'There are discussions about what the contribution should be going into the Nato conference in two or three weeks' time,' the prime minister said as he unveiled the UK's strategic defence review, as part of a wider conversation about 'what sort of Nato will be capable of being as effective in the future'. Rutte is expected to welcome the UK's strategic defence review which he will say will 'enhance Nato's collective defence'. The document said Britain faced 'a new era of threat' and that in order to deter Russia the UK had to become, in the words of Starmer, 'battle-ready'. Last week, one of the three members of the defence review team, the foreign policy expert Fiona Hill, said the UK needed to recognise that Russia considered itself at war with Britain and that the US under Trump was no longer a reliable ally. 'We're in pretty big trouble,' Hill said in an interview with the Guardian.
