Latest news with #Wates
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for 270 new homes approved in Ashtead
Up to 270 new homes are to be built in a Surrey village close to the Valley District Council's development committee has approved the plans for land south of Ermyn Way in proposals, which include 108 affordable properties, a community building and space for gypsy and traveller pitches, were approved by six votes to five with two Beresford, from Ashtead Residents' Association, said: "Adding 580 residents would be unsustainable, the character of the area will certainly be harmed." The new development will be Surrey's biggest cul-de-sac, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Wates said the scheme would "go a considerable way to alleviating housing pressure in the area".The company said it had been working on the proposals since 2014, with both the council and planning inspector agreeing it was a sustainable site.A spokesperson said: "Mole Valley is one of the least affordable places to buy a home with about 680 households currently on the waiting list."The still-to-be-determined final layout will include a purpose-built community building with potential for a children's nursery, 30 acres of open space with green corridors and children's play areas, and cycling schools have told the council there is enough capacity to take on the expected increase in children moving into the area, the meeting heard. But independent councillor Gerry Sevenoaks said he opposed the development."It will have a devastating impact, increasing traffic pollution and loss of biodiversity," he said."But more importantly, there would be a devastating impact on the residents living close to this development."
Wales Online
05-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
The club that brings together teens, pensioners and refugees to meet and mix
The club that brings together teens, pensioners and refugees to meet and mix Grangetown Boys and Girls Club is getting everyone involved in shared projects The club helps many who face the effects of poverty, isolation, and social change (Image: Rahaf Ali ) At at time when youth services has seen steep cuts, one of Cardiff's few remaining open-access youth centres is working to reconnect communities across generations and cultures. Grangetown Boys and Girls Club offers a range of programmes not only for young children and teenagers but also groups of all ages, many of whom face the effects of poverty, isolation, and social change. 'We're unique in that respect,' said Mathew Salley, development manager at the club. 'Youth provision has been reduced by around 70% across Cardiff due to austerity and the cost-of-living crisis. But we're still here, open to everyone, led by the community.' Mathew, who has worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, says the club now operates on an intergenerational model that brings together pensioners, young people, and newer migrant communities. Projects set up by the club range from sports and cooking sessions to gardening, outdoor activities, and volunteer work. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here 'We have a Tuesday group called Made with Love, which is for older residents. On Fridays, we run a session called Cartref, which is the Welsh word for home and is designed to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, and residents,' he said. 'It's not about separating people into groups; it's about getting everyone involved in shared projects.' Mathew stresses the importance of those who are new to the UK in integrating with the community. 'With the political situation at the moment, there's a lot of resentment, it's really important for the guys that I work with to be part of the community straight away', he says. He explains the projects the Grangetown Youth Club provides for refugees and asylum seekers. Article continues below He describes the projects as 'we are not sitting around all day drinking tea we're out in the community, for example we do river cleans with whitewater centre in Cardiff, we helped when storm Darragh flooded the valleys, we get voluntary work right across the border, its important for our people to be involved with the wide community because it helps with improving English and understanding the culture', he reiterates. Recent work with construction firm Wates has helped renovate the centre, including garden clearance, plans for a new kitchen, and improved heating and windows. 'We don't have much funding, so when Wates came in and tidied the place up, it was huge for us,' Mathew explained. 'They even brought volunteers to help clean the garden, which is important because we grow our food and run environmental sessions in the garden.' But for Mathew, the renovations are part of something bigger: rebuilding the kind of community cohesion he remembers growing up in Grangetown and the Cardiff docks. 'I grew up on Alice Street,' he recalled. 'My father was Muslim, my mother Christian. We celebrated Eid and Christmas, and it was all just community. Everyone came together.' The club's approach challenges the modern form of community support, where services for different age groups often don't overlap. 'We want to go back to a simpler approach, just people coming together, through storytelling or just being in the company, so we even do activities where younger people will cook with older people, giving the opportunity to talk about things and to learn. It's about creating a sense of belonging again,' Mathew said. As Grangetown continues to change, with new housing developments and more residents moving in from across the UK, Salley believes it's crucial that new and existing communities meet and mix, rather than remain divided by culture or class. 'There's a strong Welsh-speaking community here, but they're not always involved in projects like this,' he said. 'We want to change that, to bring everyone in, so that when decisions are made, it's done as a collective voice.' Despite limited public funding, the club is backed by the National Lottery's People's Trust and has secured new partnerships that may open employment pathways for residents. As Mathew puts it, the centre is 'small in size but big in purpose.' 'It's not just about helping young people,' he added. 'It's about helping Grangetown remember what it means to be one community.' Article continues below
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wates wins $148.9m Victoria Tower refurbishment contract in UK
Wates, a UK-based building and property maintenance company, has secured a £110.6m ($148.9m) contract for the refurbishment of the historic Victoria Tower in London. The company, selected after a competitive tender process, will undertake work to preserve the tower for future generations. The Victoria Tower, a part of the Palace of Westminster, was completed in 1860 and stands at the south-west corner of the complex. It is significantly larger than the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, and is seen as a key part of parliamentary events, such as the State Opening of Parliament. Scheduled to begin in mid-September, the restoration of the Grade 1-listed tower is expected to continue until 2031. The project will encompass a range of essential safety measures alongside key restoration and conservation efforts. Over the next six years, Wates, in collaboration with specialist companies and craftspeople from across the UK, will employ a blend of traditional skills and innovative methods. The scope of work includes repairing and securing the site's stonemasonry, restoring window glazing, replacing the roof, and refurbishing the 22.3m flagpole that distinguishes the tower's height over the Elizabeth Tower. The last significant works on the Victoria Tower were carried out in the early 1990s to protect the parliamentary records archive stored within from pollution damage. Wates Construction London managing director Steve Holbrook said: 'This project is a significant step forward for us in the public sector and heritage space, reflecting the outstanding work of both our preconstruction and delivery teams.' In April this year, the UK's Government Property Agency named Wates as the contractor for the Category B fit-out of the new government office at Manchester's First Street, following the completion of the Category A fit-out and the start of the lease. "Wates wins $148.9m Victoria Tower refurbishment contract in UK" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wates chosen for Category B fit-out of First Street Hub in Manchester
The UK's Government Property Agency (GPA) has selected Wates as the contractor for the Category B fit-out of the new government office at Manchester's First Street in England. The construction of the nine-storey building is progressing into its final stage, with the company responsible for the hub's fit-out to ensure it is functional for office use. This selection follows the recent completion of the Category A fit-out and the beginning of the lease. The fit-out phase commenced following the handover of the property to GPA this February, after BAM Construct UK completed works on the development. The Manchester First Street Hub, a significant part of GPA's Government Hubs Programme, is set to house approximately 2,600 civil servants from various departments. The £105m ($135m) project, backed by the Pension Insurance Corporation, is part of a broader initiative to foster growth and modernise government workspaces across the UK. Located within a short distance of the Oxford Road and Deansgate rail stations, the First Street Hub is designed to meet inclusive and accessible standards. The 12,000m² building aims to support diverse working styles, promoting collaboration and community among civil servants. GPA capital projects interim director Georgina Dunn said: 'Appointing the Cat B contractor was the final major hurdle to overcome before the home straight of delivering this exceptional building. The hub will provide a state-of-the-art office space for thousands of civil servants and will be one of the largest cross-departmental hubs outside London. "It also has enviable sustainability credentials with the building achieving a NABERS [National Australian Built Environment Rating System] 5.5* rating - ranking it among the most sustainable buildings in the UK.' Wates Smartspace managing director Scott Camp said: 'We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with the Government Property Agency following our work at Darlington Economic Campus and 2 Ruskin Square in Croydon. 'Securing the contract for the Cat B fit-out at Manchester First Street is a testament to our expertise in delivering high-quality, modern office environments. This project will provide thousands of civil servants with a state-of-the-art workspace, enabling them to foster collaboration and efficiency.' "Wates chosen for Category B fit-out of First Street Hub in Manchester" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
