Borough Road: December Update

Executive Summary

Welcome to our December 2024 Borough Road, MiddlesbroughProject Update. Thanks to your contribution, we are pleased to confirm thatwe are now moving into the next stage of the build process.We also have some exciting updates on planning and design.

Planning & Design

• After a series of meetings with Middlesbrough Council we are now reaching agreement on the design of the of the building to ensure it meets all the requirements set out by the planning team.
• Following consultation with M&E Engineers forheating and hot water options, we have nowcommenced design works and relevantcalculations to deliver an efficient and compliantsystem for residents.
• We anticipated that the rooms would be ready forthe January 2025 Student Intake but we arecurrently slightly behind schedule due to twomain issues:
• Requirement from the local planning committeeto redesign the ground floor layout to take intoconsideration the provision of communal spacefor tenants – this has been an ongoing dialoguewith some design changes and we have nowreached a way forward.
• The second issue which is a new requirementwithin the industry is the need to obtain nutrientcredits for the development. We applied andsecured the necessary credits in principal (July 2024) from Natural England. We are now in theprocess of securing the actual certificatesrequired and their validation. This is acumbersome and lengthy process with theappropriate Government Department and we arein the final stage of securing the certificates andallocating them to this development. This needsto be done before we will be granted the finalplanning permissions
• Currently our aim is to have the building complete in Spring 2025 and ready to be refinanced, with students occupying rooms from the Summer Intake.

Sustainability Goals

• We aim to make the build programmeecologically friendly and lower our environmentalimpact. To achieve this, we will aim to incorporatethe following in our development:
• Seek to use sustainable and local materials where possible.
• Install low energy use fittings throughout the development.
• Reduce the number of vehicles we use by sourcing local products and materials.
• Energy-efficient technologies.
• Optimise natural lighting.Improve water efficiency.
• Improve indoor air quality.
• Install green roofing where possible.
• Implement a comprehensive recycling program.
• Encourage community involvement.Educate occupants on sustainability.
• Stay accountable.

Build

• We have a Schedule of Works for Borough Road which commenced in the summer and is progressing as per our programme plan.
• The development involves a major internal reconfiguration of the four buildings to create the desired accommodation. We have now completed he “soft strip” which removes all doors, fixtures, fittings, skirtings, carpets, flooring, sanitaryware, kitchens, lighting, sockets, radiators, boilers, pipework, ceilings etc that are not required in the new design.
• An asbestos survey was undertaken to assure everyone that the site was safe to work within.
• We have also had a survey undertaken by a structural engineer who is providing the advice and calculations required to remove structural parts of the building such as walls, door openings, ceilings etc.
• Now that the “soft strip” is completed, we are setting the site up to be Health & Safety compliant before the main contractual works commence.
• There are a number of contractors bidding to undertake the development works and we expect to conclude our decision before the structural works are completed.
• Structural changes are expected to be completed soon and building works to create the contemporary design are expected to
  commence.
• Designs of the windows and doors are been finalised as modern features of the building.

Proposed Internal CGIs

What's new in the Middlesbrough area?

• Captain Cook Square is now open and offerssomething for everyone including shopping andfamily fun activities such as go karting, crazy golf,bowling, and the American food chain Wendyshas opened alongside Bazaar, a luxury diningexperience. Coco & Rum Restaurant is set to open which iscentrally located on Linthorpe Road.
• The Thai Fusion Restaurant is one of many newlyrefurbished venues to open in the area. The former House of Fraser is set to become ahub of retail units and restaurants after veryrecently being purchased by the same owners asthe former M&S and Next units.
• TJ Hughes has recently announced its return toMiddlesbrough Town Centre set for the end of thisyear in the Cleveland Shopping Centre.