ASPIRE ISSUE 9WINTER 2017

Change of AddressNew Leicester, Birmingham & Leeds officespage 2

All in the PlanPositive projects with Barwood Landpage 3

Warm WelcomeIntroducing five new national clientspage 4

Sound CheckPure Gym Noise surveyspage 7

2 Company News

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3 Company News

“Welcome to the latest Aspire, which we hope gives a good insight into

our current projects as well as how the company continues to grow. We’ve been in our new Leicester head office since March and are extremely proud of our new premises. We undertook significant renovation and improvement works to ensure our 166 year old building will serve us well for the future and it’s now a thriving working environment for 45 people.

“Our focus now is on the expansion of our other four offices; Birmingham, Leeds, Milton Keynes and Nottingham. Leeds opened in February (see story opposite), Milton Keynes now encompasses flood risk and geo-environmental expertise alongside the existing infrastructure and structural design teams and Nottingham has a larger highways/infrastructure division as well as being a full-time base for the Geomatics division’s utility mapping specialists. As we went to press, relocation

in Birmingham to the city’s landmark Bank House was underway – more on this move in the next issue!

“In all our offices, we’re upgrading the broadband and phone systems to enable direct dial and voicemail. Leeds, Leicester and Nottingham are in place, with Birmingham and Milton Keynes in the final stages of implementation. Please note new phone numbers on the back page.

“Finally, a date for your diary – Thursday 7th December – is our annual Christmas drinks at Birmingham’s Pure Bar. We hope many of you will join us from 5pm for early festive celebrations. Enjoy the issue.”

The Directors

eddie.mewies@m-ec.co.uk alex.bennett@m-ec.co.uk

Directors’WELCOME

Launching in Leeds

A current project for the Leeds team is the conversion of a former chocolate factory

into 258 apartments, known as Cocoa Works. Initially, M-EC provided a full suite of technical services to enable Clarion Housing Group to purchase the premises off Haxby Road, York, including ground investigation and structural

surveys, flood risk assessments, detailed utility enquiries and a drainage strategy review. Following a successful outcome, Clarion commissioned M-EC to continue with the full conversion, undertaking further ground investigation and structural surveys, Section 278 design for new access works, Section 38 and Section 104 for an initial section of the spine road, all internal private drainage design and utilities work including designs for supply and diversions across the site.

It’s all in the

PLANPositive projects with

Winnycroft Lane, GloucesterWe provided engineering and environmental services to support the planning application and the site received a Resolution to Grant. However, the scheme subsequently went to Inquiry due to issues regarding affordable housing levels. We provided input into the Inquiry, responding to local concerns regarding noise impact and reverberation. The Appeal was allowed and permission for the 420 homes was granted. We then provided technical services to support the sale of the site on the open market, including the completion of a Phase II Intrusive Ground Investigation. Following the sale to Keepmoat Development, we’ve been retained to provide detailed design services including S278, foundations, S104, S38 and external works.

Netherstowe Lane, TackleyIn Oxfordshire, this scheme of 70 homes received planning permission following Inquiry. Here we provided all pre-planning technical services including dealing with sensitive surface water drainage/flood risk issues. Technical evidence was presented at Inquiry to overcome local objections and help alleviate concerns about movement at a nearby pedestrian crossing. Following the granting of planning permission, we prepared additional work on utilities, drainage and land contamination (Phase II) to support the sale of the site. Barwood Homes has now retained us to provide substructure and superstructure design, S104 and S38 design, external works and street lighting together with noise and transport assessment to support condition discharges.

Didcot, OxfordshireOn land south of the A4130, planning permission for 175 homes was gained earlier this year. We presented at planning committee to overcome specific highway concerns and worked closely with the highway authority to ensure not only access works would be acceptable but also future improvement works could be accommodated. Our support of the planning application also included a topographical survey, flood risk, drainage, land contamination, noise, air quality and utilities assessments. We’re now supporting S106 discussions and have completed a full Phase II Intrusive Ground Investigation across the site.

M-EC has provided pragmatic and commercial engineering expertise which has been invaluable in helping us secure planning consents that maximise the value of these sites. The comprehensive range of M-EC’s pre-planning services means we’re able to have a single point of contact throughout, which is a significant benefit.

Sam Dorrian, land and operations director,Barwood Land

M-EC’s Leeds team (l-r) Paul Stockhill, Dan Zhou, Mani Ghomi, Ryan O’Hare, Brad Hall and Michael Douglas.

An impression of the Cocoa Works apartments in York.

Director, Alex Bennett reports on the latest successes for one of M-EC’s significant clients.

The masterplan for 175 new homes at Didcot, Oxfordshire. Illustrative site layout of the scheme at Netherstowe Lane, Tackley.

As part of our strategic business development plan, we’ve opened our

fifth office in Leeds at the Sugar Mill, a former factory used to store food and ammunition during the Second World War.

Associate director, Mani Ghomi is overseeing the new office, which is initially offering infrastructure, flood risk and geo-environmental services. Mani, who is responsible for flood risk and hydrology across the group, is joined by Paul Stockhill, Dan Zhou, Ryan O’Hare and Michael Douglas. Brad Hall has been appointed as associate geo-environmental

engineer. Mani said: “We’ve established a good network since launching and are working closely with well-known public and private sector clients including the NPS Group and Gleeson Homes.”

Project Profile: Cocoa Works, YorkClient: Clarion Housing Group

4 Project Profiles

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5 Project Profiles

Project Profile: Bridge Road, Leicester

M-EC has undertaken planning due diligence technical work and detailed

structural design for a proposed commercial development at Bridge Road, Leicester. The scheme comprises a part new and part refurbished 3 storey unit for Ethically Sourced Products Ltd, a textiles company looking to move to purpose-built premises.

To support an outline application, we prepared a transport statement, flood risk assessment, structural assessment and ground investigation works. This also included successfully overcoming concerns raised

by the Environment Agency due to the site’s location within Flood Zone 3 from the adjacent Willow Brook, and outline planning permission was granted. Since then, work has been undertaken to discharge various planning conditions relating to flood risk, drainage and highways together with additional ground investigation work following demolition of the previous warehouse building.

The contractor, J Tomlinson, has retained M-EC as a consultant for the scheme, which has started on site and is expected to be complete in summer 2018.

Winning Work Nationwide

Following the merger of housing associations, Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing Group, Clarion Housing Group is now one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders with plans to build 50,000 homes

of all tenures over the next ten years. We’re reviewing 12 sites for the group, from Yorkshire to London, providing technical expertise such as feasibility studies, constraints mapping and detailed design.

Rapidly becoming a major client, IM Land is the dedicated strategic land department of IM Properties, dealing with commercial,

residential and mixed use opportunities. Together, we’re working on several major urban extension schemes equating to thousands of new homes. The most prominent is land located to the north of Lichfield, Staffordshire where 750 homes have been secured on Appeal. We’re now providing detailed design services whilst also assisting in the promotion of a further 3000 dwellings adjacent to the site.

Warmly welcoming new clients

NPS Group is a national organisation, delivering a comprehensive range of property services in

the public and private sector. We’re working in partnership with NPS Leeds and Leeds City Council to deliver civil and infrastructure design for a number of school expansion projects, lorry parks, sports centres and other council-owned properties.

Pure Gym is the UK’s largest budget gym operator with over 180 gyms nationwide and plans

to introduce 60 new sites in 2018. We’ve

been appointed to assist Pure Gym with their ambitious growth plans by providing technical support such as topographical and measured building surveys, noise and acoustic assessments (see full story page 7), structural and roof condition surveys.

Gleeson Strategic Land promote and realise development opportunities across the

country. We’re providing site appraisals, topographical surveys, ground investigations, flood risk assessments, hydraulic design, civil and infrastructure design, and noise and air quality assessments for varying sites. One of these is a proposed residential development in Tongham, Surrey, where we were instructed following a refusal on noise grounds and have undertaken detailed noise modelling work to present expert evidence and overcome the refusal.

Client: Ethically Sourced Products Ltd Project Manager: Benchmark Property LtdArchitect: Staniforth Contractor: J Tomlinson

Having played an important role in assisting with the planning application

and approvals for five mixed use industrial and office buildings in Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, M-EC has begun detailed design work for construction. With accommodation totalling 81,400 sq ft, the development comprises four portal frame shed industrial units and one office block. The speculative units have been flexibly designed so they can be split to suit prospective tenant requirements, including potential office space within the industrial spaces.

M-EC has undertaken full structural designs, encompassing steelwork, ground floor slab and foundations, including the design of Constrado bases along the elevations with a fire boundary condition. Using 3D modelling

software, M-EC has worked closely with the architect to develop a comprehensive drainage network to allow the development of the site to be completed in phases. We’ve also liaised regularly with the groundworks team to optimise cut and fill and material balance, minimising the quantity of material to be carted off site. Road and finished floor levels have been adjusted, saving the client around £500,000, and also cutting earthworks time from the programme.

The project is being constructed using a Construction Management procurement process, which has driven build costs down, and kept control of key design elements with the client. The steel framework (pictured above) has been erected and overall completion is expected at the end of 2017.

Project Profile: Dragonfly, BolsoverClient: Robert Woodhead Regeneration LtdArchitect: HLP Design

Meadow Lane, South Normanton

Project Dragonfly, also known as B@Home Partnership, is a public private

partnership between Bolsover District Council and Robert Woodhead Regeneration Ltd. This new build developer framework, procured through Efficiency East Midlands, aims to deliver over 100 high quality, energy efficient homes to the Bolsover area over a four year period.

In conjunction with their own supply chain, Robert Woodhead identified several areas of land, predominately derelict or under-utilised garage sites or council depots, for regeneration across the Bolsover district. The company then procured M-EC to

provide pre-planning and engineering design services for two specific sites; Meadow Lane, South Normanton (12 plots) and Park Lane, Pinxton (10 plots).

We’ve used our in-house, multi-disciplinary expertise to overcome numerous challenges on each site, most notably the presence of mine entries and shallow coal seams which are prevalent in the area. This has resulted in us challenging the existing stakeholder consultation process by engaging with the coal authority at an earlier stage for active sites, and for the wider portfolio of prospective sites.

M-EC used Tekla Structural Designer software to design the steel frame of the new build element of Bridge Road, Leicester.

We’re pleased to report we’ve been winning work with a number of new clients this year. Here we profile who they are and our joint projects…

Architect’s impression of the new homes at Meadow Lane, South Normanton, part of Project Dragonfly.

Project Profile:Knowlhill, Milton Keynes

Client: Business Parcs MK Architect: GT ArchitectureContractor: Careys Civil Engineering

6 Project Profiles

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7 Project Profiles

CIH Conference

REPORTWe continue to strengthen our work in

the social housing sector, securing regular work with some of the most well-known providers including Clarion Housing Group, Derby Homes, EMH Homes, Keepmoat Regeneration, Orbit Homes and Waterloo Housing Group. To broaden our expertise in this area, we attended the industry’s largest event, the CIH Conference in Manchester.

Senior staff from four of our offices attended a variety of networking sessions across the three day conference, making new contacts and meeting existing clients in a very successful event. See you there again in 2018!

Something in the air?New air quality advicePoor air quality is the largest environmental

risk to public health in the UK, with exposure to pollutants reducing life expectancy, exacerbating asthma, lung function, heart and circulatory conditions. With emerging evidence of possible links to diabetes, cognitive decline, dementia and effects on unborn children, significant improvement in air quality is required urgently.

Whilst there has been an overall improvement in general UK air quality, nitrogen dioxide

(NO2) presents the most immediate challenge, with road transport being responsible for 80% of NO2 concentrations. In July 2017 the government published the ‘UK plan for tackling roadside NO2 concentrations’.

Local authorities are required to develop and implement action plans to achieve legal limits within the shortest possible time. Measures are to be developed to deliver reduced NO2 emissions, including changed road layouts at congested locations; encouraging uptake of

Project Profile: Back Lane, Somerford

Working with Richborough Estates, M-EC has achieved planning permission for up to

200 homes at Back Lane, Somerford, Cheshire, providing the full spectrum of pre-planning services.

The site’s main challenge was the integration of Congleton Link Road, proposed along the northern boundary. M-EC was able however, to develop an access/drainage strategy which did not rely on the link road land being used, but would enable the site to be delivered in isolation. Detailed discussions resulted in a surface water strategy requiring the construction of over 600m of new off-site sewers.

Following receipt of a resolution to grant, M-EC’s technical expertise has included updating utilities enquiries, providing further drainage design details, confirming all pipe sizes and invert levels, plus setting of finished floor levels and an initial cut and fill assessment.

Client: Richborough Estates

Sound Check!National noise surveys for Pure Gym

new client for M-EC, Pure Gym is one of the UK’s largest 24-hour gym operators,

with new locations planned nationwide. Due to the location of these gyms, the activities inside can often bring them into conflict with neighbours, as a result of excessive noise or vibration transfer.

The vast majority of the new locations are in buildings that were never designed to accommodate gym activity e.g. fixed and free weight training, fitness classes, etc. All these activities place additional stress upon the existing structure, and the only cost-effective way of dealing with these issues is to retro-fit acoustic floor and wall treatment, usually in the form of a rubber/neoprene-based mat system on the floor, and internal plasterboard wall linings.

M-EC’s noise team has been advising Pure Gym on the most suitable ways of mitigating

these issues at proposed sites, both new build and conversion. Our investigation work typically involves measuring noise transfer through the existing floor slab; this is achieved by dropping a 40kg dumbbell from approximately knee height, onto the existing floor. Additionally, the dumbbell is dropped onto different samples of flooring to determine the most suitable solution.

Noise transfer due to amplified music (simulating a standard fitness class) is tested by way of bass heavy beats, a long lead and powerful loudspeaker! The noise levels are measured on both sides of a partition and the difference between the levels indicates the sound insulation. Once back in the lab, results are used to specify appropriate mitigation measures for each area e.g. free weights, studio or spin.

Project Profile:Cockering Road,Canterbury

Cockering Road, Canterbury is a mixed use development of up to 750 residential units;

offices; primary school; residential institutions including a building for the Pilgrims Hospice with up to 30 beds; and a 60 bed nursing home.

Initially, M-EC is acting as utilities consultant to acquire competitive costs for new supplies and diversions in adherence with the build programme. However, Pentland Homes also commissioned us to undertake a utility detection survey in respect of major improvement works to the A28 and A2 westbound off-slip, adjacent the site.

Our brief included a level B PAS128 utility detection survey via method M1 to accurately locate both position and depth of all underground services. This required us to scan the site using the latest electro-magnetic location and ground penetratingradar equipment at 0.5m intervals due to the potential close proximity of services beneath the surface. Multiple survey teams were deployed throughout the night under traffic management conditions to ensure the survey was delivered within the restricted timeframes. Following accurate detection and safe excavation of all underground services, we’ve now been commissioned to completean additional PAS128 and associated land survey for a proposed fourth slip on the same roads.

Client: Pentland Homes

ultra-low emission vehicles; using innovative retrofitting technologies and new fuels; and encouraging the use of public transport and Clean Air Zones.

So, what does this mean? Air quality is already a key factor in determining the suitability of a development, with assessment focusing on the impact of road traffic at proposed sites and existing areas of poor air quality. Early engagement with local authorities, particularly in areas with known poor air quality, will be more important than ever in achieving a balance between meeting air quality objectives, whilst ensuring that development goals are also met.

James Lewis undertaking a noise assessment at a potential Pure Gym location.

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Civil Engineering | Drainage | Flood Risk | Transport | Highways | Structures | Geotechnics | Contamination | Sustainability | Noise & Air Quality | Utilities | Geomatics

Birmingham: 0121 726 4888 alex.bennett@m-ec.co.ukLeicester: 01530 264753 tim.rose@m-ec.co.ukMilton Keynes: 01908 018200 michael.avery@m-ec.co.ukNottingham: 0115 697 8578 wayne.oakes@m-ec.co.ukLeeds: 0113 468 1127 mani.ghomi@m-ec.co.uk

@M_ECEngineersfacebook.com/engineersmeclinkedin.com/company/m-ec

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Sporting successes It was great to be joined by so many clients and colleagues for our annual cricket afternoon tea at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. We’ve been a proud sponsor of the team for several years and were warmly welcomed for the county championship match against Gloucestershire.

We extended our sponsorship of apprentice, Cameron Green and his brother, Dylan again this year, as they competed in the P1 Aqua X jet ski competition. Despite a season hampered by mechanical gremlins, Cameron (pictured here) claimed an impressive third place in the Pro Class while Dylan managed an astounding second in the AM Championship following a tense final in Torquay. Congratulations to both!

Taking part in the Fisher Dewes five-a-side charity corporate cup were (back l-r) Jonathan Heron, Tim Rose, Shyam Joshi, James Lewis and (front l-r) Eddie Mewies, Danny Hinds and Ben Murphy. Unbeaten in the group stages, team M-EC reached the semi-finals but unfortunately lost a very close match 1-0. Congratulations to the winners, Bott Ltd, and all involved for a great tournament, which was in support of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Civil Engineering/InfrastructureMichael Avery · 01908 018170michael.avery@m-ec.co.uk

TransportationNeil Benison · 0121 726 5152neil.benison@m-ec.co.uk

StructuresChristopher Pollett · 01908 018179chris.pollett@m-ec.co.uk

GeomaticsDaniel Halstead · 01530 444266daniel.halstead@m-ec.co.uk

Geo-environmental/SiteTechnical ServicesElizabeth Beers · 0121 726 5153elizabeth.beers@m-ec.co.uk

Noise & Air QualityRosie James · 01530 444281rosie.james@m-ec.co.uk

Flood Risk & HydrologyMani Ghomi · 0113 468 1129mani.ghomi@m-ec.co.uk

Utilities/ServicesShyam Joshi · 01530 444258shyam.joshi@m-ec.co.uk

Street LightingAimie Loveday · 01530 264753aimie.loveday@m-ec.co.uk

Key contacts:

We’re proud to continue some of our local sporting sponsorships, here’s a snapshot of our latest activities…

Photo courtesy ofGreen Horizon Media

group@m-ec.co.uk | www.m-ec.co.uk