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Gerard Chadwick

National Media Interest in latest Building Information Index

By | Industry News

Building Information Index in the Media

Below is a selection of recent articles concerning the findings of the latest edition of the the Building Information Index Vol. 4 Q1 to Q4 2015.

A FREE copy of the index is available to download here

 

Sunday Business Post

Recovery is finally being felt as construction values jump

Irish Independent

House building up – but delays of up to three years hampering delivery 

Business & Finance

Value of construction projects up over €3.19bn in 2015

Business World

Irish Construction spending up 109%

Irish Building 

Value of Construction projects up over €3.19 billion in 2015

Breaking News

Spending on Irish construction doubled since 2014

BizPlus

The total value of all construction projects commenced in 2015 jumped significantly

98 FM

Increase Of 3 Billion Euro Spent On Construction

 

Full details on all projects aggregated to produce the Building Information Index are available to subscribers.  Free trial access is also available from our homepage.

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Building Information Index Vol. 4 Q1 to Q4 2015

By | Industry News

Welcome to the fourth volume of the Building Information Index

As 2016 begins the Building Information Index provides the construction industry with key analysis and insight as to what is happening and what is planned for the coming year. The full year 2015 index is a key piece of research that plots the growth trajectory of the construction industry by region, the sector and funding type. I hope you find it informative. 

In this volume the full year of 2015 is compared to 2014. The analysis takes a close look at the construction industry broken down by region, funding source and sectors; Residential, Commercial & Retail, Medical, Education, Agriculture, Industrial and Social. 

The Building Information Index is measured by factors that correlate with the phases in a construction project. The first is project Commencements which relate to projects that are in progress on-site and where construction activity has started. The second is Applications which are a real time barometer of sentiment in the construction sector and relate to all projects yet to be approved for planning. Thirdly we look at projects that have been granted permission. This shows projects that are further along in the cycle, and being approved, they show more short term potential in the market.

 

The total value of Construction Project Commencements grows by €3.19bn (+109%) in 2015

The value of construction project Commencements in 2015 has grown by +109% when compared to 2014. This shows continued strong growth building on what was reported in previous quarterly indices. Q1-Q2 year on year comparison showed a growth of 41%, Q1-Q3 showed growth of +67%. Now for the first time in 2015 all sectors registered growth. Commercial and Retail recorded the largest percentage growth with Commencements up +217% (to €1.53bn) on 2014 figures. Industrial was similarly up +160% to €701m. Residential, the largest and most significant sector more than doubled in volume with growth of +114% year on year and with the value of Commencements in 2015 at €2.74bn. 

Value of Applications up +22%

The value of construction project Applications also show consistent growth of +22% (Comparable figures in the previous index showed growth at +26%). The value for 2015 stands at €15.43bn, compared to just under €12.64 in 2014. All sectors, again with the exception of Social, have recorded increases in Applications with the largest jump percentage wise in Industrial (€1.22bn) up +80% on 2014. Volume wise again Residential is the largest sector, with the growth rate up +31% on 2014 with total Applications of €8.23bn in 2015 compared with €6.27bn in 2014. 

For furrther Information contact Building Information Ireland CEO Danny O’Shea – 01 9053200 | info@buildinginfo.com

€233m Center Parcs Holiday Village Granted Planning

By | Industry News

Center Parcs Granted Planning Permission

Center Parcs Holiday Village

Site: Newcastle Wood, Townlands of Newcastle and Forgney, Near Ballymahon, Co. Longford

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Applied: 30th Oct 2015
Granted: 26th Feb 2016

Description: The development and use of land as a Forest Holiday Village at Newcastle Wood, Ballymahon in the townlands of Newcastle and Forgney on a site of 164 hectares. Including 470 lodges (ranging from 2- 4 bedrooms plus 1 x 5 bedroom disability accessible lodge); a 3 storey apartment building (1,938 sqm) with 30 bedrooms; central buildings (21,500 sqm) incorporating swimming pool area and facilities, external pools, rapids, flumes and water rides, sports hall, leisure activities, bowling alley, ancillary shops, food and beverage outlets, service, storage and plant areas; Aqua Sana Spa including treatment rooms (3,100 sqm); Pancake house restaurant and beach kiosk (960 sqm); Arrivals Lodge (118 sqm); Cycle Centre (187 sqm); Technical Services /Housekeeping /Ground Services building (1,545 sqm); Woodland Activity Building (187 sqm plus 15 sqm ancillary buildings); Outdoor Activity Centre (430 sqm plus 108 sqm ancillary buildings/shelters); Refurbishment and extension of Herdsman…

 

Architect
Jackson Design Associates (JDA)
Anthony Jackson
Latimer House, Latimer Way
Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton
Nottinghamshire, NG22 9QW
United Kingdom
0044 1623 863222
mail@jacksondesign.co.uk
www.jacksondesign.co.uk

 

Consulting Engineer
Peter Brett Associates (Cambridge)
Simon Darch
Telford House
Fulbourn
Cambridge CB21 5HB
United Kingdom
+44 1223 882 000
cambridge@peterbrett.com
www.peterbrett.com
Agent
NTR Planning
Niall Roberts
Clareville House
26-27 Oxendon Street
London SW1Y 4EL
United Kindom
00442077343920
niall.roberts@ntrplanning.co.uk

 

Landscape Architect
Lanarca
Victoria Court
Holme Lane
Winthorp
Newark NG24 2NU
United Kingdom
+44 1636 707 343
www.lanarca.co.uk

 

Mech & Elec Engineer
Edmond Shipway (Mech & Elec Consultants)
Daman Ranby
2 Millenium Way West
Nottingham NG8 6AS
United Kingdom
0044 1159 75 85 95
edmond@shipway.co.uk
www.edmondshipway.co.uk
Consultant
Environmental Impact Services (EIS)
2nd Floor
The Courtyard
25 Great Strand Street
Dublin 1
01 8721530
eis@eis.ie
www.eis.ie

Applicant
Center Parcs Ireland Ltd
Arthur Cox Building
Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2

   

Housing Construction sector, is there a recovery, and if so, is it enough?

By | Industry News

Article written by CEO Danny O’Shea for Sunday Business Post

Sunday Business Post

Anecdotal evidence suggests a broad recovery in the residential construction sector, however is it unclear where the recovery is, what is its magnitude and is it sustainable? New figures soon to be released from www.buildinginfo.com shed some light on the specifics of this recovery and point to some answers.

There are three aspects to the residential construction sector 1. The home improvement/extension sector 2. The self build “one –off” sector and 3. The residential development sector.

The home improvement/extension sector is not defined by geographic or demographic factors and is a useful indicator of broad economic activity. Figures show that the number of extension type projects that started  in 2015 was circa 5,100,  an increase of 3%  and 10% respectively when compared to 2014 and 2013. However this number only measures projects that required planning permission (i.e. greater than 40 sq mtr) so it would fair to assume it represents only the tip of the home improvement iceberg and that the real volume of activity in this  sector would be a multiple of that figure.

The one-of house sector which accounts for approx. 3,000 units a year is largely, but not exclusively, a rural phenomenon. One-off houses made up almost half of the entire housing units commenced in the Connacht/Ulster region in 2015, for example. This sector underwent some turbulent times recently with the introduction of the new building regulations in March 2014. Initially there was a surge of commencements in early 2014 followed by a fallow period for the remainder of that year as the impact of the regulations hit home. Overall commencements  for 2014 were up 35% on 2013. This level of growth was obviously unsustainable and this is evident in the fact that 2015 numbers were down 9% when compared to 2014. There has been a subsequent roll-back on the building regulations with regard to one-off house whereby the owner/builder can elect to opt-out. The impact of this change has yet to be fully seen.  On the positive side if compared to 2013, 2015 shows healthy 22% increase. Planning applications for one-off houses are up 20% year on year  2014 vs 2015 to almost 7,000 this is the highest figure in some years.

Residential Commencements

Exclusive research undertaken by Building Information Ireland shows that residential development projects with a total unit count of 15,500 started in 2015. This is an increase of 126% on 2014. The regional breakdown shows that over half of these are in Dublin and 30% in the rest of Leinster. Typically these are multiphase developments and will not be completed in one year. Although 2015 has been by far the strongest year since 2008 it falls significantly short of the 25,000 units per year required as suggested by recent ESRI reports. Further analysis shows that the lead time from submission of application for a residential development to actual commencement is 121 weeks. This suggests that permissions are in place for developments but the climate to start is not quite there yet. Fresh thinking will be required to break the impasse  and square the circle of consumer demand, build price and available credit to potential homebuyers. 

Overall the metrics are all pointing in the right direction and recoveries of varying sorts are underway depending on location and we hope it is sustainable.  Full analysis of the construction industry by sector available from www.buildinginfo.com.

Article can be viewed on Sunday Business Post website

€1m Bunratty Folk Park Extension in Co. Clare

By | Industry News

€1m Bunratty Refurbishment and Extension Underway

Bunratty Folk Park Extension Refurbishment

Site: Bunratty Folk Park, Bunratty west, Co. Clare

Floor Area: 269 Sq M
Start Date: 5th January 2016
Build Value Estimate: €1 Million

Commercial Refurbishment For development consisting of: The enclosure of the existing courtyard to provide a single storey extension of the existing retail floor area, the provision of a cafe/coffee shop area, the removal of the existing entrance canopy and the construction of a new entrance lobby structure with associated signage, the formation of a staff personnel door access in the existing boundary wall at the south western corner of the existing building. The formation of 3 no. new door openings on the southern and western elevations, the construction of a new canopy to the southern elevation, the installation of planters, bollards, lighting and tactile paving to the eastern ( roadside ) elevation as well as all ancillary site works.

Applicant
Shannon Castle Banquets & Heritage Ltd
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty
Co. Clare
061 711200 | www.shannonheritage.com

Architect
O’Neill O’Malley Ltd.
John O’Malley
2nd Floor
Technology House
Galway Technology Park
091 771033 | info@onom.ie | www.onom.ie

Consulting Engineer
Tobin Consulting Engineers (Galway)
Fairgreen House
Fairgreen Road
Galway
091 565398 | galway@tobin.ie | www.tobin.ie

Contractor
Martins Construction Ltd
Martin Loughnane
Ballycarroll
Barefield
Ennis
Co. Clare
065 6829822 | info@martinsconstruction.ie | www.martinsconstruction.ie

Gredorwood – One of Ireland’s Finest Bespoke Furniture Specialists

By | Industry News

Interview with Garrett Gregan & Diarmuid Doran of Gredorwood

Gredorwood

How do Gredorwood specialise for the Irish construction sector?

As a specialist fitted furniture company, Gredorwood offer a comprehensive range of generic and bespoke products and ranges. We cater for our clients needs, ideas and budgets.

The work we carry out includes:

  • Fitted Kitchens
  • Fitted Utility Rooms
  • Fitted & Free Standing Wardrobes
  • Fitted Living Room Units
  • Free Standing Bespoke Furniture 
  • Fitted Under-Stair Storage
  • Wheelchair Accessible Kitchens
  • Furniture Restoration
  • Kitchen Renovation
Gredorwood Shaker Style kitchen

Fig 1 – Painted Grey, Shaker Style Kitchen with solid oak worktop

What makes Gredorwood unique?

Gredorwood is a complete fitted furniture company, from initial plans to final installation. We take care of it all. We work with our clients to meet their needs and provide for them exactly as they require. Every project undertaken, gets the time, effort, dedication and workmanship that it truly deserves. We enjoy our work greatly,always thinking and acting on how we can offer what others can’t.

We never accept anything less than 100% from ourselves. All our materials used are of the highest quality that is on the market.

Gredorwood Blue and White Painted

Fig. 2 – Blue and White Painted Kitchen with Quartz Worktop

The construction industry is emerging from a sustained period of contraction. Where are the growth areas for your business?

The main areas for growth in 2016 will be projects within the construction and private residential sector in Ireland. Construction developments such as houses, apartments, schools or prestige office developments will often require high end fitted furniture with a strong emphasis on the aesthetic as well as the practicality.

Having already delivered top quality fitted furniture to a number of developments and homes over the past two to three years we believe that hard earned experience should be of value when discussing fitted furniture options on new developments.

Gredorwood recent fitted kitchen

Fig. 3 – Recently fitted kitchen on one of Gredorwood sites where they supplied and fitted kitchens and wardrobes

What recent projects have you been involved in?

Over the last couple of years we have been very fortunate to work with extremely good and professional construction companies such as Robeco Construction, RTJ Construction and Mackee Construction. We are proud to say that we supply and fit kitchens, utility rooms and wardrobes for Robeco Construction on their sites in Gorey, Co. Wexford and Wicklow Town. We are also very proud to supply RTJ Construction with their fitted furniture for all of their school developments. Towards the end of 2015 we were very grateful to be enlisted by Mackee Construction to do their fitted furniture in a new Community Centre in Carnew, Co. Wicklow.

While working on all these projects, we also take great pride on making and installing be-spoke kitchens and wardrobes for our many private customers throughout Ireland.

Gredorwood Lime Green Kitchen

Fig. 4 – Lime Green and White Hi-Gloss Kitchen

How optimistic are you going into 2016?

We are very optimistic! We have seen through the number of new enquiries we have had this year that the Irish economy is rebounding strongly. There is a sense of confidence back in the country that has been missed in recent years

You’ve recently subscribed to Building Info – has it been beneficial to date?

Absolutely – BuildingInfo gives us a platform to promote Gredorwood and engage with the construction market. BuildingInfo has given us the opportunity to see new developments that are upcoming and allows us to put our name out there to potential new clients. They have been extremely helpful to us and we very much appreciate their great work.

END

Details on Gredorwood range of products and expertise can be found on their website.

Call Garrett Gregan (087 6618081) or email / Call Diarmuid Doran (087 2064427) or email

Gym Construction – Roundwood GAA Gym Extension

By | Industry News

€780k Gym Extension to Commence Monday 8th February

Roundwood GAA Club Gym Extension

Site: An Tochar GAA, Oldtown, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow

Floor Area: 358 Sq M
Build Value Estimate: €780k
Commencement Notice: 8th Feb 2016

Gym Construction: Alterations to previous granted permission file ref no. 08/284. The new proposal will incorporate a proposed c.313 sqm two strey extension to the rear of the existing clubhouse which will conorporate 2 no. changing rooms and referees changing rooms on ground floor, and entrance area and stairs as well as a gymnasuim and ancillary rooms on upper floor including 64sqm of external decking. Permission is also being sought for a separate c.45sqm single storey store to end gable of clubhouse. All works will include minor alterations to existing elevations and plans as well as all associated site works. The revisions will not include any alteration to the previously granted upgraded treatment system or previously granted revised entrance and car parking layout submitted under grant of permission file ref 08/284

Applicant
An Tochar GAA
Nick Nolan
An Tochar GAA
Oldtown
Roundwood
Co. Wicklow
www.antochargaa.ie

Architect
McAulay Rice Architects
Ian McAulay
First Floor, Green Tree House
Fitzwilliam Square
Wicklow Town
Co. Wicklow
0404-62178 | mcaulayricearch@eircom.net

Consulting Engineer
Colin Short Associates
Colin Short
Brookfield
Glen Road
Greystones
01 2873711 | csaww@iol.ie | http://www.iol.ie/-csaww

Consultant
O’Sullivan Scientific Ltd
Pat O’Sullivan
Unit C28 Wicklow Enterprise Park
The Murrough
Wicklow
0404 64473 | osslimited@eircom.net

59 Multi-unit Residential Developments Granted in January 2016

By | Industry News

Positive Signals from the Residential Developments Sector

The image below provides a geographical location for each of the 59 Multi-unit Residential Developments (> 2 units) granted full planning permission in Ireland during January 2016.  The indicators for the Residential Developments sector are improving as BuildingInfo CEO, Danny O’Shea, pointed out in a recent interview with the Sunday Business Post.

Commenting specifically on the reducing lag time from Planning Application to On-site Commencement, Danny O’Shea says “This lead-in time has stagnated the industry in recent years, but we have seen it reduce gradually throughout 2015. At the beginning of 2015, the duration stood at 141 weeks. This will continue to reduce throughout 2016, further improving the activity levels in the sector. All of this augers well for increased residential output into 2016 and beyond,”.

Residential Developments Granted

Full details on each of the projects highlighted, including project descriptions and key contact details, on the above map are available to BuildingInfo subscribers.  We also offer free trial access via our website.  For further details feel free to contact our support team – 01 9053200 or info@buildinginfo.com

University Construction – €21 Million New Trinity College Business School

By | Industry News

University Construction Commenced on 27th January

Trinity College Business School

Site: 183-188 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2

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Floor Area: 14,155 Sq M
Build Value Estimate: €21 Million
Commencement: 27th January 2016

Description: PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars and the other members of Board, of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin intend to apply for permission for University construction development (to be known as the Trinity Business School) at a 0.518 ha site approximately, within the campus of Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. The site is principally bounded by Pearse Street to the north; the existing railway line to the east; existing structures on Pearse Street to the west and the Trinity College campus to the south. The site also includes Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street (incl.) which are Protected Structures, which will be refurbished as a cafe and student accommodation with related ancillary uses. The development will include the demolition of the following structures; the existing Sports Hall (Luce Hall), the maintenance workshops and first floor WCs to the rear of Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street and the Simon Perry engineering building. The development will consist of a business school; innovation and entrepreneurship hub; auditorium; cafe and student accommodation with ancillary administration, staff and student uses. The proposed new building comprises six floors of lecture/office accommodation (25.15 m above ground level) over two basement levels (11,714 sqm Gross Floor Area) linked to Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street. The development will also include the refurbishment, including internal revisions, of Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street, which will be extended at the rear ground floor level to provide cafe use with student accommodation at first (including rear terraces) and second floor levels (2,441 sqm Gross Floor Area including basement). The development will include the refurbishment of shopfronts to Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street and related elevational works; changes in level; the part infill and deepening of the existing basement to the rear of Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street; minor reconfiguration works at the interfaces between the existing Protected Structures and proposed new development; revised boundary treatment to Pearse Street; landscaping; bicycle parking provision; basement surface water attenuation tanks; plant and storage areas; balconies and terraces; signage; diversion of underground services; set-down areas; ESB substation and all related site development and excavation works above and below ground.

Applicant
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity Bioscience Building
152-160 Pearse Street
Dublin 2
01 8963989 | BSIRECPT@tcd.ie | www.tcd.ie

Architect
Scott Tallon Walker Architects
David Cahill
19 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
01 6693000 | mail@stwarchitects.com | www.stwarchitects.com

Agent
Tom Philips & Associates
John Gannon
2-3 Roger’s Lane
Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
01 478 6055

Consulting Engineer
ARUP Consulting Engineers
15 Oliver Plunkett Street
Co. Cork
021 4277670 | cork@arup.com | www.arup.com

Contractor
BAM Building Ltd
Cherryville
Kill
Co. Kildare
045 886 400 | info@bamcontractors.ie | www.bamcontractors.ie

Consultant
David Slattery Conservation Architects
David Slattery
8 Vergemount
Clonskeagh
Dublin 6
01 2697344 | slatcon@iol.ie | www.slatteryconservation.ie

Residential Building Sector – Sunday Business Post

By | Industry News

Focus on Residential Building

In an article from the Sunday Business Post, dated 31st January 2016, Tina-Marie O’Neill takes a look at the current state of play in the Residential Building Sector.  Her highly informative article sources statistics and data from the Building Information Index and CEO Danny O’Shea shines a positive light on improvements being observed through the index. Sunday Business Post

Not so quiet on the new homes front

New homes developments are beginning to appear in the greater Dublin area

It is encouraging to see a flurry of new homes schemes either on the market or preparing to launch in the greater Dublin area at this early stage of the year. With average rents in Dublin just shy of the 2007 peak rental figures, an increase in new homes on the market will certainly help alleviate the housing shortage. Despite the positive upswing, a recent forecast report from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland put the annual number of homes needed in Dublin at 7,000 and currently the figures fall well short of that. By the end of 2015, just 2,735 homes had received planning permission, prompting the SCSI to argue that the lack of supply continues to put pressure on the “dysfunctional” property market. It also criticised a lack of planning staff in local authorities which translated into long delays on badly needed projects. A small ray of light on that front came from Danny O’Shea of the Building Industry Index. According to O’Shea, the residential sector is on a strong growth trajectory with applications up at the end of 2015 by 29 per cent on the previous year and – more importantly – commencements were up by 98 per cent. As well as that, the average lead-in time for projects to start is reducing. It is currently at about 132 weeks from application to commencement. “This lead-in time has stagnated the industry in recent years, but we have seen it reduce gradually throughout 2015. At the beginning of 2015, the duration stood at 141 weeks. This will continue to reduce throughout 2016, further improving the activity levels in the sector. All of this augers well for increased residential output into 2016 and beyond,” said O’Shea…. To read full article – Not so quiet on the new homes front – Sunday Business Post 31 1 2016