Building briefs:

LEEDS is ranked 28th in a league table of European locations for business.

London topped the list compiled by Cushman and Wakefield, with Manchester 16th and Birmingham 18th.

The Yorkshire city has fallen five places compared to last year in the league which was based on the views of executives at 500 leading companies.

Easy access to markets and clients was considered the most important factor in deciding where to locate, followed by availability of staff and quality of telecommunications.

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WILMOTT Dixon has secured a £7m contract to build a new facility for residential activity centre firm Kingswood at the site of the former Earth Centre.

Kingswood was confirmed as the preferred purchaser of the site from Doncaster Council earlier this year and is set to transform it into the Kingswood Dearne Valley Centre.

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “We’re delighted to be appointed on this project. Much of the sustainable technology that was installed in the former Earth Centre is still pioneering and our work will ensure that we protect and reclaim every aspect we can.

“We are also making sure that local businesses benefit as much as possible. For example, we monitor our use of subcontractors within a 10 or 30 mile radius to ensure as much work as possible is done by local companies. We will also work with Kingswood to reach out to local schools to keep them involved and informed as the project develops.”

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RURAL Solutions has helped secure a contemporary extension of a Grade II* listed church within the North York Moors National Park.

The company was approached by LEDA Architects following the refusal of their planning and listed building consent applications for the extension of the stone church so it could be used as a holiday let.

Duncan Hartley, Rural Solutions’ director of planning, said: “The successful appeal outcome is extremely pleasing and not only reflects our strong knowledge of planning and conservation policy relating to listed buildings and the historic environment, but also the value that we can add to projects through working with architects and owners of historic buildings.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Jonathan Lindh of LEDA commented that:  “The client and LEDA were very determined that we should pursue the option of an appeal against the NYNPA refusal. We believed that our proposal was the best solution for the existing church building.”

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Property consultants AWS have completed the letting of a unit at the Ashbrooke Park Estate in Leeds.

Parkside Garage has taken a five year lease on the unit which is owned by SR Properties Nationwide.

David Travis, of AWS, brokered the deal for the landlords.