Key additions to the NGM team for the development of floodplain land
Exciting proposals to construct floating dockland buildings in Middlesbrough and Liverpool have received a major boost with the announcement of two new directors for the property company, NGM Sustainable Developments Ltd.
Derek Cochrane, a former Regeneration Director at British Waterways, has been appointed as a new non-executive board director and consultant for NGM. Derek, 56, who is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, brings over 28 years experience of waterway management at British Waterways to the company.
NGM is also joined by Carl Nelson, 43, as the Construction and Technical Director. He will be responsible for design selection, procurement and co-ordination of the construction programme. He is a Chartered Builder and spent 24 years in the Royal Engineers before joining Zurich Insurance Building Guarantee as its technical manager, assessing new buildings for warranty purposes.
Kerry Martin, Chief Executive of NGM, commented: “We are delighted that Derek and Carl have joined the company. Derek’s experience in regeneration and property, particularly in a water-based environment, will be invaluable. Carl has a wealth of specialist technical knowledge, particularly an expertise in dealing with Modern Methods of Construction. Their appointments complement our growing network of associated companies and we are now poised to roll out our unique designs across the country.”
Mr Cochrane added: “This is a wonderful opportunity to make a contribution to what is a truly sustainable form of development. With land a diminishing resource, the ability to use the water space in former docks to provide great buildings for people to live, work and play is really important.” And Mr Nelson added: “The NGM product is at the cutting edge of energy-efficient property design. These are the buildings of the future and will provide inspirational living spaces situated right on the water.”
Working in partnership with NaREC (New and Renewable Energy Centre) in Northumberland and planning consultants GVA Grimley, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund, NGM has developed modern, carbon-neutral designs for buildings which can be constructed to float on disused water spaces. Construction materials come from renewable sources and the designs make maximum use of wind, solar and water energy as well as the revolutionary new process of photovoltaics which is a super- efficient method of harnessing energy from the sun.
A major first for NGM is its ability to secure an exclusive deal to supply home-owners with normal residential-style mortgages, warranties and insurance for properties which previously, as floating structures, would have been subject to limited insurance and less favourable funding terms.
Mr Cochrane and Mr Nelson join NGM at a key point in the company’s development. NGM has been commissioned by BioRegional Quintain to provide technical appraisals to evaluate the potential for water-based and floating structures at Middlehaven Docks in Middlesbrough. The project received outline planning consent in March 07 and is based around a master planning concept of Will Alsop. Pete Halsall, managing director of BioRegional Quintain, said: “We believe that there will be a market for floating structures and homes at Middlehaven. We selected NGM to work with us as technical advisors on the basis of their access to unique and commercially sound technical and legal solutions for this exciting new form of development. ” Sean Egan, senior regeneration manager for the Tees Valley Regeneration, said: ” We believe that the floating structures proposed for Middlehaven will play a significant part in its regeneration, providing a blue print of how to regenerate disused docks and water space sustainably throughout the UK”
NGM is also in discussion with Liverpool City Council, British Waterways and English Partnerships about a proposal to construct a floating mixed-use development of residential and commercial properties at Liverpool’s South Docks.
For more information contact: Lynn Pegler on 01928 789042 / 07783 686246
