Bedford urban extension scheme page 3

ASPIRE ISSUE 3Winter 2014

Moving forward: new associate directors appointed

Ashton Greentender success page 3

Cheers! page 4

ww

w.m

-ec.

co.u

k

MD’S Message

Welcome to the latest edition of Aspire, in which I’m pleased to report M-EC has just celebrated its fourth year in business. Despite trading through the tough recession, especially for construction, we’ve continued to grow into a strong, multi-disciplinary consultancy with a team of nearly 30 professionals at our Leicestershire HQ.

As part of this growth strategy, I’m pleased to announce Tim Rose has been promoted to the new position of associate director for pre-planning disciplines and Jordan Flint has recently joined M-EC as associate director for detailed design disciplines. Both Tim and Jordan have extensive experience in their respective fields and I am confident they will help the business to thrive over the coming years.

This issue also highlights many of the diverse projects we’re working on; a feature on how our apprenticeship programme has developed and how we are supporting the work undertaken by Philip Mabbitt, an Army Reservist.

I hope you enjoy reading our news, with every good wish for a prosperous and happy 2014.

Eddie Mewies.

Associate Director ProfilesName: Tim Rose

Department: Pre-planning disciplines of transport, flood risk and noise/air quality

Email: tim.rose@m-ec.co.uk

Role: Having worked with Eddie and Alex since 2006, Tim’s background is primarily transportation, although he has broad, technical pre-planning knowledge in utilities, ground contamination and flood risk/drainage. This makes Tim the perfect fit for the new associate director position.

Tim said: “Our pre-planning work encompasses a wide variety of projects from small residential developments through to major urban expansion and commercial schemes. We offer a range of pre-planning services from pre-development due diligence reports through to expert witness.”

Name: Jordan Flint

Department: Civil, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering

Email: jordan.flint@m-ec.co.uk

Role: As a double chartered engineer, Jordan will lead the structural, civil and geotechnical detailed design teams. With a wealth of experience delivering design projects of differing sizes and complexities, Jordan brings very specific skills in Highway Structures design, including road bridges, footbridges and retaining structures.

Jordan said: “M-EC delivers a wide range of services to clients that allow a single point of contact for their projects. It is my responsibility to undertake this role and work with all M-EC’s teams to ensure accountability for detailed design throughout a project’s lifespan.”

Having twice been refused planning permission on a mixed-use residential site in Humberston, North East Lincolnshire,

Longhurst Group turned to M-EC to help overturn the decision at a public enquiry.

Director, Alex Bennett presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate the original planning application had considered

strategies for sustainability and traffic mitigation. Together with Bidwells, who contested other aspects of the appeal, the decision

was successfully overturned and outline planning permission secured.

Nick Worboys, assistant director of development, Longhurst Group said: “We are delighted with the successful result of the public inquiry and the invaluable input and advice provided by

Alex. Both the planning inspector and secretary of state were left in no doubt that the correct decision was to award planning

permission and I am confident M-EC’s professionalism, knowledge and experience were significant factors in this success.”

The scheme will comprise 400 dwellings including retirement properties; highway works; landscaping; drainage and associated

infrastructure.

HuMBERSTON RETIREMENT SCHEME – PLANNING APPROvAL Client: Longhurst Group

ww

w.m

-ec.co.uk

IN BRIEF:

M-EC is providing civil engineering design services to David Wilson Homes for the urban extension scheme on land at Great Denham and West Kempston on the western fringe of Bedford. The mixed use development includes 2,760 dwellings, two schools, employment land, a country park and other facilities.

The final design elements of the main spine road and infrastructure have been completed this year and contractors are on site. M-EC has also been retained to design the infrastructure for the residential schemes David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes are planning to build there.

WEST OF BEDFORD uRBAN ExTENSION

SUPPORtING RESERvIStS

Ashton Green Tender Success In partnership with built asset consultancy, EC Harris, M-EC has secured the tender, through Leicester City Council, to provide an infrastructure delivery plan and financial model for the delivery of Ashton Green, a major development site in North Leicestershire.

Ashton Green has been allocated since the mid-‘70s and gained outline planning permission in 2011 for up to 2,500 homes. The scheme includes affordable housing, employment land, schools and health facilities, public transport and regeneration benefits to neighbouring communities. M-EC will advise on cost-effective infrastructure, together with making the proposals more attractive to potential house builders.

Director, Alex Bennett commented: “this is a major win for M-EC. We’re proud to be involved in such a high-profile development, particularly as it’s on our doorstep. M-EC is perfectly positioned to help LCC and EC Harris deliver this long-awaited scheme.”

M-EC has received a certificate of support to recognise its employment of Army Reservist, Phillip Mabbitt. Senior structural technician, Phillip is also staff sergeant for the 168 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, part of the Army Reserve based in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

M-EC has been working with SaBRE, an MOD campaign to promote the benefits of employing Reservists. Eddie Mewies, managing director said: “SaBRE is an excellent organisation, which we are proud to partner. Phillip is a real asset, he is extremely motivated, highly organised and committed to succeed – all attributes resulting from his first-class Reservist training.”

Phillip has completed active service tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Kosovo and more recently has utilised his skills as a technician to construct an Afghan training village in Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Tim Aston, graduate structural engineer

Every Little HelpsM-EC collected nearly 1.2 tonnes of food for its nominated charity, Ashby Foodbank at Tesco, Loughborough to provide emergency food parcels for local families.

Blowing in the WindM-EC was commissioned to design the foundation system for a ‘Kinetic Grass’ sign in Hampshire. Featuring 130 linear flag poles that had to sway in the wind like grass, each pole had part of the Goodman logo on.

Ashby Skate Park

Construction on the replacement skate park in Ashby-de-la-Zouch has commenced following M-EC’s flood risk assessment, which proved viability of the site to the Environment Agency. The skate park will open in February 2014.

Client: Ashby-de-la-Zouch town Council

Client: Image techniqueClient: David Wilson Homes

Client: Leicester City Council

Wellington HouseLeicester Road, IbstockLeicestershireLE67 6HP

Consulting Development Engineers

T: 01530 264 753F: 01530 588 116ibstock@m-ec.co.ukwww.m-ec.co.uk

Since my last update, two new colleagues have joined the apprenticeship scheme, Taylor Worringham and Joseph Landers. Taylor is working in the infrastructure design team and Joseph has joined the Geomatics division. Coming straight from completing GCSEs into

full-time work is a massive step but, despite this, I think Taylor and Joseph have adapted well and both are continuing studying part-time at Stephenson College for an HNC qualification.

Through mentoring Taylor I have realised the breadth of knowledge and skills I have developed over the last 18 months, and similarly, how well I have settled into the company. Like myself, Taylor was introduced to AutoCAD straight away, and from what I have seen, he has picked the basics up very quickly.

I’ve even more responsibility and liaison with clients now, mainly David Wilson Homes, and I’m trusted to carry out most CAD designs/drawings. More recently, I’ve been introduced to the Micro Drainage software which involves the design of main drainage systems for developments, rather than just drawing them on AutoCAD. In addition, I have also been introduced to PDS software which focuses on road design but also shares 3D design information with Micro Drainage. I’ve enjoyed the responsibility and it shows the company has confidence in me to produce top quality work, I hope I can inspire the new apprentices to do the same!

Apprentice NotesCheers!

M-EC pint glasses used

ales tasted

clientsattended

Over

100

17

75

Thanks to all our guests who joined us in Warwick and Leicester for Christmas drinks and beer tasting.

by Jake Poulton