Case Studies & News
Jamboree showcases regeneration achievements
Around 50 professionals from all over Leicestershire were given a glimpse into the progression of one of the most significant remediation projects in Europe when they attended a jamboree organised by the Projects team at regional law firm, Harvey Ingram LLP.
The Projects team, which has just celebrated its second anniversary, organised the event for existing and future clients so it could showcase its experience in regeneration projects and celebrate its achievements with a Hawaiian-themed party. The team is currently working alongside the east midlands development agency (emda) on the high-profile Avenue project at Chesterfield in Derbyshire and emda's Operations Team manager, Mike Fenton, who is project director for the scheme, was guest speaker at the jamboree.
He described to those present how the 272-acre former mining/coking works site formerly operated by British Coal is being reclaimed and is being redeveloped for the benefit of the local community in socio and economic terms. Widely regarded as one of the most contaminated areas of land in the UK, the site will eventually be transformed into a nature reserve and a whole new community with housing and employment opportunities.
Mike Fenton spoke about some of the clean-up and air monitoring procedures being carried out at The Avenue, and paid tribute to the Projects team's members for all their legal assistance.
“The Avenue has become an increasingly complex project. Having a good, strong and experienced legal team working alongside you is very important and Harvey Ingram have more than fulfilled their role on this project,” he said. “The team has been refreshingly responsive and has demonstrated an innovative approach. The Avenue project has thrown up many challenges along the way but the Projects team from Harvey Ingram has enabled us to overcome those challenges in a sustainable manner.”
Draped with garlands, sipping Hawaiian cocktails, and listening to steel guitar music in a function room that had been transformed into a tropical beach marquee, those present could have been forgiven for forgetting the sub-zero British temperatures outside the City Rooms in Leicester.
Martin Jones, Partner, said: “The theme was refreshingly different and the perfect backdrop for a regeneration presentation. Mike Fenton’s presentation demonstrated emda’s commitment to the region – he was excellent and by all accounts very well received by our guests.”
Projects team marks successful collaboration
Members of Harvey Ingram LLP's Projects Team and the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) on Tuesday 2nd August marked a successful collaboration at the new ESPO building at Grove Park, Leicester.
Harvey Ingram's specialist Projects Team managed the land acquisition, planning issues and construction documentation on ESPO's behalf. The building consists of 120,000 sq ft of warehouse space for storage and distribution, and 30,000 sq ft of office space. It will accommodate around 300 staff and is scheduled to open in February 2006.
The team members who worked on the project – Associate Jonathan Fear and solicitors Jatinder Kandola and Louise Whitehead – visited the site with ESPO's Ed Walsh, Assistant Director (Strategic Procurement), and Philip Jones, Assistant Director (Operations), to see the work in progress.
Ed said he was impressed by how smoothly the whole project had been handled.
“I have been impressed by the professionalism shown by Jonathan and the rest of the Harveys team,” he said. “They were very responsive and attentive. It took just eight weeks to get all the legal work tied up, with the contracts actually signed and exchanged. We were working to tight deadlines and they achieved them with ease.”
The Projects Team has handled many large projects since its launch in November last year, including transactions relating to Abbey Meadows Science Park, Leicester, and the on-going regeneration of a 272-acre former mining/coking works site on behalf of emda.
Jonathan said: “This is probably the most visible Leicester project we have handled since our launch nine months ago. Having a dedicated team of specialists meant we were able to work to a very tight timescale.”
Leicestershire Constabulary
The new Custody Suite for the Constabulary at Freemans Common comprises approximately 40 high security detention cells.
We have already been successful in securing Police Authority approval for the Constabulary's ongoing requirements to complete and deliver the project. We also suceeded in helping the Constabulary obtain planning permission for the new community police station at Spinney Hill Park.
emda - The Avenue
We are appointed by the east midlands development agency (emda) in connection with their high profile project "The Avenue", at Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The Avenue is a 272 acre former mining/coking works site operated by British Coal and promoted by emda.
The current phase of the project involves the reclamation and remediation of some of the most contaminated areas of land in the UK with the ultimate objective being to redevelop the site for the benefit of the local community in socio and economic terms.
Timescale for the completion of the project as a whole is likely to be at least 8 to 10 years. The firm will assist in transforming this particular area of the Midlands from a wasteland to somewhere people live, work and relax.
The Avenue Project Website