Work on a major retail development including new Tesco and Home Bargains stores set to open next year is now underway. The new £20m development at Houghton Colliery is set to bring around 100 new jobs to the area. A 45,000sq ft Tesco supermarket and 20,000sq ft Home Bargains store
A Topping Out ceremony has been held to mark a significant milestone at an exciting development that will bring more than 350 new homes to the London Borough of Ealing. On Friday 17 February, representatives from local housing association A2Dominion and contractor and developer Higgins Group oversaw the structural frame completion
Peel L&P’s plans for a brand-new public park and essential infrastructure to enable the delivery of approximately 2350 homes, with biodiversity, sustainability, and heritage at its hearts, have been approved by Liverpool City Council. Located within the Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters, just south of Collingwood Dock by the
Wilton Developments has purchased the 33-acre Dynamo Park site on Cheltenham Road in Stockton-On-Tees for an undisclosed sum. The developer behind the successful 70-acre Turbine Business Park in Sunderland intends to capitalise on its extensive experience in the region to deliver another high quality commercial scheme, as part of its
Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has leased the 7th floor of its Landmark office development in Manchester to Vanguard, one of the world’s leading investment companies. The move represents the first office outside of London for the investment management firm, which has
City Electrical Factors, Huws Gray, Jewson, NMBS, Travis Perkins and Wolseley are among 13 merchants to have secured spots on a large-scale materials framework for UK housing associations and local authorities, worth up to £1.42bn over four years. Launched by Procurement for Housing (PfH), the sixth generation of this framework
Award-winning housebuilder Crest Nicholson has purchased the Wheatley Campus site from Oxford Brookes University, as they look to deliver much needed high-quality housing to meet local demand in the area. The 53 acre site has outline planning consent for the development of 500 homes, of which 35% will be affordable
GMI Construction Group has been awarded the contract to deliver the first industrial unit at Teesside Airport’s £200m business park. The start on site was announced by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen as he officially opened the firm’s new North East headquarters in Stockton. GMI will begin work early next
GMI Construction Group PLC has completed a 260,000 square foot medical distribution centre in West Yorkshire. The facility at Wakefield Hub has been built on behalf of developer HBD and Yorkcourt for PHOENIX Group and will serve the NHS and pharmacies across the UK. The build programme generated around 150
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 5th London flex space. Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a new Management Agreement with Thames Estates Limited to create a high spec flexible workspace at Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn EC1 in the heart of Midtown. The new space will open
Work on a major retail development including new Tesco and Home Bargains stores set to open next year is now underway. The new £20m development at Houghton Colliery is set to bring around 100 new jobs to the area. A 45,000sq ft Tesco supermarket and 20,000sq ft Home Bargains store will be built on the former Colliery site with an opening date of Spring 2024 on the cards. Work at the site is now underway with preparation work being carried out to clear the site ahead of building work beginning. A 300 bay carpark will also be built including disabled spaces and electric car charging points. Sunderland City Council’s cabinet agreed to sell the former colliery – which had been empty for 40 years – to developers Hellens Group and Fintry Estates in 2019. Cllr Kevin Johnson, Dynamic City Cabinet Member at Sunderland City Council, said: “The redevelopment of the former Houghton Colliery site is a project we have been working on for some time, so we’re absolutely thrilled to see work progressing on the scheme.” Gavin Cordwell-Smith, chief executive at Hellens Group said: “We are delighted to begin clearance work on the former colliery site with construction due to commence in May this year. “As a Sunderland-based company, we are committed to supporting local regeneration projects and seeing the area benefit from multi-million pound developments. “The support from Sunderland City Council has been invaluable in unlocking this particularly challenging brownfield site.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Topping Out ceremony has been held to mark a significant milestone at an exciting development that will bring more than 350 new homes to the London Borough of Ealing. On Friday 17 February, representatives from local housing association A2Dominion and contractor and developer Higgins Group oversaw the structural frame completion of Phase 2 at Hanwell Square located on Boston Road. Phase 2 comprises 169 modern apartments, of which, 110 will be available for Private Sale via A2Dominion’s FABRICA brand, 20 for Shared Ownership and 39 for Affordable Rent. Completion is expected in Summer 2024. Danny Lynch, Director of Special Projects at A2Dominion, said: “We’re delighted to reach this exciting stage of the build and once again demonstrate our commitment to bringing high-quality new homes to the area. Phase two will help with the demand for housing in the London Borough of Ealing and provide an opportunity for first-time buyers to get onto property ladder.” Declan Higgins, Partnerships Director for Higgins comments, “The topping out of phase two marks a significant milestone in our joint venture with A2Dominion, which is delivering much needed new homes as well as high quality public realm for the whole community to enjoy. It’s also wonderful to see residents moving into the first phase of the development which has proved extremely popular.” The Hanwell Square development in West London is centered around a stunning village square and landscaped courtyards, allowing apartments, shops and businesses to come together. The development will provide 360 high-quality homes to the leafy London borough, with a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, to accommodate a range of lifestyles. Phase 1 of the development completed in January 2023 , with the first residents moving in this month. The first phase comprises of 191 modern homes, with 124 for Private Sale, 34 Shared Ownership and 33 Affordable Rent. The three-block site designed by Assael Architects and delivered by Fourpoint Architects, features contemporary soft brickwork, which contrasts against the dark frames of the windows, balconies and shop frontages. The picturesque village square and landscaped courtyards is complemented by flexible space, ground floor retail shops, garden terraces, staffed concierge, a gym, roof tops gardens and play areas for children. Hanwell Square is ideally located just a few minutes away from Hanwell train station which is now served by the new Elizabeth Line. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peel L&P’s plans for a brand-new public park and essential infrastructure to enable the delivery of approximately 2350 homes, with biodiversity, sustainability, and heritage at its hearts, have been approved by Liverpool City Council. Located within the Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters, just south of Collingwood Dock by the historic Tobacco Warehouse, Central Park will become one of the city’s largest green spaces, spanning 1.9 hectares (or 4.7 acres), and will form an important part of the next stage of the Liverpool Waters development. The approved plans also include the creation of a network of public spaces in the Central Docks neighbourhood, with green streets and rain gardens; the delivery of high-quality public realm; and new street infrastructure, such as high-quality footpaths and a variety of street types to support vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Hundreds of trees will also be planted across the Central Docks neighbourhood. The development of this 11ha site will enable and accelerate the delivery of around 2,350 homes over the next 10 years, in line with the Liverpool Waters Central Docks Neighbourhood Masterplan. This planning application and the development it will enable demonstrates the scale of ambition for Liverpool Waters and the transformative impact it will have on this historic brownfield site. Coastal and woodland planting, wetland planting, community gardens and open parkland will all help to create a unique, world class environment at Central Park, celebrating the site’s post-industrial heritage and its coastal locality. The park will also include shelters and canopies, areas for sport, recreation and fitness, and spaces designed to support local wildlife. Connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between the city centre, Princes Dock, Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, and the city’s northern docks will also be significantly improved as part of this development. Central Docks will become the largest of the five planned neighbourhoods in Liverpool Waters and will directly enable the delivery of thousands of new homes, alongside commercial, retail, leisure and community developments over the next ten years. Chris Capes, Peel L&P’s Development Director for Liverpool Waters, said: “The Council’s approval of our plans for Central Park, and its surrounding infrastructure and public realm, paves the way for ten years of development across the whole Central Docks neighbourhood and will set a quality benchmark for later phases of Liverpool Waters. “Central Park and the public realm have been designed to provide a unique environment that will enrich the lives of everyone in Liverpool as well as the millions of people who visit the city every year and we’re looking forward to moving this project forward in 2023. Central Docks and will enable the delivery of new residential, commercial and leisure development and be a catalyst for the delivery of 10 Streets and North Liverpool.” The consultant planning team for this development includes: Planit-IE – Master Planners, Landscaping and Urban Design, Visualisation; Arup Planning – Planning Consultant; Walker Sime – Project Management; John Sisk – Infrastructure and Design; Curtins – Civils and Structures; Hannan Associates UK – MEP; Hatch – Social Value; Safer Sphere – CDM; RSK – Ecology, HRA, Aquatic, Noise, BNG; Rob Burns – Heritage; Civic Engineers – Transport; Social – Consultation and Engagement. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wilton Developments has purchased the 33-acre Dynamo Park site on Cheltenham Road in Stockton-On-Tees for an undisclosed sum. The developer behind the successful 70-acre Turbine Business Park in Sunderland intends to capitalise on its extensive experience in the region to deliver another high quality commercial scheme, as part of its commitment to logistics and industrial space in the Northern Power House. The scheme has the capability to deliver circa 600,000 sq. ft. of industrial, storage and warehouse space on a prime A19 frontage, adjacent to the junction for the popular retail and trade location at Portrack Lane. The site benefits from an outline planning permission for almost 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and reserved matters (detailed) permission for circa 220,000 sq. ft. Together this could foster more than 1,070 jobs on the site, with many more in associated supply chains linked to the scheme. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, said: “The scheme will deliver high quality employment space, job opportunities, inward investment and economic growth in the area, capitalising on the lack of available opportunities in the wider north east for businesses wanting to upgrade their facilities to new levels of design and ESG credentials. “The acquisition provides a great opportunity to deliver a variety of industrial, storage and warehouse space adjacent to the A19.” Wilton Developments is active across the north of England, where the company has delivered prime new build and refurbished commercial space, including the recently completed Latitude logistics development on the M62 near Leeds and Enterprise Park in Barnsley, both for CBRE Investment Managers. The company is also behind the recently completed four unit scheme at Turbine Business Park for Block Industrial and the forthcoming Leeds 500, which is the largest single unit distribution scheme in the city, with reserved matters consent providing approximately 500,000 sq. ft. of BREEAM Excellent logistics/industrial space alongside the M1 at Junction 47. The company also secured the largest single reserved matters planning permission in the UK for 1.15 million sq. ft. of industrial space at Doncaster North, as part of a 2.26 million sq ft of reserved matters consents in the first phase. These consents are part of Wilton’s wider 3.5 million sq ft industrial and logistics development close to the M62/M18 interchange which is set to create around 8,500 jobs for the region. More information will be available at the UKREiiF in Leeds this May, where Wilton Developments will be exhibiting and speaking. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has leased the 7th floor of its Landmark office development in Manchester to Vanguard, one of the world’s leading investment companies. The move represents the first office outside of London for the investment management firm, which has more than 900 staff across European offices. The global investment management firm has signed a 10-year lease for the 14,013 sq ft 7th floor at Barings’ 180,000 sq ft Landmark office building on St Peter’s Square in Manchester. Vanguard has been attracted to Manchester by the opportunity to access the exceptional pool of talent in the city, and to add additional operational capacity for its European business in an exciting new location, in one of its fastest growing markets. With this latest letting, circa 70,000 sq ft has been leased at Landmark in recent weeks to Starling Bank, Santander UK, RSM and Xero with only 3 floors now remaining available. Vanguard will join additional global occupiers HSBC UK, Allianz Insurance, Grant Thornton, JLL and social enterprise Change Please in the building. Barings credits the success of its BREEAM Excellent and Wired Score Platinum development to the keen attention paid to technological infrastructure, sustainability, well-being and customer experience. Features such as contactless technologies enabling touch-free movement within the building, a dedicated cycle storage and maintenance hub, high-quality showers and changing facilities, electric car charging spaces and Amazon lockers for package delivery and returns all add to the world-class environment. Ian Mayhew, Managing Director, UK Asset management at Barings, said: “To be the home of Vanguard’s first regional office is a huge coup and continues a very strong run of lettings at Landmark. We’ve worked really hard putting all the building blocks in place to provide an exceptional workspace and building experience. We are pleased this is being recognised by occupiers and we are continually evolving our offer to ensure that we are leading from the front.” Sean Hagerty, Head of Europe, Vanguard said: “We are delighted to confirm we plan to expand our footprint in the UK, and open an office in Manchester. The office will allow access to a new talent pool, and help us serve investors across the UK and Europe.” Leasing agents for Barings were CBRE and Colliers. Vanguard was advised by JLL. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City Electrical Factors, Huws Gray, Jewson, NMBS, Travis Perkins and Wolseley are among 13 merchants to have secured spots on a large-scale materials framework for UK housing associations and local authorities, worth up to £1.42bn over four years. Launched by Procurement for Housing (PfH), the sixth generation of this framework sees a complete restructure with sixteen different lots allowing housing providers to procure plumbing, heating and gas, electrical and building materials, aids and adaptations, through either specialist merchants, managed stores (set up for their sole use) or branch networks. The framework has a number of regional lots, enabling Scottish and Welsh housing providers to procure from suppliers local to them and it also offers self-serve options, so operatives can pick up materials even when branches are closed. An ‘on-demand’ category enables housing associations and councils to use merchant branch networks for ad hoc purchases, when needed. Social landlords can also procure a tech platform that allows direct labour organisations (DLOs) and subcontractors to manage van stock, source products locally and have oversight of all spend across the framework. The framework links with PfH’s widespread support for social landlords around asset management, which includes spend analytics reporting and a range of procurement insights delivered through its customer portal. For a significant proportion of the social housing sector, buying materials for repairs, planned maintenance and retrofit accounts for over half their total spend. More than 450 housing providers used PfH’s previous materials framework. Judy Ashcroft, materials category manager at PfH said: “Rising costs and severe shortages have made the last few years pretty turbulent for social landlords procuring materials. The cost of living crisis is compounding this with housing associations and councils seeing a spike both in demand for homes and their own costs. More than ever, certainty is needed so the sector can meet tough targets on improving stock, but social landlords also need flexible, forward-thinking ways to source materials and deliver insights so they can manage their spend effectively.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning housebuilder Crest Nicholson has purchased the Wheatley Campus site from Oxford Brookes University, as they look to deliver much needed high-quality housing to meet local demand in the area. The 53 acre site has outline planning consent for the development of 500 homes, of which 35% will be affordable housing. The development will provide a mixture of two, three, four, and five bedroom houses, along with some apartments. There are also community facilities planned, such as public open space, a sports pavilion, bowling green, and a cricket pitch. CBRE advised Oxford Brookes University on the transaction. Situated close to the villages of Wheatley and Holton in Oxfordshire, the development is just a few miles away from Oxford city centre. Wheatley high street contains a number of independent shops, pubs, and restaurants, and the location also provides a great link to London via the M40. Nicholas Daruwalla, Land Director at Crest Nicholson South, commented: “This is a key purchase for Crest Nicholson, given the site’s prime location and scale. It is in close proximity to major employment, retail, leisure, and education hubs, making it a highly desirable location. These characteristics, coupled with the area comprising high levels of housing demand and low levels of supply, makes this deal an important purchase for the business. We are pleased to be working with Oxford Brookes University to bring this development to fruition, and with this deal, we will provide a number of much needed homes, including affordable housing, to help meet local demand. At Crest Nicholson, we invest in placemaking, aiming to deliver attractive homes, amenities and open green space to improve the quality of life for residents, helping to build future proof communities to be proud of.” Jerry Woods, Director of Estates & Campus Services at Oxford Brookes University, comments: “We’re pleased to have worked with Crest Nicholson and our real estate advisers CBRE on this sale which will facilitate the move of our remaining activity from the Wheatley Campus to new, state-of-the-art facilities at our Headington campus. The Wheatley site will provide a high-quality residential environment, offering an assortment of housing types to meet local needs. Oxford Brookes has been proud to call the Wheatley Campus home for close to fifty years and the University will continue to engage with local groups and individuals while we remain on the site over the next 18 months.” Jasper Masters, Executive Director, CBRE said: “We are delighted to help deliver such a successful outcome on behalf of the University for this premium asset. The Wheatley sale represents the largest single family housing site to have exchanged in the UK since last September’s mini budget. A sale of this nature will provide the development land market with a strong sense of optimism. As an Oxford Brookes alumnus, I’m really proud to have played a part in the Campus’ next chapter and look forward to seeing Crest Nicholson’s vision for the site being realised.” Crest Nicholson hope to begin works at the end of 2024, with the first completions to be expected in Autumn 2025. Local residents, businesses and users of the Oxford Brookes Wheatley Campus will be kept updated on the works as they develop. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has been awarded the contract to deliver the first industrial unit at Teesside Airport’s £200m business park. The start on site was announced by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen as he officially opened the firm’s new North East headquarters in Stockton. GMI will begin work early next month on the 25,000 sq. ft unit situated on the south side of the airport. Three further units are due to be constructed later as part of the first phase of development, including direct access from the A67. Once fully operational, the business park is expected to create up to 4,400 jobs, and will be made up of logistics, distribution and industrial buildings. Speaking at the official office opening at Cavendish House, Ben Houchen said: “Spades will be in the ground in a matter of weeks and the first unit should be up and running ready for business by the end of the year. Creating more jobs and bringing in rent to help us get our airport into profit. “I’ve always said that whilst important, our airport is so much more than flights to Alicante, and this is just another example of how our airport is supporting local businesses and benefiting local people.” “It’s great that GMI are growing and setting up new offices in Teesside creating good-quality, well-paid jobs for local people. GMI, one of the largest independent construction firms in the North of England and the Midlands, initially established itself at Fusion Hive in Stockton in 2021, but quickly outgrew the space as its staff expanded in response to a pipeline of major projects. Its 25-strong construction management team now occupies 5,200 sq. ft of space on the third floor of Cavendish House in Stockton, which the company itself built in 2002. The Mayor also has a strong connection with the riverside building – having occupied the same space, along with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), prior to moving to new offices at the airport. Gary Oates, appointed to the newly created position of Divisional Managing Director North East, in January, said the investment in Tees Valley and the wider region reflected the area’s significance to the business. He said: “We chose the Tees Valley for our North East office because of the many exciting developments that seek to re-establish this area as an economic powerhouse and we are proud to have been selected to deliver the first unit of this prestigious Teesside Airport development. “Moving to Cavendish House gives us the capacity to expand our headcount in the coming months and years as we respond to an ever-growing pipeline of work. “I’d also like to thank Ben personally for making the decision to move the offices of the Mayor and TVCA to Teesside Airport and, in doing so, freeing up this fantastic space for a business that aims to be at the forefront of levelling up in this region.” GMI Construction Group has forged strong links in the North East over many years, having built the 450,000 sq. ft Thorn Lighting factory at Spennymoor, and the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM), part of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) at East Boldon. It is currently principal contractor on several high-profile North East projects, including 362,600 sq. ft of commercial units at Hillthorn Business Park, Washington, and the 650,000 sq. ft Connect warehouse and logistics scheme at the Integra 61 development, near Bowburn, Durham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group PLC has completed a 260,000 square foot medical distribution centre in West Yorkshire. The facility at Wakefield Hub has been built on behalf of developer HBD and Yorkcourt for PHOENIX Group and will serve the NHS and pharmacies across the UK. The build programme generated around 150 construction jobs and the completed facility has the potential to create 100 new jobs. Constructed over 12 months, it features 22 dock level loading bays and seven level access doors to enable the productive arrival and distribution of medical products. The building is also highly energy efficient, with the inclusion of solar PV panels and 46 electric car charging bays. It also sits among landscaped grounds incorporating a balancing pond plus improvements to surrounding paths and bridleways. Wakefield Hub is a prime location for industrial and logistics operators, boasting unrivalled access to the M62, M1 and A1. Existing occupiers include Kitwave Wholesale Group and Newcold. It is being delivered in joint venture by HBD and Yorkcourt and, spanning 200-acres, is one of the largest regeneration projects of its kind in the North of England. Andrew Hurcomb, Managing Director Yorkshire at GMI Construction, said: “This has been another landmark project for GMI both in terms of the benefits it will bring to PHOENIX, its pharmacies and their customers, but also as another important investment in the Yorkshire economy. “This project is generating valuable employment opportunities and further enhancing the area’s reputation as a key logistical hub. We are proud to have delivered this scheme as part of our longstanding relationship with HBD and its JV partner Yorkcourt.” Tom Wheldon, Director and Head of Region at HBD, said: “We’re pleased to be able to welcome PHOENIX Group to Wakefield Hub – its new purpose-built base coupled with unrivalled access to the motorway network will no doubt prove a successful new location as it targets further growth.” Scott Mackie, Director at Yorkcourt, said: “PHEONIX is an excellent addition to Wakefield Hub and their choice to open here, along with the successful forward funding agreement with clients of Abrdn, is not only a vote of confidence in the scheme but in the region as a place to invest. It’s very positive news for the city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 5th London flex space. Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a new Management Agreement with Thames Estates Limited to create a high spec flexible workspace at Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn EC1 in the heart of Midtown. The new space will open in early Summer 2023. The 33,500 sq. ft flexible workspace will be newly refurbished to provide around 550 workstations on the 1st and 5th floors of the building. In addition, there will be substantial collaboration and meeting spaces. Holborn Gate is a highly prominent office and retail building comprising approximately 175,000 sq. ft and was recently acquired by Thames Estates Limited in November 2022. The building is less than a minutes’ walk from Chancery Lane station, giving access to the Central Line, and is less than a ten-minute walk to Farringdon Station which gives access to the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines and is a key interchange on the Elizabeth Line. It is close to many local amenities including restaurants, coffee bars, gyms and hotels within a short walk. The area appeals to a wide tenant mix: it is home to many large corporate and legal and other professional firms including Sainsburys, Deloitte UK, Hogan Lovells, Mishcon de Reya and Irwin Mitchell. The Fleet Street Quarter bid is set to transform the area which will only enhance its desirability. The new workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base for the area’s professional and financial businesses, and will offer brand new: It is the fifth flexible workspace that Orega has launched in London and the fourth in the Midtown. The company now offers flex space from 23 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “We have seen great opportunities for flex space in both Midtown and the City of London, and we now have five flexible workspace centres in London as a whole. This acquisition certainly bolsters our Midtown presence.” We believe we are successfully catering for the demand from businesses who are increasingly looking for a flexible way to occupy property but also require high quality “state of the art” space. We believe this trend will continue with the current economic uncertainty and reluctance of businesses to be tied into long leases.” BH2 advised Thames Estates Limited. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
