Bouygues UK has been appointed by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as lead contractor for the design and build of the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital and demolition works of the current MRI building at the hospital have commenced. This new collaboration, secured through
Drone footage at Milton Park shows construction is well underway on Nebula, a £40m research and development (R&D) scheme. Following a ground-breaking ceremony with Science Minister Andrew Griffith MP earlier in the year, a drone fly-through shows one of the three Nebula buildings timber beams have been put in place.
Pershore Junction is a new 127-bedroom purpose-built student building in the heart of Birmingham from developer Alumno. The £24 million project was funded by Who Hup Holdings Limited and built by GMI Construction Group. It has transformed a former BT brownfield site on Dogpool Lane to accommodate the increasing number
Work has begun on GVS Filter Technology UK Ltd’s new £14m manufacturing facility and office complex, which will transform a 24,000 sqm vacant site on Caton Road in Lancaster into a sustainable and captivating riverside location. Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton are leading on the project and will deliver
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £12m contract by Staffordshire Pension Fund to build a new 100,000 sq ft distribution warehouse at Vernon Park in Wolverhampton. Work on the new two-storey high industrial unit will commence this month and will see Caddick Construction deliver the base-build to accommodate manufacturing, storage
The Mint Building offers an outstanding and rare investment opportunity in the heart of Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square Lismore Real Estate Advisors has brought The Mint Building, a premier investment opportunity, set in the heart of Edinburgh’s most highly desired office and leisure locations, to the market on behalf of
Housebuilder Story Homes has been granted planning permission from Cumberland Council to build 112 new homes on land south of the A69 in Scotby, Carlisle. The proposals for a new residential development include a range of high-quality two to five-bedroom properties that suit the needs of a variety of prospective
Architecture Director, Akshay Khera, has been appointed as head of the Bristol studio of global design practice, BDP. With more than a decade of experience designing buildings and spaces in Bristol, the South West and Wales, Akshay is passionate about improving the built environment in the region. He is committed
While headlines have revealed the small amount of allocated Levelling Up funding that has been spent to date, the Conservative Party has pledged a further £20m for 30 towns over the next 10 years to add to its long-term plan for levelling up. At a time when many local councils
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Bouygues UK as the lead contractor for the design and build of the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital. Demolition works on the current MRI building at the hospital have commenced. This new collaboration, secured through a competitive
Bouygues UK has been appointed by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as lead contractor for the design and build of the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital and demolition works of the current MRI building at the hospital have commenced. This new collaboration, secured through a competitive bid process, builds on the long-term partnership between the Trust, Bouygues UK and its subsidiaries. The new five-storey facility will provide vital diagnostic and treatment services in cancer, renal and imaging for local residents in Hounslow, Richmond and Ealing. It aims to reduce health inequalities, improve patient outcomes and provide care closer to home, freeing up space in the main hospital for inpatient care. The centre will support outpatient care and will offer day services for patients. The project includes five storeys of new build, a rooftop plant and a small terrace area. On the ground floor there will be a new single storey link corridor to the existing hospital building. Social value will play a key role in the project and the contractor will be supporting the local community with apprenticeships and work experience placements, as well as working with educational institutions in the area and taking part in local charity initiatives. Bouygues UK is currently working in partnership with MITSkills, London Borough of Hounslow and JCP Hounslow on a training and skills development programme and sustainable long-term employment opportunities for local people. The contractor will be taking on 11 apprentices and providing around 50 work experience opportunities with MITSkills throughout the project. Fabienne Viala, Chair and CEO of Bouygues UK said, “We are thrilled to be partnering again with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and leading the construction of this much-needed diagnostic centre. This project underscores our commitment to delivering sustainable, state-of-the-art facilities that will significantly benefit the local community.” Lesley Watts CBE, Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The new diagnostic centre at West Middlesex University Hospital will provide a vital service for our residents, speeding up diagnosis and treatment. Most importantly it will improve early diagnosis and health outcomes for patients in our community for years to come.” Bouygues UK has a track record of delivering healthcare infrastructure across the United Kingdom, following the successful completion of University College London Hospital’s Grafton Way building a state-of-the-art cancer and surgery centre in 2022, and the ongoing development of Oriel, an integrated eye care, research and education centre. This new development is designed to be an all-electric building and supports both Bouygues UK’s and the Trust’s commitment to the sustainable development of new builds and facilities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Drone footage at Milton Park shows construction is well underway on Nebula, a £40m research and development (R&D) scheme. Following a ground-breaking ceremony with Science Minister Andrew Griffith MP earlier in the year, a drone fly-through shows one of the three Nebula buildings timber beams have been put in place. The video shows the scale of the structural frame being built by Barnwood, which features sustainably sourced and recyclable glue-laminated (glulam) timber beams in place of steel. Targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A sustainability standards once finalised, Barnwood and Milton Park are also working together to minimise the scheme’s environmental impact during construction. Barnwood will intercept and donate surplus wood to RAW Workshop, an Oxfordshire-based social enterprise employing a range of people, many of whom are experiencing mental health issues, addiction and homelessness. The surplus will be recycled in RAW’s workshop and through its education programmes, helping to minimise the environmental impact whilst maximising social value. Nebula will offer just under 80,000 sq ft space for science, technology and advanced engineering companies alike. The building units range from 6,000 to 30,000 sq ft, combining flexible R&D space with high quality CAT A office accommodation. Kathryn Andrew, Development Manager at MEPC Milton Park, said: “It only felt like yesterday that we were finalising the CGIs of what Nebula would look like, but the fly-through really brings the project to life and showcases the full scale and potential of the development. “Once complete, Nebula will offer adaptable R&D space, providing significant flexibility for any future occupier’s needs. We’re looking forward to sharing more updates in the coming months as the development progresses.” Dave Piper, Joint Managing Director, Barnwood Limited, said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to utilise innovative and more sustainable materials like glulam on the Nebula project, and see the structures come to life in recent weeks. “One of our objectives is to ensure we minimise our environmental impact through the materials we use. We’re pleased to be working with RAW who will be recycling off-cuts and surplus wood from site. We are also progressing new initiatives with MEPC to generate a positive impact from the constriction process and look forward to reporting back soon.” Commenting at the ground-breaking ceremony, Science Minister Andrew Griffith said: “This state-of-the-art facility will facilitate those achieving breakthroughs from engineering to life sciences, support skilled jobs here in Oxfordshire, and enhance the UK’s position as a science superpower.” Plans for Nebula were submitted for approval to the Vale of White Horse District Council via the Park’s Local Development Order (LDO), a 10-day LDO which simplifies the planning process and allows developments to be fast tracked. Working alongside Milton Park and Barnwood Limited as part of the project team are SRA Architects, ASA Landscape Architects, Ridge & Partners LLP (BREEAM, cost management, M&E, principal design, project management), Stantec (civil and structural engineering), William Downie Associates (utilities), Cundall (carbon consultant), CBRE (letting agent) and ProVision (planning). For more information or to enquire about Nebula, please visit: https://www.miltonpark.co.uk/availability/nebula-190-192-park-drive Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pershore Junction is a new 127-bedroom purpose-built student building in the heart of Birmingham from developer Alumno. The £24 million project was funded by Who Hup Holdings Limited and built by GMI Construction Group. It has transformed a former BT brownfield site on Dogpool Lane to accommodate the increasing number of students from local universities, including Birmingham’s School of Dentistry. David Campbell, Alumno Managing Director said: “It is wonderful to see this dynamic building come to life and provide accommodation for Birmingham’s expanding student population. Working with the local authority and community was integral to the buildings’ success and it has re-energised the overlooked site to offer a unique student experience and enhance this vibrant university town.” Philip Johnson, Head of Investment at Who Hup, commented: “Woh Hup is delighted to launch this new property at Pershore Junction to add to our existing portfolio of 1000+ operational PBSA beds in the UK. We believe high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in tier one locations in the UK offers great opportunities to investors. We are extremely grateful to the Alumno and GMI teams for their support in delivering a best-in-class building and look forward to welcoming students in Sept 2024. We continue to look for further development / funding opportunities around the Selly Oak and adjacent areas”. The contemporary brick building is distinctive yet fits appropriately into the wider fabric of the local area and has been designed by architects Howells. Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells said: “Pershore Junction contributes appropriately to the ongoing transformation of Stirchley, with the design delivering a contemporarily crafted brick and terracotta building, that remains clearly of its place, drawing reference to materials and details found on several local landmarks, including Selly Park Church and Dogpool Lane Hotel. Stirchley is a fantastic part of Birmingham and the quality the whole team have been able to deliver will serve to set the benchmark for new buildings coming forward in the area – we have always remained committed to providing design excellence for this site and the design overall has benefited significantly through community and local authority involvement.” Gareth Jones, Divisional Managing Director, GMI Construction Group PLC stated: “As part of our ongoing partnership with Alumno, we’re delighted and incredibly proud to see another fantastic project complete. This new purpose-built student accommodation has been delivered to an incredibly high standard and has been sustainably designed and built to meet the needs of Birmingham’s ever-growing student population.” Alumno is a strong advocate of enriching the surrounding areas of all its student developments by seeking opportunities to integrate the arts using local creative talent. At Pershore Junction they have worked with local artists to deliver a poetry installation from Birmingham’s former poet laureate, Casey Bailey and a student photography exhibition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has begun on GVS Filter Technology UK Ltd’s new £14m manufacturing facility and office complex, which will transform a 24,000 sqm vacant site on Caton Road in Lancaster into a sustainable and captivating riverside location. Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton are leading on the project and will deliver a transformative UK headquarters that pays homage to the company’s Italian heritage. With roots stretching back to 1979, GVS manufactures highly technical filtration systems for healthcare, life science, safety and automotive sectors. The move will see all c.200 employees from GVS’s current UK office in Morecambe relocate to a new two-storey, low carbon waterside development in Lancaster, in a move that supports the company’s drive to net zero. Leveraging extensive experience in delivering sustainable projects, Conlon Construction will incorporate renewable energy and heat transfer management systems into the build. The new headquarters will also feature a sophisticated drainage system that channels surface water through grassed swales within the car park, leading to a meticulously landscaped wildlife pond, before ultimately releasing the water into the River Lune. The Bamber Bridge-based contractor is working alongside North West architects and planning consultancy, Cassidy + Ashton, who designed the scheme and secured planning permission for the ambitious project. The proposals see both parties working in partnership to transform an existing warehouse into GVS’s new production facilities, comprising injection moulding and high-tech filter manufacturing, which is carried out under ‘clean room’ standards. Conlon will also deliver space for warehousing and storage, plus a striking reception, office, and administration area. Darren Lee, commercial director at Conlon Construction, said: “This project suits our skills and experience at Conlon to a tee. We’ve delivered net zero builds for multiple clients, from the education sector to industrial units, and we’re thrilled to be involved in transforming this site into an inspiring and efficient workplace. “As a Lancashire business, we’ve a rich history of bringing spaces across the county, and beyond, to life – whether that’s through transforming areas with untapped potential or restoring historically significant buildings. “The plans by Cassidy + Ashton are spectacular. GVS will soon have a UK base reflective of its Italian roots and manufacturing prowess.” Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, GVS, a leading manufacturer of medical products and personal protective equipment, played a pivotal role in supplying the NHS with protective face masks specified to the highest classification. Miguel Aranda, Managing Director at GVS Filter Technology UK Ltd, said: “I am very impressed with the progress of the new building and am looking forward to the move next year in 2025. I can’t wait to start afresh in a new location where there will be improvements in our main drivers like safety, quality, delivery, productivity and cost, sustainability, inventory and the most important one, an improved working environment for our people.” Alistair Baines, chairman of Cassidy + Ashton, said: “After several years in the making, it’s great to finally see the works progressing on site. We know how important this project is for GVS as a company and I’m sure it will help strengthen their operations both regionally and globally.” Conlon Construction has broken ground on the former Sofidel site, kicking off construction in a special ceremony attended by representatives from the contractor, Cassidy + Ashton, GVS, structural engineer Sleater & Watson and M&E designer, DRB Environmental Design. Completion is expected in spring 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £12m contract by Staffordshire Pension Fund to build a new 100,000 sq ft distribution warehouse at Vernon Park in Wolverhampton. Work on the new two-storey high industrial unit will commence this month and will see Caddick Construction deliver the base-build to accommodate manufacturing, storage and distribution. Building work will include the creation of access roads, hardstanding, car parking, cycle storage and external landscaping at the new development at Junction 1 of the M54. Caddick will also install loading doors, dock leveller equipment, fire escape staircases, lifts and ancillary spaces. Additional features include heating, comfort cooling, domestic hot and cold-water services, electrical installations, fire alarms, and general and emergency lighting. The project adds to Caddick Construction’s growing portfolio in the Midlands, which also includes Urban Splash and Places for People’s Port Loop development in Birmingham where building work began in 2023. Vernon Park also adds to Caddick Construction’s wider portfolio of industrial developments across the North and Midlands, which includes projects on behalf of Network Space and Chancerygate. Ray O’Sullivan, Regional Director of Caddick Construction Midlands, commented: “We are building a healthy project pipeline in the Midlands, which is flexing our expertise in a number of our core sectors, including residential, commercial offices, and industrial and logistics. We have an excellent team in place to deliver Vernon Park, and we will be working with suppliers and subcontractors across Wolverhampton and the West Midlands to support our delivery of the project.” The design and consultant team at Vernon Park includes UMC Architects, Virtus Consult as project managers and quantity surveyors, Rodgers Leask as structural and civil engineering and M&E engineers, Couch Perry Wilkes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Mint Building offers an outstanding and rare investment opportunity in the heart of Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square Lismore Real Estate Advisors has brought The Mint Building, a premier investment opportunity, set in the heart of Edinburgh’s most highly desired office and leisure locations, to the market on behalf of Hines. This iconic property, strategically located on the south-east corner of Edinburgh’s prestigious St Andrew Square, is fully let to four prestigious tenants: FNZ, Nationwide Building Society, Franco Manca, and Tattu. Adjacent to the £1bn St James Quarter, The Mint Building stands as a beacon of modernity and sophistication in one of the UK’s most dynamic cities. Completed in 2019, it extends to 70,467 sq ft across nine floors, featuring a statement double-height reception, roof terraces, secure parking, cycle storage and quality end-of-journey facilities. It comprises 59,427 sq ft of Grade A office space, alongside 11,040 sq ft of restaurant / retail accommodation. Future-proofed to meet the exacting ESG standards of occupiers and investors, the all-electric office building boasts an EPC rating of A(7). Commenting on the sale, Colin Finlayson, Director of Lismore Real Estate Advisors said: “Edinburgh is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in the UK. The Mint Building is a true trophy asset, in Edinburgh’s most prized location. It offers an outstanding and extremely rare opportunity to acquire a newly-developed building on St Andrew Square, with an immediately reversionary income profile.” St Andrew Square is renowned as Edinburgh’s premier office and leisure destination, boasting unrivalled public transport links and an array of exceptional amenities. The immediate vicinity is home to prestigious names such as Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Louis Vuitton, Gleneagles Townhouse, Dishoom, and The Ivy, as well as a selection of top-tier hotels, enhancing the prestige of this prime location. The Mint Building represents a unique opportunity to invest in a landmark property that stands at the forefront of the city’s thriving office and leisure market, offering an unrivalled blend of location, design, tenant quality and immediate investment performance. Further information can be found by visiting: THE MINT BUILDING Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Story Homes has been granted planning permission from Cumberland Council to build 112 new homes on land south of the A69 in Scotby, Carlisle. The proposals for a new residential development include a range of high-quality two to five-bedroom properties that suit the needs of a variety of prospective buyers. 33 of the new homes will be classed as affordable and will address the different requirements of eligible occupants with a connection to the Scotby area. The new development will complement the local area and include biodiversity enhancements and the delivery of new public open space which can be enjoyed by new and existing residents. As part of this new development in Scotby, Story Homes will make a number of significant community contributions totalling over £358k in line with the Section 106 Agreement requirements for the scheme. This includes contributions towards open space, sports and recreation, new primary school places, highways and travel improvements. David Hayward, Land Manager for Story Homes in Cumbria & Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission to deliver 112 new homes in Scotby. Our scheme has been carefully designed to provide an appropriate extension to the village of Scotby and will deliver a range of two to five-bedroom modern, family homes centred around flexible living. “The scheme will also provide a number of benefits to the local community, such as the provision of 33 much-needed new affordable homes for local people with differing requirements, attractive street scenes, biodiversity gains and areas of new open space. We look forward to works beginning on site for this exciting new development.” Due to significant delays within the planning system, including Nutrient Neutrality mitigation, Story Homes has been unable to bring forward any new residential developments in the Carlisle area since permission was granted for its Oakleigh Fields development at Orton Road in 2021. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Architecture Director, Akshay Khera, has been appointed as head of the Bristol studio of global design practice, BDP. With more than a decade of experience designing buildings and spaces in Bristol, the South West and Wales, Akshay is passionate about improving the built environment in the region. He is committed to delivering sustainable spaces that create a sense of community and wellbeing designed with end users in mind. Akshay’s appointment supports the continued growth of BDP in the region as a widely respected, socially progressive practice with an embedded multidisciplinary approach across healthcare, housing, education, and workplace sectors. Akshay joined BDP Bristol in 2004 and in 2010 went on to lead the Delhi and Abu Dhabi studios where his international portfolio included notable projects such as the masterplan for the Indian Institute of Technology and the University of Birmingham’s Dubai Incubator campus. He returned to Bristol in 2019 and has brought his proven expertise in collaborative communication and design to lead a number of projects. These include the University of Bristol Dental School, projects for the University of the West of England, and the International HQ for the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. Akshay Khera, head of BDP Bristol says: “Once again, Bristol has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK and it is known to be one of the highest-growth cities across multiple major asset classes. The opportunity for growth in the region in all sectors remains strong and as a multidisciplinary consultancy, we are perfectly placed to help our local clients understand their investment and property portfolio strategies. “By delivering designs that are contextual, sustainable, and people-centred we aim to deliver stimulating spaces in schools and universities, stress-relieving environments in healthcare facilities, a strong sense of community in housing developments and workplaces that foster collaboration and wellbeing. “With the depth of talent in our Bristol studio across sectors and professions, we are in a fantastic position to enhance our role in the region, delivering quality design projects that are inspirational, challenge the norm and are reflective of our progressive and diverse studio.” BDP is currently working on a number of projects across the South West including the innovative Gap House project in Bristol, a series of healthcare projects including the new elective care centre at Southmead Hospital, the design that won the Brighter Places/Housing Festival competition to build a 100% affordable housing development at Midland Road in Bristol and schools for the Department for Education. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
While headlines have revealed the small amount of allocated Levelling Up funding that has been spent to date, the Conservative Party has pledged a further £20m for 30 towns over the next 10 years to add to its long-term plan for levelling up. At a time when many local councils are struggling financially – with some issuing Section 114 notices, and 18 given permission by the government to sell-off assets and delay projects to release cash ahead of the general election – it may come as a surprise that projects with government funding have not yet made progress. However, there are different reasons, as well as solutions, explains Pagabo’s director of national delivery Karen Carter. A report published by the Public Accounts Committee has revealed that despite £10.47bn in Levelling Up funding coming from central government, so far only £3.7bn has been given to local authorities. Given the need for allocated funding to be spent between 2020-21 and 2025-26, there has naturally been criticism of the situation. Moreover, as of September 2023, local authorities have only managed to spend £1.24bn. In reference to the original plan, almost none of the 71 projects that were successful in the first round of funding are on track – despite being due to be complete in March. While this may paint a fairly bleak picture, it has not been smooth sailing since the first round of successful bidders were announced in October 2021. Unusually high inflation has meant project budgets set by bidders when the government funding was applied for are no longer feasible. Add to this the fact that overall council budgets have become tighter, meaning the risk of starting projects without needing to find additional funding is simply too high. Bridging the financial gap would be a solution, but a tricky task to do. 18 councils have been given permission from government to sell off assets to bridge budget gaps and avoid any further council bankruptcies ahead of the election – expected to release £1.4bn in capital resources across 2024/25. The fear here is projects being abandoned altogether, or losing funding allocation due to delays, so another – perhaps more realistic – option is to review project viability and adjust the scope where required. To do this, it’s key that the right people are on board. From procurement professionals through to contractors and consultants, collaboratively engaging on issues and presenting the problems is the only way to find meaningful solutions. With construction projects, it’s the industry experts that can advise what market opportunities could be released to make a budget work hardest. From our conversations with the public sector organisations that have secured Levelling Up funding, it’s not that the projects are completely unrealistic – but they need to be very carefully reassessed to ensure every stage from remediation through to delivery can be completed. Giving credit where its due, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has so far been flexible with projects – allowing many to start late and retain their funding – which is a big relief to local authorities. This flexibility stems from an understanding and awareness of the market changes and challenges that are impacting projects. We encourage those overseeing projects to be proactive in seeking support and to discuss the challenges they are facing. At the Pagabo Group alone, we have a huge range of resources and connections that can strengthen the position of local authorities, giving them the confidence to kick on. For example, we have multiple compliant procurement solutions covering project analysis support, cost modelling, project recovery, along with contractor and developer engagement options to fully analyse the best way forward for a project. But, if the findings from this analysis are not encouraging enough, there is the opportunity to use Loop to strategically demonstrate social value, stakeholder engagement and return on investment. Ultimately, it’s not too late for Levelling Up funded projects and it’s definitely not time to panic. The same goes for the 30 towns promised an injection of funding to support their plans for the future. It’s time for open, honest and optimistic conversations about how to mitigate the impact of current challenges and create impactful, long-lasting change for communities. For more information, please visit www.pagabo.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Bouygues UK as the lead contractor for the design and build of the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital. Demolition works on the current MRI building at the hospital have commenced. This new collaboration, secured through a competitive bid process, builds on the long-term partnership between the Trust, Bouygues UK and its subsidiaries. The new five-storey facility will provide vital diagnostic and treatment services in cancer, renal and imaging for local residents in Hounslow, Richmond and Ealing. It aims to reduce health inequalities, improve patient outcomes and provide care closer to home, freeing up space in the main hospital for inpatient care. The centre will support outpatient care and will offer day services for patients. The project includes five storeys of new build, a rooftop plant and a small terrace area. On the ground floor there will be a new single storey link corridor to the existing hospital building. Social value will play a key role in the project and the contractor will be supporting the local community with apprenticeships and work experience placements, as well as working with educational institutions in the area and taking part in local charity initiatives. Bouygues UK is currently working in partnership with MITSkills, London Borough of Hounslow and JCP Hounslow on a training and skills development programme and sustainable long-term employment opportunities for local people. The contractor will be taking on 11 apprentices and providing around 50 work experience opportunities with MITSkills throughout the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
