McDonald’s has unveiled plans for a significant £1 billion investment aimed at opening over 200 new restaurants across the UK and Ireland over the next four years, which will result in the creation of more than 24,000 new jobs. This ambitious expansion underscores the company’s commitment to growing its presence
Mountpark has secured planning permission from Wakefield Council for the redevelopment of The Coal Yard at Ferrybridge Power Station in West Yorkshire. The hybrid application includes detailed planning permission for site infrastructure works and outline approval for up to 1.64 million sq ft industrial and logistics on the 110-acre site.
A prestigious development featuring 15-storey and 45-storey towers, comprising 581 luxurious one and two-bedroom apartments in central Birmingham, will be managed by Principle Estate Management. Principle Estate Management secured the contract for the development, named Brindley Drive (Edition), following a competitive tender process conducted by specialist developer Court Collaboration. The
North of England contractor to facilitate future housing development for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Esh Construction has commenced public realm improvement works which will support further riverside development in Rotherham town centre. Procured through YORhub’s YORcivil2 framework on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, the North of England contractor will
Downsizers are helping to ease the housing crisis by putting an average of 343,000 bedrooms a year back onto the UK housing market, according to new data analysis from over-50’s property specialists, Quickmove Properties, Quickmove Properties has estimated how many property sales downsizers accounted for in the UK in 2023* and,
Shaw and Jagger Architects, specialists in projects located in Conservation Areas and the green belt, have secured planning approval for a 20,000 sq ft villa in Lancashire. The Harrogate-based team was instrumental in obtaining a once-in-a-generation planning permission for Woodfold Villa, which is situated next to listed parkland and heritage
Wilsonart UK, the world-leading engineered surfaces specialist, has confirmed full product availability across its Polyrey, Resopal and Bushboard brands, via the manufacturer’s national distribution network. Following the recent appointment of Panelco as a nationwide distributor of the company’s Polyrey brand, the major strategic partner has this week confirmed plans to
McDonald’s has unveiled plans for a significant £1 billion investment aimed at opening over 200 new restaurants across the UK and Ireland over the next four years, which will result in the creation of more than 24,000 new jobs. This ambitious expansion underscores the company’s commitment to growing its presence and supporting local communities. The investment, outlined in the “McDonald’s at 50” report by planning consultancy Lichfields, highlights the company’s substantial contributions to the UK economy. In 2023 alone, McDonald’s spent over £2 billion with UK-based suppliers and farmers, while supporting 209,475 jobs nationwide. As part of its growth strategy, McDonald’s will introduce new restaurant formats, including smaller “Drive to” locations, alongside a renewed focus on opening high street outlets. These developments are aligned with broader initiatives to revitalise town and city centres and could become a focal point at property networking events in London, particularly concerning their impact on the real estate and construction sectors. In addition to the new openings, McDonald’s will also upgrade more than 1,500 existing locations across the UK and Ireland. These refurbishments will ensure that the restaurants continue to meet evolving customer expectations and maintain the company’s ongoing commitment to quality and innovation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mountpark has secured planning permission from Wakefield Council for the redevelopment of The Coal Yard at Ferrybridge Power Station in West Yorkshire. The hybrid application includes detailed planning permission for site infrastructure works and outline approval for up to 1.64 million sq ft industrial and logistics on the 110-acre site. Extensive highway improvements from the adjacent A162 into the development are also included within the scheme. The regeneration of the former Coal Yard site is expected to create upwards of 2,000 jobs as Brett Huxley, development director for Mountpark (UK & Ireland) explains: “This decision is the next step towards delivering a new future to this iconic site. Mountpark Ferrybridge represents one of the largest job creation projects in West Yorkshire in recent years, and we hope to attract significant inward investment by creating a high quality industrial and logistics campus for our occupiers. The project will generate a vast array of job opportunities for local people, bringing industry and economic prosperity back to Ferrybridge.” The planning permission benefits from significant infrastructure improvements which will assist delivering the development proposals. Strategically located at the intersection of the M62/A1(M) motorways, the site will offer occupiers immediate connectivity to the national motorway network and local labour pool. Mountpark Ferrybridge will cater for requirements from 40,000 sq ft to 640,000 sq ft. Mountpark’s plans also retain the existing railway sidings that bound the scheme with enhanced landscaping, footpaths and cycleways reconnecting Ferrybridge with the local community. Mountpark’s joint agents on the scheme are Carter Towler and JLL. The wider project team includes Oxalis Planning, SMR Architects, Markides Associates and Hydrock+CPD. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A prestigious development featuring 15-storey and 45-storey towers, comprising 581 luxurious one and two-bedroom apartments in central Birmingham, will be managed by Principle Estate Management. Principle Estate Management secured the contract for the development, named Brindley Drive (Edition), following a competitive tender process conducted by specialist developer Court Collaboration. The two towers, Park Residence and Centenary Tower, will offer 24/7 concierge and security services, ensuring the highest standards of residential care. Residents of these towers will have access to an array of premium amenities, including a 20-metre swimming pool bathed in natural light, a spa equipped with a hydra pool, sauna, and steam room, and a skyline gym with a terrace on the 44th floor. Additional facilities include yoga and spin studios, a climbing wall, a podium terrace with a cinema screen and barbecue area, both indoor and outdoor co-working spaces, private dining on the 44th floor, and a sky lounge on the 45th floor. Joe Jobson, Joint Managing Director at Principle Estate Management, expressed his excitement about the contract win, stating: “We are delighted to have been chosen to manage the Brindley Drive (Edition) development, which represents one of our largest single property management contracts to date. Our success in securing this contract is a testament to our proven ability to manage large-scale developments nationwide and our established relationships with key clients in the region, including our work across The Calthorpe Estate. Our advanced MRI Qube-powered IT systems will ensure seamless operations across finance, maintenance, asset management, compliance, and resident engagement.” Jobson also noted that Principle will collaborate closely with Court Collaboration during the design and construction phases to ensure that high standards of professional service are maintained, benefiting all future residents. Thomas Taylor, Managing Director of Court Collaboration, commented: “The Brindley Drive (Edition) will set a new standard for city living in Birmingham, combining the luxury of a five-star hotel with the comfort of home. With over 14,000 sq ft of amenity space and 581 apartments, it was essential to appoint a property management company with the expertise to handle such a significant development. Principle impressed us during the tender process, demonstrating their ability to meticulously plan and execute the estate management, ensuring everything is in place for when residents move in. We are confident that Principle’s careful planning will help us deliver a development that will transform city living in Birmingham.” The Brindley Drive (Edition) project is being financed by PGIM Real Estate, the real estate arm of PGIM Inc., one of the world’s largest investment firms. Since its launch in 2018, Principle Estate Management has grown to employ 70 staff members who manage a portfolio of nearly 20,000 units across approximately 400 developments throughout the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
North of England contractor to facilitate future housing development for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Esh Construction has commenced public realm improvement works which will support further riverside development in Rotherham town centre. Procured through YORhub’s YORcivil2 framework on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, the North of England contractor will deliver upgrades on land just off Westgate, while highway upgrades will be actioned on Water Lane. A new carriageway will be constructed at Water Lane to improve existing vehicular access and provide a link to a new riverside footpath which will reconnect Water Lane to Rotherham town centre. Cut and fill operations, deep drainage works, Japanese knotweed remediation, pavement construction and new fencing is required, while gabion baskets will be used to create a retaining wall feature along the new pathway. Michael Sherrard, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, said: “We look forward to bringing our expertise to this project which will play an important role in improving and facilitating the connectivity of Rotherham Riverside for the future development of the town. “Esh has vast experience in delivering public realm projects and we are thrilled to continue our working relationship with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.” Esh’s civil engineering division will also carry out repairs and remedial works to the existing river walls, with 180m long sheet piles up to 18m in depth being installed to strengthen the river wall. A capping beam will also be added on top to secure the wall structurally and support a guard rail, while cosmetic repairs will be carried out to the existing masonry river wall by rope access trained personnel. The project builds on the success of Esh’s recently completed active travel schemes for Rotherham Council, which include Wellgate and Broom Road, as well as Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor. Having acquired the land in December 2022 the project forms part of the Council’s continued investment into the town centre, bringing new homes, leisure uses and improved public realm. Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, Cllr Robert Taylor said: “The access road and creation of a new walkway into the town centre will really complement the new housing developments and leisure scheme at Forge Island. The route will support us to continue to breathe new life into this side of the town by helping facilitate new housing developments in the future.” To find out more about Esh Group, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Downsizers are helping to ease the housing crisis by putting an average of 343,000 bedrooms a year back onto the UK housing market, according to new data analysis from over-50’s property specialists, Quickmove Properties, Quickmove Properties has estimated how many property sales downsizers accounted for in the UK in 2023* and, using additional data collected in a recent downsizer survey commissioned by Quickmove Properties*, estimated exactly how many bedrooms this means downsizers relinquished last year. The data reveals that across the UK, 2023 saw a total of 718,127 home sales. It is estimated by Quickmove Properties that downsizers accounted for 32% of these 2023 transactions, which is equivalent to 229,621 sales. In a recent Quickmove Properties survey, 65.1% of downsizers say that they relinquished one bedroom while downsizing (eg, moved from a 4-bed to a 3-bed home); 24.7% relinquished two bedrooms; 7.4% relinquished three beds; four beds were given up by 1.4%; and the same percentage applies to downsizers who gave up five beds. By measuring these percentages against the total number of downsizer sales in 2023, it is estimated that downsizers put a total of 342,824 bedrooms back on the market in a single year, potentially making a huge contribution to providing young families and upsizers with the homes they need. In fact, the number of bedrooms that downsizers gave back to the market is sufficient to sleep the entire population of Wigan (339,174). On a regional level, South East downsizers put by far the most bedrooms back onto the market, totalling an estimated 52,993. This is followed by downsizers in the South West (36,754), East of England (35,213), North West (33,218), and Scotland (28,502). Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented: “Downsizers play a huge part in the property ecosystem. The market needs older property owners to downsize their family homes – perhaps once their kids have fled the nest – so that these large properties can be made available for the young families who need them. This market churn keeps everything moving, and helps bring balance to the market. Whatsmore, the extra space that downsizers put back onto the market supports our battle to overcome the ever-present housing crisis. Of course, there needs to be suitable properties for downsizers to move into, such as the bungalow-style park homes for over 50’s offered by Quickmove in some stunning coastal, rural and semi-urban locations.” Data tables and sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Shaw and Jagger Architects, specialists in projects located in Conservation Areas and the green belt, have secured planning approval for a 20,000 sq ft villa in Lancashire. The Harrogate-based team was instrumental in obtaining a once-in-a-generation planning permission for Woodfold Villa, which is situated next to listed parkland and heritage assets. Located near the Grade II listed Woodfold Hall, the villa is representative of 18th century architecture and has been inspired by Woodfold Hall’s creators, James Wyatt and Sir Jeffry Wyatville, architects to King George III and King George IV. Woodfold Villa has been designed with a forward-looking approach to built-in energy efficiency and sustainability to meet passive house requirements. In addition, its proposed landscaped garden will improve Biodiversity Net Gain by nearly 90% through initiatives such as the planting of an oak woodland and creation of a lake to encourage a wild habitat. Approved by appeal under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Paragraph 84e, the six-bedroom neo-classical Woodfold Villa sits in 16 acres of Blackburn’s Green Belt listed parkland. The design is one of only 150 schemes to be granted permission usince 1997 under the Country House Law national planning policy 84e, of which the vast majority were not situated in green belt land. In their 20-page decision statement, the Planning Inspector, stated: “It is clear from the substantial evidence of experts in the field that the design of the proposal, its orientation, scale, detail, proportions, relationship to its site, the wider context, size, scale, form and layout all represent the highest standards of architecture. This exceptional quality design [of Woodfold Villa] would raise standards of design in rural areas, by demonstrating the depth of thought, reasoning and background needed to deliver such quality.” Francis Shaw, Director of Shaw and Jagger Architects, commented: “We knew from the outset achieving consent for the 20,000 sq ft Woodfold Villa was not going to be a straightforward planning process. The substantial building had to meet stringent design standards and the exceptional circumstances required to pass the benchmark of a green belt exemption. The Planning Inspector’s decision is therefore very welcome, and we are delighted with the strength of their endorsement of the design. “We are often commissioned to tackle the tough schemes, ones that other companies do not want to take the risk on. It requires a lot of research, hard work, and above all, a great team, and I am proud to add yet another Paragraph 84e achievement to Shaw and Jagger’s portfolio of considered and challenging projects.” Woodfold Villa is the latest in a series of planning successes delivered by Shaw and Jagger Architects for clients across the UK. This includes Coston Hall, a new Arts and Crafts country house also situated on Lancashire green belt land, achieving planning consent under Paragraph 84e; and the historic restoration of Loudoun Castle and the development of its hotel and 450-strong holiday lodge estate in Scotland. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wilsonart UK, the world-leading engineered surfaces specialist, has confirmed full product availability across its Polyrey, Resopal and Bushboard brands, via the manufacturer’s national distribution network. Following the recent appointment of Panelco as a nationwide distributor of the company’s Polyrey brand, the major strategic partner has this week confirmed plans to extend its Wilsonart portfolio. The tactical development will see Panelco introduce a number of additional collections from the company’s Bushboard range of worksurfaces, upstands, splashbacks and waterproof wall panels; including Options, Omega, Zenith, Alloy and Nuance. Further news of this brand expansion will be released over the following month, as Panelco builds its Bushboard-focused stock inventory throughout September. Wilsonart’s extensive product portfolio also continues to be available from a network of key distribution partners including BGN Boards, Noyeks, Blackheath Products, Claygate Distribution, Ideal Bathrooms, Mitchells Worktops, and Barwick Bathrooms. Thanks to the diversity of products across the Wilsonart brand portfolio and the company’s commitment to speed of delivery and availability, customers from sectors such as residential, retail, hospitality, healthcare and education, can readily source a multitude of surface solutions to meet their specific needs. Tim Emery, Sales Director at Wilsonart UK said: “At Wilsonart UK we are 100% focused on maintaining and developing a strong, reliable distribution network that ensures a seamless supply of our core brands and products into our varied customer-base.” With an underlying focus on growth and service, the company’s core brand ethos remains a principal driving force; We deliver customer visions with surfaces you love, service you can count on, and people who care. For more information, visit wilsonart.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
