Popular holiday operator Center Parcs has revealed ambitious plans to establish its first holiday village in Scotland, marking a significant expansion into the country and a major boost for Scottish tourism. The new resort, planned for a picturesque location three miles north of Hawick in the Scottish Borders, represents an
Pharmacy Plus Health (PPH) has unveiled the first of a proposed 40 new pharmacy stores in West Yorkshire as part of its aim to re-invent the community pharmacy world. Devised in conjunction with the Interior Design team at AJ100 architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners (SGP), the ‘pharmacy of the
Leading global non-combustible insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL today announced it has signed an agreement to buy 114 acres (or 46 hectares) of land at the Peddimore site, north east of Birmingham, with the intention to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility featuring proprietary electric melting technology for its stone wool insulation products.
Architecture firm Holmes Miller has submitted a planning application to Midlothian Council for the redevelopment of Penicuik High School. Holmes Miller’s plans include the re-use and retrofit of the original 1930s school building, the infilling of existing external courtyard spaces and a new three storey extension to the north of
A robust management plan to continue to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site in the Capital will be considered for approval by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Committee next Wednesday (13 November). Shaped by an extensive programme of public and stakeholder
The UFC Performance Institute (PI) stands as a cutting-edge training environment, designed to elevate the standards of athlete performance and health in mixed martial arts. With centres in Las Vegas, Shanghai, and now Mexico City, each institute integrates advanced facilities and specialised coaching, uniting science, sport, and technology. Developed with
Popular holiday operator Center Parcs has revealed ambitious plans to establish its first holiday village in Scotland, marking a significant expansion into the country and a major boost for Scottish tourism. The new resort, planned for a picturesque location three miles north of Hawick in the Scottish Borders, represents an investment of £350–400 million and promises to bring long-lasting economic benefits to the region. The proposed resort will feature around 700 premium lodges, offering a luxury, nature-oriented holiday experience. Guests will enjoy a wide range of facilities, including an Aqua Sana Forest Spa, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise water park, shops, restaurants, and bars—all seamlessly integrated with the area’s stunning natural landscapes. In addition to its long-term economic contributions, the resort is expected to generate approximately 1,200 permanent jobs locally. During the construction phase, it will create between 750 and 800 temporary jobs, providing immediate employment opportunities for skilled workers in the region. The project is in its early planning stages, with a formal application slated for 2025. Center Parcs’ expansion into Scotland is in response to high demand from Scottish families, many of whom currently travel to the operator’s sites in England. Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, shared his enthusiasm for the project: “This is a tremendously exciting opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders. Center Parcs is a beloved destination for families across the UK and Ireland, and there is strong demand to support a seventh village in Scotland.” He added, “Throughout our history, we have demonstrated the local, regional, and national economic benefits that a Center Parcs village can bring. Many Scottish families already visit our villages in England, so this new location will enable them to enjoy their holidays closer to home while positively impacting the local economy.” A focus on sustainability is central to Center Parcs’ vision for the project. McKinlay explained, “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. For over three decades in the UK and Ireland, we have transformed commercial woodlands into rich ecosystems, significantly boosting biodiversity. This site gives us an opportunity to go further, creating new woodlands with a commitment to biodiversity net gain and planting thousands of new trees.” In the lead-up to the formal planning submission, Center Parcs will continue site surveys, design development, and consultations with local communities, ensuring the project aligns with local needs and environmental priorities. Benny Higgins, Executive Chairman of the Buccleuch Group, voiced support for the project, saying: “This development promises outstanding benefits for tourism and leisure in the Scottish Borders, and we’re thrilled to have signed an agreement enabling Center Parcs to take its next steps.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pharmacy Plus Health (PPH) has unveiled the first of a proposed 40 new pharmacy stores in West Yorkshire as part of its aim to re-invent the community pharmacy world. Devised in conjunction with the Interior Design team at AJ100 architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners (SGP), the ‘pharmacy of the future’ pilot store in Alwoodley, Leeds, showcases a patient-focused layout, a modern, high-end aesthetic and dedicated consultation rooms for in-pharmacy non-invasive treatments that will both alleviate pressure from local doctors’ surgeries and provide a more efficient service to the patient. The rebrand of the PPH stores, comes following the innovative partnership with HubRx, who are the UK’s first large-scale automated dispensing facility designed specifically to benefit independent pharmacy. The integration of the HubRX automated dispensing system will streamline prescriptions from facility to store, and not only reduce the amount of time pharmacists spend managing prescriptions, but also reduce the need for on-site storage capacity, freeing up floorspace and placing an increased emphasis on seamless face-to-face interactions between patient and pharmacist. SGP Interiors was appointed to develop the brief for the new pilot store, with a view to rolling out the design across a number of pharmacy and retail units that PPH had recently acquired throughout West Yorkshire. Working closely with the client and shopfitting contractor PEC, SGP’s design underwent constant evolution, moving towards a modular approach, fit for all shapes and sizes with minimal changes, keeping time and therefore costs down, while also establishing a cohesive brand identity. Amy Fulford, SGP’s Principal Interior Designer, explains: “There was a clear requirement from the client to keep both costs and the install period to an absolute minimum as any down time or closure of stores could prove extremely costly. By cleverly designing the display units and reception desk to standardised key components, we created a kit of parts that could be mass produced to combat waste and cost. This off-site production method enabled the install team to achieve the tight time scales with minimal shutdown.” Having engaged with key stakeholders through various initial design reviews, it was evident the design should focus on the patient and streamline their experience. A minimalistic appearance evolved as a result, with clean lines, hidden joints, concealed fixing details and futuristic white canvas. Whilst still incorporating display islands, the intention was to keep the floor space as clean and distinct as possible, creating clear sight lines to the reception counter and reinforcing the physical relationship between patient and pharmacist. Daniel Lee, Chief Executive Officer at HubRX, in partnership with PPH, said: “As a brand we are working with innovative technologies to revolutionise the prescription process. With our automated HubRX system in successful operation, we approached SGP, with a clear vision to design the ‘pharmacy of the future’ and provide our customers with a 5-star experience. Amy & the SGP Interiors team rose to every challenge we set out and meticulously worked through the design development, working with us to extract what we really needed. This has resulted in a Design concept that truly embraces our brand identity and has transformed our customer experience”. To achieve the desired aesthetic, the concept of capsules progressed to creating an illusion of floating displays, raised off the floor on a post. The number of products on the shelves were stripped back to echo the kind of high-end experience you might encounter at a perfume counter. Although products displayed were reduced, stock replenishment was still a high priority for the daily operations of the stores. To keep the minimalist look at the forefront, hidden storage was integrated into the base of the display units, including the perimeter wall units and island capsules. Due to the success of the ‘pharmacy of the future’ pilot store, rollout has now commenced on the interior scheme and kit of parts across further stores, with a second completed and another on site. Alan Soper, SGP Studio Director, concludes: “There is a growing recognition that community pharmacies can play an important role in the delivery of primary care, as well as reinvigorating our high streets and town centres. However, many pharmacies have not been set up or designed to realise this potential. We are therefore delighted to be working with PPH on the delivery of a transformational model of modern, patient-focused pharmacies. Drawing on our strong track record of successful interior design delivery and cross-sector experience in retail, leisure and healthcare sectors, the design of these stores will transform the patient experience, creating an important healthcare hub within the local community and, in the long-term, go some way to relieving pressure on other parts of the health service.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading global non-combustible insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL today announced it has signed an agreement to buy 114 acres (or 46 hectares) of land at the Peddimore site, north east of Birmingham, with the intention to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility featuring proprietary electric melting technology for its stone wool insulation products. The new facility would boost supply capacity for UK and Republic of Ireland customers, whilst also supporting ROCKWOOL’s ambitious global sustainability plans. This significant investment would also create skilled long-term jobs and local supply chain opportunities as well as help in achieving the UK’s net zero targets and in creating a safer and more sustainable built environment through ROCKWOOL’s portfolio of non-combustible and recyclable stone wool insulation products. Local community consultation plans The Peddimore site, which is designated specifically for manufacturing use, is included in Birmingham City Council’s Development Plan and has outline planning permission for a manufacturing facility. Key infrastructure including a new access road and roundabout into the site is already in place, servicing an adjacent facility built in 2023. In the coming weeks, ROCKWOOL will begin consulting with the community about its plans, including open house events where community members can meet ROCKWOOL leaders and learn about the business as well as its commitment to delivering social and environmental value in the communities in which it operates. ROCKWOOL will subsequently submit applications to Birmingham City Council to adapt the existing planning permissions to its specific proposal. Information about the plans will also be made available at www.rockwool.com/uk/peddimore as the proposal develops. Building on long-term success Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK & Ireland, said: “We’re very excited at the opportunity to expand the business into the West Midlands that would enable us to boost our production capacity in the UK and to create quality jobs and business opportunities in the local community. During the past 45 years, we have built a strong foundation at our site in South Wales where we will continue to manufacture and invest for the long-term, and are now looking to build on that success with a second manufacturing plant at the Peddimore site. “The West Midlands has a skilled, local workforce, a strong manufacturing tradition, and excellent transport links, so it is an ideal location for us to expand our business in the UK and bolster our service to customers in the Midlands and across the north of England and Scotland. We’re looking forward to sharing our plans with the local community and are fully committed to being a good neighbour and partner for the Minworth and wider West Midlands community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Architecture firm Holmes Miller has submitted a planning application to Midlothian Council for the redevelopment of Penicuik High School. Holmes Miller’s plans include the re-use and retrofit of the original 1930s school building, the infilling of existing external courtyard spaces and a new three storey extension to the north of the site. The ‘heart’ of the school will be centred around the original assembly hall and courtyard spaces, creating a hub for indoor sport, dining and social interaction, and a unified core between old and new. The proposed plans for the school include core accommodation to facilitate teaching, sports, dining, catering, pupil breakout and community use. The building will accommodate more than 900 pupils, including up to 24 with Additional Support Needs (ASN), which is more than double the number of ASN places currently available. Access will be improved across the site, with the introduction of a new accessible entrance to the north, fully accessible floor plates with improved lift and WC provision, clear circulation routes, and an inclusive wayfinding and interior design strategy. As well as improvements to the building, the application sets out how active travel will be encouraged using bike and pedestrian paths, along with adequate bike parking. There will be significant enhancement to the site’s biodiversity and greenery, as well as the introduction of new outdoor learning settings and a hard landscaped entrance plaza. The retrofit works to the original school building are designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce whole life carbon and provide a more comfortable learning setting. Retrofit measures include new triple glazed windows, the insulating of existing walls, floors and roof spaces, and implementing low energy services, including high-efficiency MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) units in classrooms. If approved, the project will be part funded by the Scottish Futures Trust LEIP (Learning Estates Investment Programme) and will meet its metrics required for operational energy, digital, and space standards. Joanne Hemmings, associate at Holmes Miller, said: “Our plans illustrate how a historic building at the heart of a community can be sensitively modernised, retrofitted and made more accessible for its pupils, staff, and the wider community to enjoy. “Our proposals aim to optimise the site with new and improved playground, green space and outdoor learning environments. The internal upgrades will provide a comfortable and inspiring setting for pupils to learn and grow in. We look forward to Midlothian Council’s consideration of our application.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A robust management plan to continue to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site in the Capital will be considered for approval by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Committee next Wednesday (13 November). Shaped by an extensive programme of public and stakeholder engagement it includes actions to tackle the climate emergency, create a sustainable visitor experience and the conservation and maintenance of buildings and public spaces. The Site is managed by the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage. The partners work together to ensure that they protect the authenticity and integrity of the World Heritage Site while at the same time making sure it can operate as a thriving city centre. The proposed management plan sits alongside a two-year action plan to ensure improvements continue to be made in the Site going forward. It is a forward-looking strategic document which sets out the framework for the preservation and enhancement of the Site’s cultural heritage. Five key themes which were highlighted during the engagement period are now included in the plan. These are awareness, appreciation and activity around WHS status; climate emergency; conservation and maintenance of buildings and public spaces; control, guidance, and contribution of new developments to city centre and sustainable visitor management. Cllr James Dalgleish, Convener of the Planning Committee, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: Edinburgh’s old and new towns are exceptional places to live, have a business and visit. It’s the recognition of this that led to the city’s inscription by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in December 1995. World Heritage Sites must have strong and robust management plans in place to keep their Outstanding Universal Value. This is what makes them of worldwide importance. This must be preserved and enhanced for future generations to come. Like many other internationally renowned cities in Edinburgh we face the challenges of a growing population and the climate emergency and we must balance this with need to preserve our incredible and historic World Heritage Site. Edinburgh has many iconic and historically significant buildings and the Council works hard with partners to make sure any new development is appropriate and fitting with the rest of the site. In doing this a wide range of issues are considered including the needs of residents, tourism, culture and climate change. Edinburgh’s World Heritage site belongs to everyone and so I’d like to thank our partners and everyone who engaged with us on the Plan to get it to this stage. We’re continuing to speak to our partners and other interested groups as we look to implement it in the coming years. Dr James Bruhn, Head of World Heritage and Heritage Policy at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: The history and heritage of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns is internationally significant, and plays an important role in shaping local identity for the people who live and work here, as well as drawing millions of visitors from all over the world each year. This management plan will ensure that this significance will continue to be managed, protected and celebrated over the next decade, and we look forward to working with our partners at City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage, as well as other key stakeholders across the city, to implement the plan. Christina Sinclair, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage site is special – it is a complex, living capital city and its conservation requires considered action, great investment and long-term planning. Through a rolling pipeline of conservation work, engagement, climate emergency and city advice work, EWH preserves, protects and promotes the city’s unique architecture and built environment. The World Heritage Site Management Plan is a vital tool for active conservation, and is fundamentally important to identifying, agreeing and delivering necessary action. We have worked collaboratively with colleagues in CEC and HES to develop the Plan. Throughout, we have invited and incorporated the views of local communities, allowing actions to be shaped by people who live and work in the site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UFC Performance Institute (PI) stands as a cutting-edge training environment, designed to elevate the standards of athlete performance and health in mixed martial arts. With centres in Las Vegas, Shanghai, and now Mexico City, each institute integrates advanced facilities and specialised coaching, uniting science, sport, and technology. Developed with a precise and athlete-focused design, the institutes not only reflect the UFC’s dedication to building elite fighters but also aim to inspire and nurture local talent on a global scale. Las Vegas: The Blueprint of High-Performance Facilities The Las Vegas UFC Performance Institute, the first of its kind, opened in 2017 as a $14 million, 30,000-square-foot facility designed to provide UFC athletes with a world-class performance optimisation centre. Engineered to optimise health, recovery, and overall performance, this original PI includes advanced sports science equipment, including DEXA machines and cryotherapy chambers, alongside an Octagon, boxing ring, strength training space, and physical therapy areas. From hot and cold plunge pools to an underwater treadmill for enhanced rehabilitation, Las Vegas set the global standard in athletic preparation. UFC athletes can undergo comprehensive testing and targeted conditioning, giving them every tool needed to stay at peak performance and predicted to win in the Octagon. This world-leading facility continues to attract athletes from around the world. Athletes train with top-tier professionals who use innovative conditioning and data-driven insights to optimise each session, ensuring they are as prepared as possible to win in their next match. Shanghai: Bringing MMA to Asia Following Las Vegas, the UFC launched its Shanghai Performance Institute in 2019, transforming a vast 93,000-square-foot warehouse into a high-performance training centre for MMA athletes from across Asia. This institute, spanning four storeys, offers training and media space to accommodate broadcast needs, and was designed with features like hypoxic chambers, gait analysis suites, and underwater treadmills. Athletes train with facilities that combine the best of sports science and traditional combat sports, underscoring the UFC’s investment in producing a new generation of Asian fighters who are predicted to win. The Shanghai location reflects the commitment to growth within Asia, bringing top-tier training to athletes from mainland China and the Asia-Pacific. With the innovative facilities and expert team available, fighters in Shanghai are offered every opportunity to push their limits, preparing themselves to reach competitive success on a global stage. Mexico City: A Community Hub and Talent Incubator The most recent addition, the Mexico City Performance Institute, opened in early 2024 with the goal of becoming a regional hub for emerging Latin American talent. UFC’s vision for Mexico City was to build a centre that could not only support UFC athletes but also bring in aspiring fighters from the region. UFC CEO Dana White envisions the facility as a community pillar, welcoming young people and local fighters alike, some of whom may not become competitors but will contribute to the sport’s growth as coaches, trainers, or team members. In this way, the Mexico PI is uniquely tailored to not only be a high-performance institute but also a transformative community centre. The Mexico City PI reflects its dedication to scouting and training top talent in Central and South America, holding events like the recent Academy Combine where 42 young athletes competed for academy spots under the guidance of the Performance Institute’s skilled coaches. With this highly competitive selection process, those who make the cut are given the chance to train in world-class conditions, honing their skills and demonstrating that they are predicted to win on the international stage. Preparing for Global Dominance in MMA The UFC’s Performance Institutes are more than just buildings—they are pillars of a new era in athlete development. Each institute’s design, from Vegas to Mexico City, was crafted with an intent to foster talent across continents. With advanced training technology, including hypoxic chambers and sophisticated body composition analysis tools, the institutes set a new standard for MMA facilities worldwide. The UFC has long held the vision of creating fighters who are not only technically skilled but also scientifically trained to reduce injury and extend careers. Each facility provides comprehensive support, ensuring that all athletes, from seasoned champions to newcomers, are fully predicted to win. In a sport as competitive as mixed martial arts, having an edge in training can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The UFC Performance Institutes provide just that edge. They underscore the UFC’s commitment to not only growing the sport but also shaping champions equipped for victory, with each centre serving as a launchpad for athletes to build resilience, skill, and the strategic advantage necessary to dominate in the ring.
