Nurton Developments, a prominent Birmingham-based property firm, has announced the launch of Nurton Retail Ltd, a new joint venture aimed at acquiring and developing retail and roadside projects both on and off the market. The initiative is designed to capitalise on growing demand in this dynamic sector. The new entity
An essential transport infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and promote sustainable travel in Didcot and its surrounding villages has been granted planning permission. The HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas project received approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner. The decision follows a
Be.EV, one of the UK’s fastest-growing public electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, has begun construction on Manchester’s first large-scale Charging Oasis. The site, located on the corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road (Manchester, M40), is the only project of its kind to repurpose a former petrol station into a
Residents and staff at Greenfield, a Retirement Living scheme in Hull, are celebrating the completion of a significant refurbishment project, just in time for the festive season. The £900,000 refurbishment was undertaken by Esh Construction, commissioned by registered social housing provider Riverside. This project is part of Riverside’s broader initiative
UK Government has launched an open search today for a team to create a design masterplan to honour The Late Queen Leading artists, architects and engineers can express their interest in designing the masterplan for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial will be one of
Crown Property Management has been entrusted with the management of a landmark Quayside development in Exmouth, marking another milestone in the firm’s growth and reputation. The estate comprises 266 leasehold and freehold properties, alongside a variety of commercial units. Speaking on the appointment, Darren Stocks, founder of Crown Property Management,
A pioneering PropTech startup aiming to address the UK’s housing crisis with an innovative AI-tool integrating Bluesky International’s high resolution aerial imagery, eyes significant growth with a rebrand and funding stream announced. Viability, formerly known as Hesti, launches at a critical time of rapid expansion for the UK’s house building
Nurton Developments, a prominent Birmingham-based property firm, has announced the launch of Nurton Retail Ltd, a new joint venture aimed at acquiring and developing retail and roadside projects both on and off the market. The initiative is designed to capitalise on growing demand in this dynamic sector. The new entity will be spearheaded by Ian Harris, a highly respected industry professional with extensive expertise in site acquisition, planning, occupier engagement, and construction management. Harris has held key roles with leading brands such as Lidl and Wickes and served as a director at both Capital and Regional’s The Junction Retail Park Fund and CBRE. Additionally, his independent consultancy career involved collaborations with high-profile clients such as Hammerson Plc, Strathclyde Pension Fund, McLaren Developments, and Travis Perkins, delivering over 1.5 million square feet of retail space. Harris commented on the venture:“I’m excited to partner with Nurton, a well-established developer with a stellar reputation in the industry. This collaboration blends decades of retail and development expertise with a shared vision to identify and deliver top-tier retail and roadside opportunities. With a proactive approach and robust client relationships, we’re poised to excel in this rapidly evolving market.” Nurton Retail Ltd plans to target plots ranging from 0.5 to 10 acres, prioritising prominent, high-visibility sites along major road networks. The team’s goal is to create innovative, high-quality developments that align with the needs of occupiers and local communities. David Bradshaw, Managing Director of Nurton Developments, praised the collaboration:“While we’ve experienced success in this sector in the past, our partnership with Ian Harris is transformative. His unparalleled expertise and industry insight will drive significant growth opportunities. Together, we are committed to delivering developments that positively impact local communities and meet the expectations of our occupiers.” The venture marks an exciting chapter for Nurton Developments, reinforcing its reputation as a key player in the retail and roadside development landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An essential transport infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and promote sustainable travel in Didcot and its surrounding villages has been granted planning permission. The HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas project received approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner. The decision follows a recommendation from a planning inspector after a comprehensive 21-day conjoined public inquiry earlier this year. The major infrastructure initiative in Didcot aims to provide critical transport upgrades, fostering improved connectivity and reducing traffic bottlenecks. It is set to deliver enhanced travel options for residents and support sustainable development across the region. Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “The approval of this application is fantastic news, as securing planning consent is a key milestone in proceeding with this project. “This work is a big step towards tackling congestion in Didcot and the surrounding villages. It will transform travel in the Didcot area for current and future residents as well as commuters, reduce congestion in the surrounding villages, and improve air quality and noise levels.” The £332 million project is fully funded. Successful discussions with government in early 2022, and again in early 2024, resulted in additional grants from Homes England. Approval was also given to underwrite up to £30m from Oxfordshire County Council’s capital budget in February 2022, while Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership contributed a £10m capital investment generated from Enterprise Zones’ business rates retention. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Be.EV, one of the UK’s fastest-growing public electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, has begun construction on Manchester’s first large-scale Charging Oasis. The site, located on the corner of Reliance Street and Oldham Road (Manchester, M40), is the only project of its kind to repurpose a former petrol station into a modern EV charging hub in the UK. The plot of land was a derelict petrol station for over 15 years, and is now being regenerated as the forecourt of the future – equipped with 12 ultra-rapid charging bays capable of charging an EV to 80% in just 20 minutes. The charge points are accompanied by four labelled waiting bays, giving EV owners clear spaces to queue if the Hub becomes busy. These are ready to be converted into full charging bays, when demand requires. The Charging Oasis will also be home to a new store by Caffè Nero, the premium European independent coffee house, who has signed a deal with Be.EV to be the exclusive retail partner on-site. The Nero Express store will serve as the latest drive-to site in Caffè Nero’s 1,100 store estate, and comes as part of the brand’s wider strategy to provide high-quality, barista-made coffee to commuters and local communities alike. Both brands are bringing a commitment to providing a welcoming space for EV drivers, with the store providing a warm and welcoming environment for drivers to recharge while their vehicles power up or grab a quick coffee to go whilst passing through. The partnership brings an additional layer of community focus to the Charging Oasis, with the project being a key part of the ongoing regeneration of the Failsworth area. Manchester City Council has already committed over £550 million to help regenerate the Failsworth area, and the site will serve as a focal point for attracting further investment to the region. Positioned on a high-traffic route between Manchester and Oldham, over 26,000 commuters pass by the site daily. With more than 1,242 registered EVs in the area, and over 150,000 EVs set to be on Manchester’s roads by 2038, there’s a clear demand for future-proof, accessible charging infrastructure. All bays will be accessible, including one fully accessible bay and one specially designed for vans, with each charger featuring a water-repellant canopy to keep drivers dry. The site also features free Wi-Fi for all users as well as CCTV to ensure members of the community are safe. The Charging Oasis marks Be.EV’s first project of this scale, and is set to serve as a model for similar Be.EV locations across the UK, with plans for more to come. Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, said: “We’re excited to break ground on our flagship Charging Oasis – this Manchester site will be the jewel in Be.EV’s crown, and it’s an incredible moment for the business. “We’ve designed the site with EV drivers in mind – we know that they want amenities on-site, either to take an extended break from driving, or simply to pop in and grab a takeaway coffee. “Not only will the Charging Oasis provide passers-by with a calm, convenient place for them to charge their EV or get a drink, but it will also serve as a hub for the local community to enjoy a coffee and a snack. “Having Caffè Nero on board as our retail partner is a real testament to the project. The partnership elevates the site from somewhere for drivers to quickly charge their car, to a destination for them to grab a coffee and recharge their own batteries too. “Their focus on sustainability and community aligns perfectly with our mission, and together, we’re creating a space where drivers can recharge while supporting a greener future.” Will Stratton Morris, CEO of Caffè Nero said: “With every Caffe Nero store, we aim for it to be a hub in the community where people can come together, feel welcomed and enjoy premium hand crafted coffee. “The store we are opening at the Manchester Oasis will be just that, and it matches perfectly the ambitions Be.EV have for the site. “We are delighted to partner with them on this, they are creating a truly great project which will not only benefit those with electric cars but will also strengthen the local community. ” The construction of the Charging Oasis is expected to be completed by spring 2025, with the site opening shortly thereafter. Partners of the site include Architect That (who designed the site), AY (who undertook planning and discharging of conditions), Vital (who supplied chargers), Kempower (who manufactured chargers), MES (M Group) (who constructed the site), Formula Space (who consulted on and manufactured signage) and Matrix (who built infrastructure to bring power to the site). Be.EV also worked with Manchester City Council, which has been very supportive and helped to get the project to this point. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Residents and staff at Greenfield, a Retirement Living scheme in Hull, are celebrating the completion of a significant refurbishment project, just in time for the festive season. The £900,000 refurbishment was undertaken by Esh Construction, commissioned by registered social housing provider Riverside. This project is part of Riverside’s broader initiative to upgrade Retirement Living accommodations nationwide. Key improvements included extensive upgrades to the fire alarm system, lighting, and the replacement of all communal fire doors and flat entrance doors. The exterior grounds also saw enhancements, with upgraded fencing, improved footpaths, and a reconfigured, resurfaced car park. Inside Greenfield, the refurbishment focused on modernising communal spaces with new mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems, full redecoration, and the installation of new flooring. The guest room, laundry room, and communal kitchen underwent partial refurbishments. A new conservatory was added, and an internal space was created for residents’ scooters, eliminating the need for them to access their mobility devices through an external garage. Simon Scott, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, said: “Carrying out works like these within an occupied building can naturally cause some disruption, and we are thankful to the residents and staff at Greenfield for their patience and cooperation during this time. Julie Aryiku went above and beyond to assist the team, and we developed a key relationship with her to facilitate the needs of the project. “We are proud to collaborate with Riverside to enhance and secure the future of vital social housing developments.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK Government has launched an open search today for a team to create a design masterplan to honour The Late Queen Leading artists, architects and engineers can express their interest in designing the masterplan for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial will be one of the most significant design projects in recent British history and will provide the nation with a permanent memorial to the UK’s longest-serving monarch. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, chaired by The Late Queen’s former Private Secretary, Lord Janvrin, is working with competition specialists at Malcolm Reading Consultants to identify a team of inspired and dedicated artists, architects, engineers, and landscape architects and other specialists who would be interested in designing the project. The Committee is urging creatives interested in designing the masterplan for the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial Masterplan Design Competition to submit a twelve-page Expression of Interest via the online form. Full details of the project and how to enter the competition are available on the dedicated competition website: competitions.malcolmreading.com/queenelizabethmemorial Details of the Selection Panel can also be found in the Competition Conditions available on the website. The first stage of the two-stage competition opens today 12 December 2024 and closes at 14:00 GMT on 20 January 2025. Subsequently, there will be a ten-week design stage for a shortlist of five competitors. No design work is required at stage one. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: “Queen Elizabeth II was our longest reigning Monarch and Her Majesty dedicated her life to serving the people of the United Kingdom. “This National Memorial will provide a permanent tribute to The Late Queen’s legacy, offering space for reflection as well as celebration. We want the very best architects and designers to come forward with their ideas for how this historic project should look.” Committee Chair Lord Janvrin said: “We want to attract the finest teams of architects, artists, landscape architects, engineers and other specialists to work with us to create an outstanding design for the memorial site. We are looking for teams who thoroughly understand and connect with our ambitions for the project. “The challenge at the second stage for the finalists will be to evoke memories of Queen Elizabeth II’s outstanding contribution to national life and to tell the story of Her Majesty’s long reign through an original masterplan that is sensitive to the unique setting. “The memorial must be – simply – a beautiful place, somewhere to visit with family and friends, to enjoy and to reflect on an extraordinary life.” The Memorial will be located in St James’s Park, the UK’s oldest Royal Park, and close to Buckingham Palace. The site includes the area of the Grade I listed Park adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate, and the land surrounding the pathway down to the lake including the Blue Bridge and the land either side and across to Birdcage Walk. The Committee is seeking a design that is beautiful, inclusive and sustainable. The competition brief sets out defining elements including a new bridge over the lake and opportunities for artistic interventions and enhanced landscaping. The new memorial will be of outstanding design quality and an emotionally powerful place, with celebratory spaces as well as areas to encourage reflection. Integral to the Committee’s vision is the intention to place a standalone monument including a figurative representation of the late Queen at the Marlborough Gate entrance. Post-competition, an artist/sculptor for the figurative element will be appointed by the winning lead designer in consultation and agreement with the Committee, ensuring a strong creative match and an integrated scheme. As a national memorial to the country’s longest-serving and much-respected Monarch, the Government has identified a provisional construction budget of £23m-46m excluding VAT for the project. The provisional construction budget is required at this stage as a guide for designers to develop their proposals. The final cost will depend on the winning design and will be shared in due course. The Committee will judge all submissions against a value for money criterion. This provisional construction cost includes the replacement of the Blue Bridge – an important public amenity in St James’s Park. The shortlist is expected to be announced in spring 2025 and the winner in early summer 2025. The final design will be announced to coincide with what would have been Her Late Majesty’s 100th birthday year in 2026, following approval from the Prime Minister and His Majesty The King. The Committee has visited the four nations of the United Kingdom and engaged widely to ensure ideas and suggestions from the public, experts and key stakeholder groups inform the project scope and competition brief. The winning team will be expected to work with the Committee on their public engagement strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Crown Property Management has been entrusted with the management of a landmark Quayside development in Exmouth, marking another milestone in the firm’s growth and reputation. The estate comprises 266 leasehold and freehold properties, alongside a variety of commercial units. Speaking on the appointment, Darren Stocks, founder of Crown Property Management, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to have been chosen for this significant project. We are confident that the services we provide will meet the expectations of both clients and residents, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards at Exmouth Quay.” Mr Stocks further highlighted the company’s ongoing success, attributing it to the dedication of its team: “Our staff have been instrumental in the firm’s development over the past 30 years, and we look forward to continuing this journey for many more years to come.” In addition to this new appointment, Crown Property Management has announced plans to open a new branch in Exeter in January 2025. The expansion reflects the growing demand for their specialised estate management services across the region. Mr Stocks noted, “What sets us apart from our competitors is our exclusive focus on estate management. While many other agencies spread their efforts across sales, lettings, and surveying, we concentrate solely on delivering outstanding estate management services. This singular focus allows us to provide a truly unique offering.” Crown Property Management’s ethos, “People, not Property,” remains at the heart of its operations, underlining its commitment to exceptional client and resident care. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A pioneering PropTech startup aiming to address the UK’s housing crisis with an innovative AI-tool integrating Bluesky International’s high resolution aerial imagery, eyes significant growth with a rebrand and funding stream announced. Viability, formerly known as Hesti, launches at a critical time of rapid expansion for the UK’s house building industry with the new Government’s recent announcement committing to the creation of 370,000 new homes each year. With a successful funding campaign now secured, Viability is looking to continue the rollout of its AI-platform which leverages cutting-edge technology, accurate property data and Bluesky’s geospatial data to deliver a SaaS platform, particularly aimed at SME home developers. To ensure quality and accuracy for their customers, Viability has turned to Bluesky for the supply of aerial imagery to be streamed via the platform. Henry Mayell, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Viability said: “We initially applied satellite imagery to the platform but quickly found that the quality wasn’t sufficient for our customer requirements. As a result of the feedback, we started testing aerial imagery from Bluesky which offered significant improvements in terms of image resolution and accuracy. “Our platform enables developers to assess a site’s potential, understand what constraints there could be, in order to build a picture of risk and run financial analysis. With significant investment at stake it is important they can make decisions based on accurate data.” Ralph Coleman, Chief Commercial Officer at Bluesky added: “Our aerial imagery offers the detail needed for developers to begin plotting optimal scheme designs for potential sites. We are supplying Viability with the imagery via our GeoStream service which launched last year. GeoStream is our new data-as-a-service offering which enables customers who need data from us on a regular basis to access it quickly and easily via an API.” Henry commented: “We are very impressed with the GeoStream service and, from a user perspective, it has proved simple to implement into our platform. It also allows us to clearly overlay Ordnance Survey and Land Registry data over aerial imagery.” The viability of potential sites is a key restricting factor to the housing industry meeting development targets. Regulations are increasing and becoming more complex so a full picture of a proposed site is essential. Viability has also incorporated Biodiversity Net Gain assessments into their platform. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals