Aberdeen Investments, on behalf of the Standard Life Pooled Pension Property Fund, has acquired a major retail park in the West Midlands for £69.6 million. The latest addition to the fund’s portfolio is Sears Retail Park in Solihull, a 136,300 sq ft scheme anchored by high-profile tenants Next and Marks
Property giant Landsec has confirmed a strategic pivot from office-led developments to a more residential-focused future, signalling a new direction for one of the UK’s largest real estate players. The company, which is currently delivering two London office schemes in Victoria and Southwark, announced that no new speculative office projects
The programme, from Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), is scheduled to launch Autumn 2025 Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland have joined forces with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to create a new suicide prevention training programme tailored to
Morgan Sindall Construction has been named as the main contractor for the landmark regeneration of Brunswick Wharf in Bideford, Devon—a £30 million scheme set to revitalise the town’s riverfront. The development, led by local developer Red Earth, will see three five-storey apartment blocks built along the banks of the River
Multiplex has selected Explore Manufacturing to supply its Megaplank flooring system for the landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street development in the City of London—a £400 million project set to become one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse office towers. The 36-storey building, being developed by AXA IM Alts, will feature
Ancoats Green will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 17 May) following a major refurbishment project that has now been completed at the city park. The investment is part of a wider £40m public realm programme creating a new focal point for the neighbourhood alongside further public space that
THE PROCUREMENT specialists at Pagabo are inviting the market to in-person engagement sessions at UKREiiF next week – focusing on the re-procurement of the Developer-Led Framework. Managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust, the framework is a unique market offering. It exists
Director for the Building Surveying team within the Project & Building Consultancy (PBC) division. Previously Matt was with Hollis for nine years, and has been bought in to deliver key Building Surveying projects and bolster this key service line. A Chartered Building Surveyor with 20 years’ experience in commercial property,
EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network
SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, looks into the Building Safety Act and what it means for owners and maintenance teams Q1) Let’s refer to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report, which cites that there were flaws in the building’s Tenant Management Association. There was a huge backlog
Aberdeen Investments, on behalf of the Standard Life Pooled Pension Property Fund, has acquired a major retail park in the West Midlands for £69.6 million. The latest addition to the fund’s portfolio is Sears Retail Park in Solihull, a 136,300 sq ft scheme anchored by high-profile tenants Next and Marks & Spencer. The site also hosts well-known retailers including TkMaxx, Homesense, Boots, and Mountain Warehouse. This marks the fund’s second retail park acquisition in the past year, following its purchase of the Tandem Centre in Colliers Wood in 2024. David Stewart, fund manager at Aberdeen Investments, commented: “There remain some good opportunities in retail parks where occupational costs have been rebased. Retailer demand for key locations is robust and yields remain relatively attractive. “This asset has all these attributes and reflects our strategy of acquiring prime assets where we can add value through our proven asset management capabilities and strong retailer relationships. It is an excellent addition to the fund’s portfolio.” The acquisition reinforces Aberdeen’s ongoing confidence in the out-of-town retail sector, particularly in strategically located, well-let schemes with potential for future value enhancement. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property giant Landsec has confirmed a strategic pivot from office-led developments to a more residential-focused future, signalling a new direction for one of the UK’s largest real estate players. The company, which is currently delivering two London office schemes in Victoria and Southwark, announced that no new speculative office projects will begin until a substantial portion of expected rental income—estimated at £61 million—has been secured. “We are seeing encouraging customer interest in this space emerge and although it will take time to lease-up as these are multi-let buildings, they should add £7m to earnings once fully let,” the company stated. “We will not start any new speculative office-led projects until the expected income on these projects is substantially de-risked.” Landsec cited inflation in construction costs, continued supply chain disruptions, and increased exit yields as key reasons for tightening margins in office development. While demand remains steady, the financial environment has made office projects less attractive compared to residential ventures. “This impacts office development more than residential,” the company said. “We continue to carefully weigh risks and returns on any new schemes, but in any case, we do not plan to commit to any new speculative London office projects until we have secured the majority of the £61m ERV on our existing projects.” Instead, Landsec is turning its attention to building a major residential platform and scaling up its retail investment. Chief executive Mark Allan said: “We have set out a clear plan to increase investment in major retail by a further £1bn and establish a £2bn+ residential platform by 2030, to be funded by rotating £3bn of capital out of offices, non-core investments and low or non-yielding pre-development assets. Delivering on this strategy, whilst continuing to drive sustainable income and EPS growth, is our priority and we are firmly under way.” The strategy update comes as Landsec reported a pre-tax profit of £393 million for the year ending 31st March 2025—a sharp rebound from last year’s £341 million loss. Landsec has already made significant progress on its residential ambitions. Infrastructure works have begun on its Finchley Road site in London, where phase one of a 1,800-home scheme is taking shape. In Manchester, the renegotiation of a development agreement at Mayfield has unlocked potential for 1,700 homes, while a planning application has been submitted for a 2,800-home masterplan in Lewisham. With solid groundwork in place and capital reallocations in motion, Landsec appears poised to reshape its portfolio around the evolving demands of the UK’s property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The programme, from Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), is scheduled to launch Autumn 2025 Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland have joined forces with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to create a new suicide prevention training programme tailored to the Scottish construction industry. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is backing the bespoke training and resource programme, currently scheduled to launch Autumn 2025, with £239,000 in funding from its Industry Impact Fund. The programme will be designed specifically for the unique pressures faced by construction workers, aiming to equip companies and individuals with the tools necessary to identify colleagues facing mental health challenges and provide meaningful support. It will be available to individuals and companies across Scotland, ensuring the whole industry has access to help. The programme will be designed specifically for the unique pressures faced by construction workers, aiming to equip companies and individuals with the tools necessary to identify colleagues facing mental health problems and thoughts of suicide, and provide meaningful support and suicide interventions. It will be available to individuals and companies across Scotland, ensuring the whole industry has access to help. Since 2020, CITB has supported nearly 52,000 people to complete mental health first aid and awareness training through its short courses and is vocal about the need for greater access to mental health support in the construction industry. Vanessa Freeman, CITB Head of Grant & Funding Products, said: “We’re proud to be supporting such an important initiative for the Scottish construction sector. We believe the programme will play a vital role in tackling mental health challenges in the construction industry and wish everyone involved every success in the developmental phase of this programme and its resources. “Too often people in construction feel like they can’t talk about their mental health issues, and it’s imperative we improve the poor understanding of mental health in the industry.” CITB’s Industry Impact Fund launched in April 2023 and is the first fund of its kind. It gives employers the power to design and develop training solutions that don’t already exist – ensuring they are scalable, sustainable and make a lasting impact. Find out more about CITB’s Industry Impact Fund, and how to apply, on the CITB website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction has been named as the main contractor for the landmark regeneration of Brunswick Wharf in Bideford, Devon—a £30 million scheme set to revitalise the town’s riverfront. The development, led by local developer Red Earth, will see three five-storey apartment blocks built along the banks of the River Torridge. In addition to delivering over 100 new homes, the project will introduce a restaurant and six retail units to the area, creating a vibrant mixed-use destination. Brunswick Wharf will also feature a new riverside walk, a public open square, and a shared pedestrian and cycle route connecting to the popular Tarka Trail, enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable travel. Simon Friend, director of Red Earth, said: “We are delighted to have Morgan Sindall on board as the main contractor. This milestone follows a thorough tendering process and marks a major step forward for the regeneration of this iconic riverside site. We are excited to partner with them initially through preconstruction as they support us through the design development stages leading up to the start on site. This is a big step forward for the Brunswick Wharf project, and we’re confident that their expertise will ensure the vision for this development is brought to life in a sustainable and inspiring way.” Graham Kingdon, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, added: “The project will create a new burst of life for this North Devon community, all while paying tribute to the Wharf’s industrial roots. We very much look forward to strengthening our relationship with Red Earth as we transform this important site at the heart of Bideford.” Construction is set to begin following the completion of the design phase, with the development playing a key role in Bideford’s wider regeneration ambitions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multiplex has selected Explore Manufacturing to supply its Megaplank flooring system for the landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street development in the City of London—a £400 million project set to become one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse office towers. The 36-storey building, being developed by AXA IM Alts, will feature over 68,000 square metres of Megaplank precast concrete flooring, manufactured by Explore Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Laing O’Rourke. The appointment follows a year-long pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) between the parties. Megaplank units will be produced at Explore’s advanced factory in Worksop using a high-speed carousel production line, ensuring a consistent, high-quality soffit finish. The system’s composite design, used in conjunction with steel beams, enables the reduction of steel section sizes—supporting more efficient material use and lowering the overall structural weight. Fifty Fenchurch Street is designed with sustainability and wellbeing in mind, incorporating tenth-floor gardens and over 40 planted terraces, helping it stand out as a benchmark in green commercial architecture. James Langley, general manager at Explore Manufacturing, said: “We are excited to be part of the Fifty Fenchurch Street project and look forward to showcasing the exceptional qualities of our Megaplank product. This collaboration with Multiplex marks a significant milestone for us, and we are committed to delivering outstanding results that meet and exceed expectations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ancoats Green will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 17 May) following a major refurbishment project that has now been completed at the city park. The investment is part of a wider £40m public realm programme creating a new focal point for the neighbourhood alongside further public space that seamlessly links the newly opened Ancoats Mobility Hub and the Council’s first This City housing development at No. 1 Ancoats Green. The public realm projects are also helping to unlock 1,500 new homes -including more than 500 under construction by Manchester Life. The renewed park space includes high quality multi-functional open spaces for the community, new play areas with accessible equipment, open grassed areas, generous footpaths and space for small events. New walking and cycling routes connecting the park to the wider city centre will encourage active travel, along with significant new planting and increased biodiversity – including wildflower areas a new trees. The project has looked to celebrate the industrial heritage of the area, including referencing historic flint glass works in the park features. And sustainability is a key element – using reclaimed materials where possible and creating permeable surfaces to manage water alongside a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs). Ancoats green transformation in numbers: Upcycled materials from both the Our Town Hall and Albert Square project and walling stone from the former Prussia Canal arm that once ran through the park have successfully be re-used throughout the park. Reclaimed granite setts have also been incorporated into the spaces, while salvaged building stone has been used for seating areas across the park. A family friendly community event will take place on Saturday 17 May celebrating the reopening of the park space, hosted by This City. Funding for the project was received through Homes England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority via the Brownfield Land Fund, and the City Council. The Ancoats Regeneration Story The public realm investment is part of the latest phase of the Ancoats Regeneration programme continues the internationally renowned regeneration of the neighbourhood. The Green, alongside the now open Ancoats Mobility Hub, which will be managed by APCOA is helping to underpin the development of 1,500 new homes in this part of the city centre, including the Council’s first This City development at No. 1 Ancoats Green where the first homes are expected to be completed this summer, which includes 30% affordable housing capped at the Manchester Living Rent. This phase of Ancoats investment aims to create a strong sense of place and a low-traffic, pedestrian first neighbourhood for the ongoing residential development that will bring this chapter of investment to a close. The Ancoats Green redevelopment was designed by Planit and the key contractor was Alined Construction Ltd. The Ancoats Mobility Hub and This City’s No. 1 Ancoats Green development was designed by Buttress Architects. The Hub was delivered by Bowmer and Kirkland and No.1 Ancoats Green is being built by Wates Construction Limited. Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “We’re on a mission to invest more in our parks and green spaces. With over 150 parks and green spaces in Manchester, Ancoats Green is the latest park in our city centre to be created or refurbished to make sure our residents have access to brilliant green spaces. The Green will be the heart of this community, a place local people can take pride in, spend time with family and friends, and find a respite from the bustle of the city – all in a low traffic, sustainable neighbourhood. “This is also part of a £40m public realm investment in this part of Ancoats – including the new Mobility Hub – which is helping to unlock the next phase of regeneration in the neighbourhood – and the final chapters of a regeneration story going back two decades. “Building on the Ancoats success story the next phase of investment will see 1,500 new homes built, which includes the Council’s first This City housing development at No. 1 Ancoats Green that will complete in the next few months – helping to increase access to genuinely affordable homes in the city centre. “Ancoats Green is a great example of the council investing more in the priorities that residents tell us they want to see and is a beautiful addition to this area of the city. “ Anna Marohn, Principal Landscape Architect comments from Planit: “It’s been a real privilege to work on delivering the new Ancoats Green. A verdant space in the heart of Manchester city centre for the community, celebrating the area’s rich heritage and with sustainability at its core. “The dramatic enhancements will see an increase in Biodiversity. The use of wildflower meadows, structural herbeacous planting, addition of 41 new trees, bug hotels and bird boxes integrated creatively throughout the space, will encourage nature back into the city. Climate resilient and reclaimed materials have been used extensively throughout the park, including SUDS with rain gardens located within the green, and porous asphalt for the footpaths. “Many of the parks’ surface materials are reclaimed – using granite setts from the renovation works at nearby Albert Square and old coping stones – to create bespoke seating elements. “The dramatic enhancements will offer the existing and future community a place to dwell, play, exercise and socialise for future generations to come.” Commenting on their role in the design work for the Ancoats Mobility Hub, This City’s No.1 Ancoats Green development and Eliza Yard for ManchesterLife, Matthew Burl, Buttress director said: “The opening of the Ancoats Mobility Hub is about so much more than mobility. It’s about giving streets back to people, creating space for community life to flourish, and embedding sustainability into the everyday experience of the city. It’s been a privilege to help shape this important project for our own local neighbourhood of Ancoats. Our new housing development for This City, No1. Ancoats Green, is due to be finished this summer and Eliza Yard for Manchester Life will complete in the spring next year. Both will add thoughtfully
THE PROCUREMENT specialists at Pagabo are inviting the market to in-person engagement sessions at UKREiiF next week – focusing on the re-procurement of the Developer-Led Framework. Managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust, the framework is a unique market offering. It exists to facilitate the early engagement between developers and clients that drives transformative development and positive social impact outcomes. The current iteration of the framework has become a key route to development for public sector bodies and developers up and down the country. Growing momentum since its introduction, it has seen almost £6 billion in schemes already awarded, with a further £7 billion of development value in the pipeline before the framework expires. Jonathan Parker, development director at Pagabo, said: “The development value numbers from the current framework are impressive – but even more important is what they represent. It’s 15,000 new homes being built, along with thousands of square feet of commercial, retail and public space. It’s new community hubs, and truly transformative placemaking to deliver places for people – and places with purpose. “That’s why market engagement on the re-procurement is vital. We want to take learnings forward from the current iteration and make it even better – thereby allowing it to generate even more widespread transformation. A key area of focus is creating a full turnkey solution through the framework, embedding early work with consultants and legal professionals into the lot structure to create a quicker and clearer route to development wrapped up in an effective procurement process. “Making the new framework as effective as possible comes from market feedback – so please come and see us at the Pagabo Live Pavilion at UKREiiF where we can talk about how to together deliver collaborative and strategic partnerships between public sector organisations, developers, and the wider delivery supply chain.” Pagabo will be running a dedicated breakfast session at 9.15am on Wednesday 21 May where developers, investors, consultants, legal advisers and public sector representatives can engage with the team directly to shape the new version of the framework. The rest of the week will also feature scheme announcements from Pagabo and developers on the framework. Following UKREiiF, the lot structure will be finalised for the forthcoming re-procurement, with the invitation to tender expected in early July. For more information about Pagabo and the current Developer-Led Framework, visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Director for the Building Surveying team within the Project & Building Consultancy (PBC) division. Previously Matt was with Hollis for nine years, and has been bought in to deliver key Building Surveying projects and bolster this key service line. A Chartered Building Surveyor with 20 years’ experience in commercial property, Matt’s core expertise lies in the commercial office sector – particularly CAT A and CAT B fit-outs. He also has substantial experience in industrial refurbishments and building services/plant replacement projects aligned with client EPC improvement targets. Matt has a wealth of experience across all related disciplines with a current client base which includes Legal & General, M&G, James Andrew International, Guy Wilson Properties and Sir Richard Sutton. Reporting into team leader Tom Davey, Matt will join our existing 72 building surveyors advising on projects across the UK. Tom Davey, Director for Colliers Project & Building Consultancy Division said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome someone of Matt’s breadth and depth of experience into the team. He has previously worked for some of our key clients which is an added bonus and will be instrumental in maintaining these relationships going forward.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network of higher education institutions across the North East of England. NEUPC is a professional buying organisation working on behalf of its North-East (NE5) members, which include Northumbria, Sunderland, Newcastle, Teesside and Durham universities. The two-year NEUPC framework, which includes an option to extend by four more years, enables EDGE to provide construction project management services on up to £6.6 million worth of projects per year – supporting the development of campus facilities and driving the decarbonisation of university estates. EDGE is at the forefront of the higher education sector, working closely with its partners to address the challenges faced with declining enrolments, financial constraints and funding cuts, estate space utilisation and the transition towards net zero. Hughie Clarke, Business Development and Marketing Director at EDGE, commented: “We’re extremely proud to have been appointed to the NEUPC framework and look forward to continuing to grow strong relationships with the many great institutions across the North East of England. As a business, we are hugely invested in the North East and understand the priorities and pressures currently facing our universities in the region. “EDGE is now firmly established as a specialist in higher education, with deep sector understanding and the ability to support universities with their ever-evolving needs. Frameworks bring real value – helping simplify procurement, accelerate project start times, and providing greater assurance on costs and deliverability.” The appointment adds to EDGE’s growing number of higher education clients and framework awards across the UK, supporting the likes of University of Birmingham, University of Greenwich, University of Reading, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Sheffield and Manchester Metropolitan University. Notably, EDGE is working on the University of Leeds’ £150 million strategy to achieve Net Zero, providing cost management services that ensure value-for-money while optimising environmental performance. “Universities face complex challenges at this moment in time – from decarbonising their estates to maintaining competitiveness amidst rising costs and fluctuating student numbers,” Clarke continued. “Through our framework roles, we’re helping universities to make their existing assets work harder, upgrading infrastructure, and creating vibrant, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready campuses.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, looks into the Building Safety Act and what it means for owners and maintenance teams Q1) Let’s refer to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report, which cites that there were flaws in the building’s Tenant Management Association. There was a huge backlog of maintenance work that it never managed to clear, poor repairs service, a persistent indifference to fire safety, no fire safety strategy was in place, despite advice in 2009, and their only fire assessor had invented some of his qualifications and was ill-qualified to carry out risk assessments. How widespread do you think these sorts of issues are? I think they are far more common than any of us wants to admit, and I don’t think that is supposition. If you think about the report that I did and the timing of it, the remit that I was given by the then Secretary of State was to look at the regulatory system that was in place and identify what had gone wrong. In less than 12 months, I was able to conclude that the regulatory system had failed, and as a result of that, poor practice was widespread. None of the specific findings associated with Grenfell that came out of the public inquiry should have come as a surprise to people, because I had identified six years before then that those things were happening, and they were happening far more widespread than just Grenfell. Grenfell was by no means a one-off, and neither was it just about cladding. Those poor practices in looking after the building and everything to do with that were clear to me from every conversation I had with people. People knew things were wrong, but I don’t think anyone knew quite how devastating the consequences of those failures and weaknesses in the overall system would be. I don’t think anyone had contemplated that it could be as bad as it was, and that 72 people would lose their lives. Q2) Do you think that the industry is doing enough to align itself with the Building Safety Act requirements? It’s a very mixed picture, and that means there’s good and bad. I see lots of examples of people who have embraced it and are doing the right things. I also see a lot of people who are still playing ostrich, if you like, and that comes in many forms, not least of which is, “I can’t do anything until the regulator tells me what to do. I need more detail.” Then there’s a lot of people, I think, in the middle who know they need to do something. They’re very busy trying to do the right thing, but they don’t know where to turn to get help and advice, and some of that advice is leading them to do more than they need to, or do the wrong things, not prioritising the right things first. We’re not going quickly enough, and we need to take a breath and get some proportion back into the system. Q3) In what ways does the Building Safety Act and the associated regulation place greater responsibility on maintenance teams? I think the first thing to say is that it provides clarity of who is responsible. The first thing I was surprised by when I did my review was the extent to which people said, when I asked questions like, “Who’s responsible for this?” or “Who does that?”, people would say, “It’s not me, it’s them. I do my bit. But the problem is someone else.” And that, I think, is partly a function of the fragmentation of the whole construction sector and the way we contract out work, even in buildings that are in occupation. What’s clear is there’s been no proper line of responsibility and accountability in the past, and what we’ve put in place is exactly that. That doesn’t mean to say that simply because you’re the Principal Accountable Person, you carry all of the responsibility. Some of your responsibilities are to ensure that the people you employ are also people who are going to behave responsibly. And in fact, you know, the act is clear that there is a duty on everyone to behave responsibly in what they do, and that’s a direct parallel with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Q4) What should building owners be most concerned about, relating to compliance with the Building Safety Act? For me, that’s a list of things you’ve got to do in order, which seems fairly logical to me. The first is, what do you know about the building you’ve got. Because actually, for buildings that are already in occupation, one of the biggest challenges, of course, is that golden thread that I called for in all new buildings. People have been in the process now for months, if not years, of trying to build that golden thread out of pretty sparse information, because the discipline of providing that data was not commonplace, and so knowing what you’ve got is the starting point. Trying to fill those gaps to the best of your ability is the next, and then having the courage to go and look and find what problems there are. We’ve seen that in the case of how different companies have approached the whole flammable cladding issue. Some have been very proactive, and others have had to be really pushed to do it, and some of that is because they don’t know. Part of the problem is that they know or suspect that the cladding is not the end of the story by any means, and when they remove the cladding, they’re going to find other, more serious problems behind it. But the reality is, you need to know what you’ve got. It’s no good not looking, because when the regulator comes round to your building, they are going to expect you to have used your best endeavours to find out what you can about the building.
