A leading property developer plans to showcase exciting new land promotion in Warwickshire to influencers and stakeholders at a major event next week. Stoford, a specialist in occupier-led development and strategic land promotion within the main commercial sectors, will participate in roundtable sessions at UKREiiF, including a panel that will
Colleagues from Beard Construction’s offices across the South of England have planted more than 130 trees at a woodland near Bristol. At the 194-acre Wrington Warren site owned by the company, more than 70 employees from the firm’s offices in Bristol, Swindon, Guildford, Oxford, and Southampton came together to plant saplings,
In the ever-advancing landscape of urban development, sustainable transport hubs have become quite essential components of mixed-use projects. At the same time, they’ll serve as critical junctions that integrate various modes of transportation, promoting accessibility, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality, among other things. When people need innovations to facilitate seamless
A leading property developer plans to showcase exciting new land promotion in Warwickshire to influencers and stakeholders at a major event next week. Stoford, a specialist in occupier-led development and strategic land promotion within the main commercial sectors, will participate in roundtable sessions at UKREiiF, including a panel that will focus on partnership working with Warwickshire County Council as one of its official partners. Stoford has delivered extensive floorspace across Coventry and Warwickshire amounting to over 2 million sq ft of market-leading industrial and office schemes in the area over the last ten years. These schemes have supported local key sectors like automotive and digital creative industries within Spa Park in Leamington Spa through to larger logistics requirements on the A435 between Redditch and Stratford. Within the UKREiiF events Stoford will participate in, Planning Director Jo Russell will comment on the opportunity for growth within Coventry and Warwickshire, how partnership working has directly benefitted Stoford’s schemes to date and what interventions are needed to ensure that future plan making by local authorities is delivering the right amount of land in the right locations. Stoford believe identifying locations for growth that are local to, and complemented by, new investments in railway infrastructure across Warwickshire, such as Rugby Parkway, represent a clear opportunity. Other interventions could range from greater collaboration with the private sector to earlier engagement and feedback on matters raised. The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and preceding Ministerial Statement placed sustainable economic growth at the heart of planning. Angela Raynor MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has been clear in advising that ‘sustained economic growth is the only route to improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people.’ Stoford is keen to act on a renewed vigour for growth and sees changes made through the NPPF to introduce Grey Belt as another intervention that will assist Warwickshire in meeting the needs of industry. To this end, Stoford will also promote its land portfolio including Brickhill Farm, a circa 5ha Grey Belt land site south of Coleshill. The site is strategically located, accessible from the M6 (junction 4) and the A446 and has quick connections to the A45, M42 and the Birmingham hinterland. Sites like this are seen to embrace the Government’s agenda to support logistics growth, in addition to the role that previously developed land and Grey Belt can play. New jobs in logistics would match the local skill set. Locally within the logistics ‘golden triangle’, 20% of jobs currently held are within this sector. The changing face of logistics towards automation and the use of AI in operations has also resulted in an upgraded skill set and associated salaries. Stoford Director Jo Russell said: “There is a significant window of opportunity for developing land within the Grey Belt, capitalising on the Government’s clear intentions to deliver growth in areas that do not contribute strongly to the purposes of Green Belt and /or are previously developed. “In addition, with the NPPF now in place, and an opportunity through devolution in the next few years, closer working between the Coventry and Warwickshire authorities and the private sector can focus on how economic growth can go hand in hand with locations well served by public transport/rail infrastructure and thereby assist local people in accessing employment. “We are confident that through discussions at UKREiiF, and within the context of partnership working, we can identify a range of benefits to Warwickshire that the development of sites within our portfolio can bring.” Stoford is one of eight organisations across the public and private sectors that Invest Warwickshire, Warwickshire County Council’s inward investment team, will partner with at UKREiiF, the UK’s largest real estate event and conference. The partnerships will see each organisation involved in the ‘Warwickshire Creating Places’ panel discussion that Invest Warwickshire is hosting at UKREiiF, which takes place in Leeds from May 20 to 22. Mark Ryder, Executive Director for Communities at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Warwickshire is one of the most dynamic economic locations in the Midlands and the UK. The county is a popular destination for both UK and foreign direct investment, and the area is home to some of the most important commercial property developments such as Coventry & Warwick Giga Park, one of the eight UK Investment Zones, MIRA Technology Park South Site and major town centre opportunities like Transforming Nuneaton, Creative Quarter Leamington Spa and Rugby Town Centre. “UKREiiF is a great opportunity for us to promote our partner organisation, Warwickshire Property Development Group and the new homes and SME commercial space being developed by them in the county, and Warwickshire County Council’s Property Infrastructure Fund, which can lend up to £10m to bring forward commercial development projects in support of growth and jobs. “We also look forward to working with a range of partners, including Stoford, Tritax Big Box Developments and IM Properties to promote new development opportunities in the county and local area at the event this year.” Stoford started life in 1996 when a small group of professionals saw a gap in the market to launch a pre-let, privately-owned commercial property development company. If you’re attending UKREiiF and would like to join the ‘Warwickshire Creating Places’ event, you can find more information and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1318559790829 Stoford will be in the West Midlands Pavilion at UKREiiF between 3-4pm on 20th May, and the following morning. To arrange a meeting with Stoford before, during or after UKREiiF, call the main office on 0121 234 6699, email mail@stoford.com or contact their LinkedIn page. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colleagues from Beard Construction’s offices across the South of England have planted more than 130 trees at a woodland near Bristol. At the 194-acre Wrington Warren site owned by the company, more than 70 employees from the firm’s offices in Bristol, Swindon, Guildford, Oxford, and Southampton came together to plant saplings, marking the completion of the first phase of a long-term woodland management plan, during which 12,000 new trees were planted. Under the guidance of a forestry expert, colleagues planted native species and learned about the woodland management activities taking place during a guided tour, before coming together to enjoy a hog roast lunch. Purchased in 2022, Beard invested in the woodland to help reduce its environmental footprint through carbon sequestration, as trees store twice as much carbon as they emit. Neil Sherreard, deputy chairman at Beard, said: “Beard’s investment in UK forestry demonstrates our commitment to reducing our environmental impact over the long-term. Beyond the carbon capture, we recognise the wellbeing benefits of being in nature and bringing regional teams together outside of normal working environments. “World Mental Health Week is the perfect time to have done this and an excellent way to mark the end of this phase of woodland management at Wrington Warren.” Delivering community value This initiative comes as Beard celebrates generating £8.5 million in social value for local communities in 2024 through on- and off-site initiatives. Eleven construction projects completed in 2024 delivered £8.5 million in social and economic value, averaging 24 percent of contract value. Additionally, 33 live projects contributed nearly £200,000. Beard’s central teams, including finance, IT, HR and communications roles, unlocked a further £16,700 in community impact. The company began recording its community impact in January 2024, promoting Paula Baleson to social value manager and developing a tailored framework. Four regional coordinators have been promoted throughout the year from within the company and earlier this month environmental studies graduate Hannah Phillips was appointed as Swindon’s social value coordinator, completing the social value team with a dedicated person in each region. Beard also raised £100,000 for charities and good causes in 2024, including match funding from the Beard Charitable Foundation, putting the firm well on track to meet its charitable goals. Paula Baleson, social value manager, said: “Beard has always been a company with a social conscience but 2024 marked the first year that we formalised and began measuring our efforts. Since establishing our social value team and introducing our tailored framework, colleagues across our regions have really stepped up. “I’m proud of what we have achieved and, with many exciting initiatives being planned, we are looking forward to building on our commitment to communities even further.” For more information about Beard’s approach to social value, visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the ever-advancing landscape of urban development, sustainable transport hubs have become quite essential components of mixed-use projects. At the same time, they’ll serve as critical junctions that integrate various modes of transportation, promoting accessibility, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality, among other things. When people need innovations to facilitate seamless connectivity within urban areas, forward-thinking designers answer with sustainable mobility centers. These facilities are responsively designed to align with the principles of the 15-minute city concept, especially in highly urbanized jurisdictions. Multimodal Integration These stations usually combine walking paths, cycling lanes, public transit, and car-sharing services, reducing reliance on private vehicles. Today, walking and cycling bridges are even some of the most advanced and needed structures to make sure that safety and health are perfectly harmonized as you efficiently ferry from one urban community to the other. Proximity to Amenities With their highly coordinated design, these transport cores are built near residential, commercial, and recreational facilities; they help make sure that essential services are within a short distance, enhancing convenience for the whole community. Improved Quality of Life These futuristic urban mobility centers are foreseen to provide people more accessibility, contributing to reduced commute times, and promoting healthier lifestyles, especially with increased physical activity, like walking and cycling. With innovations like these and prioritizing accessibility, these sustainable transportation facilities play a pivotal and life-changing role in creating livable and efficient upscale landscapes. Today, you can’t build a future-ready mixed-use project without giving people options. While walkability and cycling matter, many residents still need cars for their specific trips, or in some cases, when they have certain physical conditions. The key is providing flexible, accessible transportation without compromising sustainability. Smart Parking & Car Sharing Developers are rethinking traditional parking layouts. Instead of dead space, they’re designing smart garages that support ride-sharing, e-vehicle charging, and shared vehicle access—great for residents who don’t need a car daily. Strategic Accessibility If you’re building or investing in mixed-use real estate, especially in metros like Atlanta, it’s smart to factor in reliable vehicle access. That’s where platforms like EchoPark Atlanta come in. They offer certified used cars—great for residents who need affordability without sacrificing dependability. This supports multimodal transport planning, giving residents a choice without lobbying for full car ownership for anyone. Blending Mobility Modes These mixed-use transit systems are just a taste of some of the trendiest mobility ecosystems, where public transit, cycling, walking paths, and personal vehicle access all intersect. Supporting all these options ensures your development serves families, remote workers, and hybrid commuters alike. Incorporating reliable vehicle access options, like when you purchase second-hand vehicles in Atlanta and other cities near you, can help make your transport hub more practical, inclusive, and future-ready. It’s not really about pushing people to opt for cars—it’s about giving them that unbridled freedom to choose for themselves. In multimodal developments, the integration of a sustainable transit system is a material contributor to urban communities’ environmental conservation efforts, helping them live up to the advocacies they profess. Emission Reduction Encouraging the use of public transit and non-motorized transport modes leads to decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Efficiency These transit centers are often built with energy-efficient technologies and infrastructure, further cutting off people’s environmental impact. Green Spaces The design of these intermodal stations can easily incorporate green spaces or gardens and landscaping, enhancing and promoting urban biodiversity and, at the same time, providing ecological benefits. The influx of people to urban areas isn’t just about the bright lights and luxury; it’s often about economic advantages and work flexibility. These sustainable transit stations are offering urban dwellers all of these perks, way beyond the environmental and accessibility benefits that info drives often impress on their ads. Economic Development Improved transportation infrastructure attracts businesses and stimulates local economies. Job Creation The development and operation of transport hubs generate employment opportunities in construction, maintenance, and transit services. Vehicle Accessibility If you’re one of those urban residents who need personal vehicles, options like purchasing easy-to-navigate or second-hand cars can provide you with more affordable and reliable transportation solutions. With all these options, sustainable mobility nodes contribute to the overall prosperity of mixed-use developments. The successful implementation of sustainable transport hubs requires thoughtful integration into broader urban planning initiatives. Policy Alignment Urban planners like you may need to align these transport node developments with apt policies that help accelerate the concerned community’s sustainable growth and land use. Community Engagement When leaders encourage and involve their communities in the planning process, crafting a dependable accessibility blueprint helps make sure that their mobility stations aptly answer the needs of their residents. Technological Integration Incorporating smart technologies enhances the efficiency and user experience of transport hubs. In sum, sustainable integrated transport facilities can be quite integral to the development of these modern multimodal and innovative projects. They’re movers when it comes to enhancing urban accessibility, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting economic growth. At the same time, they require strategic blueprints for successful implementation and long-term management. When urban developers and planners prioritize hubs like these every time infrastructures are in the queue, they’re more likely to create more livable, efficient, and resilient cities today and beyond.
