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June 30, 2025
Willmott Dixon and SCAPE enter 20th year of continued partnership

Willmott Dixon and SCAPE enter 20th year of continued partnership

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

WILLMOTT DIXON marks the beginning of its 20th year since its appointment to SCAPE’s national construction framework.   Established in 2006, the Willmott Dixon and SCAPE partnership has enabled the delivery of almost 600 public sector projects across England and Wales, with a combined value of more than £6bn. Together the businesses have helped to deliver schools, blue-light, health

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Station upgrade plans herald a boost for the future of rail travel

Station upgrade plans herald a boost for the future of rail travel

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

Platforms which have long stood derelict could be brought back into use as early deliverables, thanks to Midlands Rail Hub.  Under the plans, backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her recent spending review, a series of engineering interventions will be made throughout the Midlands to transform rail transport. At Kings

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Lambeth Palace Completes £40m Green Retrofit to Embrace a Sustainable Future

Lambeth Palace Completes £40m Green Retrofit to Embrace a Sustainable Future

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

Lambeth Palace, the historic London residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury, has undergone a major £40 million refurbishment, bringing 800 years of ecclesiastical history into the modern, low-carbon age. The extensive programme of works, delivered by contractor Walter Lilly, included a full upgrade of the building’s heating and energy systems,

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

June 30, 2025

Willmott Dixon and SCAPE enter 20th year of continued partnership

Willmott Dixon and SCAPE enter 20th year of continued partnership

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

WILLMOTT DIXON marks the beginning of its 20th year since its appointment to SCAPE’s national construction framework.   Established in 2006, the Willmott Dixon and SCAPE partnership has enabled the delivery of almost 600 public sector projects across England and Wales, with a combined value of more than £6bn. Together the businesses have helped to deliver schools, blue-light, health and defence facilities, town centre regeneration schemes, and community assets – all with a shared commitment to driving social value, sustainability and local economic benefit.   Graham Dundas, chief executive officer at Willmott Dixon, said: “It is incredible that our partnership and journey with SCAPE now spans two decades. So many of our people have been involved in that time, delivering fantastic projects, and a real positive impact and legacy in their local communities. That’s something we are very proud of. “During that time, we’ve proven the power of collaboration and maintained collective success as the landscape has continued to evolve – through changes to procurement and social value legislation, and the Building Safety Act, for example.  “This is a moment for us to celebrate our achievements and reinforce our commitment to shaping the future of the built environment. Together, we’re in a stronger position to create sustainable, future-ready places and spaces for people to thrive. Our continued partnership with SCAPE is an important part of our ability to deliver brilliant buildings for our customers.”  Since 2006, Willmott Dixon has delivered £672m in social return on investment through SCAPE-procured schemes, consistently supporting communities local to its projects. The organisation’s work has maintained a strong local focus, with £1.6bn spent within 20 miles of SCAPE-procured project sites, 93% of project spend with SMEs, and 55% of project labour sourced locally – ensuring the benefits of its work are felt directly by the people and places it serves.   Consistently high-quality outcomes are further demonstrated by ambitious sustainability standards achieved on projects, proven through well-recognised certifications such as WELL Platinum. This is the case at Willmott Dixon’s £55m project for Hertfordshire Constabulary to redevelop its headquarters, which is expected to complete next year – when Willmott Dixon and SCAPE will celebrate a full 20 years of partnership.   Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “This remarkable milestone represents over two decades of strong collaboration with Willmott Dixon, resulting in the successful delivery of nearly 600 projects — from the flagship £12.8m Riga office development in Gateshead to the £28m refurbishment of the West Midlands Police headquarters. Generating £672m in social return on investment speaks volumes about the value and positive change this partnership continues to deliver— not just for our clients, but for local communities across the UK – and is something we are incredibly proud to be a part of.”  Shared aspirations around sustainability and social value have been key to the partnership’s success. In support of the UK’s net-zero aims and to meet customer ambitions, the partnership has delivered innovative projects, including:  Scott Corey, chief of strategic services and accounts at Willmott Dixon, said: “Back in 2006, I was working as a planner on our very first SCAPE project – Southwick and South Shields Police Station for Northumbria Police. It was the first to break ground under the framework, and there was a real sense that we were doing something different – something important. Around the same time, we started working with Gateshead Council on five new leisure centres – projects that were all about improving health and wellbeing in the community.   “Even then, you could see the potential of the partnership to make a real difference. It’s amazing to look back now and see how much it’s grown over the last 20 years.”   Working together, Willmott Dixon and SCAPE support public sector customers across a myriad of sectors with feasibility and viability studies, ensuring value-for-money and compliance, and leaving a positive economic and social impact.   There is a breadth of public sector projects procured through SCAPE that are underway with Willmott Dixon today. They include:  To learn more about Willmott Dixon, visit www.willmottdixon.co.uk   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Range and Wilko Set Sights on New Locations Amid Major Expansion Drive

The Range and Wilko Set Sights on New Locations Amid Major Expansion Drive

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range and Wilko, has announced ambitious plans to expand both retail brands, releasing updated property requirements as part of their latest growth push. The company is targeting a mix of city centre and out-of-town locations across the UK. Wilko is seeking retail units between 20,000 and 25,000 sq ft in size, ideally located in shopping centres or central urban areas. Meanwhile, The Range is focusing on larger, out-of-town sites ranging from 25,000 to 60,000 sq ft. CDS confirmed it is open to both freehold and leasehold opportunities, as well as development land and joint venture proposals. This expansion follows a period of significant momentum for the group. Over the past six months, The Range has launched 55 new stores and opened hundreds of in-store concessions, underlining its robust performance and market demand. Antony Darbyshire, Head of Property at CDS Superstores, said: “Demand for our retail brands has never been stronger. We’ve been gearing up for growth by investing heavily in our operational infrastructure, including warehousing and transport. At a time when many retailers are scaling back, we’re bucking the trend. We’re committed to bringing leading retail experiences to even more communities and we’re calling on landlords, developers and agents to partner with us to unlock our next phase of expansion.” The announcement signals a confident and proactive approach to retail growth, positioning The Range and Wilko as key players in the evolving high street and out-of-town retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Station upgrade plans herald a boost for the future of rail travel

Station upgrade plans herald a boost for the future of rail travel

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

Platforms which have long stood derelict could be brought back into use as early deliverables, thanks to Midlands Rail Hub.  Under the plans, backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her recent spending review, a series of engineering interventions will be made throughout the Midlands to transform rail transport. At Kings Norton, the currently derelict island platform would be re-instated and a new passenger bridge linking back to the existing ticket hall, will be built as one of the first phases of the project. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, met with Midlands Connect, Network Rail, Northfield MP, Laurence Turner, and Selly Oak MP, Al Carns, to discuss plans for the station upgrade and service improvements. Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: “More trains and better connections across the West Midlands and beyond will drive more jobs, more homes, and greener growth. That’s the future prosperity our region demands.” Under the plans, the Cross City line will see two extra trains, in each direction, per hour, which will create 5.4 million new seats each year. Redditch, Alvechurch and Barnt Green will see one extra train, in each direction, per hour and 2.7 million new seats for passengers, whilst Bromsgrove will see 4.7 million new seats. Midlands Rail Hub would also deliver a jobs boost as over the course of the project, more than 12,750 roles are expected to result from the programme. Midlands Connect Chief Executive, Maria Machancoses, said: “Midlands Rail Hub will allow train travel to be a first choice for many more people, and Kings Norton is at the heart of the project. “This station upgrade will allow more frequent trains, restoring the Cross City services and delivering a more reliable network for passengers.   “Government’s recent funding announcement is major step forward in our plans for Kings Norton, and the wider region. It is a commitment to transform rail travel for everyone.” Northfield MP, Laurence Turner, said: “An upgrade to Kings Norton station is at the heart of the Midlands Rail Hub project. We need these works to return to Cross-City trains an hour at Longbridge and Northfield as well as Kings Norton. “I’ve raised this project repeatedly in Parliament and I’m delighted that the Government are backing the campaign. “This investment will bring jobs and higher wages into the area and lead to less congested roads – this is really good news for south Birmingham’s economy.”Selly Oak MP, Al Carns, said: “I’m delighted that the Chancellor has backed investment in the Midlands Rail Hub in the recent Spending Review. This is fantastic news for South Birmingham. “These plans are a brilliant opportunity to boost connectivity on one of our key local railway lines. The proposed new timetable will undoubtedly improve public transport in the communities served by the Cross City line. “Better transport links means more opportunities to level up the economic and social life of our local communities. I am thrilled to see this investment in upgrading Kings Norton station and in our local commuter routes, and I know current and future users will benefit hugely from a better rail service on the line.” Denise Wetton, director for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “Midlands Rail Hub means better journeys for passengers today, and a future-proofed railway for tomorrow. “It will open the railway to new communities, and boost access to opportunities across the West Midlands. The government’s commitment is a huge boost and we are now working to confirm what work can be done and when.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Building new homes and protecting renters – Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis

Building new homes and protecting renters – Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis with its comprehensive plan to build new homes, connect communities to new jobs and opportunities, and drive up standards across the rental sector.  By driving an increase in new homes across the region, including affordable, social and net zero housing, and by raising the standards of current rental homes, we will fulfil our Housing First ambition to give everyone access to a safe, secure and affordable home by 2038.   This week has already seen a renewed focus on driving up housing standards with the unveiling of the first supporters of the Good Landlord Charter – Greater Manchester’s bold twin-track approach to recognising good practice, while holding rogue landlords to account with increased enforcement activity and fines.  New analysis shows that our Brownfield Housing Fund, set up in 2020, has provided grants to deliver over 15,000 homes – with an average of just over 45% being affordable housing. This success, linked to our ambitious plans to boost regeneration across Greater Manchester, will support plans to deliver more social housing than is lost across the region.  Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “If we are serious about securing the long-term success of Greater Manchester, we need to free ourselves from the grip of the housing crisis.   “Because of the decisions we’ve taken, Greater Manchester is now building more affordable homes than at any point since the turn of the millennium.   “We need to keep building on that momentum until we reach a tipping point where we build more social homes than we lose.  “We’re determined to ensure that every person in Greater Manchester has access to the safe and secure home they need in order to thrive.”  Unlocking brownfield land  Since 2020, Greater Manchester has invested £135.4m from the Brownfield Housing Fund to redevelop underused brownfield land and deliver thousands of new homes.  Brownfield land can be difficult to bring forward for development, owing to issues including soil contamination and the need to remove existing structures. These challenges are often expensive to overcome – and can deter developers from building on brownfield sites.  In those five years, we have provided grants delivering more than 15,000 homes – with just over 45 per cent on average being affordable tenure types, compared with an average of 20 per cent for all Greater Manchester developments in that time. A fifth of all homes supported by the Brownfield Housing Fund to date are for social rent.   Around a quarter of all homes funded through grants have reached practical completion, ahead of schedule.   As part of the Trailblazer devolution deal signed in 2023, Greater Manchester agreed an extension to the Brownfield Housing Fund to accelerate building the good, affordable homes we need. This additional funding has allowed us to continue developing on challenging sites across the region.  The Brownfield Housing Fund also puts a greater focus on energy efficiency – helping Greater Manchester deliver the net-zero homes we need to reduce emissions and ease pressure on household energy bills.  The Fund has also enabled us to deliver key infrastructure and unlock the full potential of brownfield developments – including at Victoria North, the biggest urban regeneration project in the North of England, set to deliver more than 15,000 new homes, employment space, schools, and GP surgeries.  Further funding allocations are anticipated for the summer, supplementing those approved previously and the successful delivery of thousands of new homes to date.  Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor and Greater Manchester Lead for Housing First, said: “Through our pioneering Housing First model, we’re ensuring that people with the most complex needs are supported into stable housing with wraparound care. And with the upcoming launch of the UK’s first Good Landlord Charter, we’re raising standards across the rental sector, giving tenants stronger protections and ensuring that everyone in Greater Manchester has access to a safe, secure, and decent home.  “The Brownfield Housing Fund has been a vital tool in unlocking land for development, allowing us to build thousands of much-needed homes, while protecting our green spaces. With the right investment, we can deliver high-quality, sustainable, affordable housing across our city-region.”   Regenerating our towns and building new homes  We are using the power of Mayoral Development Corporations to unlock regeneration opportunities to deliver housing across the city region.   These pioneering tools bring together local partners and drive forward our ambitions to build new homes, bring jobs and investment, and support economic growth.   They are statutory bodies, set up by the Mayor, designed to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area. They can take on broad powers including land acquisition, planning and infrastructure functions.   These include Old Trafford (part of the proposed Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone), the expanded Stockport MDC and the Northern Gateway MDC (part of Atom Valley). Together, these three alone are expected to deliver 27,250 homes over the next 15 years to help address the housing crisis.  We have a proven track record of successfully implementing an MDC in Stockport, where this joined-up approach to regeneration has helped us to deliver well-connected developments, with the right transport links and infrastructure to support thriving communities.   Mayoral Development Zones, meanwhile, set out the strategic vision for regeneration over larger parts of the region in which MDCs can sit.    Next week (Friday 27 June) will see new proposals discussed by leaders in Greater Manchester for a Mayoral Development Zone to drive forward development in the Western Gateway.  The Western Gateway, recognised by the Chancellor for its importance as a key development location, includes Port Salford, Trafford Wharfside, and the Old Trafford Regeneration area, where a Mayoral Development Corporation is proposed.    The Mayoral Development Zone will ensure the connections between these major opportunities are understood and the benefits of those links are maximised.  Cllr Bev Craig, Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth said: “Greater Manchester is leading the way in delivering new homes, jobs and infrastructure, using our devolved powers to drive growth.   “We have pioneered

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Plans submitted to transform city’s iconic Cables Wynd House and Linksview House

Plans submitted to transform city’s iconic Cables Wynd House and Linksview House

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

The City of Edinburgh Council’s retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture. Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent. These landmark buildings have served generations of residents, and this project represents a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes. The proposed works are being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2. Achieving compliance will require substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems. Alongside this, the Council has identified the opportunity to deliver wider improvements that will bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards. Key elements of the proposal include: Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: I am delighted that the proposals for the Council’s £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents’ homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.   Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen.  Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued.  I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward Councillors as the project progresses. Carl Baker, Architect, Certified Passivhaus Designer – Collective Architecture said: Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House. Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings. As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures – boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty. As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction. Subject to planning approval, the Council will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Lambeth Palace Completes £40m Green Retrofit to Embrace a Sustainable Future

Lambeth Palace Completes £40m Green Retrofit to Embrace a Sustainable Future

Kenneth Booth June 30, 2025

Lambeth Palace, the historic London residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury, has undergone a major £40 million refurbishment, bringing 800 years of ecclesiastical history into the modern, low-carbon age. The extensive programme of works, delivered by contractor Walter Lilly, included a full upgrade of the building’s heating and energy systems, featuring double glazing, air source heat pumps, and rooftop solar panels. The palace, which dates back to the 12th century, is now set to transition away from fossil fuels entirely, thanks to the installation of a new energy centre that enables operation solely via on-site renewable energy. Key sustainability upgrades include the installation of three air source heat pumps, the replacement of 140 radiators, and the double glazing of 160 historic windows. In addition, more than 39 tonnes of timber were recycled throughout the project. One of the most notable elements of the refurbishment was the restoration of the 17th-century Great Hall, whose timber roof—damaged during the Second World War—has now been fully repaired. In collaboration with Historic England, the project called upon expert timber specialists, stonemasons and conservation professionals. The team replaced 1,450 sqm of floorboards, repaired and cleaned 800 sqm of stonework, and completed 13,500 sqm of plastering and painting. Chris Butler, Managing Director at Walter Lilly, said: “The successful completion of the re-servicing works at Lambeth Palace represents a major milestone in the conservation and modernisation of one of the UK’s most treasured historic buildings. Despite the complexities of working in a live, occupied environment and addressing archaeological discoveries during underground works, we’re immensely proud to have delivered a sustainable solution that supports the Church of England’s net-zero ambitions. This project is a clear demonstration of how heritage sites can be sensitively adapted to meet future needs.” The architectural design was led by Wright & Wright, with engineering provided by Arup. The entire £40 million cost was funded by the Church Commissioners. Whoever the next Archbishop of Canterbury may be, one thing is certain: their heating bills will be significantly lower.

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