July 16, 2025
First part of £50m Aberdeen beachfront redevelopment officially opened

First part of £50m Aberdeen beachfront redevelopment officially opened

The first phase of Aberdeen’s £50m beachfront redevelopment was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 15 July 2025) with the unveiling of the newly revitalised Broadhill.   Delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction Group for hub North Scotland – Aberdeen City Council’s development and delivery partner for the wider masterplan – the much-loved

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Injecta Fire Barrier Launches CPD Sessions on Passive Fire Protection Solutions

Injecta Fire Barrier Launches CPD Sessions on Passive Fire Protection Solutions

Injecta Fire Barrier, the UK’s leading independent installer of passive fire protection systems, is now offering free CPD sessions focused on cavity and compartment fire barriers. Tailored for contractors, surveyors, architects, and fire engineers, the sessions explore best practices, system-tested components, and the practical use of the Injectaclad solution—supporting compliance

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

July 16, 2025

First part of £50m Aberdeen beachfront redevelopment officially opened

First part of £50m Aberdeen beachfront redevelopment officially opened

The first phase of Aberdeen’s £50m beachfront redevelopment was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 15 July 2025) with the unveiling of the newly revitalised Broadhill.   Delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction Group for hub North Scotland – Aberdeen City Council’s development and delivery partner for the wider masterplan – the much-loved local landmark has been completely transformed.  Spanning five hectares, Broadhill now includes new access steps, footpaths, viewpoints, drystone walls, timber and concrete seating, and extensive landscaping. More than 10,000 new trees, shrubs and ground vegetation have been planted across the site, enhancing the natural environment and boosting the area’s ecological value.  The redevelopment of Broadhill forms part of the largest transformation of Aberdeen beach in 35 years. Work is already well under way by Robertson on a new beach park and large events field, with the Broadhill improvements completed in time for visitors to enjoy the site as a viewing point during the Tall Ships Race (19–22 July).  Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, Councillor David Cameron, marked the occasion with a cup of tea and a traditional Aberdeen ‘rowie’, enjoyed at one of the striking new viewpoints overlooking the coastline.  The Lord Provost said: “This is an exciting occasion to toast with the first part of the beachfront works finished. As thousands of people come into the city for the Tall Ships Races, the revamped Broadhill with additional seating and a viewpoint will be a prime place to watch the vessels sail into the harbour as well as the spectacular Red Arrows display.”  Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “The opening of Broadhill is the first completed project as part of the overall transformation of Aberdeen’s beach. Being the trusted delivery partner, we understand the importance of bringing the vision of Aberdeen City Council and the local community to life.   “Working closely with hub North Scotland and the Council, significant progress is being made in the creation of well-designed, connected spaces which will be home to high-quality facilities. The vision to redevelop the beach will benefit the community through the provision of public realm spaces that will inspire wellbeing and activity and contribute to the local and regional economy.”  Richard Park, chief executive of hub North Scotland, added: “This is a landmark moment for the beach redevelopment with the transformation of Broadhill and the progress on the other works. Robertson has done a fantastic job in completing the Broadhill and every day now you can see the progress on the rest of the area. This will be a ‘must-visit’ destination when completed.”  Aberdeen City Council’s Co-Leaders welcomed today’s opening as the first project to be completed in the ambitious Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan.  Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It is good to see the first of the beach works finished as the first of the City Centre and Beach Master Plan projects.  We hope many generations to come will make good use of the changes at Broadhill. The beachfront is one of the jewels in the city’s crown and the work taking place in the area will further transform the beach area for the enjoyment of everyone.” Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We welcome the works finishing at Broadhill. As work continues at the beach, I am looking forward to more of the works finishing and people of all ages being able to make use of the great new facilities.  “The Council is committed to working with Aberdeen’s residents, beach users, partner organisations, and businesses at the beach to make Aberdeen beach and the Links the envy of other cities and a place where local people and visitors alike will want to visit to again and again.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Injecta Fire Barrier Launches CPD Sessions on Passive Fire Protection Solutions

Injecta Fire Barrier Launches CPD Sessions on Passive Fire Protection Solutions

Injecta Fire Barrier, the UK’s leading independent installer of passive fire protection systems, is now offering free CPD sessions focused on cavity and compartment fire barriers. Tailored for contractors, surveyors, architects, and fire engineers, the sessions explore best practices, system-tested components, and the practical use of the Injectaclad solution—supporting compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022. Key benefits of the Injectaclad solution: “Our CPD sessions are designed to provide practical insight into passive fire protection and compartmentation—enabling project teams to make informed, regulation-compliant decisions without invasive façade work,” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director. Injectaclad is a fire-retardant graphite-based acrylic sealant that restricts fire spread through existing wall cavities—providing a proven, compliant solution for upgrading fire safety. To book a session or learn more, please contact: becky.preston@injectafirebarrier.com More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Catesby Estates sells 162 acre mixed-use site in Essex to Barratt and David Wilson Homes

Catesby Estates sells 162 acre mixed-use site in Essex to Barratt and David Wilson Homes

– The site has been sold to Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Eastern Counties division, with outline permission for up to 1,000 homes, a new school, retail and employment space – Catesby Estates, a leading strategic land promoter, has completed the sale of Straits Mill, a 162 acre site in Braintree, Essex, to Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties. The site was secured by Catesby Estates as part of the recent acquisition of L&Q Estates in August 2024. Five landowners entered into a promotion agreement in 2017, ahead of the team securing an allocation in Braintree Council’s adopted Local Plan, working through several technical constraints and subsequently receiving outline planning approval in 2021. The 162 acre site has been sold to Barratt and David Wilson Homes with outline consent for up to 1,000 new homes including 30% affordable housing, land for a primary school and early years provision, as well as a local retail centre and employment space that can be transformed into offices or industrial units. A network of cycling and pedestrian facilities are also set to be introduced, alongside improvements to the river walk to the south of the site. During the construction phase this site is expected to create 800 direct and indirect new jobs, and around a further 40 once the educational facilities are established. Adrian Clack, Group Land Director at Catesby Estates, comments: “Straits Mill is an impressive site but it also came with a number of technical and title challenges and so it is testament to the team for securing its allocation within the Council’s adopted Local Plan and subsequently receiving outline consent for a scheme that will have long lasting benefits for its residents and surrounding community. Catesby Estates is now delighted to have sold the land to Barratt and David Wilson Homes, and we look forward to seeing the company transform the site into a thriving new community. “This announcement comes as we gear up to what we expect to be an exceptional year for Catesby Estates. The acquisition of L&Q Estates has played a significant role in us achieving this success as not only have we gained impressive new talent but the quality of, and demand for, its additional sites has allowed us to cement our position as one of the leading strategic land promoters in the UK.” Matthew Lees, Development Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, adds: “Straits Mill is an exciting acquisition that will be a cornerstone development for us. The site will allow us to deliver our quality brands of Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Redrow, offering homes for first-time buyers, families, and those looking for high-quality, energy-efficient living spaces.  “We thank Catesby Estates for securing this complex but exciting opportunity and look forward to delivering a healthy new community environment in which to live and work within Braintree, set within open green spaces and woodland, with sports and play areas, cycleways, bridleway and walking routes to enjoy, as well as new community facilities and infrastructure.” During the sale, Shakespeare Martineau acted for Catesby Estates and the landowners were represented by Strutt & Parker (BNP Paribas Real Estate) Savills and Tees Law. Osborne Clarke LLP advised Barratt and David Wilson Homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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News story over 100 firefighters respond to two destructive industrial fires on same day

News story over 100 firefighters respond to two destructive industrial fires on same day

Two significant industrial fires broke out on June 21st at opposite ends of the country, destroying commercial buildings, disrupting local communities and tying up vast fire and rescue resources.  Sadly, neither of the buildings had sprinklers. In Calne, Wiltshire, 35 firefighters were called to the Porte Marsh Industrial Estate when a fire broke out at the QSIL metals facility, a specialist manufacturer involved in high-end machining and metal finishing. The fire consumed a 1,500m² unit, with smoke visible for miles. Crews worked for hours to bring the incident under control, and local roads were closed as a precaution. On the same day in Enfield, Essex, over 80 firefighters and 12 appliances from Hertfordshire and Essex County Fire and Rescue Services were deployed to a major warehouse fire in Enfield. The blaze engulfed a 3,600m² building operated by kitchenware distributor SQ Professional. With no sprinkler protection, the fire spread rapidly, forcing emergency services to urge local residents to keep windows and doors shut due to toxic smoke. Crews remained on the scene overnight to dampen down hotspots. The SQ warehouse is located next to a Tesco Fulfilment Centre, a modern, high-risk logistics hub protected by automatic sprinklers. Fire crews appeared to be actively defending this neighbouring site from potential fire spread. While no injuries were reported in either incident, the scale of the response speaks volumes. The two fires required the mobilisation of more than 115 firefighters, extensive fire control assets, and coordination across counties. Local roads were closed, businesses disrupted, and in Calne, key industrial activity was brought to a halt. These two locations were modest in size by modern standards and yet they required extensive resources with outcomes that saw the location severely damaged. These events are a sobering reminder of the stark consequences of failing to invest in proven fire protection systems. “We are seeing, time and again, the immense pressure that industrial fires place on both businesses and the emergency services,” said Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “These fires not only damaged buildings and livelihoods, they tied up life-saving resources for hours, caused environmental harm, and disrupted communities. These cases were modestly sized and we build much larger facilities, with similar hazards, without sprinklers.” This double blow mirrors a growing pattern across the UK where industrial and commercial premises, often packed with combustible materials or high-value machinery, lack basic fire suppression systems. By contrast, incidents in sprinkler-protected buildings tend to be quickly contained or extinguished before the fire can escalate. This limits damage, preserves business continuity, and drastically reduces the strain on fire crews. In the absence of sprinklers, every second counts, and every fire has potential to become a major incident. As these two June 21st fires show, the consequences go far beyond the building itself. Fires in unsprinklered buildings continue to utilise considerable resources and still pose a serious threat to business resilience, jobs, and public safety. For more information about the BSA visit the www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New Leadership for Northern Retail at Christie & Co as Anthony Meadowcroft Steps Up

New Leadership for Northern Retail at Christie & Co as Anthony Meadowcroft Steps Up

Property adviser Christie & Co has announced the appointment of Anthony Meadowcroft as regional director, taking the helm of its retail and leisure brokerage operations across Scotland and the North of England. Joining the firm’s expanding retail and leisure team in 2023, Meadowcroft brought with him nearly a decade of brokerage experience, having worked on numerous high-profile business sales since 2015. His promotion marks a key milestone in both his own career and the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening regional expertise. Reflecting on his new role, Meadowcroft said: “I’m incredibly proud to step into this leadership position during Christie & Co’s 90th year. It’s been a privilege to work with so many talented colleagues and clients since joining, and I’m excited to build on that momentum.” He added that his priorities in the new role will include increasing collaboration across the wider business and advancing Christie & Co’s presence in the evolving convenience retail and roadside markets. “These are areas undergoing significant transformation, and our regional team is well-placed to support clients navigating that change.” The announcement comes at a time of continued investment in Christie & Co’s regional structure, aligning with the firm’s strategy to expand its reach and service capability across core growth sectors. Steve Rodell, managing director of retail and leisure at Christie & Co, welcomed the appointment, noting: “Anthony brings a great blend of energy, insight and ambition to the role. His promotion reflects our confidence in his ability to lead, inspire, and deliver results for both our team and our clients.” Rodell also highlighted the importance of maintaining agility in the current market: “As retail and leisure continue to evolve, having strong leadership across our regional teams is essential. Anthony’s knowledge of the northern markets and his collaborative approach will be key to driving our next phase of growth.” The appointment reinforces Christie & Co’s ongoing evolution as a specialist adviser in retail property and business transactions, with Meadowcroft now set to play a central role in shaping the firm’s strategy across key northern territories. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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