Derwent London has announced a strategic partnership with Related Argent to transform one of the last major regeneration plots in central London, located at Old Street. The collaboration will focus on redeveloping the 2.5-acre former Moorfields Eye Hospital site, situated close to the capital’s tech hub around Silicon Roundabout. Early
Freehold drive thru acquisition offers secure income and future rental uplift The RO Group is delighted to announce that it has acquired the freehold Burger King drive thru on Sweet Briar Road, Norwich, for £1.2million. The property is let to BKUK Flame Ltd, a major UK Burger King franchisee, on
Womenswear brand Quiz has announced plans to open up to 10 new stores across the UK over the next year, as the retailer continues to rebuild momentum following its operational restructuring earlier in 2024. The fashion chain, which currently operates more than 150 stores and concessions nationwide, is focusing on
THE LATEST purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) from Cassidy Group Ltd has moved closer to completion with its official topping out ceremony. Funded by Zorin Finance, the 419-studio apartments Beckton House in Beeston, adjacent to the University of Nottingham, will be operated by Fresh and will open its doors for the September 2026/27 academic
Data reveals regional hotspots for reactive maintenance amid growing demand ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law With the Renters’ Rights Bill now nearing Royal Assent and a sweeping set of changes poised to reshape the private rental sector, new data from Adiuvo, the UK’s leading provider of 24/7 property
A trio of government regulators have agreed to work together to help drive forward the £150 million redevelopment of Falmouth Docks, streamlining the approval process for one of Cornwall’s most significant infrastructure projects. Natural England and the Environment Agency have confirmed they will allow the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to
By Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead at Procure Plus This October, damp and mould will be impossible to ignore. Damp and Mould Action and Awareness Week (20–26 October 2025) falls just days before Awaab’s Law comes into force on 27 October – a law that sets strict deadlines for tackling damp
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has started works for a new purpose-built family contact centre in Worksop, providing vital support services for vulnerable children, young people, and families across the county. The modern, energy-efficient facility is being designed, project, and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire
Bellway has submitteddetailedplans to create a sustainable new community of around 334 new homes in Tamworth. The proposals, designed by Bellway Strategic Land, are to build 242 private properties and 92 affordable homes at Windmill Farm, off Coton Lane to the north of the town. There would be large areas
Betts Associates, a Deeside based civil and structural engineering consultancy, has appointed to its board Laila Morris, who will bring her a wealth of knowledge from 20 years at the company, not to mention a strong dose of girl power as the only female board member. The appointment comes as
Derwent London has announced a strategic partnership with Related Argent to transform one of the last major regeneration plots in central London, located at Old Street. The collaboration will focus on redeveloping the 2.5-acre former Moorfields Eye Hospital site, situated close to the capital’s tech hub around Silicon Roundabout. Early studies have confirmed the potential for a substantial mixed-use campus, which could redefine this part of the city’s urban landscape. Completion of the site acquisition is expected in late 2027, after which the partners will work together to secure planning consent for a “living-led” masterplan. The proposals are set to explore a broad mix of uses, including residential, co-living, student accommodation, offices and hotel space. The development framework is being designed to give Derwent London maximum flexibility in how the project is delivered, with options ranging from joint ventures and forward funding to individual plot sales. Related Argent was selected through a competitive tender process, with its proven expertise in large-scale regeneration — demonstrated by landmark projects such as King’s Cross and Brent Cross Town — cited as a key factor in the decision. Paul Williams, chief executive of Derwent London, described the Old Street Quarter as “an exciting regeneration opportunity for one of the few remaining significant island sites in central London.” He continued: “We have actively explored a number of options to ensure we deliver the best possible regeneration and, as part of a competitive tender, Related Argent showcased their extensive experience in master planning this type of large-scale project.” Tom Goodall, chief executive of Related Argent, added: “Together, we will draw on our collective experience leading complex, mixed-use developments to successfully bring forward this site — propelled by a shared ambition to bring long-term value to London.” Once complete, the Old Street project is expected to deliver a new benchmark for mixed-use regeneration, combining residential, commercial and community spaces to create a vibrant new destination in the heart of the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Freehold drive thru acquisition offers secure income and future rental uplift The RO Group is delighted to announce that it has acquired the freehold Burger King drive thru on Sweet Briar Road, Norwich, for £1.2million. The property is let to BKUK Flame Ltd, a major UK Burger King franchisee, on a long lease providing secure income and attractive reversionary potential. The 1,800 sq. ft. restaurant, which includes both drive thru and dine-in facilities, is let on a 15-year full repairing and insuring lease from May 2021, with over 10 years unexpired. The current passing rent is £65,000 per annum, subject to five-yearly upward-only open market rent reviews, with the next review due in May 2026. Rents for comparable drive thru assets have risen sharply in recent years, underlining the property’s future growth potential. Situated on the busy A140 outer ring road to the northwest of Norwich city centre, the property occupies a highly prominent trading location adjacent to a Shell petrol station, ASDA Express, and Starbucks, and directly opposite Sweet Briar Retail Park, home to leading retailers including M&S Simply Food, Currys and Costa Coffee. The 1,800 sq. ft. fast-food restaurant, which provides both drive thru and dine-in facilities, also benefits from 15 dedicated car parking spaces. Norwich is the largest city in East Anglia and its retail and administrative centre, with a growing population, a strong student base across two universities, and excellent connectivity to London and Cambridge. Burger King is one of the world’s largest fast food chains, with more than 19,000 outlets globally. Its UK franchisee, BKUK Flame Ltd, is part of Kout Food Group K.S.C.C., which also operates brands such as Pizza Hut, Subway and Taco Bell. Nick Cashmore, Investment Director, RO Real Estate, commented: “We are very pleased to have added this Burger King drive thru investment to our portfolio. The property is situated in a prime trading location with 32,000 vehicles passing daily and let to an excellent covenant offering attractive reversionary potential in 2026 given the low historic passing rent. As we seek to grow our roadside portfolio this is exactly the type of drive thru asset that we will continue to target in addition to acquiring sites to develop out ourselves”. The RO was advised by GCW and Womble Bond Dickinson. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Womenswear brand Quiz has announced plans to open up to 10 new stores across the UK over the next year, as the retailer continues to rebuild momentum following its operational restructuring earlier in 2024. The fashion chain, which currently operates more than 150 stores and concessions nationwide, is focusing on expansion in new locations — with particular attention on London and the south of England. The new stores will reflect Quiz’s latest retail concept, first introduced at its recently opened 1,800 sq ft shop in Braehead Shopping Centre, Glasgow. The updated format features refreshed fittings, digital screens and enhanced product displays designed to create a more engaging shopping experience. Sheraz Ramzan, chief executive of Quiz Clothing, said the changes mark a clear step forward for the brand. “We have evolved our retail formula at Quiz and, encouraged by a strong uplift in like-for-like retail sales over the summer, we are confident the new strategy is working,” he explained. “The plan is to now expand in the right locations through units that provide the best possible backdrop for our extended product offering. This will be underpinned by an improved capex and return model with more flexible lease terms.” The retailer’s move signals renewed confidence in its physical store network, following a challenging period for many fashion brands adapting to shifting shopping habits and economic pressures. With a refreshed store design and renewed focus on flexibility, Quiz aims to strengthen its high street presence while aligning its brand experience across both digital and in-person channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE LATEST purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) from Cassidy Group Ltd has moved closer to completion with its official topping out ceremony. Funded by Zorin Finance, the 419-studio apartments Beckton House in Beeston, adjacent to the University of Nottingham, will be operated by Fresh and will open its doors for the September 2026/27 academic year. Once completed, the centrally located development will provide studio accommodation for students of Nottingham’s two universities – both of which are linked to the building by the city’s main tram line which conveniently stops at the main entrance. The five-storey block is currently under construction with contractor Winvic, with the early completion of the building’s structural frame which has been marked with a traditional topping out ceremony last week. Patric Cassidy, director at Cassidy Group Ltd said: “Topping out is a significant milestone for any project, and to have reached this stage ahead of programme is testament to the work of Winvic and our trusted team of consultants.” “The decision to go with 100% of studios was due to local market demand and the shortage of quality accommodation in this area. The design and specification of what will be an EPC ‘A’ rated energy efficient building speaks for itself and with excellent transport links, this represents a new chapter in student accommodation within the area.” Vinod Vijaya, lending director at Zorin Finance said: “The key driver for financing these developments is to understand who you are lending to, and with Cassidy Group we see a highly organised, fully motivated team that does in depth analysis before taking a scheme on. It’s incredibly helpful when you see a team that performs in that synchronised way – it shows us as a lender that a developer is clearly driven and believes in what they want to deliver.” Patric Cassidy said: “Having been in the development sector for more than 40 years, we’ve built a tried and tested approach to taking schemes forward and with a portfolio of 3,000 student beds and 1,000 apartments across England, we’ve got a build programme for the next two-to-three years that is really exciting and hope to work closely with Vinod and his team at Zorin again. “Having employed Knight Frank to source senior debt funding and selected Zorin from a large number of offers, we are very impressed with their experience in this sector and their speed and professional approach compared to other lenders.” Beckton House is one of several student accommodation schemes being worked on by Cassidy Group across England, and one of their first ventures into the developer/owner and operator world. Cassidy said: “We’re keen to find more investment partners to work with and would like to acquire more sites for both PBSA and build-to-rent schemes. We are also actively looking for large-scale single-family housing sites as we see a real opportunity in this growing sector. We’d like to work with landowners to use our 40-year pedigree to deliver further large-scale residential schemes which in turn, will help relieve some of the pressure of the ever-growing housing crisis.” For more information on Beckton House, visit becktonhouse.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Data reveals regional hotspots for reactive maintenance amid growing demand ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law With the Renters’ Rights Bill now nearing Royal Assent and a sweeping set of changes poised to reshape the private rental sector, new data from Adiuvo, the UK’s leading provider of 24/7 property management support, highlights a significant rise in reactive maintenance call-outs across key regions. The trend underscores how managing agents and landlords are already under intensifying pressure, even before the most disruptive reforms come into effect. The analysis, based on almost 60,000 annual property management call-outs recorded across the UK*, highlights that East London (E) accounts for the single largest share of call-out activity at 6.9% of the national total, with South West London (SW) close behind at 6.6%. Regional cities such as Manchester (M) at 5.2% and Birmingham (B) at 4.8% also represent significant volumes, followed by South East London (SE) at 4.7%. This pattern reflects not only the density and scale of the private rented sector in these locations, but also the complexity and urgency of property issues managed by agents operating in urban centres. Significant growth in key regional hotspots While London continues to see the largest volumes of maintenance callouts overall, some of the fastest-growing areas for property management call-outs are outside the capital. Adiuvo’s data shows that among postcodes that had at least 100 call outs in 2024, Truro (TR) recorded the largest annual increase, rising by 77.5% between 2023 and 2024. Worcester (WR) recorded a 64.1% increase in call-out volumes, while Bath (BA) saw a 51.1% annual rise. The Cardiff (CF) postcode area followed closely, with a 50% increase in activity, while Swindon (SN) experienced a 49.8% rise, and Gloucester (GL) recorded a 49.6% jump. Regulatory change set to accelerate pressures further As the rental market expands and decentralises, these mounting maintenance demands are likely to be further compounded by incoming regulation. The Renters’ Rights Bill, which includes the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, may prompt a wave of landlords seeking to regain possession of their properties ahead of the legislation taking full effect. Many are also likely to face growing obligations to improve the standard and energy efficiency of older homes under the Bill. This combination of pre-emptive landlord action, housing stock upgrades and an evolving compliance landscape could significantly increase the operational burden on property managers and their support partners, especially in regions already showing rapid growth in call-out activity. Colin Stokes, Founder and MD of Adiuvo, commented: “While London remains the volume leader, our data shows that pressure on property management teams is now rising fastest outside the capital – in places like Worcester, Bath and Cardiff – driven by higher tenancy turnover, ageing housing stock and rental market growth. That pressure is only set to intensify. With the Renters’ Rights Bill approaching Royal Assent, we expect further disruption as landlords look to act before key changes take effect. This could include attempts to reclaim properties before the Section 21 ban, or the need to carry out major works to meet energy efficiency or safety requirements. For managing agents and landlords alike, this means greater urgency, higher workloads and the need for trusted, round-the-clock support. The days of reactive maintenance being a purely urban or London-centric issue are gone, this is now a nationwide challenge.” Data tables and sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A trio of government regulators have agreed to work together to help drive forward the £150 million redevelopment of Falmouth Docks, streamlining the approval process for one of Cornwall’s most significant infrastructure projects. Natural England and the Environment Agency have confirmed they will allow the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to take the lead as the primary environmental regulator overseeing the scheme. The coordinated approach is designed to simplify decision-making, reduce bureaucratic delays and keep costs down for developer APCL A&P Falmouth — while maintaining rigorous environmental protections. The major redevelopment includes essential repairs to critical dock infrastructure and upgrades to accommodate larger vessels, including cruise ships. The enhanced docks are expected to boost Cornwall’s defence, marine, offshore and cruise capabilities, supporting local jobs and long-term economic growth. Under the new system, any unresolved regulatory issues will be escalated to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs’ (Defra) new infrastructure board to ensure progress continues at pace. Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Emma Reynolds, welcomed the move, saying: “Communities across the country have been let down by a bureaucratic planning system that chokes enterprise, does little for nature and leaves hardworking people waiting for the jobs and investment they deserve. Having one clear regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like Falmouth Docks to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.” APCL A&P Falmouth managing director Mike Spicer said the new process would accelerate delivery and help expand the company’s service offering: “The acceleration of planning processes for development applications like ours will enable us to significantly enhance the services we can offer to our defence, offshore and cruise customers and help fulfil Cornwall’s ambitious floating offshore wind agenda.” MMO chief executive Michelle Willis added: “This is an exciting project in Falmouth and one that will showcase how future licensing consent regulations can be applied to enable much-needed transformation and change.” Once complete, the redevelopment — expected to be fully operational by 2030 — will extend the existing Queens Wharf westwards to accommodate larger vessels, including Excellence Class cruise ships up to 345 metres long. New facilities will also support the assembly of floating offshore wind structures, while the reconnection of a disused rail line with new bulk import and export facilities will help drive Cornwall’s emerging lithium and battery manufacturing sectors. Falmouth Docks joins the Lower Thames Crossing as one of the latest major UK infrastructure projects to benefit from the government’s new lead environmental regulator scheme, part of its wider effort to streamline planning and accelerate sustainable development nationwide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead at Procure Plus This October, damp and mould will be impossible to ignore. Damp and Mould Action and Awareness Week (20–26 October 2025) falls just days before Awaab’s Law comes into force on 27 October – a law that sets strict deadlines for tackling damp and mould and puts real weight behind the call for change. Change is underway. Across the sector, we’re seeing landlords take a more proactive approach to damp and mould, establishing specialised teams that respond quickly, carry out in-depth surveys, and put long-term solutions in place. New tools, from targeted treatments to safe monitoring methods, mean residents and operatives aren’t exposed to risk while larger works are planned. Crucially, these teams are trained to go beyond quick fixes, tackling the root causes and securing lasting improvements. At the same time, landlords are increasingly leaning on specialist contractors for more complex works, especially where enhanced ventilation is needed. Through Procure Plus, we’ve already procured around £20 million of works in this area, with contractors working hand-in-hand with ventilation suppliers to design solutions that actually last. An increased focus on tackling damp and mould has also seen Procure Plus facilitate 6,603 ventilation measures and commission 32,470 stock condition surveys in the last year – giving landlords detailed insight into their housing portfolios. This demand is creating jobs and upskilling opportunities for people previously distant from the labour market. Every framework we deliver is designed to maximise social value – from helping people into work and addressing skills shortages, to improving systems and supply chains so clients get the best results from every pound they spend. This is procurement with purpose. The conversation is also shifting to what happens after the repair. More landlords are building in return visits to check if treatment has worked, while others are installing sensors that monitor conditions in real time. That means no more waiting for a problem to return before taking action – landlords can see what’s happening in homes as it happens. The message from Awaab’s Law is clear: act fast, act responsibly, and put tenant safety first. Landlords are listening, and that’s positive. The challenge now is making these proactive approaches business as usual – with the skilled workforce, the right tools, and the frameworks in place to deliver safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has started works for a new purpose-built family contact centre in Worksop, providing vital support services for vulnerable children, young people, and families across the county. The modern, energy-efficient facility is being designed, project, and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and is expected to be complete by summer 2026. The new centre, which was procured under the SCAPE Regional Construction framework will offer a significantly improved setting for supervised contact visits, safeguarding and educational services, including private contact rooms, two conference rooms, kitchen facilities and a secure outdoor play area, creating a calm and welcoming environment for families and professionals. The development, which replaces an outdated bungalow accommodation building, will be a single storey steel frame structure, with external brick walls. Landscaping and car parking will also be included in the scheme. The building will boast a number of features that reduce electricity demand from the grid and improve energy security for the Council. The building will feature 25m2 of photovoltaic panelling to locally generate electricity, a high-performance building fabric and high efficiency mechanical and electrical plant, including air source heat pumps, contributing to Nottinghamshire County Council’s wider strategy of investing in sustainable, modern public service buildings that are cost efficient to run. Andy Sewards, Group Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are proud to be working alongside Arc Partnership and Nottinghamshire County Council on this vital project that will positively impact the lives of families across the county. The new facility will not only provide a safe, secure, and comfortable space for children and families, but it’s also being constructed with energy-efficiency and long-term sustainability in mind. As a local contractor, we are equally pleased to be providing social value initiatives within the community and employment and apprenticeship opportunities for young people, helping develop future talent in the local construction industry.” Martha Constantinou, Technical Apprentice at G F Tomlinson, said: “As part of my apprenticeship with G F Tomlinson, working on the new family contact centre in Worksop has been a great learning experience and has really helped me to understand how a project comes together on site. It’s been rewarding to be involved in something that will make such a difference to the local community, and I hope it gives families and vulnerable young people the same chance for support and opportunity that I’ve had through my apprenticeship.” Councillor Mick Barton, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Supporting the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our community is a key priority. This new space will provide essential services in a much better environment and the chance to meet with social workers in a welcoming and calm place to help put everyone more at ease. “The new, fit-for-purpose building with a secure play area is vital, and only a stone’s throw away from the current location. As the contact centre will use less energy because of the way it has been designed, we’ll save money on bills and this investment is also good news for the local supply chain, as there’ll be many contract opportunities to help get the building fully ready.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has submitteddetailedplans to create a sustainable new community of around 334 new homes in Tamworth. The proposals, designed by Bellway Strategic Land, are to build 242 private properties and 92 affordable homes at Windmill Farm, off Coton Lane to the north of the town. There would be large areas of green space which would be open to the wider community. The development would feature a range of one-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom houses on the 35-acre site. All homes would be heated by all-electric heat pumps, and will have electric vehicle charging points. The new neighbourhood would also feature a park, a children’s play area and new pedestrian crossings on Coton Lane and through to The Rawlett School opposite the site. The parcel of land lies across the boundary between Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council and planning applications have been submitted to both local authorities. Chris O’Hanlon, Senior Planning Manager for Bellway, said: “There is a recognised need for new housing in the north of Tamworth and we believe that this site provides the ideal location for a neighbourhood of 334 new homes. “Our proposed development features a wide range of properties for the private market, with more than a quarter of the homes being provided as affordable housing for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. “Our design has been submitted after a period of public consultation during which local residents were invited to view the proposals and then have their say. We used the feedback from this process to help finalise our plans which have now been submitted to the relevant local authorities for approval. “This is a sustainable development designed to promote greener forms of transport by featuring a network of cycleways and footpaths, as well as providing safer new crossing points across Coton Lane and Comberford Road. There would be extensive public open space including a new park, a play area, a meadow, a pond and a kickabout space. “The landscape design is set to deliver a net biodiversity gain for the site by retaining trees and hedgerows wherever possible, and delivering a new planting programme which would create protective and nurturing habitats for local wildlife.” The plans for the site have been developed by Bellway’s Strategic Land team, while the planning application has been submitted by Bellway’s West Midlands division, which will build the homes, subject to planning approval. For more information about the work of Bellway’s Strategic Land team, which oversees early-stage, long-term developments, visit https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Betts Associates, a Deeside based civil and structural engineering consultancy, has appointed to its board Laila Morris, who will bring her a wealth of knowledge from 20 years at the company, not to mention a strong dose of girl power as the only female board member. The appointment comes as Betts’ financial director, Amanda Jackson, helps Laila learn the ropes in her new role before departing from the company. Now taking up the role of practice director, Laila began working for Betts as a receptionist, before becoming a PA to the financial director, then accounts manager, and then practice manager. Laila says: “I’ve seen a lot in my 20 years at Betts Associates. We’ve been through recessions and the pandemic which hit the sector hard, but we got through it and have continued to grow. It’s been so satisfying seeing relationships with clients flourish over the years and I’ve got to know them well. This will certainly be useful in my new position on the board. “I’m confident that I’ll bring new ideas and a different perspective. The team feel comfortable speaking to me, and I will ensure that they are well represented. Our engineers and technicians are at the business’ front of house, and it’s key that we adapt ideas to make it right for them.” It has already been an eventful year for Betts Associates, which has restructured its board. Co-founder Mel Frimston has taken on the role of chairman, while longstanding employees Rob Ankers and Richard Nicholas have been appointed to the roles of managing director and director respectively. Laila’s promotion is another element of Betts Associates’ focus on reinforcing existing services, with the view to achieve growth. Betts Associates’ portfolio spans Structural, Civil, Geo-Environmental, and Hydro engineering, serving clients across major residential developments, industrial projects, commercial ventures, and leisure facilities. https://www.betts-associates.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals