Developers bringing forward a new local retail centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, have welcomed Tesco to the scheme. Redleaf is delivering Brandon Road Shopping Centre, an 850 sq m (9,150 sq ft) commercial development at the front of Cygnet Rise, a new residential scheme launched in September 2024 of 160 new
HG Construction has been named main contractor for a £73m purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Wembley for YourTRIBE, with works now under way. The development is the third PBSA scheme HG Construction has delivered for YourTRIBE, following a 250-bed project on Ilderton Road and a 226-bed scheme on Avonmouth
Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront is set to benefit from a £40m investment to cut carbon emissions at 35 public buildings across the City Region. Work is starting on the major programme that will see heat decarbonisation and energy-saving measures introduced at many historic buildings, town halls, leisure centres and libraries –
Construction has started on the large-scale redevelopment of The Oval in Stevenage, marking a major step forward in revitalising one of the town’s established neighbourhood centres and advancing the council’s wider housing development programme. Ground was broken on Friday 30 January 2026, with attendees including representatives from Bugler Developments; Baroness
Deals totalling 14,000 sq ft bring office scheme to full occupancy Leading real estate advisor CBRE has secured a number of high-profile lettings at Trinity building in Manchester for client Swiss Life Asset Managers, with the latest signings taking the office scheme to full occupancy for the first time since
Developers bringing forward a new local retail centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, have welcomed Tesco to the scheme. Redleaf is delivering Brandon Road Shopping Centre, an 850 sq m (9,150 sq ft) commercial development at the front of Cygnet Rise, a new residential scheme launched in September 2024 of 160 new houses being built by Abel Homes. Having brought in Tesco Express as the anchor store, Redleaf is also in advanced discussions with a national coffee operator, leaving c.335 sq m (3,600 sq ft) for remaining commercial uses – with a minimum of 75 sq m. Brandon Road Shopping Centre benefits from planning consent for all retail uses – A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. Sui Generis uses would require consent. There are 36 demised car parking spaces. Interest in the remaining space can be discussed directly with Redleaf. Paul Bishton, Founder of Redleaf, comments: “Redleaf prides itself on delivering high-quality commercial developments to compliment equally high-quality residential schemes and it’s a pleasure to be working with Abel Homes, Tesco and others to ensure these new homes are served by suitable amenities that meet the needs of local residents. With a convenience store and coffee shop on the way, we’d also love to hear from any other retail operators interested in locating to Brandon Road Shopping Centre.” Paul LeGrice, managing director of Abel Homes, said: “Our Cygnet Rise development is very much about creating a new community, providing a new local centre, a care home and assisted living units, as well as much-needed new homes. We are delighted to be delivering another key component of the community so early in the scheme’s programme, fulfilling the promises we made when we brought plans for the site forward.” Tesco Swaffham Express store manager Ashley Stolworthy said: “We are delighted that the fit-out of our new Swaffham Express store has started and we look forward to opening in the coming weeks. As well as serving customers with a wide variety of food, drink and bakery options, the store will also have on-site parking and an ATM. “We are also committed to supporting the local community through the Tesco Community Food Connection scheme, which redistributes surplus food to charities and community groups from every Tesco store at the end of each day.” The new shopping centre is being constructed by Warwick Burt Construction Ltd. of Northampton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HG Construction has been named main contractor for a £73m purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Wembley for YourTRIBE, with works now under way. The development is the third PBSA scheme HG Construction has delivered for YourTRIBE, following a 250-bed project on Ilderton Road and a 226-bed scheme on Avonmouth Street, both in London. Situated near Wembley Stadium, the project will provide 609 student beds across two buildings. It comprises three blocks: a south element of 19 and 27 storeys delivering 409 rooms with amenity areas at basement, ground and first-floor levels; and a north block rising to 21 storeys with 200 rooms and amenity space at ground and first floors. Around 15,000 sq ft of commercial space is also included. Following Gateway 2 approval at the end of last year, construction has started, with completion targeted for summer 2028. HG Construction will draw on its self-delivery capabilities — including concrete frame, SFS, bathroom pods and drylining — to secure benefits in quality, programme and sustainability. Adam Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, HG Construction, said: “It’s a pleasure to be partnering with YourTRIBE on this striking new PBSA scheme in Wembley. We have a strong track record of successful collaboration, with our most recent scheme at Avonmouth Street delivered three months ahead of programme. We are proud to be supporting YourTRIBE in delivering high quality student accommodation schemes across London, particularly in areas with growing demand. With Gateway 2 approval secured, we look forward to progressing the scheme and maximising our social value contributions throughout construction.” Laurence Quail, Director of YourTRIBE said: “Our Wembley project marks a significant milestone for YourTRIBE representing the company’s largest scheme to date in both value and scale, highlighting its commitment to challenging the market and delivering high-quality, large-scale developments. The scheme has successfully secured the company’s first-ever Gateway 2 approval, a key regulatory achievement under the Building Safety Regime. “This milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of HG and the wider consultant team, who worked tirelessly to achieve approval. With Gateway 2 now secured, the project is set to move forward into the next phase of delivery. “YourTRIBE is delighted to be working once again with HG, building on a strong and trusted relationship developed over several years. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to quality, collaboration and excellence across complex residential projects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront is set to benefit from a £40m investment to cut carbon emissions at 35 public buildings across the City Region. Work is starting on the major programme that will see heat decarbonisation and energy-saving measures introduced at many historic buildings, town halls, leisure centres and libraries – cutting emissions by more than half. The project will connect landmark sites on Liverpool’s waterfront – including the Georges Dock and the Cunard buildings – to the Mersey Heat network, which is powered by water from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It is the latest step in the Combined Authority’s five-year carbon action plan, approved in 2023, aimed at making the City Region net zero by 2035 at the latest – at least a decade before national government. Work is already underway at Bootle Leisure Centre, Bootle Library, Wirral Country Park, Prescot Soccer Centre and Landican Cemetery to install low‑carbon heating systems and complementary measures, such as insulation upgrades, solar PV, and modern building controls, with eight buildings expected to be completed by March. Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero, said: “Cutting carbon is one of the most important ways we can improve people’s everyday lives, and this programme shows the scale of our ambition. By transforming our civic buildings, we’re reducing emissions, lowering energy bills and future‑proofing public services for decades to come. “We know how big the task ahead is, but we also know the scale of the opportunity. With work already underway across the city region – from leisure centres and libraries to parks and historic landmarks – we’re proving that our commitment to reach net zero by 2035 is real, practical and already delivering results. Public buildings account for a sizeable amount of the total emissions, so it is right that we lead by example.” Buildings account for most carbon emissions, with public buildings responsible for 13% of the total. Together, the city region’s six local authorities and the Combined Authority (CA) own more than 600 buildings that emit almost 77,000 tonnes of CO2. The CA has secured £36m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). With additional funding from local authorities, a total of more than £40m will go towards improving energy efficiency, cutting carbon emissions and accelerating the transition to low-carbon heat across the region. The programme, delivered by the Combined Authority Energy Team, unlocks the extension of the Mersey Heat network, which is already supplying the Liverpool Waters site, the Titanic Hotel and the Tobacco Warehouse apartments. The network is driven by the Mersey Heat Energy Centre, developed by The Peel Group and Ener-Vate, which uses one of the UK’s largest water source heat pumps to extract energy from canal water. Connections are planned to the Cunard Building and George’s Dock Building, with additional funding awarded to National Museums Liverpool to connect the Museum of Liverpool. The expanded network is projected to reduce emissions by around 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. A range of measures to replace fossil‑fuel heating in each building with low‑carbon alternatives – such as heat pumps, solar thermal and district heating connection – will completely remove gas‑fired heating. Combined with fabric and energy‑efficiency upgrades, the programme is expected to halve energy demand and carbon emissions, saving around 21,500 MWh per year and cutting emissions by more than 50%. Alongside PSDS investment, the Combined Authority has also secured £1.45m through the Mayoral Renewables Fund to deliver solar PV installations across 14 public buildings, providing a total of 1.2 MW of new renewable generation capacity across the region. James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at the North West Net Zero Hub, said: “Retrofitting these buildings is a significant step, not only due to the reduction in emissions, but also in terms of the efficiencies that this will bring to the public estate. “Heat decarbonisation and energy-saving measures will help to reduce running costs and allow those savings to be focused back into communities. Lower energy bills mean more public money that can be spent on services.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction has started on the large-scale redevelopment of The Oval in Stevenage, marking a major step forward in revitalising one of the town’s established neighbourhood centres and advancing the council’s wider housing development programme. Ground was broken on Friday 30 January 2026, with attendees including representatives from Bugler Developments; Baroness Taylor of Stevenage OBE; Richard Henry, Leader of the Council; Jackie Hollywell, Cabinet Member for Housing; SBC councillors, ward councillors and officers; Lloyd Briscoe, Deputy Mayor of Stevenage; Sian Carter of Homes England; and Toby Fox, founder of 1.5M New Homes. A fixture of Stevenage since the 1960s, The Oval will be reshaped into a contemporary neighbourhood featuring new homes, shops, a church, community facilities and an inviting market square designed for residents and families. The first phase, delivered with Bugler Developments, includes Brent Court—an independent living scheme led by the council, providing 91 modern, affordable homes. Phase One will also create a new church, a community building and additional play spaces, forming a vibrant and inclusive hub. Backed by £20.5 million from Homes England, the project forms a central part of Stevenage Borough Council’s long-term, council-led housing development programme, which has been delivering high-quality, affordable homes across the town since 2015. The Oval scheme sits within a strong pipeline of housing projects in Stevenage, including the forthcoming handover of Dunn Close and Brodie Court, the council’s independent living scheme completed at the end of summer 2025 and now fully occupied. These developments offer modern, supported accommodation for older residents, supporting downsizing and releasing larger council homes for families and vulnerable residents. Councillor Jackie Hollywell, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The Oval has been an important part of Stevenage for decades and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. This redevelopment will deliver high-quality, affordable homes alongside welcoming community spaces that bring people together. “Importantly, it supports our wider housing development programme – helping us meet local housing need, make better use of our housing stock, and deliver homes that work for residents at every stage of life.” Andy Bugler, CEO, Bugler Developments said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Stevenage Borough Council on the regeneration of The Oval. This is a landmark project that will deliver high-quality homes and meaningful community spaces, while respecting the area’s heritage and creating a place people can be proud to call home. We’re delighted to see work getting underway on this first phase.” Image: Rock Townsend Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Deals totalling 14,000 sq ft bring office scheme to full occupancy Leading real estate advisor CBRE has secured a number of high-profile lettings at Trinity building in Manchester for client Swiss Life Asset Managers, with the latest signings taking the office scheme to full occupancy for the first time since its comprehensive redevelopment. British Engineering Group has regeared its lease and expanded by a further 3,500 sq ft, increasing its total occupation within the building to 11,000 sq ft. The company now occupies space across the mezzanine and 1st floor level within the centrally located John Dalton Street building. The recent activity also includes a new letting in December to leading law firm Lewis Silkin, which has taken 7,900 sq ft of fully fitted and furnished workspace, advised by JLL. The plug-and-play second floor workspace provides a ready-to-occupy environment, complete with meeting rooms, client lounge, kitchen breakout space and extensive desk provision. Sally Hulston, Partner and Head of Manchester Office, Lewis Silkin said: “It’s just over three years since Lewis Silkin opened in Manchester, and I’m proud to say that we’ve outgrown our office space for the third time. We’ve taken a 10-year lease on our space at Trinity, demonstrating our long-term commitment to the city. The facilities and location are excellent, and we’ve got plenty of room to grow into, which is exactly what we need as we continue to add to the team.” In addition, leading chartered accountants and business advisers Saffery has expanded its presence within the building, taking an additional 2,600 sq ft of space on the sixth floor as part of its continued growth in Manchester, taking total space occupied to 6,800 sq ft. These latest deals underline Trinity’s continued appeal to professional services occupiers seeking high-quality, centrally located workspace in Manchester. Trinity provides fully fitted and furnished Grade A workspace, centred around a prominent double-height reception with concierge service and the on-site 92 Degrees café. The all-electric building benefits from VRF air conditioning, LED lighting, showers, basement parking and cycle hub. Matt Shufflebottom, Director, CBRE’s Office agency team in Manchester commented: “These lettings represent a major milestone for Trinity. We were delighted to be appointed as sole agents by Swiss Life Asset Managers, and to reach full occupancy for the first time since the building was redeveloped is a fantastic result for all involved, and testament to the investment made by the Landlord. The commitment made by all 3 occupiers reflects the continued demand for well-located, high quality workspace, particularly fitted and furnished.” CBRE acted as sole advisor to Swiss Life Asset Managers on the lettings at Trinity Building, while JLL advised Lewis Silkin and Savills advised Saffery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals