Plans for one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects have moved a major step forward after heads of terms were agreed to create a unified 70-acre development site surrounding the new HS2 Old Oak Common station in west London. The landmark scheme, expected to carry a development value of
Maintenance, refurbishment and fit-out contractor Novus Property Solutions has secured a new contract with Aspire Housing to deliver improvements across the housing association’s portfolio of homes in Staffordshire and Cheshire. With many of the windows and doors across the portfolio now more than a decade old, the improvement works are essential to improving building
Shaftesbury Capital has completed 151 leasing transactions across its prime Central London estate since the start of 2026, securing £13.7m in new contracted rent as demand for high-profile West End space remains strong. The real estate investment trust said the deals were agreed at rents averaging 18% ahead of previous
A major new build-to-rent development is set to reshape part of central Norwich after property investor Zive Capital secured planning approval for the £80m Victoria Gardens scheme. Located on the former Queens Road Marsh office site, the brownfield development will bring 432 new rental homes to the city across a
Leading insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has announced that its entire product range has passed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment, making it the broadest set of construction products by a single manufacturer to be assessed to-date. The successful assessments cover ROCKWOOL’s complete range of non-combustible stone wool insulation products, including
Ten major contractors have been selected to partner with NHS trusts as the Government pushes ahead with the first wave of its £14bn New Hospital Programme. The long-awaited Wave 1 projects form a key part of the wider £60bn national hospital investment strategy and will focus heavily on replacing ageing
Bluebeam has announced that Bluebeam Max is now available to all customers globally, giving AEC teams the option to upgrade to a premium subscription that delivers AI-powered automation and next generation review tools. First unveiled at Bluebeam’s Unbound 2025 conference, Bluebeam Max was made available to select customers under a
Liverpool City Centre has unveiled nine new Halo Points as part of Operation Halo, combining smart lighting technology, emergency support access and visible safe spaces to strengthen safety, tackle violence against women and girls and support the city’s thriving night-time economy. Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, in
Plans for one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects have moved a major step forward after heads of terms were agreed to create a unified 70-acre development site surrounding the new HS2 Old Oak Common station in west London. The landmark scheme, expected to carry a development value of around £12bn, will bring together land owned by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and the Department for Transport into a single publicly owned site. Located around the future Old Oak Common super-hub, the project is set to become one of the capital’s largest brownfield regeneration opportunities. The station will connect HS2 with the Great Western Main Line, the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express, creating a major transport gateway for London and the wider UK. The wider masterplan aims to deliver 8,000 homes alongside 200,000 sq m of commercial, innovation and community space. Plans also include extensive public realm improvements, green open spaces and a new canal-side neighbourhood designed to attract technology, research and business investment. In total, the development is expected to support around 11,000 jobs and establish a major new economic district for west London. OPDC has now formally launched the search for a private sector development partner to help deliver the project through a long-term joint venture arrangement. The selected partner will oversee the planning, delivery and long-term management of the mixed-use scheme across its full lifecycle. The procurement process will officially begin with a launch event on 27 May, with OPDC aiming to appoint its preferred partner during 2027. Under current proposals, the joint venture is expected to run for an initial 20-year term, with the option of a further 10-year extension. Industry observers are already describing the project as one of the most significant regeneration opportunities currently available in Europe, with the scale of infrastructure investment and transport connectivity expected to attract major institutional and international interest. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Maintenance, refurbishment and fit-out contractor Novus Property Solutions has secured a new contract with Aspire Housing to deliver improvements across the housing association’s portfolio of homes in Staffordshire and Cheshire. With many of the windows and doors across the portfolio now more than a decade old, the improvement works are essential to improving building efficiency and performance, alongside occupant comfort and safety. As an experienced maintenance and refurbishment contractor, the Novus team will carry out these essential works sensitively to minimise disruption for residents. As the efficiency of homes comes under greater scrutiny en route to net-zero, the improvements carried out by Novus will contribute towards the longevity of social homes within Aspire Housing’s portfolio. “We’re really pleased to be working with Aspire Housing to deliver new windows and doors across their homes,” says David Barnes, Operations Manager at Novus Property Solutions. “Many of their properties are close to our head office, making this a local project for us and an opportunity to make a difference in our own community and beyond. That makes it an opportunity to deliver a high standard of improvement works that make a genuine impact on residents in our local community. “We’d like to thank Aspire Housing for selecting us as one of two contractors for this project, alongside Anglian Windows. Together, we’ll be upgrading windows and doors across approximately 200 properties, making a real difference to occupant comfort while ensuring these homes are fit for purpose for years to come.” Project mobilisation is already underway for the projects, with improvement works due to commence in July. As part of Novus’ commitment to supporting the next generation of skilled workers in the construction industry, an apprentice will work alongside the highly experienced team to deliver works across the project. Aspire Housing has more than 9,500 homes in its portfolio and is committed to putting its 19,000 customers first with the delivery of safe, decent homes. To find out more about Novus Property Solutions and its work in the social housing sector, visit: www.novussolutions.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Shaftesbury Capital has completed 151 leasing transactions across its prime Central London estate since the start of 2026, securing £13.7m in new contracted rent as demand for high-profile West End space remains strong. The real estate investment trust said the deals were agreed at rents averaging 18% ahead of previous passing levels, underlining continued confidence in key retail, leisure and hospitality destinations despite wider economic uncertainty. In a trading update released ahead of its annual general meeting, the group revealed that just 2% of estimated rental value across its portfolio is currently available to let, with a further 1.2% already under offer. Across Covent Garden, a series of new lettings and renewals have continued to strengthen the destination’s luxury and lifestyle appeal. Tiffany & Co. renewed its lease on James Street, while new arrivals include Covent Garden Market Bar by Inception Group and fragrance retailer INITIO Parfums Privés within the Market Building. Dining concept Burro has also opened in Floral Court. At Seven Dials, new occupiers include Code8 Beauty, menswear label Percival, eyewear brand MONC and outdoor-inspired retailer Islander. Carnaby Street has also seen significant activity, with seven new concepts introduced so far this year. These include fashion retailer Edikted, opening its first store outside the United States, and Sephora, which is preparing to launch its first West End location this summer. French fashion brands Kookaï and K-Way have also arrived, alongside an expanded store for Subdued. Elsewhere in Soho, Vagabond Wines is set to open a new venue on Ganton Street, while Italian restaurant Padella has launched on Kingly Street. Shaftesbury Capital’s Chinatown estate has now reached full occupancy following the opening of POP MART’s largest London store on Charing Cross Road and the expansion of Darjeeling Express into a larger Rupert Street restaurant. The group also confirmed continued investment into refurbishment and asset management initiatives, with £12.3m of estimated rental value currently under refurbishment across 149,000 sq ft of space. Since the start of the year, Shaftesbury Capital has invested £16m into capital expenditure and targeted acquisitions. Chief executive Ian Hawksworth said the business had made a strong start to 2026, highlighting robust leasing demand, high occupancy levels and the resilience of the company’s prime West End portfolio. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major new build-to-rent development is set to reshape part of central Norwich after property investor Zive Capital secured planning approval for the £80m Victoria Gardens scheme. Located on the former Queens Road Marsh office site, the brownfield development will bring 432 new rental homes to the city across a series of contemporary residential buildings. The vacant office block, which had remained unused since the pandemic, was demolished in 2024 to pave the way for the regeneration project. Designed by Broadway Malyan, the scheme will feature five main residential blocks that gradually step down in scale towards a collection of townhouses positioned at the southern end of the development. Alongside new homes, Victoria Gardens will include around 500 sq m of flexible commercial, incubator and retail space, aimed at supporting start-up businesses and Norwich’s growing creative and digital sectors. The wider masterplan has been designed to create a more connected and accessible neighbourhood, opening up a site that was previously closed off from surrounding streets. Proposals include new pedestrian walkways, landscaped courtyards, communal gardens and public open spaces intended to encourage community interaction and improve the urban environment. As part of the approved plans, Zive Capital has committed to delivering 10% affordable housing, with the potential for this figure to increase should the development exceed financial expectations. Adam Zive, principal at Zive Capital, described the planning approval as a major step forward for the project and highlighted the company’s ambition to create a long-term residential community in the city. The scheme reflects continued investor confidence in the UK build-to-rent sector, particularly in regional cities where demand for high-quality rental accommodation and mixed-use urban regeneration continues to grow. Construction is expected to begin within the next 18 months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has announced that its entire product range has passed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment, making it the broadest set of construction products by a single manufacturer to be assessed to-date. The successful assessments cover ROCKWOOL’s complete range of non-combustible stone wool insulation products, including roofing, façade and fire protection solutions, as well as the company’s in-house fire-stopping range, known as FirePro. Introduced as a direct response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations, the code’s methodology has been designed to provide a holistic assessment of product information and marketing to provide reassurance throughout the construction supply chain, and ultimately to building residents and occupants. Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK and Ireland, said: “We are immensely proud of this achievement. ROCKWOOL has long prided itself on its rigorous approach and high standards – securing assessment across our full range reflects our firm commitment to providing clear, accurate and trustworthy product information and the robust ways of working across our expert and dedicated team.” Against the backdrop of the Building Safety Act and live Government proposals to raise the bar for construction products and fire safety guidance, professionals including specifiers, architects and contractors need high-quality products supported by robust testing and information that they can trust. Undertaking a CCPI assessment includes in-depth evaluation of a company’s culture, processes and product information by an independent third-party verifier, and confirmation of each product’s assessment sits alongside clearly accessible product safety and performance data on ROCKWOOL’s website. Tim Vincent, ROCKWOOL’s Head of Technical, added: “As a leading supplier, ROCKWOOL is committed to supporting construction professionals to deliver building safety and performance, whether through our CCPI assessed product ranges, our technical tools and support, or our growing education offering including our new Training Academy, where we run hands-on best practice training.” Moving forward, any new ROCKWOOL product sets will be CCPI assessed as they are introduced to the market. Details of all ROCKWOOL’s products and their associated CCPI assessments can be found on the company’s website at www.rockwool.com/uk/products/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ten major contractors have been selected to partner with NHS trusts as the Government pushes ahead with the first wave of its £14bn New Hospital Programme. The long-awaited Wave 1 projects form a key part of the wider £60bn national hospital investment strategy and will focus heavily on replacing ageing healthcare buildings, particularly those affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Among the successful firms, Skanska emerged as the standout contractor after securing roles on two separate schemes – the rebuild of James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth and the redevelopment of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. The first phase includes seven hospitals impacted by RAAC, which were prioritised after safety reviews concluded that the buildings could not continue operating safely beyond 2030 without major intervention. These schemes are now being accelerated under the Government’s revised delivery timetable. All seven RAAC projects will be fully rebuilt using the Government’s standardised Hospital 2.0 model, a platform-based approach designed to improve efficiency, reduce construction costs and speed up delivery across the NHS estate. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that formal contracts are expected to be signed during the summer, with construction activity anticipated to begin during 2027 and 2028. The line-up of contractors reflects a broad mix of established healthcare and major infrastructure specialists. Graham will deliver Airedale General Hospital in Keighley, while Sacyr UK has been paired with Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. Kier will take on Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon and Integrated Health Projects has been selected for Leighton Hospital in Mid-Cheshire. Elsewhere, Dragados will oversee West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, while Laing O’Rourke has secured the Hillingdon Hospital scheme in London. Morgan Sindall has been linked with Milton Keynes University Hospital, Bovis with North Manchester General Hospital and Willmott Dixon with the new Women and Children’s Hospital project in Cornwall. The programme represents one of the largest healthcare construction pipelines currently planned in the UK and is expected to generate significant opportunities across the supply chain as projects move towards delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bluebeam has announced that Bluebeam Max is now available to all customers globally, giving AEC teams the option to upgrade to a premium subscription that delivers AI-powered automation and next generation review tools. First unveiled at Bluebeam’s Unbound 2025 conference, Bluebeam Max was made available to select customers under a beta program, where it delivered strong early results. Now widely available, Bluebeam Max expands the power of Bluebeam Revu with advanced automation and AI tools that help AEC teams reduce manual work and financial liability through early detection and improve collaboration across the entire project lifecycle. “AI is ushering in a new era for the built environment – one where complexity becomes manageable and data becomes actionable,” said Usman Shuja, CEO of Bluebeam. “Bluebeam Max is designed to help every user operate like a superuser – embedding intelligence into familiar workflows while seamlessly bridging PDFs and BIM. The result is a more connected, more productive project experience, where teams can focus less on managing information and more on delivering outcomes.” Intelligent Tools Designed for Real-World Work With today’s launch, existing Bluebeam customers can now officially upgrade and access a set of innovations included in Bluebeam Max: Driving Real Impact for AEC Teams Early adopters from a beta program involving more than 2,000 users report meaningful productivity gains with Bluebeam Max, with customers calling it a “game changer” for design and planning workflows. Martin-Harris Construction One success story from the Max beta program involves Martin-Harris Construction, a Las Vegas construction management firm consistently listed among the Top 10 Southwest General Contractors. Their Beta users leveraged Bluebeam Max to streamline complex project plans across a variety of developments. Martin-Harris’ projects span multi-family residential, industrial, educational, healthcare, and high-rise sectors. The team uses Smart Overlay and Smart Review in Max to compare revisions for pricing and impact analysis during both design and construction, helping quickly pinpoint where teams should focus their attention. “Bluebeam is already the backbone of how we review and collaborate on projects, but Bluebeam Max takes that to another level,” said James Miranda, director of preconstruction at Martin-Harris Construction. “Features like Smart Overlay help us instantly see what’s changed and where to focus, which is critical when you’re managing complex projects at scale. As the full AI capabilities continue to evolve, this has the potential to significantly reduce manual effort and free up our teams to focus on higher-value coordination and decision-making.” KPFF Consulting Engineers – Los Angeles (LA) Civil Office Early adopters are already seeing meaningful gains with Bluebeam Max across design and planning workflows. At KPFF LA Civil Office, a leading civil and structural engineering firm, teams are using new capabilities to streamline day-to-day design tasks and reduce manual effort. “Even small improvements can have a big impact on our workflows,” said Dillon Wilke, associate and Bluebeam Max early adopter at KPFF LA Civil Office. “Features like offset are reducing the need to go back into CAD for certain tasks, especially when working with parallel utilities or curved geometry. What used to take multiple manual steps can now be done much more efficiently in one place.” Bluebeam Max is now available globally. Customers can learn more, start a free trial, and purchase Bluebeam Max directly through the Bluebeam webstore by visiting www.bluebeam.com/bluebeam-max. Bluebeam is a leading developer of solutions and services for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals worldwide and part of the Nemetschek Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Centre has unveiled nine new Halo Points as part of Operation Halo, combining smart lighting technology, emergency support access and visible safe spaces to strengthen safety, tackle violence against women and girls and support the city’s thriving night-time economy. Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, have launched Halo Points as part of Operation Halo, marking the next phase of the initiative to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and better protect people across Liverpool’s night‑time economy. The initiative is being funded by the Hyper-Local Policing Fund, awarded by the Home Office and secured by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and Merseyside Police. What are Halo Points Halo Points are nine clearly identifiable, designated safe spaces located across key locations within Liverpool City Centre. Each point provides a place where anyone who feels unsafe, or at risk can seek immediate support, reassurance and practical help. Their visibility acts as a deterrent to offenders, while ensuring those who need help can access it quickly and discreetly. Each point will offer direct contact with emergency services via 999 and will be linked to City Watch CCTV, offering immediate reassurance and rapid intervention by VAWG champions or police officers for anyone feeling vulnerable or in distress. The launch builds on the earlier introduction of VAWG Champions, who are already embedded across venues and trained to recognise vulnerability, challenge harmful behaviour and respond effectively to incidents such as spiking. Signify lights up Halo Points This project was delivered in partnership with McCann Ltd, a leading civil, technology and electrical engineering construction company operating throughout the UK on major road, rail and airport infrastructure projects for public and private sector clients. Each Halo point is lit with Signify Copenhagen LED luminaires, making for designated safe spaces to seek immediate support, reassurance, and practical help. The timeless luminaire design delivers high performance for many lighting applications. The luminaires feature a built in LEDGINE-O engine, and the wide range of application-tailored optics, delivering the right amount of light and in the right direction on any street, enabling important energy savings. The Copenhagen LED Gen2 is ready to pair with advanced control and lighting software applications such as Interact. The luminaires enhance the aesthetic appeal of the city through illuminated green “Halo” lanterns and bright orange columns. Connected with Interact City CMS, the IoT enabled lighting system ensures that any faults with the luminaire are detected and repaired without delay, making them responsive, resilient and sustainable. Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene at Liverpool City Council said: “Liverpool is already recognised as one of the safest cities for a night out, as demonstrated by our Purple Flag status. Even so, we remain committed to ending violence against women and girls in our city. “These new Halo Points reinforce our shared commitment to ensuring that everyone can enjoy the city with confidence. No matter what concerns someone may have, they can be assured that there will always be someone available to help and to keep them safe.” By launching Halo Points and expanding the network of trained VAWG Champions, Merseyside Police and partners are continuing to build a culture of safety across Liverpool’s night-time economy, ensuring more people, particularly women and girls, can enjoy a safer night out. The Halo points can be found in the following locations across the city: Concert Square area Mathew Street area “McCann is proud to announce the public launch of Operation Halo, an innovative safety initiative developed in partnership with Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council to help protect vulnerable people within Liverpool’s busy nightlife areas. The scheme introduces a network of highly visible lighting units positioned across key locations in the city, designed to provide an accessible way for individuals to seek help if they feel unsafe or at risk. This system, developed in collaboration with Signify, are the first of their kind to be deployed in England. McCann, Signify, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police hope that Operation Halo will not only enhance safety across Liverpool but also serve as a model for wider national adoption, reinforcing a shared commitment to preventing violence and safeguarding communities,” James McDaid, Head of Local Authority at McCann. “Reliable access to emergency assistance remains an important yet often overlooked component of nighttime safety for women and girls. Halo Points, well-lit, highly visible points across the city centre, marked by distinctive green and white lighting is a great initiative ensuring the city provides a more dependable solution, allowing quick assistance in high-stress situations. We are proud to be the chosen lighting provider for the project, working in partnership with J McCann, contributing towards protecting vulnerable individuals and tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Liverpool’s night-time economy.” said Carl Williams, Key Account Manager, Signify. Learn more about the initiative on the Liverpool City Council website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals