The UK’s largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) provider is embarking on a major strategic overhaul, with plans to dispose of up to 20,000 student beds while warning that rising construction costs are threatening the delivery of new developments across the sector. Unite Group has confirmed it intends to streamline its
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and Abri, a large housing provider operating across the south of England, have reached a key milestone at their 1,500-home Fordham development in West Sussex, agreeing the forward sale of 141 affordable homes to Abri through their joint venture, Ford North LLP.
Jones Hargreaves, the national commercial building, project and sustainability consultancy, has completed the project management of 3 Embankment, a five-storey Grade A office refurbishment in Leeds city centre. Located on Sovereign Street in Leeds’ Southbank, the brick-fronted building has been comprehensively refurbished to create high-quality, contemporary workspace. The scheme features
CBRE Investment Management (“CBRE IM”), on behalf of CBRE UK Single Family Housing Partners (“SFHP”), has completed the acquisition of a 222-home single family housing portfolio in the South East of England from UK housebuilder, Bellway. The transaction represents the seed investment for CBRE IM’s newly launched SFHP strategy, established
Planning services for small modular reactor (SMR) development and major project approvals Jacobs has been selected by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to provide planning and consenting services for the proposed small modular reactors (SMRs) development in the U.K. Jacobs will provide strategic planning, consent support and leadership to
The UK’s largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) provider is embarking on a major strategic overhaul, with plans to dispose of up to 20,000 student beds while warning that rising construction costs are threatening the delivery of new developments across the sector. Unite Group has confirmed it intends to streamline its portfolio, reducing its holdings from around 72,000 beds to approximately 55,000 beds across 20 key university cities. The move follows its acquisition of Empiric and reflects a growing focus on the UK’s highest-performing universities, where student demand continues to strengthen despite wider challenges facing the higher education sector. The company has already completed around £190 million of property disposals this year and now expects total sales to reach approximately £400 million, with proceeds supporting its wider investment strategy and share buyback programme. The portfolio reshaping comes at a time when many universities are facing financial pressures and softer student demand, particularly outside the country’s leading institutions. In contrast, applications to so-called high-tariff universities continue to grow, prompting Unite to concentrate future investment around locations with stronger long-term occupancy prospects. Alongside its portfolio review, Unite has issued a stark warning over the future pipeline of student accommodation developments, highlighting that soaring construction costs, more stringent building regulations and weaker investment values have made many new schemes financially unviable. According to the company, developments outside London now require weekly rents of more than £300 to achieve acceptable returns, compared with Unite’s current average regional rent of around £190 per week. The same economic pressures are also affecting the Build-to-Rent sector, where viability challenges are slowing the delivery of new residential developments across many parts of the UK. Despite these headwinds, Unite expects demand for high-quality student accommodation to remain resilient. A combination of fewer new developments, older PBSA schemes leaving the market and continued reductions in private rented housing available to students is expected to tighten supply over the coming years. Construction activity continues on two major off-campus developments. Hawthorne House in Stratford, providing 719 student beds, has now reached practical completion and is awaiting Building Safety Regulator approval before opening for the 2026/27 academic year. Meanwhile, the 934-bed Central Quay development in Glasgow remains on schedule for completion in 2027. The company is also reviewing plans for a further 2,400 consented beds across London and Bristol, with options including revised funding arrangements, joint venture partners or potential disposal depending on market conditions. Future growth is expected to be increasingly focused on partnerships with universities themselves. Unite has already committed to delivering more than 4,300 additional student beds through on-campus joint ventures, including the Castle Leazes redevelopment in Newcastle and Cambridge Hall in Manchester. For the construction and property sectors, Unite’s latest strategy reflects the changing dynamics of the PBSA market. While demand for student accommodation remains robust in key university locations, escalating construction costs, tighter regulatory requirements and shifting investment returns are reshaping development priorities, with greater emphasis on long-term partnerships, asset optimisation and selective investment in high-demand markets. The company also confirmed it expects to invest a further £61 million in fire safety remediation works over the next two years as part of its ongoing building improvement programme. Unite anticipates recovering between 50% and 75% of total cladding remediation costs through claims against contractors, although reimbursements are expected to follow after the remediation works have been completed. As the sector adapts to changing economic conditions, Unite’s strategy signals a significant shift towards portfolio quality over scale, reinforcing the importance of targeting resilient university markets while navigating one of the most challenging development environments the PBSA sector has experienced in recent years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and Abri, a large housing provider operating across the south of England, have reached a key milestone at their 1,500-home Fordham development in West Sussex, agreeing the forward sale of 141 affordable homes to Abri through their joint venture, Ford North LLP. The transaction is for 76 Section 106 affordable homes and a further 65 affordable homes, which Abri plan to develop with support through grant funding from Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency. These homes will be delivered as part of Phase 1 of the scheme. Crucially, the forward sale enables the commencement of the housing phase at Fordham, marking the transition from planning to delivery of this major new community, with construction anticipated to start in September 2026. Ford North LLP, the joint venture between Vistry and Abri, is leading the delivery of the wider scheme, with Abri also acting as the end purchaser for the affordable homes within this first phase. The agreement demonstrates the strength and flexibility of the partnership, enabling both organisations to accelerate the delivery of much-needed homes. Fordham is a landmark mixed-use development on the former Ford Airfield site, which will deliver around 1,500 high-quality new homes alongside extensive infrastructure and community facilities. Of these, 960 homes are being delivered through the Vistry and Abri joint venture. Planning approval has already been secured from Arun District Council for the initial phases of development, including nearly 700 homes and significant infrastructure. This includes a primary spine road, new pedestrian and cycle routes, bus connectivity, and more than 11 hectares of public open space, alongside play areas, sustainable drainage systems and ecological enhancements. The wider development will also feature a new primary school, a care home, a local centre and employment space, creating a sustainable and well-connected neighbourhood. The vision for Fordham has been shaped by more than a decade of collaboration with local partners and is a key strategic allocation within the Arun District Local Plan. Alex Jordan, Managing Director for Vistry South East, said: “This forward sale represents a major milestone for Fordham and, importantly, enables us to begin delivering new homes on site. Our partnership with Abri is central to the success of this scheme, and this agreement highlights how our joint venture model can accelerate delivery while maintaining a strong focus on quality and place-making. “Fordham is a transformational development that will provide not just new homes, but the infrastructure and community facilities needed to support long-term, sustainable growth.” Sally Ingham, Director of Development at Abri, commented: “This agreement secures a significant number of affordable homes for Abri customers and marks the next stage of delivery at Fordham, transforming a long-held vision into a new community with homes, green spaces, transport links and facilities for local people. The inclusion of additional homes that we plan to develop with support from Homes England grant funding will help maximise the affordable housing provision delivered through the development. “Our long-standing partnership with Vistry demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations work together. Fordham is a great example of how collaborative working can unlock large scale developments, helping us deliver the homes and communities needed while supporting Abri’s ambition to build 20,000 new homes by 2036.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jones Hargreaves, the national commercial building, project and sustainability consultancy, has completed the project management of 3 Embankment, a five-storey Grade A office refurbishment in Leeds city centre. Located on Sovereign Street in Leeds’ Southbank, the brick-fronted building has been comprehensively refurbished to create high-quality, contemporary workspace. The scheme features a striking reception, business lounge and upgraded communal areas, with suites ranging from 2,507 sq ft to 33,281 sq ft. Jones Hargreaves delivered the six-month project on behalf of UKRO, working alongside RU Creative, Adapt Real Estate and Time Limit Interiors. Other projects completed by Jones Hargreaves during the first half of 2026 include a variety of landlord and tenant-led office refurbishments together with the £1.6m refurbishment of Robin Hood Industrial State, Nottingham, for Hines. The office refurbishment projects reflect a growing trend across the UK, with landlords increasingly investing in the refurbishment of existing office buildings to deliver the high-quality, sustainable workspace occupiers are seeking. Avison Young reports that refurbishment projects now account for the majority of office development pipelines across the UK’s nine largest regional office markets, with refurbishment space increasing 12% year-on-year. The recent project completions cap a busy first half of 2026 for Jones Hargreaves. Between January and June, the consultancy delivered 540 instructions nationally, including more than 5,000 onsite inspections covering ESG, building surveys, project management and dilapidations. The business also welcomed six new team members during the first half of the year, taking its headcount to 59 across offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester. The team in Manchester have recently moved to bigger premises to support future growth of Jones Hargreaves in the North West. During the same period, several graduates achieved Chartered Surveyor status after successfully completing their APCs. The team will also welcome back Abi Colling in August following the completion of her degree at the University of Reading, where she received the CIOB Certificate of Excellence for achieving the highest mark in her final year. Three other new graduate recruits are also set to join in late summer. Matthew Jones, Founding Partner at Jones Hargreaves, said: “The completion of 3 Embankment reflects the type of projects we’re increasingly delivering for investors, landlords and occupiers looking to reposition existing assets. Our joined up approach combining core Building Surveying, MEP and energy consultancy delivers real benefits for our clients. “Combined with the growth of our team and the volume of instructions we’ve completed in the first half of the year, it has been a positive period for the business. We’re grateful to our clients for their continued confidence and are looking forward to building on this momentum during the second half of 2026.” Jones Hargreaves’ expert multi-disciplinary team of building surveyors, ESG consultants and electrical & mechanical engineers advise on a range of commercial assets spanning predominantly industrial, office and retail space. With a number of large-scale retained clients, Jones Hargreaves is astute in delivering building projects together with dilapidations, TDDs, ESG work and much more. Established by founders Matthew Jones and Peter Hargreaves, and joined by Managing Partner, Matt Williams, the consultancy is a growing business which has a commitment to investing in its team and the next generation of the property industry. For more information, visit www.joneshargreaves.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE Investment Management (“CBRE IM”), on behalf of CBRE UK Single Family Housing Partners (“SFHP”), has completed the acquisition of a 222-home single family housing portfolio in the South East of England from UK housebuilder, Bellway. The transaction represents the seed investment for CBRE IM’s newly launched SFHP strategy, established in partnership with Moda Living. The platform is focused on delivering and operating high-quality, professionally managed family rental homes in structurally undersupplied UK markets, providing investors with access to a growing and resilient residential segment. The portfolio comprises a mix of completed homes and forward-funded development across three sites in established residential markets: Stevenage, Milton Keynes and Burgess Hill. All homes are expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. The sites all have excellent access to high quality transport links, proximity to major employment centres, schooling and attractive local amenities. The developments will deliver predominantly two- and three-bedroom homes, with a layout and specifications aligned to the needs of family renters and long-term occupiers. Homes within the portfolio will be operated by CBRE IM’s partner, Moda Living. Tom James, Head of UK Transactions at CBRE Investment Management, said: “This is an exciting addition to our residential platform and a great first step in growing our single family housing fund, delivering high-quality houses on attractive sites in locations where demand for best-in-class, professionally managed rental housing continues to outstrip supply. Working alongside Moda Living, we are building a platform designed to deliver at scale, both in terms of operational execution and investor outcomes, focused on homes that meet the evolving needs of renters and generate sustainable income over time.” Johnny Caddick, CEO of Moda Living, commented: “These first acquisitions are an important milestone for the platform and reflect the progress we’ve made since launching the partnership earlier this year. “Demand for professionally managed rental homes continues to outstrip supply and, with the backing of committed, long-term capital and Moda’s integrated development and operational platform, we’re well placed to help address that challenge. We’re looking forward to building on this strong start as we continue to grow the platform by utilising Moda’s delivery and operational capabilities – together with the wider Caddick Group land pipeline – to deliver more high-quality homes across the UK.” Ian Gorst, Regional Chair, Bellway Homes, said: “We are delighted to have completed this portfolio transaction with CBRE IM and Moda as they launch their new UK Single Family BTR Fund. Their investment in Whitehouse Gardens, Milton Keynes, Forster Park, Stevenage, and Fallow Wood View, Burgess Hill demonstrates confidence in the strength of these outstanding new communities. We are proud they have chosen Bellway as their delivery partner, recognising our proven HBF 5-Star homebuilder track record for quality and customer satisfaction. We wish CBRE IM and Moda every success with this exciting new venture and look forward to building on our relationship in the years ahead.” The acquisition follows the recent launch of CBRE UK Single Family Housing Partners, a dedicated single family housing strategy established by CBRE IM in partnership with Moda Living, part of Caddick Group. Backed by an initial £400 million available capital and supported by core, long-term investor capital, the strategy has a clear ambition to grow to £2 billion in value over time. The platform is designed to address the growing demand for high-quality rental homes while providing investors with access to one of the UK’s most compelling residential sectors. TT&G Partners and CBRE advised CBRE IM, and Savills advised Bellway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning services for small modular reactor (SMR) development and major project approvals Jacobs has been selected by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to provide planning and consenting services for the proposed small modular reactors (SMRs) development in the U.K. Jacobs will provide strategic planning, consent support and leadership to key land-use planning activities to help advance required project approvals. Initially, the focus will be on new nuclear development at the Gwyndod (formerly Wylfa Newydd) and Oldbury-on-Severn sites, with the potential to include additional sites that will support GBE-N’s future ambitions. Work is likely to include Development Consent Order and Town and Country Planning Act applications. The services will be delivered with planning subconsultant Quod. The work will also entail statutory stakeholder engagement, socio-economic and traffic and transport assessments to help inform project planning and community considerations. Jacobs Executive Vice President Richard Sanderson said: “New nuclear generation will play an important role in strengthening energy security and supporting the transition to lower-carbon power systems. Delivering this project requires careful planning, robust engagement with communities and a clear path through complex regulatory processes. Our integrated team will support GBE-N in advancing the planning framework for their sites, enabling development proposals to be informed by strong analysis, stakeholder input and long-term regional considerations.” GBE-N Chief Executive Simon Roddy added: “Continuing to deliver the first of the U.K.’s fleet of SMRs with pace and focus will require a deep understanding of the planning and consenting processes for energy infrastructure in the U.K., and I’m pleased to have appointed Jacobs and Quod to help us in this effort.” Jacobs will help guide planning applications and post-application activities, including engagement with planning authorities, regulators, communities and other groups. The team will also contribute to socio-economic and traffic and transport assessments to help inform regional impacts and workforce considerations. Jacobs’ appointment builds on more than 60 years of experience delivering global civil nuclear solutions across the full asset lifecycle in highly regulated environments—from new build programs to decommissioning and waste management and disposal. The company continues to play a leading role in the U.K.’s civil nuclear industry, contributing to major programs such as Sizewell C, Hinkley Point C and Sellafield. The company was also recently selected by GBE-N to provide environmental services for potential SMR nuclear development at its Oldbury site. This experience planning for SMRs will also have increasing relevance across the globe as the energy sector looks to keep pace with demand. At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow – delivering outcomes and solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of approximately 47,000, we provide end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities & places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water. From advisory and consulting, feasibility, planning, design, program and lifecycle management, we’re creating a more connected and sustainable world. See how at jacobs.com and connect with us on LinkedIn,Instagram, X and Facebook. Jacobs employs more than 6,000 people across the U.K., operating from 15 core offices and over 35 additional sites. Working with HM Government, local authorities and the private sector, Jacobs helps shape and deliver the nation’s most critical infrastructure, energy, environmental and community programs — creating social value by improving resilience, driving economic growth and enhancing quality of life. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals