Crystal Palace National Sports Centre Redevelopment Cleared for Construction
The long-awaited transformation of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has taken a major step forward after planning permission was granted for the landmark redevelopment, with main contractor Morgan Sindall expected to begin work before the end of the year. The extensive refurbishment will revitalise the iconic 15-hectare sporting venue, modernising its facilities while carefully preserving the heritage and architectural significance of one of the UK’s most recognisable sports complexes. The redevelopment has been designed to create a modern, sustainable and accessible destination capable of supporting everyone from grassroots participants to elite athletes, securing the centre’s future as a leading sporting and community asset for London. Morgan Sindall will lead the construction programme, delivering a comprehensive upgrade that balances contemporary sporting requirements with the conservation of the site’s historic features. The project also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, ensuring the refurbished centre meets modern environmental standards while extending the lifespan of the existing buildings. A multidisciplinary consultant team has been assembled to deliver the scheme, bringing together sports masterplanning specialists WOO Architects, architects FaulknerBrowns, decarbonisation and sustainability consultants Max Fordham, structural engineers and heritage conservation experts Alan Baxter Associates, together with Employers Agent and commercial advisers Currie & Brown. For the construction and built environment sectors, the project highlights the growing importance of breathing new life into existing public assets through sensitive refurbishment rather than wholesale redevelopment. The scheme combines heritage conservation, sustainable construction and specialist sports facility design, demonstrating how major public infrastructure can be modernised to meet future demands while respecting its architectural legacy. Alongside the physical improvements, Morgan Sindall has already begun delivering social value initiatives linked to the project, including education, training and skills programmes for local schools and communities. These initiatives are intended to leave a lasting legacy beyond the construction works by creating employment opportunities and encouraging greater participation in the built environment and construction industries. Richard Dobson, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in London, said: “We can’t wait to start delivering the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre renovation now that planning has been approved, as we know this project is going to unlock incredible benefits for so many people in the South London area. “The design for the revitalised centre is a real showcase for what can be achieved when ambitious, innovative planning for a sustainable sports centre is combined with considerate, insightful collaborations with the people, athletes and stakeholders that are going to be most affected by this transformative development.” He added: “I’m also incredibly proud of the social value work the team has already implemented, with a long list of training and upskilling opportunities provided for local schools and communities. This underlines the capacity for this project to change lives, and I can’t wait to see all the ways this momentum is going to be carried forward now that planning has been approved.” With construction expected to commence later this year, the redevelopment will restore one of Britain’s most historic sporting venues, ensuring Crystal Palace National Sports Centre continues to serve future generations while reinforcing its status as a flagship destination for sport, recreation and community activity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kier Secures Landmark Crown Estate Contract for Historic Piccadilly Redevelopment
Kier has been appointed main contractor for the landmark redevelopment of 10 Piccadilly, as The Crown Estate continues to progress its long-term transformation of London’s West End through a series of high-profile mixed-use regeneration projects. The appointment marks the next phase of The Crown Estate’s ambitious development pipeline, alongside the refurbishment of 21–29 Glasshouse Street, where BAM is serving as principal contractor. Together, the two schemes will deliver approximately 169,300 sq ft of high-quality office, retail and hospitality accommodation within one of London’s most prestigious commercial districts. Located at the gateway to Piccadilly Circus, 10 Piccadilly occupies one of the West End’s most recognisable heritage buildings, completing the iconic curve of Regent Street. The Grade II listed property has played a significant role in London’s retail history, having originally housed the famous Swan & Edgar department store before becoming home to Tower Records during the 1980s. Kier will deliver a comprehensive refurbishment of the 90,800 sq ft building, carefully preserving its historic character while creating a contemporary mixed-use destination designed to meet the evolving needs of occupiers and visitors. The redevelopment will provide approximately 62,700 sq ft of premium office accommodation, alongside a 26,400 sq ft hospitality offering spread across the basement, ground and first floors. A further 1,700 sq ft of retail space fronting Regent Street will reinforce the building’s presence within one of the UK’s premier shopping destinations. For the construction and property sectors, the project highlights the continued demand for high-quality retrofit and heritage-led regeneration across central London. Rather than replacing existing buildings, the scheme demonstrates how historic assets can be sensitively adapted to deliver modern, sustainable commercial space while preserving their architectural significance. The development also forms part of The Crown Estate’s wider strategy to enhance its 10 million sq ft London portfolio through long-term investment in mixed-use destinations that combine offices, retail, hospitality and improved public spaces. In parallel with the building projects, The Crown Estate is working in partnership with Westminster City Council to deliver major public realm improvements across Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus, creating a more attractive and accessible environment for businesses, workers, residents and visitors. Kristy Lansdown, Managing Director of Development at The Crown Estate, said: “These developments mark the next step in our long-term vision for the West End, redeveloping historic buildings to reinvigorate an equally historic place. “By taking an estate-wide view, we can invest in the places and experiences that help the West End succeed on the global stage – places such as 10 Piccadilly and 21–29 Glasshouse Street, where we are sensitively bringing heritage assets into their next chapter, creating outstanding new office, retail and hospitality spaces for London. “Our ambition is to shape a destination that continues to attract world-class businesses and visitors, while strengthening the city’s future resilience. Through long-term planning and investment, we are working to deliver a West End that will thrive for generations to come.” The appointment of Kier marks another significant milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the West End, where heritage conservation, sustainable retrofit and mixed-use development continue to reshape one of the world’s most iconic commercial and retail destinations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kier Secures £98m School Rebuild Contracts to Deliver Next Generation of Sustainable Campuses
Kier has secured almost £100 million of new education work after being appointed to deliver two major school redevelopment projects, including one of the Department for Education’s flagship low-carbon GenZero pathfinder schools. The contractor has been confirmed as main works contractor for the £45 million redevelopment of Wellfield Academy in Leyland, Lancashire, alongside the £53 million replacement of the Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex, further strengthening its position in the UK’s education construction sector. The Wellfield Academy project will deliver a new 6,540 sq m secondary school, designed to showcase the next generation of ultra-low carbon educational buildings through the Department for Education’s pioneering GenZero programme. Designed by Kier Design, the new campus will comprise a three-storey teaching block connected at first-floor level to a two-storey central commons building, while retaining the existing sports hall. Construction will be carefully phased to minimise disruption, beginning with the demolition of an existing building to make way for the new commons facility before the remaining teaching accommodation is replaced. Sustainability sits at the heart of the development, with the new school incorporating a cross-laminated timber structural frame, ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, natural ventilation and enhanced airtightness measures to significantly reduce both embodied and operational carbon emissions. The scheme will also feature extensive landscaping, biodiversity enhancements and outdoor learning environments, creating a campus that promotes wellbeing alongside environmental performance. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2028. Meanwhile, in Essex, Kier will deliver a £53 million replacement school for the Anglo European School following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which led to the closure of the school’s sixth form centre in 2023. Planning permission has already been granted for the redevelopment, which will provide a new three-storey teaching building alongside a canopy, multi-use games area, amphitheatre, car parking and extensive hard and soft landscaping. The new school has been designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation while delivering significantly enhanced teaching facilities that support the school’s internationally recognised curriculum and specialist educational ethos. For the construction and education sectors, the two projects reflect the continued investment being made in modernising the UK’s school estate through sustainable design, low-carbon construction and future-ready learning environments. The Wellfield Academy scheme, in particular, is expected to help shape future education projects by testing innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions across both construction and long-term building operation. Together, the two developments represent a significant addition to Kier’s education portfolio, demonstrating the growing emphasis on delivering high-quality, environmentally responsible schools that not only improve educational outcomes but also contribute to the UK’s wider net zero ambitions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Wembdon neighbourhood begins to take shape as launch draws closer
A brand-new neighbourhood is coming to life in Wembdon as construction continues at Centenary Heights. The 109-home development, being delivered by South West housebuilder Cavanna Homes in partnership with Martin Grant Land, will welcome its first prospective buyers when homes are released to registered customers in August 2026. As construction progresses, the development is already delivering benefits beyond the homes themselves, with more than £971,000 being invested into the local area to support schools, transport and community infrastructure across Bridgwater and Wembdon. The investment includes at least £595,574 towards primary education, £93,743 for early years provision, £96,889 to support local bus services, £139,767 for off-site highways improvements and £10,496 to enhance Public Rights of Way. Land has also been set aside for a new primary school, neighbourhood centre and extensive play areas, helping to create a thriving new community alongside the new homes. Located on the edge of Wembdon, Centenary Heights will offer a collection of two, three and four-bedroom homes, carefully designed to complement the character of the local area while making the most of its setting between Bridgwater and the Somerset countryside. Infrastructure and groundwork are now well underway, with the development steadily taking shape as construction continues towards its first sales launch later this summer. Hannah Newnes, Sales and Marketing Director at Cavanna Homes, said: “There’s a real sense of momentum on site now. It’s always exciting when you reach the stage where people can begin to picture what a new community will become, and that’s exactly what’s happening at Centenary Heights. “We know there’s strong demand in this part of Bridgwater from people who want to stay local but are looking for a high-quality new home. One of the real strengths of this development is the range of homes available, giving first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers genuine choice in one location. “Just as importantly, it’s about creating a place that will serve the community for years to come. Alongside the new homes, there’s significant investment in schools, transport and local infrastructure, as well as land for future community facilities, helping to ensure the development makes a positive contribution to the wider area. “We’re looking forward to welcoming our first visitors later this August and giving them the opportunity to see everything Centenary Heights has to offer.” Further details, including house types, pricing and launch dates, will be announced in the coming weeks. To register interest and be among the first to hear about the launch, visit cavannahomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Portakabin Joins Everything Estates Framework to Accelerate Public Sector Building Delivery
Portakabin has strengthened its position in the public sector construction market after being appointed as an approved supplier to Place Group’s Everything Estates framework, providing public sector organisations with faster access to modular building solutions through a compliant procurement route. The appointment will enable local authorities, education providers, NHS trusts and other public sector bodies to procure both temporary and permanent modular buildings without the need for lengthy tendering processes, helping accelerate the delivery of new facilities and estate improvements. Everything Estates is designed to simplify procurement by allowing organisations to either directly appoint approved suppliers or undertake a streamlined mini competition, reducing timescales while ensuring compliance with public sector procurement requirements. For the construction and built environment sectors, the framework offers a practical route for delivering projects where speed, flexibility and value are critical. It supports organisations responding to increasing demand for services, replacing ageing infrastructure or delivering additional accommodation quickly and efficiently. Portakabin’s inclusion on the framework reinforces the growing role that modular construction continues to play across the public estate, where off-site manufacturing is increasingly being adopted to minimise disruption, improve programme certainty and deliver sustainable, high-quality buildings. Keith Rayner, Head of Frameworks at Portakabin, said: “Joining the Everything Estates framework reinforces our commitment to making it easier for public sector organisations to access high-quality modular building solutions, for both temporary and permanent requirements. “Whether responding to growing demand, replacing ageing facilities or delivering new accommodation at pace, the framework provides customers with a compliant and streamlined procurement route that saves valuable time, while ensuring excellent value.” Claire Delaney, Managing Director of Everything Estates, added: “Everything Estates gives control to our clients by allowing customers to obtain the best value for money based upon their requirements and not those that are pre-determined by the framework operator. It removes unnecessary bureaucracy and creates a time efficient route for procurement, which delivers enhanced return on investment for all parties.” As demand continues to grow for flexible and efficient estate solutions, the appointment highlights the increasing importance of framework agreements in supporting the rapid delivery of public sector projects, while providing clients with greater choice, improved procurement efficiency and access to trusted construction partners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BAM UK & Ireland announced as Headline Sponsor of the Sustainability Arena at London Build 2026
London Build, the UK’s largest and most influential construction and design show, is delighted to announce BAM UK & Ireland as the Headline Sponsor of the Sustainability Arena at London Build 2026, taking place on 25–26 November at Excel London. Created in collaboration between London Build and elementalLONDON, the Sustainability Arena will host two days of discussion on the industry’s biggest sustainability challenges and opportunities. Sessions will explore topics including decarbonisation, nature recovery, energy efficiency, building performance, climate resilience and the delivery of net zero goals. As one of the event’s flagship conference stages, the Sustainability Arena will welcome thousands of professionals from across the built environment, with expert speakers, practical case studies and networking opportunities focused on accelerating sustainable change across the built environment. As Headline Sponsor, BAM UK & Ireland will highlight the progress made during the first year of its strategic partnership with the Eden Project, demonstrating how nature recovery can be embedded into construction projects. On Thursday 26 November, BAM UK & Ireland and the Eden Project will host a joint panel discussion, Nature Recovery in Construction: One Year On, exploring lessons from the partnership and discussing how nature-positive approaches can help deliver better outcomes for communities and for nature. John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer at BAM UK & Ireland, said: “The challenges facing our industry – from decarbonisation and climate resilience to nature recovery – can only be tackled through collaboration. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Sustainability Arena and work alongside London Build to create a platform for conversations and collaboration. As we approach the first anniversary of our partnership with the Eden Project, we’re looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned about putting nature recovery at the heart of construction.” Dan James, Development Director at the Eden Project, said: “The built environment has a vital role to play in restoring nature, not just reducing its impact. Our partnership with BAM demonstrates how nature recovery can be embedded into the way we design, build and manage places, creating healthier environments for people alongside thriving ecosystems. We’re looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned over the past year and exploring how collaboration across the sector can help make nature-positive construction the norm.” The Sustainability Arena forms part of the extensive CPD-accredited conference programme across London Build and elementalLONDON, featuring more than 900 speakers across 17 dedicated stages. Together, the events provide one of the UK’s largest platforms for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation across the built environment. Panels in the Sustainability Arena include: Thought Leaders Speaking in the Sustainability Arena Include: London Councils Whether you’re looking to discover the latest sustainable materials, hear from the organisations delivering some of the UK’s most ambitious projects or connect with fellow professionals committed to building a greener future, the Sustainability Arena is a must-visit feature at London Build and elementalLONDON 2026. Take a look at the full line-up here. The UK’s Most Influential Built Environment Event London Build continues to be the UK’s largest and most influential construction festival, bringing together more than 25,000 industry professionals, 650+ exhibitors, and 900+ speakers across two days of content, networking, entertainment, and business opportunities. Attendees can also expect Meet the Buyers sessions, Architect’s Hub, Government Hub, start-up showcases, live entertainment, and industry-led networking events designed to connect decision-makers across the sector. Co-located with London Build, elementalLONDON connects the specification and contracting community with the technologies, products and expertise needed to improve energy performance across commercial, industrial and large-scale residential buildings. Join us on 25-26 November at Excel London. Get in touch via www.londonbuildexpo.com or marketing@londonbuildexpo.com. To find out more about how BAM UK & Ireland and the Eden Project are reimagining the built environment visit: https://www.bam.co.uk/eden-project Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals