Chase New Homes is appealing to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for support to progress the delivery of new homes at the former PB Donoghue site in Cricklewood, London. The company is ready to build but is awaiting a resolution to planning matters with Barnet Council
Esh Construction has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the UK Government-funded Towns Fund transformation of Brighouse town centre. Following a competitive tender process, the company will now prepare for construction work to begin and will work with local shops and businesses to ensure support is in place during
Henry Boot has announced that its property investment and development arm, HBD, has been appointed by Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge, as development partner for Duxford AvTech. The 25-acre site, located eight miles south of Cambridge within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, will be transformed
Linear Living has completed the first phase of its £34 million Trafford Gardens project on Talbot Road, marking a key milestone in the transformation of the Trafford Civic Quarter. The initial stage, finished earlier this month, has delivered 33 affordable homes, all of which have been purchased by Salford-based housing
A £33.5 million expansion of film and television production facilities in Hartlepool has been approved, marking the start of a transformative development set to create over 130 new jobs and drive significant investment into the local economy. The project will see The Northern Studios expand with larger studios and state-of-the-art
Travelodge has begun construction on a new 182-room hotel at Cardiff Bay’s Atlantic Wharf, directly next to the city’s upcoming 16,500-seat national arena. The hotel is part of the wider regeneration of the area and is set to become a flagship addition to the budget hotel chain’s growing UK portfolio.
Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Brighton & Hove City Council as the preferred contractor for the £65 million transformation of the King Alfred Leisure Centre. The landmark seafront project will replace the city’s ageing leisure centre with a modern, accessible and sustainable facility designed to set new standards for
The City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee has unanimously approved plans to restore and convert the Grade 1 Listed Custom House on Lower Thames Street into a 179-room hotel. Formerly an office for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the historic Custom House sits between Sugar Quay to the east
Plans for a major new housing development in Kings Langley have been given the green light, with 150 homes set to be built on the edge of the Hertfordshire village. Dacorum Borough Council has approved outline planning permission for the scheme, put forward by The Hill Group, which will create
Construction firm GRAHAM has marked a key milestone in the Lakes Estate Renewal Project, as the first council tenants moved into their new homes in Milton Keynes. Awarded through the Pagabo Major Works Framework, the two-stage design and build contract represents one of the city’s first large-scale regeneration schemes. The
Chase New Homes is appealing to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for support to progress the delivery of new homes at the former PB Donoghue site in Cricklewood, London. The company is ready to build but is awaiting a resolution to planning matters with Barnet Council that are preventing the scheme from moving forward. Under planning permission 22/5238/RMA, Block B of the development is designated for 38 affordable homes. Despite an extensive marketing campaign and contact with more than 30 registered providers, no housing association has come forward to take on the units. The only offer, from neighbouring Brent Council, was not accepted due to conflicts with the Section 106 Agreement. A payment-in-lieu agreement was eventually reached with Barnet Council on 26 August 2025. However, further clarification and communication are required to satisfy Section 106 obligations, which must be resolved before private units can be completed. Gary Barton, Managing Director of Chase New Homes, said: “We have taken every proactive step to deliver this development, yet Barnet Council’s constant inaction and procrastination stance is stalling progress at a time when London and the UK in general, desperately needs new homes. “Government has been clear about removing blockers and cutting through the unnecessary delays that Council’s continuingly find themselves in and speeding up housing delivery, but in this case, the Local Authority is the sole blocker. We urgently need MHCLG’s support to unlock this site to ensure that the delivery of these homes are not delayed any further.” Chase New Homes notes that the challenges at Cricklewood reflect wider trends across London and the UK, with some registered providers showing less interest in taking on affordable housing units. Payment-in-lieu agreements, which allow councils to pool funds for affordable housing delivery elsewhere, provide a practical solution, particularly where councils already manage housing stock. Barton added: “We are ready to build — but we need decisions and positive actions to be made by Councils to unlock growth and to get Britain building again at the level that is required to hit the targets the Government has set itself.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Esh Construction has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the UK Government-funded Towns Fund transformation of Brighouse town centre. Following a competitive tender process, the company will now prepare for construction work to begin and will work with local shops and businesses to ensure support is in place during the programme of improvements. The £19.1 million Brighouse Town Deal will focus on creating a more welcoming town centre, with an emphasis on people rather than cars while maintaining vital access routes. The project aims to encourage more visitors to shop, spend time and support the local economy. Plans for the transformation were first developed in 2019, with extensive consultation taking place over the past six years. The final phase of work will deliver major changes to the layout of the town centre, complementing other investments already underway. As part of the wider programme, Calderdale College has launched the Industry 4.0 Hub to deliver manufacturing and digital skills support, while the rebuilding of Brighouse Market is nearing completion. The town centre public realm improvements will form the most visible stage of the regeneration. The improvement works will focus on: Initial work on Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) has already been undertaken, with feedback from local properties leading to some adjustments. A formal consultation on changes to vehicle movements and parking will begin shortly, with previous respondents having received feedback on their comments. The Brighouse Town Deal is a partnership between Calderdale Council, Calderdale College, private and voluntary sector partners, and community and residents’ groups. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henry Boot has announced that its property investment and development arm, HBD, has been appointed by Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge, as development partner for Duxford AvTech. The 25-acre site, located eight miles south of Cambridge within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, will be transformed into a 435,000 sq ft aviation technology campus with a gross development value of £162 million. The scheme aims to bring academia, industry and government together to drive the development of low- and zero-carbon aircraft technology at IWM Duxford. Plans for the new campus include high sustainability standards, with targets of BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ ratings. Once complete, the project is expected to deliver 1,200 new jobs and contribute an estimated £64 million in additional gross value added to the Cambridgeshire economy. Detailed plans will now be prepared ahead of a planning application, which is expected to be submitted before the end of the year. The Duxford AvTech scheme adds to HBD’s growing portfolio of large-scale innovation projects. Earlier this year, the developer secured approval for the first phase of the £1 billion Golden Valley scheme in Cheltenham, which will deliver around 1 million sq ft of commercial space, including the 160,000 sq ft National Cyber Innovation Centre, alongside 576 new homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Linear Living has completed the first phase of its £34 million Trafford Gardens project on Talbot Road, marking a key milestone in the transformation of the Trafford Civic Quarter. The initial stage, finished earlier this month, has delivered 33 affordable homes, all of which have been purchased by Salford-based housing association Irwell Valley Homes. The properties will be offered to residents on a rent-to-buy basis, supporting local demand for accessible housing. Work is already underway on phase two, which will deliver a further 116 homes for private sale, with prices starting from £220,000. The wider scheme, set for completion in late 2025, will ultimately provide a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments spread across a 13-storey block. Residents will also benefit from shared amenities, including a rooftop garden and a private courtyard. Located just 300 metres from both Old Trafford and Trafford Bar Metrolink stops, Trafford Gardens offers strong connectivity to Manchester city centre, a key factor in its appeal to both buyers and renters. The project forms part of the Trafford Civic Quarter masterplan, which seeks to regenerate the area surrounding Old Trafford Cricket Ground into a vibrant residential community. The development is being delivered by Linear Design and Construct, an associated company of Linear Living, with support from Peak Properties as advisor and sales agent. Other key stakeholders include Irwell Valley Homes, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Maslow Capital, and JDA Architects. The site has a complex history: originally launched in 2020 by Investar Property Group with designs by Tim Groom Architects, the scheme stalled when Investar entered administration. Linear Living acquired the site in 2023, breathing new life into the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £33.5 million expansion of film and television production facilities in Hartlepool has been approved, marking the start of a transformative development set to create over 130 new jobs and drive significant investment into the local economy. The project will see The Northern Studios expand with larger studios and state-of-the-art equipment, alongside the creation of a Screen Industries Production Village. The new village will repurpose nine disused buildings into modern pre- and post-production spaces, workshops, and collaborative hubs for creative professionals. Among the heritage properties to be revitalised is the Grade II-listed Shades Hotel, which will be restored as part of the scheme. Led by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and North East Screen, the development has secured funding from the UK Government and the Tees Valley Investment Zone. It is being delivered with support from industry specialists Leonard Design, Stace, and TIME + SPACE. The Northern Studios, which opened in 2022, have already hosted productions including ITV’s I Fought the Law, comedy series Transaction, and the feature film Jackdaw. The expansion aims to build on this success, attracting both national and international productions to the Tees Valley. With planning approvals now granted and funding in place, construction is expected to begin in the coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Travelodge has begun construction on a new 182-room hotel at Cardiff Bay’s Atlantic Wharf, directly next to the city’s upcoming 16,500-seat national arena. The hotel is part of the wider regeneration of the area and is set to become a flagship addition to the budget hotel chain’s growing UK portfolio. The new arena, operated by Live Nation, is expected to attract world-class artists and entertainment to the Welsh capital. Located just a five-minute walk from Cardiff Bay Station and with direct links via Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central, the hotel will also provide designated parking on site and additional parking nearby as part of the wider redevelopment. The property will showcase Travelodge’s next-generation design, featuring a contemporary reception area, upgraded guest rooms, and the 85 Bar Café, where visitors can relax before or after events. Delivered by McLaren Construction as principal contractor, the hotel forms part of the arena development being brought forward in partnership with Live Nation, Robertson Property, and Cardiff City Council. Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director at Travelodge, said: “We’re very excited to begin construction on our new hotel at the national arena in Cardiff. Once finished, the arena will hold world class events, making it a prime location for visitors, and the 182-room Travelodge will be one of our flagship assets, providing a well-connected, great-value base for business and leisure customers attending events at the new area or visiting Cardiff and the surrounding area. “This project is a brilliant example of how Councils can deliver very significant inward investment that will attract thousands of visitors to Cardiff every year. Travelodge has opened nearly 30 hotels, throughout GB, in partnership with Councils, delivering hundreds of new job and career opportunities and accommodating thousands of new visitors, who spend millions of pounds in the local areas. “We’re delighted to see work now underway at this fantastic development and look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Brighton & Hove City Council as the preferred contractor for the £65 million transformation of the King Alfred Leisure Centre. The landmark seafront project will replace the city’s ageing leisure centre with a modern, accessible and sustainable facility designed to set new standards for coastal leisure provision. Plans include pools, a gym and café offering sea views, as well as improved landscaping that connects with a revitalised public realm. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the new centre expected to open in spring 2028. The current King Alfred Leisure Centre will remain open for as long as feasible during construction. The redeveloped complex will feature a larger fitness suite, a leisure water area with a family entertainment zone, and full accessibility throughout. Sustainability will be embedded in the design, with innovative technologies aimed at delivering environmental resilience and reducing carbon impact. Richard Poulter, Managing Director in the South at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are excited to be appointed as the preferred contractor for this transformational project. Having recently delivered the successful transformation of Brighton Metropolitan College, we understand the importance of creating facilities that truly serve this vibrant coastal community. “The new King Alfred Leisure Centre presents an exciting opportunity to create a world-class facility that maximises its unique seafront location through innovative design and sustainable construction practices. Drawing on our extensive experience of delivering over 160 leisure facilities nationwide – including 108 swimming pools – we bring proven expertise in complex waterfront developments and environmental resilience. We’re particularly excited to integrate cutting-edge sustainable technologies and accessibility innovations that will set new standards for coastal leisure facilities. Working alongside Brighton & Hove City Council and our expert partners, we’re committed to delivering not just a building, but a community hub that will serve residents and visitors for generations to come.” The project will be delivered through a collaborative partnership, with Willmott Dixon working alongside Brighton & Hove City Council’s main delivery partner Alliance Leisure. The scheme is being procured through the UK Leisure Framework, with the design team including GT3 Architects, DHA Planning Group, Engenuity Ltd, VZDV Consulting Engineers and Hadron Consulting as project manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee has unanimously approved plans to restore and convert the Grade 1 Listed Custom House on Lower Thames Street into a 179-room hotel. Formerly an office for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the historic Custom House sits between Sugar Quay to the east and Old Billingsgate Market to the west along the waterfront. Described as an exemplar of collaboration between City planners and the applicant, the new hotel will feature a spa, health centre, and a variety of food and beverage options, opening up the building to the public for the first time. Visitors will gain access to the historic Tidewaiters and Long Rooms, which will also be available for community and cultural groups. The wider site redevelopment will deliver additional public benefits, including a reimagined quayside. The project will create a new inclusive public space of roughly 2,400 square metres – the size of 12 tennis courts – with unfettered access 24/7, 365 days a year, replacing the existing car park and security railings. The project forms part of the City’s broader strategy to expand its hotel stock, which currently stands at around 4,800 rooms, with 1,000 more in the planning pipeline. This growth is central to the Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ strategy, aimed at accommodating a projected rise in visitors to the area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for a major new housing development in Kings Langley have been given the green light, with 150 homes set to be built on the edge of the Hertfordshire village. Dacorum Borough Council has approved outline planning permission for the scheme, put forward by The Hill Group, which will create a new neighbourhood between Kings Langley Secondary School and the A41. The development will deliver a mix of one- to five-bedroom properties, with half designated as affordable housing. Developers say the range of homes is designed to cater for all stages of life, from first-time buyers to families and older residents, helping to address local housing needs. The site, north of Chipperfield Road, has been classed as “Grey Belt” land — an area within the Green Belt but judged to make only a limited contribution to its purposes. Plans outline a landscape-led scheme with extensive green and community spaces. Features will include woodland walks, meadows, ponds, play areas, and a community orchard, alongside new walking and cycling routes planted with edible hedges. The scheme promises a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%, with existing trees and hedgerows retained wherever possible. At the heart of the project will be The Farmstead, a new education and community hub. It will provide growing spaces, therapy gardens, and animal-assisted activities, as well as a café and farm shop offering training and employment opportunities. The facility is being developed in partnership with Kings Langley Secondary School and Sunnyside Rural Trust, a local charity supporting adults with learning disabilities. The homes will be built to high sustainability standards, using energy-efficient designs, air-source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging points. The company highlights the site’s location close to schools, existing housing, and transport links as key advantages. Construction is expected to begin following detailed planning approvals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction firm GRAHAM has marked a key milestone in the Lakes Estate Renewal Project, as the first council tenants moved into their new homes in Milton Keynes. Awarded through the Pagabo Major Works Framework, the two-stage design and build contract represents one of the city’s first large-scale regeneration schemes. The project aims to revitalise the Lakes Estate by providing new housing, improved amenities and healthier living conditions. The latest milestone includes the completion of six homes at Burnmoor Close and 16 properties at A3, together with soft and hard landscaping, parking and electric vehicle charging points. In total, the scheme will deliver 183 high-quality, energy-efficient council homes alongside a new park and commercial spaces. The development has been shaped through years of engagement with local residents, whose input has helped to guide the plans. Earlier phases have already delivered a play park and improvements to shared courtyards. Cllr Ed Hume, Cabinet Member for Housing at Milton Keynes City Council, said: “We’re really pleased with how the project is shaping up. It’s fantastic for the residents who now have a good new home where they can settle and get on in life. This is an incredibly proud moment for the whole community. These new homes will make a real difference, providing families with high-quality housing which will help them in so many ways. We look forward to welcoming more families into their new homes as they become available.” Pat O’Hare, Regional Director at GRAHAM, added: “The handover of phases one and two at The Lakes Estate marks an important milestone in the development, and we are delighted to see the first new residents settling into their homes. With the next phase progressing well, we are excited to continue building momentum and look forward to handing over more homes later this year.” The Lakes Estate Renewal Project continues to progress, with more families set to move into their new homes as construction advances through the next phases. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals