Costain has scooped a multimillion-pound front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by bp for a new hydrogen pipeline network in the Teesside area. Costain’s multi-disciplinary in-house engineering team will deliver the FEED to enable the construction for a new, 31km onshore pipeline distribution network that will deliver purified and dehydrated
Construction of the new Aseptic Pharmacy and Sterile Service Department at University Hospital Southampton has hit a significant milestone. A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held to celebrate the building reaching its highest point, marking a key step forward as the project moves closer to its scheduled opening in Spring 2025.
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has announced a £19 million deal to bring 77 affordable apartments to Nottinghamshire in partnership with Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. Work on the apartments, which will include access to communal
Balfour Beatty has scooped a £185 million contract by Transport Scotland to dual the A9 between Tomatin and Moy in the Scottish Highlands, approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) south of Inverness. As part of the contract, Balfour Beatty will upgrade 9.6 kilometres of single carriageway to dual carriageway, construct four
A new £5.5 million bus interchange, designed by BDP and operated by Transport for Wales, has opened in Cardiff. The centralised bus facility located next to Cardiff Central Railway Station creates a sustainable travel gateway to Cardiff, providing improved connections to the area by integrating bus and rail services with
South Liverpool Homes has been granted planning permission for a major redevelopment project in Speke. Its development will rejuvenate dormant sites in and around South Parade, Conleach Road, Conleach Crescent, Dam Wood Road, and Ganworth Road after it recently received planning permission from Liverpool City Council. It will bring 92
Holtec Britain has announced the successful completion of the first part of the UK Generic Design Assessment process (GDA) for its SMR-300 nuclear reactor. The GDA process is intended to provide confidence to the UK government that the proposed reactor embodiment is capable of being constructed, operated and decommissioned by
Morgan Sindall has been selected by Blackpool Council as the main contractor on a pre-contract services agreement to build a new £65m state-of-the-art education campus in the town centre. The appointment follows a competitive tendering process through the Pagabo Framework. The Multiversity mixed-use educational development will bring up to 3,000
Work on a new residential care scheme designed to promote and maximise independent living has been completed in London, providing 70 new homes and tackling the wider housing crisis in the area. Reardon Court in Enfield, located on the site of a former care home in Cosgrove Close, has been
Plans to refurbish and transform the lakeside Wynyard Hall Spa designed by GT3 Architects have been approved by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Nestled downhill from Wynyard Hall overlooking the lake, the spa is set to undergo an extensive transformation to expand its offering with more wet spa facilities and treatment rooms,
Costain has scooped a multimillion-pound front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by bp for a new hydrogen pipeline network in the Teesside area. Costain’s multi-disciplinary in-house engineering team will deliver the FEED to enable the construction for a new, 31km onshore pipeline distribution network that will deliver purified and dehydrated hydrogen from bp’s new hydrogen production facility to industrial end users. Costain is expected to complete the FEED project in 2025. Operated by bp, as part of the East Coast Cluster, H2Teesside (H2T) is aiming to be one of the biggest blue hydrogen production facilities in the UK and will produce approximately 160,000 tonnes of low carbon hydrogen per annum. The blue hydrogen that H2T creates will ultimately displace natural gas consumption by industrial end users, establishing the hydrogen economy and enabling decarbonisation across the region. Earlier this year, Costain successfully completed the FEED for the onshore CO2 pipeline and associated utilities and was recently selected by bp to continue the work to the next stage and oversee and manage the engineering, procurement and construction of the CO2 system. Detailed engineering design and preparatory works will commence later this year, subject to final investment decisions. Sam White, managing director of natural resources at Costain, said: “This exciting project is a step change for UK decarbonisation. Our in-house engineering expertise will design a world-leading network that will safely transport hydrogen to provide industrial users with an alternative to natural gas, a key step in the development of the hydrogen economy. “In addition to the environmental benefits, this is a project that will be transformative for Teesside and its people, creating jobs and developing skills throughout the region. In transportation, water, and energy, we’re committed to delivering critical infrastructure that improves lives and prosperity across the North-East of England.” In addition, Technip Energies has been selected by bp to deliver FEED for the H2Teesside hydrogen production site. This will include establishing the execution methodology, a robust schedule and project cost. It is expected to complete FEED in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of the new Aseptic Pharmacy and Sterile Service Department at University Hospital Southampton has hit a significant milestone. A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held to celebrate the building reaching its highest point, marking a key step forward as the project moves closer to its scheduled opening in Spring 2025. Situated on plot 2 of the Adanac Health and Innovation Campus in Southampton, the new multi-use facility, which has been funded by investment from MacQuarie Group, will comprise an Aseptic Pharmacy, Sterile Services Department (SSD), and flexible expansion space. The Aseptic Pharmacy will act as an MHRA-licensed pharmacy, with drugs and medicines manufactured for UHS and other NHS providers in the region. Meanwhile, the SSD will sterilise surgical tools and equipment for use by UHS; these services will be delivered at the new location by current provider IHSS. UHS is one of the largest acute teaching trusts in England and experiences a very high demand on its geographically constrained site. By working with developer Prime plc, through the Southampton Commercial Estates Development Partnership (CEDP), the trust has been able to unlock many complex estate challenges. These new facilities will be the latest in a series of developments designed to create more space for the trust to expand. Previous development on the hospital site has produced a new entrance, retail space and staff car park. The partners then worked together to create Adanac Health and Innovation Campus, providing additional expansion space with good proximity to the hospital and easy access to the motorway network. Ewan Forsyth, Development Director at Prime: “Prime is proud to play a pivotal role in the ongoing transformation of University Hospital Southampton. The development of the new Sterile Services Department and aseptic pharmacy not only showcases our commitment to innovative, high-quality healthcare infrastructure but also aligns with the Trust’s sustainability goals. By integrating advanced sterilisation and pharmaceutical preparation facilities under one roof, we have created a state-of-the-art environment that will enhance the hospital’s capabilities and improve patient care. This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strategic partnerships and innovative thinking, supporting UHS in its mission to provide exceptional healthcare services now and in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has announced a £19 million deal to bring 77 affordable apartments to Nottinghamshire in partnership with Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. Work on the apartments, which will include access to communal areas and landscaped gardens, will start imminently, addressing the strong demand for later living in the area. The new development from Vistry Group and Anchor, built on brownfield land, will consist of one and two-bedroom apartments and is located in Edwaltong to the south of Nottingham and the River Trent. Edwalton is an area of West Bridgford and boasts some of Nottinghamshire’s most exclusive properties. Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be working with Anchor to build beautifully designed assisted living apartments for the affordable market.” “We’re excited to be leading the way in meeting the requirements of those needing this type of accommodation when housing is in such high demand. These much-needed new homes will be built to an exceptional standard to create a thriving and sustainable community.” Victoria Mager, director of development delivery at Anchor, said: “The development at Edwalton will offer residents the opportunity to be part of an open, inviting, and warm community. We’re looking forward to work starting in the next month and offering the opportunity for people to enjoy living in later life.” “This new community will deliver much-needed accommodation for older people in the local area. We anticipate delivering an average of at least 500 homes a year over a rolling ten-year period. This is in addition to growing the number of homes we provide in residential care.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has scooped a £185 million contract by Transport Scotland to dual the A9 between Tomatin and Moy in the Scottish Highlands, approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) south of Inverness. As part of the contract, Balfour Beatty will upgrade 9.6 kilometres of single carriageway to dual carriageway, construct four major bridges along the route as well as deliver new side roads together with various junction upgrades. Balfour Beatty will also provide over 10 kilometres of improved active travel routes to promote and encourage cycling and walking in the local area. The A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project is expected to improve road safety, journey times and reliability for all road users including pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers. This major investment in the local area will generate economic growth, supporting businesses, communities, and tourism throughout Scotland by strengthening the link between Scotland’s central belt and the Highlands and Islands. As part of its commitment to leaving a lasting positive legacy for the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty will reduce its carbon emissions during the construction phase by sourcing local materials wherever possible, helping to minimise the number of heavy goods vehicle movements and deliveries to and from the site. Balfour Beatty will also harness industry-leading digital delivery techniques such as 4D planning to digitally plan and rehearse the construction sequence of the Moy Rail Bridge and Dalmagarry Bridge to optimise the phasing of works, identify any potential construction sequencing challenges and put in place solutions to drive efficiencies and productivity. The A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project forms part of Transport Scotland’s multi-billion pound A9 Dualling Programme, for which a delivery plan was announced in December 2023. It marks the third section of the programme to begin construction following the successful completion of the Kincraig to Dalraddy and the Luncarty to Pass of Birnam sections, which opened in 2017 and 2021 respectively, with the latter also being constructed by Balfour Beatty. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new £5.5 million bus interchange, designed by BDP and operated by Transport for Wales, has opened in Cardiff. The centralised bus facility located next to Cardiff Central Railway Station creates a sustainable travel gateway to Cardiff, providing improved connections to the area by integrating bus and rail services with local walking routes, cycle ways and taxis. Multidisciplinary design practice BDP provided architectural and interior design, branding and wayfinding consultancy for the project which is part of the Welsh Government’s broader initiative to develop an integrated travel network for the people of Wales making public transport the easiest choice for all. Within the 2,235sqm interchange, the central feature is the bus terminus which includes 14 bus bays along with ancillary space for retail, food and beverage outlets and public toilet facilities to enhance passenger comfort for onward travel. A mezzanine level houses Transport for Wales’s strategic operations centre for south Wales. Central to BDP’s design is a focus on accessibility and inclusivity. Enhanced links between the bus interchange and the railway station are supported by clear wayfinding for a seamless travel experience. A striking red wall in the concourse provides a key visual orientation and branded identity focal point. Features such as tactile flooring routes and a braille accessibility map assist blind and partially sighted customers and the interchange includes a changing places room and a fully equipped family room. BDP’s collaborative approach was at the heart of the project with the implementation of an extensive stakeholder engagement programme including consultations with the local authority, transport operators, service users, police, fire service, the local community and accessibility groups to ensure that the design meets the needs of all users. Working with project manager and lead consultant Mott Macdonald, BDP addressed specialist security and fire safety design requirements. In addition, BDP conducted a complementary study which explored how the wider public realm around central Cardiff could be adapted to further improve connectivity between transport modes including active travel, wayfinding, technology, branding and green infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Liverpool Homes has been granted planning permission for a major redevelopment project in Speke. Its development will rejuvenate dormant sites in and around South Parade, Conleach Road, Conleach Crescent, Dam Wood Road, and Ganworth Road after it recently received planning permission from Liverpool City Council. It will bring 92 new homes to the area, with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses, bungalows and apartments. Each of the bungalows and apartments will be available for affordable rent, while the houses would be offered as either affordable rent, rent to buy, or shared ownership. To address the shortage of adaptable and accessible homes, 14 homes will be wheelchair-accessible and the inclusion of bungalows will help address the needs of the growing older population in the area. The homes will all have high energy performance ratings and will feature solar PV panels, highly efficient electric heating and electric charging points. All these measures will support customers to keep their energy bills down and reduce their carbon emissions. At the heart of this ambitious project is a substantial area of open public realm, for new and existing residents of Speke to enjoy. The space will be a focal point of the development, encouraging a strong sense of community and providing a welcoming environment for families and individuals to come together. Over 150 trees will also be planted across the development, including the re-instatement of a tree-lined boulevard along one of perimeters. South Liverpool Homes’ Executive Director of Assets and Development, Angela Perry said: “We are delighted to receive planning permission for this exciting new development in Speke. The mixed-tenure housing options will help met the diverse needs of the area, and the open green space will help protect our natural environment, creating a vibrant and inclusive community for generations to come. “As the development progresses, it is anticipated that it will not only provide much-needed homes but also continue to stimulate economic growth in the area and support the ongoing regeneration of Speke.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Holtec Britain has announced the successful completion of the first part of the UK Generic Design Assessment process (GDA) for its SMR-300 nuclear reactor. The GDA process is intended to provide confidence to the UK government that the proposed reactor embodiment is capable of being constructed, operated and decommissioned by the highest standards of safety, security and environmental protection required in Great Britain. In addition to the evaluation of Holtec’s SMR-300 technology, GDA ‘Step 1’ also made a positive assessment of the operational readiness of Holtec Britain. This regulatory assessment confirmed that Holtec Britain is a capable nuclear organisation fully qualified and resourced to deliver major nuclear power projects in the United Kingdom. Supported by a £60m investment, £30m of which was secured from the UK government’s Future Nuclear Enabling Fund award last year (HH38.18), the Holtec Britain team has now more than tripled in size and has relocated its UK HQ to Bristol in the southwest of the country. The company said that it was pleased by the UK regulators’ affirmative assessment of Holtec Britain, which is backed by its US parent – Holtec International (USA) – as well as Team Holtec members Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. of Korea and Mitsubishi Electric Co. of Japan. Holtec’s plan for the UK includes the establishment of a heavy manufacturing plant in the country to build SMR-300 components mirroring the Company’s existing plants in the United States. Selection of the most suitable site for the manufacturing facility is underway. Dr Rick Springman, Holtec’s President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities responsible for Holtec Britain voiced his optimism for the Company’s SMR-300’s prospects in the UK: “We are proud of our Holtec Britain organization for securing regulatory Step 1 endorsement in record time. We are confident of our capability to deliver SMR-300 plants in numbers needed by the country. It helps that our SMR-300 plant is premised on the PWR technology with which Great Britain is well versed in its civilian as well as naval nuclear program.” Holtec’s SMR-300 is a 300 MWe small modular reactor that is ideally suited for distributed generation, which reduces dependence on heavy inter-regional transmission of electrical power thus improving the resilience and security of the power grid. It is uniquely qualified to reject its waste heat directly to air eliminating the need for time-consuming water use permits. The plant is quite compact requiring ~30 acres for two co-located units. Thanks to its low radiation accretion profile, even under the most severe postulated accident, the plant’s controlled area suffices to serve as its exclusion boundary. Holtec is on track to begin the licensing and construction of two SMR-300 units at the Company’s Palisades site. The shovel-to-startup life cycle of the first batch of SMR-300s is expected to be three years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall has been selected by Blackpool Council as the main contractor on a pre-contract services agreement to build a new £65m state-of-the-art education campus in the town centre. The appointment follows a competitive tendering process through the Pagabo Framework. The Multiversity mixed-use educational development will bring up to 3,000 students and staff into Blackpool town centre and allow Blackpool and the Fylde College to relocate from out-of-town facilities into a world-class campus off Cookson Street in Blackpool. Land for the development is currently being assembled with the site offering a perfect location situated next to tram, train and bus services, making it accessible to students across the Fylde Coast and beyond. The Multiversity would be leased to the College, offering more than 70 individual courses and enhancing its existing higher education provision which is directly linked to local employment needs. The Multiversity would also support a wide range of qualifications, from further education, through to higher education and adult learning. The proposed development would include two phases, starting with an education campus on the corner of Cookson Street and George Street, followed by future development across the southern end of the site by Milbourne Street and Grosvenor Street. The plans would deliver up to 32,600 sqm of education space and commercial space across several phases, starting with the new Multiversity building. Outline approval for the scheme was granted in April 2024, with a reserved matters application to follow this summer. The main campus building would be designed to be carbon-neutral in operation, with the surrounding area on George Street landscaped and pedestrianised to make it a safer environment for students and local people. The Multiversity has been designed by established architects Hawkins\Brown and aims to complement the rest of the Talbot Gateway regeneration. Steven Gregory, Morgan Sindall Construction’s North West Area Director, said: “We’re excited to be appointed to the Multiversity Campus project with Blackpool Council and the Blackpool and The Fylde College, which promises to deliver precious benefits for the local community. Once complete, the campus will boost access to advanced skills for Blackpool’s resident and support the town centre’s wider regeneration. “The Morgan Sindall team is committed to maximising the social and economic value generated during the development. This will be achieved in several ways, such as utilising local contractors and creating a Knowledge Quad to provide training and learning opportunities, such as hosting the Blackpool Community Skills Academy employability programme. We’ve also already partnered with Blackpool and The Fylde College to provide ongoing education support to help students become ‘work ready’.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work on a new residential care scheme designed to promote and maximise independent living has been completed in London, providing 70 new homes and tackling the wider housing crisis in the area. Reardon Court in Enfield, located on the site of a former care home in Cosgrove Close, has been designed to enhance individuals’ quality of life through access to a multi-purpose environment. Two communal courtyards, a central social space, and several auxiliary function rooms come together to deliver a community within itself, with hobby rooms, a library, and a hairdressing area promoting a sense of independence and connectivity between residents. Encircling the internal courtyards, accessible corridors have been incorporated into the design to enhance communal living and promote social inclusion. Leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the scheme, collaborating closely with contractor GRAHAM and Enfield Council to deliver architecture, landscape architecture, project management, contract administration, clerk, technical advisory, M&E, sustainability and energy, and civil and structural engineering services. John Clarke, director at Pick Everard, said: “This has been a rewarding project, focusing on a specialist area of residential living that draws on our vast experience in delivering affordable and high-quality care environments. “The different elements of the scheme come together to create a mini-community within Enfield where residents can enjoy a varied offering of active social and wellbeing opportunities, aided by an inclusive and disability-conscious design. Each flat benefits from an outward-facing balcony, with those on the ground floor having access to a garden space to really enhance a sense of independence that is present throughout the scheme. “We now look forward to seeing residents and staff make use of this fantastic new space, which will positively impact generations to come.” The Enfield scheme has been commended by local delegates for its wider impact on aiding housing shortages in the area, with older residents able to move into high-quality housing, while increasing the availability of family homes in the borough. In addition to maximising housing opportunities, the scheme has also incorporated a green design philosophy, with more than 100 solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof alongside sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to help with rainwater management. Social value was a key part of the project, with career talks held at nearby schools and material suppliers chosen in the local area. Pat O’Hare, regional director at GRAHAM, said: “Reardon Court will provide independence, safety, and comfort for residents for years to come. This project underscores the importance of meeting the evolving needs of an ageing population who require extra support and care. “With its thoughtful design, comprehensive care services, and commitment to fostering a sense of community, Reardon Court sets a new standard for independent living in later years.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to refurbish and transform the lakeside Wynyard Hall Spa designed by GT3 Architects have been approved by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Nestled downhill from Wynyard Hall overlooking the lake, the spa is set to undergo an extensive transformation to expand its offering with more wet spa facilities and treatment rooms, as well as increased accessibility for users. The approved plans will see the existing ground floor building extended, along with the introduction of a new-look outdoor space. New features will include an infinity pool and ice plunge pool, two barrel saunas, fit pit seating areas alongside two hot tubs, and external terraces. A café area accommodating 40 covers will be positioned on the lower floor by the lake, fostering fluidity of movement with easy access to outdoor seating spaces. The lower floor will also feature changing rooms and indoor spa facilities, which include a herbal sauna, steam room, frigidarium, experience showers, salt therapy room, and plunge pools. A new-build upper-level will house six single and one double treatment rooms, a manicure room, and relaxation rooms. Anna Cumberland, senior architect at GT3 Architects, said: “It’s fantastic to see the design proposals for Wynyard Hall Spa now approved and we very much look forward to getting work underway and bringing the new facility to fruition. “Everything we do is rooted in people architecture, making sure that every design is truly focused on the people who will interact with the space, whether that be as a visitor or staff. In the case of Wynyard Hall Spa, this includes improving accessibility to allow more people to visit. Readdressing the entrance and circulation around the spa facilities, as well as re-aligning the building levels, introducing a lift, and adding accessible parking with an access route will all improve the spa in its current form. “The designs combine the luxury aesthetic expected by visitors with a sensitivity to the overall setting, particularly with the listed nature of Wynyard Hall and its gardens, which date back to the early 19th century. A clean and simple exterior using a buffbrick base to the lower level creates this cohesion with the setting, while a timber finish with feature glazing to the upper level adds a contemporary element which frames views across the grounds and creates an all-important connection to nature.” Taking inspiration from Nordic spa experiences, the building orientation takes spa users on a journey through their visit using the contrast of hot and cold, and dark and light alongside a blend of tactile materials. Meanwhile, close consultation with the spa manager ensured that the operational functions of the spa were considered and would be efficient for staff, while also not impacting the visitor experience. The design team for the approved plans includes Southern Green Landscape Architects, Portland Consulting Engineers, TGA Consulting Engineers, SAJ Transport Consultants, and ELG Planning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
