Watkin Jones has secured plans to develop a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and
A former school site in Leeds is set to be transformed into a community sports hub. Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – have been given the go-ahead. Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led
Spencer Group is to develop a new dock gate as part of a £1.9 million project to preserve a historic vessel. The project to improve and repair Hull’s North End Shipyard is part of a wider £32m cultural regeneration project led by Hull City Council to celebrate the city’s rich
Housebuilder Story Homes has been granted planning permission from Cumberland Council to build 112 new homes on land south of the A69 in Scotby, Carlisle. The proposals for a new residential development include a range of high-quality two to five-bedroom properties that suit the needs of a variety of prospective
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Bouygues UK as the lead contractor for the design and build of the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital. Demolition works on the current MRI building at the hospital have commenced. This new collaboration, secured through a competitive
BAM has started building work on the first office development at Brent Cross Town in north London. 3 Copper Square is located at the 180-acre, £8 billion mixed-use park town development, which is targeting to be a net zero carbon town by 2030. The building designed by Shedkm Architects will
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to refurbish two historic buildings in Sutton, South London. The £4.4 million project for the London Borough of Sutton involves transforming two historic buildings formerly occupied by Topshop and Vision Express on 137-145 High Street in the town centre to create 20,000 sq ft
Peel Waters has unveiled the new brand identity for Miller’s Quay, a transformational residential development at Wirral Waters, featuring 500 highly sustainable one- and two-bedroom waterfront apartments. When designing Miller’s Quay, in collaboration with award-winning architects Howells, Peel set out to create a new iconic landmark for Wirral, seamlessly integrating
Wiltshire Council has approved plans to develop almost 170 new homes in Warminster. Wessex was successful in its reserved matters planning application, meaning it can soon commence construction on a new phase at its Jubilee Gardens development. The 168-home phase includes a wide range of tenures for local people from
Developer and operator of single family build-to-rent (BTR) housing, Present Made and homebuilder, Miller Homes, have formed a joint venture (JV) to deliver a 650-home mixed-tenure community in Bedfordshire. The 170-acre site, currently known as Mill View, will feature a blend of private-sale, affordable and single-family build-to-rent (BTR) housing. Construction
Watkin Jones has secured plans to develop a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and foundry, the project is a prime opportunity to revive a disused brownfield site and contribute to the broader regeneration of the Bedminster Green area. The scheme will deliver high-quality managed homes for students ranging from six to ten storeys in height across three buildings. The proposals will deliver broad benefits to the local community, including the creation of a new public space and improvements to the highway infrastructure. The new student population is expected to support local businesses, including those along nearby East Street in particular. Compared to the proposals of previous developers, Watkin Jones’ proposal promoted significant changes including reducing the number and height of buildings across the site and decreasing the number of rooms to better reflect the local character and in response to public engagement. With support from the University of Bristol, this scheme will help to meet the higher education needs of the city that continues to be a premier destination of choice for both UK and international students as numbers continue to rise. Importantly, it has been designed sustainably to support the Group’s ESG strategy. The scheme will be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and WiredScore ‘Gold’ enabling the best connectivity for students, in addition to an EPC rating B. Watkin Jones is expected to partner with its award-winning management company Fresh to deliver well-maintained, 24-hour on-site services for students. As a leading and long-standing student accommodation developer, Fresh can ensure the site is well cared for and that the student population is well integrated with the existing community. The site offers excellent public transport links and includes storage for 130 bikes, three disabled car spaces that can accommodate EV charging, significant new tree planting, and green landscaping along Malago Road, seamlessly integrating with the council’s highway improvements and river restoration works. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A former school site in Leeds is set to be transformed into a community sports hub. Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – have been given the go-ahead. Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led project, which will include three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a two-storey building with facilities such as changing rooms, a gym and a café. The building will also be home to a GP surgery and pharmacy, with these services contributing to the wide-ranging health and well-being benefits that the development as a whole will bring to local residents. Other elements of the scheme will include the creation of a children’s play area and improvements to a portion of existing green space at the site, which covers 6.3 hectares and sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road. Outdoor seating areas, footpaths and a segregated cycle route are also planned, along with a 267-space car park and dozens of bike storage bays. The scheme is one of three new sports hubs planned for Leeds as part of the national Parklife programme, which aims to deliver improved facilities for grassroots football using funding from the Football Association, the Premier League, Sport England, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Football Foundation charity. This and other major sites (메이저사이트) will show investment by these groups. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spencer Group is to develop a new dock gate as part of a £1.9 million project to preserve a historic vessel. The project to improve and repair Hull’s North End Shipyard is part of a wider £32m cultural regeneration project led by Hull City Council to celebrate the city’s rich maritime heritage. The North End Shipyard is set to become the new home for the country’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, the Arctic Corsair, which will form a new visitor attraction when in place. The city council has appointed Hull Esteem Consortium LEP as the principal contractor for the shipyard project, with Spencer Group designing and delivering the vital lock gate element for the dry dock. Spencer Group will remove the existing gate, before installing the new 15m by 6m, 50 tonne steel replacement from the River Hull following berthing of the vessel. The gate will then be sealed in place by forming a reinforced concrete wall, providing a permanent home for the Arctic Corsair. The new dock gate is being produced in Grimsby before being installed at North End Ship Yard. Hull-based Spencer Group has already completed work to create a new home for another iconic vessel, the Spurn Lightship, as part of the Hull Maritime project. The company created a new wet berth for the lightship in Hull Marina earlier this year which is set to become another local maritime visitor attraction in the coming months. Neil Hewitt, Pre-Construction Project Manager for Spencer Group, said: “This is a really important project for us. “The Arctic Corsair is one of the flagship vessels of the city’s maritime history and we’re extremely proud to be playing our part in preserving it for future generations. Having previously been involved in constructing her berthing outside the Streetlife Museum over 20 years ago, the business is proud to play its part in settling her into her new home. “It means a lot to everyone at Spencer Group to deliver projects like this, particularly in our home city of Hull.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Story Homes has been granted planning permission from Cumberland Council to build 112 new homes on land south of the A69 in Scotby, Carlisle. The proposals for a new residential development include a range of high-quality two to five-bedroom properties that suit the needs of a variety of prospective buyers. 33 of the new homes will be classed as affordable and will address the different requirements of eligible occupants with a connection to the Scotby area. The new development will complement the local area and include biodiversity enhancements and the delivery of new public open space which can be enjoyed by new and existing residents. As part of this new development in Scotby, Story Homes will make a number of significant community contributions totalling over £358k in line with the Section 106 Agreement requirements for the scheme. This includes contributions towards open space, sports and recreation, new primary school places, highways and travel improvements. David Hayward, Land Manager for Story Homes in Cumbria & Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission to deliver 112 new homes in Scotby. Our scheme has been carefully designed to provide an appropriate extension to the village of Scotby and will deliver a range of two to five-bedroom modern, family homes centred around flexible living. “The scheme will also provide a number of benefits to the local community, such as the provision of 33 much-needed new affordable homes for local people with differing requirements, attractive street scenes, biodiversity gains and areas of new open space. We look forward to works beginning on site for this exciting new development.” Due to significant delays within the planning system, including Nutrient Neutrality mitigation, Story Homes has been unable to bring forward any new residential developments in the Carlisle area since permission was granted for its Oakleigh Fields development at Orton Road in 2021. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Bouygues UK as the lead contractor for the design and build of the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital. Demolition works on the current MRI building at the hospital have commenced. This new collaboration, secured through a competitive bid process, builds on the long-term partnership between the Trust, Bouygues UK and its subsidiaries. The new five-storey facility will provide vital diagnostic and treatment services in cancer, renal and imaging for local residents in Hounslow, Richmond and Ealing. It aims to reduce health inequalities, improve patient outcomes and provide care closer to home, freeing up space in the main hospital for inpatient care. The centre will support outpatient care and will offer day services for patients. The project includes five storeys of new build, a rooftop plant and a small terrace area. On the ground floor there will be a new single storey link corridor to the existing hospital building. Social value will play a key role in the project and the contractor will be supporting the local community with apprenticeships and work experience placements, as well as working with educational institutions in the area and taking part in local charity initiatives. Bouygues UK is currently working in partnership with MITSkills, London Borough of Hounslow and JCP Hounslow on a training and skills development programme and sustainable long-term employment opportunities for local people. The contractor will be taking on 11 apprentices and providing around 50 work experience opportunities with MITSkills throughout the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BAM has started building work on the first office development at Brent Cross Town in north London. 3 Copper Square is located at the 180-acre, £8 billion mixed-use park town development, which is targeting to be a net zero carbon town by 2030. The building designed by Shedkm Architects will provide 239,000 sq ft of office space over 14 floors plus flexible retail space at ground level. It forms the cornerstone of a new business and innovation district that will extend to 3m sq ft and create workspace for up to 25,000 people – alongside the 6,700 new homes, student housing, homes for later living, a new high street, three schools and 50 acres of parks and playing fields. Sheffield Hallam University is setting up its first university campus outside Yorkshire at Brent Cross Town and will be the anchor tenant. The University will occupy around 110,000 sq ft across the lower six floors of the building. Sheffield Hallam has award-winning teaching, learning and research capabilities alongside an outstanding student offer. The University’s London campus will provide tailored support to help businesses innovate, with access to sector expertise from academics and highly skilled graduates. It will also act as a conduit to strengthen links between South Yorkshire and London, creating new opportunities. 3 Copper Square is scheduled to open in Q3 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to refurbish two historic buildings in Sutton, South London. The £4.4 million project for the London Borough of Sutton involves transforming two historic buildings formerly occupied by Topshop and Vision Express on 137-145 High Street in the town centre to create 20,000 sq ft of modern retail and business space. An important aspect of Interiors’ work is to protect the historic features of both four-storey buildings while modernising the space to allow the upper floors to provide large, open-plan floor spaces, with the basement and ground floor becoming separate commercial units. The project was tendered via Procurement Hub and is part-funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund, through which the Council secured £11.35 million to transform the town centre. As part of its work, Willmott Dixon Interiors has committed to investing in the local community and is partnering with The South London Careers Hub and Construction Industry Training Board to promote career opportunities, with specific initiatives made available to students, women and care leavers. Simon Wilson, director at Willmott Dixon Interiors: “We are looking forward to supporting Sutton Council’s efforts to breathe new life into the high street. Our team has vast experience in transforming underused buildings for the benefit of local people and economies. This important refurbishment will not only deliver commercial spaces fit for the 21st century but has the potential to attract new occupiers that will encourage wider town centre regeneration too.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peel Waters has unveiled the new brand identity for Miller’s Quay, a transformational residential development at Wirral Waters, featuring 500 highly sustainable one- and two-bedroom waterfront apartments. When designing Miller’s Quay, in collaboration with award-winning architects Howells, Peel set out to create a new iconic landmark for Wirral, seamlessly integrating urban living with natural surroundings. The result is a contemporary interpretation of the historic Birkenhead Docks, drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours, metalwork, and warehouses that define the area’s industrial past. These waterfront apartments offer not only striking architecture and expansive views but also south-facing shared spaces, dockside walkways, and access to new green spaces and micro parks, inviting residents to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying urban comforts. The ew homes now have a distinctive new brand that pays homage to the area’s rich 19th Century industrial heritage. The name “Millers” harks back to its historical use as a Flour Mill and a Copper-Rolling Mill, while “Quay” symbolises a positive transformation, reclaiming the waterfront for community use. Each of the six residential blocks within Miller’s Quay is named after elements of the site’s industrial past – Salt House, Copper Mill, Steam Yard, Lime Studio, Glaze Works, and Soda Factory. These names reflect the materials and processes used in the manufacture of cobalt and copper that, alongside pottery, took place on this site, serving as another subtle reminder of the area’s proud heritage. The ‘chemical reaction’ visuals of the new Miller’s Quay brand also reflect some of these industrial processes, further enriching the narrative of this historically significant site. The brand identity for Miller’s Quay features a bold word-mark inspired by the docks’ industrial legacy, complemented by a distinctive marque that aims to leave a lasting impression. Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells, said: “We’re hugely excited to see Miller’s Quay develop and continue to progress on-site, even more so with this striking new brand. The development harnesses a picture postcard aesthetic for Wirral Waters, along with creating a thriving, residential project with a real sense of place and waterside living at its heart.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wiltshire Council has approved plans to develop almost 170 new homes in Warminster. Wessex was successful in its reserved matters planning application, meaning it can soon commence construction on a new phase at its Jubilee Gardens development. The 168-home phase includes a wide range of tenures for local people from 1-bed apartments to four-bed homes. 55 of the new homes will also be transferred to a local housing association, helping alleviate pressure on the Council’s over 4,000-strong housing waiting list. ‘Phase P2’ of the development includes a large section of the spine road, surrounding public open space, sustainable urban drainage systems, a cycle link and an area of floating wetland. Wessex Deputy Managing Director, Seb Spiller, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission from Wiltshire Council to deliver 168 new homes for local people at our existing Jubilee Gardens development. “We are proud of the progress at Jubilee Gardens, which is creating a sustainable community for local families, and are pleased to have the local authority’s support for our next phase of construction. “This second phase will enhance the existing site by delivering new market homes for local people, while 55 properties will be transferred to a local housing association for social provision. We are determined to create a positive and lasting legacy in every area we build, and we are proud that our new development will continue to make the dream of homeownership a reality for local families.” As part of the wider Jubilee Gardens development, Persimmon is investing millions of pounds in the local vicinity as the housebuilder delivers a sustainable community for local people. This will include land for a new primary school, significant areas of open space including a riverside park, equipped children’s play areas, two areas of sports pitches and associated changing rooms. A local centre, allotments, public art, employment land, improvements to public footpaths, new pedestrian and cycle routes, biodiversity enhancements and a dedicated ecology area will also be delivered at Jubilee Gardens. Significant financial contributions will also be made towards education provision, bus services connecting the scheme with the town centre, signal upgrades to improve vehicle movements in the town centre, health care in Warminster, and enhancements to local public rights of way. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer and operator of single family build-to-rent (BTR) housing, Present Made and homebuilder, Miller Homes, have formed a joint venture (JV) to deliver a 650-home mixed-tenure community in Bedfordshire. The 170-acre site, currently known as Mill View, will feature a blend of private-sale, affordable and single-family build-to-rent (BTR) housing. Construction is set to commence in Q4 of 2024, with the initial homes expected to be completed by 2025. Mill View underscores Miller Homes’ expertise in forming joint ventures to create exceptional homes and communities. It also represents Present Made’s first triple-tenure transaction, including private sale, affordable and BTR residences. Located in a cluster of villages 13 minutes south of central Bedford, the site forms part of the wider Wixam Park masterplan, which includes over 1,500 homes and five-acres of employment land. The site benefits from outline planning consent for a new primary school, community infrastructure and an 87-acre country park. Mill View, soon to be rebranded, represents the newest addition to Miller Homes’ growing portfolio in the South Midlands region. Among the other developments by Miller Homes in this area are Miller Homes @ Forster Park in Stevenage, Norwood Quarter in Northampton, Miller Homes at Stanton Cross in Wellingborough and Arlesey Gate in Arlesey. Alan Penfold, Managing Director at Present Made, said: “In Miller Homes, we have a five-star, best-in-class delivery partner renowned for its quality of product and speed of execution. The delivery partner model will help Present Made achieve scale faster while ensuring we maintain the highest design, build and operational standards. This relentless focus has defined Apache Capital’s purpose-built prime multi-family build-to-rent strategy and will see us deliver a new community at Mill View that sets new benchmarks for excellence.” Benjamin Massey, Divisional Managing Director at Miller Homes, stated: “We are pleased to have formed this joint venture with Present Made to deliver 650 mixed tenure homes in Bedford, enabling us to complete this significant land acquisition together, and we hope it forms the foundation for other opportunities. “Building mixed tenure homes as part of our business model allows us to continue diversifying our portfolio, while creating new opportunities for land acquisition and supporting our overall growth ambitions to 6,500 homes per year. Mill View will offer residents a blend of thriving town life and picturesque countryside living, easy access to local transport links, and green spaces including the new country park on the doorstep.” John Dunkerley, CEO at Apache Capital, said: “The tri-tenure model is a win-win for investors, communities, and housebuilders: investors get to satisfy the ‘triple bottom line’ by delivering solid financial, environmental and social returns, communities get a broad range of much-needed new housing, while housebuilders get de-risked sites and diversified sources of income beyond highly cyclical market sales. We see this model as being key to scaling our Present Made platform as we look to work with third-party capital to capitalise on the opportunity presented by the UK’s rapidly changing housing market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
