Cristina Diaconu
Morgan Sindall achieves milestone at Abergavenny school

Morgan Sindall achieves milestone at Abergavenny school

Morgan Sindall Construction has announced the successful completion of the main building phase for the King Henry VIII 3-19 School redevelopment in Abergavenny, a transformative £62.5 million project delivered via the SEWSCAP framework. A celebration was held to mark the handover of the new building to Monmouthshire County Council, with

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Travelodge starts construction on new hotel in Loughton

Travelodge starts construction on new hotel in Loughton

Travelodge has officially broken ground on a new 100-room hotel in Loughton, marking the latest addition to the UK’s first budget hotel brand’s expanding portfolio. The company, which operates more than 610 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, is aiming to meet growing demand for affordable accommodation with the

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Funding secured for Digbeth Stone Yard development

Funding secured for Digbeth Stone Yard development

A major investment deal has been finalised to deliver nearly 1,000 high-quality rental homes at Digbeth development in Birmingham. Aviva Capital Partners and Moda Group have partnered with NatWest, Homes England, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to fund the £200m+ Stone Yard development—set to transform a prominent four-acre

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Work starts at University of Warwick Claycroft Residences

Work starts at University of Warwick Claycroft Residences

Morgan Sindall Construction has officially begun renovation works on the Claycroft Residences at the University of Warwick, one of the largest accommodation complexes on the university’s main campus in Coventry. The extensive 17,000m² project will transform three individual accommodation blocks, which together provide 679 bedrooms arranged into eight-person flats. Originally

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JV North announces appointments to housebuilding framework

JV North announces appointments to housebuilding framework

JV North has announced the list of contractors and consultants appointed to its £500 million social housebuilding framework, which aims to deliver around 3,000 homes across the North West over the next four years. The housing consortium, which includes 14 members, launched the procurement process in January. Call-offs under the

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Planning permission secured for Oldham Town Centre transformation

Planning permission secured for Oldham Town Centre transformation

Oldham town centre regeneration has taken a major step forward, with planning consent now granted for all six sites earmarked for transformation through the partnership between Muse and Oldham Council. The approval represents a significant milestone in the long-term vision to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable town centre that

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Sigma Capital to deliver BTR homes with Vistry Group

Sigma Capital to deliver BTR homes with Vistry Group

Sigma Capital Group has announced the acquisition of four new development sites worth around £100 million in gross development cost (GDC), continuing its strategic partnership with Vistry Group. The projects will deliver 415 new single-family rental homes across England, further cementing Sigma’s role as a leading player in the build-to-rent

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Loop launches new tool for the housing sector

Loop launches new tool for the housing sector

Social value specialist Loop has launched the UK’s first monetised social value metrics tool tailored specifically for the housing sector, offering developers a new, data-driven approach to strengthen planning applications, engage communities and showcase real-world benefits. Developed in partnership with community engagement experts Meeting Place, the tool translates social, economic,

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The Hill Group reports record financial results

The Hill Group reports record financial results

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has announced record financial results for the year ending 31 March 2025, marking its second consecutive year of historic growth. The company reported a turnover of £1.15 billion and a pre-tax profit of £90.5 million, completing more than 2,800 new homes across its operations. The

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Archive service moving to new Huddersfield facility

Archive service moving to new Huddersfield facility

Kirklees Council has announced that the West Yorkshire Archive Service (WYAS) will be moving into a new, purpose-built home within Huddersfield’s flagship library hub, part of the Our Cultural Heart regeneration scheme. The move marks a major milestone in the preservation and accessibility of the borough’s historical records, with the

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Latest Issue
Issue 331 : Aug 2025

Cristina Diaconu

Morgan Sindall achieves milestone at Abergavenny school

Morgan Sindall achieves milestone at Abergavenny school

Morgan Sindall Construction has announced the successful completion of the main building phase for the King Henry VIII 3-19 School redevelopment in Abergavenny, a transformative £62.5 million project delivered via the SEWSCAP framework. A celebration was held to mark the handover of the new building to Monmouthshire County Council, with external works scheduled to continue for a further year. The project delivers a purpose-built, all-through school spanning 15,000 square metres, encompassing 107 teaching spaces for primary, secondary, and sixth form education, alongside wraparound childcare and specialist facilities for children with additional learning needs. External amenities will include a 3G football pitch, a 2G hockey pitch, and a new publicly accessible Active Travel route. Constructed with a steel frame and incorporating GGBS cement to reduce embodied carbon, the school is Monmouthshire County Council’s first designed to be Net Zero Carbon in operation. Significant sustainability features include photovoltaic (PV) panels for direct power generation, underfloor heating, air source heat pumps, enhanced insulation, and triple-glazed windows. The project’s carbon output has been rigorously monitored using Morgan Sindall’s proprietary CarboniCa tool, and the company applied its 10 Tonne Challenge to identify further emission reductions. The construction team successfully navigated complex challenges, including high groundwater levels and a sloping site. Early contractor involvement proved pivotal, enabling intelligent design solutions for steelwork, mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems, and groundworks. Notably, the sheet piling design was adapted to preserve a 700-year-old oak tree, which now forms a central landscape feature. Beyond environmental sustainability, the project delivered substantial social value, creating 60 new jobs for individuals not in education, employment, or training, and supporting 22 new apprentices. The team engaged over 9,300 pupils through STEM activities and ensured 82% of the workforce was sourced from Wales, with 84% of supply chain spend retained locally. Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to have delivered this transformative project for Monmouthshire County Council and the local community. King Henry VIII 3-19 School represents not only a major investment in education but also in sustainable construction and inclusive design. This project is a testament to what can be achieved through early collaboration, intelligent planning, and a shared commitment to creating inspiring learning environments.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Travelodge starts construction on new hotel in Loughton

Travelodge starts construction on new hotel in Loughton

Travelodge has officially broken ground on a new 100-room hotel in Loughton, marking the latest addition to the UK’s first budget hotel brand’s expanding portfolio. The company, which operates more than 610 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, is aiming to meet growing demand for affordable accommodation with the development. The new hotel is located just off the M11, with convenient access to the M25. It is just an eight-minute walk from Debden Underground Station, providing direct Central line services into central London. For motorists, on-site parking is available, and Stansted Airport is approximately a 30-minute drive away. Guests will also benefit from nearby amenities including Epping Forest Shopping Park and the expansive green spaces of Epping Forest. Designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers, the hotel will feature Travelodge’s latest premium look, including a contemporary reception area, upgraded next-generation rooms, and the new 85 Bar Café. The development is part of a wider mixed-use scheme that includes office and self-storage space. The standalone hotel is being delivered by Higgins Group as the developer, with Barnes Construction serving as the principal contractor. Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director at Travelodge, said: “We’re excited to begin construction on our new hotel in Loughton, further strengthening our presence across the Greater London area. This is a prime location for commuters, shoppers, and visitors, and our hotel will provide a well-connected, great-value base for all types of travellers. We’re pleased to see work now underway and look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens at the end of next year.” The project is also expected to provide a boost to the local economy by creating new jobs and increasing visitor numbers to the area. Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Higgins Group, added: “We’re really pleased that work is now underway on the new Travelodge at our Langston Road site. This marks a significant step forward in the wider redevelopment of the site.” The hotel is due to open by the end of next year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Funding secured for Digbeth Stone Yard development

Funding secured for Digbeth Stone Yard development

A major investment deal has been finalised to deliver nearly 1,000 high-quality rental homes at Digbeth development in Birmingham. Aviva Capital Partners and Moda Group have partnered with NatWest, Homes England, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to fund the £200m+ Stone Yard development—set to transform a prominent four-acre brownfield site into a thriving build-to-rent (BTR) neighbourhood. The agreement signals a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, supporting the delivery of new homes while promoting regeneration, sustainability, and community-building. Phase one of the Stone Yard project will see the delivery of 605 homes across four blocks, backed by debt financing from NatWest and Homes England via the Home Building Fund. A future phase will add another three blocks, bringing the total to 995 homes. The WMCA has contributed brownfield grant funding, enabling 20% of the homes to be offered as affordable housing at Discounted Market Rent. These homes will be spread across the site to support inclusive, community-led regeneration. Homes England’s investment includes around £40 million in debt funding, building on its Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) with the WMCA. This initiative aims to drive locally-led housing growth in key areas such as Digbeth, which anchors the East Birmingham and North Solihull corridor. The development is designed with a strong focus on sustainability, aiming for top-tier accreditation from organisations such as Fitwel, Home Quality Mark, and BREEAM. In addition to high-specification apartments, residents will benefit from a suite of amenities, including co-working spaces, 24/7 gyms, lounges, studio spaces and private dining rooms. Stone Yard will also feature landscaped public areas, commercial units, and improved connections to local attractions, contributing to Digbeth’s growing reputation as a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood. Moda will operate the buildings and public realm, delivering its signature approach to health, wellbeing, technology, and resident experience, ensuring a professionally managed and diverse community at the heart of the city. Construction is being led by Caddick Construction, Moda’s sister company, with initial works now underway. Completion of the first phase is anticipated in 2028. Located on Deritend Road, the Stone Yard site sits adjacent to the Custard Factory and directly opposite the new Eastside Metro extension and the upcoming HS2 Curzon Street Station, placing future residents at the heart of Birmingham’s cultural and transport networks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Work starts at University of Warwick Claycroft Residences

Work starts at University of Warwick Claycroft Residences

Morgan Sindall Construction has officially begun renovation works on the Claycroft Residences at the University of Warwick, one of the largest accommodation complexes on the university’s main campus in Coventry. The extensive 17,000m² project will transform three individual accommodation blocks, which together provide 679 bedrooms arranged into eight-person flats. Originally constructed between 1994 and 1997, the buildings are set to be upgraded to offer modern, high-quality living facilities for students. Internally, the works will include full redecoration of bathrooms with new flooring, sanitaryware, and finishes, as well as modernisation of bedrooms featuring a new painted feature wall. Communal areas will see the installation of new vinyl tile flooring and metal suspended ceilings to enhance both aesthetics and durability. Additional upgrades include the remodelling of the laundrette in Claycroft 1, which will be expanded to include an accessible dryer and incorporate space from an adjacent staff office to create a more functional layout. A key component of the refurbishment is the replacement of existing roof coverings and a full upgrade of the buildings to meet current safety standards. This includes a complete rewire and the renewal of all fire safety systems. The project, which required 14 months of planning and design, will be delivered in three phases between July 2025 and September 2026. One accommodation block will be refurbished at a time, allowing two buildings to remain operational throughout the academic year. This phased approach will minimise disruption for students, who will be able to relocate safely between blocks during construction. The first phase, involving a block of 266 bedrooms, is scheduled for completion in November 2025. The project was procured via the SCAPE Venture framework, which is designed to support privately funded projects in construction, civil engineering, and consultancy. This approach allowed Morgan Sindall to contribute early input on buildability, cost planning, logistics and scheduling. Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Midlands, said: “It’s fantastic to be on site collaborating with University of Warwick to deliver this refurbishment of Claycroft Residences. Students need space to study, relax, and catch up with friends, and we’re proud that our plans for this development will create a warm, welcoming environment for students to call home during their studies.” Sioned Cash, Interim Director of Accommodation at the University of Warwick, added: “I’m very pleased that work will be starting next week on this exciting redevelopment project. This investment demonstrates the University of Warwick’s continued commitment to enhancing the student experience through high-quality accommodation. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Morgan Sindall to deliver modern, comfortable living spaces that meet the evolving needs of our students.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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JV North announces appointments to housebuilding framework

JV North announces appointments to housebuilding framework

JV North has announced the list of contractors and consultants appointed to its £500 million social housebuilding framework, which aims to deliver around 3,000 homes across the North West over the next four years. The housing consortium, which includes 14 members, launched the procurement process in January. Call-offs under the framework are expected to begin in early August. Three construction lots were made available, covering projects valued up to £4 million, between £4 million and £12 million, and £12 million and above. Contractors for the up to £4 million category include GK Construction & Project Management, J Greenwood (Builders) Ltd, John Southworth Builders Ltd, M&Y Maintenance and Construction Ltd, McCaul Build Ltd, PLP Construction Ltd, RP Tyson Construction Ltd, The Casey Group, Westshield Ltd and Whitfield and Brown (Developments) Ltd. In the £4m to £12m lot, the selected firms are GK Construction and Project Management, J Greenwood (Builders) Ltd, John Southworth Builders Ltd, M&Y Maintenance and Construction Ltd, PLP Construction Ltd, Rowlinson, RP Tyson Construction Ltd, Seddon Construction Ltd, The Casey Group, Vistry Partnerships, Watson Construction Ltd and Whitfield and Brown (Developments) Ltd. For projects over £12m, Breck Homes, Eric Wright Construction Ltd, Rowlinson, Seddon Construction Ltd, Termrim Construction Ltd, Vistry Partnerships and Watson Construction Ltd were appointed. The framework also includes appointments in professional service categories, covering architectural services, employer’s agents, purchaser agents, engineering services, clerks of works, and principal designers. Architectural firms appointed include Arcus Consulting LLP, Bowker Sadler Partnership, BTP Architects, Buttress Architects, Halsall Lloyd LLP, Jennings Design Associates, John McCall Architects, Levitt Bernstein Associates Ltd, Pozzoni Architecture, and Studio KMA Ltd. Ten employer’s agents were named: Arcus Consulting LLP, CPC Project Services LLP, Drees & Sommer, Gateley Vinden, Identity Consult, Markhams, Neo Projects Ltd, Poole Dick Associates, WhiteleyEaves Ltd and Wilkinson Cowan Partnership Ltd. Purchaser agents selected are Arcus Consulting LLP, CPC Project Services LLP, Drees & Sommer, Neo Projects Ltd, Tetra Tech Ltd and Wilkinson Cowan Partnership Ltd. In engineering services, the appointed companies are Alan Johnston Partnership Ltd, Curtins Consulting Ltd, HBL Associates, Rodgers Leask Ltd, Shape Consulting Engineers and Sutcliffe Projects Ltd. Clerks of works named include Amrin Resources Ltd, Markhams, Michael Dyson Associates Ltd, WhiteleyEaves Ltd, Wilkinson Cowan Partnership Ltd and WSP UK Ltd. Principal designers appointed are Airey Miller Ltd, Anderton Gables Ltd, Arcus Consulting LLP, Keelagher Okey Associates Ltd, Markhams, Poole Dick Associates, Vista Consulting Group Ltd and Wilkinson Cowan Partnership Ltd. For the first time, principal designers for Building Regulations were procured, with appointments going to Airey Miller Ltd, Arcus Consulting LLP, Baily Garner, Bowker Sadler Partnership Ltd, BTP Architects, John McCall Architects, Kartar Consulting, Keelagher Okey Associates Ltd and Vista Consulting Group Ltd. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Planning permission secured for Oldham Town Centre transformation

Planning permission secured for Oldham Town Centre transformation

Oldham town centre regeneration has taken a major step forward, with planning consent now granted for all six sites earmarked for transformation through the partnership between Muse and Oldham Council. The approval represents a significant milestone in the long-term vision to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable town centre that respects Oldham’s heritage while addressing the evolving needs of its communities. The plans will see the development of up to 1,619 high-quality, energy-efficient new homes across the six sites. The housing mix will include one to three-bedroom apartments catering to families, older people, and young professionals, with a strong emphasis on social and affordable housing to ensure accessibility for local residents. “This is a huge moment for Oldham and a proud one for the whole team at Muse. We’ve worked closely with Oldham Council, local stakeholders and the community to shape proposals that deliver lasting value – not just new homes, but new energy for the town centre. We’re excited to move forward and bring these plans to life, starting later this year with Prince’s Gate,” said Alex Vogel, Senior Development Manager. As part of the wider regeneration effort, several underused and derelict areas will be brought back into productive use, supporting local businesses and helping to create a cleaner, greener future for Oldham. The project follows extensive public consultation held earlier this year, with hundreds of residents contributing feedback that helped shape the final proposals to reflect local priorities. With planning approvals now in place, site investigation work at the Civic Centre has been completed. Construction will begin at Prince’s Gate later this autumn, followed by work at the former Magistrates’ Court before the end of the year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Sigma Capital to deliver BTR homes with Vistry Group

Sigma Capital to deliver BTR homes with Vistry Group

Sigma Capital Group has announced the acquisition of four new development sites worth around £100 million in gross development cost (GDC), continuing its strategic partnership with Vistry Group. The projects will deliver 415 new single-family rental homes across England, further cementing Sigma’s role as a leading player in the build-to-rent sector. The four sites include: All homes will be built by Vistry Group and, once completed, will be owned and managed by Sigma Capital, with the company’s in-house Simple Life team overseeing leasing and tenant services. This acquisition brings Sigma’s total balance sheet investment to £1.06 billion, encompassing 4,510 homes. Sigma now operates nationally, managing rental properties from central Scotland to southern England and London. These new developments come as Sigma continues a year of accelerated growth. The company has completed around 2,500 homes to date in 2025, with the number expected to rise to over 3,800 by year-end. Upon completion, the portfolio will generate an estimated £77 million in annual rent. Across all its investment partnerships, Sigma has now delivered over 13,500 new homes, of which 10,600 are completed, with the remainder under construction. The total estimated rental value (ERV) of these homes exceeds £190 million per year. Graham Barnet, CEO of Sigma Capital, said: “We recently celebrated a decade in single-family build-to-rent and this latest round of acquisitions shows that we are still consistently innovating and adding to our growing portfolio. “With these four new sites, we’re not only expanding our footprint across key regions, but also enhancing the quality of the homes we deliver, working with our trusted partners. Our current pipeline of opportunity now sits at over £5bn GDC throughout the UK, confirming our position as the leading single-family housing provider in the country. “As demand for high-quality family rental housing continues to grow, we’re proud to play a leading role in supporting housing delivery, offering a professionally managed, secure solution for our customers.” Stephen Teagle, Chief Executive of Partnerships and Regeneration at Vistry Group, added: “We’re delighted to see this further extension of our long-standing partnership with Sigma Capital to deliver high-quality, professionally managed rental homes across the UK. These new developments reflect our shared commitment to accelerating housing delivery through diverse tenures, meeting local needs, and supporting the Government’s housing ambitions. Together, we’re creating thriving professionally managed communities with homes people are proud to live in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Loop launches new tool for the housing sector

Loop launches new tool for the housing sector

Social value specialist Loop has launched the UK’s first monetised social value metrics tool tailored specifically for the housing sector, offering developers a new, data-driven approach to strengthen planning applications, engage communities and showcase real-world benefits. Developed in partnership with community engagement experts Meeting Place, the tool translates social, economic, and environmental benefits of housing schemes into credible, monetary values. As the UK pushes to build 1.5 million new homes by 2030, the tool provides a timely solution to help developers demonstrate how their schemes improve lives—not just increase housing numbers. Built on HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance and over a decade of government wellbeing data, the software links housing features like tenure, access to green space, or room size to measurable improvements in quality of life. It is the only tool of its kind currently available to UK developers. Ethan Campbell, senior economist at Loop, said: “For too long, social value has been talked about but not quantified. We’ve changed that. By assigning credible, monetary value to lived experiences, developers can now make a clear, evidence-based case for the real-world impact of their schemes when conducting a cost-benefit analysis. What gets measured, gets built – and this is about building better.” Sample data from the tool demonstrates its ability to quantify design impacts, including: More than just a planning tool, the software aims to reshape the housing narrative—moving beyond unit counts to focus on how quality homes positively impact lives. Developers can use it early in the planning process to shape design and build trust with local authorities and communities. Ruth Skidmore, social impact lead at Meeting Place, said: “The industry’s focus on supply has left little room to talk about the quality of the homes we build. But a home is more than bricks and mortar – it’s where people feel safe, raise families and build their futures. These metrics allow us to showcase value by telling a story, in a language planners and communities can both understand and believe in. “We have potential to deliver £103 billion of social value impact if we can deliver the government’s target of 1.5 million homes at the right time and in the right places.” The tool arrives at a time when developers are under increasing pressure to align with ESG goals, wellbeing frameworks, and public expectations. Using scenario modelling, the platform offers tailored insights based on location, demographic, and housing type, demonstrating who benefits and how. Nikki Davies, chief executive at Meeting Place, added: “For many of us, our home makes us feel warmth and security. It’s somewhere where we can recharge, exercise, study or work and spend time with family and friends. Yet until now, it’s been difficult to distil and calculate the impact a good quality home can have on our everyday lives. “For the first time, our research puts the spotlight on what it really means to have a home of your own and provides a timely reminder of why we need to redouble efforts to alleviate the country’s chronic and ever-increasing housing crisis. Through government, industry and communities working together, we have the power to generate tens of billions of pounds worth of impact, transforming lives for millions of people up and down the country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Hill Group reports record financial results

The Hill Group reports record financial results

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has announced record financial results for the year ending 31 March 2025, marking its second consecutive year of historic growth. The company reported a turnover of £1.15 billion and a pre-tax profit of £90.5 million, completing more than 2,800 new homes across its operations. The figures cement Hill’s position among the UK’s top 10 housebuilders by revenue and represent the successful culmination of its five-year business plan launched in 2020. Hill’s strong performance was underpinned by its diversified business model. The Group’s private housing arm, Hill Residential, maintained steady demand despite ongoing market uncertainty, with sales accelerating in the final quarter. The division achieved an average selling price of £613,000 and entered the new financial year with 40% forward sales. Meanwhile, Hill Partnerships, responsible for delivering affordable homes for Registered Providers and Local Authorities, surpassed expectations. Particularly strong activity was reported in London and special projects, with growth also recorded in the northern and southern Home Counties. The Group also made strategic progress in the Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector, securing two major forward-funded deals: 264 homes at Nexus in Stevenage and 365 homes at Dagenham Green in partnership with Peabody. These projects signal increasing institutional confidence in Hill’s delivery model and bolster the resilience of its development strategy. Over the year, Hill invested £77.9 million in new land, bringing total land and work-in-progress holdings to £638.9 million. Net assets rose to £431.8 million, and the Group ended the year with net cash of £118.3 million, having fully repaid its revolving credit facility. The Group’s development pipeline now includes over 32,000 homes, with 10,200 having full planning consent, 1,500 under control subject to planning, and a strategic landbank of 20,300 units. The pipeline is projected to generate more than £12.5 billion in gross development value. Hill’s contracting pipeline also grew substantially, reaching £4.8 billion—up from £3.7 billion the previous year. This year’s results build on a previous milestone, when Hill surpassed £1 billion in revenue for the first time during the 15-month reporting period ending March 2024, achieving profits of £70 million. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive, praised the team’s resilience: “These results reflect the outstanding work of our people and partners in what remains a challenging market. To surpass our previous record in a twelve-month period is a fantastic achievement and a real credit to the strength of our business model, the quality of our homes, and the determination of everyone across the Group. As we report on our 25th year of business, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together.” In addition to strong financials, Hill expanded its footprint with major regeneration projects in London, Bristol, and Coventry. It also reinforced joint venture partnerships with several housing associations and invested internally by doubling its graduate trainee intake to 40 and appointing new senior leaders. Sustainability and social responsibility remained a core focus. Hill earned its first Gold award in the NextGeneration ESG benchmark, rising from fifth to third place and retaining its status as the UK’s top-ranked privately owned housebuilder for a fourth consecutive year. The Group also advanced its Foundation 200 initiative, which delivers modular homes for people experiencing homelessness, and extended its involvement in the Government’s Released on Temporary Licence scheme, which supports prisoner rehabilitation through construction employment. Looking ahead, The Hill Group is launching a new five-year business plan (2025–2030), targeting continued growth in Build-to-Rent, estate regeneration, and the creation of new towns, while maintaining its emphasis on partnership-led and mixed-tenure developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Archive service moving to new Huddersfield facility

Archive service moving to new Huddersfield facility

Kirklees Council has announced that the West Yorkshire Archive Service (WYAS) will be moving into a new, purpose-built home within Huddersfield’s flagship library hub, part of the Our Cultural Heart regeneration scheme. The move marks a major milestone in the preservation and accessibility of the borough’s historical records, with the new archive facility set to house more than 20,000 boxes of documents dating back to the 12th century. To prepare for the transition, the current WYAS Kirklees office on Victoria Lane will close at the end of July 2025. Following the closure, specialist staff will begin the process of packaging, labelling, and barcoding the archives to ensure their safe relocation. The archive’s new home will form part of Phase One of the £210 million regeneration project, which is transforming the former Queensgate Market site into a vibrant cultural and social destination. The development will include a new food hall, library hub, and public square, with practical completion anticipated by spring 2026 and a full public opening expected in summer 2026. While the food hall will occupy the refurbished listed market building, the library hub will be located in a modern adjoining extension. Designed to serve a wide range of community needs, the new library hub will include group meeting rooms, quiet breakout areas, a children’s zone, a maker space, digital access points, and now a dedicated WYAS ‘history hub’. The new archive facility will be environmentally controlled to ensure the long-term preservation of the borough’s irreplaceable collections. The improved layout and public research areas are also expected to significantly enhance access for residents, researchers, and students alike. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said, “The relocation of the Huddersfield branch of the West Yorkshire Archive Service to Our Cultural Heart is a great way to connect Kirklees’ past and future. These archives tell the story of the region and deserve to be preserved and celebrated in the best possible setting, right in the heart of Huddersfield town centre. “We’re really excited about the new library hub – it’s far more than just access to books. With vibrant, welcoming spaces for children and families to spend time, areas for meetings and collaboration, quiet zones for working, opportunities to explore local history, and fun creative spaces, it will reflect what residents want from a modern library. “Together, the new archive and library hub, alongside the food hall and adjoining public square, will form a cultural and social centre that gives people more reasons to visit Huddersfield town centre and spend more time here – ultimately helping to support our local businesses too.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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