An outline planning application has been submitted by Bellway for a residential development of up to 260 homes on land south of Godmanchester. Bellway Strategic Land has lodged the proposals with Huntingdonshire District Council, seeking permission to build on a 25-acre site at Dexter’s Farm, located to the east of
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a landmark agreement in the UK with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to begin work on three small modular reactors (SMRs) at Wylfa, on the coast of Ynys Môn. The contract enables immediate progress on site and marks a major step toward delivering what is
Housebuilder Story Homes has teamed up once again with interior homeware brand DUSK.com to launch a new view home at its Ashwood Grange development in Middleton St. George, near Darlington. The collaboration follows a successful partnership between the two brands last year and will see the unveiling of a newly
Richborough has agreed a multi-million-pound debt facility with Homes England to accelerate planning activity and support the government’s target of delivering 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament. The flexible funding arrangement will enable the company to invest in new sites and planning applications across England, increasing the supply of
Ashington £36 million town centre transformation has taken a significant step forward, with construction on two flagship projects due to start soon. Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet has approved work to begin this spring on the new Portland Park Cinema and adjoining restaurant units, with delivery of the Wansbeck Square Gateway
Housebuilder Bellway has started construction on a further 160 homes in Cramlington, taking the total number of properties it has built in the town since 2018 to 546. Detailed planning permission for the latest phase, located off Fisher Lane, was granted by Northumberland County Council in February. The new development,
A hybrid planning application to transform the former GSK headquarters at 980 Great West Road in Brentford has been approved, paving the way for a sustainability-led mixed-use redevelopment. Buro Happold supported Hadley Property Group and the wider design team through the process. Spanning 13 acres, the scheme will deliver a
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is submitting a planning application for a 252-home scheme at Clasper Village in Gateshead, advanced in partnership with Gateshead Council. The elevated site overlooks the River Tyne and is earmarked for regeneration. The land is being readied for development using £3 million of funding secured through North
Planning permission has been granted for Alpha House, Wythenshawe’s newest residential development, which will deliver 125 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments for social rent as part of the town centre’s £500 million regeneration. Alpha House is the third residential site to receive approval, following December 2025 applications for a total
Network Rail and South Western Railway will deliver a £6 million upgrade at Berrylands station in south-west London, requiring a full closure from Monday 11 May until the end of September. During this time, South Western Railway services will not call at the station while engineers replace both platforms and
An outline planning application has been submitted by Bellway for a residential development of up to 260 homes on land south of Godmanchester. Bellway Strategic Land has lodged the proposals with Huntingdonshire District Council, seeking permission to build on a 25-acre site at Dexter’s Farm, located to the east of the A1198. The site sits immediately south of Bellway’s recently completed Whitehill Gardens development, where construction of 59 homes finished in 2025. It forms part of a wider area identified by the council for housing, with the potential to deliver around 520 homes to meet growing local demand. The proposed scheme includes a mix of one to four-bedroom properties, with 30 to 40 per cent earmarked as affordable housing, either for social rent or shared ownership. Plans also include more than six acres of public open space, featuring children’s play areas, walking and cycling routes, and new tree and hedgerow planting. — Advertisement —hss Fergus Thomas, Bellway Strategic Land Director for the Central region, said: “The site at Dexter’s Farm represents an opportunity to not only deliver high-quality new homes in a sustainable location close to our recently completed Whitehill Gardens development but also unlock a wider expansion of the town to meet the area’s housing and infrastructure needs. “Our application includes the provision of land for a new roundabout access onto the A1198, which will serve not just this development but the wider neighbourhood, and will also help to reduce traffic speeds into Godmanchester from 60 to 40mph. “Huntingdonshire District Council is facing a severe shortfall of new housing and there is a particular demand for affordable homes to address the council’s waiting list which has grown by more than 1,000 households in just five years. Our proposals would deliver a range of property types to meet demand from people in a wide variety of circumstances and at different stages in life. “Alongside this, the provision of new public open space and play areas would help to promote active and healthy lifestyles among new residents and the existing community, while new landscaping would create an attractive southern gateway into the town.” If outline planning permission is approved, a further reserved matters application would be required to determine the final number, design, and layout of the homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a landmark agreement in the UK with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to begin work on three small modular reactors (SMRs) at Wylfa, on the coast of Ynys Môn. The contract enables immediate progress on site and marks a major step toward delivering what is expected to be Europe’s first fleet of SMRs. It provides the certainty needed for Rolls-Royce SMR to advance its site-specific design, order key components, and scale up recruitment to deliver the initial three units. The Wylfa project was first announced in November 2025 by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who confirmed the site would host the country’s first SMRs. Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, said: “This contract unlocks the delivery of our first three units at Wylfa and is a tangible example of the Government’s ‘golden age’ of new nuclear being delivered successfully with British technology. “This brings certainty to the UK SMR programme and differentiates our business as the only SMR company with multiple commitments in Europe – an initial three units at Wylfa and up to six units in Czechia. “We are transforming the way nuclear projects are delivered, to give greater cost and schedule certainty with a standardised, factory-built approach. This project is important to the UK’s energy security and will power up our business and the UK supply chain.” The development is expected to create around 3,000 jobs locally at Wylfa and a further 5,000 jobs across the UK, boosting the domestic supply chain and nuclear workforce. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “This investment, along with vital financing from the National Wealth Fund, will strengthen our energy security, create skilled jobs and help to build a new generation of homegrown nuclear technology that will power our economy for decades to come. “We have the right economic plan – one where growth and clean energy go hand in hand – and one that will benefit everyone across the country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Story Homes has teamed up once again with interior homeware brand DUSK.com to launch a new view home at its Ashwood Grange development in Middleton St. George, near Darlington. The collaboration follows a successful partnership between the two brands last year and will see the unveiling of a newly styled Mayford view home, opening to visitors on Saturday 25 April 2026. The partnership brings together two brands known for their focus on quality, detail and timeless design. DUSK’s full home collection has been used throughout the property to create a welcoming and aspirational space, offering potential buyers a glimpse into life at Ashwood Grange — a development of two to five-bedroom homes featuring off-street parking, landscaped gardens, and bi-fold or French doors as standard. The Mayford is a three-bedroom semi-detached property arranged over two floors. The ground floor centres around an open-plan kitchen, dining and family space with an island and bi-fold doors leading বাইরে, alongside a separate lounge. Upstairs, the home includes three bedrooms, with the main bedroom benefiting from an en-suite. Kye Bradley, North East Sales Director at Story Homes, commented: “Building on the success of our Tithe Gardens collaboration, working with DUSK.com again allows us to bring The Mayford to life for prospective buyers at Ashwood Grange. The styling perfectly demonstrates how a Story home here can feel both welcoming and practical from the moment you step inside, while complementing our two other show homes at the development.” Charlotte McKenna, Senior Brand and Content Manager at DUSK, added: “It’s always exciting to bring our design expertise into Story homes, and we’re thrilled to be partnering again. This project allows us to showcase DUSK in a real home environment, with every piece chosen to complement the architecture and create spaces that are both stylish and functional for modern living.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Richborough has agreed a multi-million-pound debt facility with Homes England to accelerate planning activity and support the government’s target of delivering 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament. The flexible funding arrangement will enable the company to invest in new sites and planning applications across England, increasing the supply of consented land for SMEs, housing associations and major housebuilders. The agreement marks one of the first commitments made through the National Housing Bank, a newly established vehicle operating under Homes England. The bank is designed to provide government-backed financing to unlock housing and regeneration projects while attracting private investment and boosting delivery at scale. Richborough has outlined ambitious plans for the year ahead, with more than 30 planning applications expected to be submitted in 2026, covering around 12,500 new homes. This follows a strong performance in 2025, when the company submitted applications for approximately 9,000 homes and completed land sales to major developers including Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Bromford, Charles Church, Vistry Group and Taylor Wimpey. Simon Century, Chief Executive Officer for the National Housing Bank, said: “Homes England works with partners who share our ambition to accelerate the delivery of quality homes in the places they are needed most. Our loan with Richborough, supported through the National Housing Bank, demonstrates our commitment to enabling housing delivery where it can have the greatest impact.” Paul Campbell, Chief Executive at Richborough, added: “We are delighted to partner with Homes England to scale Richborough’s impact for housing delivery. Decision times for major planning applications are taking three times longer now than in 2014* and against this backdrop, flexible long-term capital is essential. This facility gives us the confidence to invest earlier in more sites, maintain momentum through the planning process, and bring forward high-quality, well-designed schemes that can be built quickly once consented.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ashington £36 million town centre transformation has taken a significant step forward, with construction on two flagship projects due to start soon. Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet has approved work to begin this spring on the new Portland Park Cinema and adjoining restaurant units, with delivery of the Wansbeck Square Gateway to follow this summer subject to final approvals. The investments are central to the wider Regenerating Ashington Programme, designed to revitalise the town centre and bolster its retail and leisure offer. Advance Northumberland will lead the cinema and restaurants scheme and has appointed Robertson Construction Group, one of the UK’s largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support service businesses, to deliver the development at Portland Park. The project will provide five modern cinema screens, a family-orientated competitive socialising space and two restaurant units, creating a lively leisure destination for residents and visitors and complementing recent investment in the area. Planning permission was granted last year, and REEL Cinema will operate the venue once complete. Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants is being developed by Advance Northumberland and funded by the UK Government (MHCLG), Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland. The Wansbeck Square Gateway is expected to get underway this summer following final sign-off, creating a welcoming point of arrival for thousands of passengers using Ashington Rail Station. Works include a new accessible footpath linking the station to the high street, alongside seating areas, landscaping and tree planting, as well as improved access to the neighbouring Memorial Garden. The Gateway scheme is being funded by the UK Government (MHCLG), Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority. Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Business, Growth and Regeneration, said: “The cinema and restaurants project represents a significant investment in Portland Park, strengthening the town centre as a destination for entertainment, dining and socialising. “It’s a real vote of confidence for Ashington, with these two projects building on the wider regeneration in the area including a new rail station and passenger rail line and a new college campus.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Bellway has started construction on a further 160 homes in Cramlington, taking the total number of properties it has built in the town since 2018 to 546. Detailed planning permission for the latest phase, located off Fisher Lane, was granted by Northumberland County Council in February. The new development, named Hartford Edge, forms part of a wider 1,600-home neighbourhood to the south-west of the town. The scheme will include 136 homes for private sale, ranging from two to five bedrooms, alongside 24 affordable homes available through low-cost rent or discounted sale. Fifty of the properties will be designed to be more accessible and adaptable for residents with mobility needs. Hartford Edge adds to Bellway’s ongoing developments in the area, including Foxton Mill, where construction is continuing and 131 homes have already been completed, and Arcot Manor, where 226 homes have previously been delivered. Emma Chesterton, Sales Director for Bellway North East, said: “We have a long-standing commitment to delivering new homes for people in Cramlington and supporting the town’s growth as a key employment area for the region. “The creation of jobs requires the provision of new quality housing, and this planning permission ensures that we can continue to build much-needed homes in the town. “The mix of homes at Hartford Edge has been carefully planned to meet a range of requirements, in particular houses for first-time buyers and families wanting to bring up their children in the Cramlington area. “In addition, more than 30 per cent of homes are also more accessible and adaptable to suit the needs of people throughout their lifetimes, to reflect the growing ageing population both in Cramlington and further afield.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A hybrid planning application to transform the former GSK headquarters at 980 Great West Road in Brentford has been approved, paving the way for a sustainability-led mixed-use redevelopment. Buro Happold supported Hadley Property Group and the wider design team through the process. Spanning 13 acres, the scheme will deliver a new neighbourhood comprising residential, commercial, community, educational and third-sector spaces. It includes 2,300 homes, with 35% designated as affordable. The plans also aim to strengthen connections between Brentford town centre and areas north of the Great West Road, adding pedestrian- and cycle-friendly routes and improving access to the nearby park and river. Wayne Early, Director at Buro Happold, said: “We are immensely proud to collaborate with Hadley Property Group on yet another successful planning application, and especially this project with such a distinguished team of architects, landscape designers and consultants. Our expertise in MEP, energy and sustainability, and utilities infrastructure has helped to drive the success of this transformative, sustainable and community-focused redevelopment that will benefit Brentford for years to come.” Given the relatively young age of the site’s main ‘teardrop’ building, a full demolition and rebuild would have incurred significant embodied and operational carbon, as well as planning risks. Instead, Buro Happold set plot-specific circular economy targets. The approved proposals retain almost all of the extensive basement and include substantial retrofit across several plots. The site’s location beside the M4 brings noise and overheating challenges. Buro Happold used a bespoke parametric design tool to balance overheating, energy demand and daylight, enabling a passive, coordinated façade strategy expected to save the client millions by reducing the need for extensive comfort cooling systems. Passivhaus analysis has also been undertaken to support future certification. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is submitting a planning application for a 252-home scheme at Clasper Village in Gateshead, advanced in partnership with Gateshead Council. The elevated site overlooks the River Tyne and is earmarked for regeneration. The land is being readied for development using £3 million of funding secured through North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. The application seeks full consent for a mix of one to four-bedroom homes, together with new access routes, landscaping and upgrades to public spaces. The council is set to purchase 15% of the properties. Of the council-bought homes, two thirds will be for affordable or social rent and one third for affordable sale, including Shared Ownership. Within walking and cycling distance of both Gateshead town centre and Newcastle city centre, the proposals aim to encourage sustainable travel and maximise access to green and natural spaces. New pedestrian and cycle links, areas for recreation and carefully integrated landscaping are central to the masterplan. The plans have been developed with north-based P+HS Architects, establishing a clear design vision focused on a walkable neighbourhood that connects strongly with green space and the riverside. The plot sits close to Staiths South Bank, the award-winning neighbourhood previously delivered by Taylor Wimpey, marking a fresh phase in Gateshead’s riverside regeneration. Mark Fletcher, Land and Planning Director at Taylor Wimpey North East, said: “Submitting our plans for Clasper Village marks a significant milestone for this site. “Working in partnership with Gateshead Council and the North East Mayor, our proposals will deliver a thoughtfully designed neighbourhood that reflects the character of the riverside while creating new opportunities for people to live close to the centres of Gateshead and Newcastle. Subject to planning approval, we look forward to seeing this new community take shape in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission has been granted for Alpha House, Wythenshawe’s newest residential development, which will deliver 125 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments for social rent as part of the town centre’s £500 million regeneration. Alpha House is the third residential site to receive approval, following December 2025 applications for a total of 422 new affordable homes from the developer and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG). Earlier this month, C2 The Birtles and Brotherton House both secured planning consent. Originally built in the 1970s as an office building, Alpha House later accommodated a martial arts school and a solicitor’s practice, but its upper floors have remained vacant for over 15 years. The building has now been demolished to make way for the new apartment scheme, which will include 16 wheelchair-accessible homes. The development will offer high-quality, energy-efficient homes with thoughtfully designed outdoor and communal spaces aimed at supporting health, wellbeing, and community interaction. Joe Stockton, development director, said: “Securing the green light for Alpha House, alongside C2 The Birtles and Brotherton House, marks a major milestone in delivering over 400 affordable homes for Wythenshawe, all of which will be available for social rent. The three new communities are central to the wider vision for Wythenshawe, complementing exciting town centre improvements such as the vibrant new food hall, the Culture Hub, and modern workspaces, which have all been designed to strengthen the town centre and benefit the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Network Rail and South Western Railway will deliver a £6 million upgrade at Berrylands station in south-west London, requiring a full closure from Monday 11 May until the end of September. During this time, South Western Railway services will not call at the station while engineers replace both platforms and carry out safety improvements. The station, which stands on a five-metre embankment and currently has partially timber platforms, will receive new glass‑reinforced plastic platforms designed to extend the station’s life for decades. Passengers will also benefit from upgraded lighting, CCTV, Customer Information Screens and station help points. A rail replacement bus will operate every 30 minutes between New Malden and Surbiton throughout the closure, during which the ticket office, car park and toilets will also be shut. Buses to New Malden will depart from Stop B and buses to Surbiton from Stop A on Surbiton Hill Park, a short walk from the station. Passengers travelling towards London should use New Malden, while those heading towards Woking should travel from Surbiton. Local residents and businesses may experience intermittent footway restrictions on Lower Marsh Lane, parking suspensions on Chiltern Drive and occasional, temporary road closures to facilitate construction access. Network Rail and SWR are working with stakeholders to minimise disruption and will provide advance notice of any traffic changes. Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, George Murrell, Wessex Route Renewals Director, said: “When Berrylands station reopens later this year, passengers will benefit from a brighter, more welcoming station with modern platforms, improved lighting, CCTV and better customer information. “We know closing the station for several months will be inconvenient, but this £6 million investment will provide our passengers with a much better experience when travelling with us. We’re grateful to the local community for their patience while we carry out these important upgrades.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals