A planning application to move the Moston Superstore from Pym Street to a new site on Kenyon Lane has been lodged, paving the way for a public square at the heart of a £25m regeneration of Moston Lane. If approved, the store would relocate to the Ebsworth Street car park
Trafford Council has signed off plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi-use events venue at TraffordCity, Manchester, marking a major step in expanding the area’s sport and leisure offer. The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will house state-of-the-art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, together with a flexible events area
Vistry has secured a non-material amendment to Block D at Meridian One, clearing the way for the next phase of the flagship regeneration scheme being delivered in partnership with Enfield Council. The approval enables Phase 1B of the development, which will deliver more than 700 homes across three buildings. Vistry
HG Construction has been named main contractor for a £73m purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Wembley for YourTRIBE, with works now under way. The development is the third PBSA scheme HG Construction has delivered for YourTRIBE, following a 250-bed project on Ilderton Road and a 226-bed scheme on Avonmouth
Construction has started on the large-scale redevelopment of The Oval in Stevenage, marking a major step forward in revitalising one of the town’s established neighbourhood centres and advancing the council’s wider housing development programme. Ground was broken on Friday 30 January 2026, with attendees including representatives from Bugler Developments; Baroness
St Helens Borough Council has published a series of computer-generated images offering a first look at proposals to extend, refurbish and repurpose the landmark Gamble Building in St Helens town centre. Created by the project’s architects, Donald Insall Associates, the visuals highlight key elements of the scheme: a fully accessible
Work has begun on a new Culture Hub at Wythenshawe Civic, launching the first phase of a £500 million regeneration programme led by Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse. The venue is intended to boost opportunities for local artists, creative groups and organisations, offering residents access to both professional and
Funding to enable construction to begin on 400 new council homes across Hackney has been approved by the borough’s cabinet, marking a significant step forward in the council’s housebuilding programme. The approved funding will allow work to start on 14 council-owned sites, including underused garages and derelict office buildings. Planned
Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties division has begun a major £16.2 million redevelopment of the Burnside Secondary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Chingford. Appointed by the Department for Education (DfE), the project is part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme and was procured through the 2021 construction framework. The
Laing O’Rourke has been selected to construct a new state-of-the-art Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton & Hove. The Government, working with the New Hospitals Programme, has confirmed a quarter-of-a-billion-pound investment to create a regional Centre of Excellence for cancer services. Designed to serve a
A planning application to move the Moston Superstore from Pym Street to a new site on Kenyon Lane has been lodged, paving the way for a public square at the heart of a £25m regeneration of Moston Lane. If approved, the store would relocate to the Ebsworth Street car park site, creating a larger supermarket with dedicated car parking and a cycle store for the first time. Parking on Pym Street will stay open to the public, and vacant plots on Albine Street and Cole Street – formerly used by Manchester College – are due to reopen for public parking later this year to offset the loss of spaces at Ebsworth Street during construction. Following the Council’s acquisition of key plots between Pym Street and Hartley Street, the current supermarket site would be cleared to deliver a new public square fronting Moston Lane, intended as a central community hub. The square is designed to be flexible, hosting markets and community events, with new seating, lighting, trees and planting to draw shoppers and visitors, support local businesses and strengthen the local economy. The wider investment programme in Moston has already delivered new social housing, pocket parks and green spaces, junction upgrades, road safety improvements, new alley-gates and targeted action on fly-tipping and other environmental issues. On Moston Lane, enhancements to three pocket parks were completed last year alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub. In recent years, more than £3m in government grant funding has supported new social and affordable homes for local residents. The 2023 framework indicates that vacant land behind Moston Lane could accommodate around 80 new homes, potentially a mix of apartments and town houses, including social and genuinely affordable properties. Ground-floor spaces are envisaged for new retail and commercial uses, with potential health and community facilities and dedicated parking. A further 30 to 40 family homes are proposed for a site between Waterman close and Ebsworth Street to the south of Moston Lane, helping to meet demand for larger properties in the area. Draft designs for the square and new homes will be published once a developer is appointed to deliver the homes and commercial space. The selection process is expected to conclude in the coming months, after which the Council will consult with the community on the plans. To give residents and businesses a stronger voice in the regeneration, the Council is establishing a new advisory group chaired by local councillor Paula Appleby. The group will help shape local priorities, guide future investment, work with the appointed developer and feed into the design of the new square and public realm. Moston Lane is one of the first focus areas in the Council’s city-wide High Street Investment programme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Trafford Council has signed off plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi-use events venue at TraffordCity, Manchester, marking a major step in expanding the area’s sport and leisure offer. The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will house state-of-the-art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, together with a flexible events area suitable for entertainment and community activities. Planet Ice will be the anchor tenant, and the scheme is set to become one of the operator’s largest sites in the UK. Set on the former Soccer Dome plot beside The Snow Centre, Trafford Golf Centre, David Lloyd, Fives Soccer, iFLY and The Padel Club, the project is being brought forward by ICITIES in partnership with Peel Waters, which has cleared the land to enable future leisure development. Year-round ice sessions, lessons and training will be complemented by premium hospitality, with future occupiers expected to provide family dining, bars, leisure offers and VIP areas. The design also allows for concerts, screenings and immersive experiences to broaden the programme for visitors. The approval comes amid strong development momentum across TraffordCity. Construction is underway on the £450 million Therme Manchester wellbeing resort, which is expected to add around 1.7 million visits a year once operational. Trafford Waters Care Home, the first residential project within the emerging Trafford Waters neighbourhood, has also completed, anchoring the growing mixed-use community. With planning in place for the arena, Peel Waters is exploring options for adjacent plots on the former Soccer Dome site, including high-end lifestyle hotels and additional leisure and sporting experiences. Peel Waters said its long-term TraffordCity vision has already supported 17,500 jobs, with an ambition to reach 33,000 over the next 20 years. The arena is expected to create construction roles and more than 50 permanent operational positions across hospitality, events and leisure once open. TraffordCity currently attracts about 44 million visits annually, with the new venue forecast to drive further footfall and investment across Trafford and Greater Manchester. Contractors will be confirmed shortly, with construction due to start in summer 2026 and an anticipated build period of 12–15 months. On completion, the arena will form a key part of Peel Waters’ wider ambition to create an inclusive destination for sport, leisure and entertainment at TraffordCity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry has secured a non-material amendment to Block D at Meridian One, clearing the way for the next phase of the flagship regeneration scheme being delivered in partnership with Enfield Council. The approval enables Phase 1B of the development, which will deliver more than 700 homes across three buildings. Vistry expects to submit a Gateway 2 application in spring 2026, with construction due to start towards the end of the year. Meridian One forms part of a major regeneration programme and will ultimately deliver around 1,000 mixed-tenure homes. Phase 1A has recently completed, providing 301 homes, 92 per cent of which are affordable, alongside a Construction Skills Academy and a community garden. Phase 1B will build on this first phase, delivering approximately 700 additional homes. These will include further affordable housing, with the remaining homes designated for the private rented sector, supporting local housing demand and the long-term vision for the area. Progress is also continuing at Meridian Two, where a topping-out ceremony took place at the Leeside Road site in December 2025. The milestone marked the completion of the building’s frame ahead of the next stage of construction. The scheme, being delivered by Vistry for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, will provide 274 affordable homes for Enfield residents by winter 2026 and forms part of wider plans for around 1,000 new homes alongside new public spaces and community facilities. Together, Meridian One and Meridian Two represent a significant investment in the area, aimed at creating new neighbourhoods and opportunities for local communities. Rob Wilkinson, Managing Director at Vistry South London, said: “Securing this planning approval is a significant step forward for Meridian One and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality homes and community facilities in partnership with Enfield Council. With Phase 1A now complete and Phase 1B moving into the next stage, we are proud to be playing a key role in creating a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood that meets the needs of local people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HG Construction has been named main contractor for a £73m purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Wembley for YourTRIBE, with works now under way. The development is the third PBSA scheme HG Construction has delivered for YourTRIBE, following a 250-bed project on Ilderton Road and a 226-bed scheme on Avonmouth Street, both in London. Situated near Wembley Stadium, the project will provide 609 student beds across two buildings. It comprises three blocks: a south element of 19 and 27 storeys delivering 409 rooms with amenity areas at basement, ground and first-floor levels; and a north block rising to 21 storeys with 200 rooms and amenity space at ground and first floors. Around 15,000 sq ft of commercial space is also included. Following Gateway 2 approval at the end of last year, construction has started, with completion targeted for summer 2028. HG Construction will draw on its self-delivery capabilities — including concrete frame, SFS, bathroom pods and drylining — to secure benefits in quality, programme and sustainability. Adam Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, HG Construction, said: “It’s a pleasure to be partnering with YourTRIBE on this striking new PBSA scheme in Wembley. We have a strong track record of successful collaboration, with our most recent scheme at Avonmouth Street delivered three months ahead of programme. We are proud to be supporting YourTRIBE in delivering high quality student accommodation schemes across London, particularly in areas with growing demand. With Gateway 2 approval secured, we look forward to progressing the scheme and maximising our social value contributions throughout construction.” Laurence Quail, Director of YourTRIBE said: “Our Wembley project marks a significant milestone for YourTRIBE representing the company’s largest scheme to date in both value and scale, highlighting its commitment to challenging the market and delivering high-quality, large-scale developments. The scheme has successfully secured the company’s first-ever Gateway 2 approval, a key regulatory achievement under the Building Safety Regime. “This milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of HG and the wider consultant team, who worked tirelessly to achieve approval. With Gateway 2 now secured, the project is set to move forward into the next phase of delivery. “YourTRIBE is delighted to be working once again with HG, building on a strong and trusted relationship developed over several years. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to quality, collaboration and excellence across complex residential projects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction has started on the large-scale redevelopment of The Oval in Stevenage, marking a major step forward in revitalising one of the town’s established neighbourhood centres and advancing the council’s wider housing development programme. Ground was broken on Friday 30 January 2026, with attendees including representatives from Bugler Developments; Baroness Taylor of Stevenage OBE; Richard Henry, Leader of the Council; Jackie Hollywell, Cabinet Member for Housing; SBC councillors, ward councillors and officers; Lloyd Briscoe, Deputy Mayor of Stevenage; Sian Carter of Homes England; and Toby Fox, founder of 1.5M New Homes. A fixture of Stevenage since the 1960s, The Oval will be reshaped into a contemporary neighbourhood featuring new homes, shops, a church, community facilities and an inviting market square designed for residents and families. The first phase, delivered with Bugler Developments, includes Brent Court—an independent living scheme led by the council, providing 91 modern, affordable homes. Phase One will also create a new church, a community building and additional play spaces, forming a vibrant and inclusive hub. Backed by £20.5 million from Homes England, the project forms a central part of Stevenage Borough Council’s long-term, council-led housing development programme, which has been delivering high-quality, affordable homes across the town since 2015. The Oval scheme sits within a strong pipeline of housing projects in Stevenage, including the forthcoming handover of Dunn Close and Brodie Court, the council’s independent living scheme completed at the end of summer 2025 and now fully occupied. These developments offer modern, supported accommodation for older residents, supporting downsizing and releasing larger council homes for families and vulnerable residents. Councillor Jackie Hollywell, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The Oval has been an important part of Stevenage for decades and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. This redevelopment will deliver high-quality, affordable homes alongside welcoming community spaces that bring people together. “Importantly, it supports our wider housing development programme – helping us meet local housing need, make better use of our housing stock, and deliver homes that work for residents at every stage of life.” Andy Bugler, CEO, Bugler Developments said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Stevenage Borough Council on the regeneration of The Oval. This is a landmark project that will deliver high-quality homes and meaningful community spaces, while respecting the area’s heritage and creating a place people can be proud to call home. We’re delighted to see work getting underway on this first phase.” Image: Rock Townsend Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
St Helens Borough Council has published a series of computer-generated images offering a first look at proposals to extend, refurbish and repurpose the landmark Gamble Building in St Helens town centre. Created by the project’s architects, Donald Insall Associates, the visuals highlight key elements of the scheme: a fully accessible entrance foyer; a purpose-built, modern Archive benefiting from improved environmental controls; an engaging and inclusive Youth Hub; and a new café and communal spaces within a state-of-the-art St Helens Library intended to serve as the borough’s ‘living room’. The plans also include a Business Connect Service and flexible office accommodation on the upper floors. Released following a public engagement event at The World of Glass on 30 January, the images underscore a heritage-led approach, showing how contemporary, future-proofed facilities will complement and enhance the Gamble Building’s historic architectural features. Work to advance the project is under way. Around £1.2m of external repairs have already been completed, and Liverpool City Region-based Krol Corlett Construction is on site delivering enabling works including asbestos removal, stripping out redundant equipment and outdated facilities, and removing flooring and false ceilings to prepare the building for the main phase. Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to share these images offering an insight to our vision for the Gamble Building with residents and stakeholders. As a Council, we made a commitment to bring the Gamble Building back to its former glory and these images demonstrate the bold ambition we have for the next chapter of this historic landmark. The designs allow people to understand our vision for the Gamble and how it truly will act as the living room of our Borough where there is something for everyone to access, enjoy and feel proud of now and for future generations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has begun on a new Culture Hub at Wythenshawe Civic, launching the first phase of a £500 million regeneration programme led by Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse. The venue is intended to boost opportunities for local artists, creative groups and organisations, offering residents access to both professional and grassroots culture in an inclusive setting. Plans include ground-floor food and drink spaces, with the first floor set to host a mix of artist studios and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes and community events. A 40-seater cinema room, added in response to community feedback, will form part of the offer. On the second floor, a 200-seat performance space will cater for a wide range of shows, from dance and drama to music and contemporary art. The Culture Hub is due to complete in 2027 and forms part of the first phase of the Civic refresh, supported by £20m from the UK Government and a further £11.9m from the Council. In December, three planning applications were submitted for 422 new affordable homes across the town centre. Subject to approval, Alpha House, C2 The Birtles and Brotherton House will deliver a mix of townhouses and apartments for social rent, built to high energy-efficiency standards and featuring green spaces to support health and wellbeing. These homes are the initial housing element of a wider masterplan proposing up to 2,000 new homes over the next 10 to 15 years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Funding to enable construction to begin on 400 new council homes across Hackney has been approved by the borough’s cabinet, marking a significant step forward in the council’s housebuilding programme. The approved funding will allow work to start on 14 council-owned sites, including underused garages and derelict office buildings. Planned developments include nine new terraced houses on the Nye Bevan Estate, energy-efficient homes at Morris Blitz Court, and a new block of 18 homes replacing garages at Blackwell Close in Clapton. At least 300 of the new homes will be delivered at council social rent. Funding for the programme will be provided through a combination of the Mayor of London’s Affordable Homes Fund and direct council investment. Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, said: “This is another milestone in our mission to deliver 1,000 new council homes for social rent across Hackney, which will see spades in the ground on 400 new homes. “We’re building some of the best new council homes in the country. They’re spacious, energy efficient, designed in partnership with communities and, most importantly of all, local people always get first dibs. “I’m proud of our record, but we know there’s more to do, which is why we want to expand our housing programmes to build and buy back thousands more for the people in desperate need of somewhere to call home.” The council is currently delivering 972 new council homes across Hackney, despite rising construction costs and the impact of new building regulations. Delivering a single council home in London now costs more than £500,000, presenting ongoing financial challenges for local authorities. All new homes delivered through the programme are prioritised for residents most in need, with local people given first priority. Developments are designed in partnership with communities to ensure they reflect local character and needs, and the council’s housing programme has received multiple industry awards, including the RIBA Neave Brown Award for the best social housing in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties division has begun a major £16.2 million redevelopment of the Burnside Secondary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Chingford. Appointed by the Department for Education (DfE), the project is part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme and was procured through the 2021 construction framework. The project will see the delivery of a modern teaching block and a hall and sports block, linked by a glazed corridor, across the 1,815m² site. Works will be completed in three phases, with the teaching block scheduled for handover in late 2026 and final completion expected in spring 2028. The teaching block will feature six multi-purpose classrooms, a specialist science laboratory, and an art and design studio, while the hall and sports block will house a new sports hall, dining area, food technology and fitness rooms. A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) will provide outdoor sports facilities for both pupils and the local community. Staff amenities will include offices, a staff room, and storage space. Burnside PRU currently educates up to 48 pupils aged 11-16, including those with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) who have faced challenges in mainstream education. To minimise disruption, existing single-storey buildings will be demolished in stages as new construction progresses. Phase one focuses on demolishing the Burwood Centre to build the teaching block, phase two involves the adjacent block, and phase three covers hard and soft landscaping. Special consideration has been given to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing. Design features include privacy in outdoor spaces, muted paint tones, calming lighting, and durable materials for long-term use. The new facilities will include a library, careers space, SEN therapy room, and ICT suite, all tailored to meet the needs of PRU pupils. Sustainability is central to the scheme. Precast flooring and stairs will reduce on-site waste and carbon emissions, while photovoltaic panels, an air source heat pump, and Closed Panel Timber construction aim to support net-zero carbon operation. Morgan Sindall will also use its CarboniCa digital tool to track and minimise the building’s embodied carbon. The project will deliver social value for the local community through engagement with a nearby primary school, university, and community centre, alongside apprenticeships and work experience opportunities for local residents. The Burnside PRU redevelopment demonstrates Morgan Sindall’s continued expertise in delivering complex educational projects in live, sensitive environments while prioritising sustainability and community impact. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Laing O’Rourke has been selected to construct a new state-of-the-art Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton & Hove. The Government, working with the New Hospitals Programme, has confirmed a quarter-of-a-billion-pound investment to create a regional Centre of Excellence for cancer services. Designed to serve a population of around 2 million and welcome more than 60,000 patients each year, the centre will focus on delivering safer, more efficient care and improving access, with every element shaped around patient experience, clinical quality and outcomes. Facilities will include high-precision radiotherapy in the basement, expanded outpatient clinics, assessment areas and a day unit on the middle floors, and a top-floor ward offering sea views. The scheme follows the successful completion of the neighbouring Louisa Martindale Building. Laing O’Rourke’s Managing Director, Peter Lyons, said: “This is an incredible project and one that I am proud we are a part of. The new cancer centre will transform the experience of care for patients and the work environment for staff. “At Laing O’Rourke we have a rich history in delivering hospitals, including The Louisa Martindale Building, so we’ll be able to use the power of our experience to improve the safety and efficiency on site, while guaranteeing the quality of product. “Leveraging digital design and offsite manufacturing, along with our integrated supply chain, we’ll be able to minimise disruption to local residents.” As a regional hub for cancer expertise, the centre will significantly expand capacity. A dedicated Oncology Acute Assessment area is expected to prevent more than 1,000 vulnerable cancer patients a year from attending the general A&E, ensuring specialist treatment in the right setting while easing wider hospital pressures. Patient experience is central to the design, with welcoming outpatient spaces and high-tech chemotherapy areas filled with natural light. Modern layouts will replace cramped, fragmented facilities, creating a calm, supportive environment for patients and families throughout their care. Research and innovation will be embedded, with dedicated spaces enabling patients and staff to take part in clinical trials and benefit from emerging technologies, including AI, so that global advances can be realised locally for people in Sussex. A new landscaped garden and ‘green lung’ will link the Louisa Martindale Building (Stage 1 of the 3Ts Redevelopment) with the Sussex Cancer Centre (Stage 2), providing a tranquil outdoor space for patients, families and staff and uniting the developments into a modern healthcare campus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals