Ofgem has approved an initial £28 billion package for Britain’s energy networks to reinforce safety, security and resilience, while upgrading and enlarging capacity to meet rising demand. The programme will modernise electricity and gas infrastructure and help shield consumers from volatile global energy prices. The largest share, £17.8 billion, is
The Helios Renewable Energy Project development consent order (DCO) application UK has been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The scheme will deliver ground-mounted solar arrays, energy storage facilities and associated grid connection infrastructure to support the construction, operation and maintenance of a project
The comprehensive redevelopment of the iconic Television Centre site in White City, West London—the former headquarters of the BBC—has progressed significantly as Mitsui Fudosan celebrated the topping out of its Phase 2 structures. The buildings structurally completed are The Ariel, a 25-storey residential tower providing 167 homes designed by AHMM,
Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridgeshire business has broken ground on the new Great Haddon Primary School in Peterborough. The project, commissioned by Peterborough City Council and designed by Lungfish Architects, was procured via the SCAPE National Framework. The new two-storey, two-form entry facility will create 420 school places for nursery and
A planning application has been submitted for a distinctive new neighbourhood at Northstowe that is set to become a national first: two cohousing communities delivered side-by-side as part of a planned new town. The unique development, designed by Mole Architects, is a project by the new joint venture between TOWN
Major progress has been confirmed at SOYO Block D, which marks Moda Living’s first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development. This phase is a significant step forward for the wider SOYO neighbourhood, which is one of Yorkshire’s largest residential-led regeneration projects. Located in the heart of Leeds, on the south side
Caddick Construction has been named the preferred bidder by Delamere Health to develop a major new residential addiction treatment clinic on the site of the former Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue HQ in Bestwood, Nottingham. The £20 million development is described as the largest investment of its kind in the UK
SNG (Sovereign Network Group) is advancing its flagship regeneration project, Northwick Parkside in Harrow, located directly next to Northwick Park Hospital and the University of Westminster. The development is designed to serve the thousands of NHS staff and other public sector employees who work in the surrounding area, offering a
Housebuilder Bellway has received detailed planning consent from Darlington Borough Council for the first phase of its new neighbourhood in the sought-after West End of Darlington. The consent permits Bellway to build 428 homes on the 56-acre site off Staindrop Road. The development, to be called Baydale Village, will include
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel company and owner of Premier Inn, has acquired Victory House at 30–34 Kingsway, WC2, in Central London, in an off‑market deal for an undisclosed sum, strengthening its pipeline for the hub by Premier Inn brand. The freehold purchase fits Whitbread’s network plan for the
Ofgem has approved an initial £28 billion package for Britain’s energy networks to reinforce safety, security and resilience, while upgrading and enlarging capacity to meet rising demand. The programme will modernise electricity and gas infrastructure and help shield consumers from volatile global energy prices. The largest share, £17.8 billion, is earmarked to operate, maintain and replace assets across Britain’s gas networks, keeping them among the safest and most resilient worldwide. A further £10.3 billion will go into electricity transmission to boost reliability and unlock extra capacity for electrification and economic growth. Across both gas and electricity, the overall investment is expected to reach around £90 billion by 2031. Acting now, Ofgem says, is the most cost-effective way to harness more domestic clean power, support growth and reduce exposure to gas price shocks like those in 2022. As day-to-day operations, asset replacement and maintenance costs flow through to bills faster than long-term expansion, these near-term outlays will contribute more quickly to customer bills even though they form a smaller portion of the total £90 billion programme. By 2031, network charges are projected to add £108 to typical dual-fuel household bills (£48 for gas and £60 for electricity). Factoring in the benefits of grid expansion, Ofgem estimates households would save about £80 compared with not building out the grid, leaving a net impact of roughly £30 overall, or under £3 per month. Electricity grid expansion alone is forecast to cut bills by £50 by 2031 by curbing reliance on imports and reducing constraint costs. Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem CEO, said: “The funding announced today will keep Britain’s energy network among the safest, most secure and resilient in the world. The investment will support the transition to new forms of energy and support new industrial customers to help drive economic growth and insulate us from volatile gas prices. “But this is not investment at any price. Every pound must deliver value for consumers. Ofgem will hold network companies accountable for delivering on time and on budget, and we make no apologies for the efficiency challenge we’re setting as the industry scales up investment. We’ve built strong consumer protections into these contracts, meaning funds will only be released when needed and clawed back if not used. Households and businesses must get value for money, and we will ensure they do.” Throughout 2025, the regulator scrutinised spending plans from electricity transmission owners, National Gas and gas distribution companies to secure the best deal for billpayers. Ofgem has set firm delivery milestones, demanded greater efficiency and rejected proposals not in consumers’ interests, delivering potential savings of over £4.5 billion (15%) versus initial £33 billion submissions. The final package will back 80 electricity transmission projects and related works over the next five years, adding new lines, substations and technologies to increase capacity and move clean, domestic power efficiently to homes and businesses, supporting growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Helios Renewable Energy Project development consent order (DCO) application UK has been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The scheme will deliver ground-mounted solar arrays, energy storage facilities and associated grid connection infrastructure to support the construction, operation and maintenance of a project capable of generating over 50 megawatts of electricity. Submitted by Enso Green Holdings D Limited to the Planning Inspectorate on 02 July 2024, the application was accepted for examination on 30 July 2024. Following an examination in which the public, statutory consultees and other interested parties provided evidence, the Examining Authority made its recommendations to the Secretary of State on 3 September 2025. This is the 102nd energy application out of 169 applications examined to date, and the Planning Inspectorate completed the case within the statutory timetable set by the Planning Act 2008. Local communities were able to take part in the six-month examination. The Examining Authority listened to and fully considered local views and all evidence before reaching its recommendation. The decision, the Examining Authority’s recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the evidence considered are available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website. The decision was taken by Minister Martin McCluskey, acting under the Energy Secretary’s legal authority. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The comprehensive redevelopment of the iconic Television Centre site in White City, West London—the former headquarters of the BBC—has progressed significantly as Mitsui Fudosan celebrated the topping out of its Phase 2 structures. The buildings structurally completed are The Ariel, a 25-storey residential tower providing 167 homes designed by AHMM, and Scenery House, a mid-rise residential block containing 180 homes designed by dRMM. The milestone was observed with a traditional Japanese Sake Barrel Breaking Ceremony, known as ‘kagami-biraki’. Adhering to this custom, representatives from the client, Mitsui Fudosan, the development manager, Stanhope, and the main contractor, Multiplex, used a wooden mallet to break open the lid of the sake barrel before raising a celebratory toast to the progress achieved on site. Once finished, these two developments will collectively deliver 347 new homes, which range from studio apartments to larger townhouses intended for local families, totalling 470,000 sq ft of residential space. Both buildings are currently scheduled for completion during Q3 2027 and introduce the distinct creative visions of two Stirling Prize-winning architectural firms to the White City area. These join the recently completed Macfarlane Place, which was delivered at the end of 2024 and provides 142 affordable homes for Peabody across two buildings, having been designed by Maccreanor Lavington, who is also a recipient of the Stirling Prize. The overall scheme, which will ultimately deliver nearly 1.5 million sq ft of development across the former BBC site, represents one of Mitsui Fudosan’s most significant and ambitious projects globally. The masterplan, conceptualised by AHMM, is fundamentally focused on the reinvention of the iconic Grade II listed Television Centre building and its immediately recognisable rotunda, complemented by the creation of new outdoor spaces by landscape architects Gillespies. The buildings forming Phase 2 of the masterplan have been consciously designed to possess unique character while complementing both each other and the structures already established throughout the wider estate. These specific buildings will finalise the masterplan and further integrate the site with the local community by creating a new pedestrian connection through interlinking streets leading directly to Hammersmith Park. Takeshi Iwama, Chief Executive of Mitsui Fudosan UK, commented: “The topping out of Phase 2 of the Television Centre masterplan marks a significant milestone in both the realisation of the original masterplan for the site and the wider White City regeneration area vision to deliver homes throughout the area. Television Centre is part of a regeneration project which includes Westfield shopping centre, White City Place (formerly the BBC’s headquarters) and Imperial College London which seeks to bring together a rich mix of communities across the area. It demonstrates Mitsui Fudosan’s continuing commitment to London, the living sector, quality design and sustainable construction.” The expansive 14-acre Television Centre site is held by a joint venture partnership between Mitsui Fudosan and AIMCo, with Stanhope acting as the asset manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridgeshire business has broken ground on the new Great Haddon Primary School in Peterborough. The project, commissioned by Peterborough City Council and designed by Lungfish Architects, was procured via the SCAPE National Framework. The new two-storey, two-form entry facility will create 420 school places for nursery and primary-years provision on a new housing development south of Peterborough. The school is scheduled for completion in late 2026, ready for use in early 2027. The main school building will feature 12 classrooms and includes three-metre-wide ‘learning streets’ on both floors, which will provide enhanced educational opportunities through access to libraries, one-to-one teaching zones, and small group areas. The southern end of the building will house the main school hall, kitchen, and related spaces. A dedicated single-storey Early Years section will include two nursery and two reception classrooms, complete with associated facilities and an outside play area. Externally, the development will include a 9 x 9 football pitch that will double as an athletics track, alongside a multi-use games area (MUGA). Sustainability is a key focus for the project. Morgan Sindall has utilised its digital carbon calculation tool, CarboniCa, to inform the design, which includes the installation of photovoltaic panels (PVs) to generate the school’s energy requirements. A central target is the delivery of a 12% biodiversity net gain for the school’s construction and operation. This will be achieved by creating an attenuation pond with plants, wetland grasses, trees, and raised beds designed to encourage local wildlife. This pond and a nearby rain garden will also serve as educational spaces for pupils. Jamie Shearman, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction, noted: “The start of construction at Great Haddon’s new primary school marks an important milestone… In such a fast-growing area as this, it is imperative educational facilities are created that can match the local scale and demand with high-quality learning environments.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A planning application has been submitted for a distinctive new neighbourhood at Northstowe that is set to become a national first: two cohousing communities delivered side-by-side as part of a planned new town. The unique development, designed by Mole Architects, is a project by the new joint venture between TOWN and The Hill Group, in partnership with Homes England (masterdeveloper for phases two and three of Northstowe). The neighbourhood will deliver 145 homes across four compact urban buildings. Crucially, 40% of the homes will be affordable, including Affordable Rent and Discount Market Sale. The new joint venture aims to scale the delivery of cohousing across the south of England, building on the success of the multi-award-winning Marmalade Lane cohousing neighbourhood in Orchard Park, also delivered by TOWN and Mole Architects. The Northstowe neighbourhood, situated near the emerging town centre, will include two distinct groups that have been deeply involved in a year-long codesign process: The design is centred around a car-free play street linking directly to the Greenway park. It is framed by shared gardens, play spaces, and two ‘common houses’—shared spaces where residents can cook, eat, and spend time together. The homes, which range from one to four bedrooms, are designed to be highly energy-efficient: The Cambridge Quality Panel praised the development as “a high-quality, innovative proposal that brings diversity and social richness to Northstowe.” Subject to consent, construction is expected to begin in summer 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major progress has been confirmed at SOYO Block D, which marks Moda Living’s first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development. This phase is a significant step forward for the wider SOYO neighbourhood, which is one of Yorkshire’s largest residential-led regeneration projects. Located in the heart of Leeds, on the south side of York Road, SOYO is a £300 million neighbourhood being developed by property and construction specialists Caddick. This latest stage is being delivered through a joint venture between Aermont and Moda, with debt funding from BGO. SOYO Block D will bring a vibrant student offering to an established cultural quarter of the city, which is already home to key institutions including: Leeds Playhouse, BBC, Leeds Conservatoire, and Northern Ballet. The development will deliver 291 bedrooms, supported by resident amenities such as a 24-hour gym, a rooftop terrace, and dedicated study spaces. Completion is scheduled ahead of the 2027–2028 academic year. This construction update follows the completion of nearby build-to-rent (BTR) residential buildings, including Madison East, Mercer West, and Moda New York Square, which together now provide homes to over a thousand residents. Rachel Groves, Project Director at Moda Living, said they look forward to providing students with “accessible and sustainable accommodation that meets the needs of the next generation.” Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Yorkshire & North East, commented: “The pace and quality of our progress at Block D represent the energy and drive behind the new SOYO neighbourhood, and its place as a landmark destination for culture and community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has been named the preferred bidder by Delamere Health to develop a major new residential addiction treatment clinic on the site of the former Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue HQ in Bestwood, Nottingham. The £20 million development is described as the largest investment of its kind in the UK for an addiction rehabilitation clinic, with Delamere Health aiming for it to become the “flagship treatment facility in Europe.” Caddick has entered a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) to deliver the initial package of works, which includes the demolition of the former Fire & Rescue HQ, scheduled to begin before Christmas. The resulting new build clinic, designed by architects Anderson Orr, will comprise 32 residential rooms with supporting treatment spaces. The facility is designed to offer premium amenities to support recovery, including: Ray O’Sullivan, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Midlands, stated that the company is working closely with the client to build a cost and build programme that will deliver on their ambitions, recognising the “high level of care and rehabilitation the clinic will offer.” Martin Preston, Founder and Chief Executive at Delamere Health, noted the site’s development represents a “huge investment and opportunity for the borough” and emphasised the company’s clear vision: “to provide exemplary care in first class facilities.” Neil Parry, CEO & Principal at Anderson Orr, highlighted that the design blends contemporary clinical spaces with a warm, domestic character. The layout, arranged around individually characterised landscaped courtyards, is intended to maximise natural light and create a restorative, calming setting conducive to healing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SNG (Sovereign Network Group) is advancing its flagship regeneration project, Northwick Parkside in Harrow, located directly next to Northwick Park Hospital and the University of Westminster. The development is designed to serve the thousands of NHS staff and other public sector employees who work in the surrounding area, offering a hub of high-quality, affordable housing. Northwick Parkside offers two main pathways for key workers seeking a home: Shared Ownership apartments and low-cost rental accommodation. Brand new, modern one- and two-bedroom apartments are available through Shared Ownership, enabling buyers to purchase a share of a home with deposits starting from as little as 5%. These apartments are built with greener living in mind, featuring eco-friendly construction, superior insulation, and energy-efficient appliances from brands like Indesit and Bosch to help reduce bills. As an added benefit, NHS workers who purchase a Shared Ownership home will receive a complimentary £500 Love2Shop voucher upon moving in. SNG is also offering key worker rental accommodation at Northwick Park, with rooms available from around £800 per month inclusive of bills, a rate well below typical market rents. Eligibility for this secure, well-managed accommodation extends to anyone who meets the financial criteria (with an upper salary limit of £66,000), particularly those in the public sector, including: While applications are open to all public sector employees, people who live or work in Brent are prioritised. Northwick Parkside is the result of an ambitious partnership between SNG and Countryside Partnerships, part of Vistry Group. Once complete, the development will provide a thriving new neighbourhood featuring landscaped courtyards, green open spaces, and a community hub with shops, cafés, and a nursery. Kalumba Musambachime, Head of Sales for London & East at SNG, commented: “Northwick Parkside demonstrates our commitment to providing affordable housing options that meet the needs of the local community… our aim is to support those who are doing the jobs that support society.” Charles Culling, Head of Specialist Housing at SNG, added that the dedicated key worker accommodation offers rental rates that are 20% lower than local market rates, enabling workers to save for a deposit to buy their own home in the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Bellway has received detailed planning consent from Darlington Borough Council for the first phase of its new neighbourhood in the sought-after West End of Darlington. The consent permits Bellway to build 428 homes on the 56-acre site off Staindrop Road. The development, to be called Baydale Village, will include 300 homes for private sale and 128 affordable homes. This phase is part of a wider project to construct a neighbourhood of up to 985 properties, with proposed community facilities such as a GP surgery, a shop, sports pitches, and land allocated for a primary and early years school. Mark Gabriele, Head of Land for Bellway Durham, commented that Baydale Village is the largest project yet undertaken by Bellway Durham and is a “landmark moment.” He highlighted that the development will provide high-quality, modern, and energy-efficient homes, with 30 per cent of the properties designated as affordable homes for local people through low-cost rent, shared ownership, or the First Homes discounted sale scheme. The private homes will range from two- to five-bedroom designs and include 20 bungalows suitable for elderly purchasers or those with disabilities. Work is anticipated to start on site in December 2025, with the first homes expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The project is set to deliver a significant boost to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting local businesses. Baydale Village will feature extensive green open spaces and ponds. A commitment has been made to plant trees, mixed shrubs, and hedgerows to help provide wildlife habitats. Nest boxes, including swift boxes and sparrow/starling terraces, will be placed at more than 70 of the properties to increase the availability of nesting sites near open spaces. Baydale Village will be built by Bellway Durham and Ashberry Homes North East, which is part of the Bellway Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel company and owner of Premier Inn, has acquired Victory House at 30–34 Kingsway, WC2, in Central London, in an off‑market deal for an undisclosed sum, strengthening its pipeline for the hub by Premier Inn brand. The freehold purchase fits Whitbread’s network plan for the Covent Garden/Holborn area, placing future guests within a ten‑minute walk of Covent Garden, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the London School of Economics campus and the West End’s theatre district. Subject to planning, Whitbread intends to convert the 1920s, 45,000 sq ft office—currently occupied until spring 2026—into a hub by Premier Inn hotel of around 200 bedrooms. Rooms would be delivered within the existing floorplates while retaining the building’s stone façade onto Kingsway. The location offers views over Lincoln’s Inn Fields to the east, and Whitbread expects to secure vacant possession in April 2026 when the current lease expires. The acquisition rounds off an especially active year for Whitbread in Central and Inner London. Since February 2025, the business has bought four former office buildings for conversion into Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels, with total investment exceeding £100 million. Collectively, these assets—including Victory House—will add close to 1,000 rooms to Whitbread’s secured development pipeline. Currently, 19% of Whitbread’s 85,000 bedrooms are in London. Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: “The vision behind hub by Premier Inn is to offer all the great things about Premier Inn in the most central, accessible and exciting places. Kingsway is one of those stand-out locations being surrounded by London’s best entertainment, restaurants, cultural venues and institutions – somewhere we know our customers will want to stay. “Investing here matches our network plan and complements our trading and pipeline hotels, neatly ‘bookending’ Covent Garden with our St Martin’s Lane hotel to the west. It also rounds off an especially active year for Whitbread in Central and Inner London where we have made four significant purchases and lease commitments, collectively totalling more than £100 million of investment and adding close to 1,000 prime located rooms into our pipeline. “We’re pleased to have secured the Kingsway location quickly off-market and are excited to begin the planning journey with Camden Council next year, with a goal to bring the location onto our trading network in 2028.” Hub by Premier Inn is designed for high‑value city-centre locations, using compact room formats to deliver attractive long‑term returns while offering affordable stays for guests. Launched on St Martins Lane in Covent Garden in 2014, the brand now operates eighteen hotels and more than 3,000 bedrooms across Central London and Edinburgh, with four further London sites under construction or in advanced planning, including a flagship 690‑room hub on the Strand next to Trafalgar Square. Aligned with Whitbread’s sustainability strategy, the Kingsway hotel will be all‑electric and powered by renewable energy, with heat recovery systems and air‑source heat pumps incorporated to reduce energy demand. Whitbread was advised by Ingleby Trice, while the vendor was represented by JLL and Savills. Conversations with Camden Council about converting the eight‑storey building are expected to begin in early 2026, with Whitbread targeting entry into its trading network in 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals