Kenneth Booth
Bromford’s strong start to the year drives future housing growth

Bromford’s strong start to the year drives future housing growth

Leading housing association Bromford has made a strong start to the year, securing land for 179 new homes across three sites so far, as part of its commitment to delivering much-needed affordable housing. These new developments will be built in Brierley Hill, Dudley (50 homes), Highnam, Tewkesbury (95 homes), and

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Thomas & Adamson accelerates London growth with senior hire

Thomas & Adamson accelerates London growth with senior hire

International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis group, has appointed Gemma Prior as director and head of cost management for its London office, supporting the firm’s ambitious growth plans. Gemma brings over two decades of experience in the construction sector to the firm, having held senior

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Alsecco celebrates double win at INCA awards

Alsecco celebrates double win at INCA awards

Façade specialist Alsecco has been named as winner of the Judges Choice Architectural Design – High Rise award at this year’s INCA Awards, in addition to taking the title for Refurbishment High Rise. Judges at the awards, which recognise excellence in the external wall insulation sector, made a unanimous decision

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Whitbread opens 1,000 new Premier Inn rooms since March 2024

Whitbread opens 1,000 new Premier Inn rooms since March 2024

Whitbread PLC, the parent company of the UK’s largest hotel brand Premier Inn, has added more than 1,000 new guest bedrooms to its growing UK network since March 2024 and the start of its FY24/25 financial year. The 137-bedroom Premier Inn at London Waterloo (North Lambeth) in Central London took

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gs8 and Octopus Energy unveil UK’s largest ‘Zero Bills' Housing Development and Groundbreaking Residential Microgrid

gs8 and Octopus Energy unveil UK’s largest ‘Zero Bills’ Housing Development and Groundbreaking Residential Microgrid

gs8, the RIBA Award-winning UK housebuilder specialising in Planet Positive homes and neighbourhoods, has begun construction on 113 new homes in Thornwood, Essex. The development, Carpenter’s Yard, marks the UK’s largest ‘Zero Bill’s development, in partnership with Octopus Energy. The first homes will be launched in April, with the first

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Panattoni hits milestone at UK's largest speculative warehouse project

Panattoni hits milestone at UK’s largest speculative warehouse project

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, hosted a steel signing ceremony to commemorate the progress of the Panattoni Park Central A1[M] project. This landmark event celebrates the start of the steel erection phase of the largest speculative logistics warehouse currently under construction in the UK. Located near Junction

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Latest Issue
Issue 326 : Mar 2025

Kenneth Booth

Bromford’s strong start to the year drives future housing growth

Bromford’s strong start to the year drives future housing growth

Leading housing association Bromford has made a strong start to the year, securing land for 179 new homes across three sites so far, as part of its commitment to delivering much-needed affordable housing. These new developments will be built in Brierley Hill, Dudley (50 homes), Highnam, Tewkesbury (95 homes), and Hopwood, near Bromsgrove (34 homes). These homes will be a mix of social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership, ensuring a mix of tenure options to support a range of housing needs. Beyond these secured sites, Bromford is also progressing contracts to acquire land for over 1,000 additional homes across multiple locations, aiming to complete agreements by the end of March 2025.These future developments will support the housing association’s long-term strategy to increase the scale of its housebuilding programme and deliver more affordable homes to meet growing demand. A significant proportion of these homes will be for social rent, reinforcing Bromford’s position as England’s largest builder of social rent homes. These land purchases form part of Bromford’s ambitious goal to build 11,000 homes across the West Midlands and West of England over the next seven years, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality homes at scale. Lyndon Parkes, Head of Land at Bromford, said: “This year has started strongly, with a number of land deals completed and even more in the pipeline. With more than 1.2 million households currently waiting for a social home in England1, the need for high-quality, affordable housing has never been greater. “Our latest acquisitions mark another step forward in our efforts to deliver much-needed homes, and with demand continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever that we build at scale. Securing land is a vital part of this strategy, allowing us to play a leading role in tackling the housing crisis. As we look ahead, our focus remains on identifying and securing land opportunities that align with our mission to support and uplift the communities we serve, helping them to thrive.” As part of Bromford’s ongoing efforts to deliver homes more efficiently and sustainably, Bromford is also set to build some of its future developments using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This approach will see key structural elements manufactured offsite before being assembled on location, reducing onsite waste and improving overall efficiency. Bromford continues to explore ways to lessen environmental impact while accelerating the delivery of new homes. Bromford is actively seeking new land opportunities to further its development ambitions. To learn more about how the housing association acquires land or to discuss potential opportunities, visit Bromford’s land acquisition page. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Cheltenham will see ‘massive’ rail boom under Midlands Rail Hub plan

Cheltenham will see ‘massive’ rail boom under Midlands Rail Hub plan

Local MP, Max Wilkinson, met Midlands Connect and rail bosses to hear about the plans for nearly 300 trains a week extra going through Cheltenham due to the £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub project. This would deliver around 4 million extra seats each year for passengers on the key railway route between Cheltenham and Birmingham. This would be through an extra four trains on the route each hour, two in each direction. At the meeting, Midlands Connect and Max Wilkinson MP, were also joined by West Midlands Rail Executive. The project will also deliver a jobs boost, with more than 12,750 roles are expected to result from the Midlands Rail Hub programme with construction expected to run from 2025 to 2033.  In 2023, the previous Government committed to ‘full’ delivery of the Midlands Rail Hub, and in February last year, an additional £123m was allocated towards the project, to progress the detailed engineering designs. MP, Max Wilkinson, said:  “Cheltenham’s rail connections are very important for our local economy. Improved links are vital for our town – primarily for business travellers, but also for leisure trips. Whether it’s to the Midlands, towards Bristol, the North or London, we’ll benefit from easier access to and from our town. I’m interested to hear more about the positive opportunities offered by the Midlands Rail Hub and other future Improvements too.” Paul Butters, Director of Communications at Midlands Connect, said: “It was great to meet Max, brief him on the plans and explain how the Midlands Rail Hub could deliver a massive transport boost for the town. Delivering faster and more frequent trains to Cheltenham would make a massive difference and we are working hard to deliver it. “I look forward to working with Max in the months and years ahead to deliver this vital scheme for the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Thomas & Adamson accelerates London growth with senior hire

Thomas & Adamson accelerates London growth with senior hire

International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis group, has appointed Gemma Prior as director and head of cost management for its London office, supporting the firm’s ambitious growth plans. Gemma brings over two decades of experience in the construction sector to the firm, having held senior positions at AECOM and Currie & Brown. Most recently, she spent almost five years at Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), where she progressed to partner and was responsible for leading the public sector cost management division in London. At RLB, she also held the role of national deputy head of education and contributed to winning several of the UK’s largest university and public sector frameworks. In her new role, Gemma will focus on expanding Thomas & Adamson’s presence in the UK capital’s construction and property market, with an emphasis on several sectors, including residential build-to-rent and commercial office workplace and conversion. She will also seek to diversify into other areas, such as the public sector and life sciences. Key projects already on Gemma’s agenda include a prestigious high-end residential development, cutting-edge laboratories, and large-scale façade remediation framework for a UK-wide housebuilder. An advocate for diversity and inclusion in the sector, Gemma is an active member of The Circle Partnership, a mentoring network that supports women in construction by partnering senior professionals with the next generation of female leaders to support career development. Gemma’s appointment follows the recent hiring of associate Stephen Hart to lead the London office’s newly established building surveying team, working alongside Gary Wait, who heads up project management for London, enabling the firm to offer a full suite of services to clients in the capital. Founded in 1935, Thomas & Adamson has a team of over 100 staff across the UK delivering cost management, project management, building surveying, and construction safety services. The firm was acquired by global architectural, advisory, construction engineering and mobility services firm Egis last year, bringing a wider range of services to clients, including decarbonisation and sustainability consultancy. John McGuire, director and head of cost management at Thomas & Adamson, said: “Gemma’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for our London office and underscores our commitment to strengthening our capabilities in the capital. Gemma’s energy and expertise in cost management will help us to capitalise on emerging opportunities across key sectors. Offering the full suite of construction services means we can continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients and deliver market-leading projects.” Gemma added: “Joining Thomas & Adamson at this pivotal time is a fantastic opportunity. The firm’s integration with Egis has created a strong platform for growth, and I’m excited to be part of the next chapter. In particular, I’m looking forward to helping develop the firm’s multi-disciplinary approach, while also working alongside Egis’s equality, diversity, and inclusion lead to foster positive change in the industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Alsecco celebrates double win at INCA awards

Alsecco celebrates double win at INCA awards

Façade specialist Alsecco has been named as winner of the Judges Choice Architectural Design – High Rise award at this year’s INCA Awards, in addition to taking the title for Refurbishment High Rise. Judges at the awards, which recognise excellence in the external wall insulation sector, made a unanimous decision in naming the Victoria House development, in Manchester, as Judges Choice Architectural Design – High Rise, describing the building as ‘an architectural masterpiece with great angles and complex detailing making it a worthy winner’. Alsecco supplied its Ecomin 400 cladding system with Meldorfer lightweight brick slips to complete the exterior of the building, providing external wall insulation and a brick-effect finish. The use of brick slips supported efficient construction of the 25-storey residential development by main contractor Domis, recreating a traditional gault brick appearance. Alsecco was also named as winner in the ‘Refurbishment High Rise’ category for its work on the colourful exterior on The Boardwalk development, in Eastbourne Harbour.   The upgrade saw Alsecco’s Ecomin 300 external insulated render system used to ensure the exterior of the building was suited to the challenges of a marine environment. The project was praised for the ‘all round quality coupled with such a strikingly vibrant yellow and white finish that enhanced the building’s visual appeal’. Dean Broughton, Managing Director of Alsecco, said: “It is fantastic to see these two projects recognised at the INCA awards, which celebrate the very best projects in the external wall insulation industry. “Being involved in a project with the ambition and scale of Victoria House was a real privilege. The development, right in the heart of Manchester, showcases exactly what can be achieved with high quality brick slips, both in terms of efficiency, but also aesthetics. “To see this ambitious project awarded the judges choice in its category is testament to the commitment across the board that went into making this vision a reality. “Likewise, the Boardwalk upgrade shows what can be achieved through a high-quality external wall insulation system. While performance underpins external wall insulation applications, it is great to be involved in design-led projects that deliver a striking finish such as this. Thanks to INCA for helping to showcase excellence in the industry.” Run by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA), the awards recognise the highest standards in external wall insulation (EWI), with submissions across a variety of categories to highlight excellence in a range of building projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Whitbread opens 1,000 new Premier Inn rooms since March 2024

Whitbread opens 1,000 new Premier Inn rooms since March 2024

Whitbread PLC, the parent company of the UK’s largest hotel brand Premier Inn, has added more than 1,000 new guest bedrooms to its growing UK network since March 2024 and the start of its FY24/25 financial year. The 137-bedroom Premier Inn at London Waterloo (North Lambeth) in Central London took the business over the 1,000 new room milestone earlier this month, marking the third new hotel Premier Inn to open in the capital since spring last year. In total, Whitbread has opened seven new Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels in the past eleven months including new locations in Central London, Cambridge, Bristol, York, and Torquay, reflecting the company’s objective of expanding its estate in popular destinations across the UK. Whitbread currently offers its UK customers a choice of more than 85,500 hotel rooms and believes there is the potential for 125,000 rooms in the United Kingdom and Ireland as it takes advantage of a favourable supply backdrop and the continued decline of independent hotels and guest houses. Alex Flach, UK & Ireland Development Director, commented: “The seven new Premier Inn hotels we have opened this financial year showcase Whitbread’s commitment to expanding our presence in desirable, high-demand locations across the UK and Ireland. “All of these new openings, completed since March 2024, are leasehold developments – a testament to the strength and appeal of the Whitbread covenant among our development partners. Notably, three of these hotels were created through the conversion of vacant office buildings, a process that not only revitalises unused spaces but also prevents tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere during construction. “As hotel development becomes ever more complex, Whitbread’s collaborative and flexible approach to identifying and delivering new development opportunities is more critical than ever. Growing our estate across the UK and Ireland remains a top priority for the business, and my team and I are eager to connect with potential partners to secure and deliver the next generation of Premier Inn hotels.” The new hotels opened in Whitbread’s FY24/25 financial year so far include: Whitbread has a detailed network plan for the UK and Ireland of locations where Premier Inn is either unrepresented or where there is potential to increase the brand’s presence.  These include 40 target locations within the M25 – a strategically important growth market for the brand – as well as thirteen target locations in Ireland. At time of publishing its FY24/25 half-year results (October 2024), Whitbread offered its customers a choice of more than 85,500 Premier Inn rooms from 855 locations across the UK & Ireland.  Beyond the UK, the business is growing strongly in Germany where it has built a network of more than 10,000 Premier Inn rooms across the country and is aiming to be the no.1 hotel operator in the country. Find more on the target locations for Premier Inn in the UK and Ireland here: www.whitbread.com/property. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Barratt London and Places for London secure approval for the next phase of 900-home Bollo lane site

Barratt London and Places for London secure approval for the next phase of 900-home Bollo lane site

Barratt London and Places for London have secured planning approval for the next phase of its Bollo Lane site, following a unanimous decision by Ealing London Borough Council’s planning committee. The site, which sits between Bollo Lane and the Piccadilly railway lines by Acton Town Station, was the first development to be announced as part of the West London Partnership, an industry-leading collaboration that will unlock more than 4,000 new homes over the next decade. The Bollo Lane project will be delivered in four phases and will provide up to 900 new homes once complete.  Each residential phase will deliver 50% affordable housing to rent or buy. Construction works are due to begin this spring, with the first phase comprising 195 one, two and three-bedroom homes for private and affordable rent. The second phase that will be unlocked by the committee approval will deliver 455 new homes for affordable and private sale over the next five years.  In addition to delivering much-needed new homes, the project will create an entirely new street frontage along the western edge of Bollo Lane, providing extensive areas of new public realm alongside 20,000 sq ft of commercial and retail spaces. Residents will benefit from two new podium gardens, whilst the wider community will enjoy biodiverse green spaces through the creation of a new public square and community garden on land that was previously inaccessible to the public. The scheme has been designed to promote healthy and active travel methods, with new pedestrian and cycle routes linking Acton Town and Chiswick. Biodiversity and sustainability have been carefully considered at every stage of scheme design. The proposals for Phase 2 are set to achieve a biodiversity net gain of 126%, with an urban greening factor of 0.47. There will be 250 new trees planted across the development, whilst highly efficient buildings will use sustainable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and generate lower energy bills for residents. Section 106 contributions agreed with Ealing London Borough Council will see more than £3m contributed to Education, Healthcare, Transport and other improvements in the Borough. In addition, the project will create up to 500 new jobs over the course of the development, and 20 new apprenticeships will be made available thanks to the West London Partnership. Craig Carson, Managing Director at Barratt West London, comments: “We are pleased to receive the unanimous approval of Ealing’s Planning Committee for our updated Bollo Lane proposals, on what is a key strategic site for the West London Partnership. Since Places for London appointed us as their formal development partner for the site two years ago, we have worked closely on our shared vision to bring plans forward and ensure we deliver a site to be truly proud of. Our partnership at Bollo Lane will unlock nearly 900 new homes, and with half of these affordable, we are working in tandem with Places for London and Ealing London Borough Council to meet the housing needs in the borough.” Jonathan Cornelius, Head of Property Development at Places for London, comments: “It is fantastic news to get the go ahead for our plans at Bollo Lane in Acton Town. This milestone is a significant step in our plans to deliver around 900 homes here – our largest development to date. “Our plans have been designed to reflect the area’s heritage and context, such as the Grade II-listed station next to it, and will bring hundreds of the homes that London urgently needs. “The scheme will benefit the local community with welcoming green spaces, improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities and new commercial opportunities for local businesses.” To find out more about Barratt London visit www.barrattlondon.com or for further details on Places for London visit www.placesforlondon.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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gs8 and Octopus Energy unveil UK’s largest ‘Zero Bills' Housing Development and Groundbreaking Residential Microgrid

gs8 and Octopus Energy unveil UK’s largest ‘Zero Bills’ Housing Development and Groundbreaking Residential Microgrid

gs8, the RIBA Award-winning UK housebuilder specialising in Planet Positive homes and neighbourhoods, has begun construction on 113 new homes in Thornwood, Essex. The development, Carpenter’s Yard, marks the UK’s largest ‘Zero Bill’s development, in partnership with Octopus Energy. The first homes will be launched in April, with the first completions expected in late 2025. The site will be developed in line with gs8’s Planet Positive Framework and Zero Waste Charter, which means all non-contaminated waste on site is reused wherever possible and recycled as a secondary solution. The carbon stored in the homes and the landscaping exceeds the embodied carbon needed to build and maintain them. The innovative scheme will feature centralised battery storage, allowing the significant on-site energy to be seamlessly shared between properties, creating a market-leading energy-efficient and low carbon ‘Zero Bills’ community. The scheme’s ground-breaking community microgrid will be the first in the world to offer ‘Zero Bills’ through gs8’s partnership with Octopus Energy. Launched in 2022, Octopus’ ‘Zero Bills’ tariff enables customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with state-of-the-art green tech – including a heat pump, a battery and solar panels – with no energy bills guaranteed for 5-10 years. Carpenter’s Yard will be tenure-blind, with all homes, including its 35 affordable dwellings, built to the same sustainability credentials. Of the affordable homes, 20 are for affordable rent and 15 will be shared ownership. Josh Gordon, Co-Founder, gs8, comments: “This is a landmark development for us as a business, building on the groundbreaking regenerative housing approach we’ve been committed to for the past six plus years. “We  are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Octopus Energy, a pioneering business, that shares our vision and values, seeking to create homes built for the future and developments that bring positive lasting impacts to local communities.” Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director, Octopus Energy, comments: “’Zero Bills’ is not just about eliminating energy bills – it’s about creating a sustainable future. “Our partnership with gs8 to deliver a microgrid community is all about delivering a truly transformative project that sets a new standard for affordable, eco-friendly living.” Plans feature several new public spaces, including a proposed community café and grocery concept and a permanent office for North Weald Bassett Parish Council, reflecting gs8’s ethos of community building, with the design of the scheme influenced by, and created for, the local community.  Residents will have use of a shared DIY and reuse centre, enabling them to swap infrequently used items including tools and equipment. Residents will also have access to an on-site fitness centre and a pop-up space that can be booked out. Carpenter’s Yard provides multiple designated play areas for children, hidden within the trail garden, and on the pedestrianised ‘play street’ intertwined with a natural landscape featuring logs from felled trees on site, seating, new mature trees, edible planting and habitat creation and enhancement to encourage greater biodiversity. Each home, which will be designed with young families in mind, featuring designated home working spaces. Through gs8’s partnership with Nissan and Volt, electric car club vehicles and electric bicycles will be available for residents to use. An on-site concierge will also provide a number of services, including a shuttle service to Epping Underground Station to encourage sustainable methods of transport and reduced car usage. As with all gs8 developments, the landscape has been designed to be self-sustainable within two years, with the majority of existing trees and hedgerows along the border of the site retained. The former pond on the site will be reinstated and enhanced, with additional wetland and aquatic planting to increase biodiversity, with a dipping deck and seating installed. This results in a biodiversity net gain achieved on-site of over 40%. The scheme has been designed by Boehm Lynas, with whom gs8 were jointly awarded a RIBA National Award plus two RIBA London Awards in 2024 for their Planet Positive project, The Arbour, a collection of 10 homes in Walthamstow, East London. For more information on the homes at Carpenters Yard in Thornwood and to register your interest, please visit: https://www.carpentersyard.com/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Have your say on plans to transform Seafield into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood

Have your say on plans to transform Seafield into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting residents to share their views on the regeneration of Seafield to make sure it responds to the needs and wishes of the local community. As a key site for delivering the goals set out in the Edinburgh City Plan 2030, plans for the narrow stretch of land include a new promenade, GP surgery and opportunities for new shops and workplaces. The coastal site could also include as many as 2,700 new homes, with 35% of homes being affordable, to address the Capital’s housing emergency. Future residents will benefit from the provision of a heat network which will help keep energy bills down whilst contributing to the city’s net zero targets. The consultation, which closes on Wednesday 30 April 2025, will build on the first two stages of engagement and consultation carried out to date. Residents can attend a drop-in session to discuss the plans, or they can take part in an online survey via the Consultation Hub. Planning Convener James Dalgleish said: Our draft plan to transform Seafield into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood will take us one step further to tackling our housing emergency and reaching net zero by 2030. This is a chance for residents to shape the future of the area – whether it’s about improving transport links, preserving green spaces or introducing new community facilities and we’re eager to hear everyone’s ideas for a Seafield that serves the whole community. I’d encourage everyone to share their views with us by filling in our online survey or coming along to one of our consultation drop-in events.  The in-person events will take place on the following dates and times: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Panattoni hits milestone at UK's largest speculative warehouse project

Panattoni hits milestone at UK’s largest speculative warehouse project

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, hosted a steel signing ceremony to commemorate the progress of the Panattoni Park Central A1[M] project. This landmark event celebrates the start of the steel erection phase of the largest speculative logistics warehouse currently under construction in the UK. Located near Junction 34 of the A1(M) on the border of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, Panattoni Park Central A1[M] is strategically positioned to provide seamless access to major road networks including the A1, M1, M18, and M180, making it a prime hub for national and international supply chains. The facility will span 770,000 sq ft and is designed with sustainability at its core, targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and offices rating EPC ‘A+’. The project, which is on schedule to be completed by Q4 2025. The site will feature state-of-the-art facilities including 8 level access doors, 100 dock doors, 595 car parking spaces and 217 HGV trailer parking spaces. The event included key stakeholders, project partners, and local dignitaries, including members of Bassetlaw District Council, highlighting the economic and environmental impact of Panattoni’s continued investment in sustainable logistics solutions. Panattoni is also marketing Central A1[M] 460, a cross-docked build-to-suit opportunity on the adjacent plot, offering up to 500,000 sq ft of additional industrial space to meet growing demand for high-quality logistics infrastructure across the region. Dan Burn, Head of Development for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni commented on the news, saying: “Panattoni Park Central A1[M] represents a bold statement about the future of logistics in the UK, and the steel signing is a momentous occasion to celebrate the collaborative efforts that have brought us to this stage. This project will not only provide state-of-the-art and highly sustainable facilities but also support regional growth through job creation and supply chain enhancements. With a workforce highly skilled in manufacturing and logistics, and competitive wage levels, the location is ideal for this large-scale development. The project is expected to attract major occupiers and drive continued investment in the region.” Cllr Charles Adams, Cabinet Member for Business and Skills at Bassetlaw District Council, also expressed his enthusiasm: “It’s fantastic that Panattoni has made such a significant investment in our community, and it is clear they have a commitment to fostering economic growth and providing job opportunities in the region. “We are especially pleased to learn about Panattoni’s plans to create highly skilled opportunities that will help to drive up wage growth in our district and maximise the skills of residents. “The Council has an ambition for Bassetlaw to become the greenest, most sustainable district in which to live and work, and Panattoni’s determination for this warehouse to be as environmentally sustainable as possible aligns with our own vision. “We are excited to see the positive impact that Panattoni Park Central A1[M] can bring to new and existing businesses, residents and our communities.” For more information on Panattoni Park Central A1[M] please visit www.panattoni.co.uk/centrala1m The agents for the scheme are DTRE, Cushman & Wakefield and M1 Agency. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New plans reveal a contemporary banqueting hall is to take the place of Middleton Conservative Club

New plans reveal a contemporary banqueting hall is to take the place of Middleton Conservative Club

Leading Community architects Architecture Unknown has submitted plans to reimagine the former Middleton Conservative Club as a banqueting hall and community space. The elaborate plans, submitted on behalf of local business Kohinoor Banqueting Ltd, show the site transformed into a wedding venue and multi-use function space for the community. The planning proposal includes internal refurbishments and renovation of the existing heritage façade, as well as a double storey contemporary brick extension. The proposed transformation will see the disused area at the back of the building adapted into a car park, containing new plants, green swales and a green-wall with the promise to retain existing trees and where possible improve the biodiversity of the site. In 2022, The Middleton Town Masterplan aimed to bring buildings in the town back to life through creative reuse, enhancing facades and shop fronts. The project was aimed at driving footfall to the area. The modern and contemporary extension, on 77 Long Street, would takes cues from the existing Middleton Conservative Club and the architecture in the surrounding area. Director, Daniel Kelso from Architecture Unknown, said: “The plans for 77 Long Street are contemporary and fresh, nodding respectfully to the buildings heritage while making it fit for purpose – an exciting building that will service the community for events and celebrations, for many years to come. “From conception to plans, it has been a collaborative process with the client to ensure we can put forward a beautiful space Middleton town can be proud of. There has been a real focus in maintaining the green space the local community loves, whilst improving access and making the building a go-to destination for events.” Architecture Unknown is a Manchester-based practice founded by Charlie Butterwick and Daniel Kelso. 77 Long Street falls under the Middleton Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal, a list of buildings of local importance. The development sits within Middleton Town and falls under the influence of the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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