Kenneth Booth
Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury's and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury’s and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Clowes Developments’ 20-acre Stud Brook Business Park has taken another important step forward as the units which will be occupied by Sainsbury’s and Starbucks reach practical completion. The developer received planning permission for the Sainsbury’s convenience store and Starbucks ‘drive-thru’ last July – both units are now ready for the

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Performance certification and new colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Performance certification and new Colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Marley’s popular Weatherboard range has been certified by the leading applied safety science authority, UL Solutions. Following robust independent testing, the fibre cement board solution for external cladding has been certified to meet all relevant standards for performance, quality and safety. The certification provides critical product credibility, meaning specifiers can

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New chief executive Stannard "ambitious" for Manchester

New chief executive Stannard “ambitious” for Manchester

Manchester City Council’s new Chief Executive Tom Stannard starts in the role today, Monday 3 February 2025.  Tom becomes only the third Chief Executive in more than 25 years in a city which prides itself on stability and long-term strategic planning.  He brings with him considerable experience, having served as

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A2Dominion opens new key worker accommodation in Oxford

A2Dominion opens new key worker accommodation in Oxford

A new development of key worker accommodation has been officially opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital (JRH) in Oxford, which forms part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).   Colleagues from housing association A2Dominion, housebuilder The Hill Group, OUH, and Oxford Hospitals Charity came together for an official opening

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Bellway project manager wins national homebuilding accolade

Bellway project manager wins national homebuilding accolade

Bellway Project Manager Adam Hawkes has earned one of the highest accolades in the homebuilding industry. Adam, who oversees construction at Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange development in Essex, was announced as the runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Awards on Friday (24 January). Adam,

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Thomas & Adamson makes key appointment to lead new London service line

Thomas & Adamson makes key appointment to lead new London service line

International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis Group, has appointed a new associate to oversee the building surveying team within its London office, adding extensive new capabilities to its offering in the capital city. Stephen Hart joins the Thomas & Adamson team from John Rowan and

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Green Light for Major Revamp of Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre

Green Light for Major Revamp of Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre

LaSalle Investment Management’s ambitious plans to transform Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre into a vibrant mixed-use development have been given the go-ahead by city councillors. The redevelopment—proposed in partnership with Deeley Freed on behalf of Centrica Pension Fund—will replace the 1990s shopping centre with a dynamic blend of residential, student accommodation,

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Plans submitted for £70m Greater Manchester Passivhaus Low Energy scheme

Plans submitted for £70m Greater Manchester Passivhaus Low Energy scheme

A two-tower residential development, designed by London and Manchester-based AEW Architects, has been submitted to Stockport Council as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration plans. The £70m project features two connected blocks of eight and 20 stories, designed to meet The Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building Standard. The focus is

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Kenneth Booth

Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury's and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury’s and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Clowes Developments’ 20-acre Stud Brook Business Park has taken another important step forward as the units which will be occupied by Sainsbury’s and Starbucks reach practical completion. The developer received planning permission for the Sainsbury’s convenience store and Starbucks ‘drive-thru’ last July – both units are now ready for the well-known brands to move in and begin their fit-out programme as construction contractor Roe Developments delivers the buildings on time and according to schedule. James Richards, Development Director at Clowes Developments, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Sainsbury’s and Starbucks units reaching practical completion – both will complement the industrial and warehouse offering at Stud Brook Business Park and will be a real convenience boost for the neighbouring residents – as well as bringing new jobs to the area.” Stud Brook Business Park, a high-quality scheme at Castle Donington will include units ranging from 8,500 to 30,000sq ft when completed. The warehouse and industrial units will be delivered by a team including IMA Architects, lead contractor TanRo, Millwards engineers and Postins Project Services. The delivery team are aiming for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and an EPC rating of ‘A’ for units 2-7, in line with Clowes Developments’ sustainability goals. Features include recycling solutions, solar-ready roofs, electric vehicle charging points and landscaping. Additionally, units 2-7 will be delivered as ‘Net Zero in Occupation’, which will enable future occupiers to operate at Net Zero emissions. Stud Brook Business Park will cater for small and medium-sized businesses while also accommodating larger national operators with recognised household names to be announced in due course. Marketing for the development is being led by FHP Property Consultants and NG Chartered Surveyors. Tim Gilbertson at FHP Property Consultants, said: “We know how onsite facilities improve the attraction of industrial estates substantially providing effectively breakout areas and opportunities to ‘get away from the desk’ or have impromptu meetings for business owners and staff alike, so for FHP to have secured both Starbucks and Sainsbury’s for this scheme is great news all round and will, I have no doubt, help us to find the last couple of occupiers for the few units remaining.” Richard Sutton, Managing Director at NG Chartered Surveyors, added: “It’s brilliant news that these first two units are set to be occupied by such big-hitters. This will only help drive even more quality occupiers to Stud Brook Business Park – and the level of demand we’ve seen for this high-end development has already been incredibly high.” Clowes and their agents are currently marketing a handful of speculatively developed units that sit within the first phase of the development which will be ready for occupation by the Spring. Additionally, they are now starting to take enquiries from trade counter operators. Plot 1 sits at the front of the site, benefitting from a prominent roadside presence and onsite parking, these units ranging in size from 3,229 – 4,606sq ft will wrap around the new Starbucks Drive-Thru facility, this part of the business park has been designed to enhance amenities for locals, occupiers and visitors. Remaining opportunities are available on a leasehold basis. Interested parties are invited to contact agents directly via richards@ng-cs.com and tim@fhp.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Keepmoat invests more than £50 million to deliver 227 new homes in Wiltshire

Keepmoat invests more than £50 million to deliver 227 new homes in Wiltshire

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat is investing more than £50 million in Warminster following exchange of contracts on a 24 acre plot of land situated south of Victoria Road.  Work is due to start in late 2025 at the development – now named Cley Hill View – to deliver 227 high-quality new homes, of which at least 30 per cent will be affordable homes. As part of the significant £50 million commitment to the Wiltshire area, Keepmoat will also create new green spaces, and play areas alongside pedestrian, road and cycle routes to and from surrounding communities. Expected to be completed in 2028, the development will offer a variety of much-needed multi-tenure one, two, three, and four-bedroomed homes, catering to first-time buyers, working professionals, and families. Ben Leather, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat West Midlands, said: “Keepmoat is excited to announce contracts have successfully been exchanged on Cley Hill View. Acquisition of this land highlights Keepmoat’s commitment to providing quality homes in the South West of England and aligns with our ambitious growth plans in the region.  “With Wiltshire experiencing a population increase of 8.4 percent from 2011 to 2021, the demand for housing has grown significantly. We’re pleased to be contributing towards addressing the region’s housing shortage. “Keepmoat’s Cley Hill View development will not only provide new homes, it will also create a thriving new community. In addition, we will be creating strong employment, apprentice and training opportunities for local contractors and labourers.”  All of the homes at Cley Hill View will be delivered in line with the Future Homes Standard, including renewable energy systems such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and EV charging points to help residents save on energy bills.  Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70 per cent of its current developments are on brownfield sites and more than 70 per cent of its customers are first time buyers. Keepmoat achieved HBF five star builder status, receiving a rating of at least 90 per cent in the National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. For more information, please visit www.keepmoat.com.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Performance certification and new colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Performance certification and new Colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Marley’s popular Weatherboard range has been certified by the leading applied safety science authority, UL Solutions. Following robust independent testing, the fibre cement board solution for external cladding has been certified to meet all relevant standards for performance, quality and safety. The certification provides critical product credibility, meaning specifiers can select Marley’s Weatherboard solution with confidence, knowing its performance and safety credentials have been thoroughly examined. Assessment criteria To achieve UL certification, the performance of Marley’s façade and cladding system was tested in accordance with the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) sequence B – Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes (2005). This satisfies several key performance areas: The Weatherboard fibre cement cladding system delivers a textured woodgrain finish and is ideal for refreshing existing properties or adding significant visual appeal to new developments. With a high coverage rate, it offers a cost-effective solution, along with ease of installation and low maintenance requirements. New colour option Coinciding with its UL Solutions certification, Marley has also expanded the colourway options for its Weatherboard range. The launch of a new blue-grey colour option complements the existing choices of white, light grey, slate grey and black, to further extend specification choice. With blue-grey particularly popular in the Southwest areas of the UK, especially in coastal areas, the new colourway adds another layer of aesthetic appeal for projects in this region. Marley also offers full colour-matched trims and accessories for its Weatherboard range, to ensure all projects offer an aesthetically striking and premium finish. Kevin O’Neill, National Sales Manager, Weatherboard for Marley, comments: “Rigorously tested, our Weatherboard system is UL Certified, meaning the fibre cement solution offers high levels of performance in water resistance, wind durability and safety compliance. It’s the perfect solution for specifiers looking to integrate reliable and compliant cladding solutions into their projects. “This, combined with the addition of the new blue-grey colourway, means specifiers have increased choice and confidence when choosing Marley’s Weatherboard for their external cladding projects.” For more information, visit Marley’s website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New chief executive Stannard "ambitious" for Manchester

New chief executive Stannard “ambitious” for Manchester

Manchester City Council’s new Chief Executive Tom Stannard starts in the role today, Monday 3 February 2025.  Tom becomes only the third Chief Executive in more than 25 years in a city which prides itself on stability and long-term strategic planning.  He brings with him considerable experience, having served as Chief Executive in neighbouring Salford City Council for the past four years – overseeing achievements including the transformative regeneration of Salford, an ambitious council housebuilding programme and high-performing children’s services – and held a number of senior posts in a long local government career.   Tom is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, public service reform and delivering inclusive growth and currently holds the lead chef executive brief for Greater Manchester in the economy, business and international portfolio.    He joins the Council at a pivotal moment as it gears up to bring forward the 2025-2030 Our Manchester Strategy which will guide the city in the decade ahead. The new vision will aim to build on the achievements of the 2015-2025 plan, delivering economic growth that benefits everyone – including by addressing inequalities through the Making Manchester Fairer action plan and pursuing ambitious housebuilding and zero carbon programmes.   As well as driving forward this long-term strategy, Tom will ensure the Council stays focused on providing high quality day-to-day services and supporting clean, green and vibrant neighbourhoods across the city.   Tom will also be the place-based lead for Manchester and its locality health arrangements within the Greater Manchester Integrated Care system.   Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Tom brings experience, energy and ideas to this important role for the city and will oversee the delivery of our vision for Manchester’s next decade.   “The city is on a positive trajectory, making an impact on the world stage while continuing to improve its neighbourhoods and create opportunities for its residents, and I’m looking forward to working with Tom in the years ahead to take these achievements to the next level.”   Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “I’m highly ambitious for Manchester and the people who call it home.   “I’ve lived and worked in Greater Manchester for much of my career so I know the area well and have a deep personal commitment to it. But at the same time, there’s always more insight to gain and I’m looking forward to getting to know more of those who make up Team Manchester – from the elected members and council staff to partner organisations, businesses and residents who all have a part to play in the city’s success.   “This is an incredible job in a remarkable city and I’m delighted to be here to get working on behalf of Manchester and its people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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A2Dominion opens new key worker accommodation in Oxford

A2Dominion opens new key worker accommodation in Oxford

A new development of key worker accommodation has been officially opened at the John Radcliffe Hospital (JRH) in Oxford, which forms part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).   Colleagues from housing association A2Dominion, housebuilder The Hill Group, OUH, and Oxford Hospitals Charity came together for an official opening on Wednesday 29 January.  A2Dominion appointed The Hill Group in 2022 to deliver the scheme. OUH is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in England constituting four major hospitals in Oxford and the project at the JRH is one of many supported by the Oxford Hospitals Charity. Customers recently moved into the new modern apartments in Ivy Lane from the previous flats following the completion of the first phase of the project. The ribbon cutting marked the completion of phase one, which will ultimately replace the previous accommodation with seven modern apartment buildings.  The ribbon was cut by Dorcas, an NHS nurse and Ivy Lane resident, along with senior representatives from all four organisations.  Dorcas, 42, said: “I was previously in the old Ivy Lane flats and recently moved in here along with rest of the tenants. The new flats are definitely an upgrade – I really love it.  “These new flats are well designed, spacious, and well-ventilated with bigger windows for more natural light. The facilities are excellent.  “I was surprised to see how this has made a significant improvement in the comfort and wellbeing of my family and I. When I’m back at home, I’m comfortable, what I need is available for me. So, when I go back to work it has enabled me to work effectively.”  The completion of phase one includes 90 new homes in total, comprising 12 self-contained one-bed apartments, 11 studios, 23 two-bed self-contained family apartments, 16 four-bed and 25 five-bedroom shared apartments, and three homes specially configured for disabled tenants.  The second and final phase is due to complete in 2026. Once phase two is completed, the seven new apartment buildings will house at least 340 key workers across 125 high quality residential properties.  Chris Ives, Managing Director of Development and Regeneration at A2Dominion, said: “We are delighted that phase one of our transformative project at Ivy Lane, aimed at building modern homes for key workers, is now complete. This achievement was made possible through our collaboration with OUH, Oxford Hospitals Charity, the Hill Group and our employers agent John Rowan and Partners.  “A2Dominion has a strong track record of providing homes for our remarkable key workers, and we are pleased to have recently moved the last tenants from the previous flats to the new accommodation.  “We are now focusing on phase two, which will deliver more high-quality homes for OUH staff at Ivy Lane, with completion expected next year.”  Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Chair of OUH, said: “We know that many staff face challenges in finding high-quality, affordable accommodation near the hospital. This is particularly true for new staff arriving in Oxford for the first time, as arranging suitable housing can be both daunting and time-consuming.   “We are therefore delighted to be able to provide affordable homes for our new staff. Helping them settle into the area is crucial. Being within walking distance of work, public transport routes, shops, and parks is very important and being able to quickly establish friendship groups within the buildings also makes settling into Oxford much easier too.   “Homes play a vital role in supporting both mental and physical health. On behalf of the Trust, I extend my gratitude to A2Dominion, The Hill Group, and Oxford Hospitals Charity for their essential support in making this project a reality.  “We are now looking forward to more staff moving in once the second and final phase is completed.”  Douglas Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We are incredibly proud to have worked with A2Dominion to deliver the new flats in Ivy Lane for OUH. This is a development that will provide much-needed, good-quality accommodation for our dedicated hospital staff for many years to come.  “The high cost of housing in Oxfordshire presents a real challenge, so having an affordable place to live that is close to work will be a great boost for many hard-working staff. Supporting those who care for us is at the heart of our charity, and it is wonderful to see it come to life.  “It’s been fantastic to see this development come together over the last couple of years and seeing the excitement of those who have recently moved in reminds us just how important and impactful projects like this are.”  Ryan Harris, Regional Director (Western) at The Hill Group, said: “The completion of this first phase at Ivy Lane is another significant milestone for the project. We are proud to be delivering excellent energy-efficient accommodation for key workers at the John Radcliffe Hospital.   “We have utilised modern methods of construction on this scheme, mixing off-site light weight steel frame with pre-assembled bathroom pods, to enhance quality and reduce our carbon footprint.   “The use of Modern methods of construction (MMC) has helped reduce the quantum of labour required to deliver this project, easing pressure on constrained hospital footprint and parking, which benefits the wider community and stakeholders.   “We look forward to completing a development that all stakeholders can take huge pride in.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bellway project manager wins national homebuilding accolade

Bellway project manager wins national homebuilding accolade

Bellway Project Manager Adam Hawkes has earned one of the highest accolades in the homebuilding industry. Adam, who oversees construction at Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange development in Essex, was announced as the runner-up in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Supreme Awards on Friday (24 January). Adam, 45, from Burnham-on-Crouch, was recognised for his exceptional work in the Large Builder category at the national ceremony, which took place at the London Hilton at Park Lane. He said: “It was an amazing experience. To be there among all those incredible site managers at the top of our field and all chosen by the NHBC to share that moment was brilliant. “To have my name read out as a runner-up and everyone cheering me like a winner, it was a great experience, and it was a privilege and an honour to be there and represent Bellway.” Managing Director of Bellway Essex Phil Standen said: “We are all so proud of Adam’s achievements. He is genuinely a real team player, who is quick to praise his assistant site managers, Billy Granshaw and James Ward, both of whom have been instrumental in Adam’s success. “Adam, Billy and James also truly epitomise what real team working means. They all play their part, each acting intuitively in dealing with daily site challenges. They are all adaptable, trustworthy and always put customers at the heart of everything they do. “As Adam says – Nil satis nisi optimum – nothing but the best is good enough. This is what he brings each and every day, and he truly deserves every award he has won.” The Supreme Awards are the pinnacle of the NHBC’s Pride in the Job competition, which it runs every year. During the competition it considers and inspects all the sites registered with the organisation – around 8,000. To reach this stage, Adam won awards in a series of ever more prestigious rounds in the competition. It was the first year he had won a Pride in the Job award in his own right, though he has been part of the team on sites where an award has been won previously. He received a Quality Award and a Seal of Excellence, before going on to be named as the Regional Winner for the South East Region in the Large Builder category. Adam paid tribute to his assistant site managers Billy and James. He said: “This award is as much for them as it is for me, thank you both for the incredible support. I’d also like to mention my Contracts Manager Sam Prideaux for his guidance and knowledge.” Bellway gained 10 per cent of all the Quality Awards given by the NHBC for 2024 – 45 in all. The company also won three Regional Awards which went to Adam, as well as Cymon Robinson for the Central region and James Kilby for the East region. Bellway Group Construction Director, James Griffin, said: “Adam’s well-deserved success comes as the crowning moment of Bellway’s achievements within the NHBC’s Pride in the Job awards this year. “Hard work, experience and skill are essential to reaching this level, but it is also about having an exceptional attitude to standards, detail and quality. Our people most certainly have this, and it shows not only in the quantity and prestige of the awards we have won, but most importantly in the homes we are building.” Adam has worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, and for the last 10 years he has been with Bellway. Previous roles included working on the Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympic Games. He took over running Bellway’s Sapphire Fields at Great Dunmow Grange construction site in March 2023. To find out more about Bellway’s approach to building quality new homes, visit https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bringing opportunity to life as Clowes Developments adds Kevin McFarlane, Asset Management Director to the Board of Directors.

Bringing opportunity to life as Clowes Developments adds Kevin McFarlane, Asset Management Director to the Board of Directors

Kevin McFarlane has been appointed as a member of Clowes Developments’ Board of Directors with effect from the 1st February 2025. Kevin started his career at Clowes as a trainee in 2007. After initially leaving to widen his experience elsewhere, Kevin re-joined the Group in 2017. Since 2020, he has led the company’s Asset Management department based at Ednaston Park, overseeing the day to day and strategic management of the Group’s diverse land and property portfolio, with responsibility for identifying and maximising opportunities, whilst minimising exposure to risk.  Commenting on his promotion, Kevin McFarlane commented,  “I feel honoured to join the Board of Directors. Having worked for the company for nearly a decade, I realise that opportunities such as this don’t come around too often, and I am extremely grateful for the trust that David, Tom and the other Board Directors have placed in me.  I am excited about what the future holds, and I will endeavour to make a positive contribution as the business continues to evolve and move forward” Managing Director of Clowes Developments, Thomas Clowes added,  “This is my first appointment to the Board in my role as Managing Director and I couldn’t think of anyone better. Brass tacks, Kevin has been responsible for effectively half the groups value and without him and his team the business simply couldn’t function the way it does. I’m looking forward to seeing Kevin push on in his new role and enhancing this critical element of the business.” Clowes Developments is one of the UK’s largest privately owned property groups. Clowes holds over 3,000 acres of land and 15,000 residential plots in 130 development sites across the country, including more than 50 office and business parks.  In a return to ‘business as usual’ after a record-breaking couple of years, the group has presented their recent financial statement with turnover of £154.7m and operating profit of £23m for the financial year 2023-24. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Thomas & Adamson makes key appointment to lead new London service line

Thomas & Adamson makes key appointment to lead new London service line

International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis Group, has appointed a new associate to oversee the building surveying team within its London office, adding extensive new capabilities to its offering in the capital city. Stephen Hart joins the Thomas & Adamson team from John Rowan and Partners, where he spent the last decade working across a range of commercial and residential projects and services, including large scale cladding remediation projects, external façade risk assessments, building pathology investigations and overseeing all specialist party wall matters. As an experienced chartered surveyor and member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, Stephen brings a wealth of specialist knowledge under the Party Wall etc Act 1996, including providing advice on legal regulatory matters. He has been involved in a number of complex cases to date and will bring his expertise to his new role with Thomas & Adamson, adding an additional service to the company’s offering. Future projects already in the pipeline include the management of cladding remediation work on behalf of a national UK housebuilder, as well as the pre-acquisition survey and reinstatement cost assessment of a Victorian Stucco rendered grade II listed hotel, comprising of five merged grand house terraces located within the Bayswater Conservation Area. Founded in 1935, Edinburgh-headquartered Thomas & Adamson has a team of over 100 staff across the UK delivering building surveying, project management, cost management 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. Adding to the team in London, Jack Chamberlain was also recently hired as a senior project manager, bringing diverse experience from development schemes in the hotels and hospitality, commercial, education, residential and retail sectors. He joins the consultancy from Corrigan Gore and previously held roles with Cushman & Wakefield and Gardiner & Theobald. Hamish Paterson, director and head of building surveying at Thomas & Adamson, said: “The introduction of Stephen, leading our London office to provide extensive building surveying capabilities, is an exciting step for the firm and increases the services we are currently offering for clients in the capital. Stephen has wide-ranging experience in a variety of sectors, and his specialism in party wall matters will be an especially valuable addition. We are pleased to welcome him on board and look forward to expanding the team further in due course.” Stephen added: “Joining Thomas & Adamson to head up London building surveying team, and continuing to support the growth of its business in the south was an opportunity that came at an ideal time. The firm has a strong reputation in the market and ambitious plans for 2025 that I am excited to be part of this process.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Green Light for Major Revamp of Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre

Green Light for Major Revamp of Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre

LaSalle Investment Management’s ambitious plans to transform Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre into a vibrant mixed-use development have been given the go-ahead by city councillors. The redevelopment—proposed in partnership with Deeley Freed on behalf of Centrica Pension Fund—will replace the 1990s shopping centre with a dynamic blend of residential, student accommodation, office space, retail, hospitality, leisure, and cultural facilities. The plans include the potential for a nightclub, cinema, and live music venue, adding to the city’s entertainment landscape. The project is set to deliver up to 450 new homes alongside 750 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds. In line with sustainability goals, the scheme will be car-free, marking the removal of over 1,000 parking spaces to encourage greener modes of transport. The proposals also include public realm enhancements, a community hub, and an energy centre to support the development’s environmental commitments. The Galleries Shopping Centre, once a key retail hub, has seen significant shifts in its valuation, having been acquired by LaSalle Investment Management after previous ownership changes. The redevelopment is viewed as a major regeneration opportunity, with Bristol City Council recognising the need to replace the outdated centre with a forward-thinking urban space that better serves the city’s evolving needs. With approval now granted, the transformation of this central site is set to redefine Bristol’s city centre, creating a modern, multi-purpose destination for residents, workers, and visitors alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Plans submitted for £70m Greater Manchester Passivhaus Low Energy scheme

Plans submitted for £70m Greater Manchester Passivhaus Low Energy scheme

A two-tower residential development, designed by London and Manchester-based AEW Architects, has been submitted to Stockport Council as part of the town’s ongoing regeneration plans. The £70m project features two connected blocks of eight and 20 stories, designed to meet The Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building Standard. The focus is on creating sustainable homes that enhance the local neighbourhood and create a vibrant new community for the people of Stockport. Located in a busy area in Stockport town centre, the development will transform a derelict office building and car park into much-needed new homes in one of the North West’s most up-and-coming areas. The design puts people first, with features that make everyday living better. These include clever positioning to make the most of natural sunlight, bright and airy staircases, shared laundry areas, and a rooftop garden with community allotments and solar panels. At the heart of the development sits a 100m² flexible space which can be used for various events and workshops for residents and non-residents. The project will create 245 new homes, including 12 townhouses and 233 apartments, offering a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom properties—a great mix of options for the area which has grown substantially in popularity of late.  Phil Hepworth, director at AEW Architects, said: “This is a prominent site surrounded by major infrastructure, so we’ve created a simple, elegant building that rises confidently into the sky. “The curved brick façade offers a timeless aesthetic that fits with the local area and we’ve adapted the distinctive oval shape to work with the challenging ground levels, which change by up to six metres in places.” The scheme recently secured Brownfield funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), highlighting its importance to the region’s housing plans. “We wanted to create a development that’s a good neighbour and sets high standards for future projects,” Phil added. “The building changes as you walk around it, creating interesting views from different angles. “We’re focused on creating homes that work for people of all ages and fit naturally into the area. We’ve followed guidance from both the ‘Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide’ and ‘Creating Age-Friendly Developments’ by the Greater Manchester Housing, Planning, and Ageing Group to achieve this.” As well as the project’s striking visual look, the homes and apartments will meet National Subscribed Space Standards (NDSS) and approximately 10% of the apartments are designed to meet M4(3) standards for wheel chair users and the positioning of these apartments has been carefully considered to make them attractive to potential residents. On behalf of developer, Progressive Living, the building will be professionally managed by Picture This. The project is supported by a highly experienced delivery team, including Euan Kellie Property Solutions, Re-Form, renaissance, Zerum, OFR, GIA, Novo, Our Studio, Jameson Acoustics, SK Transport, Turley and Oxford Archaeology.   Subject to approval, work should start in Summer 2025, with completion expected by June 2027. David Fairclough, director at Progressive Living, commented: “We committed to Stockport six years ago, purchasing Victoria House with a clear vision of the town’s potential as a vibrant place to live and invest. After collaborating with the Council to integrate the two sites, we are excited to play a key role in Stockport’s growth story and its continued economic success.” Shannon Conway, co-founder of Picture This, added: “We gave AEW a difficult brief in that we wanted a green building that was designed to be practical and appeal to all ages, with a choice of homes for wheelchair users. We also wanted to ensure non-residents could access the roof gardens without compromising the safety and security of the residents. At various points, design was put on hold as we tested AEW’s design with user groups. The final design is a testament to true collaboration between designer and user.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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