Midlands-based homebuilder Spitfire Homes has submitted plans for 521 new homes across the Midlands, advancing its strategic growth in the region. Proposals submitted in the past month are led by a statement scheme of 136 new homes in Balsall Common, Solihull, alongside a further 50 properties at the site of
New report sets out how integrated planning can cut delays, reduce costs and boost confidence in UK infrastructure AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, today released its latest report, Rebuilding Britain: Unlocking Growth from the UK’s Infrastructure Strategy, outlining a transformative roadmap to help the UK Government deliver on its
On the banks of the River Clyde, a significant urban regeneration project, Central Quay, is rapidly taking shape. Main contractor GRAHAM is leading the development, which includes four student accommodation buildings for UNITE Students that will redefine this part of the Glasgow cityscape. The current phase of the UNITE Students
SITECH is helping firms to adapt to the projected uplift in urban development and demands of modern construction with the latest Trimble® GNSS technology. Global Navigation Satellite System technology (GNSS) has previously faced some key limitations when used for accurate positioning on many construction sites, with GNSS receivers struggling against
Winter is coming to the Northern Hemisphere. That means reinforced concrete bridges, parking garages, and buildings could be in for a wild ride on the “roller coaster” of freeze-thaw cycling. To minimize damage from these inevitable temperature swings, Cortec® recommends taking the simple maintenance step of applying a water repellent
Following the successful delivery of energy efficiency projects across seven of the City of London Corporation’s iconic buildings, Vital Energi have moved on to a second phase of works to further accelerate its journey to net zero. Together, both phases will deliver annual carbon savings of over 1,500 tonnes and
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the appointment of its Special Projects division by V7 to complete a £18.7m office retrofit and redevelopment of 78 – 90 Colmore Row, Birmingham. The appointment signals RED Construction Group’s first project in Birmingham, as the business expands its regional presence
Great Portland Estates (GPE) has finalised the sale of its prominent mixed-use building at 1 Newman Street, London, to Royal London Asset Management in a deal worth £250 million. The transaction reflects a net initial yield of 4.48%, underscoring sustained investor confidence in prime West End real estate. Situated on
Work is set to begin at North Herts Education Support Centre (NHESC) at Briar Patch Lane in Letchworth, where Ashe Construction is delivering a new multi-million pound, two-storey teaching centre for Hertfordshire County Council. NHESC, rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, provides an alternative education for excluded students, or
Research by renewable energy specialists, RenEnergy, reveals that the UK’s service station network is sitting on an untapped renewable energy goldmine worth over £19 million annually, which could transform EV charging affordability for millions of road users. The study found that 46,153 car parking spaces across 151 UK service stations
Midlands-based homebuilder Spitfire Homes has submitted plans for 521 new homes across the Midlands, advancing its strategic growth in the region. Proposals submitted in the past month are led by a statement scheme of 136 new homes in Balsall Common, Solihull, alongside a further 50 properties at the site of a former police station in Harborne, and a collection of 47 homes in the Worcestershire village of Belbroughton, all forming part of Spitfire’s Bespoke Collection. There are also plans for 127 homes at Little Impney, Droitwich, where Spitfire is working with applicant Impney Ltd on the residential element of a mixed use scheme that will regenerate the 140-acre Impney Estate. Additional applications include 113 homes in the Cotswold village of Broadway and 48 new homes adjacent to the homebuilder’s existing collection, Pembleton, in Kislingbury, Northamptonshire. These applications represent a significant step forward in Spitfire’s ambition to deliver a broad range of high-quality, sustainable homes tailored to the needs of local communities. The schemes will also contribute to regional employment, supporting more than 1,800 jobs across the supply chain. Matt Vincent, Operation Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “Submitting these planning applications is an important milestone in our ongoing growth plans across the Midlands. Our proposals would deliver more than 500 high-quality new homes across the region, offering a diverse mix of properties tailored for first-time buyers, growing families, and downsizers seeking style and comfort without compromise. “We remain dedicated to investing in the Midlands through delivering homes that are both beautifully designed and energy efficient. As with all our collections, we’re committed to creating places where communities can thrive and we look forward to working closely with local authorities to help bring these exciting schemes to life.” The announcement comes amid new data from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) showing that planning permissions for new homes have dropped to their lowest level since 2012. Just 44,520 homes were granted permission in England during Q2 2025, a 17% fall year-on-year and the tenth consecutive quarter of decline. Only 1,410 sites were approved between April and June, with just 8,200 sites gaining approval over the past 12 months, less than half the 2019 total. Vincent added: “These latest figures underscore the scale of the challenge in meeting national housing targets. With housing delivery holding steady at around 200,000 homes a year, we remain some way off the 1.5 million homes pledged for this parliamentary term. “However, underlying demand for high-quality homes remains strong and as a forward-thinking SME, we’re able to offer a premium product that stands out for its design, efficiency and flexibility. Planning delays remain a challenge but as the market continues to evolve, we see a real opportunity to keep innovating and deliver homes that better reflect the needs and expectations of today’s buyers.” To find out more about Spitfire Homes, please visit https://spitfirehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New report sets out how integrated planning can cut delays, reduce costs and boost confidence in UK infrastructure AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, today released its latest report, Rebuilding Britain: Unlocking Growth from the UK’s Infrastructure Strategy, outlining a transformative roadmap to help the UK Government deliver on its ambitious 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy. The Company is recommending that the government’s planning reforms go further to better integrate projects across sectors and regions to accelerate delivery of the £725 billion National Infrastructure Pipeline. The report presents 10 actionable recommendations across three strategic pillars, accelerating project delivery, embracing AI-first infrastructure, and unlocking private investment, aimed at driving economic growth, enhancing national resilience, and positioning the UK as a global leader in infrastructure innovation. “AECOM is ready to continue its partnership with the UK Government to help turn the Infrastructure Strategy’s vision into reality,” said Troy Rudd, AECOM’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our global record in delivering some of the most complex and sensitive infrastructure projects equips us with the skills, experience and insight to drive economic growth, enable sustainable energy and strengthen national security.” AECOM’s key recommendations include: “The UK government has made commendable progress with its planning reform agenda, which is a vital step towards delivering the infrastructure and homes this country needs,” said Richard Whitehead, chief executive Europe & India at AECOM. “The focus must now shift to ensuring those reforms translate into real-world results. By putting these ideas into action, we believe the government can turbocharge efforts to meet, and exceed, its ambitious infrastructure goals within this parliament and make infrastructure funding go further.” The report draws on AECOM’s 100-year legacy of success and experience delivering landmark UK projects including Manchester’s Metrolink, Crossrail, Heathrow and the restoration of the Elizabeth Tower. Today, the Company is helping to deliver some of Britain’s most ambitious projects including the Great Grid Upgrade as well as supporting regional priorities through the reintroduction of passenger services to the Northumberland Line in North-East England. To read the full report, visit https://www.aecom.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
On the banks of the River Clyde, a significant urban regeneration project, Central Quay, is rapidly taking shape. Main contractor GRAHAM is leading the development, which includes four student accommodation buildings for UNITE Students that will redefine this part of the Glasgow cityscape. The current phase of the UNITE Students development includes a 21-storey tower, which will stand as one of the city’s tallest structures. Handling the complex concrete package for this landmark project is specialist contractor 4D Structures. The firm is responsible for delivering seven structural cores with walls typically 300 mm thick, and thousands of square metres of slab work across a logistically challenging site, adjacent to the busy Clydeside Expressway. To meet the project’s demanding schedule, 4D is leveraging a combination of modern formwork technology and a long-standing partnership with supplier PERI UK. “From the early engagement during the design phase, right through to the ordering of materials, the level of communication from every member of the PERI team has been excellent,” said Paul McMenamin, contracts manager at 4D Structures. A coordinated climb For the seven primary cores, 4D Structures is using a PERI RCS Rail Climbing System, integrated with TRIO Panel Formwork and BR Access Platforms. This combination creates a self-contained, safer working environment that climbs with the core structure, cycle by cycle. The choice of a crane-lifted system over a hydraulic one was deemed the most cost-effective solution for the project schedule, while the BR Access Platforms promote a safer working area inside the core cells as they climb. For the vast horizontal slab work, the 4D team is using the SKYDECK Panelised Slab Formwork system. Its lightweight, aluminium components are a key advantage on a busy site. “The efficiencies in the SKYDECK system are significant here,” explained Scott MacIntrye, field sales manager at PERI UK. “Every component is manhandleable, so no machinery is needed for assembly. Once the team sets up one area, it becomes a highly repetitive and fast process as the structure goes up.” An investment built to last While 4D’s operatives are highly experienced with the systems, the partnership extends to on-site support to maintain best practices. “We still assist on site,” McIntyre added. “A site demonstrator will go out to give a refresher, making sure all the correct assembly procedures are being followed.” The long-term nature of the relationship is also evident in the equipment itself. Some of the PERI formwork panels in 4D’s own stock, currently in use at Central Quay, have been reused on many different projects – a testament to the contractor’s initial capital investment and the equipment’s durability. Trust as the foundation The relationship between the two companies, which spans more than a decade, has proved to be a critical factor in the project’s smooth execution. “When you have a project with this many active work areas, things can get complex. But for us and 4D, it’s a run of the mill job,” Scott explained. “We have worked on so many projects together that we implicitly understand what they want, how they like the designs, and how their teams work on site. That level of understanding is priceless.” This established trust streamlines the entire procurement and design process. Over a number of projects, the two companies have built up a set of shared design guidelines, making the requirements clear and familiar to both teams from the outset. “Thanks to the PERI design team’s thorough understanding of our requirements, built over more than a decade of working closely with us, the collaboration on this project has been seamless,” Paul McMenamin from 4D Structures concluded. As the concrete frame at Central Quay continues its steady climb, the project stands as a case study of how technical solutions and trusted, long-term partnerships are the essential ingredients for delivering complex structures efficiently and safely. Learn more about PERI UK products. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SITECH is helping firms to adapt to the projected uplift in urban development and demands of modern construction with the latest Trimble® GNSS technology. Global Navigation Satellite System technology (GNSS) has previously faced some key limitations when used for accurate positioning on many construction sites, with GNSS receivers struggling against obstacles, whether it’s steel-framed buildings, tree cover or dense urban environments. The new generation of GNSS positioning technology is providing a solution for companies looking to optimise efficiency within urban developments, which is crucial given the Government’s ambitious housing development plans which have increased the need for infrastructure development. Brian Core, UK Regional Sales Managers at SITECH UK & Ireland said: “One way of achieving this is with technology that connects to multiple satellite constellations simultaneously, such as the Trimble® MS976 GNSS Smart Antenna which connects to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Equipped with Trimble® ProPoint technology, the MS976 can refine the signal, filtering out interference and adapting in real-time to satellite availability. “The technology has been game-changing for contractors working in urban infrastructure developments where they are likely to experience unreliable GNSS coverage, which results in interruptions to machine control. Technology such as the Trimble® Earthworks Grade Control Platform along with the MS976, allows operators to maintain a precise positioning fix, eliminating downtime and providing the ability to continue working without reverting to manual methods.” The MS976 is indicative of a larger movement towards fully connected workflows. Platforms such as Trimble® WorksManager allows design files to be automatically updated across the fleet using the cloud. Engineers, surveyors and site managers can use the platform to manage assets by tracking machine locations, operating hours and generating utilisation reports, scheduling preventative maintenance and detecting unauthorised machine movements. Similarly, platforms like Trimble® WorksOS open up real-time tracking of cut, fill and volume metrics, allowing project managers to see site progress across multiple sites without waiting for survey teams. Additionally, SITECH are also able to access the technology, with permission, to perform remote diagnostics which further limits the need for site visits, and subsequent downtime. Brian said: “The construction industry has long relied on experience and intuition. And while that expertise will continue to be invaluable, the next generation of GNSS technology is proving that connected systems are now just as critical in helping firms adapt to the demands of increased urbanisation and compensate for the engineering skills gap.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winter is coming to the Northern Hemisphere. That means reinforced concrete bridges, parking garages, and buildings could be in for a wild ride on the “roller coaster” of freeze-thaw cycling. To minimize damage from these inevitable temperature swings, Cortec® recommends taking the simple maintenance step of applying a water repellent at least once every ten years. Here’s a closer look at why that is important. The Danger of Freeze-Thaw Cycling Residents of northern climates know what it is like to experience days or weeks of freezing winter temperatures, followed by a sudden thaw that temporarily melts snow and ice before freezing it again. Unfortunately, concrete absorbs moisture, which expands when it freezes, putting stress on the concrete and eventually causing it to crack. This allows more corrosives to enter, exacerbating the problem until corrosion and deterioration set in. Benefit of Applying Water Repellents One simple step toward minimizing the effect of the freeze-thaw cycle is to limit the amount of moisture (and chlorides) entering the porous structure by applying a silane water repellent that still leaves the concrete breathable and does not change its appearance. A good practice to follow is application once every 10 years, starting as early as possible in the life of the structure. Choose Your Level of Protection Engineers and contractors can choose from a range of silanes that offer varying degrees of protection, but the fact is that any water repellent is better than nothing. The use of a 40% silane water repellent tends to be more budget-friendly, while the use of a 100% silane water repellent keeps out more moisture. Combining either of these with an MCI® surface applied corrosion inhibitor (SACI) is even better, providing two-in-one protection against the ingress of corrosives and actively fighting against corrosion at the rebar level if any corrosives do find their way into the concrete. The following options represent lower to higher protection: Protect Your Concrete Before Winter The next time you shiver at the thought of winter snow and cold, be sure to consider giving an extra layer of protection to your reinforced concrete to help it withstand harsh winters better. Whether your concrete is new or old, adding an MCI® water repellent is a great way to fortify your concrete structure against the effects of freeze-thaw cycling to promote a longer service life. Winter is coming. Prepare your structure now. Contact Cortec® MCI® for additional technical support on selecting the best water repellent for your situation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the successful delivery of energy efficiency projects across seven of the City of London Corporation’s iconic buildings, Vital Energi have moved on to a second phase of works to further accelerate its journey to net zero. Together, both phases will deliver annual carbon savings of over 1,500 tonnes and financial savings of £1.25m, forming a key part of the City Corporation’s ambitious strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its operational estate by 2027, before reaching net zero across all its activities by 2040. Bespoke decarbonisation plans have been developed for each building, incorporating the latest renewable technologies and energy conservation measures. These upgrades are designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce heat loss, and lower energy bills, while respecting the heritage and operational needs of each site. Featured buildings: Alderman Alison Gowman, Climate Action Lead at the City of London Corporation, said: “The built environment sector is the largest source of carbon emissions in the Square Mile, so our work with Vital to decarbonise City Corporation buildings is crucial for meeting our own net zero goals, as well as supporting the wider Square Mile net zero goal. “Energy use is central to this challenge. By improving efficiency and investing in low-carbon energy solutions, such as heat pumps and solar power, we can make a real impact on the City Corporation’s energy emissions. We can also show it’s possible to make historic and operationally complex buildings part of a low-carbon future: Practical steps that turn climate ambition into tangible progress. “Since launching our Climate Action Strategy in 2020, we have made strong progress in cutting carbon emissions and reducing climate risks – meaning we remain on track for net zero across our full value chain and the whole Square Mile by 2040.” Scott Lutton, Regional Director at Vital Energi, said: “We’re proud to be continuing our partnership with the City of London Corporation to deliver the next phase of decarbonisation works across some of the capital’s most iconic and historically significant buildings. “By combining renewable technologies with tailored energy conservation measures, we’re not only helping to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, but also supporting the Corporation’s bold commitment to achieving net zero across its own operations by 2027. Each building presents unique challenges, and our bespoke decarbonisation plans ensure that sustainability goes hand-in-hand with heritage and operational excellence.” Learn more about phase one of the project here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the appointment of its Special Projects division by V7 to complete a £18.7m office retrofit and redevelopment of 78 – 90 Colmore Row, Birmingham. The appointment signals RED Construction Group’s first project in Birmingham, as the business expands its regional presence across the Midlands. Dating back more than a century and located in a prime business district, this historic building is set to undergo an extensive transformation. The project will involve an intricate cut and carve office refurbishment, restoring the buildings period details while introducing a new 5th floor office extension, a new roof terrace overlooking Birmingham Cathedral and new cycle parking, changing facilities and showers to deliver an exemplar office development in the heart of Birmingham’s city centre. Nathan Farrar, Managing Director of RED Special Projects, commented: “RED Construction Group is firmly established across London and the South West, with controlled and considered plans to expand our presence across the Midlands. Colmore Row marks the second project in the region, following the development and delivery of 60 lodge-style, themed guest rooms at Merlin Entertainment’s Warwick Castle.” “We are well equipped for the intricacies demanded of the Colmore Row project, works of this nature and scale are what we at Special Projects do best, and we are proud to be partnering with V7 on what will be an exemplar office and commercial space in a vital hub of commerce for the UK’s second city.” Zak Veasey, Co-founder and Director at V7, added: “We’ve been ambitious in what we are looking to accomplish with Colmore Row, a wellness-focused high-quality office space with exceptional commercial opportunities, set to make its mark on Birmingham’s city centre. We appreciate the level of expertise RED Construction Group’s Special Projects’ team bring with them and know they will make a key contribution that will transform the building while maintaining the legacy it already possesses.” This news follows the RED Special Projects team’s appointment by Clermont Hotel Group to complete the multimillion-pound refurbishment works at The Tower Hotel by Thistle. This also joins the Group’s extensive experience of hotel works across London, the South West, and the West Midlands, worth c. £110m. This includes the development and delivery of 60 lodge-style, themed guest rooms at Merlin Entertainment’s Warwick Castle, as well as the recently completed voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park in 2024, the UK’s first branded net zero carbon hotel. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Great Portland Estates (GPE) has finalised the sale of its prominent mixed-use building at 1 Newman Street, London, to Royal London Asset Management in a deal worth £250 million. The transaction reflects a net initial yield of 4.48%, underscoring sustained investor confidence in prime West End real estate. Situated on the northern side of Oxford Street, directly opposite the Elizabeth line entrance on Dean Street, 1 Newman Street offers 121,300 square feet of high-quality office and retail accommodation. The property spans basement, lower ground, ground, and seven upper floors, with design features that cater to modern occupier demands, including private roof terraces on the second and seventh floors and a 3,100-square-foot communal terrace on the eighth. The building is currently multi-let to nine tenants and produces an annual rent of approximately £11.9 million. The weighted average unexpired lease term sits at 6.4 years to the earlier of tenant break or lease expiry, providing stable income for its new owner. Hugh Morgan, director of portfolio management at GPE, described the transaction as the conclusion of a successful redevelopment journey. “The sale of 1 Newman Street marks the culmination of an exceptional journey for this redevelopment project. We’ve delivered a best-in-class office and retail building in the heart of the West End, and this transaction crystallises our returns while enabling us to reinvest the proceeds, including into the next phase of our exciting development pipeline,” he said. The sale highlights ongoing demand for well-located, high-quality assets in London’s West End, despite wider market uncertainty. With the Elizabeth line continuing to enhance connectivity and footfall across Oxford Street, the area remains one of the capital’s most desirable commercial destinations. For GPE, the disposal forms part of its strategy to recycle capital from completed projects into new development opportunities. For Royal London Asset Management, the acquisition represents a strong addition to its London portfolio, offering both steady rental income and long-term growth potential. The deal reinforces investor appetite for resilient, sustainable, and well-connected properties in central London, with 1 Newman Street standing out as a benchmark for contemporary mixed-use design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work is set to begin at North Herts Education Support Centre (NHESC) at Briar Patch Lane in Letchworth, where Ashe Construction is delivering a new multi-million pound, two-storey teaching centre for Hertfordshire County Council. NHESC, rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, provides an alternative education for excluded students, or students who are at risk of exclusion, with the aim of supporting a return to permanent full-time education. The expansion will increase capacity from 33 to 40 pupils, ensuring more children can access education through alternative provision. This latest award continues Ashe’s strong track record of successfully delivering projects for Hertfordshire County Council. Ashe has already completed several schemes for Hertfordshire County Council, thanks to the company’s reputation for quality, value and responsible project delivery. Over the past 18 months, Ashe has worked in partnership with the county council and NHESC in shaping the brief, developing the design, and securing planning permission. The new building will provide five general teaching classrooms and four specialist spaces, including IT, science, and food technology. A common room, fitness suite, administrative areas, and dedicated support spaces will also be included. Once the new centre is complete, pupils will move in and Ashe will then demolish the existing building and deliver enhanced outdoor spaces, landscaping, and car parking. Richard Clay, Finance Director at Ashe, said: “Creating an inspiring, well-designed learning environment is central to helping the Council achieve its vision for this outstanding centre. This project demonstrates the strength of working in partnership with the council to deliver quality projects to benefit the local community. “We’ve built a strong relationship with Hertfordshire County Council based on trust, value, and quality delivery – and this project demonstrates that in action.” Cllr Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that every child and young person in Hertfordshire has the opportunity to thrive and receive the support they need to fulfil their potential. The expansion of NHESC is a vital step in that journey, providing high-quality, alternative provision in an environment designed to inspire and empower. This investment reflects our dedication to building a sustainable, inclusive and thriving Hertfordshire.” Environmental stewardship is also a priority for Ashe. The Briar Patch site is surrounded by mature trees and wildlife habitats, and while some trees must be removed, Ashe will plant two replacements for every one lost. The ecological plan also includes installing bat and swift boxes and ensuring space for badgers and other wildlife. The new building has been designed for energy efficiency with high levels of insulation, air source heat pumps, and LED lighting. The scheme has been designed by Saunders Boston, with Pellings as project manager and Gleeds as cost consultant. Completion is scheduled for Autumn next year and was procured under the Pagabo Medium Works framework. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Research by renewable energy specialists, RenEnergy, reveals that the UK’s service station network is sitting on an untapped renewable energy goldmine worth over £19 million annually, which could transform EV charging affordability for millions of road users. The study found that 46,153 car parking spaces across 151 UK service stations – from iconic stops like Tebay and Gloucester to everyday favourites including Cobham, Leicester Forest East, and Scotch Corner – are suitable for solar carport installations. These carports could produce around 124 GWh of energy per year, equivalent to powering 1.9 million electric vehicle (EV) trips from London to Manchester. At current energy rates, this represents potential savings worth £19,300,000 per year for service station operators – savings that could be passed directly onto EV drivers through reduced charging costs, making longer journeys more affordable and accessible for thousands of motorists. Solar carports sit above parking spaces and generate energy from solar panels on the canopy, which can be used for EV charging at every space while providing shelter and shade for vehicles. The rollout of this technology could represent a significant leap forward in improving EV charging infrastructure at service stations nationwide. Beyond cost savings, solar carports offer service station operators energy security in often remote locations, reduced reliance on the grid, and substantial carbon savings – all while addressing one of the biggest concerns for EV drivers: reliable charging infrastructure on long journeys. Damian Baker, founder and managing director of RenEnergy, said: “The answer to a significant EV charging conundrum is sitting right in front of us in car parks across the country. We know many people are concerned about being able to access chargers on long journeys, and service station operators need more electricity supply to provide more charging spots. Solar carports can provide renewable energy supply along with a number of other benefits to road users, like protection from the elements and EV charging for every space. “Our research shows that there could be a significant amount of energy harnessed from service station car parks that could go towards creating the EV infrastructure we need. With energy savings of over £11 million on the table annually, there are clear incentives for providers to pass on cost savings to road users for cheaper EV charging. “Leveraging solar for car parks can not only provide benefits to road users but can also deliver on cost savings and energy security for the businesses they are attached to. As the cost of rolling out renewables is a key concern for many businesses, working with an organisation like RenEnergy can provide flexible models to implement it on site to make it commercially viable. “If we add to this opportunity the car parks across the UK at offices, hospitals, supermarkets, retail parks, airports, train stations and other places we live, work, and play, we could see a massive increase in secure energy and lower costs for businesses and the public. To help harness this technology, we need to see the government incentivise and mandate the technology like countries such as France have already done.” The research comes as solar energy rollout and development of the electricity grid to accommodate more demand from the electrification of homes, businesses and vehicles forms a central part of the Government’s Clean Power 2030 strategy. This includes a government consultation around solar carports and their viability, which has closed and is awaiting results, following RenEnergy’s previous research on carports in commercial car parks. Baker said: “The Clean Power 2030 strategy highlights the role of solar in improving our energy capacity, and the challenges posed by the great grid upgrade and EV charging. If we harness solar and battery energy storage, we can overcome these challenges and get the rollout underway. It doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive either. We have the technology at our disposal and are already seeing success across the UK, so let’s use it.” For more information on solar carport technology and RenEnergy’s research, visit: https://www.renenergy.co.uk/servicestation Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals