The Range has successfully completed the first phase of its ambitious store conversion programme, transforming 55 former Homebase locations into fully operational superstores. The move follows The Range’s acquisition of the Homebase brand and up to 70 of its stores in November, following the DIY retailer’s fall into administration. Now
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is investing more than £80m into a regeneration scheme that will help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester’s waterways. Now named Waterside, in honour of its picturesque proximity to the Grand Union Canal and River Soar, the scheme is being delivered in partnership with Leicester
Hull City Council’s ambitious East Bank Urban Village project continues to take steps forward with ECF today being confirmed as lead developer partner. The council will sign a 15-year development agreement with ECF, a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, for the master planning, development and construction of the
Australian property giant Lendlease is on the brink of sealing a landmark joint venture with The Crown Estate to deliver six transformative UK developments, with an end value exceeding £20 billion. The proposed 50:50 partnership signals a bold new chapter in UK urban regeneration, with wide-ranging implications for housing, commercial
Salford’s skyline is set to evolve further as Salford City Council grants planning approval to two major developments: the £200m Soapworks regeneration and a 22-storey residential tower at New Bailey. The Soapworks scheme, backed by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and led by developer Bankfoot APAM, will breathe new life
Bidvest Noonan has retained its long-standing contract with Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD), the operator of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) for Transport for London, marking a significant milestone in their continued collaboration. The renewed agreement highlights the strength of the relationship between the two organisations and reflects Bidvest Noonan’s consistent
Aggreko is bringing its expertise and innovative technologies to Formula 1’s European races this summer, delivering sustainable power as ‘Official Temporary Power Solutions Provider’. A centralised low-carbon power solution for all event services, including the paddock and International Broadcast Compound has been developed in collaboration with Formula 1® using data
An engineering, environmental, and planning consultancy’s expertise is playing a key role in the creation of “an elite sporting environment” for a professional football club with top-flight ambitions. Caulmert, which has offices in St Asaph, Bangor, Altrincham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Kent, has provided civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering design services
Bellway has launched a new learning hub to give a behind-the-scenes insight into how our homes will work in the future. The Future Hub at Barton Quarter in Horwich, near Bolton, is a collection of four houses, each showcasing different low-carbon technologies. The all-electric homes demonstrate how heating, power, energy
Bromford Flagship has received the highest possible governance and viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing, following the formal completion of the merger between Bromford Housing Group and Flagship Housing Group earlier this year. In its interim regulatory judgement published on 14 May 2025, the regulator confirmed a G1
The Range has successfully completed the first phase of its ambitious store conversion programme, transforming 55 former Homebase locations into fully operational superstores. The move follows The Range’s acquisition of the Homebase brand and up to 70 of its stores in November, following the DIY retailer’s fall into administration. Now rebranded under The Range fascia, the sites have been revitalised to offer a broader and more convenient customer experience. Several of the newly launched stores now include dedicated garden centres and kitchen showrooms, with bathroom displays expected to be added to selected locations in the coming months. CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range, confirmed that details of the second rollout phase will be revealed shortly as part of the group’s wider growth strategy. The retailer also continues to strengthen its collaboration with grocery partner Iceland, with the partnership now extended to over 150 co-located stores across the UK. Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, commented: “We’re extremely proud of the transformation achieved across these former Homebase sites. These stores not only safeguard jobs but offer customers an enhanced retail environment tailored to their home and garden needs. “Our growing partnership with Iceland, alongside the introduction of Wilko own-brand products, reinforces our focus on convenience, quality and value. We remain committed to supporting local communities and delivering a standout shopping experience.” As high street retail continues to evolve, The Range’s strategic expansion underlines its ambition to become a dominant force in the UK’s home, garden and value retail sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is investing more than £80m into a regeneration scheme that will help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester’s waterways. Now named Waterside, in honour of its picturesque proximity to the Grand Union Canal and River Soar, the scheme is being delivered in partnership with Leicester City Council to create new, energy-efficient homes that will replace 17 acres of brownfield land. Previously home to abandoned textile factories, the housebuilder’s investment has transformed the waterways from Wolsey Island to the city centre. The wider regeneration project has also delivered flood protection measures, enhancements to biodiversity and improved access to the canal and river for local people. The transformation is set to be complete by the end of 2026, when Waterside will offer a thriving community of 350 homes nestled on the banks of the canal. Keepmoat has also worked with the local authority to improve the walking and cycling routes to Leicester city centre. As the development approaches the final phases of the regeneration, Keepmoat has shifted its focus to deliver a well-designed neighbourhood in Frog Island to meet the needs of the local community. Adam Sharpe, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, East Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be continuing delivery under our strategic partnership model to unlock this vibrant brownfield site. “At Keepmoat we’re proud to transform and breathe new life into areas in need of regeneration. By delivering quality, sustainable homes in Leicester, we’re able to support a vibrant new community in an area people want to live – close to employment hubs and amenities.” City Mayor Peter Soulsby added: “Leicester’s Waterside has for a long time had immense potential for regeneration. Bringing that redevelopment forward for the benefit of the city has been a long-held ambition of mine. “These new homes are a key part of that and have been a vital catalyst for the surrounding Waterside developments. We’ve worked closely with Keepmoat as our development partners to help transform Waterside into a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood in which to live and work.” 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 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/waterside-leicester Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hull City Council’s ambitious East Bank Urban Village project continues to take steps forward with ECF today being confirmed as lead developer partner. The council will sign a 15-year development agreement with ECF, a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, for the master planning, development and construction of the site, which is expected to see a mix of uses including up to 850 new homes. Located to the east of the River Hull, opposite the old town, the scheme will comprise high quality new homes and infrastructure in the heart of the city, transforming a forgotten part of Hull into a vibrant and exciting contemporary urban village. The regeneration is backed by £9.875m of secured Levelling Up Partnership funding and will be a long-term investment into the city. East Bank Urban Village will significantly contribute to meeting the council’s City Plan aspiration for 2,500 new dwellings within Hull city centre. The new homes will be developed alongside ground floor commercial uses and an interconnected network of streets, plazas and green spaces to promote a pedestrian and family friendly atmosphere. ECF brings together Homes England’s ambition to deliver more affordable housing, L&G’s proficiency and experience in investing in transformative real estate and infrastructure, and Muse’s expertise delivering urban regeneration. Together, ECF has a strong track record of delivering complex and award-winning urban regeneration schemes nationally. Initial discussions regarding East Bank Urban Village between the council and ECF took place at UKREiiF in 2024 In February, the council’s cabinet agreed to begin the acquisition process for several land parcels currently held by third parties which are crucial to the development of East Bank along with essential site enabling works in close collaboration with ECF. ECF, through the development manager Muse, will now begin to action site enabling works for the scheme including structural repairs to Trinity Buoy Shed and adjacent river walkway. Alongside this, preparations are underway to design the East Bank Urban Village in more detail, ready for a hybrid planning application to be lodged in 2026. Cllr Mike Ross, leader of the council, said: “The council is delighted to be finalising our partnership with ECF. “East Bank Urban Village is one of Hull’s largest ever regeneration projects and will act as a catalyst for further urban renewal and help to increase investor confidence in the city with all the economic benefits that will arise. “Initial discussions with ECF too place at UKREiiF in 2024, so it’s fitting that we can sign the contract for the project at the event this year.” Sir Michael Lyons, Chair of ECF, added: “East Bank is a new neighbourhood that supports Hull’s wider city centre vision, and is a perfect example of how this resilient city is using its industrial and maritime past to build a bright future for generations to come. “We look forward to working closely with Hull City Council and local communities, drawing on the combined skills of our partners to realise the potential of this regeneration for the city. This includes creating new homes, boosting local employment, and driving inclusive economic growth. “We’re delighted to be working with our partners on East Bank Hull and, with the quality of the waterfront site and the impact it will make on the city, it’s an incredibly exciting project to be involved in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Australian property giant Lendlease is on the brink of sealing a landmark joint venture with The Crown Estate to deliver six transformative UK developments, with an end value exceeding £20 billion. The proposed 50:50 partnership signals a bold new chapter in UK urban regeneration, with wide-ranging implications for housing, commercial real estate, and sustainable city planning. The collaboration will target major regeneration sites across London and Birmingham, including the £4.9 billion Silvertown Quays scheme in the Royal Docks, the extensive Thamesmead and High Road West housing projects, and the ambitious £5.5 billion over-station development at Euston. Also included are Stratford Cross at the Olympic Park and Birmingham’s 42-acre Smithfield Market site. Together, the developments promise to deliver over 25,000 homes and more than nine million square feet of commercial, life sciences, and office space. A strong focus on sustainability and future-ready infrastructure underpins the vision, aligning with both partners’ long-term strategic priorities. This potential deal comes as Lendlease shifts its global strategy, concentrating on capital recycling and scaling back its international exposure in favour of a renewed focus on its Australian operations. The UK partnership, however, represents a continued commitment to key global projects through capital-light models such as joint ventures, land sales, and development management agreements. Lendlease is expected to limit its future investment to around AU$125 million, primarily focused on early-stage site development and planning. The company will act as master developer, earning cost-plus and performance-based fees, with the right to invest in vertical build-outs if public approvals are secured. Development costs are anticipated to be largely offset through land sales within the portfolio, allowing projects to progress without additional capital strain. For The Crown Estate, the deal marks a significant expansion of its development activity. Known for its high-profile holdings on Regent Street and St James’s, the Estate is positioning itself as a central player in long-term, high-impact urban transformation. The move is also noteworthy given that its current CEO, Dan Labbad, previously led Lendlease’s European operations before joining The Crown Estate in 2019. As negotiations approach their final stages, this partnership stands to become a defining force in shaping the future of several of the UK’s most high-profile urban sites. If finalised, the agreement could serve as a model for how public and private sector collaboration can unlock long-term economic value while tackling housing shortages, supporting green growth, and reimagining the fabric of Britain’s cities. An official announcement is expected once a binding agreement is concluded. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford’s skyline is set to evolve further as Salford City Council grants planning approval to two major developments: the £200m Soapworks regeneration and a 22-storey residential tower at New Bailey. The Soapworks scheme, backed by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and led by developer Bankfoot APAM, will breathe new life into an underused 8.5-acre brownfield site off Ordsall Lane. Designed by Chapman Taylor and delivered over two phases, the development aims to create a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood. Phase one includes the transformation of the former Colgate factory into 60,000 sq ft of high-quality office space, alongside 78 affordable homes and a gym. A 12-storey car park accommodating 900 vehicles, plus 45 incubator studios aimed at start-ups and SMEs, will also be delivered. The phase is rounded off with the introduction of much-needed public realm on land currently used for surface parking. Outline approval has also been granted for phase two, which will deliver a further 500 homes across three buildings, along with a new community pavilion and enhanced public spaces. Once complete, the Soapworks will provide a total of 578 homes. AshtonHale led the planning process, with consultancy support from Crookes Walker Consulting, Exterior Architecture, Urban Green, Core 5 and Roger Hannah. Elsewhere in the city, English Cities Fund (ECF) has secured permission for a 22-storey apartment block at New Bailey. The triangular Plot A1 site, located between Slate Yard and Trinity Way, will host 189 flats — comprising 84 one-beds, 84 two-beds and 21 three-beds — plus a landscaped public realm to the west. Of the homes, 20% will be designated as affordable, with a mix of social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership units. The tower represents the final residential phase of the £1bn Salford Central masterplan, pushing the total number of New Bailey apartments beyond the 1,000 mark. Hawkins\Brown is the architect on the scheme, supported by a project team that includes Buro Four, Deloitte, Cundall, Re-form, Walker Sime, Project Four Safety, Renaissance, GIA, Aracero, Design Fire Consultants and Hannan Associates. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bidvest Noonan has retained its long-standing contract with Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD), the operator of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) for Transport for London, marking a significant milestone in their continued collaboration. The renewed agreement highlights the strength of the relationship between the two organisations and reflects Bidvest Noonan’s consistent delivery of high-quality facilities management services across one of London’s most vital transport networks. The company will continue to provide essential cleaning and support services throughout the DLR’s network of stations, stops, and rolling stock, contributing to a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for passengers. Building on this success, Bidvest Noonan is expanding its scope of services under the new contract. Enhancements include the addition of pest control and laundry services, alongside strategic investments in new equipment and technologies aimed at boosting team efficiency and improving the overall customer experience. Keith Middleton, Managing Director of Transport at Bidvest Noonan, commented on the achievement:“We are delighted to continue our work with Keolis Amey Docklands. This contract renewal is a testament to the dedication of our teams and the strength of the partnership we’ve built over the years. We’re excited to keep raising the bar in service delivery.” Adam Prust, Key Account Director for Bidvest Noonan, added:“As we enter the new franchise phase with KAD, we’re deepening our relationship by expanding our service offering. Our focus remains firmly on innovation, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional value for both our client and DLR passengers.” This contract retention further cements Bidvest Noonan’s reputation as a trusted and innovative partner in the UK transport sector, known for its commitment to excellence and forward-thinking approach. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggreko is bringing its expertise and innovative technologies to Formula 1’s European races this summer, delivering sustainable power as ‘Official Temporary Power Solutions Provider’. A centralised low-carbon power solution for all event services, including the paddock and International Broadcast Compound has been developed in collaboration with Formula 1® using data and insights across a number of races over the last two years. Aggreko’s expert teams will collaborate further to provide power solutions that support the sport’s commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2030. Driving the seven-year global partnership is the two organisations’ shared commitment and their focus on delivering high performance results in three key areas of innovation, sustainability and technology. Leveraging its global track record of delivering high performance energy technologies and innovative thinking, Aggreko will be providing resilient, efficient, low emission solutions through its Greener Upgrades™ range which includes solar PV hybrid systems using Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Stage V generators fuelled with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The success of this approach has already been demonstrated when a centralised energy solution was used at three races last year, including the FORMULA 1® AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX. The solar PV, hybridised BESS and HVO-fuelled Stage V generator solution reduced the need for at least 30+ additional generators from other suppliers and reduced associated carbon emissions by >90% compared to the 2022 event. Similar results are expected in 2025. Data collected from last year’s trial is being used to optimise solutions for future races and contributes to Aggreko’s wider gathering of insights from its global fleet to deliver the best performance to industries worldwide. As companies globally look to navigate the energy transition and reduce their emissions, this type of valuable data will provide the insight of how best to implement bespoke solutions that meet energy needs and ESG goals. Collaborating closely with C&I customers to implement new, greener technologies is a central part of Aggreko’s sustainability framework, Energising Change™ which outlines how they are supporting customers through the energy transition. Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1®, said: “The delivery of our Net Zero by 2030 commitment is driven by new technologies and new ways of working. With Aggreko’s support, Formula 1 is taking another step to reduce emissions across the Paddock. The low carbon power solutions will be in action across our European events this year and will further support our drive to be Net Zero by 2030.” Robert Wells, Europe President and Head of Events at Aggreko, said: “Our partnership with Formula 1 is built on the strength of our shared vision and values. By improving performance in innovation, sustainability and technology through our work powering some of the sport’s supporting infrastructure, we are showcasing how bespoke solutions using our latest Greener Upgrades™ technologies can help meet ESG goals in a setting that is the ultimate test of performance. We’re proud to collaborate with Formula 1® on its global stage, setting a shining example of how large event operators can accelerate change by learning from this progressive approach in reducing emissions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An engineering, environmental, and planning consultancy’s expertise is playing a key role in the creation of “an elite sporting environment” for a professional football club with top-flight ambitions. Caulmert, which has offices in St Asaph, Bangor, Altrincham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Kent, has provided civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering design services for Stoke City’s new state-of-the-art training facility at Clayton Wood. The Championship outfit is bidding to enhance its goal of returning to the Premier League by constructing a £12m centre that will include a gymnasium, swimming pool, hydrotherapy and cryotherapy suites, offices and catering for all first-team staff, and a tactics room for video analysis. Caulmert worked closely with AFL Architects and contractors Speller Metcalfe on the two-storey, 50m x 27m building, with completion scheduled by the end of 2025. Associate structural engineer Ranjan Apputhurai is overseeing the project for Caulmert, which had a seven-strong team working on the scheme. He said: “We were involved in the extension to the existing training facility at Clayton Wood around a decade ago, so to be part of the new building is fantastic. “It is going to be an impressive state-of-the-art centre for elite sports people to come to work every day, and it will be great to see the positive impact the investment will have on the pitch. “The activity has included some important geotechnical investigations and reports that have been crucial to the installation of the swimming pool, which is to be positioned below ground in a basement area featuring hot and cold plunge tubs. “The facility is to be built on land that has originally been used as a warm-up area. However, it has been prone to retaining water, so the ground surveys have played a key role in alleviating any potential problems.” As work on the project began, Stoke City chairman John Coates told the club’s official website: “We want to be more successful than we’ve ever been in the past. We realise that’s a very long-term aim with a lot of building blocks along the way to achieving that. “This project is one of those building blocks starting to take shape, one that we believe will help create an elite sporting environment, will help us attract the right players at first team and academy level and will give our coaches the best environment in which to develop players and ultimately make us successful.” Rob Lashford, director at Speller Metcalfe added: “We’re delighted to be working on creating a state-of-the-art facility at Stoke City Football Club’s training ground. “Speller Metcalfe is committed to delivering fantastic facilities for grassroots players through to top-performance athletes, and this major development will have a lasting and positive impact on sport at the highest level, as well as inspiring younger players coming up through the ranks. “This is a major development for the club, and we look forward to delivering a state-of-the-art facility that supports the players and the team.” Founded in 2009, Caulmert is on track to meet an ambitious growth and development plan. Its expertise in a variety of engineering, environmental, planning, and project management disciplines is supported by its use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to a level two standard on many of its projects. For more information visit www.caulmert.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has launched a new learning hub to give a behind-the-scenes insight into how our homes will work in the future. The Future Hub at Barton Quarter in Horwich, near Bolton, is a collection of four houses, each showcasing different low-carbon technologies. The all-electric homes demonstrate how heating, power, energy conservation, ventilation and the building materials themselves are expected to perform when the Government’s Future Homes Standard is introduced. They are built in the style of Bellway’s House to Home plots, with elements left uncovered to show the workings of the different systems. The Future Hub will serve as a training centre for teams from Bellway, its subcontractors and the wider industry. The innovations on show include air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, enhanced insulation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, in addition to wider doorways and lower windows which are required to meet accessibility standards. The project is part of the Better with Bellway strategy, which was created by the housebuilder to put people and the planet at the centre of all its operations. Reductions in carbon emissions and employee diversity schemes are among the initiatives that have been driven forward since the strategy was launched two years ago. Bellway will host an open day for small to medium housebuilders and subcontractors in June to showcase The Future Hub and share knowledge gained during the project. Mathew McAdam, Managing Director for Bellway’s Manchester division, said: “The Future Hub is an industry-leading training tool, which has already been recognised with a national award. “These four homes not only show the different technologies at work, but also provide an insight into how they can be installed and maintained – and how each of the systems interacts with the rest of the home. “From first-fix through to a finished showhome, The Future Hub gives a practical introduction to how we will build all-electric accessible homes that will meet the needs of our customers and their families.” The Future Hub was named as winner of the NextGeneration Initiative’s 2024 Innovation Award in September and since then it has opened to Bellway employees. Industry contacts will now be invited to make use of the facility. Another key Better with Bellway project is The Future Home @ Energy House 2.0. Bellway has partnered with The University of Salford to build a home to future standards within a climate-controlled chamber at the university’s Frederick Road campus. Early test results have indicated that air source heat pumps can be used to heat a home for less than £2 per day. Jamie Bursnell, Head of Technical and Innovation for Bellway, said: “Through projects like The Future Hub and Energy House 2.0, Bellway has made huge leaps forward in understanding the requirements of homes for the future. Comparing the theory with the practical application of each of the new technologies has been an invaluable learning curve. “As we scale up our delivery of Future Homes through pilot projects across the UK, we are committed to sharing our knowledge more widely. The industry and its supply chain will need to work together to be able to deliver the required volume of low-carbon, energy-efficient homes.” For more information about Bellway’s pilot projects and commitment to sustainability, visit https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bromford Flagship has received the highest possible governance and viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing, following the formal completion of the merger between Bromford Housing Group and Flagship Housing Group earlier this year. In its interim regulatory judgement published on 14 May 2025, the regulator confirmed a G1 rating for governance and a V1 rating for financial viability. These top-tier ratings reflect the regulator’s assessment that Bromford Flagship has robust governance arrangements in place, complies fully with the Governance and Financial Viability Standard, and possesses the financial strength to manage a wide range of adverse scenarios. The regulator’s judgement follows an in-depth review of documentation provided since the merger, which completed on 28 February and takes into account the strong regulatory track records of both legacy organisations – Bromford previously held a G1/V1 rating, while Flagship had achieved G1/V2. Heather Richardson, Chief Risk Officer, said: “This rating reflects the robust foundations we’ve built as a newly merged organisation. It recognises the strength of our governance and financial planning, which are vital to enabling our teams, customers and communities to thrive.” The G1/V1 outcome signals confidence in Bromford Flagship’s ability to maintain compliance and deliver on an ambitious long-term strategy. Additionally, the merger has created a financially robust organisation with the capacity to invest £4bn in new homes during this Parliament. This positions Bromford Flagship to deliver 2,000 new homes every year for the next 30 years, with an ambition that 50% will be at social rent – making the organisation the largest builder of new social homes. This aligns with national housing ambitions and supporting the organisation’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis at scale. Receiving top regulatory ratings reaffirms Bromford Flagship’s capacity to balance financial resilience with social impact, ensuring that its growth is underpinned by strong governance and a clear focus on long-term value for residents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals