Premier Modular is set to deliver its second-largest education project to date, supplying a four-storey temporary classroom block at King’s Academy Bay House School in Gosport. This modular building will support the school’s major redevelopment and is part of the Department for Education’s school rebuilding programme, with Premier Modular collaborating
38 contractors have joined a £380m framework to supply and install planned and cyclical maintenance works to Scottish councils and housing associations over four years. Procurement services provider, PfH Scotland has appointed 22 regional SME firms and 16 larger national companies, including Bell Group, CCG Scotland, Easy Heat Systems, McConnell,
Laura Mercer, Managing Director of Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), reflects on the steps available to help heritage W20 and other traditional steel and timber windows attain contemporary standards of energy performance. New horizon on energy performance for traditional steel windows Together with building owners, most specifiers can see the
GMI Construction Group has announced the practical completion of Citylabs 4.0, a state-of-the-art, 125,000 sq. ft laboratory and workspace development in Manchester. Delivered on behalf of Bruntwood SciTech and in joint venture with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the £42m project is the latest addition to the Citylabs campus,
The University of Warwick’s bold vision for new world-leading STEM facilities has taken a significant step forward with Kier appointed as the preferred lead contractor to deliver Phase 1 of the project. This announcement represents a key milestone in the wider Connect Programme which is an unprecedented £700 million capital
Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Huddersfield has secured a wave of new retail lettings in anticipation of the grand opening of multi-leisure operator The Light next week. Health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has taken a 2,000 sq ft unit, formerly occupied by The Body Shop, on a five-year lease.
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, was joined Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, and Cllr John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council and leading figures from both councils to celebrate the start of work on 763 much-needed new homes at Top Wighay, Nottinghamshire,
One of the UK’s leading principal contractors is continuing to branch out into education after making a high-profile hire. Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, has appointed Billy Sneddon as its dedicated Contracts Manager for this specialist area with the brief of generating more than
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules could be key to unlocking crucial NIMBY support for housebuilding as the Government pushes to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, according to new polling from biodiversity tech start-up Joe’s Blooms. A 14,000-person survey finds three-quarters (75%) of Brits believe that all
Kadans Science Partner (“Kadans”), a leading European investor in the development of ecosystems and real estate with a dedicated focus on knowledge-intensive sectors, has commenced construction on its purpose-built laboratory facility, Versa. As the second project to be delivered by Kadans within the Tileyard Quarter in King’s Cross, London, this
Premier Modular is set to deliver its second-largest education project to date, supplying a four-storey temporary classroom block at King’s Academy Bay House School in Gosport. This modular building will support the school’s major redevelopment and is part of the Department for Education’s school rebuilding programme, with Premier Modular collaborating with main contractor Kier. The prefabricated temporary structure will allow the school to continue its operations while redevelopment work takes place. Bay House School was among the first 50 schools selected for the rebuilding initiative in February 2021, with the project listed at £25 million by Glenigan in 2023. Enabling works on the site officially began on 3rd January 2025. The redevelopment will involve the demolition of six buildings and two temporary classrooms, the construction of three redesigned blocks, and the refurbishment of existing structures. Premier Modular will install 133 modular units, creating 44 classrooms that will serve the school for approximately two-and-a-half years. The stackable design of the units ensures there will still be sufficient outdoor space for students during the construction phase. A unique feature of this project is its phased use of the modular buildings. Over the two-and-a-half-year period, the classrooms will be adapted to meet the changing needs of the school. After the first 18 months, some classrooms will be reconfigured, transforming design and technology spaces into science labs to accommodate evolving requirements. This project marks Premier Modular’s second-largest temporary education building across four storeys, following the supply of 186 modules to a school in South London. Mark Rooney, Rental Divisional Director at Premier Modular, commented: “This is a groundbreaking project for us. Not only is it our second-largest temporary school build, but the modular design allows us to maximise space efficiently in a busy environment. By working closely with Kier, we’ve developed a flexible design that adapts to the project’s evolving needs, ensuring a solution that works for everyone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
38 contractors have joined a £380m framework to supply and install planned and cyclical maintenance works to Scottish councils and housing associations over four years. Procurement services provider, PfH Scotland has appointed 22 regional SME firms and 16 larger national companies, including Bell Group, CCG Scotland, Easy Heat Systems, McConnell, Procast, Sidey Solutions, Joinery and Timber Creations (JTC), and Wren Kitchens. They will provide kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, electrical works, roofing, painting, decorating, property refurbishment and surrounding works – including hard landscaping and fencing – to local authorities and housing associations in Scotland. The framework is structured across 12 lots and tailored to different regions of Scotland so local requirements can be addressed. Social landlords have the option to procure products only, or a one-stop route for supply of products and installation. There is also the option for full property refurbishment services. Figures from the Scottish Housing Regulator show that in 2023/24, registered social landlords in Scotland spent £945m on management and maintenance – the highest on record. Planned maintenance expenditure increased by 3.88% to £176.03m, impacted by higher costs, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions. Scottish social landlords are dealing with unexpected remediation costs for RAAC, cladding and damp and mould, along with meeting obligations under the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, fire safety regulations and decarbonisation standards; all whilst keeping rents as low as possible. Chris McGinn, commercial manager at PfH Scotland said: “When social landlords invest in planned works, it creates warm, safe, comfortable homes for their tenants, and it lowers the need for spend on reactive repairs. The problem is that higher inflation and rising prices, along with multiple competing priorities, have put huge pressure on already stretched budgets. We designed this framework with social landlords so it could offer flexible, low cost, high quality options for planned works, enabling a quick and precise match between their requirements and suppliers.” John Hepburn, regional managing director (Scotland) at McConnell commented: “We’re delighted to be appointed onto PfH Scotland’s Planned Works framework, which covers a comprehensive whole house programme for social landlords in Scotland. Our vision at McConnell is to deliver quality works to the communities we work within and that’s more important than ever with the incredibly challenging landscape that Scottish housing providers are operating in right now.” Find out more about PfH Scotland’s Planned Works framework here
Laura Mercer, Managing Director of Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), reflects on the steps available to help heritage W20 and other traditional steel and timber windows attain contemporary standards of energy performance. New horizon on energy performance for traditional steel windows Together with building owners, most specifiers can see the aesthetic benefits of retaining traditional steel windows when restoring an older property, whether it is subject to conservation requirements or not: Universal Suite, W20 sections and other frame types generally suit everything from dockland warehouses to Art Deco villas. The slender sightlines and glazing patterns undoubtedly complement brickwork or render across multiple architectural styles, but the accepted wisdom that steel simply cannot satisfy the thermal performance requirements leads to many project teams seeking alternative solutions. There is, though, genuine and growing cause for taking a more positive and proactive attitude to existing windows of any material, even if they are suffering from corrosion in the case of steel or rot in the case of timber, misalignment and have poorly maintained or even missing fittings. Not only can they be fully refurbished and put in good working order, but their notorious draughtiness and the heat sapping thermal transmittance issues can be radically improved upon to the point where a number of restoration projects have successfully targeted the higher levels of BREEAM – without replacing the old windows. In fact, there are even points available within BREEAM assessments for saving the original fenestration from the scrap yard. The ideal starting point is to have ASWS, an experienced window specialist, carry out a full condition survey prior to any work beginning on site with the likelihood of the drawings, observations and detailed recommendations often being incorporated as part of the tender documents – or even put forward to the conservation authorities as part of the planning or listed building application. With commercial work accounting for a high proportion of its portfolio, ASWS has been involved on some of the most challenging redevelopments to have been carried out over recent years, including at Woolwich Arsenal, Hackney Town Hall, Battersea Power Station and former BBC premises, Bush House. Inevitably, listed building status significantly limits the interventions which can be made but, taking advantage of modern glazing technology is just as important as diligence in overhauling the frames themselves and understanding that leakage occurs around the frames and the fabric of the walls, as well as through the vents themselves. Significantly, on one of the projects where ASWS is currently working, The Harrison for RED Construction, none of the windows actually closed properly, representing a huge waste of heat and poor comfort levels. The desktop EPC assessment process does not take this situation, or its resolution, into proper account. The easy wins in a lot of cases are to ‘reset’ the opening lights – where the skilled engineers physically straighten the vents so that the edges meet correctly – before new draught-stripping is applied. Then, as almost all old steel windows will have been single glazed, there is the opportunity to upgrade this, depending on the depth of rebate. While standard 4mm glass delivers a centre pane U-value of just 5.8 W/m2K, swapping this for a 12mm Eco Slim DGU can reduce this wasteful figure to 1.9 W/m2K. Better still, utilising option of vacuum glass units, the centre pane U-value falls to a far more efficient 0.4 W/m2K. Importantly, there are documented figures available on different glazing solutions which can deliver an automatic improvement to EPC scores while the use of infra-red thermal imaging can dramatically highlight the difference between the before and aftereffects of window upgrades. It is also worth pointing out that, although vacuum units remain an expensive option, their construction avoids the issue of a double reflection being created across the window when viewed from outside, which often leads conservation officers to oppose their inclusion on buildings of historical importance. Embodied energy Quantity surveyors may be regarded as the construction industry’s bean counters, but the entire project team is nowadays tasked with cutting its carbon footprint by reducing waste and sourcing products in a sustainable manner. So, when working out the overall impact of a large renovation scheme, having avoided replacing the old fenestration – with all the additional lorry journeys and impacts of landfill or recycling – can offer a significant win. Accordingly, every activity which is carried out by the window restoration specialist is logged in its BREEAM assessment. This will include not just the number of deliveries and origins of products used, but also items such as the FSC certification for timber. And finally, when a project is completed, there can be a certificate of improvement relating to energy loss through the façade, which confirms the gains to be achieved through comprehensive fenestration upgrades. ASWS offers a full range of survey, repair, replica replacement and maintenance services for all ages and types of metal and timber windows. For more information on ASWS, please visit asws.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has announced the practical completion of Citylabs 4.0, a state-of-the-art, 125,000 sq. ft laboratory and workspace development in Manchester. Delivered on behalf of Bruntwood SciTech and in joint venture with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the £42m project is the latest addition to the Citylabs campus, a thriving innovation hub for diagnostics, medtech, digital health, and genomics businesses. Situated within the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust campus, England’s largest NHS Trust, Citylabs 4.0 provides a world-class environment for start-ups, scale-ups, and global corporates in life sciences and healthcare technology. Through Bruntwood SciTech’s unique partnerships and co-location with MFT, the development offers direct access to the NHS, leading academic institutions, and over 20,000 STEM graduates annually, making it an ideal setting for businesses at the forefront of medical advancements. The seven-storey facility features cutting-edge infrastructure tailored to the needs of businesses in precision medicine, diagnostics, biotech, medtech, AI-driven healthcare, and genomics. Key specifications include containment level 1 and 2 biology and chemistry labs, enhanced cooling and ventilation systems, and high-capacity floor loading to support specialist equipment. Designed with sustainability at its core, Citylabs 4.0 is Net Zero carbon in construction and operation of shared spaces. The building is fully electric with an EPC A rating, BREEAM Very Good certification, and a NABERS 5-star rating. It incorporates 208m² of solar panels and a highly energy-efficient cladding system made from 75% recycled post-consumer aluminium, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in the life sciences sector. Anthony Judge, Regional Director, North West, at GMI Construction Group, said: “The practical completion of Citylabs 4.0 is a milestone for GMI and further strengthens its partnership with Bruntwood SciTech. This facility will drive innovation in healthcare by providing specialist space for companies working on pioneering medical solutions. We are extremely proud to have delivered a development that not only enhances Manchester’s position as a global leader in life sciences, but one that prioritises sustainability and collaboration.” The contract is worth £33mto GMI, which is also delivering the nearby £87m No 3 Circle Square development for Bruntwood SciTech. The 287,000 sq. ft of sustainable office space is due for completion this Spring. Citylab’s 4.0 was designed by Sheppard Robson, with contributions from Arup, Hilson Moran, Gardiner & Theobald, and Layers. It has been supported by a £32m senior loan from the North West Evergreen Fund, managed by CBRE’s Investment Advisory team, which is part of CBRE Capital Advisors. Part of the wider Citylabs masterplan, already home to major players such as Qiagen, APIS Assay Technologies, and Takagi, it expands the campus from 192,000 sq. ft to 327,000 sq. ft. The hub is surrounded by some of the UK’s most eminent teaching hospitals, including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital – all part of MFT. Sitting at the heart of the city’s health and life science cluster, it is surrounded by world-class research centres including Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, two of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Clinical Research Facility sites, the Pankhurst Institute, and the operational home of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre. Life science businesses at Citylabs also gain access to the Oxford Road Corridor knowledge quarter, which is home to more than half of the city’s life science businesses and generates around £3bn GVA each year. The hub is also a government-designated High Potential Opportunity Zone for Diagnostics and Healthy Ageing. Dr Kath Mackay, Chief Scientific Officer for Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s largest property platform dedicated to the growth of science, tech and innovation sectors, added: “Citylabs 4.0 is a significant milestone in the continued evolution of Manchester’s world-leading life sciences ecosystem. The campus has already played a crucial role in supporting pioneering healthcare businesses to scale and work in direct collaboration with the NHS, and this latest development further cements its position as a location for scientific breakthroughs and innovation. By bringing together industry and the NHS we’re creating a collaborative environment where innovation can thrive, ultimately leading to real-world healthcare advancements that will benefit patients across Greater Manchester and beyond.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of Warwick’s bold vision for new world-leading STEM facilities has taken a significant step forward with Kier appointed as the preferred lead contractor to deliver Phase 1 of the project. This announcement represents a key milestone in the wider Connect Programme which is an unprecedented £700 million capital investment in STEM and Social Sciences. The development, at the University’s West Midlands campus, will deliver innovative spaces, including cutting-edge laboratories, to enable the University to build on its interdisciplinary approach, diversify learning opportunities, reinforce the University’s internationally-recognised work in science and research, and enhance the campus experience for students, staff and stakeholders. A wealth of new courses in STEM will enhance the learning options available to undergraduate and postgraduate students and help attract some of the brightest young minds from across the world. It will also harness meaningful, innovation-led research and collaboration with partners on a regional, national and international scale to address global challenges, such as protecting crops against insects and providing therapeutics and diagnosis for neglected tropical diseases. Since its inception, The University of Warwick has been a trailblazer in pioneering research, leading innovations to develop sustainable materials and manufacturing processes to combat environmental damage. Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Warwick, said: “Appointing a contractor to deliver Phase 1 of the STEM Connect Programme is a really big moment in the journey of the Connect Programme and is a timely milestone in the University’s 60th anniversary year. “The STEM Connect Programme is a transformative initiative that will not only enhance learning opportunities for our students, but also strengthen our global reputation as a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “We are excited to partner with Kier to bring this ambitious vision to life, and the appointment of one of Britain’s strongest contractors is a major milestone and reflects the pace of our delivery.” Professor Mark Williams, Academic Lead of the STEM Connect Programme, said: “This major investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to fostering innovation and advancing research that has real-world impact. The state-of-the-art infrastructure being provided will underpin the delivery of our pioneering education programmes. “We are looking forward to working with Kier to bring to life our vision for new, world-leading facilities in STEM.” Mark Dady, Managing Director for Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to be named as the preferred lead contractor for this prestigious STEM Connect Programme at The University of Warwick. “This transformative project represents a significant investment in the University’s future, and we look forward to bringing our experience of delivering world-class educational facilities to create a building that will enable and inspire collaboration, innovation and sustainability on campus.” Kier has extensive experience in delivering education projects, having previously completed a state-of-the-art facility in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter for the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. This new facility serves as a hub for research, innovation and education, reinforcing Kier’s commitment to creating cutting-edge learning environments. The wider Connect Programme, announced last year, supports the five objectives laid out in the University’s Excellence with Purpose 2030 strategy and will strengthen the regional economy by creating more than 1,500 construction-related jobs over the lifetime of the project. The STEM Connect Programme forms the first phase of the wider programme. Kier is due to commence construction when all enabling works have been completed later this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Huddersfield has secured a wave of new retail lettings in anticipation of the grand opening of multi-leisure operator The Light next week. Health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has taken a 2,000 sq ft unit, formerly occupied by The Body Shop, on a five-year lease. Jewellery brand Pandora has also expanded its presence, relocating to a larger 1,500 sq ft unit with a 10-year lease. Further bolstering the shopping centre’s retail mix, fashion accessories retailer Lovisa has signed a 10-year lease on an 850 sq ft unit, previously home to GAME. Additionally, Boots is set to move into Kingsgate from King Street, occupying a substantial 16,000 sq ft store on a 10-year lease. These new arrivals coincide with the much-anticipated launch of The Light, a major leisure destination opening in the former House of Fraser department store on 11th April. The venue will offer a variety of entertainment options, including a six-screen cinema, bowling, arcades, a climbing centre, interactive darts, karaoke, and an array of restaurants. Steve Bateman, asset manager at Kingsgate Shopping Centre, commented: “Huddersfield town centre is undergoing significant transformation, with key stakeholders, including Kirklees Council, working to streamline retail and leisure offerings. This consolidation is strengthening Kingsgate’s position as the town’s prime retail and leisure hub. We are delighted to welcome these fantastic brands to the centre.” Spanning 280,000 sq ft, Kingsgate Shopping Centre is home to a strong line-up of retailers, including JD Sports, TK Maxx, Sports Direct, HMV, Waterstones, and River Island. KLM Real Estate and Newns Webster continue to act as the centre’s retained letting agents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, was joined Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, and Cllr John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council and leading figures from both councils to celebrate the start of work on 763 much-needed new homes at Top Wighay, Nottinghamshire, triggering the start of a £6 million investment to bolster local services. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry Group’s partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said: “We were delighted to welcome key figures to celebrate the start of work on these much-needed new family homes at Top Wighay. Over the past year, we have consulted with the community to finalise the details of the scheme and ensure it meets local people’s needs and now we are on site, ready to create a new community of high-quality properties for people in the area to call home.” Situated approximately 2km north of Hucknall town centre and to the east of Annesley Road (A611), the £191m development forms part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s (NCC) flagship mixed-use scheme. The 86-acre site, contracted in 2023 with NCC and earmarked for development for more than a decade, will also include 21 acres of employment land, a local centre with retail offering and a new primary school. Now the ceremonial spade has been placed in the ground, work will start imminently on the 763 one-, two-, three, four-, and five-bedroom homes, maisonettes and apartments. Of the new homes, 269 will be affordable properties, 97 will be available for private rental and 397 will be on sale on the open market through Vistry’s Linden, Bovis and Countryside brands. In addition to new housing, the development will also offer benefits to the wider community, with almost £6million designated to bolstering local services. This includes £4,750,000 for education, £800,000 for highways and bus improvements, and £436,000 towards healthcare. The scheme also includes new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, pedestrian and cycle routes, a new primary school, and an on-site Skills Academy in partnership with Chameleon School of Construction. This innovative training initiative will aim to encourage local people not in employment or training back into work. Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This milestone marks a significant step forward in a project that will bring lasting benefits to Nottinghamshire. From a brand-new primary school to improved transport links and employment opportunities, this investment will enhance local services and create a vibrant, sustainable community for generations to come.” Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy at Gedling Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that work is beginning to provide 763 much needed homes, together with improved infrastructure, including highways, education, health, and a local centre. “The plan for on-site skills and training is particularly welcomed and will provide great opportunities for local people and the local economy. “The site has been allocated for development for some time so it’s particularly good to see that this significant investment has allowed this project to get underway. I very much look forward to following its progress over the next few years ” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading principal contractors is continuing to branch out into education after making a high-profile hire. Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, has appointed Billy Sneddon as its dedicated Contracts Manager for this specialist area with the brief of generating more than £3m in revenue over the next twelve months. The company’s ability to manage complex projects and deliver on time and to budget has made it a natural choice for schools and colleges, with £1m of contracts already completed for organisations in the West Midlands and the North West. These have included a special education needs centre at Birchwood Community High School and multiple jobs for the Invictus Education Trust, which looks after eight schools across Dudley and South Staffs. “Education has always been an area we wanted to explore as we have all the core refurbishment skills required to deliver high quality projects quickly and at the right cost – as we all know the taxpayer has to see value for money,” explained David Cotterill, Managing Director of Inco Contracts. “Labour has announced a big cash injection to upgrade existing schools and, with the supply chain already creaking under pressure, we feel now is the right time to accelerate our expansion and provide services so desperately required to ensure our children learn in the best possible buildings.” He went on to add: “The appointment of Billy Sneddon is an important moment for us. He brings over 10 years’ experience in this sector, a massive book of contacts and supply chain specialists who have a proven track record in education.” Inco Contracts can work alongside architects, designers, and directly with schools to bring buildings back to life or to the required modern-day standards. Services provided range from roof repairs, classroom/toilet refurbishments, mechanical and electrical upgrades, extensions and PV installation. In just the last six months, Inco has transformed an existing library into a dedicated special educational needs unit, equipped with six classrooms, meeting rooms, toilets, reception area and state-of-the-art playground. Invictus Education Trust has also called on the company for resurfacing work, emergency repairs and a refurb of its headquarters at Kinver High School. Billy Sneddon picked up the story: “This is a really exciting opportunity to shape our education offer, so that we bring something a little bit different to an established marketplace. “The beauty of Inco Contracts is that we are agile. This means we can pick up smaller jobs quickly yet are big enough to handle £multi-million projects across the UK. Our people all have experience of working in this environment and understand the need to prioritise the safety of the children and teachers, whilst completing projects alongside their studies. “My approach is to build partnerships with schools, colleges and education providers so we are their ‘go to firm’ in an emergency or for planned works.” He concluded: “Our target is £3m in revenues over the next twelve months and increasing my team so that we have two or three dedicated people working with me on projects.” For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules could be key to unlocking crucial NIMBY support for housebuilding as the Government pushes to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, according to new polling from biodiversity tech start-up Joe’s Blooms. A 14,000-person survey finds three-quarters (75%) of Brits believe that all new housing developments – large or small – should improve the natural environment by creating green spaces or habitat banks nearby. Support for nature-friendly development is even stronger among Brits that oppose the Government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament, with 84% of NIMBYs agreeing that all new developments should positively contribute to nature recovery. This data comes as BNG marks its one-year anniversary for smaller developments (April 2). When asked where nature improvements should be made as a result of new developments, over a third (36%) of Brits say green space should be created locally over being created in other parts of the country. This figure rises to 38% among those opposed to the Government’s housing target and reaches 40% among those against new homes being built near them. Support peaks at 43% among affluent rural residents, often known as the most organised NIMBY group. Environmental concerns are a leading reason for opposition to development: nearly half (49%) of NIMBYs cite loss of green space or environmental damage as key factors in resisting local housebuilding. These concerns rank second only to worries about increased pressure on local services (57%) and traffic congestion (54%). The findings suggest that integrating local nature recovery into development plans could help address anti-development concerns and win over NIMBYs. BNG offers a clear solution by requiring developers to deliver at least a 10% biodiversity improvement in their project areas as part of planning permission. Oliver Lewis, CEO of Joe’s Blooms, said: “The data is clear: BNG isn’t just beneficial for nature – it’s essential for gaining public support for new housing developments. Nearly half of NIMBYs cite environmental concerns as a major reason for resistance. At the same time, support for nature recovery is growing among those most opposed to housebuilding.” “To achieve its ambitious housebuilding revolution, the Government must place BNG at the heart of its strategy. Following recent planning reform announcements, a clear roadmap is needed to show how BNG integrates into the planning framework — ensuring momentum isn’t lost. By embedding nature recovery into housing policy, development can drive biodiversity gains, win local backing, and deliver benefits for both people and the planet.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kadans Science Partner (“Kadans”), a leading European investor in the development of ecosystems and real estate with a dedicated focus on knowledge-intensive sectors, has commenced construction on its purpose-built laboratory facility, Versa. As the second project to be delivered by Kadans within the Tileyard Quarter in King’s Cross, London, this is a significant milestone for both the area and London’s life science sector more generally. Due to complete in Q2 2026, and located at 4 Brandon Road, Versa will provide 51,500 sq ft of space, designed to accommodate a range of uses from CL2 labs to dedicated production and pilot spaces, supplying key King’s Cross specialisms including biomedical, life science, data, and precision medicine with cutting-edge facilities tailored to the needs of pioneering companies and individuals. The four storey building will also include best-in-class amenities, such as dedicated cycle parking, on-site showers and private, landscaped external space for occupiers to enjoy, improving wellbeing, productivity and knowledge sharing. This construction milestone extends Kadans’ commitment to Tileyard Quarter and London’s life science cluster, having recently launched its neighbouring 114,000 sq ft hub, Mayde, at the end of 2024. Versa will supplement the existing facilities at Mayde, where tenants can access high quality GMP and pilot manufacturing facilities, fully operated CAT B spaces and CAT A labs complimented by associated write up, specifically designed to support expansion from research and development into commercialisation. The combination of these two buildings sets an exciting platform for Kadans’ further development plans to deliver over 300,000 sq ft of high specification laboratory, office and manufacturing space at Tileyard Quarter. Occupiers of these spaces will not only benefit from access to Kadans’ wider, global support network of occupiers and partners but those situated within the Tileyard Quarter will also be part of a close-knit community of academics, creatives, independent businesses, and clinicians across King’s Cross. Will Fogden, Head of Investment and Development at Kadans Science Partner, said: “Versa will be an enabler of Kadans’ growing ecosystem at King’s Cross, offering flexible, turn-key spaces designed to evolve with our tenants’ needs. Tileyard Quarter is more than just buildings, it’s a dynamic, mixed-use innovation district addressing the demand for space that fosters discovery, development, and collaboration. “Kadans doesn’t deliver standard work or lab space. We pride ourselves on being experts in creating bespoke facilities that are curated to our occupiers’ needs and we are excited to continue delivering this world-class space here in King’s Cross. “We would like to extend our thanks to Morgan Sindall and our other project partners including David Miller Architects, PSK, CB3, HDR, Hoare Lea and Steer for the collaborative role in bringing this shared vision to life.” Richard Dobson, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Area Director for London, said: “This groundbreaking ceremony at King’s Cross marks a key milestone in the development of what will be an important cornerstone of London’s dynamic health and life sciences sector. Once complete, Versa, 4 Brandon Road, will boost the amount of specialist labs and R&D space in the burgeoning Tileyard Quarter, complementing the facilities that have already been delivered in the now operational Mayde, 5-10 Brandon Road. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Kadans during the development and can’t wait to see what innovations and ideas will be born in this facility in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals