Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed by IM Properties (IMP) to commence construction work at a major new employment park, Towcester Park. Expected to create 1,500 jobs when fully occupied, Towcester Park will provide skills and training opportunities for local people and fund projects through a dedicated £100,000 community fund.
Manchester City Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner
Two High Value Manufacturing industrial units have been built on formerly contaminated land which had been described as one of the most polluted inner-city sites in the UK. The units were completed ‘on time and on budget’ after a funding boost from the Scottish Government. Named Innovation Shawfield, the South
Manchester City Council has appointed CBRE to market a 2.75 acre development site on the edge of Manchester City Centre. CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team is seeking proposals for the delivery of a highly sustainable development that complements and enhances the local area. The opportunity is within the urban
In response to growing demand for high-performance infrastructure, Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland has made a significant investment to expand its offering and meet the evolving needs of the industry. As part of its Sunbelt 4.0 strategy, designed to improve customer experience and sustainability, the company has expanded its fleet
Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part
The British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) new scientific support and operations facility, the Discovery Building, is now coming into operational use at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. Marking a major milestone for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP), the facility consolidates the UK’s position in global polar research. Built to operate
Developer working with Bristol City Council to tackle the housing crisis as part of UN Smart Cities Challenge Work on a pioneering scheme to deliver affordable and sustainable housing across five sites in Bristol has started after receiving planning permission from Bristol City Council. Social and affordable housing developer EDAROTH
Aberdeen City Council has taken ownership of its new £29 million New Riverbank School, built using a cross laminated timber (CLT) frame, following successful delivery by Robertson Construction Eastern. The 6,784m² (73,000ft²), three-stream school provides a high-quality learning environment for up to 651 primary-age pupils, alongside early learning and nursery
RSK Group is continuing to support major UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with eight RSK businesses appointed to contribute to the delivery of CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure designed to facilitate the HyNet CO₂ pipeline. The RSK businesses have been appointed by United Living Group. Its subsidiary, United
Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed by IM Properties (IMP) to commence construction work at a major new employment park, Towcester Park. Expected to create 1,500 jobs when fully occupied, Towcester Park will provide skills and training opportunities for local people and fund projects through a dedicated £100,000 community fund. Northampton-based Winvic, is a leading main contractor specialising in the design and construction of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects. Commenting on starting the initial phase of the 1.1 million sq ft development, Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial, Distribution & Logistics at Winvic, said: “We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with IM Properties and work together to deliver the first stages of this high-quality employment space with industry-leading sustainability credentials.” A mix of high quality, sustainable employment space on a Design & Build basis which will target EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings, will be available at Towcester Park across a range of sectors. The site will also include 15 acres of green space, amenity land and retained and enhanced landscaping. For businesses looking to scale up, IMP is offering its ‘Kick Start’ scheme, with reserved matters submitted for a range of units to accommodate space requirements from 13,500 to 22,000 sq ft. To retain larger operators in the region or attract businesses looking to relocate, Towcester Park already has reserved matters for warehouse space of up to 470,000 sq ft. Buildings will feature HQ style office space, roof terraces on outboard offices, contemporary reception areas and high quality, modern working environments. Electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities will help promote green travel and the scheme overall will aim for Net Zero Ready status, to help occupiers transition to Net Zero in their own operations. Richard Sykes, Development Director at IM Properties, said: “Winvic is a trusted and valued member of our supply chain who understands our ambitions to deliver legacy projects and work in partnership with the community. They have successfully delivered several of our previous schemes and will work closely with our team to help shape the first stages of this strategically important development.” Working closely with local educational institutions and training providers, IMP aims to introduce apprenticeship schemes, vocational training programmes and career pathways within the logistics and industrial sectors. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (Formally Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner for the next phase of development by This City, the Council’s housing company. The Council’s Executive is being asked to endorse the creation of a new joint venture with GMPF to deliver the second phase of This City development when it meets on 4 June. This City’s first flagship project, No.1 Ancoats Green, is nearing completion – with 129 low carbon homes created next to the brilliant new green space and park at Ancoats Green. 30% of these will be available at the Manchester Living Rent, capped at the rent level which can be covered by housing benefit to make sure they are affordable to as many people as possible. The initial pipeline for phase two consists of 1,583 homes on Council-owned brownfield sites across the city. At least 20% of these new homes will be affordable homes to rent. This City also has a strong emphasis on sustainability through low carbon homes, and on community. Postal Street in the Northen Quarter, Piccadilly is the most advanced of the phase two sites with a planning application expected to be submitted in the coming weeks for 126 new homes – 20% of them affordable and to be let at the Manchester Living Rent. Engagement with local communities in Monsall and Longsight started earlier this year, beginning a conversation with local people about proposals for sites in their areas. While formal consultation will be undertaken later this year with local people in the Grey Mare Lane estate in east Manchester around proposals for new housing as part of the major estate regeneration that will deliver 100s of new affordable homes in this part of Beswick Future This City sites include: Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “This City is about accelerating home building on Council-owned land so that we can build the homes that Manchester needs on our own terms. These homes will contribute to our housing strategy target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes up to 2032 – and at least 10,000 of these homes will be social, Council or genuinely affordable. “These are ambitious numbers and we are on track to meet them. For example, last year we built more council and social homes than any year for more than a decade, but we want to go even further. We plan to build new council and social housing in every part of the city and being creative, using our land and building the homes ourselves, we will do just that. And having the Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board gives us the financial boost to go further and build much needed low cost, low carbon homes for Manchester residents.” Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “Having Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board with This City as an institutional investor will help us deliver at scale the new housing, including significant amounts of affordable housing, which Manchester needs. “We’re seeing a step change and acceleration in the delivery of affordable housing, with more being built now than at any point in the last 12 years and with even more in the pipeline.” Cllr Eleanor Wills, Chair of GMPF, said:“We are acutely aware of the severe housing crisis both nationally and in the North-West region. This is why we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Manchester City Council investing in the “This City” vehicle that supports the Government’s plan to provide much-needed affordable homes for hardworking families while ensuring strong, low-risk returns to secure the pensions of our members. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two High Value Manufacturing industrial units have been built on formerly contaminated land which had been described as one of the most polluted inner-city sites in the UK. The units were completed ‘on time and on budget’ after a funding boost from the Scottish Government. Named Innovation Shawfield, the South Lanarkshire development was visited by the Scottish Government Investment Minister, Tom Arthur on 27th May, to inspect the newly finished commercial spaces that form the first phase of a new £500 million regeneration programme called ‘Clyde Gateway Innovation’. Innovation Shawfield has been jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway, with additional funding for further infrastructure works also being provided by South Lanarkshire Council. The works are spearheaded by Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s largest regeneration project, which in addition to the construction of the two new units, also includes further site acquisition and remediation works as well as the treatment of contaminants from the old chemical works near the Polmadie Burn. The site has been remediated over a number of years, transforming derelict land that had otherwise lain empty for decades, into an area of investment, growth, opportunity and job creation. Built on the former J&J Whites Chemical plant, also known as Shawfield Chemical Works, which operated from 1820 to 1967 and at one point produced up to 70% of the UK’s chromate products. This activity generated significant volumes of hazardous chromium waste, which continues to be remediated by Clyde Gateway. Remediation works initially commenced in Shawfield in 2013, which led to the construction of ‘Red Tree Magenta’, a 40,000sq. ft managed office building, which opened in December 2018 and now supports 21 companies and over 180 jobs. This latest £8.75m project is part of a £25m investment programme currently underway on site, which includes a £14.6m contribution in November 2023 from the UK Government (formerly Levelling Up Funding Round 3), £1.2m from Scottish Enterprise and £7.5m from The Scottish Government, with Clyde Gateway and South Lanarkshire Council contributing the remainder. The two industrial units, totalling 2,700m2 (29,000sq. ft), received planning permission in March 2024 and have been constructed by Heron Bros. Designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status in addition to exemplary ESG credentials, they are designed for High Value Manufacturing (HVM) use. Investment Minister in the Scottish Government, Tom Arthur, said: “Our significant investment in this project has helped to remove toxic chemicals from the former Shawfield Chemical Works site and transform it into a thriving hub for businesses. “The completion of these works is welcome news for Glasgow and Rutherglen, creating up to 90 permanent jobs and ultimately reducing pollution in the River Clyde. “To benefit people throughout Scotland, we are providing £62.15 million for regeneration projects in 2025/26. This will revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites across the country.” Martin McKay, Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway said: “Remediating this land not only removes an eyesore from the local community, it will also bring jobs and economic activity well into the future. Clyde Gateway has remediated the equivalent of over 400 football pitches since our inception and this work has transformed the areas of Rutherglen, Dalmarnock and Bridgeton, with new housing, green spaces and businesses now filling what was dead space. “With the help of funding from our partners, including the Scottish and UK Governments, we have been able to create these new spaces on time and on budget. This development forms part of our £500m vision for Clyde Gateway that will establish the area as a hub for innovation, green jobs and advanced manufacturing, bringing new homes, hotels and employment opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council has appointed CBRE to market a 2.75 acre development site on the edge of Manchester City Centre. CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team is seeking proposals for the delivery of a highly sustainable development that complements and enhances the local area. The opportunity is within the urban area of Hulme, which has seen substantial inward investment since the 1980s. Sitting adjacent to the A5103 Princess Road, the site has direct access to Manchester City Centre and M60 motorway. It also benefits from public transport connectivity, with Cornbrook Metrolink stop, Manchester Oxford Road and Deansgate railway stations all approximately 1 mile from the site with several bus stops in the immediate vicinity. The surrounding area comprises a mix of uses including mid- and low- rise residential properties, education facilities, offices and retail amenity. Furthermore, there are 15 primary and secondary schools within a 1-mile radius, including the renowned Loreto College. Kieran McLaughlin, Senior Director in CBRE’s UK Development & Residential team, said: “CBRE is delighted to be acting on behalf of Manchester City Council to bring forward this exciting development opportunity at the edge of Manchester City Centre. We are anticipating strong market interest from developers looking to capitalise on the ongoing regeneration of Hulme, an area home to many of the city’s families and young professionals. This opportunity is available on a long-leasehold basis and subject to planning offers are invited for 13:00 Wednesday 30th July.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “This is a great opportunity to bring forward a quality residential-led regeneration programme – including a range of social and genuinely affordable housing – in a popular part of Manchester, close to the city centre. The development of the site should have community at its heart, so alongside residential accommodation we want to see great public space and commercial opportunities as well. We look forward to seeing ambitious proposals to bring the potential of this site to reality, creating a highly sustainable development of renown that will complement and enhance the Hulme neighbourhood.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to growing demand for high-performance infrastructure, Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland has made a significant investment to expand its offering and meet the evolving needs of the industry. As part of its Sunbelt 4.0 strategy, designed to improve customer experience and sustainability, the company has expanded its fleet with 20,000 recyclable aluminium panels, along with 28 Trakway installation vehicles. This expansion of their fleet supports the company with the increasing demand for safe, scalable and environmentally responsible infrastructure across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. An important aspect of the investment is their focus on the sustainability aspects of the equipment to allow customers to easily make the switch to greener solutions. The recyclable aluminium panels are aligned to the company’s sustainability strategy, Our Planet, designed to reduce waste and increase circular economy practices. Once used, these panels will be melted down, repurposed and returned into the industry. Ann Marie Brindle, Commercial Director – Trakway at Sunbelt Rentals said “This investment reflects our commitment to providing our customers with a world class rental experience. The addition of the Lion panels and expanded fleet of electric solutions means we can consistently deliver on time and align with our customers’ focus on sustainable solutions.” Lee Robinson, Managing Director of Trakway at Sunbelt Rentals, expanded on how this will benefit their customers: “This investment goes beyond the equipment – it’s about setting a standard for excellent customer experience and social sustainability.” In addition to its investment in equipment, Sunbelt Rentals is equally focused on investing in its people. Recognising the importance of expertise and safety, the company is committed to prioritising the development of its teams through targeted training programmes. Every teammate involved in site operations is required to complete mandatory certifications, including CSCS, ALMI, BESC, and lift supervision. These qualifications ensure that every team member meets the highest standards of safety and technical proficiency, guaranteeing that customers receive a consistently high level of service backed by knowledgeable and skilled teams. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part of parent company A.S. Watson Group’s growth vision, Superdrug is on track to open 25 new stores across the UK this year, a continuation of its store investment programme launched in 2023. The focus remains on locations with high footfall potential and strong transport connectivity, including prominent retail parks, shopping centres, and revitalised high streets. The new Guildford store combines retail space with experiential offerings, including an in-store studio offering treatments such as nails, lashes, and piercings. This aligns with Superdrug’s strategy of integrating health and beauty services into physical stores to create more engaging, service-led shopping environments. The move reflects a growing trend among health and beauty retailers to prioritise flexibility in layout and experience-driven formats—elements that appeal particularly to Gen Z and millennial consumers. Superdrug’s property team continues to work with national consultants such as GCW and legal advisors Womble Bond Dickinson to secure units that offer long-term growth potential and local community benefit. Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug, noted earlier this year that the focus remains on opening stores in locations that “deliver value and convenience, while supporting employment and creating destination experiences for our customers.” Beyond new store openings, Superdrug has committed to refurbishing a number of existing sites in 2025, ensuring consistency in brand presentation and adapting to evolving consumer expectations. Sustainability also features strongly in the programme, with new stores increasingly designed to incorporate energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly refrigeration, and responsible fit-out materials. With further announcements expected over the summer, Superdrug’s property strategy shows how established high street retailers are adapting with confidence—leveraging physical space as both a commercial and community asset in a changing retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) new scientific support and operations facility, the Discovery Building, is now coming into operational use at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. Marking a major milestone for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP), the facility consolidates the UK’s position in global polar research. Built to operate year-round in one of the planet’s most extreme environments, the Discovery Building serves as the beating heart of Rothera. It brings together advanced facilities and critical services all under one roof, and will support science focused on climate, biodiversity and the Southern Ocean, ensuring Rothera’s polar research capabilities for decades to come. Features of the new Discovery Building include: The achievement comes as the AIMP continues to make progress with the final phase of construction ahead of the building’s formal handover later this year. The Discovery Building is already generating its own power and water, also acts as an IT hub, and is now distributing these essential site-wide services to other buildings across Rothera. These upgrades will help contribute towards BAS’ aim to reduce Rothera’s carbon emissions by an estimated 25%. As a result, BAS teams can operate safely and efficiently from the Discovery Building over the upcoming Antarctic winter, where staff can spend up to 24 hours in darkness. A core team will remain on station throughout the winter to prepare the building for full handover during the 2025/2026 season. The new facility will also improve the quality of life for BAS staff based in Rothera. New, modern shared spaces, updated amenities, and smarter building systems will make daily routines, easier, more efficient and safer, supporting the productivity and camaraderie of the Rothera community that is essential to life in such a remote and isolated environment. Elen Jones, AIMP Programme Director, British Antarctic Survey, said: “This is a defining moment for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. An operational Discovery Building marks the culmination of years of planning, collaboration, and innovation. This new facility is set to transform how we operate to enable science in the region and ensures BAS remains at the forefront of global efforts to understand and protect our changing planet.” Huw Jones, Executive Director at BAM, said: “Delivering a building of this stature in such a beautiful yet demanding environment is truly remarkable. Seeing the Discovery Building come to life is a testament to the precision, planning and commitment of everyone involved. With critical systems in the facility now operational, this milestone demonstrates the real-world impact of construction in Antarctica — supporting science, sustaining life and setting new standards in remote delivery. It reflects our commitment to building a sustainable tomorrow.” The AIMP is a long-term programme to support the UK’s polar research capabilities. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the AIMP will enable the UK to continue to deliver climate, biodiversity and ocean research and innovation in Antarctica. Together with the commissioning of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, the AIMP represents the largest Government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s. The programme is delivered in partnership with construction partners BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, G&A Barnie Group, Turner & Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects. Find out more: https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/aimp/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer working with Bristol City Council to tackle the housing crisis as part of UN Smart Cities Challenge Work on a pioneering scheme to deliver affordable and sustainable housing across five sites in Bristol has started after receiving planning permission from Bristol City Council. Social and affordable housing developer EDAROTH (an acronym for Everyone Deserves a Roof Over Their Head) is leading the design, production and delivery of 25 net zero homes as the pilot for a new model for providing council housing in Bristol – as part of its involvement in the UN Habitat Climate Smart Cities challenge. The new homes will be a mix of 13 houses and 12 apartments and will be developed by EDAROTH using offsite manufacturing methods to create low energy-use homes which are net zero in use and will provide much needed social housing for the city. These homes are being delivered as part of the council’s New Home programme being led by the council’s Housing Delivery team. Work is now starting on five sites on land owned by the council, using the innovative approach from EDAORTH (part of AtkinsRéalis) which involves manufacturing the majority of parts offsite in a UK factory and delivering them to the site reducing the carbon impact of the development process. This approach also ensures the homes will be delivered up to 50% more quickly compared with traditional methods of construction – with minimal disruption to residents living near the development sites. Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: “The delivery of new council homes is really important for the city, and I am delighted to see our Housing Delivery Team exploring new and innovative means of building homes with partners such as EDAROTH. “The learning from this and other projects will help drive delivery across small sites in the city, allowing us to make best use of our land to meet our priority housing need. “The Climate Smart Cities Challenge has allowed us to look at delivering new homes on small sites which are integrated into existing communities, and with the highest levels of sustainability and energy performance for the people who live there. This is something to be really celebrated.” The homes will be produced to the highest quality to ensure they are built to last, and they are expected to meet and exceed the Future Homes Standard coming into force this year, as well as meeting EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) A+. Mark Powell, Managing Director at EDAROTH, added: “Like cities around the country, Bristol faces a huge demand for affordable homes. This scheme is really an exemplar of how local authorities can work in partnership to address the national housing crisis effectively, while at the same time reduce the level of local authority spend on temporary accommodation. “We’re looking forward to starting work on this scheme which not only supports the city council’s ambition to meet demand for housing but also aims to provide homes where people need them, to enhance communities and create thriving places to live.” The agreement between EDAROTH and Bristol City Council is based on an award-winning approach developed by the council, and the One City team, with partners including the Housing Festival, AtkinsRéalis and EDAROTH, as one of four winning projects in the UN Habitat Climate Smart Cities Challenge. Part of the challenge includes the delivery of new housing projects to illustrate how aggregating small sites for development, and overcoming systemic barriers, could unlock sites to deliver truly affordable social housing. Work is due to be completed by Spring 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aberdeen City Council has taken ownership of its new £29 million New Riverbank School, built using a cross laminated timber (CLT) frame, following successful delivery by Robertson Construction Eastern. The 6,784m² (73,000ft²), three-stream school provides a high-quality learning environment for up to 651 primary-age pupils, alongside early learning and nursery provision for up to 60 children. Facilities include a gym hall, dance studio, dining hall, staff and administration areas, and student support spaces. Robertson led the construction phase of the two-storey school including the design, engineering and build of the frame structure using primarily CLT*. The use of CLT delivered a 2,510 tCO₂e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) reduction in embodied carbon, placing the project as a sector-leading example of low-carbon design. The school has a draft Energy Performance Rating of A. The use of CLT also supported the diversion of 100% of construction waste from landfill. CLT panels are formed by gluing layers of timber at right angles, creating a robust, airtight structure that enhances thermal performance and contributes to consistent indoor comfort. This reduces heat gains and losses throughout the building. The use of natural materials is also associated with improved wellbeing, offering a calmer and more relaxing learning environment for pupils. Extensive soft and hard landscaping was carried out to reduce the visual impact of the two-storey building and integrate it with the existing site topography. A 3G sports pitch, outdoor play and learning spaces were delivered alongside garden areas. Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “At Robertson, we are committed to creating sustainable, innovative spaces that inspire and support the next generation. The new CLT school at Riverbank Primary is a testament to this vision, and to the commitment shown by the Council to deliver a warm, natural environment that enhances wellbeing and has been proven to enhance attainment. “Working with the Council to deliver this facility, we’ve not only reduced the environmental impact but also provided pupils and staff with an educational setting where they can truly learn, play, and achieve together.” Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I am pleased that we have now received the keys to our new Riverbank School and that council staff are working hard to ensure pupils can access the building from next month. “The new school will provide top-class facilities for all of its pupils including a 3G sports pitch and external outdoor play. It will be a fantastic learning facility for pupils at the start of their learning journey.” Built on the site of the former Tillydrone Infant School and on part of the former St Machar Primary School site, the New Riverbank opened in mid-May allowing pupils of the existing Riverbank to decant to the new school before summer recess. *3159.13 m3 CLT plus 91.01 m3 Glulam. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RSK Group is continuing to support major UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with eight RSK businesses appointed to contribute to the delivery of CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure designed to facilitate the HyNet CO₂ pipeline. The RSK businesses have been appointed by United Living Group. Its subsidiary, United Living Energy Limited, part of its infrastructure services business (ULIS), has been selected by Liverpool Bay CCS Limited (LBCCS), a member of the global energy tech company Eni, as one of the primary contractors to deliver CO₂ transportation and storage (T&S) infrastructure. The ULIS project is worth approximately £250 million over a three-year period and will create 300 roles across the supply chain. United Living has said that the facility will be instrumental in enabling the landmark HyNet CO₂ pipeline, which aims to unlock a low carbon economy for North West England and North Wales. The pipeline will be the first step in unlocking the benefits and ambitions of the wider HyNet North West project and achieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050. The project comprises 34 km of new pipeline (with the additional repurposing of an existing 24 km) running from Ince, Cheshire, near RSK’s head office at Helsby, to Point of Ayr in North Wales. RSK’s support of this project follows the recent completion of another carbon capture initiative involving 12 group businesses. These RSK companies supported Heidelberg Materials UK’s successful planning application for the company’s Padeswood CCS project in North Wales – the first carbon capture enabled cement works in the UK. Speaking about the new Liverpool Bay CCS project, RSK Environment Director Rob Domeney explained that the HyNet CO₂ pipeline would take CO₂ captured by industrial emitters across the region and transport it through new and repurposed infrastructure to permanent storage in depleted natural gas reservoirs under the seabed in Liverpool Bay. RSK’s work began in September 2024 and is expected to continue until the completion of construction in June 2027. Rob said: “This project is incredibly exciting for RSK. The group has been working on pipeline and related projects for more than 30 years and has a long history of working at sites across the North West, including at Protos Ince, Stanlow and Padeswood. “We are also contributing to a large number of CCS projects nationwide at all phases of development, from optioneering, feasibility and consents strategy, through consenting, development consent order (DCO) and environmental impact assessment (EIA), to pre-construction and construction support. With this project, we are delivering against a series of deadlines with various DCO requirements and secondary consents, protected species licences and other inputs required before construction can commence. But this is where the teams’ experience really comes into its own and our ability as a group to pool our multidisciplinary resources is very effective.” He confirmed that RSK has been contracted to provide pre-construction and construction environmental support to the project. The wider RSK team includes environmental management staff seconded into the project to help deliver construction environmental management plans and related documentation and secondary consents such as environmental permits and to coordinate the various environmental teams involved. Rob added: “In addition, the project will use more than 50 RSK colleagues across the group to provide ecological surveys, licences and mitigation, archaeological mitigation, advice and support on ground contamination, mining, groundwater and surface water, flood risk planning, landscape design and management and noise, air quality and arboriculture inputs. “RSK Group companies supporting the project include RSK Biocensus (ecology), Headland Archaeology, RSK Geosciences (coal mining, contamination, surface water/groundwater monitoring and materials management plans), LDE (flood risk and hydrology), ADAS (arboriculture and soil survey), Stephenson Halliday (landscape design), RSK Acoustics and Ian Farmer Associates. “The project is in its early stages, with a number of survey teams on-site and ecological and archaeological mitigation in progress, as well as a comprehensive ground investigation programme. Headland Archaeology has 2 teams of archaeologists working on the project and expects its work will involve 276 archaeological trial trenches. Once the initial phases of our work are complete, we look forward to supporting the ULIS team into full construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals