The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, has found that the property market has picked up the pace in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget, with 84,000 more homes listed for sale today – an increase of 11.4%. Yopa analysed* current for sale stock listings across Britain, looking
Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has expanded its relationship with the University of Nottingham as it looks to improve its operational and energy efficiency. Working with Schneider Electric, the top 20 UK university is adopting a digital-first, AI-powered approach to manage its
LEADING engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has brought its multi-disciplinary offering to the Cotswold Canals Connected project, playing an important part in helping restore the ‘missing mile’ of the Stroudwater Navigation. This ambitious award-winning restoration is the largest, and most complex National Heritage Lottery Funded project in the South-West. Driven by Cotswold
Reds10, a pioneer of industrialised construction, has appointed David Newey and James Bateman as directors to oversee its fast-growing UK-wide operations. These are significant appointments for the company which recently announced its fourth consecutive year of growth for the year ended 31 March 2024, with revenue rising by 70% YoY
Matalan has appointed James Dorling as its new Property Director, entrusting him with the strategic oversight of the fashion and homeware retailer’s extensive network of over 220 stores across the UK. Dorling joins Matalan with a wealth of experience in property management, having held key roles at well-known brands such
Evolve Estates, part of the M Core commercial property investment collective, has expanded into the private healthcare sector with the acquisition of two private hospitals in Diss, Norfolk, and Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The acquisitions, on behalf of Leathbond Limited and LCP Securities, mark a strategic move as Evolve diversifies into
In response to the Scottish Minister of Public Finance, Ivan McKee’s, announcement on reforming Scotland’s planning system, Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, comments: “Reforming Scotland’s planning system is key to making housing more affordable and measures to create a new planning hub and increasing the capacity
Civic has acquired leading mechanical, electrical and public health building services and sustainable energy design consultants, Watt Energy & Consulting Engineers. The North West based consultancy, led by Dan Watt, works on public and private sector projects across the UK. The company has gained a reputation for providing low carbon
Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, has secured terms with Riverstone Hotels Ltd to open a 200-room Premier Inn hotel within walking distance of Edinburgh Airport. This development aims to expand Premier Inn’s presence near Scotland’s busiest airport, a major hub for over 150 domestic and international flights.
Solivus, a leading UK provider of lightweight solar installations for commercial applications, has designed and delivered a £2m solar installation to Farnborough Airport, taking it one step closer to its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. Located in Farnborough, Hampshire, Farnborough Airport is the home of British aviation
The latest research from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, has found that the property market has picked up the pace in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget, with 84,000 more homes listed for sale today – an increase of 11.4%. Yopa analysed* current for sale stock listings across Britain, looking at how many have hit the market in the two weeks since the Autumn Budget and how this level of market activity differs by each area of the nation. The research shows that there are currently some 823,898 homes listed for sale across Britain and 84,065 of those have entered the market since the Autumn Budget alone – a boost of 11.4% in the number of sellers choosing to make their move. Every region of Britain and every major city analysed by Yopa has seen an increase in for sales stock levels since the Autumn Budget. Regionally, the largest increase has been seen across Scotland at 12.7%, with the North East (+12.3%) and London (+12.2%) also seeing some of the largest increase in for sale stock levels. Wales has seen the smallest influx of new homes listed for sale, although there has still been a 9.5% increase in the last two weeks alone. Of the 15 major cities analysed by Yopa, Glasgow has seen the biggest increase at 13.4%, followed by Nottingham (+13.3%), Edinburgh (+13.2%) and Brighton (+12.5%). CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “There’s always a sense of uncertainty in the run up to a major budget and so it’s hardly surprising that many home sellers may have been sitting on the fence to see just what Chancellor Rachel Reeves had up her sleeve for them. The answer was unfortunately not a great deal and now that the Autumn Budget is done and dusted, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of sellers entering the market. This is a smart move given the fact that there was no extension to current stamp duty relief thresholds granted and we’re now likely to see an uptick in demand over the coming weeks as homebuyers look to purchase ahead of next year’s 31st March deadline.” Data tables and sources Full data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has expanded its relationship with the University of Nottingham as it looks to improve its operational and energy efficiency. Working with Schneider Electric, the top 20 UK university is adopting a digital-first, AI-powered approach to manage its buildings estate, the fifth largest in the UK’s higher education sector. Schneider Electric has deployed its state-of-the-art Connected Services Hub (CSH) to provide 24/7 remote monitoring of the electrical equipment installed onsite. The CSH uses AI-powered digital analytics to deliver real-time, comprehensive insights into estate operations, ensuring preventative or remedial action is acted upon quickly. It does this by directly integrating urgent actions into the onsite engineers’ work schedules. It also identifies energy conservation measures, producing regular reports that offer guidance to the university’s in-house estates team on how to optimise their time and resources more effectively. In addition, Schneider Electric also provides a team of experienced engineers onsite, delivering preventative and condition-based fault remediation, and support and training for the university’s estates team to boost their skills. “Our challenge is how to optimise our building systems to minimise energy consumption and improve operations given we have a very small team responsible for a large physical estate. Embracing digital technology is helping us work towards our goals. Leveraging AI for analysis is like having thousands of eyes scrutinising the estate, significantly boosting what my team and I can deliver,” said Gavin Scott, Head of Sustainability at University of Nottingham. “Over the years, our relationship with Schneider Electric has evolved into a true partnership. The team at Schneider Electric know our campus inside out and access to its expertise and experience has been invaluable on our journey towards improved,” he added. “The University of Nottingham is a prime example of an institution striving to improve and create a more sustainable campus for students and staff,” said Kas Mohammad Schneider Electric’s VP, Digital Energy for the UK & Ireland. “It is using state-of-the-art technology and expert services to boost productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in its bid to hit its decarbonisation targets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has brought its multi-disciplinary offering to the Cotswold Canals Connected project, playing an important part in helping restore the ‘missing mile’ of the Stroudwater Navigation. This ambitious award-winning restoration is the largest, and most complex National Heritage Lottery Funded project in the South-West. Driven by Cotswold Canals Connected, a partnership led by Stroud District Council and Cotswold Canals Trust, it aims to re-establish a section of canal that was filled in during the creation of the M5 motorway in the 1960s Led from their Bristol office, Rodgers Leask’s civil, structural and geo-environmental engineering teams bring a multi-disciplinary approach to the project, in which they are working closely with the charity’s project delivery team to meet the challenging technical, budgetary and delivery demands of the scheme. The team is designing a replacement aqueduct that will allow the canal to cross over Oldbury Brook once again. The work involves developing an initial concept for the aqueduct and adjoining John Robinson Lock and detailing key components such as a triple pipe culvert arrangement and protective cover slab. Retaining walls have been designed using modular bag units to fulfil the design brief for a sturdy but simple solution that will allow the charity volunteers to actively participate in construction. By simplifying material choices, the engineering consultancy has been able to keep construction costs low while ensuring the project meets the high standards that it sets itself and end users of the canal would expect. Dave Bathurst, regional director for Rodgers Leask in Bristol, said: “The solutions being developed are a blend of technicality and practicality, which wouldn’t be possible without determined coordination and collaboration with Cotswold Canal Connected and enthusiasm for design excellence within our team. At the heart of this project is a sense of social value that will be returned to an impressive but long forgotten connection to our industrial past. Once restored the canal will take on a new, but no less important purpose, as an amenity for local people. Trading its initial use for transporting coal and other important goods, for one that will facilitate leisure and tourism. “For Rodgers Leask, this project represents another successful example of our growing portfolio of canals and waterways projects that also includes recent involvement in the restoration of Chesterfield Canal.” The `Missing Mile’ is a key part of the second phase of the Cotswold Canals Connected project. It promises numerous benefits for the region including the creation of a new community-led wildlife corridor with conservation and biodiversity projects. In addition to these environmental advantages, the restored canal is expected to become a vibrant tourist destination, celebrating the area’s rich industrial heritage and boosting the local economy. Chris Mitford-Slade, project manager at Cotswold Canals Connected, said: “The restoration of this section of the canal is an exciting step forward for both the local community and the environment. It will create a space that blends heritage and habitat for the benefit of all.” The Cotswold Canals Connected project is enabled by the work of the charity Cotswold Canals Trust. For further information, membership enquiries and volunteering opportunities, visit https://cotswoldcanals.org/ For more information on Rodgers Leask, visit https://rodgersleask.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Reds10, a pioneer of industrialised construction, has appointed David Newey and James Bateman as directors to oversee its fast-growing UK-wide operations. These are significant appointments for the company which recently announced its fourth consecutive year of growth for the year ended 31 March 2024, with revenue rising by 70% YoY to £142.5m. Between them, David and James will be responsible for the operations of Reds10’s projects in the defence, education, health and justice sectors, with David taking responsibility for projects in the south of England and James overseeing Reds10’s projects in the midlands and north of England. David will be based at Reds10’s Head Office in London and James will be based in Yorkshire, where the company houses its MMC manufacturing facilities. David Newey brings 17 years of construction and development expertise to his role at Reds10. He began his career at Berkeley Group and quickly progressed to become Project Director at Anthology, where he managed residential projects with construction values between £50 million and £80 million. Most recently, as Regional Development Director at Lifestory Group, he oversaw a portfolio of projects across the development cycle and successfully mentored team members. James Bateman joins Reds10 with nearly six years of experience as Head of Construction at A2Dominion Group, where he led a large team responsible for the delivery of homes in London and the Southeast. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) since 2020, James previously spent 8 years with major contractors and managed a diverse range of projects with budgets ranging from £1 million to over £150 million. In his new role, James will be based in Driffield where Reds10 has five Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) manufacturing facilities with a floor space totalling 300,000 sq ft. Paul Ruddick, Chairman, Reds10 said: “We are very pleased to announce the appointment of David and James, who are joining us at a very exciting period for the business, with a strong pipeline in place and a forecast of continued growth. Both bring considerable experience of large-scale delivery, and we are thrilled to have them on board as we move forward on our mission to industrialise construction, driving up productivity, quality, and sustainability and delivering exceptional value to clients.” David Newey commented: “I’m thrilled to join Reds10 at such an exciting phase in its growth journey. Reds10 is redefining what’s possible in industrialised construction, and I’m eager to help deliver on its vision across critical sectors like defence, education, health, and justice in the south. By focusing on innovation and efficiency, we’ll create spaces that not only meet our clients’ needs but also add lasting value to the communities they serve.” James Bateman added: “I am delighted to have started at Reds10 and I look forward to building on its strong foundations and working alongside the organisation’s already excellent team. Reds10 is at the forefront of the change taking place in the construction sector and I am excited to start delivering the pipeline of future projects across the midlands and north of England.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Matalan has appointed James Dorling as its new Property Director, entrusting him with the strategic oversight of the fashion and homeware retailer’s extensive network of over 220 stores across the UK. Dorling joins Matalan with a wealth of experience in property management, having held key roles at well-known brands such as Gymshark, Wilko, Walgreens, and Walmart, in addition to a decade-long tenure at Tesco. His expertise will be instrumental as Matalan refines its property strategy to enhance store performance and explore growth opportunities within the UK. As part of its ongoing commitment to its retail footprint, Matalan is actively investing in its store network and assessing potential for expansion. A new store is set to open in Hereford later this month, marking the latest development in this growth strategy. Karl-Heinz Holland, Executive Chair of Matalan, said: “We are thrilled to welcome James to Matalan as our new property lead. His extensive experience and industry connections will prove invaluable as we advance our strategic vision.” James Dorling also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am delighted to join a retailer that serves communities nationwide, supported by a skilled property team. Together, we’ll ensure Matalan maintains a robust property strategy, with vibrant stores in all the right locations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Evolve Estates, part of the M Core commercial property investment collective, has expanded into the private healthcare sector with the acquisition of two private hospitals in Diss, Norfolk, and Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The acquisitions, on behalf of Leathbond Limited and LCP Securities, mark a strategic move as Evolve diversifies into high-growth sectors. The company has acquired a fully operational private hospital in Scunthorpe and a facility in Diss with opportunities for further development. Both hospitals will operate under a sale-and-leaseback arrangement with Trent Cliffs Private Healthcare Limited (TCPH). Meridian House, Scunthorpe The Scunthorpe property, Meridian House, is a private healthcare and rehabilitation facility spanning over 30,800 square feet. TCPH is currently refurbishing its first floor to establish a high-quality care and rehabilitation space, which will be sublet to Revitalise Care Limited. Plans are also underway for an additional floor, which, subject to planning approval, will provide an extra 15,000 square feet dedicated to NHS rehabilitation beds, addressing rising demand for healthcare services in the area. St John’s House, Diss In Diss, Evolve Estates will manage St John’s House, a property leased by TCPH and jointly operated by Revitalise Care Limited. TCPH plans to invest in bespoke operating theatres and recovery rooms, enhancing the hospital’s capabilities and broadening its patient services. Expanding into Growth Sectors Over the past 12-18 months, Evolve Estates has prioritised investments in sectors with strong growth potential. This new focus on private healthcare reflects an evolving strategy to diversify its portfolio. Dan O’Keefe, Co-Founder of Evolve Estates, remarked, “Our entry into private healthcare with these two outstanding facilities aligns with our broader investment strategy. Expanding into healthcare complements our solid retail foundation and positions us to benefit from high-growth sectors. We are excited to work closely with the operators to ensure these facilities meet the healthcare needs of local communities.” O’Keefe also acknowledged the support from their team, as well as Andrew Cooper at Clarke Wilmott and Jim Remfry at DTRE, in bringing the acquisitions to fruition. Collaborative Asset Management The assets acquired for Leathbond and LCP Securities reflect Evolve Estates’ commitment to a unified asset management approach, with the two companies already benefiting from Evolve’s extensive portfolio management experience. The acting agents for Trent Cliffs Private Healthcare on these acquisitions were Peter Arduino and Matt Chambers of Arduino Chambers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to the Scottish Minister of Public Finance, Ivan McKee’s, announcement on reforming Scotland’s planning system, Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, comments: “Reforming Scotland’s planning system is key to making housing more affordable and measures to create a new planning hub and increasing the capacity of local authorities by training additional planners to accelerate planning applications will help build the homes that Scotland needs. “However, as the Minister said, planning isn’t the only solution to unlock more homes in Scotland and solve the housing crisis. Reviewing the tax people pay when purchasing property, bringing more empty homes back into use through financial grant support, building more social homes, introducing tax incentives to encourage investment in the private rental sector as well as requiring local authorities to have a plan for retirement housing and incentivising people to right size can also boost the supply of homes. Propertymark will continue to call for action in these areas.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Civic has acquired leading mechanical, electrical and public health building services and sustainable energy design consultants, Watt Energy & Consulting Engineers. The North West based consultancy, led by Dan Watt, works on public and private sector projects across the UK. The company has gained a reputation for providing low carbon sustainable design solutions for clients, with current work including Capital & Centric’s iconic Littlewoods building project in Liverpool, Leeds City Village, Collyhurst Village and Trafford Wharf in Manchester. This acquisition is the third addition to Civic in the last few months following the announcement of the creation of archaeology and heritage consultancy, Civic Heritage, in September and the acquisition of place experts New Practice in October. Civic, a team of system thinkers in the built environment, was set up to carefully curate new complementary service offerings and to provide opportunities for growth so clients can benefit from an increased variety of services and exceptional quality project work, with a wider aim of achieving greater social and environmental impact. Established in 2015, Watt employs 12 people who provide innovative and practical engineering design that reduce the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure in the built environment. Services include mechanical, electrical and public health engineering design, energy modelling and environmental sustainability services. Founding Director, Dan Watt commented on the acquisition: “We have collaborated with Civic Engineers for many years and have always worked well together. We have shared values and a real focus on solving problems for our clients, providing them with the most sustainable design solutions that put people and the environment at their heart. Joining the wider Civic team will help us to further our ambition of becoming a market leader, and enable us to have an even greater impact together.” Stephen O’Malley, Chief Executive of Civic, said: “It has been quite a momentous few months for Civic and it is fantastic to be able to announce the addition of Watt Energy & Consulting Engineers. We have known Dan for a long time and he is a valued collaborator, so this acquisition seems like a very natural fit. “The whole ethos behind Civic is about us having the ability to make a positive impact and to respond to the climate and societal challenges we are facing. We believe by carefully curating a team of experts with shared values and approach, we are offering clients the services they are telling us they need, and the opportunity to really put climate resilience and designing for people at the heart of everything.” Civic’s advisors for the acquisition included Cowgills as corporate finance and Hill Dickinson as solicitors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, has secured terms with Riverstone Hotels Ltd to open a 200-room Premier Inn hotel within walking distance of Edinburgh Airport. This development aims to expand Premier Inn’s presence near Scotland’s busiest airport, a major hub for over 150 domestic and international flights. The planned hotel, set to be four storeys high, is being developed in collaboration with Whitbread’s partner, with a formal planning application scheduled for submission to the City of Edinburgh Council early next year. If approved, the hotel will offer guests a convenient 10-minute walk to the terminal, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers. Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager for Whitbread, explained the appeal of the project, stating, “The case for expanding Premier Inn at Edinburgh Airport is compelling. In 2023, almost 14.5 million passengers travelled through the airport—a 30% rise from the previous year—and international routes are growing. With the airport’s continued success, we see a prime opportunity to establish a Premier Inn hotel right next to the terminal. It’s an exciting prospect for our guests and a testament to Whitbread’s focus on investing in high-demand locations.” The new hotel will feature Premier Inn’s latest room designs, including its popular Premier Plus rooms, and a ‘The Social’ space on the ground floor for guests. Positioned on Eastfield Road, the primary route to the airport, the L-shaped building will offer 100 dedicated parking spaces. Furthermore, the site is designed with sustainability in mind, powered exclusively by renewable electricity and aiming to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. John Rumsey, Development Director at Riverstone Developments, expressed confidence in the collaboration: “Whitbread’s strong reputation and Premier Inn’s recognisability to travellers made this partnership an easy choice. With Whitbread’s established track record and solid financial performance, we’re thrilled to commit to a leasehold development. Should we obtain planning consent, we are ready to move forward and bring Premier Inn closer to the airport as soon as possible.” To gather public feedback, Whitbread and Riverstone will host consultation events on the 19th of November and 17th of December at The Pavilion, Royal Highland Centre, from 1 pm to 6 pm. This Edinburgh expansion follows recent news of Premier Inn’s largest hotel in northern England, a 276-room property at Manchester Airport, set to serve the UK’s third busiest airport. Whitbread’s latest projects continue to underline its commitment to strategic growth in high-traffic locations, providing convenient, high-quality accommodation for travellers across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Solivus, a leading UK provider of lightweight solar installations for commercial applications, has designed and delivered a £2m solar installation to Farnborough Airport, taking it one step closer to its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. Located in Farnborough, Hampshire, Farnborough Airport is the home of British aviation and widely recognised as Europe’s leading airport for premium travel connectivity. In its ongoing efforts to be a sustainability showcase for other airports around the world, it has a clear strategy in place to reach net zero by 2030, well ahead of the industry standard. As part of this, Farnborough Airport sought to reduce electricity and gas usage and invest in onsite renewable production. However, the path to self-generation proved less than straightforward. Foremost, due to operational and environmental restrictions on land use, the installation of ground-mounted solar at scale was not possible making rooftop solar the only option. At the same time, the iconic architectural curves of the airport building were not conducive to fitting traditional rigid solar panels while – in common with 40% of commercial buildings like aircraft hangars, the rooftops were unable to support the associated weight. The solution to overcoming these challenges and installing the desired solar was provided through partnering with lightweight solar technology pioneers, Solivus. Offering a competitive performance without the bulk, Solivus’ lightweight solar solution provides a practical, efficient, and cost-effective option for commercial rooftops, allowing large premises to harness solar energy while minimising structural concerns and installation complexities. Furthermore, Solivus’ lightweight solar solution can be used on a wide variety of roof surfaces, and is typically installed with no penetration of the roof itself and has much lower glare characteristics compared to conventional solar panels. Now complete, the installation, which commenced works in January 2024, has seen over 4,000 lightweight solar panels installed on hangars one and two, the terminal, the control tower, and the Airport’s award-winning 169-room hotel, the Aviator Hampshire. Constituting one of the largest rooftop solar installations in the region, the works will enable up to 25% of the airport’s annual electricity needs to be met, as well as enabling its growing operational fleet of electric vehicles to be charged using self-generated electricity. With approximately 75% of solar energy generated to be used on-site, the remaining 25% will be sold back to the energy supplier, thus making the financial case for solar even more attractive. In total, the installation will deliver over 1,700 kWp of installed capacity, generating over 1.2 GWh of clean energy every year while taking Farnborough Airport a major leap forward in its bold target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The PV installation is expected to generate over 36 GWh of energy in its lifetime and offset more than 5,000 tonnes of CO2e in that time. Importantly, the project, which was planned, delivered and executed as a complete solution by Solivus, was meticulously phased to minimise disruption for the busy airport. Safety was accounted for too. Working closely with the National Air Traffic Services, Solivus’ design was purposefully constructed to minimise any glint and glare. This included a comprehensive feasibility study, testing factors such as generation potential and shading to determine the optimal placement of panels. Farnborough Airport’s ambitions for renewables are expressed by the Group’s CEO, Simon Geere: “In line with our ambition to become a sustainability showcase for airports around the world, we’re proud to have partnered with lightweight solar technology pioneers, Solivus, to install one of the largest rooftop solar projects in the region. The lightweight solar installation is a significant step towards achieving our sustainability objectives, significantly reducing our controllable emissions, as set out in our Net Zero Roadmap, in which we have committed to be Net Zero by 2030 or sooner.” Interestingly, the solar installation aligns with a recent government bill, which encourages the extensive deployment of rooftop solar on domestic industrial and commercial property to make effective use of available surfaces as a priority. Solivus CEO, Jo Parker-Swift says: “Rooftop solar is crucial for decarbonising the built environment, but its application has often been constrained by the structural limitations of many commercial buildings. Put simply, traditional solar panels are too heavy for many rooftops. Our lightweight solar innovation addresses this issue, enabling large-scale, cost-effective solar deployment across nearly all large commercial buildings and sites. “We are proud to have worked with Farnborough Airport to ensure the future supply of renewable energy, supporting the airport’s progressive net zero emissions journey. We encourage other airports to seize the opportunity to benefit from our lightweight solar energy installations and advance their own sustainability initiatives. For further information please visit: https://www.solivus.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
