Data reveals regional hotspots for reactive maintenance amid growing demand ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law With the Renters’ Rights Bill now nearing Royal Assent and a sweeping set of changes poised to reshape the private rental sector, new data from Adiuvo, the UK’s leading provider of 24/7 property
A trio of government regulators have agreed to work together to help drive forward the £150 million redevelopment of Falmouth Docks, streamlining the approval process for one of Cornwall’s most significant infrastructure projects. Natural England and the Environment Agency have confirmed they will allow the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to
By Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead at Procure Plus This October, damp and mould will be impossible to ignore. Damp and Mould Action and Awareness Week (20–26 October 2025) falls just days before Awaab’s Law comes into force on 27 October – a law that sets strict deadlines for tackling damp
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has started works for a new purpose-built family contact centre in Worksop, providing vital support services for vulnerable children, young people, and families across the county. The modern, energy-efficient facility is being designed, project, and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire
Bellway has submitteddetailedplans to create a sustainable new community of around 334 new homes in Tamworth. The proposals, designed by Bellway Strategic Land, are to build 242 private properties and 92 affordable homes at Windmill Farm, off Coton Lane to the north of the town. There would be large areas
Betts Associates, a Deeside based civil and structural engineering consultancy, has appointed to its board Laila Morris, who will bring her a wealth of knowledge from 20 years at the company, not to mention a strong dose of girl power as the only female board member. The appointment comes as
Landsec has been given the go-ahead for its ambitious plans to redevelop Lewisham Shopping Centre in South London, paving the way for one of the area’s most significant regeneration projects in decades. The mixed-use scheme will be delivered in phases and aims to revitalise the heart of the town with
Orion Capital Managers is pleased to announce the practical completion of Lucent Glasgow. Lucent, developed on behalf of Orion European Real Estate Fund V, represents a 101, 406 sq ft, Grade A office development situated at the eastern end of Glasgow’s iconic Bothwell Street in the heart of the city. Lucent completes at
A new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that the surveying profession is grappling with significant and widening skills shortages, particularly within the construction sector. According to the survey, around 90% of professionals believe their area of work is being affected by a lack of
Birmingham’s ambitious plans to transform the Ladywood Estate are gathering pace, as Birmingham City Council and Berkeley St Joseph launch public consultations on the £2.5 billion regeneration scheme. The project, led by St Joseph Homes — Berkeley Group’s West Midlands subsidiary — aims to deliver up to 12,000 new homes
Data reveals regional hotspots for reactive maintenance amid growing demand ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law With the Renters’ Rights Bill now nearing Royal Assent and a sweeping set of changes poised to reshape the private rental sector, new data from Adiuvo, the UK’s leading provider of 24/7 property management support, highlights a significant rise in reactive maintenance call-outs across key regions. The trend underscores how managing agents and landlords are already under intensifying pressure, even before the most disruptive reforms come into effect. The analysis, based on almost 60,000 annual property management call-outs recorded across the UK*, highlights that East London (E) accounts for the single largest share of call-out activity at 6.9% of the national total, with South West London (SW) close behind at 6.6%. Regional cities such as Manchester (M) at 5.2% and Birmingham (B) at 4.8% also represent significant volumes, followed by South East London (SE) at 4.7%. This pattern reflects not only the density and scale of the private rented sector in these locations, but also the complexity and urgency of property issues managed by agents operating in urban centres. Significant growth in key regional hotspots While London continues to see the largest volumes of maintenance callouts overall, some of the fastest-growing areas for property management call-outs are outside the capital. Adiuvo’s data shows that among postcodes that had at least 100 call outs in 2024, Truro (TR) recorded the largest annual increase, rising by 77.5% between 2023 and 2024. Worcester (WR) recorded a 64.1% increase in call-out volumes, while Bath (BA) saw a 51.1% annual rise. The Cardiff (CF) postcode area followed closely, with a 50% increase in activity, while Swindon (SN) experienced a 49.8% rise, and Gloucester (GL) recorded a 49.6% jump. Regulatory change set to accelerate pressures further As the rental market expands and decentralises, these mounting maintenance demands are likely to be further compounded by incoming regulation. The Renters’ Rights Bill, which includes the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, may prompt a wave of landlords seeking to regain possession of their properties ahead of the legislation taking full effect. Many are also likely to face growing obligations to improve the standard and energy efficiency of older homes under the Bill. This combination of pre-emptive landlord action, housing stock upgrades and an evolving compliance landscape could significantly increase the operational burden on property managers and their support partners, especially in regions already showing rapid growth in call-out activity. Colin Stokes, Founder and MD of Adiuvo, commented: “While London remains the volume leader, our data shows that pressure on property management teams is now rising fastest outside the capital – in places like Worcester, Bath and Cardiff – driven by higher tenancy turnover, ageing housing stock and rental market growth. That pressure is only set to intensify. With the Renters’ Rights Bill approaching Royal Assent, we expect further disruption as landlords look to act before key changes take effect. This could include attempts to reclaim properties before the Section 21 ban, or the need to carry out major works to meet energy efficiency or safety requirements. For managing agents and landlords alike, this means greater urgency, higher workloads and the need for trusted, round-the-clock support. The days of reactive maintenance being a purely urban or London-centric issue are gone, this is now a nationwide challenge.” Data tables and sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A trio of government regulators have agreed to work together to help drive forward the £150 million redevelopment of Falmouth Docks, streamlining the approval process for one of Cornwall’s most significant infrastructure projects. Natural England and the Environment Agency have confirmed they will allow the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to take the lead as the primary environmental regulator overseeing the scheme. The coordinated approach is designed to simplify decision-making, reduce bureaucratic delays and keep costs down for developer APCL A&P Falmouth — while maintaining rigorous environmental protections. The major redevelopment includes essential repairs to critical dock infrastructure and upgrades to accommodate larger vessels, including cruise ships. The enhanced docks are expected to boost Cornwall’s defence, marine, offshore and cruise capabilities, supporting local jobs and long-term economic growth. Under the new system, any unresolved regulatory issues will be escalated to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs’ (Defra) new infrastructure board to ensure progress continues at pace. Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Emma Reynolds, welcomed the move, saying: “Communities across the country have been let down by a bureaucratic planning system that chokes enterprise, does little for nature and leaves hardworking people waiting for the jobs and investment they deserve. Having one clear regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like Falmouth Docks to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.” APCL A&P Falmouth managing director Mike Spicer said the new process would accelerate delivery and help expand the company’s service offering: “The acceleration of planning processes for development applications like ours will enable us to significantly enhance the services we can offer to our defence, offshore and cruise customers and help fulfil Cornwall’s ambitious floating offshore wind agenda.” MMO chief executive Michelle Willis added: “This is an exciting project in Falmouth and one that will showcase how future licensing consent regulations can be applied to enable much-needed transformation and change.” Once complete, the redevelopment — expected to be fully operational by 2030 — will extend the existing Queens Wharf westwards to accommodate larger vessels, including Excellence Class cruise ships up to 345 metres long. New facilities will also support the assembly of floating offshore wind structures, while the reconnection of a disused rail line with new bulk import and export facilities will help drive Cornwall’s emerging lithium and battery manufacturing sectors. Falmouth Docks joins the Lower Thames Crossing as one of the latest major UK infrastructure projects to benefit from the government’s new lead environmental regulator scheme, part of its wider effort to streamline planning and accelerate sustainable development nationwide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead at Procure Plus This October, damp and mould will be impossible to ignore. Damp and Mould Action and Awareness Week (20–26 October 2025) falls just days before Awaab’s Law comes into force on 27 October – a law that sets strict deadlines for tackling damp and mould and puts real weight behind the call for change. Change is underway. Across the sector, we’re seeing landlords take a more proactive approach to damp and mould, establishing specialised teams that respond quickly, carry out in-depth surveys, and put long-term solutions in place. New tools, from targeted treatments to safe monitoring methods, mean residents and operatives aren’t exposed to risk while larger works are planned. Crucially, these teams are trained to go beyond quick fixes, tackling the root causes and securing lasting improvements. At the same time, landlords are increasingly leaning on specialist contractors for more complex works, especially where enhanced ventilation is needed. Through Procure Plus, we’ve already procured around £20 million of works in this area, with contractors working hand-in-hand with ventilation suppliers to design solutions that actually last. An increased focus on tackling damp and mould has also seen Procure Plus facilitate 6,603 ventilation measures and commission 32,470 stock condition surveys in the last year – giving landlords detailed insight into their housing portfolios. This demand is creating jobs and upskilling opportunities for people previously distant from the labour market. Every framework we deliver is designed to maximise social value – from helping people into work and addressing skills shortages, to improving systems and supply chains so clients get the best results from every pound they spend. This is procurement with purpose. The conversation is also shifting to what happens after the repair. More landlords are building in return visits to check if treatment has worked, while others are installing sensors that monitor conditions in real time. That means no more waiting for a problem to return before taking action – landlords can see what’s happening in homes as it happens. The message from Awaab’s Law is clear: act fast, act responsibly, and put tenant safety first. Landlords are listening, and that’s positive. The challenge now is making these proactive approaches business as usual – with the skilled workforce, the right tools, and the frameworks in place to deliver safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has started works for a new purpose-built family contact centre in Worksop, providing vital support services for vulnerable children, young people, and families across the county. The modern, energy-efficient facility is being designed, project, and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and is expected to be complete by summer 2026. The new centre, which was procured under the SCAPE Regional Construction framework will offer a significantly improved setting for supervised contact visits, safeguarding and educational services, including private contact rooms, two conference rooms, kitchen facilities and a secure outdoor play area, creating a calm and welcoming environment for families and professionals. The development, which replaces an outdated bungalow accommodation building, will be a single storey steel frame structure, with external brick walls. Landscaping and car parking will also be included in the scheme. The building will boast a number of features that reduce electricity demand from the grid and improve energy security for the Council. The building will feature 25m2 of photovoltaic panelling to locally generate electricity, a high-performance building fabric and high efficiency mechanical and electrical plant, including air source heat pumps, contributing to Nottinghamshire County Council’s wider strategy of investing in sustainable, modern public service buildings that are cost efficient to run. Andy Sewards, Group Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are proud to be working alongside Arc Partnership and Nottinghamshire County Council on this vital project that will positively impact the lives of families across the county. The new facility will not only provide a safe, secure, and comfortable space for children and families, but it’s also being constructed with energy-efficiency and long-term sustainability in mind. As a local contractor, we are equally pleased to be providing social value initiatives within the community and employment and apprenticeship opportunities for young people, helping develop future talent in the local construction industry.” Martha Constantinou, Technical Apprentice at G F Tomlinson, said: “As part of my apprenticeship with G F Tomlinson, working on the new family contact centre in Worksop has been a great learning experience and has really helped me to understand how a project comes together on site. It’s been rewarding to be involved in something that will make such a difference to the local community, and I hope it gives families and vulnerable young people the same chance for support and opportunity that I’ve had through my apprenticeship.” Councillor Mick Barton, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Supporting the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our community is a key priority. This new space will provide essential services in a much better environment and the chance to meet with social workers in a welcoming and calm place to help put everyone more at ease. “The new, fit-for-purpose building with a secure play area is vital, and only a stone’s throw away from the current location. As the contact centre will use less energy because of the way it has been designed, we’ll save money on bills and this investment is also good news for the local supply chain, as there’ll be many contract opportunities to help get the building fully ready.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has submitteddetailedplans to create a sustainable new community of around 334 new homes in Tamworth. The proposals, designed by Bellway Strategic Land, are to build 242 private properties and 92 affordable homes at Windmill Farm, off Coton Lane to the north of the town. There would be large areas of green space which would be open to the wider community. The development would feature a range of one-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom houses on the 35-acre site. All homes would be heated by all-electric heat pumps, and will have electric vehicle charging points. The new neighbourhood would also feature a park, a children’s play area and new pedestrian crossings on Coton Lane and through to The Rawlett School opposite the site. The parcel of land lies across the boundary between Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council and planning applications have been submitted to both local authorities. Chris O’Hanlon, Senior Planning Manager for Bellway, said: “There is a recognised need for new housing in the north of Tamworth and we believe that this site provides the ideal location for a neighbourhood of 334 new homes. “Our proposed development features a wide range of properties for the private market, with more than a quarter of the homes being provided as affordable housing for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. “Our design has been submitted after a period of public consultation during which local residents were invited to view the proposals and then have their say. We used the feedback from this process to help finalise our plans which have now been submitted to the relevant local authorities for approval. “This is a sustainable development designed to promote greener forms of transport by featuring a network of cycleways and footpaths, as well as providing safer new crossing points across Coton Lane and Comberford Road. There would be extensive public open space including a new park, a play area, a meadow, a pond and a kickabout space. “The landscape design is set to deliver a net biodiversity gain for the site by retaining trees and hedgerows wherever possible, and delivering a new planting programme which would create protective and nurturing habitats for local wildlife.” The plans for the site have been developed by Bellway’s Strategic Land team, while the planning application has been submitted by Bellway’s West Midlands division, which will build the homes, subject to planning approval. For more information about the work of Bellway’s Strategic Land team, which oversees early-stage, long-term developments, visit https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Betts Associates, a Deeside based civil and structural engineering consultancy, has appointed to its board Laila Morris, who will bring her a wealth of knowledge from 20 years at the company, not to mention a strong dose of girl power as the only female board member. The appointment comes as Betts’ financial director, Amanda Jackson, helps Laila learn the ropes in her new role before departing from the company. Now taking up the role of practice director, Laila began working for Betts as a receptionist, before becoming a PA to the financial director, then accounts manager, and then practice manager. Laila says: “I’ve seen a lot in my 20 years at Betts Associates. We’ve been through recessions and the pandemic which hit the sector hard, but we got through it and have continued to grow. It’s been so satisfying seeing relationships with clients flourish over the years and I’ve got to know them well. This will certainly be useful in my new position on the board. “I’m confident that I’ll bring new ideas and a different perspective. The team feel comfortable speaking to me, and I will ensure that they are well represented. Our engineers and technicians are at the business’ front of house, and it’s key that we adapt ideas to make it right for them.” It has already been an eventful year for Betts Associates, which has restructured its board. Co-founder Mel Frimston has taken on the role of chairman, while longstanding employees Rob Ankers and Richard Nicholas have been appointed to the roles of managing director and director respectively. Laila’s promotion is another element of Betts Associates’ focus on reinforcing existing services, with the view to achieve growth. Betts Associates’ portfolio spans Structural, Civil, Geo-Environmental, and Hydro engineering, serving clients across major residential developments, industrial projects, commercial ventures, and leisure facilities. https://www.betts-associates.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec has been given the go-ahead for its ambitious plans to redevelop Lewisham Shopping Centre in South London, paving the way for one of the area’s most significant regeneration projects in decades. The mixed-use scheme will be delivered in phases and aims to revitalise the heart of the town with a blend of new homes, cultural venues, and green public spaces. Among the highlights of the approved plans are a permanent home for Lewisham’s much-loved Model Market, a 500-capacity venue for culture, music and the arts, and extensive landscaped areas designed to provide more accessible, welcoming spaces for the local community. The redevelopment will also introduce over 1,700 new homes, alongside 660 student beds and 445 co-living residences. Landsec’s approach has been carefully planned to retain key parts of the existing shopping centre throughout the process, helping to minimise disruption for residents, visitors and retail partners, while ensuring that community benefits are delivered early in the project’s timeline. Mike Hood, chief operating officer of Landsec, described the approval as an important step forward: “This is an exciting moment for the future of Lewisham’s town centre. These plans provide much-needed homes, community spaces and facilities that will enhance urban life for generations, while delivering sustainable returns that support our ambition for long-term growth.” Once complete, the redevelopment promises to reimagine Lewisham’s retail and cultural core, creating a vibrant new destination that blends living, leisure, and local life in the heart of South London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orion Capital Managers is pleased to announce the practical completion of Lucent Glasgow. Lucent, developed on behalf of Orion European Real Estate Fund V, represents a 101, 406 sq ft, Grade A office development situated at the eastern end of Glasgow’s iconic Bothwell Street in the heart of the city. Lucent completes at a crucial time for the Glasgow office market as businesses are increasingly seeking high-quality office space in the city. Best-in-class space is now facing a critical supply shortage in Glasgow – JLL data from Q2 2025 shows the Grade A vacancy rate to have moved down to 2% for the first time since 2022. The development features best-in-class sustainability credentials in line with evolving occupier demands for prime office space, utilising natural or recycled materials throughout the design and construction process. The building’s typically expansive floorplates of 16,300 sq ft offer a unique proposition to corporate occupiers looking to expand or relocate to Glasgow city centre. Lucent is fully operationally carbon Net Zero, features WiredScore Platinum connectivity, and EPC ‘A’ rating. It also boasts 5,000 sq ft of ground floor amenity space dedicated to staff interaction and wellbeing including breakout areas, an AV suite, tenant lounge, artisan café, and yoga studio. Richard Low, Orion Capital Managers, said: “With industry leading amenity offerings and suitability credentials, Lucent is set to play an important role in satisfying the increasing corporate occupier demand for top-quality, well located space in Glasgow city centre. Our extensive redevelopment of the asset was initiated with this in mind and has successfully created a state-of-the-art office building while paying homage to the site’s unique architectural character.” “The redevelopment of Lucent aligns with Orion’s wider strategy to gain exposure to leasing risk in best-in-class offices in some of the most supply constrained locations across Europe.” The name Lucent was chosen for the development to reflect the buildings’ access to natural light on all sides, as well as its central light-filling atrium and multiple upper roof terraces offering unrivalled views of Glasgow city centre. The building was originally built between 1892-1900 and has been meticulously redeveloped and restored by Orion into an asset that adheres to the expected standards of modern-day prime office space. As part of the redevelopment, Orion retained the elegant sandstone façade which was a striking feature of the original building. Other notable office investments made by Orion Capital Managers include: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that the surveying profession is grappling with significant and widening skills shortages, particularly within the construction sector. According to the survey, around 90% of professionals believe their area of work is being affected by a lack of appropriately skilled colleagues. Nearly one-third describe the shortfall as ‘critical’, warning that it is already hindering project delivery and productivity. A further two-thirds view the shortage as ‘moderate’ but caution that it could escalate without urgent action. The most acute challenges were reported in building surveying and quantity surveying, with respondents pointing to an ageing workforce and high retirement rates as major contributing factors. Many noted that new entrants are not joining the profession quickly enough to replace those leaving. More than half of surveyors said that workforce shortages are reducing capacity and output, while two-fifths reported rising costs and over a quarter observed a slowdown in innovation across the built environment. Despite these pressures, the survey highlights growing optimism around technological transformation. Around 60% of respondents expressed positive views on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency. Concerns about job security or being displaced by technology were minimal, particularly among younger professionals — two-thirds of surveyors aged 17 to 34 said they were confident about the industry’s digital future. A separate RICS report on AI in construction recently found that while enthusiasm is high, actual adoption of AI tools remains relatively low. Nonetheless, survey respondents were united in calling for greater digitalisation and identifying advanced digital skills, data analytics and big data management as key priorities for future training. Decarbonisation and financial management also featured prominently on the list of essential capabilities for the years ahead. When asked how to close the skills gap, surveyors proposed a mix of practical and strategic solutions, including:• expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities• promoting surveying careers more effectively• upskilling existing professionals• fostering stronger collaboration between academia and industry. RICS acting president Nick Maclean said: “The results speak for themselves – there is an enormous demand for surveyors, and the profession is swiftly advancing with the pace of technological change. These are immense opportunities for both a new generation of surveyors and for existing professionals to upskill across the exciting landscape of technological change. “Closing the skills gap is a crucial part of delivering the 1.5 million new homes target, as well as the essential infrastructure improvements that the government has committed to in its ten-year strategy. RICS continues to listen and act on the advice of its members, leading the profession into the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham’s ambitious plans to transform the Ladywood Estate are gathering pace, as Birmingham City Council and Berkeley St Joseph launch public consultations on the £2.5 billion regeneration scheme. The project, led by St Joseph Homes — Berkeley Group’s West Midlands subsidiary — aims to deliver up to 12,000 new homes over the next two decades. The figure marks a significant increase from the original proposal of 7,000 homes, reflecting the scale of ambition behind one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration programmes. A development agreement between the council and Berkeley St Joseph was finalised earlier this year, following the company’s appointment as preferred bidder in June 2023. Although construction is not expected to begin until at least 2028, consultation work within the community is already shaping the evolving masterplan. At least 20% of the new homes will be designated as affordable, with the number of existing council homes maintained — all of which will either be renewed or replaced. An independent resident steering group has been established to ensure the community’s voice remains central to the project, supported by a new resident and community charter designed to provide reassurance and transparency throughout the process. Berkeley Group executive chair Rob Perrins described the scheme as a landmark opportunity for Birmingham, saying: “This project is an incredible opportunity to transform living standards for the Ladywood community while delivering much-needed new homes, jobs and growth in the heart of Birmingham. “This is one of Europe’s single biggest urban regeneration sites with the potential to deliver 10% of the city’s entire housing need up to 2044. Berkeley St Joseph is working in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority to secure the vital central government support we need to kickstart delivery.” Birmingham City Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, Sharon Thompson, said the regeneration would be transformative for the area: “The community in Ladywood have been very clear about the need for increased help and support, and I am pleased to see the progress being made to provide this. The investment set to be made into Ladywood will be transformational for the area and will provide the city with much-needed new, safer, warmer, more sustainable homes. “It is truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the Ladywood Estate a better place to live with improved facilities, transport links, walking routes, and green spaces. Ladywood represents a bold vision for Birmingham’s future. This partnership is not just about building homes—it’s about building opportunity, community, and prosperity for generations to come.” West Midlands mayor Richard Parker echoed this sentiment, adding: “The regeneration of Ladywood means thousands of extra homes for local people at a time when our region, like many others, is facing an acute housing shortage. But it will also see existing council homes brought up to modern standards. That means safe homes that will be cheaper to heat and improve the quality of life of families who live in them. “Giving people in the West Midlands a secure, warm and affordable home is a key priority for me and it’s through major investments like this one, working closely with our partners and involving the residents themselves, that we will fix this housing crisis and improve thousands more lives.” With public consultation now underway, the Ladywood regeneration is moving from vision to reality — a long-term investment that promises to reshape Birmingham’s skyline and create a thriving, sustainable community at the city’s heart. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals