A local Priors Hall Park School student is over the moon following an ‘out of this world’ gift from a housebuilder. Last year, 9-year-old pupil Jasper won a competition to design a bedroom, held by housebuilder Davidsons Homes for its stunning showhome at Kirby Woodlands. As part of his prize,
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the completion of the 4-star voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park, finalising the construction of the UK’s first branded Net Zero Carbon hotel. Innovations in the design and construction mean the hotel is operating with industry-leading benchmark-setting Energy Use Intensity
Work has started on a brand new £6 million 60-bedroom care home at Clifton Moor near York. Lime Trees is due to open in 2026 and will offer residential, dementia, respite and day care. Located off Shipton Road in Clifton, the new luxurious care home is being developed by Yorkshire
Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, with completion of the building’s substructure. Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a new framework agreement, Building Safety and Fire Compliance, to address the need for robust fire safety systems in healthcare settings. This comes as healthcare buildings across England face mounting infrastructure challenges, emphasising the need for fire safety,
Injecta Fire Barrier was proud to present at the London Stock Exchange during Light Science Technologies (LST) Holdings PLC’s Capital Markets Day on 26th February in the City of London. The event provided a valuable platform to discuss recent progress, financial performance and the outlook for 2025 and beyond. Recognising
Cornish Bakery has started 2025 on a high, opening its first site of the year in Cirencester while preparing for six more locations set to launch soon. With this latest addition in the heart of the Cotswolds, the growing bakery chain now operates 66 sites across the UK. Plans are
At a conference at Coventry Transport Museum today (28 Feb 2025), Midlands Connect made the case to reinstate the direct rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. In 2021, Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the government, proposing the links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were reinstated.
Sika’s Roofing Division is excited to announce its participation in the highly anticipated Futurebuild 2025, taking place from 4-6 March 2025 at London Excel. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable roofing solutions, Sika invites visitors to join them at Stand E76 and G20D to explore the latest in
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to enhance its support of housebuilders and developers operating in the South of England with the appointment of Andy Porter as Senior Director in its business development team. The appointment follows a busy start to 2025 for the specialist lender and a successful 2024
A local Priors Hall Park School student is over the moon following an ‘out of this world’ gift from a housebuilder. Last year, 9-year-old pupil Jasper won a competition to design a bedroom, held by housebuilder Davidsons Homes for its stunning showhome at Kirby Woodlands. As part of his prize, Jasper’s bedroom design was replicated in one of the showhome bedrooms – a room that Jasper was excited to visit and explore for himself. Following a surge of sales including the showhome itself, Davidsons Homes decided to gift all the furniture from the space-themed bedroom to Jasper. The treat was carefully planned between the housebuilder and Jasper’s mum, Annabelle, giving the youngster a surprise that rendered him speechless on the day. Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons South, said: “Gifting the furniture to Jasper from the bedroom he designed feels like the perfect ending to this lovely story. Originally, we tasked students from Priors Hall Park School to design a bedroom for our new showhome, and we were absolutely blown away by the results. From models made of the room, through to stories that accompanied entries, we have genuinely never seen such high-quality entries from children. “Jasper’s design won our hearts though, with so many carefully-considered details – a galaxy-themed ceiling, Doctor Who and Star Wars elements and a slide reaching from the bed, surely every child’s dream. “Now, we’re delighted that following the sale of the showhome, we are able to gift all the furniture from this bedroom to Jasper. We very much hope he enjoys his revamped bedroom and that it’s a little reminder to him of this project, which has certainly been one we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed here at Davidsons Homes.” As part of his prize, Jasper also won a £500 Merlin voucher for him and his family to enjoy. Not only that, but Jasper was the first to visit the showhome and see the bedroom, before it was open to other visitors. Jasper’s mum, Annabelle, said: “Jasper has been so excited about his bedroom design being chosen, in fact he even took his grandparents to visit it over Christmas last year. Now, it’s the icing on the cake that we have been given the furniture from the bedroom for Jasper to take home and enjoy. “It was wonderful to visit the showhome again with Jasper, along with his sisters, and see him receive the news that he is able to take the furniture home with him. We really cannot thank you all enough.” People are invited to visit Kirby Woodlands for themselves. To make an appointment or to find out more, visit davidsonshomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the completion of the 4-star voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park, finalising the construction of the UK’s first branded Net Zero Carbon hotel. Innovations in the design and construction mean the hotel is operating with industry-leading benchmark-setting Energy Use Intensity (EUI) levels, a critical measure that will define building sustainability in the decades to come. The 100% electric hotel, with the UK’s first vertical photovoltaic cladding system, generates more solar energy each year than the building consumes, integrated into multiple facades in a way that enhances the hotel’s overall design. Securing a 70% reduction in operational cost energy, the building has an EUI of less than 60kWh/m2/yr, significantly outperforming the CRREM 2050 target of 95kWh/m2/yr. The building has achieved a 50% reduction in embodied carbon, with less than 750kgCO2e/m2, surpassing the LETI and RIBA 2030 targets for embodied carbon established for commercial buildings. Most importantly, the sustainability achievements were realised at no additional cost, with no compromise to quality. Spanning 54,000 sq ft, the £22m milestone project has achieved these industry-leading metrics through a series of principles agreed at design conception: ensuring a fabric first approach to the envelope design; utilising sustainable low-energy solutions and low embodied carbon materials; and the adoption of green renewable technologies. RED Construction Group’s South West division worked alongside the highly collaborative team of voco Zeal Hotels, ECE Westworks, Introba and Hydrock Bristol, from the outset. The completed 4-star hotel comprises 142 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar with private dining, conference facilities and a gym, as well as electric vehicle and electric bike charging points. RED Construction South West Managing Director, Derek Quinn, commented: “This voco Zeal hotel has got to be an exemplar for all new build hotels, highlighting what is achievable when collaboration and ambition meet. The project team dynamic has been crucial in its success, paving the way from the very outset with a BREEAM Outstanding at the design stage. This is a milestone project for all of our careers, and a prototype for what’s possible, evidence of how our expertise can help deliver projects that put the South West’s innovation on the map nationally.” Tim Wheeldon, Founding Director, Zeal Hotels, added: “Celebrating the construction of the UK’s first branded Net Zero Carbon hotel is a moment we are exceptionally proud of at voco Zeal Hotels. Creating a benchmark for the hotel industry on a global scale required a first-class project team, and RED Construction Group has been a brilliant partner to have through this process, bringing their expertise to the project and going above and beyond to achieve not only the sustainability goals, but at a cost that makes new hotels viable, improving our environment without costing more. This is a first for the industry and we are looking forward to collaborating with other hoteliers and developers regarding additional Net Zero Carbon hotels.” This news follows the announcement that RED Construction Group’s London team has been appointed on the second phase of works for The Sheppard Trust’s £21.8m redevelopment of the former Royal Cambridge Home, involving the demolition and redevelopment of a new 62,000 sq ft facility, Elizabeth Court. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has started on a brand new £6 million 60-bedroom care home at Clifton Moor near York. Lime Trees is due to open in 2026 and will offer residential, dementia, respite and day care. Located off Shipton Road in Clifton, the new luxurious care home is being developed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter for Yorkare Homes, whose headquarters is in Brough. This marks the ninth collaboration between the two companies, and the new facility will be Yorkare’s sixteenth care home to open across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Work to demolish the Lime Trees Medical Centre, which previously occupied the site, began at the end of 2024. As part of the development, Yorkare has generously gifted a parcel of land to the neighbouring York Sports Club, allowing for the creation of additional new pitches. Nicola Anderson, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Yorkare, said: “Breaking ground on Lime Trees is a significant milestone for us. Our development will transform a disused site into a vibrant space, providing much-needed residential care to people in the Clifton area of York and beyond, while also creating around 80 new jobs. The fact that we’ve been able to contribute to the delivery of vital community sports facilities at the same time makes this a win for everyone.” Lime Trees will offer a warm and welcoming environment for residents, featuring 20 en-suite rooms on each of its three floors. One floor will be dedicated exclusively to dementia care, ensuring specialised support for those who need it. The home will also include a variety of well-designed communal spaces and first-class amenities, providing both residents and their visitors with comfortable, enjoyable spaces to relax and connect. Nicola shared: “We aim to create a nurturing and comfortable atmosphere where everyone feels valued and cared for, making it a truly special place for both residents and the local community. Our facility will feature two in-house bars, including one with a barista station, alongside restaurant standard dining rooms, a beauty and hairdressing salon, a cinema, a bowls green, a greenhouse with raised garden beds, and outdoor terraced balconies offering views of the grounds. It will truly feel like a home away from home, complete with a wide range of exceptional on-site amenities.” Richard Hunter, from Hobson & Porter, said: “We are thrilled to be building our ninth home for Yorkare. Last summer we completed our eighth project for the company in less than 10 years – Haxby Hall. The £10million, 63-bedroom care home in Haxby, that’s four miles north of York city centre, has proved so popular with residents and we are confident Lime Trees will be just as successful. “The home will have all the latest sustainable features, including solar panels and high-efficiency heating and hot water systems, and we plan to build an EPC ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated building. All the rooms have en-suite wet rooms and emergency call systems, and the ground-floor bedrooms have doors leading out to private patio areas. It’s going to be a fabulous home which will become a landmark in Clifton Moor when work completes early next year.” For more information about the development visit www.yorkarehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, with completion of the building’s substructure. Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230 students when it completes next year. The development includes construction of a single storey block adjacent to the main building, which will provide laundry facilities, a gym, cinema, and cycle store, as well as an electricity substation to power the buildings. Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Site operations started in October with the demolition of the previous structure and the project has made excellent progress since then. With the completion of the ground slab substructure, the next phase of the build will see the columns rising as we complete each storey of the new building. This is our 15th student accommodation project in recent years, and we look forward to handing over a first-class facility to Firethorn Trust next year.” Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn Trust, said: “As the first PBSA scheme within our Living portfolio, Leith Walk reflects our ambition to meet growing demand for modern student housing in prime university cities across the UK. “With a shared commitment to quality, alongside the strength of its local expertise, Ogilvie Construction is perfectly positioned to deliver our vision for the development, which has been designed to meet the highest sustainability standards, while providing a vibrant community for students to thrive.” Work is expected to complete in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family-owned businesses. The company is over 65 years old and employs 600 people across its various business operations in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a new framework agreement, Building Safety and Fire Compliance, to address the need for robust fire safety systems in healthcare settings. This comes as healthcare buildings across England face mounting infrastructure challenges, emphasising the need for fire safety, building maintenance, and compliance across NHS estates and the wider public sector. The framework agreement provides a full compliance offer, including active and passive fire safety, fire risk assessment, and consultancy services, essential to mitigate risks such as life hazards, liability, operational disruption, reputational damage, and legal penalties. Brendan Griffin-Ryan, NHS SBS senior category manager, highlighted the urgency: “The increased emphasis on fire safety brought about by the dreadful Grenfell Tower disaster has shown that some NHS buildings fail to meet modern safety standards and underscores why fire safety compliance and protocols are paramount.” NHS England estimates the cost to eradicate the NHS maintenance backlog at £13.8bn, surpassing the £13.6bn total cost of running the NHS estate. The National Audit Office reported 5,400 clinical incidents in 2023-2024 due to infrastructure failures and poor conditions. Trust documents reveal deficiencies risking fires, floods, electrical failures, and hazardous material exposure. Government recognition of this issue led to a £1bn funding boost for essential repairs and upgrades, with £102m earmarked for the first phase of GP surgery upgrades. The New Hospital Programme, backed by £15bn, aims to modernise NHS buildings over several phases. NHS SBS’s framework agreement allows procurement teams to access vetted suppliers for specialist services like asbestos management, legionella treatment, authorising engineers, and fire safety, quickly and compliantly. It includes suppliers from multinationals to regional small and medium-sized enterprises. Griffin-Ryan concludes: “The NHS must prioritise fire safety to prevent incidents similar to Grenfell from occurring in healthcare settings, where the impact could be catastrophic. Our framework agreement provides the NHS with a comprehensive range of services. It aligns with key health and safety regulations—ensuring seamless integration and adherence to all compliance in critical areas like fire safety, water treatment, and asbestos management, crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of NHS buildings, protecting patients, staff, and visitors.” For more information, contact the NHS SBS team at: sbs.hello@nhs.net. For more information about NHS SBS framework agreements click: Framework Agreements | NHS SBS Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Injecta Fire Barrier was proud to present at the London Stock Exchange during Light Science Technologies (LST) Holdings PLC’s Capital Markets Day on 26th February in the City of London. The event provided a valuable platform to discuss recent progress, financial performance and the outlook for 2025 and beyond. Recognising Injecta Fire Barrier’s significant growth since 2023, Managing Director Shaun Tasker delivered a presentation on the evolving landscape of Passive Fire Protection (PFP) and the opportunities ahead. “We are proud to showcase Injecta Fire Barrier’s success and the impact we’ve made in the industry. Our innovative approach to fire safety is setting new benchmarks, and this event provided a fantastic opportunity to discuss our achievements and future direction,” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director at Injecta Fire Barrier. The event welcomed institutional investors, asset managers, analysts, and industry collaborators, offering insights into market trends and investment potential. It was hosted by LST Holdings’ leadership team, alongside managing directors from various divisions. “It’s exciting to be part of an organisation making a real impact by enhancing fire safety in mid and high-rise structures across the UK. With Injectaclad’s numerous advantages, not just in safety but also in reducing remediation costs, we are confident that 2025 will be another year of strong growth,” adds Shaun. Injecta Fire Barrier is the UK’s first independent approved installer of the patented Injectaclad system, an acrylic-based graphite sealant that expands upon heat exposure to slow the spread of flames and smoke in structural cavities. By installing the regulatory-compliant Injectaclad system, Injecta Fire Barrier helps property owners avoid excessive remediation costs while ensuring enhanced fire safety. “I enjoyed sharing our vision and goals at the London Stock Exchange on the 26th of February. It was great to see so many partners and investors there!” concludes Shaun. For more information about Injecta Fire Barrier, visit: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cornish Bakery has started 2025 on a high, opening its first site of the year in Cirencester while preparing for six more locations set to launch soon. With this latest addition in the heart of the Cotswolds, the growing bakery chain now operates 66 sites across the UK. Plans are already in motion for further expansion, with six more properties currently in the legal process—locations to be revealed in due course. In addition to new openings, Cornish Bakery is rolling out a major refurbishment programme in five key tourist hotspots. Over the next three months, bakeries in Totnes, Swanage, Bude, Fowey, and Sidmouth will undergo upgrades, including expanded seating areas, just in time for the Easter rush. The expansion follows a record-breaking 2024, during which the company saw a 9.7% like-for-like sales increase at existing sites, a 26% rise in total sales, and six successful new openings. The year concluded with a highly successful launch in Milton Keynes in December—the company’s strongest opening to date. Cornish Bakery Managing Director Mat Finch said, “The second half of 2024 was a period of incredible growth, with new bakeries opening in Nottingham, Taunton, Winchester, Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, and Cirencester. Now, we’re pressing ahead with five major refurbishments while lining up six more locations. The response from customers has been fantastic, and with sales and team engagement at an all-time high, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for us.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
At a conference at Coventry Transport Museum today (28 Feb 2025), Midlands Connect made the case to reinstate the direct rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. In 2021, Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the government, proposing the links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were reinstated. It is clear the project is still significant, and Midlands Connect has refreshed the original Strategic Outline Business Case for the project, which has only become more vital since its original submission in 2021. The project could create £400m overall benefits including almost £150m wider economic benefits for the region. Due to a more accurate understanding of how people shift from road to rail, the benefits are much higher than the previous SOBC submission in 2021. The event today saw the launch of a report which detailed plans to improve rail connections between the three cities. Currently, just 3% of journeys between Coventry and Leicester are made by rail, compared to 30% of journeys between Coventry and Birmingham. Political representatives including Mary Creagh MP, Rachel Taylor MP, Jodie Gosling MP, and Sir Peter Soulsby were joined by business leaders such as Corin Crane (Coventry and Warwickshire Chambers) and Richard Blackmore (East Midlands Chamber). The event saw a lively discussion of how this project can support the people and businesses of the Midlands. Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East, said: “This project is vital to the future of our three great cities. It would help reduce journey times and create access to work for hundreds of thousands of people. I will be pushing hard for this much needed infrastructure investment in our region as part of Labour’s plan for growth.” Leicester City Mayor, Peter Soulsby, said: “Coventry and Leicester are the two biggest cities without a direct rail link. This crucial scheme will reconnect them, directly helping travellers and supporting the local economies of Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. “With rail lines through Leicester at capacity, hindering the development of both passenger and freight trains, this scheme is urgently needed. By increasing rail freight capacity, the scheme will remove HGVs from the highway network, reducing carbon and improving air quality – which is great news for Leicester.” Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “It was so great to be at the event today, to hear support for our project from leaders across the Midlands. This scheme is so important, as we move to decarbonise transport, we must make rail the most attractive option possible. Creating direct routes between major centres is the best way to do this.” The plans will see an increase in services and a reduction in journey times for those travelling between Coventry, Nuneaton, Leicester, and Nottingham by rail; making it a more attractive option compared to driving. There will be two faster services from Coventry to Leicester and Nottingham, calling at Hinckley, Leicester, and Loughborough. An additional local service will stop Coventry, Coventry Arena, Bedworth, Bermuda Park and Nuneaton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika’s Roofing Division is excited to announce its participation in the highly anticipated Futurebuild 2025, taking place from 4-6 March 2025 at London Excel. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable roofing solutions, Sika invites visitors to join them at Stand E76 and G20D to explore the latest in roofing technology, designed to meet the demands of a more sustainable future in construction. At Futurebuild, one of the UK’s most influential events for the built environment, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the globe to explore and address the challenges facing the construction industry. Sika will highlight its commitment to sustainability, showcasing a range of products that meet the growing demand for environmentally responsible materials in the construction sector. Visitors to the GRO Pavilion Stand E76, will have the opportunity to meet the Sika team, discuss the latest trends in sustainable roofing, and find the ideal products for their next project. In addition to their presence at Stand E76, Sika will also be featured at the 540 World Stand G20D, where they will showcase their Cradle to Cradle® certified products such as the Sarnafil AT technology. Attendees can look forward to discovering solutions designed to contribute to a circular economy, promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact across the lifecycle of roofing materials. “We are thrilled to be part of Futurebuild 2025, a key event for anyone interested in shaping the future of construction,” said Mark Harris, Head of Sustainability – Roofing “This is an exciting opportunity for us to engage with the industry, share our expertise, and help visitors find the most sustainable roofing solutions for their upcoming projects.” Futurebuild provides a unique platform for architects, contractors, and building professionals to collaborate and gain insights into new technologies and products that are set to transform the industry. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and cutting-edge design, the event will be a key gathering for anyone passionate about driving positive change in the built environment. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect with the Sika team and explore how their sustainable roofing solutions can support your next project. Visit Sika at the GRO Pavilion on Stand E76, and stop by the 540 World Stand G20D to learn more about their Cradle to Cradle® certified products. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to enhance its support of housebuilders and developers operating in the South of England with the appointment of Andy Porter as Senior Director in its business development team. The appointment follows a busy start to 2025 for the specialist lender and a successful 2024 when it sanctioned over £1bn of funding for a variety of residential and mixed-use schemes across England and Wales. Andy Porter is an experienced career banker having worked in real estate finance for around 25 years with lenders including RBS and Barclays. Most recently Andy was Business Development Director at Close Brothers. In his role at UTB, Andy will predominantly be assisting housebuilders and developers operating across the South of England in securing flexible and competitive funding for a wide variety of residential and resi-led mixed use developments for both build to sell and build to rent sectors. Andy Porter’s appointment follows Andy Thomson recently joining UTB in the newly created role of Senior Director – Operational Real Estate. He is initially focusing on delivering loans to developers and investors operating in the Build to Rent sector, before exploring opportunities in adjacent markets including Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and Co-living. Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development, United Trust Bank, commented: “Andy has joined us at an excellent time as we’re seeing high levels of enquiries from housebuilders and developers looking to take advantage of increasing activity in the market as well as the Government’s commitment to get Britain building. “2024 was a successful year for the Bank’s Property Development team. At the close we were helping our developer customers create around 4500 new homes across England and Wales and we are aiming to help housebuilders deliver even more in 2025.” Upon joining UTB, Andy Porter said: “UTB has established an excellent reputation as an experienced and reliable relationship lender. I am excited to have joined the Bank at this busy time as it continues to support SME housebuilders and targets further lending growth this year and in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
