A new identity that retains Wetherby’s trusted expertise and relationships while reflecting its place within ROCKWOOL Group. Wetherby Wall Systems Limited will trade as ROCKWOOL Wall Systems from 1 October 2026. The business has been part of ROCKWOOL Group for two years. Its new trading name makes that connection clearer
Nearly 100 new affordable homes are set to be built across South Wales after housing association Valleys to Coast Group secured a multi-million-pound grant injection, just after launching its ambitious new Corporate Plan. Funding totalling £16.7 million has been allocated to four key residential schemes across the region, securing the
Global architecture and urban design practice PLP Architecture, together with developer Provast, has officially begun construction on Tree House – a 38-storey mixed-use tower next to Rotterdam Central Station. Rising 130 metres, the development integrates 299 residential apartments, 15,000 m² of office space, and an active public podium at ground
For many industrial businesses, workwear is one of the few operational costs nobody owns end to end. Procurement buys the garments, site managers chase replacements, HR handles starters and leavers, and health and safety signs off on whether any of it is still fit for purpose. Because the spend is
Willmott Dixon is set to lead a major £36 million redevelopment of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, following a decision by Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet to support the contractor’s appointment for the landmark leisure and cultural regeneration project. The proposed £29 million construction contract represents a significant step forward for
Nearly five million leasehold homes could face a significant shake-up in how they are managed following Government proposals to introduce an independent regulator for property agents, as new analysis from residential property management specialist Rushbrook reveals that annual service charges have risen by more than 26% in just one year.
Glasgow City Council has appointed global property consultancy CBRE, working alongside Mandala Partners, to develop a business case for a new city centre growth fund aimed at unlocking major development opportunities, attracting private investment and accelerating residential regeneration. The proposed investment vehicle could play a significant role in reshaping central
Watkin Jones has reached a significant construction milestone on Skywalks, a new 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, after celebrating the topping out of the scheme being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s principal structural
Natural Power, a leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, has provided technical due diligence to support the successful €220 million refinancing of Valorem’s Project Atlas, a 192 MW portfolio of renewable energy assets across France. The transaction involved the refinancing and legal restructuring of 15 renewable energy assets, comprising eight
Helps fire safety teams prioritise action and investment Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Medway Maritime Hospital, has introduced a new digital system to manage fire safety information and improve its understanding of fire risks across the hospital estate. By taking data from multiple sources, the BIS Lens system created
A new identity that retains Wetherby’s trusted expertise and relationships while reflecting its place within ROCKWOOL Group. Wetherby Wall Systems Limited will trade as ROCKWOOL Wall Systems from 1 October 2026. The business has been part of ROCKWOOL Group for two years. Its new trading name makes that connection clearer and creates a consistent identity for ROCKWOOL Group’s Wall Systems businesses in the UK and Germany. The ROCKWOOL Wall Systems name and visual identity will be introduced across the company’s website, literature, communications and other customer touchpoints. While the way the business looks and presents itself is changing, its people, products and services remain the same. ROCKWOOL Wall Systems will continue to provide complete external and internal wall insulation systems, combining ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation with complementary system components, technical expertise and customer support. “The ROCKWOOL name and logo becoming part of our visual identity is a significant step. Our trading name now reflects more clearly that we are backed by a strong international brand. We are proud of what we have achieved as Wetherby Wall Systems Limited. This change gives us an even stronger platform on which to build for the future while keeping the expertise, relationships and customer focus that have always defined our business.” Simeon Gabriel, Managing Director, ROCKWOOL Wall Systems, UK What this means for customers Customers will continue to work with the same experienced teams and contacts. Products, contracts, ordering processes and delivery arrangements will also remain unchanged. The new identity will make the business easier to recognise as part of ROCKWOOL Group. It brings together Wetherby’s understanding of the UK wall systems market with the reach, knowledge and recognition of an international stone wool manufacturer. For customers and partners, this means the same specialist support and established relationships, under a clearer and stronger identity. Building for the future Trading as ROCKWOOL Wall Systems creates a stronger platform for the next stage of the company’s development, building on its established technical knowledge and understanding of the UK market. The focus remains clear: helping customers deliver high-quality solid wall insulation systems by providing marketing-leading components, practical advice, technical expertise, and reliable support. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly 100 new affordable homes are set to be built across South Wales after housing association Valleys to Coast Group secured a multi-million-pound grant injection, just after launching its ambitious new Corporate Plan. Funding totalling £16.7 million has been allocated to four key residential schemes across the region, securing the delivery of 98 brand-new properties to ease local housing pressures. The bulk of the work will begin this autumn, with handover of many of the homes expected as early as 2027. Fast-track relief for house hunters The largest chunk of the funding boost will go towards a major acquisition in Llanilid, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, where £6.6 million in grant support has unlocked 42 “off-the-shelf” homes. Because these units are being acquired turnkey, local families won’t have to wait years for key handover. Work on the scheme begins this autumn, with the first residents expected to move in between October 2026 and January 2027. James Griffiths, Managing Director of Development & Regeneration at Valleys to Coast Group, said: “Coming off the back of launching our Corporate Plan 2026–2031, securing this £16.7 million allocation shows that our growth ambitions are already delivering tangible results for South Wales. “Through our development arm, Sylfaen, we are taking a development-led approach to transform disused land into high-quality, net-zero carbon homes. Whether it’s rapidly handing over turnkey homes at Llanilid or regenerating iconic local sites like the Old Drill Hall and City Farm, these 98 properties represent our strategy in action, building safe, warm homes that provide the foundation for communities to thrive for generations.” Transforming historic and community land The funding allocation also paves the way for the regeneration of well-known community sites, turning disused land into much-needed residential space: Delivering on growth ambitions The £16.7 million funding allocation directly aligns with Valleys to Coast’s Group Corporate Plan 2026–2031, which sets out a strategic vision to scale up housing delivery, expand development across the M4 corridor, and invest in resilient, net-zero communities. By leveraging its group structure, including its development company Sylfaen, the housing association is shifting towards a development-led approach to maximise its impact across South Wales. Key Breakdown: The £16.7m Funding Allocation Scheme Name Number of Homes Grant Allocation Construction Start Forecast Handover Llanilid (Off the Shelf) 42 £6,600,000 Autumn 2026 Oct 2026 – Jan 2027 City Farm 23 £3,700,000 Nov / Dec Spring 2028 Old Drill Hall 18 £3,400,000 Started in 2026 Spring 2028 Ewenny Road (Phase 1) 15 £3,000,000 Started in 2026 Starting 2027 Total 98 £16,700,000 — — The confirmed funding ensures that 98 families across South Wales will have access to high-quality, affordable housing over the next two years. Valleys to Coast provides over 6,000 affordable homes across Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf, alongside a portfolio of commercial properties and leasehold flats. It was established in 2003 as the first large-scale voluntary transfer of council-owned homes to a social housing association in Wales. Last year, it published its growth plans, with five new strategies driven by increasing customer and colleague satisfaction. For further information, visit www.valleystocoast.wales. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global architecture and urban design practice PLP Architecture, together with developer Provast, has officially begun construction on Tree House – a 38-storey mixed-use tower next to Rotterdam Central Station. Rising 130 metres, the development integrates 299 residential apartments, 15,000 m² of office space, and an active public podium at ground and first floor, featuring cultural programming, dining, and retail. With residential units almost fully sold prior to breaking ground, the project enters construction with the majority of its homes already committed. Rather than separating functions into isolated structures, Tree House consolidates housing, workplaces, and public life into a single vertical ecosystem. At ground and first-floor level, the public realm podium opens the building to the city, with a café-bar, restaurant and an event space programmed by De Dépendance, a Rotterdam platform known for staging talks, live music and book signings. Residents and office workers reach their own separate entrances and lift lobbies from this same podium, so all three groups – residents, office workers and visitors – pass through it during the day. To promote sustainable mobility, the project provides 1,017 dedicated bicycle spaces. “Too often, tall buildings act as isolated islands, separate from the city around them. With Tree House, we wanted to flip that logic completely and so we approached the tower not as a standalone object, but as a participant of Rotterdam’s ecosystem – a vertical streetscape where biodiversity, public life, and working environments actively support one another.” – Ron Bakker, Founding Partner at PLP Architecture. The project’s ecological design is anchored to the site’s four mature plane trees that pre-date World War II, survived the 1940 bombing of Rotterdam and have been retained to form a key part of Tree House’s architectural design. The presence of these historic trees directly shaped the stepped geometry of the lower terraces, creating a physical and historical bridge between the new tower and Rotterdam’s broader network of green corridors. The architecture takes direct inspiration from how a mature tree functions within its environment – providing shelter, cooling the air, retaining water, and supporting local ecosystems. Nature-inclusive measures are embedded across the tower, including deep-soil green terraces, roof gardens, integrated solar balconies, and nesting habitats for birds and insects. An advanced rainwater harvesting system manages water retention during heavy rainfall events in tandem with the surrounding station area, helping to support biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Tree House marks a major milestone in the ongoing regeneration of Rotterdam’s Central District, continuing the city’s long tradition of architectural innovation, from the historic Witte Huis (1897), widely recognised as one of Europe’s first skyscrapers to its celebrated post-war reconstruction skyline. With around 40 million people passing through or around Rotterdam Centraal each year, Tree House sits at one of the most vibrant crossing points in the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
For many industrial businesses, workwear is one of the few operational costs nobody owns end to end. Procurement buys the garments, site managers chase replacements, HR handles starters and leavers, and health and safety signs off on whether any of it is still fit for purpose. Because the spend is spread across budgets, it rarely gets the needed scrutiny. That is starting to change. Finance and operations leaders are looking again at rented workwear with an integrated laundry service, not as a convenience but as a way to turn a scattered, partly invisible cost into a single managed line with clear accountability. The argument for doing so rests less on the price of a jacket and more on what happens to that jacket over the following two or three years. The purchase price is the smallest part of the cost When a business buys workwear outright, the invoice captures only the first transaction. The costs that follow tend to sit elsewhere: stock held in stores cupboards and vans, garments issued to staff who leave within months, emergency orders when sizes run out, and the management time spent tracking who has what, those secondary costs can easily exceed the original outlay. Garment rental can streamline the way of spending. Garments are supplied, collected, cleaned, repaired and replaced under one agreement, usually priced per wearer per week, via a managed industrial workwear rental service. Stock levels flex with headcount, so a seasonal ramp-up or a contract loss does not leave a business sitting on boxes of branded kit it cannot use. For a finance director, the practical gain is predictability: a known weekly cost that scales with the workforce, in place of irregular capital purchases and a long tail of untracked replacement spend. There is a cash flow point too. Moving workwear from periodic bulk purchasing to an operating cost frees working capital, which matters more in a higher interest rate environment than it did a few years ago. Compliance is a maintenance obligation, not a purchasing one Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers must not only provide suitable PPE but keep it in efficient working order and good repair. Since the 2022 amendment, that duty extends to limb workers as well as employees, which brought many agency and casual staff into scope. Buying compliant garments satisfies the first part of the duty. It does nothing to prove the second. This is where ownership models struggle. High-visibility clothing certified to EN ISO 20471 loses performance as fluorescent material fades and retroreflective tape degrades with washing. Flame-retardant garments to EN ISO 11612 and anti-static workwear to EN 1149 can be compromised by the wrong detergents or temperatures. Once garments go home with staff, the employer has no reliable way of knowing how they are being cleaned or when they have passed the point of protection. A managed rental service closes that gap. Each garment is inspected on every laundry cycle and repaired or withdrawn when it falls below standard, with its history tracked against the wearer it was issued to. For a board that has to answer for health and safety performance, the value is an auditable record showing that protective clothing was maintained, which is far easier to defend after an incident than a purchase order from two years earlier. Why home washing is a risk you are already carrying In sectors handling oils, solvents, metal particulates or chemical residues, sending contaminated workwear home increases unnecessary exposure beyond the workplace. Residues transfer to domestic washing machines and other household laundry, and the employer has little visibility of it. Some businesses accept this risk without ever having assessed it formally. Industrial laundering is designed for soiling that domestic machines cannot shift. Wash programmes are matched to the fabric and the contaminant, water and chemical dosing is controlled, and wastewater from oily or heavily soiled loads is treated before discharge. The result is cleaner garments that last longer, and a clear separation between what happens on site and what happens at home. There is also a hygiene and presentation dimension that matters in food production, pharmaceuticals and any customer-facing industrial role. Consistent, professionally laundered workwear supports audit requirements in regulated environments, and it reflects well on a business when staff are on client premises. Sustainability reporting is pushing workwear onto the agenda As more businesses report on Scope 3 emissions and face sustainability questions in tenders, textiles have become harder to ignore. Owned workwear typically follows a linear path: bought, worn, washed inefficiently at home, then binned when it no longer fits or looks presentable. Branded garments in particular are rarely reused, because they cannot be passed to another organisation. A circular rental model is built around extending garment life. Repairs are routine rather than exceptional, and garments returned by leavers are reissued after cleaning and inspection. When an item genuinely reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled or downcycled instead of going to landfill. Industrial laundries also use considerably less water and energy per kilogram than domestic washing, and the better providers can supply data to support that claim. For executives, the useful question to put to any provider is what reporting they can give you. Garment lifespan, repair rates, laundry resource use and end-of-life handling are all measurable, and having those figures to hand makes sustainability disclosures and tender responses considerably more credible. What to scrutinise before signing Not every rental agreement delivers the benefits above, and the detail of the contract matters more than the headline weekly rate. Decision makers comparing providers should press on the following. The providers worth shortlisting are those willing to carry out a site survey and wearer audit first, so that pricing reflects how your workforce actually uses its clothing rather than a generic package. Treating workwear as a managed service The shift towards rental and laundry services reflects a broader change in how industrial businesses think about non-core operations. Few would now choose to run their own
Willmott Dixon is set to lead a major £36 million redevelopment of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, following a decision by Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet to support the contractor’s appointment for the landmark leisure and cultural regeneration project. The proposed £29 million construction contract represents a significant step forward for the transformation of the popular arts venue on Eastern Lane, with preliminary works targeted to begin in November, subject to final funding approval. The project will deliver a comprehensive redesign of the existing theatre, creating a modern, accessible cultural destination incorporating improved performance facilities, cinema screens, hospitality spaces and community amenities. Central to the redevelopment is a reconfiguration of the building’s internal layout, bringing the main theatre, café bar and dining facilities together on a single level. The new arrangement is designed to improve accessibility, enhance visitor circulation and take greater advantage of the venue’s prominent position overlooking the River Tweed. The lower floors will undergo substantial remodelling to accommodate a main cinema auditorium alongside a smaller boutique cinema screen, with direct access from Shoe Lane. Additional facilities will include a dedicated rehearsal room, meeting space and new public areas positioned above the principal theatre level. The improvements are intended to strengthen the Maltings’ position as a leading cultural and entertainment destination in Northumberland, supporting the town’s wider visitor economy while providing more flexible facilities for performances, film screenings and community activities. However, the redevelopment remains subject to final financial approval after the overall project budget increased by £7.7 million to £36 million. Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to accept £28.5 million in funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, alongside a further £2 million allocation from the authority’s strategic regeneration budget. A request for an additional £2.6 million in borrowing will now require approval from the full council before the project can proceed. The contractor appointment is also subject to the council’s call-in process. The revised budget incorporates the provision of temporary facilities at Berwick Barracks, allowing the Maltings to continue delivering cultural activities and performances while its existing building undergoes redevelopment. Subject to the remaining approvals, preliminary construction activities are expected to commence in November, with the principal building works scheduled to begin in the new year. The transformed Maltings Theatre is currently programmed to reopen in spring 2029. Beyond the construction investment, the scheme represents an important element of Berwick’s ongoing regeneration ambitions, combining cultural infrastructure with hospitality, entertainment and improved public accessibility. The redevelopment also highlights the role that investment in established arts and leisure buildings can play in revitalising town centres, attracting visitors and supporting local businesses. For Willmott Dixon, the anticipated appointment would add another significant public sector leisure and cultural project to its construction portfolio, delivering a modernised venue designed to serve residents, performers and visitors for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly five million leasehold homes could face a significant shake-up in how they are managed following Government proposals to introduce an independent regulator for property agents, as new analysis from residential property management specialist Rushbrook reveals that annual service charges have risen by more than 26% in just one year. The proposed reforms would place estate agents, residential managing agents and estate managers under greater regulatory scrutiny, with additional measures being considered to tackle excessive administration fees and strengthen financial transparency across the leasehold sector. Rushbrook has welcomed the proposals, arguing that the growing sums of money handled by managing agents make stronger professional standards and greater accountability increasingly important. The announcement comes as Rushbrook’s analysis of the latest Government figures reveals approximately 4.902 million leasehold dwellings in England, including 4.633 million within the private sector. Almost 1.911 million are privately rented properties, representing 39% of all leasehold dwellings, while flats account for 82.4% of the total. These figures demonstrate the potential impact of greater regulation on landlords, managing agents, residential property investors and the wider block management sector. The growing financial responsibility placed on managing agents is particularly evident in rising service charges. Rushbrook’s analysis of Government data shows that the average annual service charge paid by owner-occupier leaseholders reached £2,169 in 2024–25, representing a 26.2% increase on the previous year. Over five years, average annual service charges have risen by 33.4%, reflecting increasing expenditure associated with maintaining and operating residential buildings. Ground rents have also increased, with average annual payments among owner-occupier leaseholders rising from £235 in 2023–24 to £315 in 2024–25, an increase of 34.3%. While these figures highlight growing financial pressures, Rushbrook emphasises that higher charges do not automatically indicate poor management. Inflation, maintenance expenditure and the wider costs associated with operating residential properties have all placed pressure on budgets. Nevertheless, the scale of expenditure reinforces the need for transparent service charge administration, effective financial planning and clear communication between managing agents, landlords and residents. The Government’s proposed reforms also seek to address additional administration fees, which can vary considerably depending on the managing agent and the service required. Published fee schedules examined by Rushbrook reveal charges of £50 to £60 for permission to keep pets, £60 to £150 for alterations consent and £100 to £250 for management information or LPE1 sales packs. Other examples include remortgage administration fees of £80 to £150, notices of transfer costing £80 to £100 and certificates of compliance ranging from £120 to £150. Roma Sharma, Managing Director of Rushbrook, believes stronger regulation represents an opportunity to reinforce confidence in the residential management profession. “Property managers are entrusted with people’s homes and increasingly substantial sums of their money, so it’s only right that professional standards keep pace with that responsibility,” she said. Sharma acknowledged that inflation and rising property maintenance costs have contributed to higher charges, but stressed that fees must remain fair, transparent and justifiable. She added that reputable operators should welcome greater scrutiny, particularly given the significant number of privately rented properties operating within the leasehold sector. For residential management companies, the proposed changes underline the growing importance of professional competence, financial accountability and consistent service delivery. As the management of residential buildings becomes increasingly complex, the ability to demonstrate value, maintain properties effectively and provide transparent financial information will remain central to building confidence among leaseholders, landlords and investors. With almost five million leasehold homes potentially affected, the proposed reforms could mark an important turning point in the professionalisation of UK residential property and block management. Data tables and sources Government leasehold dwelling estimates show 4.902m leasehold dwellings across all tenures, of which 4.633m are within the private sector. The private rented sector accounts for 1.911m leasehold dwellings, comprising 337,000 houses and 1.574m flats. GOV.UK – Leasehold dwellings 2024 to 2025 Government English Housing Survey data was used for average annual ground rents and service charges paid by owner-occupier leaseholders. GOV.UK – English Housing Survey data on leaseholders Example administrative charges were taken from published fee schedules. Hastoe – Administrative fees Jigsaw Homes – Additional administration fees for leaseholders Enfield Council – Leasehold administration chargesView the full data tables and sources online here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glasgow City Council has appointed global property consultancy CBRE, working alongside Mandala Partners, to develop a business case for a new city centre growth fund aimed at unlocking major development opportunities, attracting private investment and accelerating residential regeneration. The proposed investment vehicle could play a significant role in reshaping central Glasgow, supporting the delivery of new homes, commercial developments and wider regeneration projects as the city pursues its ambition to increase its city centre residential population to 40,000 by 2035. The appointment marks an important step in exploring alternative funding mechanisms capable of overcoming the financial viability challenges that can prevent development schemes from progressing, particularly within established urban locations. CBRE will lead the assessment, supported by economics, policy and strategy consultancy Mandala Partners, examining how public and private sector capital could be combined to stimulate investment and bring forward development opportunities. A central element of the study will be identifying potential funding structures that can address viability gaps, helping to make residential and mixed-use schemes more financially deliverable while encouraging further institutional and private sector investment. The work will also consider how a growth fund could be established, financed and operated, drawing on investment and regeneration models already developed by local and regional authorities elsewhere in the UK. These approaches will be assessed against Glasgow’s particular development requirements, economic priorities and the wider Scottish funding environment. Although the initial focus will be on central Glasgow, the Council has indicated that any future investment mechanism could potentially be expanded to support regeneration and development across the wider Glasgow region. The study comes as cities throughout the UK continue to examine new ways of financing urban regeneration, particularly where construction costs, infrastructure requirements and development viability present obstacles to bringing forward major projects. For Glasgow, increasing the number of people living in the city centre is a central part of its longer-term regeneration ambitions. Additional residential development could support greater demand for retail, leisure, hospitality and local services, while encouraging investment in existing buildings and underutilised urban sites. A dedicated growth fund could potentially provide a more coordinated approach to investment, helping public and private sector partners address the financial barriers associated with delivering new development. However, the establishment of such a fund remains at the feasibility stage, with no final decision taken on whether it will proceed. The business case is being prepared in accordance with HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance, which provides the framework for assessing the economic, financial and strategic justification of public sector investment proposals. A Glasgow City Council steering group, comprising elected members and senior officers, will oversee the preparation of the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The findings will inform the Council’s consideration of whether a growth fund represents a viable and effective mechanism for supporting future investment. Any subsequent decision to establish the fund, including its financial structure, governance and potential investment priorities, will require further consideration and approval by the Council. The appointment of CBRE and Mandala Partners highlights Glasgow’s ambitions to strengthen its investment proposition and explore new partnerships capable of supporting long-term urban transformation. With residential growth, commercial investment and city centre regeneration increasingly interconnected, the proposed fund could become an important mechanism for unlocking development opportunities and supporting Glasgow’s next phase of growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones has reached a significant construction milestone on Skywalks, a new 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, after celebrating the topping out of the scheme being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s principal structural phase, bringing the project another step closer to delivering much-needed student accommodation within Bristol’s rapidly evolving Temple Quarter regeneration district. Comprising four interconnected buildings, Skywalks will provide a mixture of ensuite cluster apartments and self-contained studios, designed to accommodate the changing requirements of students seeking modern, well-connected accommodation. The development is positioned to help address the continued shortage of dedicated student housing in Bristol, where demand remains strong and the delivery of new accommodation is an important consideration for the city’s expanding higher education sector. Once completed, the scheme will be operated by Host Students, the student accommodation management business of Tiger Developments, providing professionally managed accommodation within one of Bristol’s most strategically important regeneration locations. Situated within the wider Temple Quarter regeneration area, Skywalks forms part of the ongoing transformation of a substantial section of the city, where investment in residential, commercial and supporting infrastructure is helping establish a more connected urban environment. The development also reflects the growing importance of sustainability in the design and construction of new student accommodation, with increasingly demanding environmental performance expectations influencing investment and development decisions across the PBSA market. Skywalks is targeting an EPC A rating alongside BREEAM Excellent certification, demonstrating the project team’s commitment to delivering energy-efficient buildings with reduced operational environmental impacts. A range of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure connections will be incorporated into the scheme, including rooftop photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity. The development will also connect to Bristol’s district heating network, providing an alternative to conventional individual building heating systems and supporting the city’s wider ambitions to reduce carbon emissions. These measures are intended to improve long-term building performance while supporting more efficient operation and management throughout the development’s lifecycle. For investors and developers operating within the PBSA sector, energy efficiency and environmental credentials have become increasingly important considerations, particularly as operators seek to balance sustainability commitments with the long-term costs of managing student residential buildings. The topping out ceremony brought together representatives from Watkin Jones, Moorfield Group, Tiger Developments and key project partners to recognise the progress achieved and the contribution of those involved in delivering the development. The event also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the construction teams responsible for bringing the four-building scheme through a major stage of its delivery programme. With the principal structural works reaching completion, attention will increasingly turn towards the remaining construction activities, building services installations, internal fit-out and the completion of the accommodation and communal areas. Skywalks adds to the pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation being delivered in major UK university cities, where the availability of high-quality student housing continues to influence development and investment strategies. For Bristol, the project represents another addition to the Temple Quarter regeneration programme, combining new residential accommodation with sustainable building design and investment in an increasingly important part of the city. The development highlights the continued role of specialist contractors, developers and institutional investment partners in delivering modern student accommodation that supports university communities while contributing to the wider regeneration of urban centres. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Natural Power, a leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, has provided technical due diligence to support the successful €220 million refinancing of Valorem’s Project Atlas, a 192 MW portfolio of renewable energy assets across France. The transaction involved the refinancing and legal restructuring of 15 renewable energy assets, comprising eight onshore wind farms, six operational solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and a battery energy storage project. Natural Power was appointed as technical advisor to the lenders, undertaking comprehensive technical due diligence across the portfolio. Its assessment covered asset technologies, operational performance, grid connections, electricity offtake arrangements, operations and maintenance contracts, asset management agreements and the technical assumptions underpinning the financial model. Axelle Foix, Principal Due Diligence Advisor at Natural Power, said: “Project Atlas is a significant transaction involving a diverse portfolio of renewable energy technologies. Our role was to provide the lenders with a comprehensive and independent technical assessment, examining operational performance, contractual frameworks, energy yield and long-term asset considerations. “By drawing on our multidisciplinary expertise across wind, solar and battery storage, we delivered the detailed technical insight needed to support the refinancing process. “We’re delighted to have contributed to this important transaction, which strengthens Valorem’s ability to invest in future renewable energy projects and supports the continued growth of clean energy infrastructure in France.” Gauthier Leibenguth, Project Finance & Investment Manager, said: “We would like to thank the Natural Power team for its key role as technical advisor on the ATLAS portfolio. “Mobilising a broad team across multiple asset technologies while meeting tight timeline constraints was essential to this deal. Natural Power’s deep familiarity with our wind assets, built through previous standalone financing audits, combined with strong reactivity and a collaborative approach, was key to keeping the transaction on schedule.” The transaction demonstrates Natural Power’s ability to deliver multidisciplinary technical advisory services for complex renewable energy portfolios, supporting lenders, investors and asset owners throughout the financing and refinancing process. More here: www.naturalpower.com/uk/expertise/service/advisory/due-diligence Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Helps fire safety teams prioritise action and investment Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Medway Maritime Hospital, has introduced a new digital system to manage fire safety information and improve its understanding of fire risks across the hospital estate. By taking data from multiple sources, the BIS Lens system created by data experts BIS Consult, provides the Trust’s Fire Safety Group with a new strategic tool designed to bring together and analyse fire risk assessment information centrally, in a digital format. In one example, using the tool to examine fire assessments collectively revealed how a single, estate-wide approach to cabling issues would be more cost effective than several individual repairs. Medway NHS Foundation Trust is a single-site hospital Trust based in Gillingham, Kent serving more than 427,000 people across Medway and Swale. Neil McElduff, Director of Estates and Facilities for the Trust, said: “The new system is a significant step in our shift towards digital. It underpins the strategic direction of fire safety management and will help maintain a safe environment across our hospital. The work to date shows the system’s potential to drive similar insights for other critical areas of risk and compliance across the Trust.” New insights generated from interactive dashboards will support fire safety review meetings and help guide the Trust’s investment decisions by making it easier to identify priority risks, outstanding actions and recurring themes across the whole estate, such as further fire risk assessments, fire door replacement or new evacuation plans. Like many NHS estates, the Trust’s fire safety information was previously held across numerous separate records and documents, making it difficult to analyse information collectively. Jason Brittin, Capital Projects/Programme Manager for the Trust, who led the project, said: “The BIS Consult solution has demonstrated how we can transform the way we manage fire safety information across our hospital estate. The improved visibility of risk will help our fire safety and estates teams prioritise action, support regulatory compliance and make more efficient investment decisions.” The new structured digital approach supports NHS guidance for managing fire safety, including HTM 05-03, which explains how NHS organisations should assess fire risk and HTM 05-01, which provides the wider framework for managing fire safety across healthcare buildings. It also supports the ‘Golden thread’ principle of keeping accurate and accessible fire safety information available throughout the life of a building. BIS Consult has previously worked on similar risk management systems for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Airedale General Hospital, tackling asset condition, asbestos and RAAC. Nick Campbell-Voegt, Managing Director of BIS Consult, said: “The digital tool enables Medway NHS Foundation Trust to take a more connected, data-driven approach to risk reduction. By developing a single source of truth, it gives teams clearer priorities and ultimately helps create safer hospitals. Other areas of NHS estate risk can benefit from the same method, including water safety and structural condition of buildings or other assets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals