City centre development is becoming more integrated, with residential rental tenures now dominating delivery, prime office supply tightening, and retail reshaping regeneration across the UK’s major regional cities, according to a new report by Savills. This new phase of regeneration within UK cities is becoming defined by increasingly integrated mixed-use
Sir Robert McAlpine is stepping away from one of the UK’s most significant industrial developments after agreeing to part ways with client Agratas on the next phase of the £4bn electric vehicle battery facility in Somerset. The contractor has confirmed that it will no longer be involved in the delivery
A major regeneration programme set to reshape Derby city centre has moved a significant step forward after plans to deliver more than 1,150 new homes received planning approval. Shopping centre owner Derbion has secured consent for an ambitious mixed-use masterplan that will transform two prominent redevelopment sites, supporting Derby’s long-term
Property maintenance specialist DMA Group has been appointed by Thurrock Council to deliver Hard Facilities Management services across its corporate estate. The contract was secured through the Fusion21 Workplace & Facilities Management Framework (Lot 4 – Building Engineering Services). Greater Essex based unitary authority Thurrock Council manages a diverse portfolio
Moxon Architects and Arcadis have been granted planning approval for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Taff in Cardiff. The 165m-long bridge is part of Cardiff Council’s ambitious Channel View Estate regeneration scheme and will improve connectivity and accessibility, encouraging active travel at a local and city-wide
Emerging designs for the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Hospital site in Paddington have been revealed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, as part of a second round of public consultation on its plans. The redevelopment sees the construction of a new, 800-bed major trauma and general hospital to meet
Bellway has started groundworks on a project which will bring 93 new homes to Wilmington, including apartments within historic Kingsfield House. The new development, called Cedarcroft, will be located on the western part of the North Kent College campus, off Oakfield Lane. Bellway is renovating Kingsfield House and The Lodge
A striking new residential tower could soon reshape Manchester’s skyline after proposals were unveiled for a major city centre development that would bring nearly 600 new homes to one of the area’s last remaining vacant brownfield sites. Developer Allied London has revealed plans for One Castlefield, a landmark scheme that
Stuart Russell, Head of Commercial at CPI Euromix is celebrating the world’s biggest football tournament with a reminder of CPI’s stadia project portfolio… At CPI, we have a proud history of supplying our high-quality mortar for buildings varying in stature and purpose. And as sports fans across the globe eagerly
Property Management expert at Naylors, Katy Clark, explains how recent changes to the RICS Service Charge Code affect commercial property occupiers. Much of the advice around the new edition of the RICS Service Charge Code is aimed at landlords but if you occupy a commercial property – what does it mean for
City centre development is becoming more integrated, with residential rental tenures now dominating delivery, prime office supply tightening, and retail reshaping regeneration across the UK’s major regional cities, according to a new report by Savills. This new phase of regeneration within UK cities is becoming defined by increasingly integrated mixed-use development, as residential, commercial and leisure uses become more interdependent in response to shifting economic dynamics, changing patterns of urban living and evolving investor preferences. Across regional markets, the balance between demand, development viability and structural change is shaping the next cycle of urban growth. According to the latest report by Savills Research – UK Cities: a mixed-use perspective – the decade leading up to the global financial crisis saw city centre development in the Big Six regional cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester) dominated by private sale housing. Over the last 10 years, however, a much broader mix of uses has emerged, with Build to Rent (BTR) overtaking private sale as the primary driver of city centre housing delivery, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) expanding rapidly, and co-living emerging as a new asset class. This shift reflects strong demand fundamentals and the growing role of institutional capital, which has supported large scale, placemaking-led regeneration. Savills notes that rental growth across the Big Six has averaged between 4% and 7.5% per year over the last five years, supporting strong returns – although continued build cost increases and growing affordability pressures mean developers and local planning authorities will need to take a pragmatic approach to viability in order to maintain strong development pipelines. The report also highlights a significant structural shift in office markets. In the post-pandemic environment, uncertainty around hybrid working contributed to rising vacancy in older, less efficient buildings, but demand has become increasingly polarised as occupiers prioritise modern, highly sustainable offices in central, well-connected locations. More than 60% of expected 2026 office take-up is forecast to be Grade A and prime, underlining the depth of demand for high-quality space. At the same time, the office development pipeline remains exceptionally thin. Savills states that only Manchester and Leeds currently have new schemes under construction that are due to complete beyond 2026, leaving supply constrained just as occupiers focus on securing prime accommodation. Prime headline office rents have risen by an average of 30% over the past five years and, if that trajectory continues, could soon approach the £60 per sq. ft. threshold that many developers consider necessary to re-establish viability. Retail is also evolving, moving away from traditional formats towards mixed-use environments centred on experience, leisure, and food and beverage. In this context, retail plays an essential role in placemaking by supporting footfall and enhancing the attractiveness of city centres. Ground-floor activation – including shops, bars, restaurants and cafés – is increasingly recognised as the element that connects homes, offices and hotels, helping to attract target occupiers and residents while maximising value across the wider scheme. Research from Savills also illustrates the scale and diversity of delivery across the UK’s major urban markets between 2016-2025. Among the Big Six, Manchester recorded 5.3 million sq. ft. of office delivery, 15,650 BTR homes and 3,448 co-living beds, while Birmingham delivered 3.4 million sq. ft. of offices, 6,397 BTR homes and 6,985 student beds. Leeds delivered 10,042 student beds, while Edinburgh recorded 947,000 sq. ft. of retail delivery. Looking ahead, Savills says city centre development will continue to be driven by strong underlying demand, but increasingly constrained by viability challenges. Emily Williams, Director of Residential Research at Savills, says: “Residential is expected to remain at the heart of city centre regeneration, particularly through rental-led models, although rental growth is expected to moderate as affordability limits are reached. High construction costs, borrowing costs and regulation are all expected to continue restricting new supply and widening the gap between demand and delivery.” Jonathan Lambert, Co-lead of Savills’ Mixed-Use Sector Group, adds: “Market polarisation is certainly a defining theme, with larger and more established cities best placed to sustain development, while smaller or more constrained markets may struggle in a higher-cost, higher-risk environment, particularly where planning obligations present too many challenges. “Local authorities will need to adopt a pragmatic approach to viability, with public-private partnerships and the attraction of long-term patient institutional capital likely to be key to unlocking future opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sir Robert McAlpine is stepping away from one of the UK’s most significant industrial developments after agreeing to part ways with client Agratas on the next phase of the £4bn electric vehicle battery facility in Somerset. The contractor has confirmed that it will no longer be involved in the delivery of the Agratas gigafactory at Bridgwater, having successfully completed the initial phase of the landmark project. Buckinghamshire-based engineering and construction specialist TSL has now been appointed as the new construction partner. McAlpine secured the prestigious contract in 2024, winning the race to deliver the first phase of the major battery manufacturing plant, which is being developed by Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business. Tata Motors subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is expected to be one of the anchor customers for the facility, which represents a substantial investment in the UK’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle supply chain. In a statement, Sir Robert McAlpine said: “Having successfully completed the first phase of Agratas’s battery manufacturing facility in Somerset, following extensive discussions, we have mutually agreed to part ways. “We are now working closely with Agratas to support a smooth and orderly transition to a new construction partner.” Agratas said the decision had been made following a review of the project’s evolving requirements and reflected the need for a different approach as the development moves into its next stage. The company stated: “As the project has progressed, we have determined that a different construction delivery model is needed to support the next phase of our development. “Following a review of the project’s requirements, we have decided to transition to a new construction partner. We thank our existing construction partner for their support to date. “This change reflects the evolving needs of the project, positioning us to deliver the next phase with the capability and focus required to meet our objectives safely, efficiently and on schedule.” McAlpine expressed pride in the progress achieved during its involvement with the scheme and highlighted the contribution of its wider project team and supply chain partners. The contractor added: “We are immensely proud of the progress and achievements made to date, done so in true partnership with our supply chain partners and remain committed to supporting Agratas with the effective handover to the next phase.” The Agratas project had been viewed as a flagship example of Sir Robert McAlpine’s strategic focus on key growth sectors, following a business reset that saw the firm prioritise industrial, commercial and healthcare opportunities. Taking over responsibility for the next phase is TSL, the Gerrards Cross-headquartered technical engineering and construction specialist. The company operates across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, with expertise in delivering complex industrial and advanced manufacturing facilities. According to its latest financial results, TSL reported a turnover of £527m in 2024 and achieved a pre-tax profit of £27m, underlining the company’s growing presence within the industrial construction sector. The Somerset gigafactory is one of the UK’s most strategically important manufacturing projects and forms a key part of the nation’s ambitions to strengthen domestic battery production capabilities to support the transition to electric vehicles. Once operational, the facility is expected to supply batteries for Jaguar Land Rover’s next generation of electric vehicles, while also helping to secure thousands of jobs and reinforce the UK’s position within the global automotive industry. Construction on the development continues, with the plant currently scheduled to become operational next year as Agratas advances the next phase of delivery under its new construction model. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major regeneration programme set to reshape Derby city centre has moved a significant step forward after plans to deliver more than 1,150 new homes received planning approval. Shopping centre owner Derbion has secured consent for an ambitious mixed-use masterplan that will transform two prominent redevelopment sites, supporting Derby’s long-term vision to create a more vibrant and sustainable city centre. The approved proposals focus on the former Eagle Market site and the nearby Bradshaw Way Retail Park, both of which have been identified by Derby City Council as priority regeneration areas within its wider Vision for Derby strategy. The largest element of the scheme will see the long-vacant Eagle Market site redeveloped to provide 674 new homes across six residential buildings. The plans aim to breathe new life into a key city centre location that has remained underutilised since the closure of the historic market complex. Meanwhile, the Bradshaw Way Retail Park site will accommodate a further 478 homes, including a landmark 14-storey residential tower that is expected to become a defining feature of Derby’s evolving skyline. Derbion said the development forms a central part of its broader strategy to diversify the city centre by creating a thriving mixed-use destination where people can live, work and socialise. Alongside new homes, the wider vision seeks to strengthen Derby’s retail, leisure and hospitality offer by increasing footfall and supporting local businesses. The company believes that encouraging more people to live in the city centre will help attract additional investment from retailers, food and beverage operators and leisure brands looking to benefit from a growing residential population. The professional team behind the proposals includes Leonard Design Architects, Currie & Brown, Bidwells and Waterman. Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, described the masterplan as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to contribute to the revitalisation of Derby’s historic heart. She said the approval represented an important milestone in delivering much-needed new homes while creating the conditions for further economic growth and investment across the city centre. The development is expected to play a pivotal role in Derby’s regeneration ambitions, helping to transform underused sites into vibrant new neighbourhoods that support the city’s future prosperity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property maintenance specialist DMA Group has been appointed by Thurrock Council to deliver Hard Facilities Management services across its corporate estate. The contract was secured through the Fusion21 Workplace & Facilities Management Framework (Lot 4 – Building Engineering Services). Greater Essex based unitary authority Thurrock Council manages a diverse portfolio of civic buildings and community facilities that support frontline services across the borough. As the Council progresses its recovery and transformation agenda, ensuring a resilient, compliant and efficient property estate is central to delivering reliable public services and supporting sustainable place-making. Under the three-year contract, with options to extend, DMA will provide a fully integrated Hard FM solution including reactive repairs, planned preventative maintenance, statutory compliance testing, asset installation and minor project works. The service model is designed to provide single-source accountability, transparent governance and measurable performance improvement. Central to delivery will be DMA’s award-winning BiO® service management platform, which provides real-time visibility of asset condition, compliance status and KPI performance. The platform enables automated scheduling, digital certification, live dashboards and full audit trails, supporting data-led decision-making and improved cost control. The contract incorporates clear sustainability and social value commitments. DMA will prioritise local supply chain engagement and employment opportunities within Thurrock, alongside apprenticeship pathways to support skills development in engineering and building services. In parallel, its energy and sustainability specialists will work with the Council to identify practical, cost-effective carbon reduction initiatives aligned with net zero ambitions. Steve McGregor, Executive Chairman of DMA Group, said: “We are proud to have been appointed by Thurrock Council through the Fusion21 framework. This partnership is about delivering visible improvement, strengthening compliance and providing long-term value. “By combining experienced engineers with our BiO® digital platform, we will deliver a transparent, accountable and future-ready Hard FM service that supports the Council’s operational resilience and sustainability objectives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Moxon Architects and Arcadis have been granted planning approval for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Taff in Cardiff. The 165m-long bridge is part of Cardiff Council’s ambitious Channel View Estate regeneration scheme and will improve connectivity and accessibility, encouraging active travel at a local and city-wide scale, while providing a new leisure destination for the city. The new crossing will connect surrounding neighbourhoods, Grangetown and Butetown, with locally popular green spaces, The Marl to the west, and Hamadryad Park to the east. It will also serve up to 360 new homes along the western riverbank, better connecting them to the City Centre and Cardiff Bay. By anchoring the bridge within the existing urban fabric, it will help connect communities, providing a safe route between the new housing on the west side with an established Welsh school on the east, benefitting new and existing residents. Located where the River Taff widens as it approaches Cardiff Bay, the river crossing has been shaped by its proximity to the Louisa Shipwreck, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and the new Channel View Estate. The 6m-wide crossing will comfortably accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists, forming a peaceful and safe connection across the river, and providing a much needed alternative to the major A4232 dual carriageway bridge to the south, and the narrow sidewalks along the Clarence Road bridge to the north. The bridge’s design reflects the intersection of urban, park, river and coastal environments. With a main span of 60m, the new crossing will be visible from the adjacent green spaces, as an S-shaped path that curves in both plan and elevation. The western bend occurs at the high point over the navigation channel, providing sufficient clearance for river traffic, while the eastern bend creates symmetrical side spans and breaks up the long ramp heading into Hamadryad Park. Within the main span, the structural flange ‘ribbon’ rises from the bottom of the girders over the piers, to the height of the pedestrian balustrade at mid span. This gives users a dynamic experience while providing a sense of enclosure at the highest, most exposed part of the crossing. It also forms a structural arch from which the deck will hang. The pathway widens at this point to incorporate a curving bench to rest and view the river and surrounding landscape. Connecting paths will be modified to ensure the structure sits above future flood events. At The Marl, landscaped paths will lead users directly onto the bridge, while at Hamadryad Park, approach ramps will integrate into the existing perimeter paths. Gentle gradients, along the approaches and bridge, will allow full accessibility to those with limited mobility. The use of colour and materials will accentuate the bridge form. A contrasting finish to the flange ‘ribbons’ will stand out against the darker web and exposed ribs supporting the deck. Stainless steel parapets with visually light infill mesh will follow the deck’s curving edges to highlight the bridge’s dynamic form. The bridge steelwork will be prefabricated in large sections, and potentially transported to site along the river. The three concrete supports will also feature prefabricated elements. The bridge’s lean and efficient design will minimise local environmental impact and its overall carbon footprint. Water life, bats and birds using the river corridor have all been considered throughout the design process and biodiverse landscaping at the landings will reinstate any natural habitat lost during construction. Ezra Groskin, Director at Moxon Architects, said: “It’s been a pleasure helping this project mature in response to Cardiff’s aspirations and the local community’s feedback. Our ambition is to create an elegant local landmark that will provide a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists, connect communities and enhance people’s experience of the river and the surrounding parkland.” Vita Dudley Bow, Project Lead at Arcadis, said: “This is a really exciting bridge that will deliver a fantastic active travel link in an area of Cardiff that is seeing huge transformation. It’s been great to work with Cardiff Council and Moxon on a project that will bring tangible benefits to the community.” Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Cardiff Council, said: “The bridge development will create much better connectivity between Butetown and Grangetown for both pedestrians and cyclists, linking into our exciting regeneration of Channel View, creating more good quality, affordable homes in the area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Emerging designs for the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Hospital site in Paddington have been revealed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, as part of a second round of public consultation on its plans. The redevelopment sees the construction of a new, 800-bed major trauma and general hospital to meet growing needs and make the most of new technologies and models of care. Instead of services being spread across several buildings developed piecemeal over time, the new hospital will be a single, taller building on a smaller footprint. This will also enable the wider regeneration of the site to include an expansion of the existing cluster of health and technology businesses (Paddington Life Sciences) that has developed around St Mary’s. The latest proposals are informed by responses to the first phase of public consultation on redevelopment plans, which took place earlier this year and indicated strong support for the Trust’s approach. Public engagement events The Trust is now inviting patients, staff, local residents, businesses and community groups to feedback on the updated designs, online or at in-person events. This next phase of consultation will run from 4 June to 17 July 2026. It includes three drop-in events, where anyone is welcome to find out more about the proposals, speak to the project team and share their views. These will take place at: There will also be an online webinar on Wednesday 17 June, 6pm, via Zoom. Registration is via the Trust’s website (www.imperial.nhs.uk/st-marys-development) or by emailing imperial.redevelopment@nhs.net. The designs can also be viewed on the Trust’s website, along with an online survey on the proposals: www.imperial.nhs.uk/st-marys-development Feedback from this phase will help shape the next stage of design development, before further consultation later in 2026 and submission of a planning application for the hospital and the wider site in spring 2027. Increasingly urgent need for redevelopment St Mary’s Hospital has been at the forefront of healthcare and innovation for more than 175 years. It is home to London’s busiest major trauma centre and has a long history of teaching and research breakthroughs, including the discovery of penicillin. However, the St Mary’s estate is one of the oldest in the NHS, with parts dating back to its foundation in 1845. Imperial College Healthcare, the NHS trust that includes St Mary’s, has the NHS’s biggest backlog maintenance liability – the estimated cost of work needed to bring buildings up to an acceptable condition. And it’s getting worse – in the last four years, the Trust’s backlog maintenance liability increased by 22.5 per cent – or £157 million – far outstripping the £104 million it was able to spend on reducing backlog maintenance. This is increasing the scale and impact of building ‘failures’, including structural weakness in its main outpatient facility, requiring it to be closed with services relocated within the next year, significant structural problems in the Mint building requiring additional underpinning, and a range of other infrastructure issues creating infection and other safety risks. Latest proposals With funding from the Government’s New Hospital Programme, the Trust has been carrying out detailed design and planning work with the support of a wider programme team, including leading development managers Stanhope Plc, masterplan architects Allies and Morrison and hospital design architects HOK. Bringing services together in one modern, taller facility – around 30-storeys high – will provide better links between emergency care, diagnostics, theatres and intensive care. It will be much easier for patients and visitors to navigate and be more efficient to operate. It is also being designed to be flexible – allowing spaces to be adapted easily if needs change, such as during the pandemic – and there will be integrated teaching, research and engagement spaces to support innovation and learning. The busiest and most urgent services will be on the lower floors, so they are the easiest to reach, while wards will be in quieter areas with more privacy and natural light. And outdoor and communal areas, such as roof gardens, are being integrated into the design to support patients, visitors and staff. There will also be a helipad, bringing St Mary’s major trauma service into line with other services across the capital. Wider masterplan The new hospital will be built first, in a part of the estate that can be freed up relatively easily, allowing the existing hospital to run as normal during construction. Once services move into the new building, the rest of the site will be developed in line with the overall masterplan. This includes the expansion of Paddington Life Sciences, the cluster of health and technology businesses that has developed around St Mary’s, generating jobs, investment and economic growth as well as even greater innovation. It also allows the whole site to be opened up with plans for new public spaces, more trees and greenery, improved access to the canal and better connections with the surrounding streets and neighbourhood. Making better use of the land around the hospital would also release value to support investment in the new NHS facilities. Matt Tulley, redevelopment director at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “St Mary’s Hospital is continuing its extraordinary track record in healthcare and innovation, but our facilities are simply no longer fit for purpose. Despite spending millions of pounds every year on maintenance, we can’t keep up with the rate of deterioration, which is why we are now seeing an increase in major building failures. “We urgently need a new hospital, and we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a future-proofed, landmark facility alongside wider regeneration that will bring even wider benefits for local communities. We want to hear from local residents and businesses, as well as patients and staff, to make sure we produce the best possible designs.” Next stepsWith partners in the wider St Mary’s Redevelopment Funding Taskforce, Imperial College Healthcare is continuing to explore additional financing sources and models to allow the main hospital building works to begin as soon as there is planning permission in place. The Trust is aiming to submit a
Bellway has started groundworks on a project which will bring 93 new homes to Wilmington, including apartments within historic Kingsfield House. The new development, called Cedarcroft, will be located on the western part of the North Kent College campus, off Oakfield Lane. Bellway is renovating Kingsfield House and The Lodge to create 28 converted homes as part of the project. The demolition of the other buildings on the site, which were no longer needed by the college, has now been completed and groundworks are underway to prepare for the construction of 65 new-build houses and apartments. The development is due to open this autumn when the first homes will be released for sale. Ed Brading, Acting Head of Sales for Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “Cedarcroft is set to transform this part of the North Kent College campus into an attractive new residential community for Dartford, set within nearly five acres of green open space including a number of beautiful mature cedar trees which give the development its name. “The main part of Kingsfield House is being retained and restored to become a landmark feature within the new neighbourhood, and we have now completed the demolition of the unattractive modern extensions which previously detracted from the building’s appearance. “With groundworks underway, we are looking forward to starting construction of the 65 new-build homes on the site – comprising 37 three, four and five-bedroom houses for private sale and 28 houses and apartments available as affordable housing for local people. These will be highly energy-efficient homes, with solar PV panels and air source heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions and electric vehicle charging points to promote greener travel. “We are also converting Kingsfield House into 27 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and The Lodge into an attractive and unique three-bedroom house, preserving these two historically significant buildings while providing a further 28 homes for private sale. “Our development will start a new chapter for this landmark site in Wilmington and we are looking forward to welcoming the first visitors to the development when it opens later this year.” Kingsfield House was built in 1859 for stockbroker Edward Satterthwaite before being sold to social pioneer Madame Martina Bergman-Osterberg in 1895. She set up a physical training college at the site specialising in gymnastics for girls and young women and is credited with inventing the modern game of netball at the location. Her life is commemorated by two blue English Heritage plaques – one of which is at Kingsfield House. The college continued to expand following Madame Osterberg’s death in 1915 and was renamed several times, most recently to North Kent College in 2015. Kingsfield House has been vacant since 2022 and had fallen into a state of disrepair. Its conversion into residential use will ensure its long-term future, while the sale of the land, which is no longer needed by the college, has provided additional funding for education resources. For more information about the new homes at Cedarcroft, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/cedarcroft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A striking new residential tower could soon reshape Manchester’s skyline after proposals were unveiled for a major city centre development that would bring nearly 600 new homes to one of the area’s last remaining vacant brownfield sites. Developer Allied London has revealed plans for One Castlefield, a landmark scheme that would deliver 593 apartments across two new buildings in the Castlefield district. The proposals form part of the wider St George’s regeneration masterplan and would complete the final undeveloped parcel within the long-established vision for the area. The development is being brought forward on behalf of investor Chatha Capital and is currently undergoing public consultation ahead of the submission of a formal planning application to Manchester City Council later this year. Designed by internationally recognised architects Denton Corker Marshall, the scheme comprises a 46-storey residential tower alongside an adjoining eight-storey building on Ellesmere Street. Together, the two structures would replace a previously approved project that failed to progress following the collapse of an earlier development proposal. The site has remained vacant since demolition works were completed after plans for a £75m residential scheme stalled several years ago. Allied London’s latest proposals aim to revitalise the location while making more efficient use of the city centre site. The revised plans significantly increase the residential offering, with the number of homes rising by more than 40% compared with the previous consented scheme. The proposed tower would accommodate 436 apartments, while the adjoining lower-rise building would provide a further 157 homes. The development would predominantly comprise one and two-bedroom apartments aimed at meeting growing demand for city centre living. However, a number of larger three and four-bedroom homes have also been incorporated into the proposals, supporting greater housing diversity within the scheme. Gary Mather, Development Director at Allied London, said One Castlefield presents an opportunity to bring a long-vacant brownfield site back into productive use while completing a key element of the wider regeneration vision for the area. If approved, the development would mark another significant milestone in Manchester’s continued growth, delivering new homes while reinforcing the city’s reputation as one of the UK’s most active urban regeneration markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stuart Russell, Head of Commercial at CPI Euromix is celebrating the world’s biggest football tournament with a reminder of CPI’s stadia project portfolio… At CPI, we have a proud history of supplying our high-quality mortar for buildings varying in stature and purpose. And as sports fans across the globe eagerly await the start of the tournament, we are pleased to say that our project portfolio includes high-profile UK football stadia and associated infrastructure. Football grounds matter. They are places of worship for millions of followers of the national game. In such places dreams are made, friendships are built, and families gather to enjoy a shared passion that is often handed down through the generations. Football stadia are not just bedecked in the colours of the occupant team; they are enveloped in history. The mere glimpse of a ground’s entrance or an iconic stand can be enough to stir memories of glories past – and moments not-so salubrious – in hardened fans. Foundational passion At many larger stadia, the bond between supporters and their team is literally etched into the foundations. In a dedicated area of the ground, fans can buy a brick and have it display their name or that of a loved one, as part of a commemorative wall portraying the particulars of hundreds, and sometimes, thousands of like-minded souls who want their commitment to their beloved club to be known for as long as time and the structure’s wellbeing allows. Football stadia in the higher echelons of the English game have undergone a huge transformation in the past couple of decades. No longer the crumbling concrete edifices of yore, England is now home to some of the best-equipped and most attractive grounds in Europe and the world; grounds that offer unprecedented safety and an unforgettable matchday experience for home fans and visiting supporters alike. Supporting structural evolution It’s therefore gratifying that CPI should have played a part in the structural revolution of a number of top-tier English football grounds. At Anfield, home of six-time Champions League winners Liverpool, our natural and coloured mortars were respectively used for the blockwork and external work of the club’s new main stand. With circa 8,500 seats, the facility is one of the largest all-seater single stands in Europe, increasing Anfield’s capacity to 54,000. Our natural-coloured mortar was also selected for the building of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Opened in 2006, the 60,000 north London venue replaced the club’s former home, Highbury, less than a mile away. It means on matchdays, fans can take a short walk through time to arrive at their current abode. Another Premier League stadium to benefit from our pioneering products was Stamford Bridge, the west London home of Chelsea FC. We supplied brickwork contractor, Irvine-Whitlock, with silos of dry-mixed mortar for a redevelopment that included Chelsa Village, the stadium’s commercial element comprising a shop, bars, a music venue, a hotel and restaurant. Football success is largely earned on the training ground. It is also where the football stars of tomorrow are born. For the building of Manchester City’s world-class training facility, CPI supplied natural and coloured mortar, as well as specialist white lime mortar. The state-of-the-art academy is not only a schooling ground for future City professionals; the venue’s community function supports the development of elite athletes and local students. In Manchester’s ‘other half’, CPI provided the mortar for an upgrade to Manchester United’s ‘Carrington’ training ground. The £25m renovation introduced a new medical and sports science facility to the site where the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville plied their trade during ‘the Reds’ last golden era of success. Even non-football fans will – perhaps grudgingly – understand why the sport and its storied stadia mean so much to fans whose happy space for the next month or so will be in front of the TV being sure not to miss every last kick, save, tackle and dive of this year’s World Cup. Let’s hope the beautiful game lives up to its reputation, and at least one of the two home nations taking part gives us a thrill along the way. If not, then let us take comfort in the fact that even if football doesn’t come home (again), the UK will still be home to some of the world’s best stadia, which lest we forget, contain some world-class mortar. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property Management expert at Naylors, Katy Clark, explains how recent changes to the RICS Service Charge Code affect commercial property occupiers. Much of the advice around the new edition of the RICS Service Charge Code is aimed at landlords but if you occupy a commercial property – what does it mean for you? The 2nd Edition of the Code recently came into force and, for occupiers, the updated guidance brings better transparency, timing and accountability. But, also, more responsibility. Occupiers can leverage the new Code to gain clearer visibility around costs, reduce disputes, and ultimately make more informed property decisions. Changes to the guidance – including more predictable budgeting, better upfront communication and fairer cost-allocation – are all welcome developments. Clearer explanations of costs Budgets are no longer expected to be just a series of numbers presented in isolation. Instead, they should be accompanied by supporting commentary that contextualises expenses and highlights any material changes. This enables occupiers to better scrutinise and reduce their reliance on retrospective queries once costs have already been incurred. The new Code states that landlord-specific costs should be excluded – such as void unit expenses, for example – which helps ensure tenants aren’t unfairly charged. New rules around funding major works There is the push for a more consistent approach to how service charges are used to fund significant repair or replacement works. These big works can have a substantial impact on both occupiers and landlords due to their cost and disruption. While both parties typically support carrying out necessary works, the way they are funded – and the effect on cash flow – is a key concern. The updated Code provides clearer best practice on funding options, including where costs are collected in advance through the service charge, as well as approaches where the landlord completes the works and then recovers the expenditure from tenants over an agreed period. More timely reconciliations Delayed reconciliations have long been a source of frustration for occupiers – often impacting financial planning and internal reporting. The new Code includes tighter expectations around the timing of year-end reconciliations which are designed to bring occupiers clarity sooner. Most institutional landlords and managing agents were already broadly aligned with best practice anyway but the Code gives those who weren’t, a push to do better. Hopefully, occupiers will see greater levels of compliance with the Code’s requirements to issue reconciliations within four months of year end. Fewer disputes The Code increasingly encourages upfront communication over reactive explanation. Early engagement between occupiers and landlords and better information sharing should ensure less disputes arise from unclear or unexpected costs. There are changes aimed at ensuring there is no ‘over-recovery’ and that there is clear treatment of reserve/sinking funds by reporting what landlords are doing, in advance. This includes clearer supporting documentation – such as detailed cost breakdowns and clear apportionment matrices – as well as more explicit reporting on areas like reserve or sinking funds. Occupiers are no longer expected to simply accept charges; they are being given the tools to understand them. The result should be fewer disputes but the key to that is both parties being equipped to interpret and act on the information provided. More work for occupiers The new Code brings more responsibility for occupiers. This is due to the increasing volume and complexity of the information provided. Interpreting budgets, understanding reconciliations and assessing whether costs are ‘fair and reasonable’ all requires time, expertise, and often specialist knowledge. This is particularly true for national or multi-site occupiers, where inconsistencies between assets can quickly accumulate into significant cost inefficiencies. As the landscape becomes more complex, occupiers increasingly need property management professionals for support. Independent service charge reviews and audits are becoming more common, helping occupiers validate costs, identify discrepancies and ensure compliance with both lease terms and the Code. Lease advisory is another key area for occupiers, especially in assessing recoverability and identifying areas of risk – whether that’s linked to ESG expenditure, reserve funds or ambiguous lease wording. For occupiers with larger portfolios, strategic advice can unlock even greater value. By analysing service charge data across multiple sites, it becomes possible to identify inconsistencies, benchmark performance and uncover opportunities for cost savings. In summary The evolution of the Service Charge Code shouldn’t be viewed purely through a compliance lens. For occupiers, it is a chance to take greater control of property costs and engage more constructively with landlords and managing agents. However, doing so effectively requires more than passive receipt of information. It needs active interpretation, informed challenge and in many cases, professional support. In a market where margins are under pressure and operational efficiency is paramount, service charge transparency is not just an administrative improvement, it’s a strategic advantage. Those occupiers who embrace this shift and equip themselves with the right expertise, will be best placed to save both time and money in the years ahead. Find out more at www.naylors.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals