Rapid construction at a major heavy-duty Sheffield industrial facility has seen main sub-contractor Cidon Construction continue with advancing the development. In order to facilitate high quality work, rapidly, efficiently and safely, the company has been working with National Pile Croppers (NPC), which has supplied Quad L and QXL pile croppers
Talan is supporting the delivery of a new industry trial designed to understand how students and trainees can be supported as they begin their careers in the gas sector, working on behalf of Gas Safe Register and the Health and Safety Executive. Talan has contributed to the development of the
REGIONAL contractor Stepnell has reinforced its commitment to the North West market with the appointment of Dirk Pittaway as regional director, alongside securing significant positions on the latest Procure Partnerships North West and Rise Construction frameworks. Dirk will lead Stepnell’s Liverpool office, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience and
Talk Talk Business has leased 10,472 sq ft of office space in Building 1 at Exchange Quay in Manchester on a 7-year lease. The deal sees Talk Talk Business relocate its 136-strong team from Soapworks to the prominent waterfront office campus, with occupation expected mid-May. The move follows the company’s
RISE Design Studio has secured planning approval to redevelop Sutton Churches Tennis Club in the London Borough of Sutton, delivering a next-generation community sports facility that sets a new benchmark for grassroots sports infrastructure in the UK. The scheme was approved with the full support of the council. Across the
Ballymore has been given the green light by Newham Council for a major 1,700-home riverside development in Silvertown, east London, marking another significant step in the regeneration of the Royal Docks. The 5.26ha Knights Road scheme, designed by Allies and Morrison, will transform a Docklands site south of London City
Prescient Capital has secured funding to deliver a new £60m office development in Leeds, bringing forward one of the city’s most prominent new commercial schemes. The developer’s 31 Wellington Street project will replace the former Wellington Plaza building, which has now been demolished. The site sits opposite Wellington Place, in
Hammerson has secured outline planning consent for a major purpose built student accommodation scheme in Bristol, marking a significant step forward in the redevelopment of a key city centre site. The approval from Bristol City Council will enable the transformation of underutilised land at Cabot Gate, located adjacent to the
The 86,098 sq ft temperature-controlled is now fully operational and serves as Bidfood’s Northeast regional hub, strengthening its logistics capability across the region. Glencar has successfully completed a new £20.5 million temperature-controlled distribution facility for leading UK foodservice provider Bidfood, located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Purpose-built to support the demands
Despite some improvements from last year, 38% still do not update their asset registers or do not know how often they are updated According to a recent survey, 38% of facility maintenance professionals do not update their asset registers or do not know how frequently they are updated. Although the
Rapid construction at a major heavy-duty Sheffield industrial facility has seen main sub-contractor Cidon Construction continue with advancing the development. In order to facilitate high quality work, rapidly, efficiently and safely, the company has been working with National Pile Croppers (NPC), which has supplied Quad L and QXL pile croppers and round the clock support for the project. The ongoing redevelopment of a heavy-duty industrial facility in Sheffield is part of a contract valued at £138 million, which will support construction of a 13,800m2 building. VINCI Building will deliver the project to provide foundations, a 40 metre high superstructure and building service solutions for the facility, alongside teams of subcontractors and supply chain partners. Due to the structure of the building, with its high load bearing walls and superstructure, secant piles were initially chosen due to their ability to be constructed and form excavations in areas of high-water table. They are also able to be high load carrying whilst suffering from less vibration during construction. These were cropped by VINCI Building using a NPC monster cropper, the QXXL, which proved ideal for dealing with the 1,050mm piles. Next stage and more cropping The initial cropping of the secant piles was undertaken using a NPC Quad XXL, which has been designed and developed to deal with piles of between 1,050mm and 1,200m. “The development of the Quad XXL has proved to be the ideal tool for this project. It has the size to get over the 1,050mm piles and reduce them effectively. It is the only piece of kit capable of fitting in between the primary/secondary piles that have a range of 1,050mm – 1,200mm. Piles of this size often come oversized generally at the top,” explains NPC company director Scott Fitchett. This work was undertaken by VINCI Building working in conjunction with NPC. The pile cropping of the other non-secant tiles is being undertaken by sub-contractor, Barnsley headquartered Cidon Construction, which is a specialist reinforced concrete contractor with over 20 years’ experience in the delivery of complex concrete structures. For dealing with the smaller 600mm to 750mm bearing piles until the end of Jan 2026 an NPC QL was used. Following on from that, and for cropping the larger 750mm to 950mm piles, an NPC QXL will be used. Quad designed to be productive All three members of the NPC Quad family work in a similar fashion. The cropper is lowered over the top of the pile to recommended height – on ‘de-bonded’ piles this could be 500mm or more. The jaws are closed until a pile section pops free, with the reinforcement bars being kept straight for ease of removal, with the broken pile section easily lifted to dumper or an identified safe area. The Quad family uses four powerful and fully synchronised rams with specially designed blades to give a superb pile cut. Best utilised on piles with ‘debonded’ reinforcement bars, the Quad design gives it a very small footprint to enable access into tight spaces. “The Quad family has certainly delivered on the Sheffield project. Both VINCI Building and Cidon Construction have been impressed with the performance. It’s been a pleasure to work with both companies on what has proved to be a demanding project,” concludes Scott Fitchett. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Talan is supporting the delivery of a new industry trial designed to understand how students and trainees can be supported as they begin their careers in the gas sector, working on behalf of Gas Safe Register and the Health and Safety Executive. Talan has contributed to the development of the trial from its early stages, including designing a range of student-facing resources such as career pathway guidance and the new Gas Safe Register Student Hub. The hub has been created to provide a clear and accessible landing point for trial participants, giving them easy access to information and support throughout the trial. The initiative invites individuals training to become gas engineers to take part in a structured programme that offers practical support. The trial offers guidance covering registration, safety, career progression and the future skills needed in a changing industry in a ‘Student Hub’ found on the Gas Safe Register website. There are also plans to hold live webinars with gas engineers during which students can ask questions. As part of its role in the trial, Talan has worked closely with the Gas Safe Register to shape the structure and presentation of the Student Hub, ensuring that information is easy to navigate and relevant to the needs of trainees at different stages of their learning journey. Talan are using surveys to collect feedback from students on the quality of the support so it can be improved and developed further in future. Talan have engaged with awarding bodies and training providers across the sector to support participation in the trial and help ensure it reaches students in a range of training environments. Will Taylor, Principal Consultant at Talan, said:“Our role has been focused on supporting the development and delivery of the trial in a way that works for trainees in practice. That has included shaping resources such as career pathways and guidance, as well as working with Gas Safe Register on how the Student Hub is structured so it’s clear, accessible and easy to use. We have also worked closely with awarding bodies and training providers to help ensure the trial reaches students across the sector. Bringing together that engagement with practical support gives a stronger understanding of what trainees need as they start out and how that support can continue to improve.” The trial will run until 31st July 2026 and is available through the Gas Safe Register Student Hub. For more information, visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/student-hub/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
REGIONAL contractor Stepnell has reinforced its commitment to the North West market with the appointment of Dirk Pittaway as regional director, alongside securing significant positions on the latest Procure Partnerships North West and Rise Construction frameworks. Dirk will lead Stepnell’s Liverpool office, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience and a proven track record in delivering major public sector projects. Following an eight-year tenure as regional managing director for Robertson Group, Dirk’s appointment aims to strategically align Stepnell’s collaborative culture with the growing demand for high-quality public sector procurement in the region. The appointment coincides with a period of significant growth for Stepnell’s regional presence. The contractor has secured places on Lot 3 (£1m–£5m) and Lot 4 (£5m–£15m) of the £1 billion Procure Partnerships (PPF) North West framework. Additionally, Stepnell has been appointed to Lot 1 of the four-year Rise Construction Framework for projects valued at more than £15 million. Dirk Pittaway, regional director at Stepnell, said: “I’m joining Stepnell at a pivotal moment where we can truly influence the built environment in the North West. What drew me to the business was its sustainable approach and a ‘team-first’ culture that is genuinely agile enough to respond to regional needs. “Our goal isn’t just to build; it’s to deliver social value that stays within the local community. With the backing of our national expertise and these new framework positions, we have the credibility to provide a progressive, collaborative alternative for public sector clients.” Tom Sewell, director at Stepnell, said: “Dirk brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the North West landscape. His track record in public sector delivery makes him instrumental in our long-term regional growth strategy. “The PPF and Rise framework wins are central to Stepnell’s long-term strategy, enabling public sector clients to access our services where we can deliver high-impact projects, which prioritise carbon reduction and provide community benefit. “We are building a powerful pipeline in the North West supported by our 159-year heritage as a complete construction partner. We are committed to providing clients with the high quality of pre-construction, delivery, and post-occupancy services that Stepnell is synonymous with, supported by a can-do approach.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Talk Talk Business has leased 10,472 sq ft of office space in Building 1 at Exchange Quay in Manchester on a 7-year lease. The deal sees Talk Talk Business relocate its 136-strong team from Soapworks to the prominent waterfront office campus, with occupation expected mid-May. The move follows the company’s recent demerger from the wider Talk Talk Group, marking a significant step in establishing its independent brand and operational footprint. The new, ground-floor space will provide a modern working environment tailored to support hybrid working, with a strong focus on collaboration and client engagement. The office features multiple Teams-enabled meeting rooms, flexible collaboration areas and a dedicated demo suite showcasing Cisco Meraki technology. This allows Talk Talk Business to demonstrate its products directly to clients in a live environment. Exchange Quay was selected for its strong connectivity, high-quality onsite amenities and flexibility for future growth. Its established position within the Manchester City Region’s business and technology cluster ensures continued access to local talent and transport links, aligning with the company’s operational needs. Les Lang, Director, Till AM, investment managers for Exchange Quay commented: “This letting highlights the continued appeal of the campus to forward-thinking occupiers seeking high-quality, flexible workspace in a well-connected location. Exchange Quay offers an exceptional amenity-led environment for businesses to grow, collaborate and attract talent and we look forward to supporting Talk Talk Business as they establish their new base here.” Ruth Kennedy, CEO, Talk Talk Business added: “Our move to Exchange Quay represents an important milestone following our transition to an independent business. Remaining in the area was important to us, and Exchange Quay offers the ideal combination of connectivity, amenities, green space and flexibility. The new office will not only support our hybrid working model, but also provide an enhanced environment to collaborate internally and showcase our technology to customers.” Joint agents for Exchange Quay are Canning O’Neill and Colliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RISE Design Studio has secured planning approval to redevelop Sutton Churches Tennis Club in the London Borough of Sutton, delivering a next-generation community sports facility that sets a new benchmark for grassroots sports infrastructure in the UK. The scheme was approved with the full support of the council. Across the country, community clubs are operating from ageing, inefficient and inaccessible buildings. RISE’s scheme for Sutton Churches Tennis Club offers more than a replacement clubhouse. It demonstrates how these facilities can be reimagined through low-carbon construction, inclusive design and high-performance building standards. By combining mass timber, prefabrication and Passivhaus-informed design aligned with the AECB CarbonLite New Build standard within a community-focused brief, the project establishes a replicable model for the future of local sport. The approval marks a significant milestone for RISE Design Studio. It reflects the practice’s expansion into community sporting infrastructure and reinforces its belief that thoughtful, sustainable architecture has a role to play at every scale. Not only in homes and cultural buildings, but also in the everyday spaces where people come together to socialise and be active. The existing clubhouse, now in a dilapidated condition and no longer viable, will be demolished and replaced with a contemporary, low-energy pavilion designed to grow with the club and serve its community for generations. The approved scheme delivers a new single-storey clubhouse with enlarged clubroom, upgraded changing facilities, accessible WCs and integrated storage. Structurally, the building represents a significant step forward for its typology. A hybrid mass timber structure, combining cross-laminated timber walls with glulam roof elements, reduces embodied carbon while enabling efficient off-site fabrication and rapid assembly on site. High levels of insulation, airtight construction, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, air source heat pumps and rooftop photovoltaic panels will create a building that is both environmentally responsible and cost-effective to operate. The project is targeting AECB CarbonLite New Build Certification, underscoring its commitment to rigorous energy performance. This is a critical consideration for community-led organisations working within limited budgets. Accessibility is embedded from the outset rather than added as an afterthought. By lowering the ground floor to align with the surrounding landscape, the design achieves step-free access throughout, ensuring the facility is genuinely welcoming to all. The building sits lightly within its setting as a low-profile pavilion with a restrained palette of timber, metal and glass. Vertical timber cladding softens its mass, while a standing seam metal roof with a generous overhang provides shelter and shading. A vibrant red roof finish references the tiled roofs of the surrounding homes, and a central linear rooflight reduces reliance on artificial lighting. The site is organised through a linear zoning strategy into three distinct areas: a western recreational landscape, a central social hub and an eastern service block. The clubroom sits at the heart of the plan, oriented northwards to frame views across the tennis courts and maintain a strong visual connection to the sport. To the east, the ancillary block acts as a discreet acoustic buffer for neighbouring residents, with high-level windows maintaining privacy without compromising daylight. For sports clubs, community organisations and local authorities exploring how to upgrade ageing facilities without compromising design quality or environmental performance, RISE Design Studio is available for consultation. Works at Sutton Churches Tennis Club are expected to commence in early 2027. Imran Jahn, Design Director, RISE Design Studio, said:“We wanted the new clubhouse to be a genuinely beautiful building as much as a high-performing one. Beautiful architecture should be accessible to all, not reserved for a select few. Community facilities deserve the same attention to proportion, materiality and light as any other piece of architecture. This project is about creating a place people are proud of, one that elevates the everyday experience of being at the club.” Jose Dengra, Senior Architect, RISE Design Studio, said:“A key part of the project has been coordinating a building that meets high environmental and accessibility standards while responding carefully to its context. By resolving structure, services and layout early on in the design process, we have ensured the scheme is efficient to build, sustainable, and well integrated into the surrounding urban fabric.” Jackie Halls, New Clubhouse Committee, Sutton Churches Tennis Club, said:“Our old clubhouse has become a real barrier and is holding the club back. RISE has designed something that will welcome everyone, players, families and the wider community for decades to come. The new clubhouse will be fully accessible, sustainable and fit for the future, while also being a beautifully designed building that reflects the ambitions of the club. We hope it will stand as an exemplar for what a modern community focused clubhouse can be. We can’t wait to get started on the build!” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ballymore has been given the green light by Newham Council for a major 1,700-home riverside development in Silvertown, east London, marking another significant step in the regeneration of the Royal Docks. The 5.26ha Knights Road scheme, designed by Allies and Morrison, will transform a Docklands site south of London City Airport. The land sits between North Woolwich Road, the River Thames, Lyle Park and neighbouring industrial plots, close to West Silvertown DLR station. The plans include 334 affordable homes, alongside new workspace, retail space and community uses. A first phase has detailed consent for around 640 homes in three buildings ranging from six to 18 storeys, with about 2,300 sq m of flexible commercial space. Outline permission covers the remainder of the site, allowing the wider neighbourhood to be built out over time. The development is intended to play a key role in regenerating this part of Silvertown, bringing new homes, jobs and public spaces to an area that has long been shaped by industrial uses and underused riverside land. It will also fund major improvements to Lyle Park, the 4.5-acre riverside green space gifted to the community by Abram Lyle of Tate & Lyle 100 years ago. Flood defences along the Thames will also be upgraded. The scale of the project means the application must now be referred to the Mayor of London for final sign-off before it can move forward. For Ballymore, the approval underlines its continued focus on large mixed-use regeneration schemes in London in 2026. The developer is already closely associated with major capital projects, including schemes in the Docklands and east London, and Knights Road adds to its pipeline of high-density, waterside developments. Ballymore is expected to continue detailed design work before starting the first phase on site in early 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prescient Capital has secured funding to deliver a new £60m office development in Leeds, bringing forward one of the city’s most prominent new commercial schemes. The developer’s 31 Wellington Street project will replace the former Wellington Plaza building, which has now been demolished. The site sits opposite Wellington Place, in the heart of Leeds’ West End business district. Commercial property investment company BGO has provided a £27m loan to support the development of the new nine-storey building. The scheme will deliver 80,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and is expected to be ready for occupation by the end of next year. Work has already started on site, making 31 Wellington Street one of the few new office projects in Leeds with live construction and a clear delivery date. The scheme is being developed speculatively, reflecting confidence in the city’s office market and the demand for high-quality workspace. Prescient Capital said the backing from BGO was a major vote of confidence in both Leeds and the project. The company said there is already strong interest in at least two floors of the building, while Prescient itself plans to occupy one of the ground-floor units. The development comes at a time when Leeds is facing a shortage of new, high-quality office space. Agents for the scheme said demand for modern, well-located offices remains strong, with rents at 31 Wellington Street being quoted at £55 per sq ft. The building is expected to strengthen the professional core of the West End of Leeds, an area that has seen significant investment and growth in recent years. Its location opposite Wellington Place places it close to major employers, transport links, restaurants and amenities. Knight Frank, Fox Lloyd Jones and AC7 have been appointed to market the building, with office floorplates available from 3,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hammerson has secured outline planning consent for a major purpose built student accommodation scheme in Bristol, marking a significant step forward in the redevelopment of a key city centre site. The approval from Bristol City Council will enable the transformation of underutilised land at Cabot Gate, located adjacent to the Cabot Circus estate. The proposals allow for the delivery of up to 600 student accommodation units, alongside new public realm and community focused spaces, subject to detailed design and reserved matters approval. The scheme forms part of Hammerson’s wider strategy to unlock value from its landholdings while enhancing the quality and connectivity of its urban assets. Positioned at one of Bristol’s principal gateway locations, the development is expected to play an important role in strengthening links between surrounding neighbourhoods and the city centre. In addition to student accommodation, the outline plans include the creation of new green spaces, improved pedestrian and cycle routes and a multi purpose community pavilion. These elements are designed to support placemaking objectives and deliver a more integrated and accessible urban environment. The planning consent follows an extensive period of public consultation and engagement with local stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the council’s broader vision for the city. The project also builds on Hammerson’s ongoing investment in Bristol, including enhancement works at Quakers Friars and the continued repositioning of Cabot Circus as a leading retail and leisure destination in the South West. Jonatan Carlring, development director at Hammerson, described the approval as a key milestone for the site, highlighting the collaborative approach taken with the local authority and community. He noted that the scheme will deliver much needed accommodation while improving connectivity and creating high quality public spaces. The Cabot Gate development reflects the continued growth of the student accommodation sector in major regional cities, where demand remains strong and well located schemes are increasingly being integrated into wider mixed use regeneration strategies. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The 86,098 sq ft temperature-controlled is now fully operational and serves as Bidfood’s Northeast regional hub, strengthening its logistics capability across the region. Glencar has successfully completed a new £20.5 million temperature-controlled distribution facility for leading UK foodservice provider Bidfood, located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Purpose-built to support the demands of a modern foodservice supply chain, the facility comprises 23,628 sq ft of cold store, 8,833 sq ft of chilled marshalling space and 3,114 sq ft of chill store, alongside a large ambient warehouse. The scheme also includes a two-storey main office, dedicated transport office, refuse and plant areas, and a substantial external yard. Glencar delivered the scheme alongside associated infrastructure works, including Section 278 works to support access and connectivity to the surrounding highway network. The project was delivered to programme, reflecting a strong collaborative approach between Glencar, Bidfood and the wider project team. The development incorporates features to support operational efficiency and long-term sustainability, including EV charging infrastructure, 198 car parking spaces and 50 cycle bays. This marks Glencar’s second project for Bidfood, following the successful delivery of its Worcester distribution facility in spring 2025, reinforcing the strength of the ongoing partnership between the two organisations. Tom Kearsley, North Regional Director at Glencar, said: “We are proud to have delivered this facility for Bidfood, building on our existing relationship and demonstrating our capability in delivering complex, temperature-controlled logistics developments. The project is a strong example of collaborative working, with a shared focus on quality, programme certainty and operational performance.” David Foreman, Construction & Property Manager Bidfood, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with Glencar again to deliver this flagship facility for the Northeast. The new site strengthens our regional operations, allowing us to consolidate services, improve efficiency and support future growth. Glencar delivered the project to a high standard, maintaining a professional and well-managed approach throughout. In particular, the site team’s attention to detail and proactive coordination ensured an efficient and well-executed delivery.” The facility will play a key role in supporting Bidfood’s regional logistics operations, providing capacity for future growth and investment in the Northeast. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Despite some improvements from last year, 38% still do not update their asset registers or do not know how often they are updated According to a recent survey, 38% of facility maintenance professionals do not update their asset registers or do not know how frequently they are updated. Although the number of FM professionals with 100% accurate registers (15%) has seen a 6% uptick from last year, nearly 1 in 10 organisations do not have any asset register at all. As part of their State of Facilities Management 2026 Report, SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, surveyed nearly 200 professionals from various roles in the built environment sector to assess challenges and priorities regarding facility management. The survey reveals that while the industry faces high cost and compliance pressures, asset management and maintenance were identified as the leading three-year investment priority, with 72% of respondents selecting it. The FM industry’s biggest obstacles to effective asset management The report reveals that 50% of respondents still store at least part of their asset register in spreadsheet format, with only 58% using dedicated software solutions such as CAFM. 4% of FM organisations even use paper-based records to manage their asset register. Organisations using software solutions reported higher asset register accuracy – around 70% on average, compared with around 60% for those relying on spreadsheets or paper. Davy Clark says: “The continued reliance on spreadsheets— often alongside systems—highlights fragmentation in how asset information is managed. Spreadsheets can be effective for smaller estates, but they introduce well-known challenges around version control, governance, and consistent updates across teams and suppliers. Respondents using software solutions report materially higher accuracy, indicating that systematisation and control can support better data quality when implemented well.” The 2026 survey spotlighted that the number of FM organisations that update their asset registers on a monthly basis has dropped from 22% to 13%, while yearly updates have seen a slight uptick from 28% to 32%. That said, compared to 34% in 2025, 38% of FM organisations do not update their registers or do not know how often they are reviewed and refreshed. This mixed picture suggests that while reported accuracy may be improving for some organisations, the regularity and knowledge of asset register updates may be declining. Davy Clark, Senior Implementation Consultant at SFG20, says: “One of the most common issues we encounter in asset register projects is the lack of consistency and specificity in asset descriptions. Too often, assets are recorded with vague descriptions like ‘boiler’ or ‘pump’, making it incredibly difficult to map them to the correct maintenance tasks. This leads to inefficiencies, increased risk, and compliance challenges. Ensuring asset data is consistently structured, complete, and digitally maintained in a single source of truth is essential — not only for effective planned maintenance but also for long-term cost savings and compliance.” Kirsty Cogan, Managing Director at SFG20, says: “FM has to become more data driven. The days of reactive maintenance and intuition-based decision-making are numbered. Facilities Managers need access to real-time asset data, not only to meet compliance demands but also to optimise maintenance strategies, improve efficiency, and unlock cost savings. Yet, many organisations still lack the digital infrastructure to make this a reality. The past year has shown that while there is an undeniable commitment to raising standards across the industry, the road to compliance, cost efficiency, and sustainability remains a tough one to navigate. Conversations with FM professionals across different sectors highlight the same recurring theme: progress is being made, but not at the speed or scale needed to meet the growing challenges ahead.” The full report alongside SFG20’s complete list of recommendations for each covered challenge can be found here: https://www.sfg20.co.uk/e-guide/state-of-fm-2026 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals