Bellway has completed a deal to buy two additional land parcels at Linmere in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, with plans to build 236 more homes in the new neighbourhood. The housebuilder has already built 307 homes across two developments within Phase 1 of the project, and has submitted detailed plans for
By Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance Twenty years ago, a piece of regulatory guidance quietly set a ceiling, quite literally, on what a warehouse could be without sprinklers. That 18 metre height limit in Approved Document B was, at the time, an outer boundary to signal a
When Geoff and Christine Stephenson decided to downsize to a new build bungalow, they knew it would be a positive move for their health and independence. What they didn’t expect was to find themselves reconnecting with old friends – and becoming part of a close‑knit community almost as soon as
Flexible workspace provider, Canvas Offices, has announced the appointment of Kit Naidoo as its new Finance Director. Bringing a wealth of experience from both the ‘big four’ and flexible office space sector, Kit boasts a proven track record in leading finance teams to advance and scale businesses at different stages
Glenigan’s Summer 2026 Construction Forecast indicates sector resurgence in 2027, despite a painful start to the year Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases its widely anticipated UK Construction Industry Forecast 2026-2028. Predominantly focused on underlying starts (<£100m in value),
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has launched sales at Duke’s Row, a £12.6m GDV boutique scheme in Camden, central London. Named after the Duke of Bedford who created the square on which the scheme is located, Duke’s Row is Salboy’s fourth design-led boutique London scheme since
Major milestone as new 12-bay ultra-rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub opens at Hatton Cross, the first of 25 planned to open across London by the Places for London and Fastned partnership Taxis, cars and commercial vehicles benefiting from easier ultra-rapid 24/7 charging, powered entirely by 100 per cent renewable energy,
The buzz surrounding the planned creation of a multibillion-pound theme park in Bedfordshire is to be used to encourage children to consider careers in the construction industry when they leave school. That’s the aim of insulation specialist Actis, a long-term champion of encouraging young people into the sector, often via
Woodgate, the award-winning 619-home development delivered through a joint venture between Thakeham and Abri, is now fully sold. Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has completed on the sale of the final private home at its flagship development in Pease Pottage, West Sussex. Delivered in
One hundred days after the outbreak of conflict in Iran, the UK construction sector is facing mounting pressure from rising energy costs, persistent inflation and weakening demand, according to analysis by the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). While the conflict initially impacted commodity markets, its effects are now spreading more
Bellway has completed a deal to buy two additional land parcels at Linmere in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, with plans to build 236 more homes in the new neighbourhood. The housebuilder has already built 307 homes across two developments within Phase 1 of the project, and has submitted detailed plans for a further 161 homes within Phase 3. The new land parcels are within Phase 4 of Linmere and are covered by the outline planning permission in place for the wider project. Bellway will now finalise its detailed plans for submission to Central Bedfordshire Council, which will bring the total number of homes it is delivering as part of the scheme to more than 700. Neil Grainger, Land Director for Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “We have been part of the Linmere project since the start, and this latest land acquisition confirms our commitment to the delivery of high-quality housing in Houghton Regis. “We have completed over 300 homes to date within Phase 1, and are now looking forward to starting work on homes within Phase 3 subject to detailed planning consent. “Linmere is already becoming a well-established community, thanks to the focus on placemaking and provision of new facilities at an early stage within the neighbourhood. “Primary and secondary-age children are already benefitting from modern new school buildings, while the Farmstead community hub and Lidl supermarket put day-to-day amenities within walking distance for residents and provide a focal point for the community. “Linmere also features extensive areas of attractive open space with trees, footpaths and cycleways, enabling people to spend leisure time outdoors, which is so important for health and wellbeing.” Outline planning permission for Linmere was granted in 2014 and covers a development of up to 5,150 homes, a mixed-use local centre, schools, community facilities and public open space. Bellway received detailed planning permission for 153 homes at Bellway at Linmere, off Sundon Road, in 2020, while plans for a further 154 homes at Linmere Gateway, off Waterslade Way, were approved in 2021. The final homes here are now available to reserve. Detailed plans for Linmere Mews, in Phase 3 off Woodside Link Road, were submitted in August last year. This part of the project has been planned to comprise 161 houses and apartments, including 137 two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses for private sale, and 24 affordable one to four-bedroom homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership. For more information about Bellway’s homes at Linmere, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/linmere-gateway Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Tom Roche, Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance Twenty years ago, a piece of regulatory guidance quietly set a ceiling, quite literally, on what a warehouse could be without sprinklers. That 18 metre height limit in Approved Document B was, at the time, an outer boundary to signal a building that was going taller than perhaps the norm. Two decades on, warehouses look very different. The question is whether our thinking about protecting them has kept pace. I wrote recently about the sky’s the limit mentality driving speculative warehouse development. Buildings pushing past 18 metres that are designed apparently without full awareness of what the regulatory guidance requires and what fire protection can actually deliver at those heights. But height alone is not the whole story. The warehouses being built and occupied today present a more challenging fire risk than those the guidance was written for, and it is time the industry faced that honestly. The fuel load alone tells a story in itself. Modern logistics is driven by density. Automated storage and retrieval systems, multi-level mezzanines, and high-bay racking have transformed what sits inside these buildings. Where a warehouse twenty years ago might have held palletised goods with some degree of spacing and emerging plastics, today’s equivalent is a tightly packed, vertically stacked environment designed for maximum efficiency. Some systems extract every cubic metre of value from the building envelope. More goods are stored higher and closer together creating a predominance of plastic items and containers. The fire load has grown substantially, and with it, the potential rate of heat release in a fire. Electrical complexity Then there is the question of ignition sources. Where 20 years ago we were seeking to keep electrical installations out of the storage array. The electrification of the internal logistics environment has accelerated sharply in another direction. Automated guided vehicles, battery-charging infrastructure, conveyor systems and increasingly sophisticated control electronics are now embedded throughout the storage array itself, not just in ancillary areas. Each represents a potential ignition source, and unlike a forklift in an open aisle, many of these systems operate in and around the racking, in close proximity to the very commodity they are supposed to move efficiently. The electrical complexity inside a modern warehouse bears little resemblance to the relatively simple environments that informed earlier thinking on fire risk. Multi-level working adds another dimension. Intermediate floors and mezzanine structures, increasingly common as operators seek to maximise usable floorspace, create environments where fire behaviour becomes harder to predict and harder to suppress. Sprinkler design standards have kept pace with these configurations and the installations are complex. The result is a growing number of buildings where the occupier’s aspirations for how the space will function, and the technical capability of available fire protection systems need careful coordination otherwise they will be moving in opposite directions. A similar lesson It is worth recalling the lessons being learned, somewhat painfully, in the car park sector. Research commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive1 and incidents such as the Addenbrooke Hospital car park fire have confirmed that modern car park fires behave very differently from those the existing regulatory guidance was written for. Higher vehicle fire loads, greater parking density and the growing presence of electric vehicles have changed the risk profile significantly. The conclusion being drawn in that sector, that regulations built on historic assumptions are no longer sufficient, applies equally here. Warehouses twenty years on are not the warehouses the guidance was designed for. The fuel loads are heavier, the ignition sources more numerous, the configurations more complex. The industry needs to acknowledge that compliance with historic guidance is a floor, not a ceiling, and that the fire protection challenge has changed. Running out of road in silence is not an option. For more information about the Business Sprinkler Alliance visit www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
When Geoff and Christine Stephenson decided to downsize to a new build bungalow, they knew it would be a positive move for their health and independence. What they didn’t expect was to find themselves reconnecting with old friends – and becoming part of a close‑knit community almost as soon as they moved in. The couple, both 74, moved into a believe housing home at Bishops Park in Bishop Auckland in 2024, drawn by the comfort and convenience of a bungalow. Although sad to leave their previous home and neighbours, Geoff and Christine quickly began uncovering connections with new neighbours, including Allyson and John Gibson and Trudie and Melvin Thompson, who had also moved into believe housing bungalows. Some of those connections stretch back decades. Allison and Trudy were firm friends at school, attending St Helen’s Primary and King James, where they remember sitting together in class and occasionally playing truant. Years later, they worked together at the nearby Claremont clothing factory, along with Christine, who spent more than 35 years of her working life there during its time as Steinberg’s and Sara Lee Courtaulds. Together, these shared histories, alongside new friendships, have helped create a supportive, caring community, giving neighbours a real sense of safety, belonging and connection. Geoff said: “We had a good relationship from about day five, and it’s stayed strong. It makes a real difference to how you feel about where you live. We’re alright here, we’ve certainly got good neighbours and it’s a lovely place.” Trudie added: “It’s just nice to know you can call on each other, rely on each other and watch out for one another.” Bishops Park is being developed by Vistry (Linden Homes) and will eventually provide around 500 new homes. Of these, 200 are being delivered by not-for-profit housing association believe housing, offering a mix of homes for social and affordable rent as well as others through affordable routes to home ownership. Kate Abson, Director of Assets and Development at believe housing, said: “We’re seeing firsthand how the right home, in the right place, can support people’s health, independence and quality of life. “From first homes to family houses and accessible bungalows, this development is already making a positive difference to the people who live here, and it’s fantastic to see how well residents are now settling into their new homes and their new community. “We work closely with our partners to deliver high‑quality, energy‑efficient new homes for customers, but it’s also just as important to us to see such a strong sense of community forming so quickly, where people feel safe, settled and proud of where they live.” For more information about believe housing’s new build homes, including at Bishops Park, visit developments | believe housing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Flexible workspace provider, Canvas Offices, has announced the appointment of Kit Naidoo as its new Finance Director. Bringing a wealth of experience from both the ‘big four’ and flexible office space sector, Kit boasts a proven track record in leading finance teams to advance and scale businesses at different stages of development. Established in 2018 by founding partners, Yaron and Oren Rosenblum, Canvas Offices provides bespoke, design-led flexible workspaces throughout London. Since the company launched, it has sourced, refurbished and launched 16 office buildings in prime locations including Mayfair, Shoreditch and Holborn. Now focused on increasing market share across London and overseas – while ensuring the Canvas brand is positioned at the forefront of the flexible workspace sector – Kit’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the business. Here, she will play a key role in integrating new technologies and in incorporating strategic finance leadership to ensure the business can keep pace with industry trends and developments, all while driving continued growth and expansion. Commenting on her new role, Kit said: “The role of finance is continuously evolving and has now moved beyond just numbers. For me, it’s about working closely with the leadership team to help deliver a proactive strategy that really shapes and helps drive growth. “Canvas Offices is at a really exciting stage, where one of my initial priorities will be building core financial and operational foundations that will support the business as it continues to scale. This includes embedding more agile systems to enable faster, smarter decisions, while allowing the business to respond proactively to industry trends and developments. I am already enjoying working with the team and look forward to playing a key role in this next growth phase.” Yaron Rosenblum, Co-Founder of Canvas, added: “We’re excited to welcome Kit to Canvas Offices. She brings impressive financial expertise, together with a modern and collaborative approach to leadership that aligns perfectly with our culture and ambitions for future growth and development – particularly when it comes to technology. Having already made an early impact, we are in no doubt that her people-focused mindset and strategic approach will be invaluable as we continue to expand the Canvas brand and strengthen our position within the flexible workspace market.” Headquartered in High Holborn, Canvas boasts an average 92% occupancy rate across its portfolio, with its spaces home to hundreds of thriving businesses – including leading brands such as Rough Trade, Stockx, Football Co, and Augustinus Bader. For further information please visit: https://canvasoffices.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glenigan’s Summer 2026 Construction Forecast indicates sector resurgence in 2027, despite a painful start to the year Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases its widely anticipated UK Construction Industry Forecast 2026-2028. Predominantly focused on underlying starts (<£100m in value), unless otherwise stated, it contains a comprehensive overview of the current state of the construction industry. Glenigan’s Summer 2026 Forecast is published against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of domestic and international events, which have shaken global markets to their foundations and rocked the entire UK business and industry landscape. Construction was already one of the hardest hit sectors. Yet when Glenigan released its last Forecast in the back end of 2025, it had been looking forward to a relatively stable 12 months with modest recovery. Still, no one could have predicted what would happen over the past six months and, with little sign of these phenomena resolving any time soon, figures have had to be revised. However, the good news is the impact is expected to be short-lived. Glenigan’s latest numbers predict that, whilst the year will end in negative growth of -1%, this will be offset by an 11% activity increase in 2027, and 4% in 2028 (+13% on 2025). This is dependent upon a gradual re-strengthening of the UK economy which, although fragile, appears to be withstanding considerable external pressures. Considering the Forecast’s findings, Glenigan’s Economics Director, Allan Wilen, says, “It’s been a turbulent few months for the UK construction sector, with investors and developers reassessing and rescheduling planned projects. However, the economic outlook is expected to improve once the current fog of war dissipates, supporting a strengthening in construction activity from 2027 with an uplift across almost all private and public sector verticals. He continues, “As our Forecast shows, there are some particularly exciting growth areas as Government funding is released and investor appetite starts to return to the market. Contractors will need to be quick off the mark as more favourable conditions are finally felt. There will be no time for hanging around and the quicker the sector’s reaction, the sooner momentum will return and stick.” Looking at the highlights from the Forecast, despite the here and now remaining tough, key drivers for growth over the next two years include increased consumer spending and higher public sector investment, as well as an expansion in infrastructure and utilities work. Gearing-up for renewed growth In the private sector, financial viability and economic uncertainty are still key constraints to project progress near term. However, there are likely to be some big winners in the non-residential verticals over the next few years. Industrial and commercial office projects are set to significantly boost private sector activity, with strengthening project starts as UK economic growth gathers pace, supported by increased business investment. Although, the former will see a 9% downturn this year, improving market conditions and firm demand for logistics space, backed by the Government’s National Planning Policy and Infrastructure Strategy, will help deliver increases of 16% in 2027 and 5% in 2028. Offices have been one of the outliers amid a particularly gloomy first half of the year; this upward trajectory is set to rise further, resulting in an impressive 21% lift by the end of 2026. It’s expected to then slow in 2027 after two years of rapid growth, slipping back 11% before returning to growth in 2028 (+4%). The key reason for this impressive resilience is a healthy appetite for high-quality, sustainable office space, as occupiers prioritise energy-efficient and flexible working spaces. Simultaneously, the rapid proliferation of AI is prompting greater demand for data centres (which are covered by this vertical). Prognosis positive for Health and Education Whilst there have been recent delays, non-residential performance is forecast to increase with schemes such as the New Hospital Programme and the School Building Programme set to drive activity over the Forecast period. Education is destined for a season in the sun, climbing 8% by the end of the year and by 20% in 2027, followed by a further 5% rise in 2028. School construction continues to dominate activity, as a clearer funding pipeline unlocks investment to rebuild and renovate a large swathe of tired and crumbling stock. Health’s diagnosis is also positive, with recovery predicted by the year end (+9%) and by an equal level in 2027 (+9%) before increasing exponentially in 2028 (+14%). Propelled by increased capital funding and the release of deferred schemes, NHS trusts will be able to address the extensive repair backlog across existing estates. Furthermore, additional funding targeted at modernisation and capacity expansions (including diagnostic and community care hubs) will provide a shot in the arm to construction output. Civils is on the Up(grade) Civils is likely to remain flat by the end of the year (0%), no surprise given the significant activity decline in the vertical over the past 18 months. A 15% surge is predicted in 2027 before flattening out in 2028 (0%). Water sector investment programmes are gaining momentum, with Ofwat green-lighting £104bn investment in upgrades and repairs between 2025-2030. Strong growth across electricity networks and renewables are being driven by continued investment to deliver the Government’s Net Zero energy push; offshore wind and nuclear projects, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will underpin activity. Transport infrastructure also gets a look in, strengthening from next year, supported by Spending Review funding for road maintenance and rail upgrades, including HS2 and the TransPennine Route. Residential set to rise-high from 2027 Housebuilding experienced a disappointing start to 2026 after a lacklustre second half of 2025, so it’s little surprise that both the private (-5%) and social (-3%) verticals will finish the year in the red. Whilst the immediate outlook is unavoidably subdued, both are set for a solid revival in the remainder of the Forecast period. Private housebuilding is expected to rebound 13% in 2027 and by 5% in 2028, this is driven by an expected decrease in borrowing costs and improved consumer confidence.
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has launched sales at Duke’s Row, a £12.6m GDV boutique scheme in Camden, central London. Named after the Duke of Bedford who created the square on which the scheme is located, Duke’s Row is Salboy’s fourth design-led boutique London scheme since 2022. Construction is already well underway and the scheme is scheduled to complete on time and on budget by August 2027. Duke’s Row will be a six-storey building made up of 10 one/two/three-bed apartments as well as a three-bedroom penthouse. Property sizes range from 52 sqm to 135 sqm. All of the apartments come with private terraces or balconies, and the penthouse benefits from a 75sqm, west-facing wraparound terrace. Duke’s Row was designed by Studio Power, one of Salboy’s long-term architectural partners, whose attention to design detail complements the scheme’s position within the Camden Town Conservation Area as well as the architectural history of the adjacent Harrington Square Gardens which were laid out in the 1840s. The scheme will bear all the hallmarks of Salboy’s high quality finish. A brick and cast stone façade will give the building a historically sensitive yet contemporary look, complete with arched openings at ground level. Internally engineered timber flooring, quartz worktops, brushed brass ironmongery and expansive glazing feel refined and considered, while rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps and a likely ‘B’ band EPC ensure that the building fully adheres to modern design and engineering expectations. Duke’s Row is located in the heart of north London’s busy Camden Town neighbourhood, popular with young professionals and young families who want close proximity to the city centre. A lively shopping, entertainment and restaurant scene is available on the residents’ doorstep; Regent’s Park can be reached on foot in 18 minutes, and King’s Cross’ regeneration scheme Coal Drops Yard (home to the new Google HQ) is only 20 minutes away on foot or less than 10 minutes by bike. The scheme is also a two-minute walk from Mornington Crescent underground station with fast links into central London, the City, Canary Wharf and Heathrow. Salboy is developing Duke’s Row in partnership with Forge Homes, an experienced boutique residential developer operating across London, Essex and Kent. Established in 2022, Forge Homes has built a track record delivering carefully designed small-scale residential schemes, including completed and live developments in Rochford, Walderslade, Orsett, Wanstead and Camden. Forge Homes partnered with Salboy to optimise and diversify its offer by entering the higher-value central London residential market. Duke’s Row is one of Salboy Capital’s active partnership-led development sites, delivered as part of a national platform supporting developers across the UK. It is also one of two Salboy residential schemes currently under construction within a 10-mile radius of central London, alongside Old York Mews in Wandsworth. Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & MD of Salboy, comments: “Developing a scheme in central London comes with many complexities such as planning, site accessibility, and the premium cost of labour and materials. For many smaller-scale developers these challenges have proven time and again to be prohibitive. Joining the Salboy community as a joint venture partner opens up access for these developers to economies of scale that bring down costs, as well as over 12 years’ planning, cost and project management expertise, enabling them to bring their central London ambitions to life. We’re delighted to be bringing forward this scheme in Camden with Forge Homes, another Salboy footprint on prime London living. Duke’s Row blends our standards for high quality finishes with Forge Homes’ dedication to craftsmanship. We look forward to seeing the results and welcoming buyers to make their homes there.” Dan Harvey & Harry Bushrod, at Forge Homes, add: “Duke’s Row is exactly the type of scheme where detail matters. Camden is a highly sensitive location, so every decision, from the brick and cast stone façade to the internal specification and the way the building responds to Harrington Square, has had to be carefully considered. Our approach has been hands-on throughout because boutique residential schemes depend on close control of quality, workmanship and delivery. Working with Salboy has allowed us to bring that approach into a central London setting, supported by the funding, experience and market reach needed to do the site justice.” Sales of the properties are being led by Salboy’s own sales team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major milestone as new 12-bay ultra-rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub opens at Hatton Cross, the first of 25 planned to open across London by the Places for London and Fastned partnership Taxis, cars and commercial vehicles benefiting from easier ultra-rapid 24/7 charging, powered entirely by 100 per cent renewable energy, with toilet facilities, extra wide bays and two fully accessible charging spaces to ensure EV charging is sustainable and accessible for everyone To celebrate the official opening, the Hatton Cross charging hub will offer five days (a ‘working week’) of free charging from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June 2026 The Fastned and Places for London partnership has officially opened its first state-of-the-art ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Hatton Cross Underground station, marking a major milestone for London’s green transport infrastructure. Launched by Seb Dance (Deputy Mayor for Transport), Mete Coban MBE (Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy), and Andy Lord (London’s Transport Commissioner), alongside Fastned Co-founder and CEO Michiel Langezaal and Fastned UK Director Tom Hurst, the event also featured a zero-emission capable black cab, ambulance, and TfL van, showcasing the growing range of electric fleet capability now available. To celebrate the official opening, the new Hatton Cross charging hub will offer five days of free charging, from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June 2026. Drivers just need to turn up, authorise their charge with their normal payment method and then enjoy free charging on Fastned. The new EV hub, part of work to deliver on the Mayor’s manifesto target of up to 40,000 charge points in London by 2030, is the first of 25 planned to be delivered across London by the partnership, has been designed with accessibility and comfort in mind. It includes extra-wide bays and two fully accessible charging spaces in line with the latest British Standards Institution guidance, alongside weather protection provided by Fastned’s signature yellow solar canopies. The hub also has CCTV coverage throughout the site and 24/7 multilingual customer support, ensuring a safe, easy and enjoyable experience for all users. Open 24/7 and powered entirely by renewable energy, the hub features 12 ultra-rapid (400kW) charging bays, capable of delivering up to 100 miles (around 160 kilometres) of range in just five minutes. It is strategically located within easy access to Heathrow Airport, the M25, M4 and A30, making it a convenient stop for airport commuters, residents, taxi and private hire drivers, and business fleets. Many drivers, particularly in London, depend on public charging, with the UK having around 2 million battery electric vehicles on the roads now, and around 40 per cent of UK households lacking off-street parking. Designed for vehicles of all sizes, from cars and taxis to vans and smaller commercial vehicles, the hub helps tackle London’s space constraints, providing a welcome option where home or depot charging is not available. The capital leads the way in EV uptake nationally, with more than 175,000 battery electric cars and vans already registered in the capital. EV numbers on the road in London are projected to reach to over 1 million by 2030, making up to 36 per cent of London’s car and van fleet. This hub contributes directly to 2030 forecasts for EV infrastructure and marks a tipping point for London as over half of the high-powered chargers needed by the end of the decade have now been delivered. The partnership aims to make ultra-fast charging more accessible by creating a city-wide network of hubs which are thoughtfully designed for all users, with planning already in place for a flagship 36-bay location at Hanger Lane and an 8-bay hub at East Finchley Underground station car park. Three other sites are within the planning process across Newham, Haringey, and Barking and Dagenham, with a further seven sites due to be submitted for borough review by the end of the year. Alongside accessible charging, every site will also deliver community benefits, with a share of revenue supporting local projects and climate initiatives. The partnership is also dedicated to tackling the growing “green skills” gap, providing apprenticeships, work experience placements, and employment opportunities to help upskill Londoners and secure the future of the city’s green transition “Hatton Cross is a landmark moment for our joint venture with Places for London, and a major step in powering up the capital where it matters most. Positioned on a key route near Heathrow, this hub is built for constant movement and for the switch to electric to happen at pace. “With ultra-rapid charging, weather-protected bays and effortless access, this site is designed around people on the go. Whether you’re commuting, visiting, running a fleet or living with or without a driveway, we’re making charging simpler, faster and more reliable for everyone.”Tom Hurst, Fastned UK Country Director “Opening our first hub at Hatton Cross with Fastned shows what collaboration can achieve. This is a sustainable, inclusive infrastructure that drivers can rely on where it’s needed most. This is just the start of a city-wide network of ultra-rapid hubs, which sets a benchmark for future EV charging developments, supporting a cleaner, more sustainable transport network across the capital with Hatton Cross perfectly positioned to serve the high volumes of traffic around Heathrow in a safe and comfortable environment.” John Colgan, Places for London Electric Vehicle Charging Hubs Project Manager “The opening of this new charging hub is an important step in helping more Londoners switch to electric vehicles and play their part in tackling the climate crisis. As more people choose electric cars, vans and taxis, it’s vital that we provide the charging infrastructure needed to support them, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and supporting our transition to a net zero city. “This is the first of 25 new ultra-rapid charging hubs planned across London, helping make charging easier and more convenient, particularly for people who don’t have access to off-street parking. These new hubs also represent important progress towards delivering on the Mayor’s manifesto commitment to support the rollout of up to 40,000 electric vehicle charge points across London by 2030.
The buzz surrounding the planned creation of a multibillion-pound theme park in Bedfordshire is to be used to encourage children to consider careers in the construction industry when they leave school. That’s the aim of insulation specialist Actis, a long-term champion of encouraging young people into the sector, often via outreach sessions in schools and colleges. And with developers Comcast NBCUniversal promising to provide training and apprenticeships via colleges and universities throughout the construction and resort phase, the development of the newly named Universal United Kingdom Resort should be good news for the wider construction industry, believes Actis. The US entertainment giant, which says it will invest an initial £5 billion into the resort and a further £1bn over its first decade, wants the theme park to become the most visited in Europe. It says the work will generate around 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 created after its opening in 2031. The government will support the surrounding infrastructure development and transport links to the tune of £1.3 billion. Actis East and Scotland regional sales director, Steven Ellis, who lives near the planned theme park, is due to take part in a ‘careers and aspirations’ day at a village school literally a stone’s throw from the site in the coming weeks. He plans to reference the resort as an example of the kind of imaginative project open to those choosing a construction career path. “The popular appeal and glamour of a theme park is a tangible and exciting example of the kind of project likely to strike a chord with those still at school. I’m hoping it will give them a real passion to be involved in an industry which can bring so much joy to millions of people all over the world,” he said. “With the theme park’s creators predicting there will be 8.5 million visitors a year initially, rising to 12 million within 20 years of opening, the magnitude of the resort points to a great need for skilled tradespeople and apprentices. “These will be required to work not only on the 476-acre theme park but also on the road and rail links being created and upgraded to allow access to the site. This is a career opportunity on their doorstep and I’m hoping they will share my enthusiasm!” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Woodgate, the award-winning 619-home development delivered through a joint venture between Thakeham and Abri, is now fully sold. Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has completed on the sale of the final private home at its flagship development in Pease Pottage, West Sussex. Delivered in partnership, Woodgate brings together a mix of private and affordable homes, with Thakeham leading on private sale and Abri providing a significant number of affordable homes to support local housing need. As well as the high-quality homes, the scheme features St Catherine’s Hospice and a community café run by JO.CO on its behalf, with all profits going towards the charity’s vital services. Other amenities at Woodgate include a community shop managed and operated by local residents with support from charity Plunkett UK and a state-of-the-art primary school. A large village green is at the heart of the development, while play areas, trails, pathways and cycle routes linking to the neighbouring 370-acre Tilgate Forest are spread throughout. Of the 619 homes at Woodgate, 186 are affordable, which is a 30% provision in line with local planning policy. This comes at a time of sustained demand for social housing locally, with more than 2,000 households currently on the Mid Sussex housing register, highlighting the continued pressure on the supply of affordable homes in the area. “The first new homes were completed in 2020 and the community at Woodgate is already thriving – you can feel a real buzz when you walk around. The residents of our private and affordable homes have created something special, and people are visiting Woodgate from the surrounding areas to use the facilities and soak in the atmosphere,” said Thakeham Sales Director, Emma Chamberlain. “The completion on this final home is a real milestone for us, and the former sales pavilion will soon be ready to hand over to the community to further ingrain the unique sense of community at this exceptional development.” Sally Ingham, Development Director at Abri said: “Woodgate shows what can be achieved when partners share a long-term vision for both homes and place. Working with Thakeham, we’ve helped create a thriving community with high-quality homes and facilities alongside green spaces that will continue to benefit everyone for years to come. Developments like this also support Abri’s wider investment strategy to deliver 20,000 new homes by 2036, helping to address the growing demand for affordable housing across our communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One hundred days after the outbreak of conflict in Iran, the UK construction sector is facing mounting pressure from rising energy costs, persistent inflation and weakening demand, according to analysis by the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). While the conflict initially impacted commodity markets, its effects are now spreading more widely through the economy, creating challenges for construction firms, clients and investors alike. Dr David Crosthwaite, BCIS chief economist, said: “The conflict is no longer simply a commodity market story. The longer it continues, the more its effects are spreading. “Construction is being affected through multiple channels simultaneously. Higher energy costs are increasing pressure on supply chains and materials, while inflationary pressures and uncertainty around interest rates are weighing on confidence, investment decisions and demand. “What makes the current situation unusual is that the industry is experiencing rising cost pressures at the same time as activity is weakening. Previous shocks have often been characterised either by strong inflationary pressures or weak demand. Today we are seeing both forces at work simultaneously.” The most immediate impact has been through energy markets. Brent crude oil has remained above $100 per barrel since mid-March, while natural gas prices have also remained elevated. This has increased transport, logistics and manufacturing costs across the construction supply chain. Provisional data from BCIS work category indices show that DERV (diesel engined road vehicle) fuel prices were 38% higher in April 2026 than a year earlier, adding pressure to plant operation, distribution and wider construction logistics costs. At the same time, key construction-related commodities have experienced significant price increases. Aluminium prices, for example, rose from $2,967 per tonne in early January to $3,769 per tonne by late May, approaching levels seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The BCIS aluminium windows and doors work category index increased by 14% between April and May. The wider economic implications are becoming increasingly significant. Although UK inflation eased in April, BCIS expects inflationary pressures to remain elevated for longer as higher energy, transport and import costs continue to feed through the economy. Financial markets have also shifted their expectations for interest rates, with the prospect of lower borrowing costs becoming increasingly uncertain. Earlier expectations for construction growth have also weakened as uncertainty around inflation, interest rates and economic growth has increased. Residential construction is expected to be among the sectors most exposed to these pressures due to its sensitivity to mortgage rates and consumer confidence. Dr Crosthwaite said the current situation differs from previous global disruptions affecting the construction sector. He said: “During the height of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, significant cost inflation was accompanied by relatively strong demand conditions, enabling higher costs to feed through more readily into tender prices. “By contrast, the current conflict is unfolding against a backdrop of weaker economic growth, subdued construction activity and declining confidence. It also differs from the Red Sea shipping disruption, where impacts were more heavily concentrated on logistics and freight.” This tension between rising costs and weaker demand is also reflected in feedback from the BCIS Tender Price Index (TPI) Panel in 2Q2026. The panel, which comprises practising cost consultants from firms involved in multiple tenders across the UK, reported cost pressures in energy-intensive materials. Several respondents highlighted rising steel prices linked to geopolitical tensions and trade measures. Petroleum-derived products such as PIR insulation, PVC and roofing materials are also expected to see upward pressure. Dr Crosthwaite added: “Weak construction demand and material surpluses have limited the extent to which some increases have fed through into project costs, with mixed evidence of price rises in tender returns. This suggests that competitive market conditions are continuing to constrain the extent to which higher costs are reflected in tender prices. “The longer the conflict continues, the greater the risk that higher energy and commodity costs become embedded throughout supply chains. The key question for the industry is not whether rising costs will affect tender prices, but how far those pressures can feed through in a market where demand remains so weak.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals