Intelligent window control technology protects people and buildings Heatwaves in the UK are becoming more frequent and more severe. According to the Met Office, the number of days exceeding 28°C has more than doubled since the 1961-1990 baseline, and very hot days above 30°C have more than trebled.¹ The South
Barhale has secured a major infrastructure contract from Thames Water to undertake essential refurbishment works at Ashford Common Water Treatment Works in Surrey, helping to safeguard one of the capital’s most important drinking water supplies for years to come. The project will see Barhale reline a key abstraction tunnel that
Dialight, the world leader in industrial LED lighting innovation, is marking the 30th anniversary of National Safety Month by highlighting how high-performing, industrial-grade LED lighting can help reduce risks, support compliance, and improve overall operational efficiency, particularly in harsh industrial worksites and conditions. National Safety Month, established by the National
Investment in the latest mobile power technology is giving field service engineers at Finning UK & Ireland the tools to deliver a more versatile and sustainable maintenance and repair offer to customers. Portable battery power stations will give teams carrying out essential work on remote sites access to a power
Construction is set to commence this October on one of the City of London’s most significant commercial developments, as Skanska prepares to begin work on the £282m redevelopment of 55 Old Broad Street. The scheme will deliver approximately 270,000 sq ft of premium office accommodation across 23 storeys, alongside new
McLaren Construction Midlands & North has completed the second and final phase of iQ Longwood Place, a landmark purpose-built student accommodation development close to the University of Warwick, delivering a transformational new student community. Developed by Topland Vintage Group and McLaren Property on behalf of iQ Student Accommodation (iQ), the
The long-vacant former Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire is set to be transformed into a vibrant new residential community after Story Homes secured outline planning permission for a major redevelopment that will deliver up to 350 new homes alongside community facilities and significant environmental improvements. Located in Charnock Richard, near
The latest research from LegalforLandlords has found that landlord possession claims, widely used as a proxy for Section 8 activity, are on course to increase by 6.1% this year as landlords adapt to life after the abolition of Section 21., resulting in 87 letting agent brands signing up for Section 8
Construction of a major new industrial development in the Bristol region is set to commence after Tungsten Properties appointed Magrock Construction as main contractor for its latest logistics and industrial scheme at Filton. The appointment follows the successful completion of a £19m funding package from a private UK family office,
MoreySmith, the award-winning design and architecture studio, has published a new report setting out the kind of office its biggest clients are now asking for: a workplace designed for the age of artificial intelligence, with human connection at its centre. Titled Workplace 3.0: Intentionality, Longevity and the Third Era of
Intelligent window control technology protects people and buildings Heatwaves in the UK are becoming more frequent and more severe. According to the Met Office, the number of days exceeding 28°C has more than doubled since the 1961-1990 baseline, and very hot days above 30°C have more than trebled.¹ The South East of England now averages over 12 such days per year. As buildings heat up during the day and fail to cool overnight, schools, offices and public buildings are turning into heat stores. To mitigate this problem, WindowMaster is harnessing its expertise as a leading hybrid-ventilation specialist to advocate natural night flushing as a simple, passive solution to cool down city centre and vulnerably-located buildings overnight. Its suggested solution? Automated windows[1] that use the cool night-time hours to regulate indoor temperatures, without the need to engage expensive and resource-depleting air conditioning. Passively tackling rising temperatures The UK’s heat problem is worsening. The summer of 2022 saw an estimated 2,985 heat-associated excess deaths in England alone, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).² The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded 3,271 excess deaths across England and Wales during the same period.³ The UK’s statutory mandated independent adviser, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warns that without adaptation, heat-related deaths could triple to exceed 10,000 per year by 2050.⁴ The West Midlands records the highest rate of heat-related mortality per million population, while London and the South East account for the highest absolute numbers of heat-associated deaths.² Schools, offices and public facilities across England are increasingly turning into heat stores as days grow hotter and buildings fail to cool overnight. Natural cooling instead of artificial air conditioning Night flushing is a straightforward, sustainable approach to refreshing a building’s ambient temperature, and one that WindowMaster advocates over energy-intensive air conditioning. The principle is simple: it draws on the temperature difference between hot days and cooler nights. In the evening, fresh outdoor air flows in through automatically controlled windows, carrying accumulated heat away with it. The heat stored in walls, ceilings and furniture during the day escapes overnight. By morning, the building is already cooler, before anyone has arrived. Mainstream hybrid systems, including those from WindowMaster, manage this process automatically. Sensors monitor temperature, CO₂ levels, humidity and weather conditions. When conditions are right, the windows open on their own and close again as soon as wind or rain picks up. Window openings stay within burglar-proof gap widths throughout. A refreshingly efficient solution Night flushing works differently to air conditioning. It operates passively, using natural air currents, it saves electricity and is kinder to the environment. A peer-reviewed study from London South Bank University found that natural ventilation can reduce building cooling energy use by between 13% and 40% compared to mechanical systems.⁵ Reducing reliance on the use of energy-intensive cooling equipment lowers operating costs, while comfort and wellbeing improve at the same time. The technology works in both new builds and existing buildings: easy to retrofit motorised window actuators fit directly onto existing windows, so there’s no need for complex duct installation. Fitting typically takes just a few days, making it well suited to school refurbishments during the holidays. For example, the urgency for schools is real. DfE-funded research from the University of Southampton found that the average English school currently exceeds 26°C for approximately 59 days per academic year.⁶ The Department for Education’s Building Bulletin 101 (2018) sets the ventilation and thermal comfort standard for all new and refurbished school buildings in England,⁷ yet many existing schools still lack adequate passive cooling. Night flushing offers a low-cost, low-disruption route to compliance and comfort. A regulatory tailwind Regulation is moving in the same direction. Part O of the Building Regulations, which came into force in June 2022, now requires all new residential buildings to limit solar gain and provide passive means of heat removal.⁸ Pure-play mechanical cooling is only permitted as a last resort. The FutureBuildings Standard sets out the path to net-zero-ready new homes, with passive cooling at its core.⁹ For existing buildings, night flushing is a practical, cost-effective way to meet the spirit of these requirements today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barhale has secured a major infrastructure contract from Thames Water to undertake essential refurbishment works at Ashford Common Water Treatment Works in Surrey, helping to safeguard one of the capital’s most important drinking water supplies for years to come. The project will see Barhale reline a key abstraction tunnel that forms part of the West London Abstraction system, which supplies raw water from a network of reservoirs feeding the Ashford Common treatment works before distribution across London. The contract follows detailed inspections carried out by Barhale’s specialist Tunnels & Aqueducts team as part of the mandatory five-year inspection programme. Engineers identified inconsistencies within the Southern Inlet tunnel’s existing glass reinforced plastic (GRP) liner, which, if left unaddressed, could compromise the underlying wedgeblock tunnel structure. Following a successful Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase, Barhale worked closely with Thames Water to refine the engineering design and develop practical construction solutions capable of overcoming the significant access constraints created by the site’s complex network of underground tunnels and utilities. Construction will begin with the excavation of a three-metre-deep access point to expose the tunnel’s chimney and riser. Sections of the existing riser will then be carefully demolished to provide safe access to the tunnel invert, located almost 20 metres below ground level. Once access has been established, specialist scaffolding systems will be installed throughout the tunnel, enabling engineers to safely remove the existing GRP liner. The team will then excavate the surrounding grout and concrete before constructing a new reinforced concrete lining designed to restore the tunnel’s long-term structural integrity and resilience. The refurbishment forms part of Thames Water’s ongoing investment in maintaining critical water infrastructure and ensuring the long-term reliability of assets that support millions of customers across the capital. Barhale is already familiar with the site, having previously completed a localised repair within the Northern tunnel following issues identified during earlier proactive inspections. A more comprehensive relining programme for that tunnel is also planned as part of future investment works. The latest contract highlights the growing importance of asset renewal across the UK’s ageing water infrastructure, where proactive inspection, engineering expertise and targeted refurbishment are helping utility providers extend the lifespan of critical assets while maintaining resilient water supplies. By combining detailed structural assessment with specialist tunnelling capabilities, the project will ensure Ashford Common Water Treatment Works continues to play a vital role in delivering safe, reliable drinking water to London while supporting the long-term resilience of one of the UK’s most important water networks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dialight, the world leader in industrial LED lighting innovation, is marking the 30th anniversary of National Safety Month by highlighting how high-performing, industrial-grade LED lighting can help reduce risks, support compliance, and improve overall operational efficiency, particularly in harsh industrial worksites and conditions. National Safety Month, established by the National Safety Council, is a nationwide initiative focused on reducing preventable injuries, one of the leading causes of workplace and community fatalities. In industrial facilities, where employees operate around heavy machinery, hazardous materials, elevated workspaces and around-the-clock production schedules, visibility plays a critical role in reducing the risk of injury or even death. In these intense environments, lighting must do far more than simply illuminate a space. Lighting must perform reliably in challenging conditions, maintaining consistent light levels and supporting workers in making safe and accurate decisions throughout their shift. This year’s campaign continues to focus on practical, action-led safety improvements across workplaces, roads, and communities. Poorly lit environments are a key contributor to slips, trips, falls and contact with equipment, while inadequate illumination can make it more difficult for workers to identify hazards, navigate safely and perform tasks accurately. High-pressure sodium lights, in comparison to LED, can cause difficulty in distinguishing colors, putting workers at risk of misinterpreting color cues from warning placards, signs, or electrical wiring. Research has shown that clear visibility of workplace hazards can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries by as much as 60%. LED lighting delivers appropriate levels of illumination for alertness, color perception, and reducing fatigue. Alongside the performance of lighting, reliability is equally important. Maintenance activities, such as frequently changing light bulbs, pose safety concerns for workers as many take place at heights with risks of electrocution and falls from elevation. Unlike traditional lighting technologies that often require frequent maintenance or experience lengthy restart times following a power interruption, industrial-grade LED systems are designed for long operating life and instant illumination. Reliability is particularly important in harsh and hazardous industries where environmental conditions can place significant demands on lighting infrastructure. Exposure to vibration, extreme temperatures, dust, moisture, corrosion and unstable power conditions can all affect lighting performance and, if not properly addressed, create additional operational and safety risks. In addition, HPS lighting emits high levels of unsafe UV radiation. Potent neurotoxin Mercury can be released by accidental breakage during use or disposal, particularly during maintenance. LED lighting fixtures are a safer alternative, containing zero hazardous materials. Modern industrial LED lighting has transformed the way facilities approach these maintenance challenges. High-performance LED solutions provide bright, uniform illumination that improves visibility across work areas, walkways, stairwells and operational zones. Enhanced color rendering and near-daylight lighting conditions can help workers identify potential hazards more quickly and perform detailed tasks with greater accuracy. Beyond accident prevention, lighting also contributes to wider operational performance by supporting productivity, improving employee comfort and wellbeing, and helping organizations maintain compliance with industry safety standards and regulations. As businesses continue to modernize their operations, lighting increasingly forms part of broader initiatives focused on operational excellence, workforce welfare and sustainability. Dialight is proud to contribute to the performance of workplaces by providing industry-leading lighting solutions. Dialight offers a 10-year warranty and long LED fixture lifespan, which helps to significantly reduce the dangerous task of maintaining industrial lighting at elevated heights, while clear illumination helps to identify risks and prevent costly mistakes or accidents. For Dialight, National Safety Month provides an opportunity to highlight the important role that lighting plays in creating safer, more productive workplaces. Each week in June highlights a different safety priority, including slips, trips and falls, reinforcing the importance of visibility and hazard prevention in industrial environments. Diener Arellanes, the Head of Operations and Plant Manager – Ensenada, at Dialightsaid: “As National Safety Month encourages organizations to strengthen their commitment to safety, lighting remains one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to help create workplaces where employees can work safely, confidently and effectively. We believe that lighting is a critical component of any comprehensive workplace safety strategy, and a key consideration when implementing infrastructure. In harsh and hazardous applications, dependable lighting is an absolute necessity. By investing in the right environment, including reliable, high-quality lighting, organizations can protect their workforce while supporting compliance, improving operational efficiency and contributing to employee wellbeing.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Investment in the latest mobile power technology is giving field service engineers at Finning UK & Ireland the tools to deliver a more versatile and sustainable maintenance and repair offer to customers. Portable battery power stations will give teams carrying out essential work on remote sites access to a power socket no matter where they are on site. The units can power heavy-duty tools and instruments in all weather conditions, giving engineers greater capability to respond to the changing requirements of a call-out. Unlike traditional fuel generators, the battery power stations are emission-free for a low-carbon energy solution and, as they are classed to be ‘whisper quiet’, operating at under 30 decibels, the power-on-the-go solutions also lower the environmental impact of field services. Finning has invested in 29 Instagrid GO (110v) units. Lisa Craddock, Service Operations Area Manager for Finning UK & Ireland, said: “The new equipment takes our service offer to another level, helping us to overcome barriers around power supplies so we can maintain high-quality customer support systems. “The battery systems are smaller and lighter than an inverter and provide a grid-like performance with an outlet for electrical equipment using a standard three-pin (110v) plug. “Our maintenance and repair service is designed to support customers by reducing downtime and maximising the performance of their machines. We’ve listened to feedback from our engineers working out in the field and believe this solution offers more flexibility to adapt effectively to the sites we visit and the complexities of the issues we deal with. “Whether it is at a construction site, a quarry or on agricultural land, the power packs can be easily carried to the site of repair, minimising trailing cables and eliminating noise pollution and local emissions. Our teams work incredibly hard to keep unexpected delays to a minimum for our customers. This investment supports that commitment while addressing sustainability issues around emissions linked to mobile power supplies.” The Instagrid GO (110v) equipment offers fast in-vehicle recharging, meaning teams can rely on a consistent remote power supply. As it provides an alternating current (AC) outlet, the same as a standard domestic electricity supply, there is no need to convert power from direct current (DC) sources, like a vehicle battery. This cuts out exhaust emissions connected with inverter use for a more sustainable source of power. Lisa added: “We operate 515 vans across the UK and Ireland, with 86 percent of those vehicles delivering field service support. “With smarter, more compact power supplies onboard, we are matching the extensive technical skills and knowledge of our engineers with equipment that offers improved efficiency and reliability and meets our zero local emissions targets.” Neil Fitzgerald, Business Development Manager for Instagrid UK, said: “This equipment is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than traditional power sources, removing site limitations while also supporting sustainability goals and reducing environmental impact. “The innovative design of the Instagrid GO, connecting a bank of batteries to multiple micro-level inverters, reflects significant advances in mobile power technology to match the enhanced customer service offer from Finning. “Our customers are key drivers of change. We understand the challenges of delivering a reliable, client-focused service out on site and are proud to be working with Finning to help it maintain its high-quality support offer.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction is set to commence this October on one of the City of London’s most significant commercial developments, as Skanska prepares to begin work on the £282m redevelopment of 55 Old Broad Street. The scheme will deliver approximately 270,000 sq ft of premium office accommodation across 23 storeys, alongside new retail space and enhanced public realm, reinforcing the continued demand for high-quality, sustainable workplaces within London’s financial district. Originally promoted by Landsec, the development is now being taken forward by private equity real estate investor AshbyCapital, with Landsec continuing to play a key role as development manager. Completion is scheduled for 2029, with the project aiming to create a future-ready commercial destination just moments from Liverpool Street Station, one of the capital’s busiest transport hubs. Skanska’s appointment extends well beyond the core construction works. Alongside delivering the main building structure, the contractor will install the full mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) systems, together with the Cat A office fit-out, providing occupiers with modern, flexible workspace designed to meet evolving business requirements. The project also includes the sensitive refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Bishopsgate Victorian Bath House, preserving an important piece of London’s architectural heritage, as well as the refurbishment of the neighbouring five-storey building at 65 Old Broad Street. Together, these elements demonstrate a balanced approach that combines contemporary commercial development with the restoration of historic assets. As occupier expectations continue to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating workplaces that deliver strong environmental performance, high-quality amenities and attractive public spaces. The redevelopment of 55 Old Broad Street reflects these changing priorities, with sustainability, connectivity and employee wellbeing all forming key components of the overall vision. Lee Marks, Executive Vice President at Skanska, described the project as an opportunity to create high-quality, future-ready workspace in one of London’s best-connected commercial locations. He added that the company was proud to bring its specialist expertise to a development of such scale and significance. Tom Smithers, Property Director at AshbyCapital, said securing Skanska represented an important milestone for the project. He noted that the shared ambition is to deliver a best-in-class workplace that combines outstanding design, strong environmental performance and enhanced public realm while meeting the changing needs of modern occupiers. With demand for sustainable, high-specification office space continuing to drive investment across the City, 55 Old Broad Street is set to become another flagship commercial development contributing to London’s evolving business landscape while supporting the ongoing regeneration of one of its most prominent financial districts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction Midlands & North has completed the second and final phase of iQ Longwood Place, a landmark purpose-built student accommodation development close to the University of Warwick, delivering a transformational new student community. Developed by Topland Vintage Group and McLaren Property on behalf of iQ Student Accommodation (iQ), the completed scheme now provides 1,209 high-quality rooms across a vibrant campus environment designed to support student wellbeing, connectivity and community living. Its completion marks the culmination of a major regeneration project which has revitalised a previously underused business park, helping to strengthen the University of Warwick’s student accommodation offering. The first phase of the development, comprising 572 beds, completed in 2025 and the second phase involved delivering 637 beds. Replacing outdated office buildings and a former multi-storey car park, the scheme involved the demolition of Avon House, Swift House and associated structures to make way for nine new residential blocks across the two phases. Located a 15-minute walk from the University of Warwick and a short journey from Coventry city centre, iQ Longwood Place features extensive amenity and social spaces including lounges, study areas, a gym, karaoke room, arcade and landscaped outdoor spaces. Achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating, sustainability and environmental stewardship were central to the delivery of the project. McLaren Construction worked closely with ecologists, Coventry City Council and local stakeholders throughout the build to protect and enhance the surrounding natural environment, including the protection of mature trees and installation of bird boxes. During the project, materials from the original buildings including bricks, stone and concrete were crushed and reused on site, significantly reducing construction waste and supporting the project’s sustainability objectives. Alongside its environmental achievements, the project delivered significant social value outcomes for the local community. Working in partnership with Coventry City Council, more than £19.5m was generated in social return on investment through local supply chain spend, apprenticeships, employment opportunities and education engagement initiatives across Coventry and Warwickshire. Completing iQ Longwood Place brings the total number of beds delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands & North to 2,870. This includes all phases of iQ Longwood Place, alongside schemes in Nottingham and Manchester. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “The completion of iQ Longwood Place is a hugely significant milestone for McLaren Construction, Coventry and the wider University of Warwick community. This development has transformed a former business park into a vibrant new student village and played an important role in re-energising the area. “From the outset, this project has been about far more than delivering high-quality accommodation. We’ve worked closely with the council and the local community, local supply chain partners and iQ throughout the scheme, while remaining committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment around the site. “Completing the second phase required exceptional collaboration across the entire project team. The finished development will leave a lasting legacy for students and the city of Coventry for years to come.” William Davies, Director of Asset Management at Topland Vintage, said, “The delivery of Topland Vintage’s development for iQ at Longwood Place marks the very successful completion of our long-term project to transform a redundant office scheme into a market leading student campus. All should be very proud of what has been created, and it has been a pleasure to work with such an expert team.” George Basrawy, Head of Development for iQ, said, “We are delighted to add iQ Longwood Place to our portfolio, offering students a high-quality, campus-style living experience close to two leading universities. With phase two completing ahead of schedule, we can accommodate even more students in a location where demand continues to be strong. The number of students choosing to return for a second year in 2026/27 is a clear indication that the scheme is resonating with residents. It was great to work with McLaren Construction, Topland Vintage and the wider Project team.” Claire Baxter, Senior Development Manager, McLaren Property, said: “We are extremely proud to mark the successful completion of this 1,209-bed student accommodation scheme, which represents a significant milestone for both our team and the wider community. From the outset, our ambition was to deliver a high-quality, sustainable and future-focused living environment that responds to the evolving needs of today’s students. Achieving completion at this scale is a testament to the collaborative effort of our partners, consultants, and contractors, whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental throughout the project. We are confident this scheme will make a lasting positive impact, enhancing the local area and providing students with an exceptional place to live, learn and thrive.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The long-vacant former Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire is set to be transformed into a vibrant new residential community after Story Homes secured outline planning permission for a major redevelopment that will deliver up to 350 new homes alongside community facilities and significant environmental improvements. Located in Charnock Richard, near Chorley, the brownfield site has remained largely unused since the closure of the popular theme park more than a decade ago. The approval, granted following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, marks an important milestone in bringing one of the region’s most recognisable redevelopment opportunities back into productive use. The masterplan has been designed to create a sustainable, well-connected neighbourhood offering a mix of homes suitable for first-time buyers, families and downsizers. Half of all homes will be delivered as affordable housing, making a significant contribution towards meeting local housing demand and supporting the delivery of much-needed homes across the borough. Alongside the residential development, Story Homes will create a dedicated community hub providing flexible space for co-working, meetings, events and activities for local organisations, helping to establish a focal point for both new and existing residents. Environmental enhancement forms a central part of the proposals. The scheme will achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain through the creation and improvement of wildlife habitats, while a section of Syd Brook will be de-culverted to restore its natural watercourse, improving local ecosystems and supporting biodiversity across the site. The development will also deliver substantial investment into local infrastructure through approximately £3 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, alongside a further £1.85 million secured through Section 106 agreements. These contributions will support improvements to playing pitches, public rights of way, public transport services and the long-term maintenance of green spaces, helping to ensure the surrounding community benefits from the wider regeneration. Construction is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy, supporting an estimated 240 jobs through local contractors, subcontractors and supply chain partners over the lifetime of the development. The project reflects the growing emphasis on regenerating previously developed land to create sustainable new communities while reducing pressure on greenfield sites. By bringing a prominent derelict site back into use, the redevelopment will not only provide high-quality homes but also deliver lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for the wider Chorley area. With planning now secured, the former Camelot Theme Park is poised to enter an exciting new chapter, transforming a once-iconic leisure destination into a thriving residential neighbourhood that supports long-term growth, community wellbeing and environmental stewardship. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research from LegalforLandlords has found that landlord possession claims, widely used as a proxy for Section 8 activity, are on course to increase by 6.1% this year as landlords adapt to life after the abolition of Section 21., resulting in 87 letting agent brands signing up for Section 8 support in the eight weeks since the RRA came into force. LegalforLandlords analysed the latest possession claim data covering private landlord possession* claims in England. The analysis compares quarterly and annual trends, with private landlord possession claims used as a proxy for Section 8 activity, although some cases may fall outside the Section 8 framework.* A Section 8 notice allows a landlord to seek possession of a property where specific legal grounds exist, such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, damage to the property, or other breaches of the tenancy agreement. Since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force in May 2026 and removed the Section 21 no-fault eviction route, Section 8 has become the primary mechanism through which landlords can regain possession of their properties where a tenancy issue arises. The latest figures show that Section 8 possession claims from private landlords reached 7,629 in Q1 2026, marking a quarterly increase of 11.1% compared to Q4 2025 and an annual rise of 4%. Based on historic trends up to and including Q1 2026, LegalforLandlords forecasts that private landlord possession claims could reach approximately 30,516 across 2026, representing an annual increase of 6.1%. Agents seek Section 8 expertise The growing importance of Section 8 comes as landlords continue to face lengthy possession timelines. The latest available court data shows that the median time from claim to repossession now stands at 26.4 weeks. As such, in the eight weeks since the RRA came into force, LegalforLandlords has signed partnership agreements with 87 letting agent brands, all of whom are looking explicitly for Section 8 support. Sim Sekhon, Group CEO at LegalforLandlords, commented: “Section 21 has gone and Section 8 is now front and centre of the possession process. What we’re seeing is the market rapidly adapting to that reality. In the eight weeks since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, we’ve welcomed 87 letting agent brands into Section 8 support and professional services partnerships. We don’t believe that’s a short-term spike. It’s a reflection of how quickly agents and landlords are recognising that the rules of the game have changed. This isn’t simply a compliance issue. It’s a landlord protection issue and, increasingly, a landlord retention issue for letting agents. When a tenancy breaks down, landlords don’t want uncertainty. They want clear guidance, the right evidence, the correct process and the confidence that everything has been handled properly. Getting a Section 8 claim wrong can be costly, particularly when possession cases can already take months to progress through the courts. The opportunity for agents is significant. The most successful agents in this new environment won’t simply be those who find tenants. They will be the agents who can protect landlords when problems arise, through better advice, stronger partnerships and a clear understanding of the possession process. Section 8 is no longer just a notice. It has become a core part of landlord protection, and agents are putting the right support in place because they know the old market has gone.” Vital things for landlords to know about Section 8 notices Ultimately, Section 8 remains a powerful possession tool, but one that requires careful preparation, robust evidence and strict compliance with the legal process. Data tables and sources Full data tables can be viewed online here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of a major new industrial development in the Bristol region is set to commence after Tungsten Properties appointed Magrock Construction as main contractor for its latest logistics and industrial scheme at Filton. The appointment follows the successful completion of a £19m funding package from a private UK family office, underlining continued investor confidence in the industrial and logistics market despite wider economic uncertainty. Known as Tungsten Park Filton, the development will provide five Grade A industrial and warehouse units ranging in size from 10,200 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft. The scheme has been specifically designed to address the ongoing shortage of high-quality mid-box industrial accommodation across the Bristol market, where demand from manufacturers, distributors, technology businesses and logistics operators continues to outstrip supply. Situated on a self-contained 4.55-acre site, the development occupies a highly accessible location fronting the A38, with excellent connectivity to Junction 16 of the M5 and Junction 20 of the M4, placing future occupiers within easy reach of the South West, South Wales and the wider national motorway network. Magrock Construction was selected following a competitive tender process and will deliver the project on behalf of Tungsten Properties and its investment partner. The development has been designed with sustainability and long-term operational performance at its core. Each unit will provide modern warehouse accommodation with integrated first-floor office space, generous service yards and enhanced power capacity to support the evolving requirements of advanced manufacturing, industrial and logistics occupiers. Environmental performance has been prioritised throughout the scheme, with Tungsten Park Filton targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification alongside an EPC A rating. Sustainability measures will include rooftop photovoltaic solar panels, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems and extensive landscaping designed to improve biodiversity and create an attractive working environment. The project reflects the growing demand for future-ready industrial space capable of supporting businesses as they work towards increasingly ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. Ian Dunckley, Development Director at Tungsten Properties, said securing funding for the scheme represented a significant milestone and demonstrated continued confidence in both the Bristol market and the wider mid-box industrial sector. He noted that Bristol remains one of the UK’s most supply-constrained industrial markets and said the development would help address this shortage by delivering high-quality accommodation in a strategically important location. Dunckley also expressed confidence that Magrock Construction would deliver a first-class project for both the funding partner and future occupiers. As industrial demand continues to be driven by advanced manufacturing, e-commerce, technology and last-mile logistics, developments such as Tungsten Park Filton are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting regional economic growth while delivering the sustainable, high-performance industrial space modern businesses require. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MoreySmith, the award-winning design and architecture studio, has published a new report setting out the kind of office its biggest clients are now asking for: a workplace designed for the age of artificial intelligence, with human connection at its centre. Titled Workplace 3.0: Intentionality, Longevity and the Third Era of Workplace Design, the report’s central argument is that two forces have reset the purpose of the office. The pandemic severed the assumed link between employment and the building. Artificial intelligence is now dissolving the link between productivity and human input – automating routine cognitive work, streamlining how teams operate and opening new channels for ideation. As that happens, productivity becomes an insufficient reason for an office to exist. What remains irreducible, MoreySmith argues, is genuine human community: the proximity, mentorship and relationships that remote working cannot replicate. Judgement, taste and serendipity only emerge when people are physically and socially together. The office is not just where people feel connected, it is where original thinking happens. It is why a growing number of organisations are asking employees to spend more time together. This is why the office must now earn that presence through the experience it offers rather than simply expecting it. The report frames this moment as the third era of workplace design. Workplace 1.0 was defined by efficiency: the cellular, corridor-based offices of the twentieth century, where space reflected hierarchy. Workplace 2.0 was a reaction – the open-plan, hot-desking, beanbag-and-slide aesthetic of the Silicon Valley campus, designed, in MoreySmith’s view, to be photographed rather than inhabited. Both, it argues, were built implicitly to be replaced when the next idea arrived. Workplace 3.0 is defined instead by intentionality. The most successful workplaces today feel less like corporate infrastructure and more like human environments, drawing on the design languages of hospitality and residential living: lobbies that encourage people to linger, thresholds that create a sense of arrival, biophilic planting and natural materials, rooftop terraces, and social spaces closer to a members’ club than a corporate common room. MoreySmith calls these “destination buildings” — places people actively choose, because they offer something no screen can. Crucially, the report makes the case that intentional design also endures. Robust, timeless interiors can be refined every ten to fifteen years rather than wholly replaced, allowing a single building to accommodate successive eras of work – a more sustainable and more valuable proposition for owners and occupiers alike. The commercial evidence is drawn from MoreySmith’s portfolio of investor clients. Following its redesign of Two Fitzroy Place in Fitzrovia, rents rose by approximately 50 percent with comparable uplifts recorded across projects for AshbyCapital, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Lazari – from 45 Pall Mall and 20 Rathbone Place to 23 Savile Row and Maple House – each repositioned into a higher rental bracket while extending its commercial life rather than being replaced. The argument is made most clearly at The Harewood in Mayfair – a building MoreySmith first redeveloped in 2011 and returned to fifteen years later, after J.P. Morgan Asset Management acquired it in 2024. Much of the original work was still standing firm; the new scheme is additive rather than wholesale, with a refined material palette, a reimagined entrance built on foundations laid more than a decade earlier. It reopened in spring 2026 as a 26,000 sq ft boutique office. Linda Morey-Burrows, Founder and Principal Director of MoreySmith, said: “In the age of AI, the office has to offer more than simply being a place people are expected to be. If technology can take on the routine, then the reason to gather must be rooted in something more meaningful: the passing on of knowledge, the rituals of culture and the particular alchemy that happens when people think alongside one another. “For us, the task is to make spaces that hold that possibility. Places with atmosphere, intelligence and soul. Places that slow people down, invite conversation and remind them that their presence is not incidental, but part of something shared and considered. “That same thinking is inseparable from longevity. The projects we value most are those we can return to years later and find they have not only endured, but continued to work beautifully. Truly considered design is not led by trends. It has structure, character and intent. It can be adapted, layered and refined over time, rather than stripped out and replaced. That is where design becomes both more sustainable and more valuable — for our clients, for the buildings themselves, and for the planet.” Lucie Greene, Trends Forecaster and Cultural Strategist, said: “The boundaries between work, leisure and community are dissolving, and the most forward-thinking spaces are already responding. The next generation of workplaces will feel less like offices and more like living environments – places that adapt around people’s rhythms and sustain a sense of community. In a world where individual productivity can happen anywhere, the office has to become something more: a space people genuinely choose, because it gives them something no screen ever can.” MoreySmith argues that the term Workplace 3.0 is gaining traction across business media, HR consultancy and real estate investment, but has not yet been claimed by the design community until now. 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