Developers behind the proposed 1 Silk Street office scheme have reduced the height of the project in a renewed effort to secure planning approval from the City of London Corporation and address concerns raised by Barbican residents. Lipton Rogers and LaSalle Investment Management have submitted revised plans for the Skidmore,
GMI Construction Group has started preparatory works ahead of a £30m renovation and restoration of Huddersfield’s landmark George Hotel. The Grade II* listed building, which has stood empty since 2013, is being transformed into a 108-room hotel featuring a bar, restaurant, gym and conference facilities. Located opposite Huddersfield railway station,
Telford Living has submitted plans for a 520-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in East London’s Bethnal Green. The UK residential arm of CBRE-owned Trammell Crow Company has lodged a planning application with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for the development on the former LEB Building site off Cambridge Heath
Barratt Homes is set to launch its first homes at Chaulden Meadows in Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 21st February. The housebuilder’s first phase will bring 155 homes to the development, following a successful launch by David Wilson Homes in late 2025. The launch will comprise two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, alongside
As chapmanbdsp moves into 2026, the consultancy reflects on a year of strong development throughout 2025, with significant growth in its data centre and mission-critical business, including the doubling of its specialist team and the securing of a substantial pipeline of confirmed projects. Over the past 12 months, the consultancy
MORRO Partnerships, the Midlands-based developer committed to delivering affordable and socially impactful homes, has announced the appointment of new land director Vinay Vadgama, as the business strengthens its strategic growth plans across the region. Vinay brings over a decade of experience in the construction and development sector, specialising in land
Building services specialist TClarke has outlined plans to surpass £1bn in annual revenue as it reshapes its leadership team to support the next stage of expansion. Group chief executive Mark Lawrence confirmed the ambition while announcing that three senior managing directors will join the board of TClarke Contracting from March.
Burger King has unveiled its latest acquisition requirements as it accelerates plans to grow its UK estate, targeting 30 new restaurant openings annually. The fast-food operator, which currently trades from around 600 locations nationwide, is seeking units between 1,500 sq ft and 3,000 sq ft. Both freehold and leasehold opportunities
Bradford’s long-anticipated City Village regeneration scheme has secured planning approval, unlocking the delivery of up to 1,000 new homes in the city’s former commercial core. The major transformation will see underperforming retail assets, including the Kirkgate Shopping Centre and Oastler Shopping Centre, replaced with new housing, public spaces and mixed-use
Kier has been appointed to deliver the long-awaited £120m replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, bringing renewed momentum to a project that has faced years of delay and uncertainty. The contractor will act as principal supply chain partner for NHS Lothian on the new specialist facility, which
Developers behind the proposed 1 Silk Street office scheme have reduced the height of the project in a renewed effort to secure planning approval from the City of London Corporation and address concerns raised by Barbican residents. Lipton Rogers and LaSalle Investment Management have submitted revised plans for the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill-designed building, trimming more than 10 metres from the western side of the block. Three storeys have been removed from the section facing Cromwell Tower, following criticism over daylight loss, massing and the impact on the neighbouring Barbican Estate. Under the updated proposals, the western portion of the building will now rise only three storeys above the existing Linklaters headquarters it is set to replace, rather than six as previously planned. The eastern side of the scheme will retain its original height, maintaining alignment with the taller commercial buildings nearby. The design team says the revisions significantly reduce visual and daylight impacts. External terraces have been removed to prevent overlooking, while measures including obscured glazing, façade fins and automated blinds have been incorporated to address privacy concerns. Despite the reduction in scale, the scheme will still provide 91,142 sq m of Grade A office accommodation, approximately five per cent less than initially proposed. The development is aimed at large trading-floor occupiers, with market forecasts suggesting a potential shortfall of prime office space in the City by 2028. Public realm and cultural elements have also been strengthened. Plans include a new plaza on Silk Street to create a clearer gateway to the Barbican Centre, alongside a redesigned 2,282 sq m public realm and a pedestrian arcade linking Moorgate and Liverpool Street directly to the Barbican. In addition, nearly 1,300 sq m of retail and restaurant space is proposed, together with a new performance venue, Silk Street Hall, and a community-focused Creative Community Lab, reinforcing the scheme’s ambition to blend commercial development with cultural and civic benefit. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has started preparatory works ahead of a £30m renovation and restoration of Huddersfield’s landmark George Hotel. The Grade II* listed building, which has stood empty since 2013, is being transformed into a 108-room hotel featuring a bar, restaurant, gym and conference facilities. Located opposite Huddersfield railway station, the prominent site occupies a key position on St George’s Square. Once completed, the revitalised hotel will be operated by Radisson Hotel Group under its Radisson Red brand, marking the first Radisson Red hotel in Yorkshire. GMI has been involved in the project for the past two years, working alongside Kirklees Council, which acquired the property in August 2020. A central challenge has been striking the right balance between safeguarding the building’s historic character and ensuring its long-term commercial viability. Revised proposals secured approval in October 2025 as part of the Huddersfield Blueprint regeneration programme, clearing the way for main construction works to commence. The scheme will retain and restore the hotel’s distinctive stone façade, preserving its historic frontage onto St George’s Square. At the rear, two additional storeys of accommodation will be added in a design intended to complement rather than compete with the original architecture. Ed Weston, GMI’s regional director for Yorkshire, said the company was proud to deliver a landmark project that restores a significant part of Huddersfield’s heritage while contributing to long-term economic growth and community renewal. He noted that the transformation reflects a commitment to careful, high-quality delivery that respects the building’s historic importance. Councillor Graham Turner, Kirklees Council’s cabinet member for finance and regeneration, described the scheme as one of the flagship projects within the Huddersfield Blueprint. He said the George Hotel acts as a gateway building into the town centre and, once refurbished, will help strengthen the local economy while offering visitors a prime place to stay. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Telford Living has submitted plans for a 520-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme in East London’s Bethnal Green. The UK residential arm of CBRE-owned Trammell Crow Company has lodged a planning application with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for the development on the former LEB Building site off Cambridge Heath Road. Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the proposed scheme will comprise a mix of cluster flats and self-contained studios, alongside dedicated student amenity space. Plans also include ground-floor community space and affordable retail units, shaped by pre-application discussions with local stakeholders. Alex Taylor, head of Telford Living, said there is clear and well-documented demand for dedicated student accommodation in this part of Tower Hamlets, given its proximity to major universities and strong transport links. He added that the 520 high-quality PBSA units would help meet this need while delivering a carefully considered building designed to integrate positively with the surrounding neighbourhood and contribute to wider regeneration benefits. The submission follows extensive pre-application engagement with both Tower Hamlets and the Greater London Authority. Telford Living is seeking to unlock another tightly constrained urban site at a time when funding pressures and viability challenges across the capital continue to intensify. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barratt Homes is set to launch its first homes at Chaulden Meadows in Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 21st February. The housebuilder’s first phase will bring 155 homes to the development, following a successful launch by David Wilson Homes in late 2025. The launch will comprise two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, alongside two-bedroom apartments. A further 65 affordable homes will be delivered through schemes such as shared ownership and social rent, delivered by a Registered Provider. The first residents are expected to move in this summer. Hemel Hempstead is a strategic development location in the Home Counties and was designated as a ‘New Town’ in 1947. The Government has renewed its focus on how New Towns can support housing delivery and economic growth, and Chaulden Meadows will contribute to meeting local housing targets while bringing forward new community infrastructure for the area. Alongside new homes, Chaulden Meadows includes plans for a 70-bedroom care home, 7,500 sq ft of retail space, a community hall and a nursery. Wider works will include new access roads, public open space, children’s play areas and sustainable drainage measures. Section 106 contributions from the overall development totalling more than £12.6m will support investment in local services and facilities, including education, healthcare, transport, sports provision and open space. Over the span of the project, Chaulden Meadows will provide 1,100 new homes in Hemel Hempstead, ranging from one to five-bedroom homes. Affordable housing will make up 40% of the overall delivery, equating to 440 homes. Marc Woolfe, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt North Thames, comments: “Chaulden Meadows represents an important next chapter for Hemel Hempstead. It brings much-needed new homes to the area, including affordable housing, alongside infrastructure that will support both residents and the wider community. “As one of the original post-war New Towns, Hemel Hempstead has a strong legacy of connected neighbourhoods and community-focused designs. We’re proud to build on that heritage with homes that reflect the character of West Hemel, using red and buff brick and traditional gable-fronted elevations, creating a development that will serve the area for years to come.” Two, three and four-bedroom homes are currently available at Chaulden Meadows. To find out more about Chaulden Meadows or Barratt Homes, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or call 0333 355 8501. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As chapmanbdsp moves into 2026, the consultancy reflects on a year of strong development throughout 2025, with significant growth in its data centre and mission-critical business, including the doubling of its specialist team and the securing of a substantial pipeline of confirmed projects. Over the past 12 months, the consultancy has exceeded internal expectations, the project pipeline includes a number of data hall fast track fit-outs to design and build Data Centres. This performance has enabled chapmanbdsp to secure around two-thirds of its data centre budget for the next financial year well ahead of schedule, underlining continued client confidence in a competitive and fast-moving market To support this expansion, chapmanbdsp has increased its dedicated data centre team by 100% in a single year, growing from nine to more than 18 specialists. Further growth is anticipated as workload increases in 2026, with the business maintaining a strong focus on technical capability and experience. The firm has also begun to extend its reach beyond the UK. Alongside a growing portfolio of major domestic projects, chapmanbdsp has delivered its first data centre project in the Middle East and is actively pursuing further opportunities in the region. David Gallagher, chapmansbdsp’s Director, Mission Critical,comments: “Data centre demand is rising fast, but only organisations with access to specialist expertise can deliver today’s increasingly complex projects. Our focus has been on building the right team, securing the right work and positioning ourselves where technical expertise and early engagement add the greatest value.” The firm operates primarily within the mid-range data centre market, typically delivering schemes between 10MW and 100MW, while also supporting contractors with detailed design, technical reviews and assurance at later stages of delivery. With further work in the pipeline over the coming months and new teams planned to support international growth, chapmanbdsp is entering the next phase of its expansion with a measured and sustainable approach. “The growth of our data centre team over the past year has been really exciting to be part of. As we enter into 2026, we’re looking forward to being out in the market at key industry events such as Datacloud and Data Centre World, catching up with clients, connecting with peers, and continuing the conversations that are shaping the future of the sector.” Abdul Solangi – Technical Director Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MORRO Partnerships, the Midlands-based developer committed to delivering affordable and socially impactful homes, has announced the appointment of new land director Vinay Vadgama, as the business strengthens its strategic growth plans across the region. Vinay brings over a decade of experience in the construction and development sector, specialising in land acquisition, mixed-tenure housing and partnership-led developments. His career has combined technical expertise with a passion for creating lasting social value in the communities his projects serve. He has previously led the acquisition of strategic brownfield and greenfield sites across the Midlands, forming key relationships with local authorities and housing associations to deliver ambitious developments. In his new role, Vinay will lead Morro’s land acquisition programme, working closely with housing associations, local authorities and landowners to identify and progress opportunities that meet the needs of both the business and the communities it serves. His role will ensure that every site brought forward is suitable for development and delivers tangible social benefit. Speaking on his new role, Vinay said: “Every site we acquire is an opportunity to give people the chance to be housed who otherwise wouldn’t be, and to make a meaningful difference in the community. Morro’s ambition and focus on putting communities first made it a compelling opportunity for me, and I’m thrilled to be joining the business at such a pivotal time in its growth.” Matt Moore, CEO at Morro, said: “Vinay’s expertise in land acquisition and partnership working makes him a perfect fit for Morro’s growth ambitions. He understands that our partners are always front of mind and shares our commitment to creating social value through development. We are confident that his leadership will help us deliver more homes that meet the needs of the Midlands’ communities.” Vinay joins Morro alongside new land manager Alex Loumidis, as it continues to strengthen its presence in the Midlands, reinforcing its reputation as a developer of choice for partners and communities alike. For more information, visit: https://morropartnerships.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building services specialist TClarke has outlined plans to surpass £1bn in annual revenue as it reshapes its leadership team to support the next stage of expansion. Group chief executive Mark Lawrence confirmed the ambition while announcing that three senior managing directors will join the board of TClarke Contracting from March. Clive Carr, managing director for built environment, Lee Crozier, managing director for data centres and infrastructure, and Chris Harris, managing director for UK North, will step up to board level. They will join Mark Lawrence, finance director Jon Farrell, commercial managing director Garry Julyan and systems director Andy Griffiths. The appointments coincide with the retirement of long-serving director Mike Crowder, who joined the business in 1987. Lawrence said the £1bn revenue target reflects growing confidence in TClarke’s scale, market position and sector expertise. He noted that previous ambitions to grow the business by 50 per cent had already been achieved and exceeded, positioning the company strongly for further expansion. TClarke was acquired two years ago by Regent, the business gas supplier and connections specialist, in a £90m deal that attracted coverage from leading national business media. The company’s most recent results, covering a 15-month period, delivered pro-rata revenue of £677m over 12 months and generated pre-tax profit of approximately £13m. Lawrence said the latest board changes form part of long-term succession planning and will help guide the company towards its £1bn turnover objective. He added that Carr, Crozier and Harris bring significant leadership experience and deep operational knowledge, further strengthening the board as TClarke continues to expand. The move is also expected to create new development opportunities across the business as it enters its next phase of strategic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Burger King has unveiled its latest acquisition requirements as it accelerates plans to grow its UK estate, targeting 30 new restaurant openings annually. The fast-food operator, which currently trades from around 600 locations nationwide, is seeking units between 1,500 sq ft and 3,000 sq ft. Both freehold and leasehold opportunities are under consideration, reflecting a flexible approach to securing the right sites. The brand is actively targeting space within retail and leisure parks, major shopping centres and prominent high street locations. The expansion drive signals continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar dining, particularly in high-footfall and well-connected destinations. BKUK, Burger King’s largest UK franchisee, is leading the growth strategy across Great Britain. To support the rollout, the operator has appointed a team of property agents to identify suitable opportunities across key regions. Morgan Williams has been instructed to source sites nationally, while Savills and EYCO will focus on opportunities in Scotland. In the South of England, LM has been retained, with Space Property Consultants and Barker Proudlove appointed to secure units in the East Midlands and the North East respectively. The renewed push for expansion highlights the brand’s ambition to strengthen its presence across a diverse mix of urban and out-of-town locations, capitalising on consumer demand for convenience-led dining and drive-to destinations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradford’s long-anticipated City Village regeneration scheme has secured planning approval, unlocking the delivery of up to 1,000 new homes in the city’s former commercial core. The major transformation will see underperforming retail assets, including the Kirkgate Shopping Centre and Oastler Shopping Centre, replaced with new housing, public spaces and mixed-use development. The project is being led by Bradford Council in partnership with regeneration specialist ECF, a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse. The scheme focuses on the ‘Top of Town’ area, encompassing Chain Street and the sites of the former Oastler and Kirkgate shopping centres. Phase one has now received full approval and will deliver 97 townhouses across Chain Street and the northern section of the Oastler site. The homes will be arranged around new courtyards, landscaped green spaces and a central community green, forming the first step in reshaping the area into a residential neighbourhood. Bradford-based housing association Incommunities has been identified as the preferred funding partner for the first phase, delivering homes for both sale and rent, subject to final legal agreements. Outline planning consent has also been granted for the wider masterplan. This includes more than 700 apartments across the southern Oastler site and Kirkgate, alongside new retail, leisure and business space intended to reintroduce activity and employment into the heart of the city. Demolition of the former Oastler Shopping Centre, which closed last summer, is due to begin shortly and is expected to take around seven months. The 1970s-built Kirkgate Shopping Centre will close later this year, with demolition anticipated towards the end of 2026. Construction of the first phase is scheduled to start this summer, with works expected to last approximately 24 months, marking a significant milestone in Bradford’s city centre renewal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kier has been appointed to deliver the long-awaited £120m replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, bringing renewed momentum to a project that has faced years of delay and uncertainty. The contractor will act as principal supply chain partner for NHS Lothian on the new specialist facility, which will be built at the Edinburgh BioQuarter in Little France. The development will replace the existing Eye Pavilion, first deemed “not fit for purpose” in 2014. Since that assessment, the project has encountered a series of setbacks, including funding withdrawals, budget freezes and changing government priorities. These challenges pushed back the anticipated completion date, with the new hospital now expected to open in late 2027 or later. An earlier proposal in 2018 saw Graham lined up under a £45m contract, but the scheme stalled as costs rose and funding arrangements shifted. The latest appointment marks a significant step in finally progressing the long-planned facility. The new hospital will sit alongside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, forming part of the city’s expanding healthcare and research campus at BioQuarter. The site is intended to strengthen Edinburgh’s position as a leading centre for medical treatment, research and innovation. Kier has highlighted its experience in delivering specialist eye facilities, including the NHS Golden Jubilee Eye Hospital and Sunderland Eye Infirmary, as key to supporting the project’s delivery. Sean Fenner, managing director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said the company was proud to be appointed as principal supply chain partner and to support NHS Lothian in delivering early construction works for the new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals