MULTI-DISCIPLINE principal contractor, Miller Knight, launched its first in a series of Building Safety Forum events this month at the iconic Villa Park, home to Aston Villa football club. The event welcomed professionals from across the built environment sector, with a specific focus on remediation, refurbishment and regeneration, particularly in
UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, has introduced a new guarantee product to help British firms secure international contracts providing engineering, design and technical services. The Early Project Services Guarantee (EPSG) is now available to overseas buyers who choose to use British services firms to scope and
Supermarket Income REIT has bolstered its portfolio with the £49.7 million acquisition of a prominent Sainsbury’s supermarket in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Spanning 113,348 sq ft, the site includes an omnichannel supermarket and a petrol filling station, occupying an expansive 8.5-acre plot. Sainsbury’s has been a fixture on the site for
LEADING designer, manufacturer, and supplier of innovative civil engineering solutions, Wrekin Products, has expanded its workforce once again in a continued streak of new hires with the appointment of operations director, Steve O’Brien. As the business continues to diversify its workforce as it enjoys a period of considerable growth, Steve
City of Wolverhampton Council and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – have submitted a hybrid planning application for City Centre West in Wolverhampton. The partnership has put forward detailed plans for phase one, which includes over 330 new high-quality homes, as well as
Landsec has expressed strong confidence in expanding its investment in the retail sector, highlighting plans to deploy further capital in the coming months. The real estate investment trust (REIT) recently strengthened its portfolio with a £120m acquisition of an additional stake in Bluewater, Kent. The company revealed that retail offers
Algeco UK has completed one of its most distinctive buildings ever for a UK client, having put the finishing touches to a two-floor GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt® with retail and coffee outlet in a structure with four curved sides in Stevenage. The building has been completed in just 11 weeks by
Ardent Capital Partners has marked its first foray into the UK property market with a landmark £200 million investment in a transformative build-to-rent (BTR) development in Leeds. This ambitious project is a significant milestone in the city’s regeneration, reaffirming Leeds as a hotspot for modern urban living. Set on the
GLP, a leading global business builder, owner, developer, and operator of logistics real estate, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and related technologies, announces that GLP Clean Energy, its renewable energy business in Europe, has completed a new installation of a rooftop solar PV system at its logistics centre in Belfeld, in
Following last month’s successful appeal decision, Network Space Developments (NSD) has secured planning consent for up to 215 homes in Carlton, Barnsley. Of the 215 homes approved, 10% will be designated as affordable housing with an agreed contribution of over £1m to improve local education provision. The proposals also include
MULTI-DISCIPLINE principal contractor, Miller Knight, launched its first in a series of Building Safety Forum events this month at the iconic Villa Park, home to Aston Villa football club. The event welcomed professionals from across the built environment sector, with a specific focus on remediation, refurbishment and regeneration, particularly in relation to fire protection and safeguarding solutions needed for the future proofing of buildings. Industry insights were provided by representatives from BB7, TFT, Quelfire, Blackhurst Budd, the Fire Protection Association (FPA) and Miller Knight’s own managing director, Matthew Flower. Much was discussed including case studies demonstrating best practice, as well as those which otherwise failed in compliance and responsibility when it comes to fire protection. As the industry continues to review its processes around fire safety, protection and responsibility, the forum provided a platform for reflecting on lessons learned from tragedies such as Grenfell and the more recent Dagenham high-rise fire. While it is widely recognised amongst professionals that more needs to be done, there are still instances where discrepancies are bought to the surface due to a lack of understanding around who is responsible for ensuring fire safety measures are enforced and adhered to when considering different property types. Wayne Woodland, business development director at Miller Knight, said: “The event signifies the beginning of our vision for Miller Knight to be a leader in creating conversations around fire protection, remediation, regeneration and refurbishment. “As the industry continues to adapt its ways of working following the Building Safety Act (BSA), we believe it is our responsibility to facilitate a forum which provides like-minded professionals with the opportunity to discuss and learn together to ultimately improve practice across the built environment, but most importantly, keeping people safe”. One key insight and take away is that the market is vast, and the solutions are readily available to achieve safety and compliance. However, it’s key that managers, landlords and owners of buildings clearly understand who is responsible for implementing the wide range of fire protection measures needed to keep people and buildings safe from the risk of fire. The Building Safety Forum aligns with Miller Knight’s long-term commitment to advancing safety and compliance. By facilitating dialogue and sharing expert knowledge and experiences, the event aided an industry wide conversation regarding regulation as changes continue to work their way into the process of remediation and refurbishment projects solidifying that what was once acceptable before, is not fit for purpose anymore. In light of various conversations, it was evident that the need for stringent processes in the fire and protection spaces isn’t a new issue, but the question on many people’s minds is how and why it has taken so long to get to this point of understanding and compliance. This marks the first of a series of events that Miller Knight will host as the Building Safety Forum, with their next discussion aiming to take place in March 2025 in London. For more information and to register your interest for the next event, please contact: enquiries@miller-knight.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, has introduced a new guarantee product to help British firms secure international contracts providing engineering, design and technical services. The Early Project Services Guarantee (EPSG) is now available to overseas buyers who choose to use British services firms to scope and design their projects in the planning phase. The guarantee helps overseas buyers of UK services to access private finance by assuring lenders that they will receive payment, making the UK offer more attractive. Once the project services contract is complete, there is potential for the guaranteed loan to be refinanced alongside financing the wider construction project. The prospect of subsequent finance throughout the life-cycle of projects incentivises overseas buyers to select UK services firms for the early-stage work. Carl Williamson, Director of SME and Trade Finance, UK Export Finance, said: “This new export finance support will give international buyers even more incentive to tap into UK design and engineering expertise. Year-on-year growth in service exports shows that the demand is there for this country’s professional and technical services.” “The development of our Early Project Services Guarantee is a clear signal of UKEF’s commitment to helping the services sector to maintain its competitive edge and international renown.” The EPSG addresses gaps in market provision for financing the preparatory stages of major projects. It also contributes towards UKEF’s objective of helping a broad range of businesses to export, driving growth across all regions of the UK. This announcement has been made alongside International Trade Week, an annual event run by the Department for Business and Trade which includes a series of virtual and in-person events to advise UK businesses on different ways to reach new international markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Supermarket Income REIT has bolstered its portfolio with the £49.7 million acquisition of a prominent Sainsbury’s supermarket in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Spanning 113,348 sq ft, the site includes an omnichannel supermarket and a petrol filling station, occupying an expansive 8.5-acre plot. Sainsbury’s has been a fixture on the site for over three decades, with the current lease offering 11 years of unexpired term and annual inflation-linked rent reviews. In addition to serving in-store shoppers, the site plays a key role in Sainsbury’s online operations, functioning as a fulfilment hub with 12 home delivery vans and click-and-collect services. The acquisition was funded through Supermarket Income REIT’s existing debt facility, bringing the company’s loan-to-value ratio to 39%. The REIT’s portfolio now boasts a weighted average unexpired lease term of 12 years, reflecting its commitment to long-term stability and growth. A Strategic Move for Shareholder ValueBen Green, Principal at Atrato Capital Limited, investment adviser to Supermarket Income REIT, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition:“We are delighted to add this high-quality UK asset to our portfolio. This acquisition underlines our focus on delivering strong returns and exploring new opportunities to enhance value for Supermarket Income REIT’s shareholders.” This latest investment underscores Supermarket Income REIT’s confidence in the resilience and growth potential of the UK’s grocery sector, solidifying its reputation as a key player in the market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING designer, manufacturer, and supplier of innovative civil engineering solutions, Wrekin Products, has expanded its workforce once again in a continued streak of new hires with the appointment of operations director, Steve O’Brien. As the business continues to diversify its workforce as it enjoys a period of considerable growth, Steve joins at a crucial time to provide strategy and direction to an evolving pipeline. With demands on the construction sector greater than ever, projects with improved technologies will be essential in reducing carbon emissions and contributing to net-zero targets. With over 25 years of industry experience, Steve’s role will bring clarity to the wider business ambitions and support its efforts in becoming leading experts in decarbonising iron work solutions. Steve said: “As operations continue to diversify, now is an essential time to continue to reiterate and drive home the important solutions that Wrekin offers. Both Wrekin Products and Geoworks provide unmatched products that truly work towards a more efficient future. With reducing the use of carbon in our materials, and a greater level of emphasis being placed on a consumer perception, it is our responsibility to educate people in the role of whole-life carbon and whole-life costs. “We are building momentum that must be harnessed to continue monitoring and improving the systems required to prioritise safety, maximise efficiency and build resilience for a greener, cleaner, future.” Simon Turner, commercial director said: “This appointment demonstrates a continued investment and commitment to creating services and operations that are based around long-term positioning in the industry. As products are refined, we must consider the technology used, the specification of each solution, its sustainability and how to implement it safely, while working to our own net-zero targets for decarbonisation. “Steve joins us at a time where we are reviewing our processes to ensure that collaboration, ownership and responsibility are in synergy with our business goals, enabling us to remain industry leaders, providing innovative and sustainable solutions.” Wrekin’s wide range of products provides solutions and helps save time and money, all while increasing safety and lowering whole-life costs. To find out more about Wrekin’s products, people and projects visit: Civil Engineering Products | Access Solutions | Wrekin (wrekinproducts.com) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City of Wolverhampton Council and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – have submitted a hybrid planning application for City Centre West in Wolverhampton. The partnership has put forward detailed plans for phase one, which includes over 330 new high-quality homes, as well as retail opportunities on disused land between Peel Street and Market Square. The submission also includes outline plans for the remaining phases of the masterplan. As well as delivering over 1,000 new homes, including affordable homes, the masterplan offers new opportunities for shops, cafes, and restaurants – and will support the delivery of an enhanced Market Square. By delivering a thriving new place, the masterplan is part of an economic strategy to bring more people into the city centre, boost footfall and elevate Wolverhampton’s wider offer. Initial concepts for City Centre West were made public earlier this year. The submission of the application follows extensive engagement with the community and other partners, which helped shape the final design. As the local planning authority, City of Wolverhampton Council will now consider the application before making a final decision. This is expected in early 2025 and, if approved, construction of the first phase could begin as soon as next year. Basit Ali, Development Director at ECF, said: “This is a significant milestone for the regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre. Our partnership approach, which has been informed by extensive consultation, is designed to create a thriving new neighbourhood and draw people into the city centre in greater numbers. “It is a strategy to help elevate the city centre’s offer, with new opportunities to live, and spend time. Our approach will also support Market Square to become an exciting place in its own right. “Over the coming weeks we will continue to work closely with our partners, City of Wolverhampton Council, as they review and consider our proposals.” Cllr Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills, at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “This planning application provides a masterplan for what is a key regeneration site in Wolverhampton city centre. “City Centre West is an opportunity to put people at the heart of the city with new homes, shops, cafes or restaurants. “It aligns with our ambitions to transform the city centre and the planners will now consider the submission in detail.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec has expressed strong confidence in expanding its investment in the retail sector, highlighting plans to deploy further capital in the coming months. The real estate investment trust (REIT) recently strengthened its portfolio with a £120m acquisition of an additional stake in Bluewater, Kent. The company revealed that retail offers “the most attractive risk-adjusted returns,” with high single-digit income yields and rising rents. Despite this optimism, Landsec noted that new supply in the market is “non-existent.” For top-tier assets, non-value-adding capital expenditure remains minimal, accounting for just 0.2% of total asset value. This statement coincides with Landsec’s release of its half-year results for the 2024 financial year, covering the six months up to 30 September. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £243m, a significant recovery from a £193m loss during the same period last year. Landsec attributed part of its success to a shift in retail trends, where brands are prioritising fewer but larger flagship stores. This approach has led to new leases and upsizes with prominent names such as Primark, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Sephora, and JD Sports across its portfolio. The group’s retail portfolio occupancy now stands at 96%, exceeding pre-Covid levels and marking a 70-basis-point improvement. Leases worth £26m have been signed or are nearing completion, with rents 7% above estimated values. Mark Allan, Landsec’s Chief Executive, commented:“Our operational outperformance continues, with further growth in occupancy and positive rental uplifts across both our retail and London portfolios. This progress is translating into accelerated income growth.” He added:“Property values have stabilised, and rising rental values are driving a modest increase in capital values. This has delivered a positive total return on equity. We expect these trends to continue, supported by strong customer demand for our premium spaces and increased activity in the investment market. Our repositioning towards higher-return opportunities, combined with disciplined balance sheet management, leaves us well-positioned to deliver growth and attractive returns.” Earlier this year, Landsec announced its intention to focus on acquisitions throughout 2024, leveraging funds from recent disposals to capitalise on emerging opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Algeco UK has completed one of its most distinctive buildings ever for a UK client, having put the finishing touches to a two-floor GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt® with retail and coffee outlet in a structure with four curved sides in Stevenage. The building has been completed in just 11 weeks by Algeco UK on behalf of GRIDSERVE, which was looking for a building to sit alongside electric vehicle chargers at Knebworth Estate, Stevenage just off the A1 – which was identified as a critical location for volume electric car users. There is no shortage of available charging stations on the site, hosting 30 EV charging bays, including 24 High Power bays with up to 360kW of power – some of the fastest chargers publicly available today, capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. The ground floor of the building has 4,247 sq. ft. of space, and features a grocery retail outlet and coffee shop to keep drivers busy while their cars are charging. There’s enough space for 30 vehicles including two accessible spaces and two parent-and-child spaces. Level two of the building, with 4,236 sq. ft. of space, contains an EV experience area and airport-style lounge. Algeco UK is a leading provider of permanent modular buildings, temporary accommodation and storage containers delivering construction expertise to diverse sectors including retail, commercial, industrial, education, health, defence and justice, and many more. GRIDSERVE is best known for opening the UK’s first Electric Forecourt® in Braintree in 2020 and has since opened Electric Forecourts® in Norwich and London Gatwick Airport. The structure created for GRIDSERVE in Stevenage is based on Algeco’s IBEX modular unit and built at its Carnaby factory. However this is the first of its type for any client with all four sides being curved. Paul Beard, Senior Design Manager for Algeco UK, explained the curved sides of the building created new challenges as it tested the tolerance of the steel used, before finding a solution to ensure it was as strong as the rest of the structure. He said: “The curves to all four sides of the building pose many challenges with tolerances experienced while curving the hot-rolled frames at temperatures exceeding 500 degrees. The external cladding also has to be millimetre perfect to achieve the desired aesthetics.” Julian Foster, Chief Operating Officer at GRIDSERVE said: “Being able to deliver reliable charging quickly and efficiently helps us on our mission to give drivers the confidence to switch to EV. “However building an Electric Forecourt® is not just about infrastructure; it’s about paving the way for a sustainable future. This project demonstrates our commitment to innovation, net zero energy, and a greener world for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ardent Capital Partners has marked its first foray into the UK property market with a landmark £200 million investment in a transformative build-to-rent (BTR) development in Leeds. This ambitious project is a significant milestone in the city’s regeneration, reaffirming Leeds as a hotspot for modern urban living. Set on the former site of the Leeds International Swimming Pool, the development will deliver 578 cutting-edge rental apartments to the heart of the city. Valued at approximately £200 million, the scheme is poised to redefine Leeds’ city centre, catering to the growing demand for quality, centrally located rental homes while expanding the city’s vibrant core. Leeds’ BTR sector is experiencing remarkable growth, fuelled by extensive regeneration projects and a strong appetite for urban living. The city centre’s footprint is projected to double in size from 228 acres to 458 acres over the next decade. With 24 BTR schemes currently proposed and three existing developments maintaining occupancy rates above 94%, the city is rapidly establishing itself as a leading hub for rental investment. Ardent’s project aligns seamlessly with Leeds’ vision for its South Bank area—a cornerstone of the city’s redevelopment strategy. This district aims to deliver 8,000 new homes, create 30,000 jobs, and revitalise the River Aire as a central feature of Leeds’ future. By addressing the growing demand for premium residential spaces, Ardent’s investment reinforces the city’s ambitions for urban transformation. The rising demand for high-quality rental properties in Leeds has driven rents to between £22 and £27 per square foot, with premium developments exceeding £30 per square foot. This growth echoes trends seen in mature BTR markets such as Manchester and Salford, positioning Leeds as a compelling choice for investors seeking opportunities in the sector. Ardent Capital’s £200 million commitment not only marks a significant milestone in the regeneration of Leeds but also highlights the city’s rising status in the UK’s build-to-rent market. Their confidence in Leeds as a prime destination for high-value developments underscores the city’s potential for sustained growth and modernisation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GLP, a leading global business builder, owner, developer, and operator of logistics real estate, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and related technologies, announces that GLP Clean Energy, its renewable energy business in Europe, has completed a new installation of a rooftop solar PV system at its logistics centre in Belfeld, in the Netherlands. GLP’s Venlo Belfeld logistics centre of approximately 3,8000 SQM, has been equipped with 8,000 solar panels across its roof, with 4.6MWp of power generation capacity that will supply the annual equivalent of 1,145 Dutch households. The project is expected to save around 1,400 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, helping to improve air quality and environmental health around the municipality of Venlo. The entire electricity output of approximately 4,200 MWh per year will be sold to Scholt Energy, a Dutch independent energy supplier. This arrangement allows for the generated power to be directed to the grid, where it will contribute to the broader energy mix used by regional and national consumers. Acquired by GLP in April 2022, the Venlo Belfeld logistics centre is situated along several important trade routes, namely the A61, A67 and A73 motorways, positioning it as one of the most desirable areas for European logistics operations in the Netherlands. The Venlo Belfeld facility carries a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. It features a range of biodiversity initiatives including the provision of habitat corridors for local native species, nesting habitats for insects, birds, and bats, a variety of ecologically valuable plants, and four bat pole boxes near the boundaries of the property. These efforts to preserve local biodiversity underline GLP’s commitments to sustainability and to the protection and promotion of the natural environment. Stefano Fissolo, Senior Director, GLP Clean Energy: “We recognise the importance of helping to accelerate the energy transition and work towards a clean energy future by leveraging the opportunity of our extensive property portfolio.” Philippe Hendriks, Country Director Netherlands & Belgium at GLP, said: “The integration of renewable energy solutions into logistics assets is essential to enabling our sector to meet its net zero targets and secure long-term asset value. As we continue to expand our presence in the Netherlands, we are proud to be providing our customers with high-quality, sustainable logistics facilities that are built for the future, while at the same time supporting the Netherlands’ energy transition goals.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following last month’s successful appeal decision, Network Space Developments (NSD) has secured planning consent for up to 215 homes in Carlton, Barnsley. Of the 215 homes approved, 10% will be designated as affordable housing with an agreed contribution of over £1m to improve local education provision. The proposals also include local highways improvements and enhanced protection for local wildlife sites. Footpaths are also being widened and a new pedestrian crossing will be installed at the entrance of the development, giving access to the popular Trans Pennine Trail. It is also hoped the wider development will include new links to existing public rights of way and offer scope for additional pedestrian access to Barnsley Canal. Simon Eaton, Senior Development Manager for NSD said: “We are delighted to have secured outline planning permission for the Shaw Lane site which will bring much-needed housing for Barnsley residents. Its location is ideal for commuting to Sheffield, Wakefield and Leeds and enjoys easy access to the rail network via nearby Carlton and Barnsley stations. “The successful appeal comes as a result of great efforts from our whole professional team. The development will ultimately deliver quality homes for the newest Carlton residents who want to live in this thriving village, but also improve local amenities for the wider community to enjoy and benefit from.” With outline planning permission now secured NSD is finalising a sales marketing pack with the intention of marketing the site in early 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals