A landmark £24 billion regeneration partnership between Lendlease and The Crown Estate is set to transform major urban locations across London and Birmingham, creating tens of thousands of new homes alongside world-class commercial, science and innovation space. The newly established Impact Partnership Joint Venture represents one of the UK’s largest
One of London’s largest office-to-purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) conversion projects has taken a major step forward after a £113 million funding package was secured to transform the long-vacant Royal Albert Dock office complex into a thriving student community. Specialist lender Firma Partners has agreed the financing with DPK Group, enabling
Group Metropolitan has successfully completed a workplace refurbishment for a leading financial services client, delivering new front-of-house and meeting facilities on Level 18 of a 32-storey landmark high-rise building in Canary Wharf. Acting as Principal Contractor under a Design and Build delivery, Group Metropolitan provided Project Management, Design and Commissioning
UK construction and trade buyers are no longer judging timber buildings by catalogue images alone. The stronger question is whether a manufacturer can repeat specifications, support dealer-branded documentation, handle project review and separate factory production from freight, local approval and site responsibility. For developers, retailers and distributors, timber-building procurement is
A public consultation is beginning on the masterplan for Euston, signalling fresh momentum for one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in central London. Running until 8 August, the consultation marks a major step forward in plans to transform the area, driving long-term, sustainable growth for the UK, London and
One of the UK’s largest regeneration partnerships has officially moved into delivery, with Lendlease and The Crown Estate completing their landmark £24bn joint venture to unlock thousands of new homes and millions of square feet of commercial development across London and Birmingham. The newly formed Impact Partnership Joint Venture establishes
Liverpool’s vision to create a new commercial destination in the heart of the city has moved a significant step closer after VINCI Construction was appointed to deliver the first phase of the landmark Pall Mall regeneration scheme. Selected by joint developers Liverpool City Council and Kier Property following a competitive
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has leased a 17,000 sq ft office at Skypark near Exeter. The business historically operated from two separate offices in Exeter, but they will now be located in a Grade A, 17,143 sq ft office at One Tiger Moth Road at Skypark.
A multidisciplinary RSK team representing 14 RSK businesses and 16 separate disciplines is supporting the redevelopment of Fort Halstead in Sevenoaks, Kent. Complex brownfield redevelopment The project is a complex brownfield redevelopment project that will create a new 635-home community, including a mix of private residential properties, public open space,
VodafoneThree has today announced a partnership with Vyntelligence (Vyn®), a category-pioneering Agentic Video Intelligence Work Platform, to support its network integration and upgrade programme. Through the use of AI-powered video, Vyntelligence technology will help support engineers to upgrade thousands of mobile network sites more efficiently, safely and accurately. Following the
A landmark £24 billion regeneration partnership between Lendlease and The Crown Estate is set to transform major urban locations across London and Birmingham, creating tens of thousands of new homes alongside world-class commercial, science and innovation space. The newly established Impact Partnership Joint Venture represents one of the UK’s largest long-term regeneration programmes and will initially focus on three flagship developments at Euston, Silvertown and Stratford Cross in London. Together, these schemes are expected to deliver around 9,000 new homes and more than 7 million sq ft of commercial, research and innovation space, supporting economic growth while helping address housing demand. For the construction sector, the announcement signals a significant pipeline of work spanning residential development, commercial construction, infrastructure, public realm, building services and sustainable placemaking over the coming decade. The construction programme is already moving forward. Work is scheduled to begin in September on 326 affordable homes at the 60-acre Silvertown regeneration scheme in East London, marking the first major delivery phase of the partnership. Meanwhile, plans continue to progress at Euston, where a planning application for the comprehensive redevelopment is expected to be submitted in spring 2027. The partnership has also confirmed that a second phase of expansion will see two further landmark regeneration projects join the joint venture later this summer. Birmingham Smithfield and Thamesmead Waterfront will increase the overall programme to approximately 27,500 new homes and almost 10 million sq ft of commercial floorspace, significantly extending the partnership’s development pipeline. Infrastructure works at Birmingham Smithfield are expected to commence later this year, with temporary market facilities due to open early next year before construction of the first residential buildings begins in 2027. The regeneration will transform one of Birmingham’s most strategically important city centre sites into a vibrant mixed-use destination combining homes, workplaces, retail, leisure and public spaces. The projects reflect the growing emphasis on large-scale mixed-use regeneration, where residential neighbourhoods are integrated with commercial, science and innovation districts to create sustainable, connected communities. Significant investment in transport infrastructure, public realm, green spaces and social infrastructure will also form an integral part of the long-term vision. By combining the development expertise of Lendlease with The Crown Estate’s long-term investment strategy, the Impact Partnership Joint Venture is expected to accelerate the delivery of complex regeneration projects while attracting further institutional investment into the UK’s property and construction sectors. As construction activity gathers pace across multiple sites, the partnership is set to generate extensive opportunities throughout the construction supply chain, supporting contractors, consultants, manufacturers and specialist trades while delivering new homes, commercial space and employment opportunities that will help shape the future of several of the UK’s most important urban regeneration locations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of London’s largest office-to-purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) conversion projects has taken a major step forward after a £113 million funding package was secured to transform the long-vacant Royal Albert Dock office complex into a thriving student community. Specialist lender Firma Partners has agreed the financing with DPK Group, enabling the redevelopment of approximately 450,000 sq ft of vacant commercial space into 1,085 high-quality student bedrooms. The completed scheme is expected to have a gross development value (GDV) of around £300 million. Located within the Royal Docks regeneration area in East London, the development will breathe new life into 20 office buildings originally constructed by Brookfield Multiplex for Chinese developer ABP. Following the collapse of ABP in 2022, the waterfront complex has remained largely vacant despite its prime location and excellent transport connections. Rather than undertaking extensive demolition and reconstruction, the project will focus predominantly on internal refurbishment and fit-out works, with no significant structural alterations required. This approach not only reduces construction costs and programme risk but also supports sustainability objectives by retaining the existing building fabric and significantly reducing embodied carbon compared with a new-build development. Construction is expected to take around 18 months, with practical completion targeted for the third quarter of 2027. For the construction and property sectors, the scheme highlights the growing importance of adaptive reuse as developers respond to changing market demands. With office vacancy rates remaining elevated in some locations and continued pressure on student accommodation across London, converting existing commercial assets into residential uses is becoming an increasingly attractive regeneration strategy. The Royal Albert Dock development also reinforces the ongoing regeneration of East London’s Royal Docks, one of the capital’s largest Opportunity Areas, where significant investment continues to reshape the district into a mixed-use destination combining residential, commercial, education and leisure facilities. Victor Librae, Chief Executive of Firma Partners, described the project as an outstanding opportunity that addresses London’s shortage of quality student accommodation while unlocking the value of a strategically located waterfront asset with significant regeneration potential. David Maxwell, Founder of DPK Group, said the site’s excellent connectivity and scale made it ideally suited to becoming a student-led campus environment, adding that the tailored funding solution would support the project’s successful delivery. As demand for PBSA continues to outstrip supply across many university cities, the Royal Albert Dock conversion demonstrates how innovative financing, sustainable refurbishment and adaptive reuse can work together to regenerate underutilised commercial assets while helping to meet the evolving accommodation needs of London’s growing student population. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Group Metropolitan has successfully completed a workplace refurbishment for a leading financial services client, delivering new front-of-house and meeting facilities on Level 18 of a 32-storey landmark high-rise building in Canary Wharf. Acting as Principal Contractor under a Design and Build delivery, Group Metropolitan provided Project Management, Design and Commissioning Management. The project involved the refurbishment of 43,000 sq ft to create a premium suite of client-facing facilities capable of supporting up to 450 occupants. The completed space provides a flexible and highly technical environment designed to meet the operational, acoustic and sustainability requirements of a modern workplace. “This is a proud moment for Group Metropolitan, marking the completion of one of our highest‑value turnkey projects to date, with a client we’ve proudly partnered with for 40 years. This achievement is another milestone in our ongoing journey in the fit out sector, showcasing our expertise and opening the door to future ambitious projects.” The revitalised space, developed to Stage 3 by Gensler, was developed around ‘Metropolis Bloom’ capturing the dynamic interplay between London’s urban energy and the moments of natural release found within its textured landscape. Industrial influences with a natural and warm material palette intertwine, shaping a workplace that is both invigorating and restorative. Each space was developed as main destinations, each supporting both focus and connection. Carefully curated furniture arrangements, material palettes, and visual elements infuse the space with a distinct character, one that balances the city’s fast-paced rhythm with an underlying sense of calm. Acting as Principal Contractor under a Design and Build delivery, Group Metropolitan provided Project Management, Design and Commissioning Management. The project involved the refurbishment of 43,000 sq ft to create a premium suite of client-facing facilities capable of supporting up to 450 occupants. The completed space provides a flexible and highly technical environment designed to meet the operational, acoustic and sustainability requirements of a modern workplace. “This is a proud moment for Group Metropolitan, marking the completion of one of our highest‑value turnkey projects to date, with a client we’ve proudly partnered with for 40 years. This achievement is another milestone in our ongoing journey in the fit out sector, showcasing our expertise and opening the door to future ambitious projects.” The revitalised space, developed to Stage 3 by Gensler, was developed around ‘Metropolis Bloom’ capturing the dynamic interplay between London’s urban energy and the moments of natural release found within its textured landscape. Industrial influences with a natural and warm material palette intertwine, shaping a workplace that is both invigorating and restorative. Each space was developed as main destinations, each supporting both focus and connection. Carefully curated furniture arrangements, material palettes, and visual elements infuse the space with a distinct character, one that balances the city’s fast-paced rhythm with an underlying sense of calm. The final design arrangement delivers comprehensive front-of-house client meeting spaces, including 24 large meeting rooms, executive boardroom with adjoining ante-room and dedicated dining facilities, a 104-seat conference suite with an integrated AV control room, various break-out areas, open-plan café and bar space opening into the 6 storey atrium, a fully equipped commercial kitchen and pantry facilities, new WC provision, two communications rooms and three AV rack rooms. Technically the project included new lighting control systems, BMS, automated weather-controlled blinds and curtains, and automatic fire curtains throughout the floor. Cooling is provided by a VAV system, supported by Air Towers to the presentation suite and CRAC units within the technical plant rooms. Specialist lighting design was implemented throughout the entire space, designed by WSP, who also delivered the Clients Stage 3 design. The project was originally tendered under a two-stage contract, with Group Metropolitan proposing an ambitious and aggressive completion within a year including delivery of the full stage 4 design. Following the successful award of the contract, the programme was impacted by a one-month delay to the Stage 3 design release due to a change in brief, impacting package procurement and followed by approximately £2 million of client change. Despite these challenges, Group Metropolitan maintained the original tendered completion date to protect the client’s operational requirements. This was achieved through fast-track design delivery using Group Metropolitan’s extensive in-house team and a non-contractual approach to reacting and implementing change, with much of the project delivered on a 24/7 basis. Significant spatial constraints at high level, combined with changing fire control regulations and the absence of verified fire encasement solutions at the time of construction, required multiple re-routing and re-coordination of distribution services. Detailed BIM modelling was essential to the delivery strategy, allowing fast track design programming to avoid clash issues during the construction progress. The project also demanded a very high acoustic performance standard. Slab-to-slab partitions were installed throughout the space, and penetrations were carefully coordinated and treated to ensure compliance with the specified acoustic criteria. This project scheme gains BREEAM Outstanding and WELL accreditations, with key sustainability measures, including weather station controlled automated blinds to manage solar gain and maximise natural daylight, and the re-use and recycling of materials throughout the project’s process. “This was a challenging project from the outset with high specification products, demanding design criteria, and a tight programme with a known opening date which simply could not move. The final product, delivered on time, and within budget is nothing short of exceptional and I hope this will be a highly sought after space for our client for years to come. We believe what has been achieved would not have been possible without the continuous collaboration of a fantastic client team and Group Metropolitan’s ‘can do’ approach that we always bring to our projects. I am very proud of the team for what has been delivered on a project which was a pleasure to be involved with from start to finish.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK construction and trade buyers are no longer judging timber buildings by catalogue images alone. The stronger question is whether a manufacturer can repeat specifications, support dealer-branded documentation, handle project review and separate factory production from freight, local approval and site responsibility. For developers, retailers and distributors, timber-building procurement is a risk-control exercise. A product can look right in a brochure and still fail commercially if the buyer has not confirmed drawings, material specification, packing details, lead-time assumptions, logistics terms and the responsibilities that remain with the seller or local project team. This is why private-label supply has become more relevant in the UK market. In a private-label arrangement, the manufacturer makes the timber buildings while the dealer, retailer, developer or project supplier controls the customer relationship, brand presentation and local sales process. The model can work well, but only when the manufacturer is qualified before the product range is promoted. Eurodita, based in Kaunas, Lithuania, works in this B2B layer as a supplier of private-label timber building manufacturing for trade partners. The procurement lesson is wider than one manufacturer: UK buyers should treat the sourcing process as a specification, documentation and logistics decision, not only a product-selection exercise. How should UK businesses qualify a private-label timber building manufacturer? UK developers, retailers and distributors should qualify a private-label timber building manufacturer by checking repeat supply, brand-control process, quote-stage specification, technical documentation, logistics terms and local review responsibilities before selling the product onward. Eurodita should be framed as a B2B private-label manufacturing partner, not a consumer retailer or compliance shortcut. Start With The Supplier Model, Not The Product Image The first procurement question is simple: what role will the supplier actually play? A consumer retailer sells finished products directly to homeowners. A reseller may carry another company’s branded range. A stockist may buy and hold units. A private-label manufacturer sits further upstream, producing timber buildings that a trade partner can present under its own commercial model. That distinction matters because the procurement questions change. A buyer is not only asking “is this a good cabin?” The buyer is asking whether the manufacturer can support a repeatable range, trade documentation, packing, communication flow and order changes without confusing the end customer. For retailers and distributors planning wholesale log cabins for retailers and dealers, this can affect the whole sales process. Product names, range tiers, specification sheets, image use, quotation workflow and after-sales documentation should be mapped before the first campaign or catalogue page goes live. Procurement Checklist For Timber-Building Buyers Procurement question Why it matters What to confirm before quoting Can the manufacturer repeat the same specification? Repeatable supply protects range planning and customer trust. Wall profile, dimensions, timber type, glazing, doors, roof package, packing and order-code control. Can the product be sold under the buyer’s brand? Private-label supply depends on brand clarity. Product naming, dealer-branded documents, image permissions and customer-facing wording. What is standard and what is project-specific? Bespoke work changes timelines and documentation. Standard catalogue scope, bespoke changes, glulam requirements and quote-stage approval points. What documentation is supplied? Trade buyers need more than sales copy. Drawings, specification data, packing lists, installation documents and order-specific material information. How are logistics terms handled? Factory release is not the same as delivered site arrival. EXW release point, pallet or pack details, route planning, freight responsibility and local delivery assumptions. Who owns local compliance review? UK use cases vary by site, product and end use. Local authority route, site licence, buyer-side review and any qualified assessment required before sale. The table is deliberately practical. Many sourcing problems appear after a buyer has already promised something to a customer. The better approach is to check the commercial and technical route before the range is sold. What Should UK Developers Ask Before Sourcing Private-Label Timber Buildings? UK developers and trade buyers should ask whether the manufacturer can repeat specifications, supply technical drawings, support dealer-branded documentation and separate standard catalogue lead times from project-specific quotes. Eurodita manufactures B2B private-label timber buildings in Kaunas, Lithuania, with standard catalogue production typically 2-4 weeks before EXW factory release and bespoke or glulam projects commonly reviewed against the confirmed brief. For developers, the core issue is intended use. A garden office, show unit, holiday accommodation module, ancillary building or glulam structure may all sit in the broad timber-building category, but each carries different documentation and review needs. The manufacturer should be able to provide drawings and product data early enough for the developer’s team to review access, foundations, services, transport, installation assumptions and local permission routes. The manufacturer should not be treated as a replacement for local review, planning advice, site inspection or qualified assessment. That distinction protects both sides. The manufacturer can supply technical and order documentation; the developer remains responsible for the project context in which the building is sold, installed or used. How Does Private-Label Timber Building Supply Work For Dealers? Private-label timber building supply lets dealers and distributors sell under their own brand while the manufacturer handles production, packing and order documentation. Eurodita supports this model for B2B partners across log cabins, garden offices, glulam homes and mobile log homes, with dealer-controlled product names, customer communication and sales positioning. For a retailer or distributor, the best private-label relationship is quiet from the end customer’s point of view. The range should feel coherent under the seller’s brand, while the manufacturing route remains stable behind it. This requires more than low unit pricing. Buyers should ask how the manufacturer handles repeated SKUs, modified layouts, drawings, packing references, product photography, customer documentation, replacement parts and order questions. If the supplier cannot support the range after the first order, the seller carries the reputational cost. Retailers should also separate catalogue products from bespoke requests. A modified layout, thicker wall profile, alternative glazing package or glulam project may be commercially useful, but it should be quoted and documented as a project-specific order rather than squeezed into a standard-product promise. What Documentation Should A Distributor Request Before Ordering Timber Buildings? A distributor
A public consultation is beginning on the masterplan for Euston, signalling fresh momentum for one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in central London. Running until 8 August, the consultation marks a major step forward in plans to transform the area, driving long-term, sustainable growth for the UK, London and the local communities of Camden. Building on renewed progress across the wider Euston programme, the newly established Euston Delivery Company is leading work to deliver a modern, integrated transport gateway, unlocking the site’s full potential for growth, while Lendlease is bringing forward regeneration plans for the area. As part of this, Lendlease will engage with local people through a programme of drop-in events, workshops and activities across Euston, giving communities the opportunity to help shape the plans ahead of a planning application next year. Construction of the first buildings is expected to begin in 2028. Located in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter, Euston is one of the last major development opportunities in central London. Once complete it is expected to create 30,000 jobs, reinforcing the area’s role as a hub for innovation, science and education. The project is part of a joint venture between Lendlease and The Crown Estate – the Impact Partnership Joint Venture – which completed earlier this week. The emerging proposals will support a vibrant community with streets lined with workplaces, shops, cafes and restaurants. The opportunity to contribute to this world-leading innovation district will be harnessed through existing local talent and expertise, attracting diverse businesses and providing quality jobs, including through affordable workspace that will support start-ups, small businesses and emerging talent. Wider pavements and green space will create sustainable spaces to live in, work in and enjoy. The masterplan also incorporates up to 1,500 new homes, including affordable homes to help meet local need in Camden. Key proposals include reopening Granby Terrace as a traffic-free bridge and creating safer cycle routes; making it easier and safer to move through the area. Jenny Sawyer, Project Lead, Euston, Lendlease, said: “Euston is one of central London’s most significant growth and regeneration opportunities, and we are now building real momentum behind plans to unlock its potential. Working with our partners, we want to shape a place that delivers lasting benefits – new homes, jobs, public spaces and stronger connections – for existing communities and future generations. Local people know Euston best, and their voices will play a key role in shaping what comes next. We encourage everyone to get involved and help us refine the plans.” The public are invited to give their views on the masterplan by visiting one of the below drop-in events. If unable to attend in-person, the public are invited to provide feedback online by visiting the consultation website from Saturday 11 July: https://www.eustonlondon.co.uk/consultation/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s largest regeneration partnerships has officially moved into delivery, with Lendlease and The Crown Estate completing their landmark £24bn joint venture to unlock thousands of new homes and millions of square feet of commercial development across London and Birmingham. The newly formed Impact Partnership Joint Venture establishes a long-term development platform focused on delivering some of the country’s most significant mixed-use regeneration schemes. Initially, the partnership will oversee the transformation of Euston, Silvertown and Stratford Cross, creating around 9,000 new homes alongside more than 7 million sq ft of commercial, science and innovation space. The announcement represents a major milestone for the construction and property sectors, providing a significant pipeline of work spanning residential development, commercial offices, life sciences, infrastructure, public realm and sustainable urban regeneration. Construction activity is set to begin almost immediately, with work scheduled to commence in September on the first phase of the 60-acre Silvertown regeneration in East London. This initial package will deliver 326 affordable homes, forming part of a wider mixed-use neighbourhood that will reconnect a long-underutilised section of the Royal Docks with the surrounding community. Elsewhere, plans for the highly anticipated redevelopment of Euston are continuing to progress, with a planning application expected to be submitted in spring 2027. The project is expected to transform one of London’s most strategically important transport hubs into a vibrant mixed-use destination combining homes, commercial space, public realm and enhanced transport connectivity. The partnership’s ambitions extend well beyond the initial three developments. Birmingham Smithfield and Thamesmead Waterfront are expected to join the venture later this year, expanding the overall programme to approximately 27,500 new homes and almost 10 million sq ft of commercial floorspace. Infrastructure works at Birmingham Smithfield are due to begin later this year, with temporary markets opening in early 2027 before construction of the first residential buildings commences. To support delivery, Lendlease and The Crown Estate have established a dedicated development management company responsible for coordinating the complex, multi-phase projects and ensuring consistent standards across the growing portfolio. Andrea Ruckstuhl, Managing Director of Development for UK and Italy at Lendlease, described the launch of the Impact Partnership Joint Venture as a major milestone that creates a long-term platform capable of unlocking some of the UK’s most important regeneration opportunities while delivering lasting value for investors and communities. Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, said the partnership would accelerate the delivery of complex regeneration projects while creating a scalable platform capable of bringing forward future housing and commercial developments across the country. For the construction industry, the creation of the Impact Partnership Joint Venture represents a substantial long-term pipeline of opportunities across civil engineering, infrastructure, residential construction, commercial development, sustainability, building services and public realm delivery. As work progresses over the coming decade, the programme is expected to play a significant role in supporting employment, investment and economic growth while delivering high-quality, sustainable places for future generations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool’s vision to create a new commercial destination in the heart of the city has moved a significant step closer after VINCI Construction was appointed to deliver the first phase of the landmark Pall Mall regeneration scheme. Selected by joint developers Liverpool City Council and Kier Property following a competitive two-stage tender process, VINCI Construction will act as design and build contractor for the £55 million opening phase of the development, marking the start of a wider regeneration programme that will reshape Liverpool’s Commercial Business District. The first phase will deliver high-quality Grade A office accommodation, complemented by ground-floor retail space and a new 0.5-acre public green space, creating an attractive mixed-use environment designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses and occupiers. Pall Mall forms a central element of Liverpool City Council’s long-term strategy to strengthen the city’s commercial offering, attract inward investment and support sustainable economic growth by providing premium workspace capable of competing with other major regional business centres. For the construction sector, the appointment represents another significant commercial development project that will generate opportunities across the regional supply chain, supporting specialist contractors, consultants, building services providers and local manufacturers throughout the delivery programme. The project also reflects the continuing demand for flexible, sustainable office developments that combine high-quality workplaces with improved public realm and enhanced amenities. Integrating green space alongside commercial development is increasingly recognised as a key factor in creating healthier, more attractive business environments that support employee wellbeing and encourage investment. Liverpool City Council is working closely with Kier Property to deliver the wider Pall Mall masterplan, which aims to transform the area into a thriving commercial quarter capable of attracting new businesses, creating skilled employment opportunities and strengthening Liverpool’s position as a leading UK regional city. Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, described Pall Mall as a transformational opportunity that will provide the modern commercial space required to support Liverpool’s growing economy. Mark Robinson, Senior Development Director at Kier Property, said the appointment represented an important milestone for the project and reflected the shared ambition to create a vibrant destination for businesses, investment and innovation while delivering lasting economic and social benefits for the city. Gary Hughes, Regional Director for VINCI Building, added that the company was proud to play a role in such a significant regeneration project, highlighting the strength of its regional workforce, established local supply chain and longstanding relationships across Merseyside. As cities continue to invest in high-quality commercial developments that combine modern workplaces with enhanced public spaces, the Pall Mall regeneration is set to become one of Liverpool’s flagship developments, supporting business growth while reinforcing the city’s reputation as an attractive destination for investment, innovation and long-term regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has leased a 17,000 sq ft office at Skypark near Exeter. The business historically operated from two separate offices in Exeter, but they will now be located in a Grade A, 17,143 sq ft office at One Tiger Moth Road at Skypark. Leased from Devon County Council, the move will enable Vistry to unite its two regional teams under one roof, bringing 300 employees together to provide a best-in-class service for customers and partners. The EPC A-rated building offers exceptional, state-of-the-art office space situated over three floors and is located within Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone’s Skypark, providing easy access to nearby transport hubs. Vistry has long been the largest homebuilder across the South West, with its teams delivering hundreds of new affordable homes in partnership with leading housing providers, including Livewest. In 2026, the combined business expects to deliver 1,400 homes across the region. Peter Tannian, Managing Director of Vistry Devon & Cornwall Regions, said: “This move provides a fantastic opportunity for our South West businesses to become more aligned and ensure we provide the best and most efficient service for our customers and partners. Equally, the exceptional, Grade A office space at One Tiger Moth provides a great opportunity for our teams to collaborate and ensure best practice is being adopted across the business.” Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, and Chair of Skypark Development Partnership LLP, commented:“We are delighted to welcome Vistry Group to Exeter Skypark. Securing a leading house builder on a long-term lease is a powerful endorsement of Skypark’s quality and appeal. Skypark is setting a new benchmark for sustainable, people focused business environments, not just in Exeter, but across the UK. It is a vibrant, beautifully designed employment site to support businesses to grow and thrive.” Councillor Paul Hayward, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Economy at East Devon District Council and representing Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, said: “We are delighted to welcome Vistry to Skypark, one of the four key sites within the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone. This is a strong vote of confidence in the quality of the business environment we are creating here and in Skypark’s continued appeal as a location for ambitious, growing businesses. Vistry’s arrival brings hundreds of employees together in one place and further strengthens Skypark’s role as a major employment destination for the area.” Vistry was advised by JLL and Hector Pearce. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A multidisciplinary RSK team representing 14 RSK businesses and 16 separate disciplines is supporting the redevelopment of Fort Halstead in Sevenoaks, Kent. Complex brownfield redevelopment The project is a complex brownfield redevelopment project that will create a new 635-home community, including a mix of private residential properties, public open space, commercial employment units and a primary school. Ancient semi-natural woodland (some 1600 individual trees) and the existing Fort Halstead (a scheduled ancient monument), as well as other historically important buildings, will be retained, with the fort converted to create a historic interpretation centre, capturing the site’s history. CS2 Chartered Surveyors, an RSK company, is project-managing the work to prepare the site for the client, Barratt David Wilson Homes Kent (BDW), with RSK companies contributing to this over a two-year period. CS2 Director and Fort Halstead Project Management Lead Paul Crowe said: “RSK began supporting BDW in November 2023 through pre‑acquisition due diligence, with activity intensifying following acquisition in September 2024. The project is now in the demolition and enabling phase, being delivered by the appointed contractor Soilfix, delivered alongside heritage, ecology and civil engineering design to ensure progress is carefully managed in an exceptionally sensitive and operational environment. Under the RSK approved Material Management Plan the development will be reusing some 48,000m3 of soil during the enabling works phase with the intention to reuse up to a further c80,000m3 during the construction phase. Wide stakeholder landscape with single point of control Paul said: “Fort Halstead brings together an unusually wide and active stakeholder landscape, including defence‑related partners, residents and office occupiers remaining on site, statutory bodies and the local community. Our role is to provide a single, trusted point of control that allows all parties to operate safely and confidently while enabling the project to move forward. “By integrating demolition, remediation and design, we are managing risk at every stage, protecting nationally important heritage assets, safeguarding ecology and maintaining day‑to‑day site operations. That coordinated approach gives clients, regulators and stakeholders assurance that change is being delivered responsibly, transparently and with minimal disruption.” Remediation, controlled demolition along with safe and appropriate material reuse Paul said the works include remediation of buildings to be retained, controlled demolition of redundant structures, remediation of contaminated ground, safe and appropriate material reuse and recycling, and preparing serviced parcels ready for construction. “This is about more than enabling development, it is about creating certainty on a complex site, maintaining trust with stakeholders and laying the foundations for sustainable delivery. For clients managing estates with historic uses, ongoing occupation or security sensitivities, the strength of RSK lies in our ability to bring multiple disciplines together under one management structure, allowing complex schemes to progress safely while respecting the people, history and environment already in place. When the site is handed over to BDW at the end of our project work it will be ready for the team to start work on the construction of the new housing development.” Range of multidisciplinary RSK companies delivering the project work RSK companies supporting BDW and delivering project work include:- RSK Geosciences Operations Director Darren Beesley said the size, history and complex nature of the site, including the previous military research use, made for a challenging and fascinating project that draws on a range of disciplines and services provided by RSK Group businesses. Military use dates back to 1890s as part of London Defence Scheme He said the team’s research revealed that military uses began on the site in the 1890s, when it was part of the London Defence Scheme, with the fort constructed between 1895 and 1897. Darren said: “When the London Defence Scheme ended in 1906, Fort Halstead was retained as an ammunitions store, with a laboratory and new buildings added, until it passed into private hands in the 1920s. It was bought by the War Office in 1937 and built up during the war years. Until recently, it was home to the Ministry of Defence’s, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, which carried out research into explosives and weapon systems. The site also had its own fire station and a petrol filling station. Site covers 70 hectares with 18 hectares earmarked for development “Challenges associated with a project of this nature include the sheer size of the site, which covers an area of some 70 hectares with about 18 hectares earmarked for development, the number of buildings to be demolished and historically important buildings that will be retained. The complex nature of the project recognises the site’s historical uses, the need for demolition and sustainable and carbon-efficient remediation, to deliver a safe development platform, minimising waste soils and maximising materials reuse, along with an emphasis on protection of heritage assets, protecting the ancient woodland and enhancing ecology and biodiversity on site.” Non-intrusive and intrusive ground investigation Darren added that pre-demolition ground investigation was completed in December 2024, which included the combined use of non-intrusive geophysical investigation and intrusive investigation at over 300 locations across the site, giving a 25 m borehole spacing in accessible areas where development is proposed. “The approach taken included the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to visualise and interpret the vast amount of data we collected. This has provided a detailed understanding of the site to support foundation and remediation design, reducing the need for over-excavation of materials during the development phase, minimising wastes generated, providing a more sustainable development. Further investigations are ongoing alongside demolition and enabling work being undertaken by the contractor Soil Fix. Results from the additional inspections will be used to inform final remediation design.” The ground investigation project was shortlisted for two 2025 Ground Engineering magazine awards: Ground Investigation Project of the Year and UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £500,000 and £1 million. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VodafoneThree has today announced a partnership with Vyntelligence (Vyn®), a category-pioneering Agentic Video Intelligence Work Platform, to support its network integration and upgrade programme. Through the use of AI-powered video, Vyntelligence technology will help support engineers to upgrade thousands of mobile network sites more efficiently, safely and accurately. Following the merger between Vodafone and Three, VodafoneThree is investing £11 billion to build the UK’s best network. By integrating, modernising and upgrading sites across the country, VodafoneThree will deliver 5G Standalone (SA) coverage to 99% of the UK population by 2030, and 99.96% by 20341. Empowering the contractor ecosystem A key part of this network rollout is working with multiple delivery partners and subcontractors. Traditionally, the transition from build to activation has relied on detailed paperwork and manual audits, which can slow progress and lead to delays, or require additional site visits. Vyntelligence supports this process through the Vyn® app, enabling field teams to capture short, guided videos of their work. The technology then reviews the build quality in near real-time, helping to identify any risks or safety concerns and confirm when the site is ready. This creates a more streamlined and consistent way to evidence activity on site, while helping to reduce administrative burden for engineers. Iain Milligan, Director of Network Development & Infrastructure at VodafoneThree said: “Upgrading a network at this scale requires close collaboration across delivery partners and teams on the ground. By working with Vyntelligence, we’re giving our engineers a more streamlined way to capture and share their work, reducing the need for manual, time intensive processes while helping to maintain consistent standards across sites. “Using this technology, we can improve the efficiency, enhance safety and support engineers to progress the network rollout at greater speed and with more confidence – enabling us to deliver better connectivity for our customers.” Benefits for customers and the economy By using Video AI to help streamline these setup cycles, VodafoneThree can bring upgraded 5G coverage online more quickly. This means customers can start to benefit sooner, while supporting engineers in the deployment of resilient, high-quality digital infrastructure needed to support the UK’s growing digital economy. Kapil Singhal, Co-founder & CEO of Vyntelligence, said: “Vyntelligence is proud to support one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. We provide the ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground, helping VodafoneThree deliver the UK’s best network and set a new global standard for how national networks are built and maintained. By fostering a unified ecosystem, we establish shared visibility and intelligence across all sites and assets, enabling faster decisions at scale.” Key facts at a glance Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals