Planning Application Submitted For New Unit With Integrated Convenience Store Citrus Durham has agreed a deal with EG On The Move (EGOTM) for a new £4 million petrol station with a convenience store and separate Starbucks drive-thru at the £400m mixed-use Integra 61 development at J61 of the A1(M). EGOTM
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People have formed a joint venture to deliver 800 high-quality mixed-tenure homes in Lower Herne, Kent. Work on the first phase of Lower Herne Village – Greenwood Gardens, commenced in May 2024 and will
DBR (London) Limited (DBR), one of the UK’s leading heritage contractors, announces it has been granted a Royal Warrant by Appointment to His Majesty the King, recognising its longstanding provision of historic building conservation services to the Royal Household. For centuries, Royal Warrants have been granted to companies that demonstrate
Senior position in rail follows recent contract awards and supports future growth. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has announced the appointment of Alistair Geddes as rail sector director. Alistair joins from Balfour Beatty where he held the role of operations director leading its rail system business. In this role he
Specialist real estate lender Pivot has successfully completed a funding package comprised of three loans for a residential development in Denby Dale, West Yorkshire. The £6.5m facility is uniquely structured to encompass three distinct loan types within a single transaction—a development exit bridge, part-complete development loan, and ground-up development facility.
Contractor Clegg Construction has unveiled a new website, designed to provide an enhanced experience for clients, partners and associates. The new, easy-to-navigate website features a fresh layout and additional resources and information. With detailed project portfolios, service and sector overviews, and a comprehensive company history, the site also includes Clegg
Pell will work closely with MGAC leadership to implement the firm’s strategic initiatives MGAC, a global project and cost management consultancy, is pleased to announce that Bob Pell has joined the firm as Executive Managing Director. In his new role, Pell will support the implementation and success of the company’s
McLaughlin & Harvey have completed construction of Etex’s plasterboard manufacturing facility in Bristol. Etex has officially opened its 200 million euros expansion of its plasterboard production facility in Bristol. It is Etex’s largest production investment ever and a commitment to UK manufacturing as the industry grows. Delivered by McLaughlin &
Landsec has submitted a planning application for the first phase of its £1.4 billion Mayfield Park masterplan in Manchester, proposing 879 new homes as part of a major regeneration project. Designed in collaboration with architects Studio Egret West and shedkm, the new homes will include a mix of one-, two-,
Screwfix has announced plans to open 35 new stores across the UK and Ireland by the end of January 2026, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its retail network and improving accessibility for tradespeople. A significant number of the new locations will feature the retailer’s compact ‘Screwfix City’ format, designed for
Planning Application Submitted For New Unit With Integrated Convenience Store Citrus Durham has agreed a deal with EG On The Move (EGOTM) for a new £4 million petrol station with a convenience store and separate Starbucks drive-thru at the £400m mixed-use Integra 61 development at J61 of the A1(M). EGOTM is a leading petrol station, convenience retail including food services operator which owns and operates around 50 sites across the UK. The £4m investment at Integra 61 will deliver a new petrol station with a convenience store and various foodservice brand offers including a separate Starbucks drive thru coffee shop to serve both the emerging business and residential communities, and users of the wider road network. The new scheme will also be creating approximately 70 jobs. EGOTM has submitted a planning application to Durham County Council and expects to open the site for trade in mid-late 2026. Following on from the launch in February of Tesla UK’s 19 new Superchargers at Integra 61 and a recent deal to KFC, the new EGOTM offering will also sit alongside existing roadside occupiers Greggs and Costa Coffee drive-thru units. Integra 61 is a logistics-led mixed use scheme at J61 of the A1(M) and is home to Amazon’s 2 million sq ft Fulfilment Centre, with over 1,000 employees on site. A further 640,000 sq ft of speculative logistics space in 5 units, known as Connect at Integra 61, has completed on site. Serviced plots are available on the remainder of the site to accommodate a wide range of unit sizes to suit occupier-specific requirements. The 205 acre site, which has the potential to create over 3,000 jobs and add £2 billion to the regional economy over the next 10 years, has consent to deliver some 260 new homes, a new hotel, nursery, family pub/restaurant, vehicle dealerships and trade counter/retail units. Peta Pank, Acquisitions Manager, EG On the Move, said: “Our £4 million investment plans for Integra 61 form part of EG On the Move’s expansion strategy and commercial strategy to deliver more new-to-industry sites across the country’s busy road network. We are looking forward to progressing plans for this exciting addition to our portfolio.” David Cullingford, Head of Development at Citrus, said: “This new deal with EGOTM will be an excellent addition to our roadside offering here at Integra 61. We anticipate a busy year ahead with lots of activity on site and are looking forward to seeing the works progress.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People have formed a joint venture to deliver 800 high-quality mixed-tenure homes in Lower Herne, Kent. Work on the first phase of Lower Herne Village – Greenwood Gardens, commenced in May 2024 and will provide 128mixed-tenure homes, comprising 65 private homes and 63 shared ownership properties. The first phase will include a mix of one, two, three- and four-bedroom homes, designed to accommodate a range of buyers, including first-time purchasers and families. The first tranche of private and affordable homes will be complete by the end of this month. The recently opened four-bedroom showhome now provides prospective buyers with an opportunity to view the quality and design of the homes available for sale on the open market, and a separate shared ownership show home by Places for People is also available to view The first phase of development also includes significant Section 106 contributions to support this evolving new community. A key highlight of the development is the Herne Relief Road, which will help reduce traffic congestion in Herne Village, improve local connectivity and support the expansion of the area. The joint venture between Vistry and Places for People aims to create a well-connected, sustainable community in Lower Herne Village and as the neighbourhood expands, future phases will bring even more homes, offering a mix of private, shared ownership, and rental properties. The development benefits from being within close proximity to Herne Bay’s amenities, transport links, and green spaces, reinforcing the strategic partnership’s commitment to delivering sustainable housing solutions. Future phases of the development include Phases C & D, comprising 296 homes – 146 private, 108 shared ownership, and 42 PRS units – which are scheduled for planning approval in March 2025, and the entire development is expected to be completed over the next ten years, with an anticipated completion date of 2035. Brendan Evans, Managing Director at Vistry Group Kent said: “We are making great progress at Greenwood Gardens through our partnership with Places for People, and are delivering at pace the mix of high-quality homes and the infrastructure required to support long-term sustainable communities.” Sammie Steele, Regional Managing Director for Greater London at Places for People said: “We’re dedicated to building homes that work for local people, and are really excited to have reached this key milestone at Greenwood Gardens.. In partnership with Vistry, we are building on this already bustling local community bringing forward more stylish and contemporary new homes, across multiple tenures.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
DBR (London) Limited (DBR), one of the UK’s leading heritage contractors, announces it has been granted a Royal Warrant by Appointment to His Majesty the King, recognising its longstanding provision of historic building conservation services to the Royal Household. For centuries, Royal Warrants have been granted to companies that demonstrate outstanding service, quality, and craftsmanship. This achievement reflects DBR’s decades-long track record of excellence, during which it has delivered numerous historic building conservation projects for the Royal Household. DBR is among the first royal warrant holders announced by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. To qualify, companies must have provided regular, direct, and high-quality services to the Royal Household for at least five years while also meeting rigorous sustainability standards. DBR’s expert team of craftspeople and project managers have worked on some of the UK’s most significant heritage sites, including Buckingham Palace and the restoration of The Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben). Their exceptional skill, precision, and commitment to quality set them apart, not only in their craftsmanship but also in their dedication to public engagement and communication. As a Royal Warrant holder, DBR has the right to display the Royal Arms, symbolising its commitment to the highest standards of historic building conservation. Commenting on the appointment, DBR’s Executive Director, Chairman & Warrant Grantee Adrian Attwood ACR, says, “Receiving this Royal Warrant is more than an honour; it’s a testament to the unwavering dedication, craftsmanship, and expertise of our entire team. We take immense pride in our role in preserving the UK’s built heritage – whether for the Royal Household, the Palace of Westminster, Blenheim Palace, or any of the historic buildings we are privileged to work on. This recognition reinforces our commitment to excellence and our mission to protect and restore the nation’s landmark assets for future generations to cherish and enjoy.” To find out more about DBR and its work conserving and upgrading some of the UK’s most treasured heritage assets click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Senior position in rail follows recent contract awards and supports future growth. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has announced the appointment of Alistair Geddes as rail sector director. Alistair joins from Balfour Beatty where he held the role of operations director leading its rail system business. In this role he looked after a number of manufacturing facilities, frameworks and projects for clients including Network Rail, Transport for Wales, Transport for London and others in the private sector. He has also held leading roles for several significant infrastructure programmes including Crossrail, Hinkley Point C Marine Works and the Olympic Stadium transformation. Alistair will support Costain’s strategic focus on growth in strong markets, as well as ensure the business continues to provide predictable, best-in-class delivery to its customers. Alistair’s appointment comes following a successful period of growth for Costain’s transportation division. Costain recently announced two significant contract awards for HS2, including a £400m contract to deliver tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems as well as a separate award to deliver high voltage power supply systems across the entire line, worth in the region of £300m to the Siemens Mobility and Costain Joint Venture. The news is Costain’s second senior appointment of the year, following on from the recent appointment of Eva Soto Pérez as engineering services general manager, as Costain ensures a full-service offering for its customers and supports the growth of its consultancy service. Jonathan Willcock, managing director, transportation, at Costain, commented: “UK rail infrastructure is critical for creating a sustainable future and driving UK prosperity through improved productivity, greater connectivity, and job creation. But it faces challenges around resilience, particularly with rising demand and more extreme weather. Alistair brings a wealth of experience that will support our rail sector growth as we continue to deliver the strategic needs of our customers.” Alistair Geddes, rail sector director at Costain, added: “Costain has an excellent reputation and heritage in delivering complex rail infrastructure that improves people’s lives. I’m looking forward to drawing on Costain’s breadth of service offerings and expertise from across the organisation to continue providing best-in-class infrastructure services to the rail industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist real estate lender Pivot has successfully completed a funding package comprised of three loans for a residential development in Denby Dale, West Yorkshire. The £6.5m facility is uniquely structured to encompass three distinct loan types within a single transaction—a development exit bridge, part-complete development loan, and ground-up development facility. This innovative funding solution enables the borrower to refinance an existing lender, support the completion of partially built units, and provide capital for the new construction of a 34-home residential development. The case was introduced by a broker who chose Pivot because of its ability to structure the deal as three transactions across the different loan types to maximise leverage and consider the varying stages the site was in. The funding package was structured as follows: This holistic approach ensures that the borrower can efficiently manage sales, complete construction phases, and maintain momentum in delivering high-quality homes. The lender has cultivated a reputation for deal structuring that considers the true SME developer experience—several of the Pivot team have built and sold properties and have a genuine understanding of the inherent opportunities and pitfalls that come with the job. Andreas Yianni, Commercial Director at Pivot Finance, said: “This transaction highlights our ability to shape funding solutions that address multiple stages of a development in one seamless package. “By incorporating a blend of development exit, part-complete, and ground-up funding, we have provided the borrower with a flexible and strategic solution to support their project through to completion. “It’s a great example of how we tailor our lending to meet the real-world needs of developers.” Pivot has enjoyed an incredible start to the year with as raft of new hires, increased funding capacity, and a vocal commitment to supporting ambitious SME developers who need reliable bridging and development finance to bring forward their sites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction has unveiled a new website, designed to provide an enhanced experience for clients, partners and associates. The new, easy-to-navigate website features a fresh layout and additional resources and information. With detailed project portfolios, service and sector overviews, and a comprehensive company history, the site also includes Clegg Construction’s latest news and updates, as well as details of the frameworks the company has been appointed to. The website is optimised for all devices to ensure a seamless experience across desktops, tablets, and smartphones, and showcases the contractor’s past projects with high-quality images and detailed descriptions, along with its capability statements. It also features client testimonials offering firsthand accounts from satisfied clients. Clegg Construction MD Michael Sims said: “The launch of this website marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve our digital presence and client engagement. We believe that this new platform will not only enhance our communication with stakeholders but also reflect the values and standards that define Clegg Construction. “We invite our clients, partners and associates to browse our new site and discover the improvements that have been made.” With its headquarters in High Pavement, Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. Part of Clegg Group and the sister company to Clegg Food Projects, Clegg Construction has been trading since the 1930s. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors, including education, healthcare, leisure and the public sector. The new website has been created by Ruddington-based Wida Group. The company’s MD Sam Tebbutt said: “It’s been a pleasure working with Clegg Construction on this prestigious project. We understood how vital it was to represent them online with a great-looking website, built for all devices, to enable them to engage with their clients and communicate their message effectively. Our software platform enables them to showcase their high-quality images of recent projects and feature their latest news to their audience.” To find out more about the new website visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pell will work closely with MGAC leadership to implement the firm’s strategic initiatives MGAC, a global project and cost management consultancy, is pleased to announce that Bob Pell has joined the firm as Executive Managing Director. In his new role, Pell will support the implementation and success of the company’s global strategic initiatives. He will focus on strengthening the team’s capabilities to drive growth and ensure seamless execution for an expanding client base across the UK and North America. Pell has a proven track record of success with MGAC, having worked closely with the firm as a consultant and strategist. During this time, he advised on projects including MGAC’s acquisitions of Stonemark Construction Management in the United States and Flint + Partners in the United Kingdom, while also playing a key role in strategic planning efforts across the UK and North America. “Bob has been instrumental in the success of our expansion, both in facilitating acquisitions and ensuring their smooth integration for our clients and organisation,” said Mark Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of MGAC. “We are confident that his expertise will drive the continued growth of our firm. His experience in growing and leading some of the world’s top built environment firms will be invaluable in achieving our goals.” Pell has held senior roles such as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at international design firm EDAW, Chief Operating Officer of Buildings & Places at AECOM, and, most recently, Managing Director at Hatch, a leading international advisory practice. His background is rooted in urban planning and in building and leading multidisciplinary teams across continents. His diverse experience spans the UK public sector and private consulting across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In 2023, Bob served as a Fellow at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, where he focused on creating coalitions to help cities and communities in developing countries address challenges related to urbanisation and economic growth. “After working with MGAC on strategic initiatives over the past year, the firm presents an exciting opportunity to transform the way business is conducted in the built environment,” said Pell. “I look forward to collaborating with a talented and creative team to position clients for success in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey have completed construction of Etex’s plasterboard manufacturing facility in Bristol. Etex has officially opened its 200 million euros expansion of its plasterboard production facility in Bristol. It is Etex’s largest production investment ever and a commitment to UK manufacturing as the industry grows. Delivered by McLaughlin & Harvey, the new autonomous plasterboard production line and warehouse facility comprises of a 53,000m2 GIA. The 0.5km long facility consists of a board line calcination plant and storage facility with first floor office accommodation spanning the board line. The expansion has doubled the sites capacity near the Port of Bristol and has a core focus on sustainability, utilising a rainwater harvesting system, installation points for solar PV and electric car charging stations, and a fully electric forklift fleet. The extra space also supports post-consumer gypsum recycling. The facility produces plasterboard for the Siniat brand and is Etex’s most efficient plasterboard production line in Europe when considering its line size, speed and complexity. The capacity installed allows Etex, a global lightweight construction materials manufacturer, to produce over 98% of its portfolio of boards for the UK and Ireland in the new state-of-the-art facility. The plant leverages new technologies to bring efficiency but also sustainability to the forefront of operations. Increasing local production gives Etex greater flexibility and allows for significant carbon savings by decreasing the need to transport boards from other countries. Robbie Clark, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, commented: “We are proud to have completed the construction of Etex’s new plasterboard production facility in Bristol. Our experienced delivery team maintained a strong focus on quality and sustainability in managing the building and civil engineering works, and coordinating the client’s direct equipment installers. The high degree of integration of the state-of-the-art process equipment within our construction works was achieved seamlessly through our ‘one team’ approach with Etex and their consultants. This approach ensured the plant was fully commissioned and ready for setting to work ahead of the planned completion date. This accomplishment is a testament to teamwork, commitment and collaboration, demonstrating what we can achieve when a project team works together towards a common goal.” The new site is a zero waste to landfill plant – and part of Etex’s Road to Sustainability 2030 ambitions – which, in the UK, includes rainwater harvesting and increasing its product recycled content year-on-year. Etex is the first manufacturer in the UK to have recycled content certified in new products (through SCS certification), with recycled content in UK products ranging from 23% up to 45% in plasterboards. Bernard Delvaux, CEO of Etex: “Etex is a pioneer in the construction sector globally, and in the UK. In Europe, we hold important market positions for our portfolio of products and solutions; plasterboards, fibre cement, insulation, fire protection and modular construction. But at the core of our business is our partnerships with customers. Through our complementary portfolio of brands, we are able to take our relationships with customers beyond simply being a supplier and instead work in true collaboration. This is thanks to our solution-first approach, focusing more and more on delivering full solutions and technical expertise to customers, rather than simply supplying individual products.” John Sinfield, UK and Ireland Country Manager: “The new Bristol plant expansion is proof of Etex’s strong footprint in Europe and its commitment to continually investing in innovation. As a pioneer in lightweight construction, we strive to deliver better products and construction methods. Through a solutions-first approach within our key brands, we can offer trusted design solutions that are fully tested whenever our customers need them, ultimately making construction time and processes easier, cheaper and more sustainable.” Etex operates more than 160 sites across 45 countries and employs 13,500 people worldwide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec has submitted a planning application for the first phase of its £1.4 billion Mayfield Park masterplan in Manchester, proposing 879 new homes as part of a major regeneration project. Designed in collaboration with architects Studio Egret West and shedkm, the new homes will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The development will also feature shops, restaurants, cafés, a health and wellbeing club, and community spaces, creating a vibrant urban hub. If approved, the first phase will also deliver 325,000 sq ft of office space across two buildings, alongside a multi-modal transport hub, which will include Manchester’s largest cycle park with hundreds of spaces. The office and transport hub received initial consent in 2020, with revisions made in 2023 to align with current market conditions. The residential buildings will be arranged across four blocks, each containing both low-rise and taller tower elements. Streets will connect the development from the Mancunian Way in the south to Mayfield Park in the north, integrating the new homes into the wider cityscape. Landsec has committed to providing 20% affordable housing across the district, with an independent viability appraisal set to determine the final levels for the site. The company, in partnership with the Mayfield Partnership, is also looking to expand and enhance the existing public green space in the area. Mike Hood, chief executive at LandsecU+I, commented:“Our ambition for Mayfield is to create a diverse, green, world-class place where everyone feels welcome, whether to live, work, or visit. Since opening the park in 2022, we’ve been on a mission to grow it across the 24-acre masterplan. Expanding the green space and introducing the first homes alongside workplaces at Mayfield is an exciting milestone. It’s incredible to think that just a few years ago, much of this area was disused and derelict land. “We look forward to continuing to shape Mayfield’s future alongside our partners and local residents.” Construction timelines for the project have yet to be announced. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Screwfix has announced plans to open 35 new stores across the UK and Ireland by the end of January 2026, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its retail network and improving accessibility for tradespeople. A significant number of the new locations will feature the retailer’s compact ‘Screwfix City’ format, designed for high-footfall urban areas. This follows the successful launch of seven ‘City’ stores in the year leading up to January 2025, catering to the needs of busy tradespeople who require quick and convenient access to supplies. The new stores will also offer Screwfix Sprint, a rapid delivery service that enables customers to receive products at home or on-site in under an hour. John Mewett, chief executive of Screwfix, said:“We’re proud to continue Screwfix’s amazing growth with our plans to open up to 35 new stores within the next twelve months. “Despite the challenges facing the retail industry, investing in our store network remains central to how we can best support tradespeople to get their jobs done quickly, affordably, and right first time. “Our customers continue to be busy, and we know how important it is to be near a Screwfix store. We are driving forward with our store openings and continuing to focus on providing the ultimate convenience for our customers through our ultra-compact store format, Screwfix City, and rapid delivery service, Screwfix Sprint.” The expansion highlights Screwfix’s commitment to supporting the trade industry by providing faster access to tools and materials, ensuring professionals can work efficiently and effectively. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
