Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has been granted planning permission for the Land East of Catherington Lane site in Horndean from East Hampshire District Council. This follows on from the housebuilder receiving a resolution to grant planning permission from the council’s Planning Committee in
Hortons has unveiled more than 200,000 sq ft of premium warehouse/logistics space at Saxon Park in Corby. The scheme comprises two new units, Saxon 79 at 78,500 sq ft and Saxon 129 at 129,300 sq ft, created through the full redevelopment of a single, vacant warehouse. Located off Saxon Way
Simon Shaw, Head of Property and Construction, Duncan & Toplis Cash flow issues can present themselves in any industry, but few are as exposed as the construction sector with every project juggling multiple costs. Here, tight deadlines, long supply chains and vast project timelines can cause stumbling blocks for businesses
Contractor Clegg Construction has appointed a new bid writer to strengthen its pre-construction team. Chloe Lawless brings public sector procurement experience to the role, having joined from a specialist bid writing consultancy, supporting a wide range of UK clients to develop successful public sector tender submissions. She began her career
Starting out in the world of work can be tough, especially when experience is hard to come by. That’s why VIVID offers apprenticeships that give people the chance to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Four new electrician apprentices have recently joined the
New facilities will build resilience into UK’s energy systems Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by EnergyPathways PLC (EPP) to study onshore location sites for EPP’s flagship integrated energy storage and decarbonisation project. Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) is expected to be the UK’s largest integrated energy storage
Barhale, in collaboration with Thames Water, has successfully completed the major upgrade of a vital trunk main at Fortis Green in North London. The £16.8M project strengthens network resilience and protects customer supplies for more than 35,000 properties in North London. It has been delivered under Thames Water’s AMP7 Trunk
Three-year contract will see Costain deliver engineering expertise to operations at the Kinneil Terminal in Scotland. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has secured a multimillion-pound engineering services contract with INEOS FPS. The contract, covering a minimum of three years, will see Costain deploy its extensive engineering expertise to support the
A major redevelopment is set to transform a prominent commercial building at the gateway to London’s Hatton Garden jewellery district, following unanimous approval from Camden Council. The scheme, designed by architecture practice DSDHA and backed by Morgan Real Estate and BNF Capital, will see the five-storey office block at 19
Cherwell District Council has approved Oxford United Football Club’s planning application for the UK’s first all-electric powered football stadium. The new 16,000 capacity stadium will create a larger and permanent home for Oxford United, and will be the most sustainable mid-sized sports venue in the UK. Teams from multi-disciplinary built
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has been granted planning permission for the Land East of Catherington Lane site in Horndean from East Hampshire District Council. This follows on from the housebuilder receiving a resolution to grant planning permission from the council’s Planning Committee in January this year. The proposed plans for Land East of Catherington Lane include up to 109 new zero carbon ready one to four-bedroom homes, 44 of which are affordable across varying tenures, a 40% provision in compliance with planning policy. Each home is expected to feature an air source heat pump, dedicated electric vehicle charger and PV solar panels to reduce its carbon emissions well beyond the requirements of building regulations. Working for an onsite biodiversity net gain of more than 10% for the local natural habitat, the landscape-led scheme will create a new sustainable edge of village community. Early discussions with Horndean Parish Council highlighted the importance of open space. The northern part of the site – totalling 17.9 acres – will be landscaped as green public open space for leisure and recreation, while preserving the green gap between Horndean and Catherington. Multiple pedestrian access points will be available to this green space, while new play spaces are planned throughout the development to encourage children to spend time outdoors. Other elements of Land East of Catherington Lane include cycling and pedestrian links, a significant number of new planted trees and a new access road from Catherington Lane. Tristan Robinson, Thakeham’s Director of External Affairs, said: “A comprehensive consultation process was undertaken for this development, with a high level of public interest and engagement in our proposals, so we’re pleased that East Hampshire District Council has approved our plans and granted us planning permission. There were nearly 1,600 households on the housing waiting list across East Hampshire between 2022 and 2023, reflecting the clear requirement for additional housing across the district. Land East of Catherington Lane will help to address this need by delivering much needed sustainable new homes.” Land East of Catherington Lane is located approximately 1km north west of Horndean village centre and east of Catherington Lane, which links to the A3. This proximity provides the development with a solid connection to cities and towns including Portsmouth, Guildford, Petersfield and Havant. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hortons has unveiled more than 200,000 sq ft of premium warehouse/logistics space at Saxon Park in Corby. The scheme comprises two new units, Saxon 79 at 78,500 sq ft and Saxon 129 at 129,300 sq ft, created through the full redevelopment of a single, vacant warehouse. Located off Saxon Way West, within the UK’s logistics ‘Golden Triangle’, the new units have been refurbished to a high-quality specification, with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Saxon 79 and Saxon 129 are EPC A+ rated and incorporate energy efficient features such as LED lighting, photovoltaic roof panels and electric vehicle charging points. Both offer a 12.5-metre clear eaves height and generous yard depths of 45–55 metres, while Saxon 129 benefits from a 1 MVA power supply with capacity to increase. The units are available for immediate occupation. A third new unit, known as Saxon 68, is currently under construction and will deliver 68,250 sq ft of Grade A accommodation when complete in Q4 2025. The new developments follow Hortons’ successful refurbishment of Saxon 58, a 58,350 sq ft warehouse unit at Saxon Park, which was let to Russell & Bromley. James Slater of Hortons said: “This redevelopment represents a significant investment in Saxon Park and forms part of our wider commitment to deliver high quality, sustainable industrial space across the Midlands. Saxon 79 and Saxon 129 provide Grade A accommodation in a highly sought after logistics location that has been designed to meet modern occupier requirements.” Saxon Park is located on Oakley Hay Industrial Estate, four miles southwest of Corby town centre and five miles north of Kettering. It benefits from excellent road connectivity via the A6003 and A14, providing links to the M1/M6 and A1/M11 motorways. DTRE and TDB Real Estate are acting as joint letting agents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Simon Shaw, Head of Property and Construction, Duncan & Toplis Cash flow issues can present themselves in any industry, but few are as exposed as the construction sector with every project juggling multiple costs. Here, tight deadlines, long supply chains and vast project timelines can cause stumbling blocks for businesses and developers. For example, delays in receiving payments from clients can lead to reduced reserves, which in turn can lead to a lack of funds to buy materials, pay employees and cope with unexpected issues like soil problems or hidden utilities. And the chances of this having a knock on effect on the overall delivery of the project are high. Construction businesses are frequently tasked with fronting a lot of the project cost before an invoice has even been sent to the customer. As a result, effective cash flow management is a critical element of running a successful project in the sector. Failure to do your due diligence when it comes to cash flow can be catastrophic – not just for the project you are working on, but for your business future as a whole. Late payments can reduce the opportunity to secure future contracts, and it also threatens project completion. Ensuring that all relevant parties are paid on time should be an absolute priority for construction businesses – but it is important to understand why. Why is cash flow important in construction? In construction, cash flow takes on a particular importance, with multiple areas of funding required to balance a project smoothly. These costs include paying for labour, subcontractors, material deliveries and permits, and all of these overheads can be due at different stages of the development process, so need to be allocated and managed as part of the project plan early on. Most construction projects rely on finances from external sources such as lenders or investors, and over the last few years there have been consistent concerns around inflation spikes that drive the price of projects up. This makes costing a development even more difficult, and can result in problems if late payments are made to disrupt your cash flow. Lenders can impose penalties if they don’t see returns on their investment in suitable time, and interest costs can soon see your final bill skyrocket beyond initial expectations, putting the overall project in jeopardy. Monitoring cash flow also enables you to flag any potential risks that could arise in upcoming projects, prepare for smoother outcomes in the future and ultimately grow your business. Common cash flow issues in construction Problems around cash flow can be rife in construction if you are not savvy early on, and they can take on many different forms. High upfront costs is an early hurdle to overcome when mapping out a construction project, as contractors and developers are often asked to provide significant payments towards labour and equipment before a spade has even entered the ground. This can set you on the wrong foot immediately if not handled correctly and promptly, and create further issues down the road. Some of these issues can be out of your control, such as delayed payments from clients. This is why it is important to ensure your cash flow management includes reserves to anticipate and prepare for delayed income. Late payments can affect project timelines, but can also affect the funding of your project on a day-to-day basis, with subcontractors to pay, equipment to buy and hire, and deliveries to order. How you can improve cash flow For every obstacle to overcome with cash flow, there are solutions you can adopt to mitigate and minimise the risk. It is important that all parties to the contract understand and acknowledge the agreed payment terms, as well as details around approval and appeals processes, and terms outlining when final payment will be made. Another administrative change that proves effective is setting up a clear schedule for invoicing, so paperwork does not delay your positive cash flow. Don’t be afraid to charge for late payments; as this can easily derail your project. Effective cash flow management is the cornerstone of any successful business regardless of industry. While the construction of a building is your responsibility in this industry, it cannot be achieved without strategic planning around cash flow and the management of funds coming in and out of the business’ pot. Put simply, if there are cash flow problems within your construction business, it will inevitably impact your ability to complete the project, pay your employees and operate as a successful, profitable company in the sector. Duncan & Toplis provides accounting and business services to property and construction companies across the UK. To learn more about how we can help with cash flow management, and many other business challenges, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction has appointed a new bid writer to strengthen its pre-construction team. Chloe Lawless brings public sector procurement experience to the role, having joined from a specialist bid writing consultancy, supporting a wide range of UK clients to develop successful public sector tender submissions. She began her career working in commercial property for a Nottingham-based firm of chartered surveyors before moving into bid writing. Chloe, who is originally from Doncaster, said: “I’m looking forward to playing a key role in Clegg Construction’s future during this time of growth. I was really drawn to Clegg’s reputation for delivering high-quality projects that make a visible impact in the regions in which we work. “I value the company’s blend of heritage and forward-looking approach, and there’s a real commitment to growth, innovation and social value. The team already has such strong in-house expertise, and I’m excited to be able to bring my expertise to Clegg and further enhance our proposals.” Clegg Construction pre-construction director Christian White said: “I am pleased to welcome Chloe to the team. She brings significant experience to the role and her proven track record in developing successful tender submissions makes her a valuable addition as we continue to grow.” Outside of work, Chloe enjoys running, exploring the outdoors and spending time with her family. With its head office in The Lace Market in Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Starting out in the world of work can be tough, especially when experience is hard to come by. That’s why VIVID offers apprenticeships that give people the chance to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Four new electrician apprentices have recently joined the team, taking their first steps into the housing and trade sector and beginning a journey that could shape their future. The new apprentices will be working alongside experienced teams—learning the ropes, gaining qualifications, and building the confidence and skills they’ll need to succeed. It’s a meaningful opportunity to get hands-on experience in a skilled profession, and VIVID will be supporting them every step of the way. VIVID is growing its apprenticeship programme as part of a long-term approach to developing talent and strengthening its workforce. Apprenticeships offer a practical route into skilled roles, helping people build experience while contributing to the work that keeps homes and services running safely and smoothly. There are currently 19 apprentices working across different teams, and VIVID is looking to expand that number as it continues to invest in future skills. Duncan Short, Group Resources Director at VIVID, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome our new electrician apprentices. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn, grow, and build a career—and we’re proud to support people taking that first step. We’re looking forward to seeing them build their skills and confidence as they settle into life at VIVID.” Myles, one of VIVID’s new electrician apprentices, said “I’m really happy to be here at VIVID and I’m excited to learn new things every day in a hands on environment.” Mark Churcher, Head of Building Compliance at VIVID, said, “It’s great to welcome new apprentices on board. They’re joining a busy and skilled group who are always happy to share their knowledge. We’re here to make sure they get the experience and support they need to build confidence and start a strong career in the trade.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New facilities will build resilience into UK’s energy systems Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by EnergyPathways PLC (EPP) to study onshore location sites for EPP’s flagship integrated energy storage and decarbonisation project. Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) is expected to be the UK’s largest integrated energy storage facility, planned to be approximately 15km off the coast of Blackpool. It is designed to support the UK government’s energy strategy for transitioning to clean power by providing long-duration energy storage solutions, combining natural gas, hydrogen, and compressed air technologies. Costain’s front-end engineering and design experts will initially compare possible locations for the onshore process facilities and associated infrastructure. The study will assess the impact of location on connectivity to the gas and electricity networks, review the impact of site selection on construction cost and schedule, and consider the opportunities and risks in reuse of existing infrastructure. The planned MESH onshore facilities will support large-scale natural gas storage and production, compressed air Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), hydrogen storage, clean hydrogen production, clean ammonia and graphite production, and flexible clean power generation. Grant Johnson, technical director at Costain, commented: “MESH is an ambitious, exciting project that will enhance the UK’s energy resilience, and enable more clean energy generation through large-scale energy storage. “We know just how important it is to make robust choices at the early stages of a project, and we are looking forward to helping EPP with site selection, using our experience in delivering energy storage infrastructure to inform decision-making on aspects such as constructability and sustainability.” Ben Clube, CEO at EnergyPathways said: “We are delighted to have entered into this engagement with Costain, a tier 1 UK-headquartered infrastructure company with extensive engineering knowledge and experience of the North-West region. “Costain’s expertise will be invaluable in optimising the location for the MESH onshore facilities. Costain also brings relevant experience across several important aspects of the MESH project, including salt cavern development and in emerging technologies in the context of the UK government energy policy settings. “This engagement continues the selection by EnergyPathways of world-class strategic partners with the expertise and experience to deliver a large-scale low-carbon integrated energy solution of national significance.” Once operational, MESH will enable natural gas storage in the depleted Marram reservoir, with subsequent development to include Hybrid Compressed Air Energy Storage (H-CAES), which will store energy from offshore wind in the region by compressing air into adjacent salt caverns. The salt caverns will also be used to store green hydrogen, either derived as part of a decarbonised H‑CAES process or supplied via Project Union, the National Gas initiative that plans to repurpose and extend parts of the existing 5,000-mile gas transmission network to connect hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and industrial consumers. Costain has decades of experience in designing and delivering complex gas storage infrastructure, working across the full project lifecycle, from concept, investment support, project execution planning, front end design, and planning development, to consent, project delivery, and asset and operational support. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barhale, in collaboration with Thames Water, has successfully completed the major upgrade of a vital trunk main at Fortis Green in North London. The £16.8M project strengthens network resilience and protects customer supplies for more than 35,000 properties in North London. It has been delivered under Thames Water’s AMP7 Trunk Main programme, which targets critical assets across the capital where failure could cause severe disruption. Barhale worked closely with Thames Water to replace 2.4 kilometres of aging 24” steel trunk main using a combination of micro-tunnelling and open cut trenching techniques. Extensive collaboration throughout the project lifecycle led to a significant revision to the reference solution, moving the existing pipeline away from the A406 North Circular Road – and roughly 16M annual vehicle movements – to eliminate potential traffic delays and reduce disruption for residents during construction. Mark Taylor, Thames Water’s Director of Delivery from London Infrastructure emphasised the criticality of building resilience into the network. “Population growth and climate change are putting increased pressure on water infrastructure,” he said. “While Fortis Green was primarily a project to address a critical asset reaching the end of its natural life, it also presented an opportunity to upgrade part of the network and strengthen its resilience.” Shane Gorman, Barhale’s Water Director (Southern Region) highlighted the importance of the project’s successful delivery. “Thanks to our extensive modelling and changes to the reference design we have been able to improve the capacity and the dynamic flow performance of the pipeline,” he said. “The re-engineering of the solution also enabled Barhale to achieve a 14.9% reduction in cost over the reference solution and significant carbon savings of 10,800tCO2e. This project is a strong example of how strategic engineering and early collaboration can deliver sustainable, high-value outcomes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Three-year contract will see Costain deliver engineering expertise to operations at the Kinneil Terminal in Scotland. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has secured a multimillion-pound engineering services contract with INEOS FPS. The contract, covering a minimum of three years, will see Costain deploy its extensive engineering expertise to support the optimisation and utilisation of operations at the Kinneil Terminal – a critical piece of the UK’s energy infrastructure. Costain has already been providing end-to-end engineering services at the Kinneil Terminal for more than ten years, having delivered multidisciplinary front-end studies through to detailed design engineering and procurement services for both onshore and offshore assets since 2014. Costain will service the contract from its new Aberdeen office where it continues to serve a growing customer base in the energy sector in Scotland and across the UK. Sean Close, energy resilience director at Costain, commented:“We’ll use our engineering expertise and long record of predictable best-in-class delivery to optimise the performance of Kinneil Terminal. This is critical national infrastructure, and our work will build vital resilience into the UK’s energy system with a safer, more efficient and more reliable terminal. “With our strong and growing presence in the region this contract marks the next chapter in our productive and collaborative relationship with INEOS FPS.” Costain’s energy sector delivers innovation, engineering and construction excellence to solve complex problems facing the UK’s energy infrastructure. It has a long track record of delivering infrastructure solutions in Scotland, including front end studies, asset maintenance and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. Costain has also provided technical consultancy services to Storegga (formerly Pale Blue Dot Energy) in support of the Acorn carbon capture and storage project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major redevelopment is set to transform a prominent commercial building at the gateway to London’s Hatton Garden jewellery district, following unanimous approval from Camden Council. The scheme, designed by architecture practice DSDHA and backed by Morgan Real Estate and BNF Capital, will see the five-storey office block at 19 Charterhouse Street extended to ten storeys and comprehensively refurbished. Originally constructed in 1991 as part of the De Beers diamond campus, the building will retain much of its existing structure under a high-quality, low-carbon retrofit strategy. The extension will add 2,780m² of workspace, bringing the total to 12,800m². Roof terraces at the seventh, eighth and ninth floors will incorporate greenery and provide striking views towards St Paul’s Cathedral. The current stone-clad façade, often described as “fortress-like”, will be replaced with Portland stone, a fluted zigzag profile at roof level, and bronze-coloured windows. Central to the design is a high-performance building envelope, intended for long-term durability and enhanced thermal performance, aiming for a BREEAM Excellent rating. The development will also be entirely car-free, reflecting its strong sustainability credentials. The project will integrate affordable jewellery-making workspaces into the scheme, supporting the area’s historic industry. While Hatton Garden planning policy calls for 50 per cent of new commercial space over 200m² to be allocated to affordable jewellery use, this scheme will provide 520m² — around 19 per cent of the total. However, all units will be offered at a peppercorn rent, with terms agreed alongside Camden’s inclusive economy team. DSDHA director Deborah Saunt described the project as more than just an exemplary mixed-use retrofit. She emphasised its potential to enhance biodiversity on the historic site of the River Fleet, promote the cultural sustainability of Hatton Garden’s jewellery trade, and strengthen connections between the City of London and surrounding boroughs. The development will sit opposite the soon-to-open London Museum at Smithfield and feature a redesigned ground-floor lobby with hospitality and retail space alongside the specialist jewellery workshops. Saunt added that the scheme could contribute to the growth of the so-called “City Halo” — a vision for softening the City’s edges through improved urban integration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cherwell District Council has approved Oxford United Football Club’s planning application for the UK’s first all-electric powered football stadium. The new 16,000 capacity stadium will create a larger and permanent home for Oxford United, and will be the most sustainable mid-sized sports venue in the UK. Teams from multi-disciplinary built environment consultancy Ridge and Partners worked alongside AFL Architects (Lead Architects), Mott Macdonald (Engineering Services) and Fabrik (Landscape Design) to develop the scheme. Ridge provided expertise across several aspects of the approved plans including site selection and planning, the sustainability strategy, and modelling and developing the transport strategy. Ridge also provided project management, design, environmental assessment and BREEAM consultancy services. The team’s vision for sustainability ensured it was at the heart of the design strategy from the outset. As the first all-electric stadium in the UK, it will operate entirely on renewable energy, integrating 3,500 sq m of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels to help reduce the impact on the national grid during matchdays. An air-source heat pump and energy efficient building fabric will remove the need for carbon-based fuels and provide an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions per year compared with gas boilers. The stadium will be located on a five-hectare (12 acre) site at the Triangle, 6km north of Oxford, and near to Oxford Parkway railway station and Kidlington Roundabout. The location of the approved scheme was chosen as the only viable site following Ridge’s consideration of more than 60 sites close to Oxford City Centre, prioritising sustainability, community needs and absence of flood risk or heritage constraints. With Oxford Parkway rail station and Park & Ride right by the new stadium, 90% of journeys to and from the ground have potential to be via sustainable transport. The project will create a new pedestrian and cycle link to nearby communities and public transport, enhanced rail and bus connections, and integration with Park and Ride services via dedicated fan shuttles. Nearly 450 cycle spaces will be provided on site. The football club is also exploring incentives to promote public and active transport. Ridge undertook extensive transport modelling, planning and consultation, using the North Oxford VISSIM model to assess the impact of development generated by the new stadium, scenario modelling for match-day traffic management, and detailed research of other stadia. A stadium for the club and the community The wider mixed-use development includes sustainable transport links, hospitality and events spaces, a new public plaza and wellness gardens, and local health services. It will create new spaces for Oxfordshire to host international events, activate the stadium and surrounds on non-match days, and unlock upwards of £130 million of investment into Cherwell. The new stadium will increase Oxford United’s stadium capacity by 3,500, and ensure that the club is financially sustainable, has a permanent home, and is no longer reliant on short-term leases, in turn improving its ability to deliver lasting impacts for the community. The stadium will feature purpose-built spaces for the club charity Oxford United in the Community, to expand their outreach programme and continue to deliver high-impact education, health and inclusion initiatives. The wider masterplan for the area also includes a 1,000-person events space – Oxfordshire’s largest purpose-built venue of this kind – as well as a 180-bed hotel, a restaurant, a health and wellbeing centre and a community plaza and gardens. This will boost the club’s vitality and secure its long-term commercial success, while also providing amenities to support community activities. New facilities at the conference centre will be flexible, with potential for discounted rates for local community groups. In granting its planning approval, Cherwell District Council noted the scheme’s significant public benefits, contribution to the community and sustainable commercial model. Jonathon Clarke, Development Director at Oxford United, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this crucial step to safeguard the Club for generations to come. The Committee supported the recommendation of the Planning Officer and has approved our stadium plans. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ridge and Partners who has been fundamental in reaching this milestone. Their dedication and expertise have truly made the difference in securing the future of Oxford United.” Giles Brockbank, Planning Partner at Ridge, said: “This is a momentous occasion for Oxford United, and for Ridge and our dedicated team who have been instrumental in helping the club get to this point. This project is more than a stadium – it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of Oxford’s only professional club, and deliver lasting social benefits for Oxford’s communities at the same time. Everyone who has been involved in translating this vision into a reality should be very proud. Our attention to detail, hard work and team ethic has helped bring Oxford United’s vision to fruition and we look forward to continuing to work with the club to implement the plans and deliver the transport strategy.” Sustainability by design Ridge worked on the Oxford United stadium plans alongside AFL Architects, Mott Macdonald and Fabrik. Mott MacDonald’s engineering team helped translate the sustainable vision into design, while its specialists in fire, acoustics, crowd modelling, catering and security will help to ensure fans have a safe and enjoyable stadium experience. The project is the latest in Ridge’s sports and stadia portfolio, including work on Stoke City FC Training Ground, Birmingham City FC training ground, Forest Green Rovers’ new stadium, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, the masterplan for Twickenham Stadium, and works to the roof of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. The new Oxford United stadium will lead to a 20% net gain in local biodiversity, and drainage and landscaping systems are designed to enhance rather than disrupt the site’s ecology and natural environment. It will provide new tree planting, green roofs, beehives, ponds, rain gardens, and wildflower meadows on site. The design and materials of the roof and stadium itself further add to sustainability. AFL Architects’ design – of a bowl that has a steeper rake than normal and a diagonally sloping roofline due to a deliberate choice to concentrate hospitality and hotel