The first 30 homes on a high-profile £36m urban development scheme in Birmingham have been handed over – ahead of schedule. Keon Homes, working in partnership with sister company Cameron Homes, has completed the two and three-bedroom homes on Icknield Port Loop development for housing association partner Midland Heart, with
The latest analysis by property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, shows that the UK’s property management services sector is continuing to expand in scale, with total market revenue expected to approach £38bn in 2026, as landlords increasingly rely on professional support to navigate a more complex and compliance-heavy rental landscape. Rushbrook
Almost two-thirds of industrial sector leaders see electrification as the most effective lever to achieve net zero targets (65 percent) Most plan to use demand-side flexibility mechanisms to optimize energy use (59 percent) 63 percent view digitalization as a critical enabler of the energy transition However, nearly two-thirds (63 percent)
STARK Group has been awarded EcoVadis Platinum for the fifth year in a row, the highest distinction in one of the world’s leading sustainability rating systems. With a score of 94/100, the Group ranks in the top 1% of more than 150,000 companies assessed globally. The rating confirms STARK Group’s
Gilbert-Ash and Whitbread celebrate a double topping out in Dublin City Centre Leading construction company Gilbert-Ash celebrated a significant milestone with the topping out of Premier Inn Jervis Street and Premier Inn O’Connell Street, in the centre of Dublin. The topping out ceremonies for both hotels were attended by Gilbert-Ash,
Proposals have been submitted for the speculative development of smaller industrial units at Worcester Six, the flagship business park. Overseen by the planning committee of Wychavon District Council, the plans relate to a 3.46 acre plot at Worcester Six and will be known as North Point. This phase will deliver
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor specialising in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has completed Crown Place in Birmingham – a landmark 33-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development. Practical completion was achieved on programme in December 2025 for client Crown
The retailer’s sales also increased during the period, up 13% year-on-year to £3.3bn. This comes after Mango opened 25 stores in the UK last year, including a second flagship on London’s Oxford Street, and in locations such as Birmingham, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Belfast, Craigavon (NI), and Cardiff. Speaking to Drapers, Mango’s vice chair and chief
Able Humber Ports Ltd is pleased to announce the award of a £490,000 Industrial Strategy Zone (ISZ) Site Accelerator Grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This targeted funding will fast‑track the technical, commercial and procurement activity required to unlock the next phase of the Able Humber
Leicestershire-based construction business, WP Developments Leicestershire Limited, now in its tenth year of trading, continues to specify West Fraser‘s CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero as its preferred flooring solutions across new build residential projects. The firm recently completed the flooring works for 20 new-build homes on a David Wilson Homes development in Wigston,
The first 30 homes on a high-profile £36m urban development scheme in Birmingham have been handed over – ahead of schedule. Keon Homes, working in partnership with sister company Cameron Homes, has completed the two and three-bedroom homes on Icknield Port Loop development for housing association partner Midland Heart, with many residents already settling in. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the thoughtful design of the homes, the sense of community taking shape, and the smooth move‑in experience. It marks an important milestone for Phase 3 of the scheme, which will eventually see the construction of 124 properties, a mix of different size homes and a small apartment block that straddles the canal corner. All homes are being designed to be sympathetic to the heritage of the site and will be spacious and zero carbon ready, incorporating electric heating, hot water heat pumps and generating localised electricity through solar panels. They will utilise sustainable timber frame construction methods and the first 30 properties all feature sawtooth roofs – a hat tip to an industrial past. Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director at Keon Homes, commented: “Port Loop was a real statement urban regeneration scheme for the local authority, yet hasn’t been without its challenges with two developers entering administration before they could start Phase 3. “We came in and promised to build the 124 properties on time and to the highest standards and this first handover, ahead of schedule, reaffirms that commitment.” He continued: “More importantly, we have delivered thirty much-needed affordable homes to individuals and families, giving them the opportunity to start new lives and form the beginning of new communities. That’s what this scheme is all about.” Icknield Port Loop is the latest in a long line of successes for Keon Homes, who secured a record £60m year in 2025. The company has evolved into one of the Midlands’ fastest growing affordable developers and a business that thrives on delivering complex projects that predominantly bring brownfield sites back to life. There is a big focus on ensuring projects leave a legacy to the region, both in the fabric of the design, the creation of new communities and the economic boost to a supply chain that is 90% based within a 25-mile radius of the scheme. “Our mantra is ‘to do the right thing’ and this was put in place by the founding directors in 2017,” added Matt. “We can only consistently deliver schemes ahead of schedule if you have the right supply chain in place, with transparent communications, trust and collaboration at the heart of the relationship. “Port Loop is the perfect example of this in action. We’re utilising building experts and sub-contractors that are predominantly based within the West Midlands and have worked with us on numerous schemes before. In fact, last year we invested £48m with our suppliers.” He continued: “Developing the next generation of construction professionals is also important to us. This isn’t marketing rhetoric, this is reflected in the fact we are employing 15 apprentices directly or indirectly on this landmark scheme.” Port Loop is the fifth scheme Keon Homes has developed in partnership with Midland Heart, following completion of Booth’s Lane and ongoing works at Holyhead Road, Bulkington and Phase 3D of Port Loop. Midland Heart’s ambitious development programme has delivered 4,000 new affordable homes over the past five years, with a further 2,250 set to be built and handed over by 2030. Joe Reeves, Deputy Chief Executive at Midland Heart, said: “Port Loop is an important regeneration project for Birmingham, and we’re delighted to see the first homes completed and handed over to tenants. “These properties reflect our commitment to delivering sustainable, well‑designed places where people can thrive. As the wider scheme progresses, we look forward to welcoming many more families into this growing neighbourhood of high‑quality, affordable homes.” For further information, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk or follow the company on its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest analysis by property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, shows that the UK’s property management services sector is continuing to expand in scale, with total market revenue expected to approach £38bn in 2026, as landlords increasingly rely on professional support to navigate a more complex and compliance-heavy rental landscape. Rushbrook & Rathbone analysed the current market size of the UK property management sector based on total industry revenue, assessing how the market has performed over the past year and what level of growth is forecast in 2026. After experiencing a slight contraction in 2024, when the estimated market size fell by 1.7% to £36.25bn, the sector has since rebounded strongly. Market size based on revenue increased by 4.1% in 2025, pushing the market size to £37.7bn, with this figure having increased by 26% over the last decade. Further growth is also forecast in 2026, with this figure set to climb by a further 0.7% to just shy of £38bn. The growth of the sector reflects the increasingly operational nature of managing rental property within the UK. Compliance obligations, maintenance coordination, tenant management and financial oversight have all become more demanding, placing greater pressure on landlords to ensure their properties are managed professionally and in line with regulatory requirements. With almost four decades of experience within the sector Rushbrook & Rathbone’s highlights three key pressures that are driving greater reliance on professional management services: resourcing constraints, regulatory complexity and the operational demands of managing larger property portfolios. Many landlords manage rental property alongside full-time careers or other business commitments, leaving limited time to oversee tenant relationships, maintenance works and financial administration. Professional management companies provide dedicated teams responsible for managing these day-to-day operational demands. At the same time, the regulatory framework surrounding the private rented sector has expanded significantly in recent years. From safety certification and deposit compliance to licensing requirements and evolving tenant rights legislation, the risk of costly mistakes for self-managing landlords has increased considerably. Operational scale is also becoming an important factor. As portfolios grow, so too do the demands of coordinating contractors, monitoring compliance deadlines, managing tenant communication and maintaining accurate financial reporting. Professional management services allow these processes to operate in a structured and scalable way. Roma Sharma, Managing Director of Rushbrook & Rathbone, commented: “Managing rental property today involves far more than collecting rent and arranging the occasional repair. The sector has become increasingly operational and compliance driven, with landlords needing to navigate complex legislation, coordinate maintenance and contractors, maintain accurate records, and respond to tenant needs often around the clock. As a result, professional management is increasingly being viewed not as an optional layer, but as an important part of protecting both the asset itself and the landlord’s time. What we are seeing is a gradual shift in how property management is perceived, particularly among portfolio landlords and investors who recognise the value of having structured systems, specialist expertise and reliable contractor networks in place to support the long-term performance of their assets.” Data Tables and Sources View full data tables and sources online here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Almost two-thirds of industrial sector leaders see electrification as the most effective lever to achieve net zero targets (65 percent) Most plan to use demand-side flexibility mechanisms to optimize energy use (59 percent) 63 percent view digitalization as a critical enabler of the energy transition However, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) say policy uncertainty is a growing threat to the success of the energy transition According to new research, industrial organizations are showing renewed momentum in decarbonizing their operations, with power grid investment, demand-side mechanisms, and digitalization emerging as the strongest levers for progress. The Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor, which surveyed 1,400 senior executives, finds that almost two-thirds of industrial leaders (65 percent) see electrification as the most effective lever to achieve net zero targets, with additional progress already accelerating onsite renewable usage, and decarbonizing core operations. The proportion of organizations that are mature or advanced in onsite renewable energy production has risen to 42 percent, and in decarbonization of core operations to 38 percent – both up from 27 percent in 2023. At the same time, demand-side flexibility is gaining traction as a practical way to cut emissions and energy costs by shifting consumption according to market conditions. Nearly six in ten (59 percent) industrial organizations plan to use their energy assets to benefit from flexibility mechanisms, and 45 percent say their efforts are already mature or advanced. Digitalization is underpinning these advances, with 63 percent of industrial leaders viewing it as a critical enabler of decarbonization, particularly through smarter energy management and AI-driven optimization. More than half believe better data sharing between energy producers and consumers would improve both efficiency (56 percent) and resilience (58 percent) of the overall system. Yet to maintain this momentum, companies need a clearer policy environment. Almost two thirds (63 percent) say policy uncertainty is now a growing threat to the energy transition, 60 percent report that regulatory uncertainty discourages private sector investment in renewables, and 57 percent say uncertainty about the future energy system is delaying clean energy investment. Matthias Rebellius, Managing Board Member of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure, said: “Industrial companies are proving that sustainability and competitiveness can advance together. They are investing in electrification, flexibility and digital technologies that deliver results today. What they need now is long-term policy clarity and supportive regulations to plan ahead with confidence and accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient operations.” About the Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor:The Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor is a biennial study commissioned by Siemens, surveying 1,400 senior executives and government representatives in 19 countries across energy, buildings and industries. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
STARK Group has been awarded EcoVadis Platinum for the fifth year in a row, the highest distinction in one of the world’s leading sustainability rating systems. With a score of 94/100, the Group ranks in the top 1% of more than 150,000 companies assessed globally. The rating confirms STARK Group’s strong performance across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement, underlining the Group’s ambition to make sustainability an integrated and commercial driver of its business. For customers, the rating provides independent recognition of STARK Group’s work with responsibility and documentation. The Group now provides CO₂ data for 78% of all LCA-relevant product sales in the Nordics and Germany. In the Nordic markets, product-level climate data is available through digital tools that enable customers to select lower-carbon alternatives, comply with emerging building regulations, and document the overall climate footprint of their projects. At the same time, the Group has invested significantly in capabilities and advisory services. More than 700 sustainability ambassadors have been trained, and nearly half of STARK Group’s 18,500 employees have completed basic sustainability training. STARK Group’s CEO, Søren P. Olesen, says: “Receiving Platinum for the fifth consecutive year demonstrates that sustainability is not a side project, but an integrated part of our business foundation and our collaboration across the value chain. Our ambition is to raise both our own performance and that of the wider industry. By combining strong supplier partnerships, relevant customer tools and ambitious reporting, we make sustainability practical, transparent and a genuine competitive advantage.” STARK UK’s Head of Sustainability, Sabrina Passley, says: “At STARK UK, sustainability is fundamental to how we operate. Being part of a Group that consistently achieves Platinum recognition demonstrates the strength of our governance, transparency and responsible supply chain practices. For our customers, this means practical support, credible product solutions and trusted data to help them build more sustainably. It underlines that sustainability at STARK UK is embedded, measurable and central to our long-term success.” With approximately 15,000 suppliers, STARK Group works systematically to strengthen responsible processes and drive joint development across markets. The focus is on close collaboration between the group’s business units and direct dialogue with suppliers to identify opportunities for partnerships and continuous improvements. STARK Group is also ahead of upcoming regulatory requirements. The Group already reports in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and has published its first integrated financial and sustainability report several years before the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is expected to apply in full to the company. EcoVadis assesses companies against 21 sustainability criteria across four core areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The assessment process is designed to enhance transparency and promote continuous improvement across global value chains, enabling customers to monitor performance and identify high-performing partners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Gilbert-Ash and Whitbread celebrate a double topping out in Dublin City Centre Leading construction company Gilbert-Ash celebrated a significant milestone with the topping out of Premier Inn Jervis Street and Premier Inn O’Connell Street, in the centre of Dublin. The topping out ceremonies for both hotels were attended by Gilbert-Ash, its valued client Whitbread PLC, which owns Premier Inn, and key project stakeholders. The new hotels at Jervis Street and O’Connell Street will create 444 of Premier Inn’s latest format guest bedrooms in the heart of Dublin, where the brand is expanding rapidly. The developments also signal a major step forward in Gilbert-Ash’s growth ambitions within its home market of Ireland. Premier Inn Jervis Street is a 215-bedroom hotel reshaping a prominent corner at the intersection of Jervis Street and Abbey Street Upper. The project includes the demolition of the existing building and construction of a seven- storey building plus a basement and roof, with an onsite restaurant and bar on the ground floor overlooking Wolfe Tone Park. Premier Inn O’Connell Street is a 229-bedroom hotel located within the Clerys Quarter redevelopment. The works include construction of an eight-storey building plus a basement and roof, with restaurant and reception to ground floor. Both hotels are due for completion at the end of 2026 and are scheduled to open and welcome guests in early 2027. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company was proud to continue its partnership with Whitbread on two landmark hotel projects that will add significant strength to Dublin’s growing hospitality sector. He said: “Reaching the topping out stage is always a rewarding milestone. It’s the moment when we start to see the building emerge from its plans. “Both the Premier Inn Jervis Street and Premier Inn Clerys projects continue to make excellent progress, and collaborating with Whitbread and our wider project partners has been hugely satisfying. “I have no doubt that, when they open, both Premier Inn hotels will become highly sought-after destinations for visitors to Dublin.” Emma O’Shiel, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread in Ireland, said: “Topping out two prime Dublin City Centre hotel developments on the same day demonstrates the scale of Premier Inn’s ambitions in Ireland. It shows how successful we are at bringing our affordable, consistent product to the best locations – and how fast we are working to grow a top-class network for our customers. “But we don’t work alone, and we need the support of an experienced contractor and development team to build complex hotel developments to our high standards. So, my thanks go out to Gilbert-Ash and the whole consultant team who have worked so hard to create these two-flagship new Premier Inn hotels for us.” Whitbread acquired Twilfit House on Jervis Street in January 2019, successfully securing planning approval from Dublin City Council to redevelop the former museum site into a 215-key hotel. The Clery’s Quarter development site was acquired by the business in August 2022 with planning permission already secured in June 2023. Whitbread currently offers its customers a choice of six hotels in Ireland across Dublin and Cork, offering more than 1,000 bedrooms, with an additional 1,200 rooms secured in its development pipeline. It is targeting a 5,000-bedroom network across Ireland. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. Sustainability is a key focus for Gilbert-Ash with a number of initiatives underway to help the company to drive down its carbon footprint. Both the Jervis Street and O’Connell Street Premier Inn hotels have been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbertash.com. For more on Whitbread PLC visit www.whitbread.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals have been submitted for the speculative development of smaller industrial units at Worcester Six, the flagship business park. Overseen by the planning committee of Wychavon District Council, the plans relate to a 3.46 acre plot at Worcester Six and will be known as North Point. This phase will deliver up to five units ranging from 5,532 sq ft up to 34,401 sq ft, with options to combine. Available either for sale or to let, the units are designed to meet growing demand from manufacturing, light industrial businesses and SMEs. Located adjacent to Junction 6 of the M5, Worcester Six Business Park is already home to a number of major national and international occupiers, including MiTek, Bidfood, Alliance Flooring Distribution, Material Solutions, Kimal, Spire Healthcare, IONOS, Kohler Mira, Zwick Roell, Super Smart Service, Stop Start Transport and Sierra CP Engineering. The North Point development represents an alternative to the larger-format buildings for which Worcester Six is best known, broadening the park’s occupier mix and providing flexible accommodation for a different segment of the market. Edward Peel, Director at Stoford, said: “We are pleased to announce the submission of the latest planning application at Worcester Six, which will further diversify the offer at the site and support continued business growth in the region. The park has been an incredibly successful, game-changing development over the last ten years, with strong and sustained demand for commercial space. These proposals represent an exciting opportunity for further development, creating new, sustainable units to meet ongoing market demand.” Charles D’Auncey, Director at Harris Lamb, said: “These units will be a great addition as they offer a totally different type of space to anything else currently available at Worcester Six. North Point occupies a prominent position in a strategic location adjacent to Junction 6 of the M5. The introduction of smaller industrial units opens the business park up to a new market, with a variety of unit sizes to march occupier requirements.” For details about availability at Worcester Six, please contact the schemes retained agents: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com or Tom Arnold at Colliers – tom.arnold@colliers.com. Or for more information, visit: www.worcester6.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor specialising in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has completed Crown Place in Birmingham – a landmark 33-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development. Practical completion was achieved on programme in December 2025 for client Crown Student Living, marking the delivery of Birmingham’s tallest student accommodation building and a significant new addition to the city’s skyline. The completion of Crown Place represents a landmark moment for Winvic, taking total delivery beyond 15,000 beds across its multi-room sector. This milestone highlights sustained growth and reinforces Winvic’s position as a leading multi-room contractor, with expertise in delivering large-scale residential developments of all types – from high-rise city towers to mid-rise and suburban schemes – across a variety of locations nationwide. Located on the corner of Lancaster Street in Birmingham city centre in easy reach of Aston University, Birmingham City University and the University of Birmingham, the ?85 million scheme will be operated by global student housing provider Yugo, with students now moving in from January 2026. Crown Place offers 814 student beds, including 572 studios, 114 cluster flats and 128 duplex rooms, arranged across a 33-storey tower and adjoining 9 and 12-storey blocks. The scheme features over 13,000 sq ft of amenity space, including study rooms, communal kitchens, private dining areas, lounges, cinema and karaoke rooms, and a fully equipped gym, alongside a first-floor terrace and a Sky lounge at Level 33 – setting new standards for student living in Birmingham. Designed by ECE Westworks and engineered by Meinhardt, Crown Place was delivered on a highly constrained city-centre site located in a major arterial route into Birmingham. Winvic implemented a detailed logistics strategy, with just-in-time deliveries to minimise disruption and ensure programme certainty throughout the 145 week build programme. Innovation has been central to the project’s success. Crown Place is not only Winvic’s tallest scheme to date, but also the contractor’s first project to utilise a unitised brick fa?ade system, enabling the rapid installation of 2,768 prefabricated fa?ade panels without the need for external access. The project saw the UK-first deployment of Skyline Cockpit, allowing the tower crane to be operated remotely from ground level to enhance both safety and efficiency. Advanced technology and sustainable practices were integrated throughout the scheme, including the use of HP SitePrint, a BIM-linked robotic setting-out system; GAMMA AR, an augmented reality tool that overlays 3D BIM designs onto the as-built environment; and the AmpD Enertainer battery system, which reduced diesel use by 7,645 litres per week, supporting greener operations. Additional innovations included an open-top goods hoist to safely and efficiently distribute materials to the upper floors, and KONE jump lift technology, which enabled early lift installation and operation, providing enhanced material and operative movement management. Winvic also placed a strong focus on social value, supporting local communities through employment, education and charitable initiatives. The project achieved outstanding CCS scores of 49 and was recognised with a Silver National Site Award. Over 3,800 weeks of employment were created for Birmingham residents into new roles on site. Since the project began, 14 students and apprentices have been supported by Winvic’s project team through T Level placements, industry studentships and graduate roles. This includes four students who have successfully transitioned from T Level work placements into apprenticeships with Winvic, demonstrating the strength of the main contractor’s early careers pipeline and long-term commitment to development local talent. Community impact initiatives included a Magical Santa’s Grotto for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, canal clean-up efforts, and charity fundraising events that raised over ?7,500. Long term educational partnerships with Aston University, Walsall College, BMET and South and City College Birmingham alongside local schools such as Erdington Academy, have seen the project being used to inspire the next generation. 22 education engagement events were delivered to over 400 students, including interactive workshops that developed with students as they progressed through education and site visits showcasing the latest industry innovations. Mark Jones, Managing Director of Multi-Room at Winvic Construction, said: “The completion of Crown Place is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. From pioneering new construction technologies to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety, this project demonstrates the results of our strong collaborative partnership with Crown Student Living, Yugo and our supply chain partners.” “Crown Place also marks a landmark moment for Winvic, taking our total delivery beyond 15,000 beds across our multi-room sector – a milestone that reflects the scale of our sector expertise and the trust our clients have in us. Delivering Birmingham’s tallest student accommodation building on such a constrained site demanded innovation, collaboration and absolute commitment from the entire project team. We are proud to hand over a landmark development that will set new benchmarks for student living in the city.” Alan Pulver, Director at Crown Student Living, said: “The completion of Crown Place marks a significant milestone for Crown Student Living. This landmark development sets a new benchmark for student living in Birmingham, combining high-quality design with carefully considered spaces that foster a strong sense of community. Through close collaboration with Winvic and Yugo, we have delivered a development that meets the expectations of modern students and adds real value to the city and its residents”. Robin Moorcroft, Senior Vice President of Commercial at Yugo, said: “We are thrilled by the completion of Crown Place, as the space represents the high-quality student accommodation Yugo is proud to manage. At Yugo, we go beyond housing; we’re committed to creating vibrant, sustainable, and supportive communities where students can truly thrive, and Crown Place brings that vision to life. “We are proud to be working with institutional-grade partners like Crown to deliver operational excellence at scale with high-quality accommodation, benefiting students and clients across both existing and emerging markets. “With stunning views of the Birmingham skyline, dedicated study areas, and generous communal spaces designed to foster connection and belonging, we’re excited to be welcoming the first wave of students to Crown Place.” Crown Place is now open,
The retailer’s sales also increased during the period, up 13% year-on-year to £3.3bn. This comes after Mango opened 25 stores in the UK last year, including a second flagship on London’s Oxford Street, and in locations such as Birmingham, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Belfast, Craigavon (NI), and Cardiff. Speaking to Drapers, Mango’s vice chair and chief expansion and franchise officer Daniel López said: “It is an interesting market for us and we can see a lot of growth. We opened 25 new stores [in 2025] and for the 2026, the forecast is to open 15 more.” He added that the retailer’s bricks and mortar estate was important to bringing it “closer to customers”. “We believe bringing Mango close to customers is what really helps us to be more creative and interact with customers, to guide them and give recommendations,” he added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Able Humber Ports Ltd is pleased to announce the award of a £490,000 Industrial Strategy Zone (ISZ) Site Accelerator Grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This targeted funding will fast‑track the technical, commercial and procurement activity required to unlock the next phase of the Able Humber Port (AHP) development-one of the UK’s most strategically important clean‑energy infrastructure projects. Located on the Humber Estuary, AHP offers 332 hectares of port land, including 177.7 hectares within the Humber Freeport Tax Site, and a further 39.73 hectares enabled through new quay construction. The grant will help bring the site to investment‑ready status within six months, underpinning what is set to become the UK’s largest fully integrated offshore wind cluster port. The development is expected to enable more than £535 million of private‑sector investment and support approximately 4,000 high‑quality jobs across the region. Executive Chairman Peter Stephenson commented:“This grant marks an important step forward in unlocking the full potential of Able Humber Port. The Humber has a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to become the heart of the UK’s offshore wind industry. We welcome the continued support from government, the Humber Freeport, and our regional partners as we bring this nationally significant development closer to delivery.” AHP will play a central role in supporting the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing and installation capacity, industrial decarbonisation and Freeport‑driven economic growth. With the scale and planning consents already in place, Able Humber Port is uniquely positioned to anchor a world‑class offshore wind ecosystem and contribute significantly to the UK’s 2030 target of 50GW of offshore wind. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leicestershire-based construction business, WP Developments Leicestershire Limited, now in its tenth year of trading, continues to specify West Fraser‘s CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero as its preferred flooring solutions across new build residential projects. The firm recently completed the flooring works for 20 new-build homes on a David Wilson Homes development in Wigston, North Leicestershire. CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero were used to deck out all joists across the plots, forming the structural base for finished floors and providing a robust working surface for follow-on trades. “Consistency and reliability are key for us, especially on larger multi plot projects,” William Woolhouse explained. “CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero give us confidence that the finished floor will stand up to site conditions and deliver the performance expected by major housebuilders. The product quality is consistent, performance on site reliable and we have complete confidence in the finished floor which is obviously crucial. For us, it’s important that sheet materials feel solid underfoot and behave predictably from one board to the next. CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero deliver exactly that.” In general, there is a host of reasons the company specifies the West Fraser collection. Speed of installation allows the teams to progress quickly and efficiently while the finish is dependable and durable even before the final floor coverings are installed. This combination of speed and predictability helps maintain programme momentum on multi plot developments where efficiency is critical. “They’re easy to handle, cut and fix,” William added. “Because they work so well with our standard workflow, there’s no disruption or need to adapt how we operate.” All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation. Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC certified and created from locally grown timber, cutting the embodied carbon associated with transportation. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals