Accent, who has head offices in Bradford and Peterborough, is celebrating double success at this year’s Housing Heroes Awards, recognising both its commitment to customer voice and the people-first culture they have built together over the past 18 months. Accent winners included customer Richard Wilkinson, who received the Lifetime Achievement
FIS has launched a short, targeted e-learning module: The Building Safety Act Wales 2026 to help contractors, designers and specialists prepare for significant changes to building regulations in Wales coming into force on 1st July 2026. From that date, a new building safety regime will come into force in Wales,
Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) has appointed Stuart Hayler as General Manager of its Durham Hub. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Stuart will be responsible for leading the team and managing all operations from the Hub. Prior to the appointment, Stuart was Regional Director at Jewson and
Developers Manse LLP and J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) Plc, advised by planning consultant Porter Planning, have received planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council for Eurocentral Gateway, a new best-in-class industrial and logistics development at Eurocentral, Motherwell. The consent marks an important step towards the delivery of two high-specification industrial
The A660 is a busy route with pedestrians and cyclists, seeing over 1,000 cyclists using it daily. Regrettably, injury collisions involving these groups are high, with improved infrastructure needed. Leeds City Council, alongside partners the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will start to undertake the remaining phase of the £10.4million major
Wates has been appointed as the preferred contractor to deliver an ambitious £138m regeneration programme that will transform Sevenoaks town centre, marking a significant milestone in one of the largest public investment projects planned for the district. The development, known as the Land East of Sevenoaks High Street project, is
A highly complex office redevelopment in the heart of Westminster is demonstrating how innovative engineering and careful planning can help deliver major retrofit projects in some of the UK’s most constrained urban environments. Specialist tower crane manufacturer Wolffkran has played a pivotal role in supporting the transformation of 1 Victoria
Award-winning home and interiors retailer, Laura James (AGTC Ltd) is proud to announce the official opening of its new operational facility, photography studio and showroom at DIRFT, Rugby, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and investment in the region. The new facility brings together an expanded operational
New transport link to reduce existing congestion and serve up to 4,000 new homes near King’s Lynn. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by Norfolk County Council to finalise the detailed design and build the West Winch Housing Access Road scheme near King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The new 1.5-mile
Novus Property Solutions, the national maintenance, refurbishment and fit out contractor, has commenced work on a £4.2 million contract with Loughborough University to transform two existing campus buildings into specialist DIGI-Labs designed to support the next generation of STEM innovators. The project will see the creation of Digi-Lab Central across
Accent, who has head offices in Bradford and Peterborough, is celebrating double success at this year’s Housing Heroes Awards, recognising both its commitment to customer voice and the people-first culture they have built together over the past 18 months. Accent winners included customer Richard Wilkinson, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Accent’s Culture and People team, who were named Team of the Year (Over 10,000 homes). 72-year-old Richard, from Bradford, is not only a long-standing customer of 35 years, but he was also Accent’s only customer Board member, helping ensure that customers’ voices are heard at the very highest level. His journey with Accent reflects something deeper than tenancy, it is a lifelong commitment to community, fairness and making a difference to his community and the wider sector. Richard said: “I was honoured and humbled to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award. I do so really on behalf of hundreds of residents who, over the years, have worked with landlords to improve outcomes for customers and their communities.” Nick Apetroaie, CEO at Accent, added: “I am incredibly proud of everything we’re achieving at Accent. Our investment in people and culture is making a real difference, and it’s fantastic to see that recognised. Congratulations to our Culture and People team on this well-deserved award, and to Richard Wilkinson, whose dedication and contribution to Accent and the wider housing sector have been truly exceptional. I’d also like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists from Accent and across the sector.” Debbie Hinbest, Executive Director of People and Culture, said: “I am beyond proud to see Accent recognised through awards that celebrate the outstanding work taking place across our organisation. These achievements reflect the dedication, passion and commitment of our colleagues and customers, who work every day to make a difference. “Our People Strategy is more than a plan on paper. It is brought to life by leaders and colleagues who care deeply about creating a great place to work, helping people thrive and enabling us to deliver the very best service for our customers. “Accent is a place to grow, belong and make a difference together. A special congratulations to Richard on this well-deserved recognition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FIS has launched a short, targeted e-learning module: The Building Safety Act Wales 2026 to help contractors, designers and specialists prepare for significant changes to building regulations in Wales coming into force on 1st July 2026. From that date, a new building safety regime will come into force in Wales, introducing fundamental changes to how building work is regulated, approved and enforced. While closely aligned with the principles of the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced in England, the Welsh system is not identical and will operate through different regulators, processes and documentation requirements. What is changing in Wales? Wales is introducing a dutyholder‑led regulatory framework that applies to all regulated building work, with additional and more stringent requirements for higher‑risk buildings (HRBs). The system has strong parallels with the English regime, but there are important practical differences that contractors, designers and specialists need to understand. Key features of the Welsh regime include: A significant difference from the English system is that Wales has not created a standalone Building Safety Regulator. Higher‑risk buildings and enforcement remain within the jurisdiction of local authority building control, with different approval routes, statutory declarations and appeal mechanisms. The Welsh regime also defines higher‑risk buildings more broadly, capturing buildings with at least one residential unit as well as hospitals and care homes with overnight stays. What the FIS Wales 2026 module covers The new FIS training module is targeted at those who have already completed the Introduction to the Building Safety Act and now need to understand how the Welsh system works in practice. It provides: Preparing for July 2026 Transitional provisions mean that some projects already in the system before 1st July 2026 will continue under the current arrangements. However, any project that has not deposited full plans or secured acceptance of an initial notice by that date will need to comply with the new Welsh regime from the outset. With increased emphasis on competence, accountability and documented compliance, now is the right time for organisations to ensure their teams understand how the Welsh system operates. FIS remains committed to supporting the finishes and interiors sector through the biggest regulatory change in a generation. Alongside this new Wales‑specific module, FIS continues to provide guidance, training and practical tools to help members manage risk, improve safety and remain compliant. To access the course, visit the FIS E-Learning Academy. For any questions about the regulations contact the FIS team at info@thefis.org or 0121 707 0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) has appointed Stuart Hayler as General Manager of its Durham Hub. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Stuart will be responsible for leading the team and managing all operations from the Hub. Prior to the appointment, Stuart was Regional Director at Jewson and brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Part of the STARK Building Materials UK Ltd group of builders’ merchants and materials distributors, MBS provides tailored product and service support for large-scale building projects. Focused on volume supply and project-specific solutions, MBS helps major housebuilders deliver efficiently and consistently. Stuart said: “Having spent more than 25 years in the industry, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience every level, from working in the yard to leading teams as a regional director. Those experiences have shaped my approach and given me a strong understanding of what it takes to build successful operations and support our customers in the best way. “After several rewarding years with Jewson, I’m excited to take on a new challenge with MBS. The Durham Hub has enormous potential and I see a real opportunity to build on its strengths, drive further growth and ensure we continue delivering exceptional service to the businesses in the area who rely on us. “I’ll be bringing a combination of commercial, supplier and operational expertise to the role, but my focus will also be on developing the talented people within the business. Strong teams are what drive long-term success, and I’m looking forward to helping both the Hub and its people reach their full potential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developers Manse LLP and J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) Plc, advised by planning consultant Porter Planning, have received planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council for Eurocentral Gateway, a new best-in-class industrial and logistics development at Eurocentral, Motherwell. The consent marks an important step towards the delivery of two high-specification industrial and logistics units totaling approximately 200,000 sq ft, addressing strong occupier demand within Scotland’s premier distribution location. The project is anticipated to start in the autumn, with practical completion expected by autumn 2027. Comprising buildings of approximately 80,000 sq ft and 120,000 sq ft, the units will be built to the latest standards, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, operational efficiency, high-quality design and generous yards, enabling businesses to reduce environmental impact while maximising operational performance. Specification includes dock and ground level loading, 12.5m eaves heights, large yards, generous power supplies, high quality offices, EV charging points, energy monitoring systems and PV panels fitted as standard, with both units targeting EPC A ratings and BREEAM Excellent accreditation. Situated at the eastern entrance to Eurocentral, the development enjoys direct access onto the M8 motorway, placing it at one of the most accessible points on Scotland’s busiest logistics corridor. The wider Eurocentral estate extends to 650 acres and is served by Scotland’s first Channel Tunnel Rail Freight Terminal, with four major seaports within easy reach. With vacancy along the M8 corridor remaining at around 2.5%, the planning decision is expected to prompt early interest from occupiers. CBRE and Colliers, appointed as joint leasing agents, are actively encouraging businesses to explore pre-let opportunities ahead of the construction start. Craig Semple, Director at CBRE Scotland, said: “Planning consent for Eurocentral Gateway is a significant step forward for the Central Belt industrial market. Demand for prime, well-specified space remains strong, and supply is still tight, so the prospect of two new buildings of this quality at one of Scotland’s best-connected locations will no doubt be of interest to occupiers.” Iain Davidson, Director in Colliers Industrial & Logistics team, said: “Securing planning permission means Eurocentral Gateway is now moving from aspiration to reality. The specification is among the strongest we’ve seen on the M8 corridor, and its position gives occupiers a connectivity advantage that is genuinely difficult to match elsewhere in Scotland. We anticipate strong occupier interest in these buildings and would urge interested businesses to engage with us early to avoid missing out.” Further information on the development can be found at:https://eurocentral.designworks-web.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The A660 is a busy route with pedestrians and cyclists, seeing over 1,000 cyclists using it daily. Regrettably, injury collisions involving these groups are high, with improved infrastructure needed. Leeds City Council, alongside partners the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will start to undertake the remaining phase of the £10.4million major works on the A660 from today, 22 June until spring 2027. Funded by Active Travel England’s Active Travel Fund, the highways improvements will bring the route up to the Department for Transport’s latest design guidance to create high-quality, safe infrastructure for people who walk, wheel and cycle. The scheme aims to improve bus reliability on this busy corridor into and out of the city centre, reduce road deaths and serious injuries on the A660, in line with the council’s Vision Zero 2040 Strategy, and entice more residents to take up walking and cycling – working towards Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy targets. Phases 1 and 2, A660 from Shaw Lane to Hyde Park Corner, will complete this month, with the remaining final phase, A660 from Hyde Park Corner to Spenceley Street due to be onsite from today. As part of the final phase of works, Cliff Road will become one-way southbound to motor vehicles, with a banned right turn out onto the A660, Rampart Road will have a right-turn out ban, and Clarendon Road will have the left-turn out banned for drivers. These restrictions will help improve safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists at these junctions, and for Clarendon Road, help with the efficiency of traffic at the junction. As part of the previous works, we have also updated existing bus stops along the route to bring the cycle bypasses in-line with updated government guidance. The cycle lane has been narrowed at each bus stop to create a boarding area for users to get on and off the bus. Phase 3 is made up of: The route was consulted on with the public in 2023, with 63% of respondents backing the proposals. Construction Construction works will be between Hyde Park Corner and Spenceley Street, including the Clarendon Road junction. Traffic will continue to flow in both directions on A660 Woodhouse Lane. Access to businesses will be maintained during their opening hours, and local and emergency access will continue throughout. Construction designs have been updated since the consultation, with officers now removing the central reservation in the road to create a fully segregated cycle path on Avenue Walk (adjacent to Woodhouse Moor). Additional pockets of greenery and floating bus stop bypasses are also included in the plans – in line with Department for Transport’s guidance on cycle and bus stop provision. While works are ongoing on Woodhouse Lane and Clarendon Road, temporary bus stops will be in operation nearby. Keep up to date with construction by visiting our website. Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “Our Vision Zero Strategy data shows that over 70% of people involved in collisions along this route are vulnerable road users – people walking, wheeling and cycling – showing an essential need for us to create safer ways for people to travel.” “I’m pleased to see the start of the final phase of works beginning and hope the improvements help to encourage even more people to choose active and sustainable methods of travel which can boost health and wellbeing, and help tackle climate change. “This route into Leeds is undergoing major changes with important schemes currently happening and planned to commence later in the year. Our engineers and contractors across the schemes are working hard to ensure traffic and buses are kept moving throughout, often undertaking night works when there is less demand on the network. I would like to thank local businesses and residents for being patient whilst these works are happening, and, like many of you, look forward to the A660 scheme completing next year” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates has been appointed as the preferred contractor to deliver an ambitious £138m regeneration programme that will transform Sevenoaks town centre, marking a significant milestone in one of the largest public investment projects planned for the district. The development, known as the Land East of Sevenoaks High Street project, is being brought forward by Sevenoaks District Council in Kent and aims to create a vibrant, sustainable and well-connected destination for residents, businesses and visitors. The masterplan will deliver a wide range of new community facilities, including a modern leisure centre, a cultural hub, a new market hall, enhanced public transport infrastructure, attractive public green spaces and a collection of energy-efficient homes designed to support the district’s long-term growth. The project is also expected to generate significant economic benefits, with an estimated 263 jobs being created during the construction phase, while helping to stimulate further investment across the town centre. Over the coming months, Wates will work alongside Sevenoaks District Council to develop the initial design proposals before launching a comprehensive programme of public consultation. Local residents, businesses and stakeholders will have the opportunity to help shape the proposals before a planning application is submitted, which is currently anticipated from late 2027. Subject to planning approval, construction could commence during 2028. The regeneration forms part of Sevenoaks District Council’s wider vision to create a more attractive, accessible and sustainable town centre that better meets the needs of a growing community while supporting local businesses and improving public amenities. Councillor Michael Horwood, Cabinet Member for Improvement and Innovation at Sevenoaks District Council, said Wates has an impressive track record of delivering major, high-quality developments and working collaboratively with local communities to create places that people can be proud of. He added that engaging with residents and businesses throughout the design process will be a key priority, ensuring the final proposals reflect local aspirations before planning permission is sought. The appointment further strengthens Wates’ growing portfolio of complex regeneration projects across the UK, where the contractor continues to play a leading role in delivering mixed-use developments that combine housing, community facilities, public realm improvements and sustainable infrastructure to support long-term economic growth and social value. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A highly complex office redevelopment in the heart of Westminster is demonstrating how innovative engineering and careful planning can help deliver major retrofit projects in some of the UK’s most constrained urban environments. Specialist tower crane manufacturer Wolffkran has played a pivotal role in supporting the transformation of 1 Victoria Street, where contractors Keltbray and Mace Construct are delivering the redevelopment of a prominent 1960s office building through an ambitious programme focused on retaining much of the existing structure. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding the entire building, significant elements of the original structure are being preserved, helping to reduce embodied carbon by eliminating the need for extensive new piling and foundations. However, this sustainable approach has introduced a series of unique engineering challenges. Because the original foundations are being retained, the tower cranes have been installed within the building’s basement on structural foundations more than 60 years old. This required an entirely bespoke lifting strategy, with crane positions dictated by the existing structural layout rather than conventional construction practices. The project has been carefully phased, with a total of nine Wolffkran tower cranes supporting demolition and construction activities. During the initial demolition phase, a Wolff 355 B luffing jib crane handled heavy lifting operations within the confined site, including excavators, structural steel and demolition equipment. As construction progressed, four further cranes were installed to support the delivery of the building’s reinforced concrete core and early superstructure works, including the demanding slipform construction process that requires continuous concrete placement and highly coordinated lifting operations. One of the most technically challenging aspects of the project has been adapting the cranes to work on the retained foundations. Wolffkran’s adjustable cross-frame system enabled each crane to be precisely aligned with the existing structural support points, with individual support legs configured to varying lengths to accommodate the complex geometry below ground. The engineering challenges will continue into the final stages of the project. Once the basement slabs have been completed around the crane bases, dismantling the equipment will require a carefully planned operation using ceiling hoists, specialist forklifts and skating systems, as conventional mobile cranes will not have sufficient access within the completed structure. Later this year, lifting operations will move to roof level as the next phase of construction begins, with larger luffing jib cranes supporting the installation of the upper floors, façade and building services. Scheduled for completion in early 2028, the redevelopment of 1 Victoria Street is expected to become one of central London’s most technically demanding retrofit projects, showcasing how innovative construction techniques and specialist engineering can help deliver sustainable regeneration while preserving existing building assets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning home and interiors retailer, Laura James (AGTC Ltd) is proud to announce the official opening of its new operational facility, photography studio and showroom at DIRFT, Rugby, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and investment in the region. The new facility brings together an expanded operational HQ, purpose-built studio space, and a modern customer showroom, creating a dynamic environment for clients, partners, and employees alike. The move represents one of the largest investments in the company’s history and reinforces Laura James’ long-term commitment to innovation, service excellence, and sustainable growth. The expansion will deliver new employment opportunities within the local area with an estimated 200 jobs within the next 18 months, creating additional jobs across operations, customer service, project delivery and support functions. The investment also includes the introduction of a new fleet of company vans, further enhancing the business’s capacity to serve customers across the UK with an in-house delivery service launch. The opening comes during a period of exceptional performance for the business, which has achieved significant year-on-year growth while continuing to build its reputation as an industry-leading, award-winning organisation. “This is an incredibly exciting chapter for Laura James,” says Matthew Talbot, CEO for Laura James. “Our new home at DIRFT provides the space, facilities and infrastructure needed to support the next phase of our journey. It’s a significant investment of over £4m in operational fit out and delivery fleet in both our business and the Rugby area, creating opportunities for growth, employment and innovation.” “Most importantly, this move is about our people. We have built an amazing team and a culture that we’re incredibly proud of. This new facility gives us the perfect environment to continue creating great work, delivering exceptional experiences for our customers, and making new memories together as a team.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New transport link to reduce existing congestion and serve up to 4,000 new homes near King’s Lynn. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by Norfolk County Council to finalise the detailed design and build the West Winch Housing Access Road scheme near King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The new 1.5-mile West Winch Housing Access Road will connect the A47 with the existing A10 to serve up to four thousand new homes planned for the new Growth Area south of King’s Lynn. Once opened, the new road will become part of the A10. In addition to designing and building the new road, Costain will also include the creation of new roundabouts that will provide access to the new housing areas, a cycle path alongside the new road as well as dualling just under one mile of the A47 trunk road. The contract with Costain is a significant part of the overall £122m project. Detailed design will commence this year, with construction anticipated to start in 2027. Andy Denman, Road Sector Director at Costain, commented: “This award is built on our long-established highways delivery expertise and our proven track record in delivering best-in-class, value-for-money services for local authorities across the UK. “The West Winch Housing Access Road is an exciting project that will significantly improve people’s lives and help support the local economy. We’re looking forward to bringing constructability to the heart of the design to minimise risk and maximise efficiency, working closely with our supply chain partners to deliver this new road safely and efficiently.” Grahame Bygrave, Lead Director – Infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: “Congratulations to Costain for being awarded the design and build contract for the project, it’s great to have them on board. Our project team will work closely with them to continue to move this project forward and progress to the start of construction as soon as possible.” Costain will draw on its experience in delivering critical road, water and energy infrastructure across the East of England. This includes Costain’s leading position as part of the Eastern Highways Alliance Framework, delivering road upgrades across 11 local authorities in the region. It has also upgraded 1625km of gas mains for Cadent, providing new gas mains for 168,000 homes. In addition, as part of Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance, Costain is delivering hundreds of kilometres of new water pipeline to enhance the region’s resilience to climate change and water scarcity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Novus Property Solutions, the national maintenance, refurbishment and fit out contractor, has commenced work on a £4.2 million contract with Loughborough University to transform two existing campus buildings into specialist DIGI-Labs designed to support the next generation of STEM innovators. The project will see the creation of Digi-Lab Central across the EHB Squash Courts and G Block, bringing together advanced digital technologies within a purpose-designed, collaborative environment. With completion expected in June 2026, the facility will be home to a Proto Hologram, VR Lab, drone technology, markered motion capture, a GPU lab and a 3D immersive wall and floor installation. Delivered by Novus’ dedicated Public Services & Commercial (PS&C) division, the scheme combines design, refurbishment and reconfiguration expertise within a live university setting. The works involve the comprehensive transformation of two adjacent buildings to create a unified, high-performance learning environment. This includes the installation of a new canopy structure to physically connect the buildings, a full internal strip-out, a new roof structure, stairwell extension and complete MEP installations. Specialist floor, wall and ceiling finishes will also be installed to achieve the required acoustic performance for advanced digital applications, alongside associated external and landscaping works. The installation of energy efficiency measures will also ensure a resilient and sustainable campus that operates efficiently. The building fabric improvements along with the air quality management system create a healthy learning environment that inspires innovation, whilst being aligned with the University’s sustainability strategy, reducing energy demand and supporting advanced digital teaching and research. The DIGI-Labs will shape a dedicated space for the university’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. Designed to ensure graduates are prepared for the world of work, the DIGI-Labs will allow STEM students to learn about digital skills, data analytics, and virtual and augmented reality, as well as assisting students in reaping the benefits of artificial intelligence to support future technologies. Matt Hiley, Executive Director at Novus Property Solutions, said: “This is an exciting and forward-thinking project that will create a specialist environment tailored to the needs of STEM students at Loughborough University. Facilities like the DIGI-Labs play a vital role in bridging academic learning with real-world application. “Our team understands the balance required when delivering complex refurbishments within live education environments, combining technical precision, programme certainty and sensitivity to the wider campus community. We’re proud to be partnering with the university to create a space that will support innovation and future technologies for years to come.” With extensive experience of delivering fast-track, specialist fit-out projects across the education sector, Novus Property Solutions continues to work with providers nationwide to create environments that support learning, collaboration and long-term impact. To find out more about Novus Property Solutions please, visit: https://www.novussolutions.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals