Construction developer Kier has secured a £120m contract from the Government Property Agency to deliver a major new government office building in Darlington. Work is set to begin this month on the new government hub on Brunswick Street, with construction expected to take around two years. The building is scheduled
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has completed the freehold sale of Poyle 80 to Davies Turner the leading worldwide logistics and freight forwarding solutions provider. Davies Turner already have operations around Heathrow but this acquisition will enable them to own a critical asset as a strategic long-term
Leading affordable homes provider VIVID has completed a transformative restoration of Portland Terrace in Southsea, Portsmouth —a project that seamlessly blends modern upgrades with the timeless charm of the building’s historic character. The restoration has been the result of two years of thoughtful planning and close teamwork with heritage experts.
Modular construction developer Reds10 is positioning the NHS hospital building programme as a cornerstone of its next growth phase, as it targets annual turnover of £500m. The business has developed a prototype modular in-patient hospital bedroom designed to support the government’s Hospital 2.0 ambition under the New Hospital Programme. If
Motorists, rail passengers and residents impacted by the £60m renewal of a major West Coast Main Line railway bridge are being thanked after disruptive demolition work was successfully completed this weekend. The huge project near Penrith in Cumbria involves a 130-metre-long bridge being removed and a new one installed over
Power tool leader opens carbon-neutral training hub in Aylesbury, tackling the UK’s shortage of practical, trade-ready skills MILWAUKEE® Tools, industry-leading manufacturer of power tools, accessories, and hand tools, has officially opened its new UK Experience Centre at Westcott Venture Park, Aylesbury. The 13,250-square-foot carbon-neutral facility represents the company’s largest investment
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is celebrating a triple win at the Construction Awards of Excellence ceremony held in Birmingham by the National Federation of Builders (NFB), taking home the title spots for three prestigious categories – Rising Star, Innovation in Construction Technology and the Remarkable Heritage and Conservation Project.
As 2025 wraps up and we all prepare to blueprint a brighter, bolder 2026, the BDC team wanted to share a festive smile with our readers across the worlds of construction, development, architecture, real estate, engineering, sustainability and the countless trades keeping the UK’s built environment thriving. So, here are
Panattoni has expanded its UK logistics pipeline with the acquisition of a 15-acre site at Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton, where it intends to deliver a speculative warehouse scheme with a gross development value of around £75 million. The site, formerly the Baxters Healthcare National Distribution Centre on Salthouse Road,
Amro Partners has submitted a major planning application to transform Lewisham Retail Park into a large mixed-use residential neighbourhood, marking one of the most substantial regeneration proposals brought forward in the borough in recent years. The application, submitted on 4 December and currently awaiting validation by Lewisham Council, outlines the
Construction developer Kier has secured a £120m contract from the Government Property Agency to deliver a major new government office building in Darlington. Work is set to begin this month on the new government hub on Brunswick Street, with construction expected to take around two years. The building is scheduled for completion in early 2028. Once finished, the development will become the new home of the Darlington Economic Campus, accommodating more than 1,600 civil servants from departments including HM Treasury, the Office for National Statistics and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport. Early ground remediation works began in September to address pre-construction risks on the town centre site. These works included the removal of legacy fuel tanks and existing concrete slabs, helping to reduce programme risk ahead of main construction. A central element of the scheme is Kier’s use of prefabrication. Key components, including building risers, will be manufactured offsite to minimise disruption and manage logistics in the busy urban location. The building façade will also be formed from pre-cast concrete panels produced offsite. Sean Fenner, managing director of Kier Construction North & Scotland at Kier, said early involvement had enabled closer collaboration with the supply chain and early identification of technical challenges. He added that the advance remediation works had improved understanding of site conditions, helping to de-risk delivery and support a smoother construction process. Fenner said teams across design, mechanical and electrical, and construction had been brought together to deliver the best possible outcome for the project. Simon Hulme, capital projects director at the Government Property Agency, said the development was a key part of the government hubs programme, aimed at creating high-quality workplaces while reducing and modernising the public sector office estate. He said the agency was pleased to continue its partnership with Kier and that, once complete, the Brunswick Street hub would provide a modern, inclusive and digitally enabled workplace that builds on the success of the Darlington Economic Campus and supports greater collaboration across the civil service. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has completed the freehold sale of Poyle 80 to Davies Turner the leading worldwide logistics and freight forwarding solutions provider. Davies Turner already have operations around Heathrow but this acquisition will enable them to own a critical asset as a strategic long-term investment as well as providing the opportunity to optimise their operations in a high specification future proof facility. Poyle 80 is a speculatively developed mid box logistics facility located close to Heathrow Airport, the UK’s number one air freight gateway and a critical distribution corridor for West London and the wider South East. The building provides modern, efficient space well suited to air freight and time sensitive logistics operations being located 1km from the Heathrow Cargo Terminal entrance, and continues Panattoni’s strategy of delivering future proofed assets in supply constrained markets. The sale demonstrates Panattoni’s ability to originate, consent, deliver, and transact high quality developments at speed. Panattoni acquired the site at the end of May 2023, secured planning permission in December 2023, and delivered speculative construction through 2024 and 2025. The freehold sale completed in December 2025, meaning the entire process from acquisition to completion took just over 2.5 years. The transaction is also a further endorsement of Panattoni’s commitment to West London, evidenced by the recent acquisition of the former Symmonds and Hawker site on the North Feltham Industrial site which become Panattoni Park Heathrow. Panattoni continues to identify and bring forward prime logistics land in the region, responding to occupier demand for well located, high specification space with strong sustainability credentials. Tony Watkins, Head of Development South East and London at Panattoni, said: “It was great to work with Davies Turner on such a complex transaction. Their commitment to the deal and the proactive way in which they approached every stage made the process a pleasure. I wish them every success as they expand their operations at Poyle 80. “This is an excellent new facility that will support more sustainable operations. Panattoni remains committed to the West London market and will continue to source high quality sites like Poyle 80 that offer customers the flexibility they need to grow.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading affordable homes provider VIVID has completed a transformative restoration of Portland Terrace in Southsea, Portsmouth —a project that seamlessly blends modern upgrades with the timeless charm of the building’s historic character. The restoration has been the result of two years of thoughtful planning and close teamwork with heritage experts. Every step was taken with care to preserve and highlight the building’s original features, right down to the materials and traditional techniques used. A standout part of the restoration was the careful matching of Portland Terrace’s original lime render, paired with breathable heritage paint to help the building age gracefully. Across most of the property, windows have been lovingly repaired, with missing timber details and traditional putty reinstated in line with heritage guidance. The front walkways now showcase elegant natural stone paving, while new period-style lamp posts add a touch of vintage charm—installed using ground screws to protect the surrounding trees in this cherished conservation area. As well as restoring the building’s historic charm, VIVID has made a series of practical improvements designed to make everyday life easier, safer and more comfortable. Both car parks have been resurfaced to provide smoother access, and the rear car park has been thoughtfully redesigned with upgraded drainage to help prevent flooding and standing water. Essential repairs to soffits and fascias have been completed to protect the building’s structure, and new Velux roof windows have been installed—bringing in more natural light and helping improve ventilation and energy efficiency. These upgrades not only enhance the look and feel of Portland Terrace, but also contribute to a safer, more enjoyable living environment for everyone who calls it home. Together, these improvements are helping make Portland Terrace not just safer and more functional, but a truly lovely place to live—steeped in history and full of character. Matt Bellamy, Director of Asset Strategy and Delivery at VIVID, said: “Portland Terrace is a landmark building, and we’re proud to be restoring it with care and attention to detail. It’s part of our biggest-ever investment in our existing homes and communities, making sure they’re not only safe and comfortable but places people are proud to live. From heritage restoration to energy efficiency upgrades, we’re committed to creating homes that stand the test of time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Modular construction developer Reds10 is positioning the NHS hospital building programme as a cornerstone of its next growth phase, as it targets annual turnover of £500m. The business has developed a prototype modular in-patient hospital bedroom designed to support the government’s Hospital 2.0 ambition under the New Hospital Programme. If approved, the room could become a standardised model deployed across future hospital developments, offering the NHS a repeatable, modular solution to accelerate delivery of new healthcare facilities. The healthcare focus comes as Reds10 prepares for its next stage of expansion, following a year of steady performance. The company reported revenue of £145m for the year ending 31 March 2025, alongside continued investment in advanced manufacturing, automation and data-led design. Operating margin held at 4.8%, with pre-tax profit stable at £7m. Reds10 remains debt free, holding £20m in cash, and is forecasting revenue of approximately £160m in the current financial year. At its Driffield manufacturing campus, two of the firm’s five factories are now fully industrialised, supported by increased automation and data-driven production processes. This investment underpins a secured pipeline in excess of £350m, spanning long-term programmes across defence, education and justice. Reds10 has been appointed as one of five contractors on the Defence Infrastructure Organisation alliance delivering single living accommodation for the Armed Forces. The developer also holds positions on the London Construction Programme public-sector education framework and the NHS Shared Business Services Modular Buildings 3 framework. Alongside healthcare, the business is targeting growth in affordable housing and temporary accommodation, applying its industrialised delivery model across multiple sectors. Chairman Paul Ruddick said the company’s performance demonstrated the resilience of volumetric construction when backed by the right strategy. He said the business had defied wider challenges in the sector by diversifying income streams and taking a long-term approach to investment. Following a period of consolidation, Reds10 is now accelerating the industrialisation of its design, manufacturing and construction processes, with artificial intelligence embedded throughout its operations. Looking ahead, Ruddick said the developer sees significant opportunity in both health and residential markets, where its scalable, industrialised model can support the next generation of buildings and infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Motorists, rail passengers and residents impacted by the £60m renewal of a major West Coast Main Line railway bridge are being thanked after disruptive demolition work was successfully completed this weekend. The huge project near Penrith in Cumbria involves a 130-metre-long bridge being removed and a new one installed over the first two weekends of 2026. Network Rail and its principal contractor Skanska achieved the first phase removing Clifton Bridge in the early hours of this morning (Monday 5 January). It required a full motorway closure of the M6 between junctions 39 and 40 from 8pm on Friday 2 until 5am on Monday 5 January. A fleet of some of the country’s largest excavators were used to chip away at the 1960s-built concrete structure which spanned over six lanes of the highway for nearly 60 years. After looming over the motorway for decades, hundreds of people came to see the structure turned to rubble in just hours over the course of the weekend. Timelapse footage has now been released marking this major milestone in the project as the motorway reopened at 3.50am – 70 minutes earlier than scheduled. For the next week thousands of motorists will travel underneath a large gap in the West Coast Main Line where the bridge once crossed. That’s before a modern 4,200-tonne steel and concrete structure is moved into place during a further 57-hour motorway closure this coming weekend (8.00pm Friday 9 until 5.00am Monday 12 January). With the West Coast Main Line currently split in two, rail passengers are encouraged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk to plan their journey in advance* until Wednesday 15 January when the whole project is due to finish and trains will run again once the railway is reinstated. Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail North West and Central region Capital Delivery director, said: “The demolition of Clifton bridge has been a mammoth task and I’d like to thank drivers who’ve had to use the road diversions, rail users whose journeys have changed and people local to the construction site who’ve been extremely patient with all the noise and disruption. “This £60m project forms part of our major investment programme to improve journeys on the West Coast Main Line for passengers and freight for generations to come.” Rosario Barcena, Skanska UK rail programme director, said: “It’s been an incredible effort by the entire team to complete the demolition of the former Clifton Bridge, working 24/7 across the weekend to make sure that the M6 motorway could re-open on Monday morning. “Technically it was a complex operation which we managed with great precision and care. The works were completed safely, with the support structures that the new 4,200 tonne bridge will sit on successfully retained. “It’s been a super-collaborative approach with Network Rail, National Highways and our supply chain team. I’d also like to extend my thanks to people travelling in the region and the local community for their understanding while we undertake these essential works.” This ongoing project is just one of a swathe of journey improving upgrades between London and Cumbria over the festive season. The Christmas and New Year work has seen a combined investment of nearly £200m along the West Coast Main Line, which forms part of a much larger £400m investment over the next four years. Also today (Monday 5 January) a major railway junction between Northampton and Milton Keynes reopened after a £26m track renewal which began on Christmas Eve. Preston station also reopened after a 100-hour full closure for signals and the structures which support them to be upgraded. For further updates on all our our West Coast Main Line improvement work you can follow us on X @NetworkRailWCML. To plan rail journeys in advance please us www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Power tool leader opens carbon-neutral training hub in Aylesbury, tackling the UK’s shortage of practical, trade-ready skills MILWAUKEE® Tools, industry-leading manufacturer of power tools, accessories, and hand tools, has officially opened its new UK Experience Centre at Westcott Venture Park, Aylesbury. The 13,250-square-foot carbon-neutral facility represents the company’s largest investment in UK training infrastructure, backed by a 10-year lease agreement. The facility addresses a growing need in the trades sector for comprehensive, practical training environments where professionals can test equipment in realistic conditions before making significant investment decisions. Unlike traditional showrooms or brief product demonstrations, the centre provides extended access to MILWAUKEE® Tools’ full product ecosystem in both indoor training spaces and dedicated outdoor testing areas. Built using MILWAUKEE® tools to demonstrate the brand’s commitment to efficiency and reduced emissions, the state-of-the-art hub will be used to upskill approximately 300 employees annually through expert training programmes. The centre will enable MILWAUKEE® Tools to enhance customer relationships and support direct end-user interaction, with hands-on training and product testing opportunities available. From the established M12™ and M18™ cordless platforms to the expanding MX FUEL™ light equipment range, visitors will gain access to cutting-edge battery technology including REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ batteries, power tools, hand tools, and outdoor power equipment. “We’re just getting started,” says Dan Stringer, Head of Training at MILWAUKEE® Tools UK. “Since our founding in 1924, MILWAUKEE® has been driven by a commitment to solving the real-world challenges faced by professional tradespeople. This Experience Centre embodies that heritage while spotlighting the innovations that will define the next century of our industry. Investing in this hub demonstrates our growing support of the British trades sector, and we look forward to industry professionals, as well as other key stakeholders, exploring the range of training and testing opportunities we have on offer.” Trade professionals, dealers and media representatives interested in experiencing the centre firsthand are encouraged to get in touch with MILWAUKEE® to arrange a visit or request a product demonstration. For more information about the MILWAUKEE® Tools Experience Centre, please contact – uk.milwaukee.marketing@TTI-EMEA.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is celebrating a triple win at the Construction Awards of Excellence ceremony held in Birmingham by the National Federation of Builders (NFB), taking home the title spots for three prestigious categories – Rising Star, Innovation in Construction Technology and the Remarkable Heritage and Conservation Project. The awards, held annually by the NFB, celebrate outstanding achievements across the UK construction sector, recognising excellence in construction, innovation, sustainability, collaboration and individual contribution. The Rising Star award recognises emerging talent demonstrating exceptional potential, innovation, and leadership within the construction industry. G F Tomlinson had two shortlisted out of the four finalists, with Amy Kelly and Harry Gilsenan who had been selected from 300 applicants. Amy Kelly was triumphant on the night, standing out for her journey from Technical Trainee to Assistant Site Manager in under six years, showcasing technical skill, environmental responsibility and a commitment to community engagement. Amy has made an impact through mentoring young people, promoting sustainability on-site, and driving improvements in operational efficiency. Her passion for social value and outreach has connected hundreds of local students and residents with live construction projects – including the high-profile Sherwood Observatory scheme. The Innovation in Construction Technology award celebrates projects that use advanced digital tools and modern methods of construction to transform the way the industry delivers. G F Tomlinson received this award for its work on the Sherwood Observatory in Sutton-in-Ashfield – a £6.8 million world-class STEM facility that has reimagined a disused Victorian underground reservoir into a cutting-edge educational and community destination. By merging heritage, science, and technology, the contractor delivered a landmark scheme that not only celebrates engineering excellence but also fosters educational opportunities and community pride. The project demonstrated outstanding innovation through its use of 3D laser scanning, Building Information Modelling (BIM), off-site manufacturing and real-time digital engagement tools to achieve precision, quality and sustainability. Stephen Spiegelhalter, G F Tomlinson’s Project Manager for the scheme was on hand to receive this prestigious award. The Remarkable Heritage and Conservation Project award recognises outstanding craftsmanship, sensitivity, and innovation in the preservation and restoration of historically significant sites, and the nominated scheme recognised G F Tomlinson’s exceptional work on the restoration and refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Central Building at the University of Nottingham’s Castle Meadow Campus. A landmark project that has transformed a unique 1990s tensile-roof structure into a modern education and events hub, the restoration involved the sensitive preservation of one of the UK’s youngest listed buildings, including the complex renewal of its 4,500 sq. metre PTFE roof, extensive structural repairs and refinishing of over 900m² of glass and aluminium cladding. Through innovative engineering solutions, collaborative heritage stewardship and a commitment to carbon reduction, the team delivered major programme, cost and sustainability benefits for the university, while breathing new life into a building of significant architectural importance. Lee Roberts, G F Tomlinson Site Manager, who has worked for the company for over 30 years, proudly received the award on behalf of the project team. This triple success reflects G F Tomlinson’s continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and community impact across its diverse project portfolio throughout the region. Andy Sewards, Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised with three prestigious awards at this year’s Construction Awards of Excellence organised by the NFB. Each win is a testament to the dedication, talent and collaborative spirit of our team. “These accolades celebrate not only our technical excellence but also our purpose to build responsibly, sustainably and with long-lasting benefit for the communities in which we operate.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As 2025 wraps up and we all prepare to blueprint a brighter, bolder 2026, the BDC team wanted to share a festive smile with our readers across the worlds of construction, development, architecture, real estate, engineering, sustainability and the countless trades keeping the UK’s built environment thriving. So, here are ten delightfully daft, industry-flavoured ways to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to your December… From all of us at Building Design & Construction, thank you for your support, your insight, and your commitment to shaping the spaces we live, work and play in. Wishing you a wonderful festive season, a well-deserved break, and a prosperous year of innovation, creativity and growth in 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni has expanded its UK logistics pipeline with the acquisition of a 15-acre site at Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton, where it intends to deliver a speculative warehouse scheme with a gross development value of around £75 million. The site, formerly the Baxters Healthcare National Distribution Centre on Salthouse Road, will be redeveloped into a single 340,000 sq ft logistics unit known as Brackmills 340. A planning application for the project is expected to be submitted in the first quarter of 2026, with construction scheduled to start in 2028. Panattoni said the decision to bring the scheme forward speculatively reflects sustained demand in one of the UK’s most established logistics markets. Gregg Titley, Head of Development for the East and West Midlands at Panattoni, described the Brackmills opportunity as a rare chance to deliver a prime, high-quality facility in a market characterised by limited available supply. He said the site’s strategic position, strong transport links, and capacity for flexible design will appeal to both national and regional occupiers seeking sustainable, efficient accommodation. Panattoni highlighted the scheme’s planned ESG features as a key component of its offer, with the building expected to meet high environmental performance standards. The company has continued to expand its footprint across the Midlands in response to growing occupier interest in modern, well-connected distribution space. CBRE advised Panattoni on the acquisition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amro Partners has submitted a major planning application to transform Lewisham Retail Park into a large mixed-use residential neighbourhood, marking one of the most substantial regeneration proposals brought forward in the borough in recent years. The application, submitted on 4 December and currently awaiting validation by Lewisham Council, outlines the full redevelopment of the 2.8-acre site on Loampit Vale, which Amro acquired earlier this year. The plans set out a £650 million scheme comprising five new buildings and close to 2,000 square metres of commercial floorspace. The development would deliver 387 Build-to-Rent homes, 383 co-living studios and 682 student rooms, creating a total of 1,452 residential units. Discussions are said to be under way with specialist food hall operators to take up 1,000 square metres of the proposed commercial space. The Build-to-Rent homes would include one to three-bedroom flats, with layouts intended to accommodate single residents through to larger households of up to six people. Affordable housing levels have yet to be agreed with the council, though the intention is for the scheme to incorporate a blend of social rent and discounted market rent homes. Public realm improvements form a substantial part of the proposals, with plans for two residential garden areas and a central square featuring seating, children’s play spaces, open lawns, walking and cycling routes, and almost 100 new trees. Amro said the aim is to create a vibrant, inclusive environment to support long-term community life. Raj Kotecha, chief executive and co-founder of Amro Partners, described the proposals as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the site into a new sustainable neighbourhood. He said the team had spent months engaging with local people to help inform the vision and ensure the development delivers meaningful social, environmental and housing benefits. The site was previously owned by Legal & General, which secured consent in 2018 for a residential-led scheme that was never brought forward. If Amro’s plans are validated, they will move into the formal decision-making process, including public consultation and eventual consideration by either a planning officer or planning committee. Should planning permission be granted, Amro anticipates beginning construction in early 2027, with phased completion expected through 2029 and 2030. The scale of the proposals sits alongside other major regeneration activity in the area, including Landsec’s £1.5 billion redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre, approved in October, which will deliver 1,744 homes alongside student accommodation and co-living units. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals