Ancoats Green will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 17 May) following a major refurbishment project that has now been completed at the city park. The investment is part of a wider £40m public realm programme creating a new focal point for the neighbourhood alongside further public space that
THE PROCUREMENT specialists at Pagabo are inviting the market to in-person engagement sessions at UKREiiF next week – focusing on the re-procurement of the Developer-Led Framework. Managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust, the framework is a unique market offering. It exists
Director for the Building Surveying team within the Project & Building Consultancy (PBC) division. Previously Matt was with Hollis for nine years, and has been bought in to deliver key Building Surveying projects and bolster this key service line. A Chartered Building Surveyor with 20 years’ experience in commercial property,
EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network
SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, looks into the Building Safety Act and what it means for owners and maintenance teams Q1) Let’s refer to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report, which cites that there were flaws in the building’s Tenant Management Association. There was a huge backlog
On May 8th, Croydon College proudly hosted a successful Women in Construction Open Day in collaboration with Construction for Women part of Gallaway Construction, aimed at introducing Year 9 and 10 girls to the construction trades and career opportunities within the industry. The event welcomed an enthusiastic group of students
A Midlands property company hopes to further increase its visibility as a market leader in best-in-class, large-scale sustainable development at a major real estate forum. Solihull-based IM Properties aim to connect and engage with key stakeholders to showcase its existing and proposed development pipeline at UKREiiF, as one of the
Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor for the £180 million Fabrica development in Oxford, a major new addition to the city’s rapidly expanding West End innovation district. Set to begin construction in May 2025, the 180,000 sq ft scheme will deliver five storeys of high-quality laboratory and
Danish lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene has unveiled ambitious plans to double its UK presence, with a goal of reaching 100 stores nationwide by 2027. The popular homewares retailer is continuing its rapid expansion with new locations confirmed for Canary Wharf in London, Harrogate in North Yorkshire, and Stirling in Scotland,
Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group has joined forces with TOWN, the UK’s leading cohousing developer, in a strategic joint venture to scale up the delivery of community-focused residential development and cohousing. This ambitious partnership signals a major step towards integrating innovative cohousing models into the mainstream housing sector, combining Hill’s
Ancoats Green will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 17 May) following a major refurbishment project that has now been completed at the city park. The investment is part of a wider £40m public realm programme creating a new focal point for the neighbourhood alongside further public space that seamlessly links the newly opened Ancoats Mobility Hub and the Council’s first This City housing development at No. 1 Ancoats Green. The public realm projects are also helping to unlock 1,500 new homes -including more than 500 under construction by Manchester Life. The renewed park space includes high quality multi-functional open spaces for the community, new play areas with accessible equipment, open grassed areas, generous footpaths and space for small events. New walking and cycling routes connecting the park to the wider city centre will encourage active travel, along with significant new planting and increased biodiversity – including wildflower areas a new trees. The project has looked to celebrate the industrial heritage of the area, including referencing historic flint glass works in the park features. And sustainability is a key element – using reclaimed materials where possible and creating permeable surfaces to manage water alongside a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs). Ancoats green transformation in numbers: Upcycled materials from both the Our Town Hall and Albert Square project and walling stone from the former Prussia Canal arm that once ran through the park have successfully be re-used throughout the park. Reclaimed granite setts have also been incorporated into the spaces, while salvaged building stone has been used for seating areas across the park. A family friendly community event will take place on Saturday 17 May celebrating the reopening of the park space, hosted by This City. Funding for the project was received through Homes England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority via the Brownfield Land Fund, and the City Council. The Ancoats Regeneration Story The public realm investment is part of the latest phase of the Ancoats Regeneration programme continues the internationally renowned regeneration of the neighbourhood. The Green, alongside the now open Ancoats Mobility Hub, which will be managed by APCOA is helping to underpin the development of 1,500 new homes in this part of the city centre, including the Council’s first This City development at No. 1 Ancoats Green where the first homes are expected to be completed this summer, which includes 30% affordable housing capped at the Manchester Living Rent. This phase of Ancoats investment aims to create a strong sense of place and a low-traffic, pedestrian first neighbourhood for the ongoing residential development that will bring this chapter of investment to a close. The Ancoats Green redevelopment was designed by Planit and the key contractor was Alined Construction Ltd. The Ancoats Mobility Hub and This City’s No. 1 Ancoats Green development was designed by Buttress Architects. The Hub was delivered by Bowmer and Kirkland and No.1 Ancoats Green is being built by Wates Construction Limited. Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “We’re on a mission to invest more in our parks and green spaces. With over 150 parks and green spaces in Manchester, Ancoats Green is the latest park in our city centre to be created or refurbished to make sure our residents have access to brilliant green spaces. The Green will be the heart of this community, a place local people can take pride in, spend time with family and friends, and find a respite from the bustle of the city – all in a low traffic, sustainable neighbourhood. “This is also part of a £40m public realm investment in this part of Ancoats – including the new Mobility Hub – which is helping to unlock the next phase of regeneration in the neighbourhood – and the final chapters of a regeneration story going back two decades. “Building on the Ancoats success story the next phase of investment will see 1,500 new homes built, which includes the Council’s first This City housing development at No. 1 Ancoats Green that will complete in the next few months – helping to increase access to genuinely affordable homes in the city centre. “Ancoats Green is a great example of the council investing more in the priorities that residents tell us they want to see and is a beautiful addition to this area of the city. “ Anna Marohn, Principal Landscape Architect comments from Planit: “It’s been a real privilege to work on delivering the new Ancoats Green. A verdant space in the heart of Manchester city centre for the community, celebrating the area’s rich heritage and with sustainability at its core. “The dramatic enhancements will see an increase in Biodiversity. The use of wildflower meadows, structural herbeacous planting, addition of 41 new trees, bug hotels and bird boxes integrated creatively throughout the space, will encourage nature back into the city. Climate resilient and reclaimed materials have been used extensively throughout the park, including SUDS with rain gardens located within the green, and porous asphalt for the footpaths. “Many of the parks’ surface materials are reclaimed – using granite setts from the renovation works at nearby Albert Square and old coping stones – to create bespoke seating elements. “The dramatic enhancements will offer the existing and future community a place to dwell, play, exercise and socialise for future generations to come.” Commenting on their role in the design work for the Ancoats Mobility Hub, This City’s No.1 Ancoats Green development and Eliza Yard for ManchesterLife, Matthew Burl, Buttress director said: “The opening of the Ancoats Mobility Hub is about so much more than mobility. It’s about giving streets back to people, creating space for community life to flourish, and embedding sustainability into the everyday experience of the city. It’s been a privilege to help shape this important project for our own local neighbourhood of Ancoats. Our new housing development for This City, No1. Ancoats Green, is due to be finished this summer and Eliza Yard for Manchester Life will complete in the spring next year. Both will add thoughtfully
THE PROCUREMENT specialists at Pagabo are inviting the market to in-person engagement sessions at UKREiiF next week – focusing on the re-procurement of the Developer-Led Framework. Managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust, the framework is a unique market offering. It exists to facilitate the early engagement between developers and clients that drives transformative development and positive social impact outcomes. The current iteration of the framework has become a key route to development for public sector bodies and developers up and down the country. Growing momentum since its introduction, it has seen almost £6 billion in schemes already awarded, with a further £7 billion of development value in the pipeline before the framework expires. Jonathan Parker, development director at Pagabo, said: “The development value numbers from the current framework are impressive – but even more important is what they represent. It’s 15,000 new homes being built, along with thousands of square feet of commercial, retail and public space. It’s new community hubs, and truly transformative placemaking to deliver places for people – and places with purpose. “That’s why market engagement on the re-procurement is vital. We want to take learnings forward from the current iteration and make it even better – thereby allowing it to generate even more widespread transformation. A key area of focus is creating a full turnkey solution through the framework, embedding early work with consultants and legal professionals into the lot structure to create a quicker and clearer route to development wrapped up in an effective procurement process. “Making the new framework as effective as possible comes from market feedback – so please come and see us at the Pagabo Live Pavilion at UKREiiF where we can talk about how to together deliver collaborative and strategic partnerships between public sector organisations, developers, and the wider delivery supply chain.” Pagabo will be running a dedicated breakfast session at 9.15am on Wednesday 21 May where developers, investors, consultants, legal advisers and public sector representatives can engage with the team directly to shape the new version of the framework. The rest of the week will also feature scheme announcements from Pagabo and developers on the framework. Following UKREiiF, the lot structure will be finalised for the forthcoming re-procurement, with the invitation to tender expected in early July. For more information about Pagabo and the current Developer-Led Framework, visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Director for the Building Surveying team within the Project & Building Consultancy (PBC) division. Previously Matt was with Hollis for nine years, and has been bought in to deliver key Building Surveying projects and bolster this key service line. A Chartered Building Surveyor with 20 years’ experience in commercial property, Matt’s core expertise lies in the commercial office sector – particularly CAT A and CAT B fit-outs. He also has substantial experience in industrial refurbishments and building services/plant replacement projects aligned with client EPC improvement targets. Matt has a wealth of experience across all related disciplines with a current client base which includes Legal & General, M&G, James Andrew International, Guy Wilson Properties and Sir Richard Sutton. Reporting into team leader Tom Davey, Matt will join our existing 72 building surveyors advising on projects across the UK. Tom Davey, Director for Colliers Project & Building Consultancy Division said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome someone of Matt’s breadth and depth of experience into the team. He has previously worked for some of our key clients which is an added bonus and will be instrumental in maintaining these relationships going forward.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network of higher education institutions across the North East of England. NEUPC is a professional buying organisation working on behalf of its North-East (NE5) members, which include Northumbria, Sunderland, Newcastle, Teesside and Durham universities. The two-year NEUPC framework, which includes an option to extend by four more years, enables EDGE to provide construction project management services on up to £6.6 million worth of projects per year – supporting the development of campus facilities and driving the decarbonisation of university estates. EDGE is at the forefront of the higher education sector, working closely with its partners to address the challenges faced with declining enrolments, financial constraints and funding cuts, estate space utilisation and the transition towards net zero. Hughie Clarke, Business Development and Marketing Director at EDGE, commented: “We’re extremely proud to have been appointed to the NEUPC framework and look forward to continuing to grow strong relationships with the many great institutions across the North East of England. As a business, we are hugely invested in the North East and understand the priorities and pressures currently facing our universities in the region. “EDGE is now firmly established as a specialist in higher education, with deep sector understanding and the ability to support universities with their ever-evolving needs. Frameworks bring real value – helping simplify procurement, accelerate project start times, and providing greater assurance on costs and deliverability.” The appointment adds to EDGE’s growing number of higher education clients and framework awards across the UK, supporting the likes of University of Birmingham, University of Greenwich, University of Reading, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Sheffield and Manchester Metropolitan University. Notably, EDGE is working on the University of Leeds’ £150 million strategy to achieve Net Zero, providing cost management services that ensure value-for-money while optimising environmental performance. “Universities face complex challenges at this moment in time – from decarbonising their estates to maintaining competitiveness amidst rising costs and fluctuating student numbers,” Clarke continued. “Through our framework roles, we’re helping universities to make their existing assets work harder, upgrading infrastructure, and creating vibrant, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready campuses.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SFG20, the industry standard for building maintenance, looks into the Building Safety Act and what it means for owners and maintenance teams Q1) Let’s refer to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two report, which cites that there were flaws in the building’s Tenant Management Association. There was a huge backlog of maintenance work that it never managed to clear, poor repairs service, a persistent indifference to fire safety, no fire safety strategy was in place, despite advice in 2009, and their only fire assessor had invented some of his qualifications and was ill-qualified to carry out risk assessments. How widespread do you think these sorts of issues are? I think they are far more common than any of us wants to admit, and I don’t think that is supposition. If you think about the report that I did and the timing of it, the remit that I was given by the then Secretary of State was to look at the regulatory system that was in place and identify what had gone wrong. In less than 12 months, I was able to conclude that the regulatory system had failed, and as a result of that, poor practice was widespread. None of the specific findings associated with Grenfell that came out of the public inquiry should have come as a surprise to people, because I had identified six years before then that those things were happening, and they were happening far more widespread than just Grenfell. Grenfell was by no means a one-off, and neither was it just about cladding. Those poor practices in looking after the building and everything to do with that were clear to me from every conversation I had with people. People knew things were wrong, but I don’t think anyone knew quite how devastating the consequences of those failures and weaknesses in the overall system would be. I don’t think anyone had contemplated that it could be as bad as it was, and that 72 people would lose their lives. Q2) Do you think that the industry is doing enough to align itself with the Building Safety Act requirements? It’s a very mixed picture, and that means there’s good and bad. I see lots of examples of people who have embraced it and are doing the right things. I also see a lot of people who are still playing ostrich, if you like, and that comes in many forms, not least of which is, “I can’t do anything until the regulator tells me what to do. I need more detail.” Then there’s a lot of people, I think, in the middle who know they need to do something. They’re very busy trying to do the right thing, but they don’t know where to turn to get help and advice, and some of that advice is leading them to do more than they need to, or do the wrong things, not prioritising the right things first. We’re not going quickly enough, and we need to take a breath and get some proportion back into the system. Q3) In what ways does the Building Safety Act and the associated regulation place greater responsibility on maintenance teams? I think the first thing to say is that it provides clarity of who is responsible. The first thing I was surprised by when I did my review was the extent to which people said, when I asked questions like, “Who’s responsible for this?” or “Who does that?”, people would say, “It’s not me, it’s them. I do my bit. But the problem is someone else.” And that, I think, is partly a function of the fragmentation of the whole construction sector and the way we contract out work, even in buildings that are in occupation. What’s clear is there’s been no proper line of responsibility and accountability in the past, and what we’ve put in place is exactly that. That doesn’t mean to say that simply because you’re the Principal Accountable Person, you carry all of the responsibility. Some of your responsibilities are to ensure that the people you employ are also people who are going to behave responsibly. And in fact, you know, the act is clear that there is a duty on everyone to behave responsibly in what they do, and that’s a direct parallel with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Q4) What should building owners be most concerned about, relating to compliance with the Building Safety Act? For me, that’s a list of things you’ve got to do in order, which seems fairly logical to me. The first is, what do you know about the building you’ve got. Because actually, for buildings that are already in occupation, one of the biggest challenges, of course, is that golden thread that I called for in all new buildings. People have been in the process now for months, if not years, of trying to build that golden thread out of pretty sparse information, because the discipline of providing that data was not commonplace, and so knowing what you’ve got is the starting point. Trying to fill those gaps to the best of your ability is the next, and then having the courage to go and look and find what problems there are. We’ve seen that in the case of how different companies have approached the whole flammable cladding issue. Some have been very proactive, and others have had to be really pushed to do it, and some of that is because they don’t know. Part of the problem is that they know or suspect that the cladding is not the end of the story by any means, and when they remove the cladding, they’re going to find other, more serious problems behind it. But the reality is, you need to know what you’ve got. It’s no good not looking, because when the regulator comes round to your building, they are going to expect you to have used your best endeavours to find out what you can about the building.
On May 8th, Croydon College proudly hosted a successful Women in Construction Open Day in collaboration with Construction for Women part of Gallaway Construction, aimed at introducing Year 9 and 10 girls to the construction trades and career opportunities within the industry. The event welcomed an enthusiastic group of students who took part in practical workshops covering Plumbing, Carpentry, Brickwork, Electrical, and Interior Design using Croydon College’s state-of-the-art facilities. Designed to raise awareness and inform young girls about their future GCSE and career options, the initiative focused on breaking down gender stereotypes and showcasing construction as an exciting, accessible, and rewarding field. Attendees explored different trades in a hands-on environment, guided by experienced tutors and current female construction students. One student, Freya, shared her enthusiasm: “I had never considered a career in construction before today, but I had a lot of fun and will look into a career in this field. The workshop showed me the basics in plumbing and electrical, I had a lot of fun!” Another participant, Stella, expressed her motivation: “I like working with my hands, so I thought it was interesting.” Madi, who attended the brickwork session, added: “The workshop was interesting. Aldo (the tutor) was really nice and showed us how to place bricks.” Stuart Singleton, Construction Team Manager at Croydon College, commented: “It was inspiring to see the level of skill, curiosity, and determination on display today. Events like this are essential to changing perceptions and opening doors, showing that construction is a rewarding and accessible career path for everyone.” Renee Preston, Director of Gallaway Construction & Founder of Construction for Women, added: “We’re passionate about promoting equality and inclusion in construction. The energy and interest from the attendees today show the incredible potential out there. We hope this is just the beginning for many of these girls.” Croydon College remains committed to supporting opportunities that empower all members of the community. The college looks forward to hosting similar events in the future, continuing to challenge outdated stereotypes and promote diversity in the workforce. To find out more information on the construction courses available at Croydon College, visit https://croydon.ac.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Midlands property company hopes to further increase its visibility as a market leader in best-in-class, large-scale sustainable development at a major real estate forum. Solihull-based IM Properties aim to connect and engage with key stakeholders to showcase its existing and proposed development pipeline at UKREiiF, as one of the largest privately-owned property, development and investment companies in the UK. IM Properties will team up with Invest Warwickshire, Warwickshire County Council’s inward investment team, as one of its official partners at the event in Leeds. The firm hopes its second appearance at the annual forum will help it to reach an audience interested in locating itself along the M42 Corridor, where it has established a reputation for legacy projects that deliver positive social, economic and environmental outcomes for surrounding communities. Birch Coppice, Blythe Valley Park, Fore Business Park, Peddimore and Mercia Park provide a near 40-year timeline of commercial investment along the M42 in the West Midlands. Looking ahead, IM Properties is progressing key projects including Stratford 46 – a 65-acre employment park offering logistics, office and roadside premises – plans submitted for the expansion of Mercia Park and proposals for Thrive, an ambitious employment park at Junction 9 of the M42 to support advanced manufacturers, R&D start-ups and high-value logistics businesses. David Smith, Director of Planning and Communities at IM Properties, said: “We welcome the opportunity to partner with Invest Warwickshire on our continued journey of investment in the West Midlands. “From our beginnings nearly 40 years ago at Haseley Manor, we have grown to become one of the largest investors along the M42 corridor and within the region, bringing forward close to 14 million sq ft of commercial space and supporting over 14,000 jobs, with a further 8,000 jobs in the pipeline. “With an ambition to deliver both social and economic impact, our reach extends beyond the boundaries of our schemes to support surrounding communities, ensuring we create legacy projects aligned with our Sustainable Futures framework of People, Planet, and Place. “Our commitment translates into real impact—developing skills, employment opportunities, and investment in local people and projects that create positive change.” IM Properties is one of eight organisations across the public and private sectors that Invest Warwickshire will partner with at UKREiiF. which has grown to become the UK’s largest real estate event and conference. The partnerships will see each organisation involved in panel discussions and “Developer Spotlight” presentations that Invest Warwickshire is hosting at UKREiiF, taking place from May 20 to 22. David Smith will be speaking at the Warwickshire Creating Places event on Wednesday, May 21 in the Midlands Engine Pavilion. Mark Ryder, Executive Director for Communities at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Warwickshire is one of the most dynamic economic locations in the Midlands and the UK. The county is a popular destination for both UK and foreign direct investment, and the area is home to some of the most important commercial property developments such as Coventry & Warwick Giga Park, one of the eight UK Investment Zones, MIRA Technology Park South Site and major town centre opportunities like Transforming Nuneaton, Creative Quarter Leamington Spa and Rugby Town Centre. “UKREiiF is a great opportunity for us to promote our partner organisation, Warwickshire Property Development Group and the new homes and SME commercial space being developed by them in the county, and Warwickshire County Council’s Property Infrastructure Fund, which can lend up to £10m to bring forward commercial development projects in support of growth and jobs. “We also look forward to working with a range of partners, including IM Properties, Tritax Big Box and Stoford to promote new development opportunities in the county and local area at the event this year.” Further to IM Properties’ development ambition, the company is currently helping to facilitate innovative, landmark projects in Warwickshire including a man-made surfing lagoon at Coleshill Manor, which is set to become the largest Wave Park in the UK. IM Properties will be in the Midlands Engine Pavilion at UKREiiF. To arrange a meeting with IM Properties before, during or after UKREiiF, email enquiries@improperties.co.uk or contact David Smith or Planning Director Matthew Fox through their LinkedIn pages. If you’re attending UKREiiF and would like to join the ‘Warwickshire Creating Places’ event, you can find more information and register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1318559790829 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor for the £180 million Fabrica development in Oxford, a major new addition to the city’s rapidly expanding West End innovation district. Set to begin construction in May 2025, the 180,000 sq ft scheme will deliver five storeys of high-quality laboratory and office space. Located on Botley Road, Fabrica is being developed by science and innovation specialist Mission Street and real estate investment manager BGO. The project is being hailed as a significant milestone for the UK’s science and technology sector, marking the largest construction start in the field during the first half of 2025. Groundworks and site preparation are already underway, carried out by Colemans, with completion of the building anticipated in early 2027. Fabrica is also set to break new ground in sustainability and social impact. It is the first commercial science building in the UK to target a BREEAM Outstanding rating, and it will become Oxford’s first Living Wage building—ensuring that all employees working within it earn at least the Living Wage. Colin Brown, development director at Mission Street, said: “Following a collaborative, positive procurement process, Bowmer & Kirkland will shortly take forward the science and innovation sector’s biggest construction start of 2025 so far. As science companies increasingly look to central Oxford for its extensive amenities and unrivalled transport connections—including the future East West Rail link—Fabrica’s delivery represents a major vote of confidence in the UK market.” The scheme is the second phase of Oxford’s Central Science District, following the recent completion of Mission Street and BGO’s Inventa project. The wider pipeline from the joint venture spans 1.5 million sq ft across Oxford, Cambridge, and Bristol. Neil Brook, group construction director at Bowmer & Kirkland, added: “Our teams approached this project collaboratively from the outset, allowing us to complete the tender process in just 10 weeks. We look forward to starting on-site at the end of May with a 96-week programme.” Bowmer & Kirkland is also supporting Mission Street and BGO’s District East development in Cambridge, where it is engaged under a pre-construction services agreement for the 23-acre science campus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Danish lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene has unveiled ambitious plans to double its UK presence, with a goal of reaching 100 stores nationwide by 2027. The popular homewares retailer is continuing its rapid expansion with new locations confirmed for Canary Wharf in London, Harrogate in North Yorkshire, and Stirling in Scotland, all set to open this summer. These additions follow the recent launch of its Oxford Circus flagship in March – the brand’s fifth store in the capital. This UK growth is part of Søstrene Grene’s wider international strategy, which includes the opening of 60 new stores globally in 2025. Chief Executive Officer and co-owner Mikkel Grene said: “Customers in the UK have responded incredibly positively to the Søstrene Grene concept. We continue to see strong footfall, high levels of engagement, and real appetite for new locations – even in areas where other retailers are pulling back.” Grene noted that the company’s confidence to expand lies in its ability to enhance and support local high streets. Founded in 1973, Søstrene Grene now operates more than 330 stores across 17 European countries. The brand is known for its distinctive Scandinavian design, offering a curated range of homewares, furniture, kitchen accessories, and creative hobby items. “We’re making long-term investments because we believe in the ongoing relevance of physical retail,” Grene added. “Especially when it creates a meaningful customer experience and an emotional connection. We see an opportunity to bring something different to the UK high street at a time when fresh thinking is needed.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group has joined forces with TOWN, the UK’s leading cohousing developer, in a strategic joint venture to scale up the delivery of community-focused residential development and cohousing. This ambitious partnership signals a major step towards integrating innovative cohousing models into the mainstream housing sector, combining Hill’s industry-leading delivery expertise with TOWN’s pioneering approach to community-oriented development. Together, Hill and TOWN are committed to redefining how new neighbourhoods are conceived and built, with a particular focus on resident engagement, custom build and stewardship. Over the next five years, the joint venture will focus on delivering mixed-use, community-focused developments that reflect the evolving needs of residents while championing sustainability and innovation in the built environment. The partnership will help scale TOWN’s successful approach to delivering cohousing, a housing model that actively cultivates community through the provision of shared spaces and spaces and amenities that are jointly owned and managed by residents. Future residents will play a significant role in the design process, working with TOWN to help shape their homes and neighbourhoods. The joint venture launches with a £50m project at Northstowe, a pioneering new town in South Cambridgeshire. Landowner Homes England has selected the partnership to bring forward approximately 150 homes, including two cohousing communities, alongside a mix of private and affordable housing. The joint venture draws from TOWN’s track record of successful collaboration with public and institutional partners. These include Cambridge City Council, Landsec and The Crown Estate – relationships that have shaped projects such as the regeneration of Wolverton town centre with Milton Keynes City Council, the strategic masterplan for Hartree in Cambridge, and a resident-led neighbourhood at Westwick Row in Hemel Hempstead. TOWN is already inviting future residents interested in cohousing at Northstowe to help design the community’s homes and shared spaces – including gardens, play areas and a common house for shared meals and community activities – with a planning application expected to be submitted this summer. The partnership builds on the success of TOWN’s groundbreaking Marmalade Lane cohousing community in Cambridge, which has become a national exemplar of best practices in community-oriented development. Completed in 2019, Marmalade Lane is home to 100 adults and children and maintains a waiting list of over 500 households. It has received more than ten national awards for architecture, planning, placemaking and social value and is widely featured in national policy and best practice guidance. Nearby, The Hill Group has delivered a 100% affordable housing development at Orchard Park in partnership with Cambridge City Council, further demonstrating both organisations’ commitment to inclusive and sustainable living. The new joint venture aims to deliver new homes across London, East of England, South East and South Midlands, regions where both companies already maintain a strong presence. It will work closely with public sector bodies, legacy landowners and forward-thinking partners to deliver places that generate long-term social, environmental and financial value, through a mix of shorter and longer-term projects at different scales The joint venture is structured to allow close coordination of planning, design and delivery from the outset, making sure quality is embedded and maintained through every stage to create better places, faster and with greater long-term value. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “This is an exciting move for Hill as we step into the cohousing sector for the first time. TOWN’s community-first perspective to development presents a fresh and innovative approach that aligns with our commitment to creating sustainable, socially valuable communities. This venture not only expands and diversifies our development pipeline but also reflects our ambition to support the growth of smaller, values-driven developers who are making a real impact in the sector.” Jonny Anstead, Director of TOWN, added “This partnership enables us to take our proven model of resident-led development to new places and bigger projects, while keeping our commitment to quality and community at the heart of what we do. With Hill, we have a partner who shares our ambition to change how housing gets made in the UK – and the capacity to help us do it.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
