An engineering, environmental, and planning consultancy’s expertise is playing a key role in the creation of “an elite sporting environment” for a professional football club with top-flight ambitions. Caulmert, which has offices in St Asaph, Bangor, Altrincham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Kent, has provided civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering design services
Bellway has launched a new learning hub to give a behind-the-scenes insight into how our homes will work in the future. The Future Hub at Barton Quarter in Horwich, near Bolton, is a collection of four houses, each showcasing different low-carbon technologies. The all-electric homes demonstrate how heating, power, energy
Bromford Flagship has received the highest possible governance and viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing, following the formal completion of the merger between Bromford Housing Group and Flagship Housing Group earlier this year. In its interim regulatory judgement published on 14 May 2025, the regulator confirmed a G1
New UK Distribution Centre to Enhance Support and Stock Availability for Customers in the UK and Ireland Dakota Europe Srl is pleased to announce the official opening of Dakota Group Limited, a new UK distribution centre in Halifax, West Yorkshire. This strategic expansion will strengthen Dakota’s presence in the UK
Property giant Landsec has confirmed a strategic pivot from office-led developments to a more residential-focused future, signalling a new direction for one of the UK’s largest real estate players. The company, which is currently delivering two London office schemes in Victoria and Southwark, announced that no new speculative office projects
The programme, from Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), is scheduled to launch Autumn 2025 Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland have joined forces with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to create a new suicide prevention training programme tailored to
Morgan Sindall Construction has been named as the main contractor for the landmark regeneration of Brunswick Wharf in Bideford, Devon—a £30 million scheme set to revitalise the town’s riverfront. The development, led by local developer Red Earth, will see three five-storey apartment blocks built along the banks of the River
Multiplex has selected Explore Manufacturing to supply its Megaplank flooring system for the landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street development in the City of London—a £400 million project set to become one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse office towers. The 36-storey building, being developed by AXA IM Alts, will feature
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
An engineering, environmental, and planning consultancy’s expertise is playing a key role in the creation of “an elite sporting environment” for a professional football club with top-flight ambitions. Caulmert, which has offices in St Asaph, Bangor, Altrincham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Kent, has provided civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering design services for Stoke City’s new state-of-the-art training facility at Clayton Wood. The Championship outfit is bidding to enhance its goal of returning to the Premier League by constructing a £12m centre that will include a gymnasium, swimming pool, hydrotherapy and cryotherapy suites, offices and catering for all first-team staff, and a tactics room for video analysis. Caulmert worked closely with AFL Architects and contractors Speller Metcalfe on the two-storey, 50m x 27m building, with completion scheduled by the end of 2025. Associate structural engineer Ranjan Apputhurai is overseeing the project for Caulmert, which had a seven-strong team working on the scheme. He said: “We were involved in the extension to the existing training facility at Clayton Wood around a decade ago, so to be part of the new building is fantastic. “It is going to be an impressive state-of-the-art centre for elite sports people to come to work every day, and it will be great to see the positive impact the investment will have on the pitch. “The activity has included some important geotechnical investigations and reports that have been crucial to the installation of the swimming pool, which is to be positioned below ground in a basement area featuring hot and cold plunge tubs. “The facility is to be built on land that has originally been used as a warm-up area. However, it has been prone to retaining water, so the ground surveys have played a key role in alleviating any potential problems.” As work on the project began, Stoke City chairman John Coates told the club’s official website: “We want to be more successful than we’ve ever been in the past. We realise that’s a very long-term aim with a lot of building blocks along the way to achieving that. “This project is one of those building blocks starting to take shape, one that we believe will help create an elite sporting environment, will help us attract the right players at first team and academy level and will give our coaches the best environment in which to develop players and ultimately make us successful.” Rob Lashford, director at Speller Metcalfe added: “We’re delighted to be working on creating a state-of-the-art facility at Stoke City Football Club’s training ground. “Speller Metcalfe is committed to delivering fantastic facilities for grassroots players through to top-performance athletes, and this major development will have a lasting and positive impact on sport at the highest level, as well as inspiring younger players coming up through the ranks. “This is a major development for the club, and we look forward to delivering a state-of-the-art facility that supports the players and the team.” Founded in 2009, Caulmert is on track to meet an ambitious growth and development plan. Its expertise in a variety of engineering, environmental, planning, and project management disciplines is supported by its use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to a level two standard on many of its projects. For more information visit www.caulmert.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has launched a new learning hub to give a behind-the-scenes insight into how our homes will work in the future. The Future Hub at Barton Quarter in Horwich, near Bolton, is a collection of four houses, each showcasing different low-carbon technologies. The all-electric homes demonstrate how heating, power, energy conservation, ventilation and the building materials themselves are expected to perform when the Government’s Future Homes Standard is introduced. They are built in the style of Bellway’s House to Home plots, with elements left uncovered to show the workings of the different systems. The Future Hub will serve as a training centre for teams from Bellway, its subcontractors and the wider industry. The innovations on show include air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, enhanced insulation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, in addition to wider doorways and lower windows which are required to meet accessibility standards. The project is part of the Better with Bellway strategy, which was created by the housebuilder to put people and the planet at the centre of all its operations. Reductions in carbon emissions and employee diversity schemes are among the initiatives that have been driven forward since the strategy was launched two years ago. Bellway will host an open day for small to medium housebuilders and subcontractors in June to showcase The Future Hub and share knowledge gained during the project. Mathew McAdam, Managing Director for Bellway’s Manchester division, said: “The Future Hub is an industry-leading training tool, which has already been recognised with a national award. “These four homes not only show the different technologies at work, but also provide an insight into how they can be installed and maintained – and how each of the systems interacts with the rest of the home. “From first-fix through to a finished showhome, The Future Hub gives a practical introduction to how we will build all-electric accessible homes that will meet the needs of our customers and their families.” The Future Hub was named as winner of the NextGeneration Initiative’s 2024 Innovation Award in September and since then it has opened to Bellway employees. Industry contacts will now be invited to make use of the facility. Another key Better with Bellway project is The Future Home @ Energy House 2.0. Bellway has partnered with The University of Salford to build a home to future standards within a climate-controlled chamber at the university’s Frederick Road campus. Early test results have indicated that air source heat pumps can be used to heat a home for less than £2 per day. Jamie Bursnell, Head of Technical and Innovation for Bellway, said: “Through projects like The Future Hub and Energy House 2.0, Bellway has made huge leaps forward in understanding the requirements of homes for the future. Comparing the theory with the practical application of each of the new technologies has been an invaluable learning curve. “As we scale up our delivery of Future Homes through pilot projects across the UK, we are committed to sharing our knowledge more widely. The industry and its supply chain will need to work together to be able to deliver the required volume of low-carbon, energy-efficient homes.” For more information about Bellway’s pilot projects and commitment to sustainability, visit https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bromford Flagship has received the highest possible governance and viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing, following the formal completion of the merger between Bromford Housing Group and Flagship Housing Group earlier this year. In its interim regulatory judgement published on 14 May 2025, the regulator confirmed a G1 rating for governance and a V1 rating for financial viability. These top-tier ratings reflect the regulator’s assessment that Bromford Flagship has robust governance arrangements in place, complies fully with the Governance and Financial Viability Standard, and possesses the financial strength to manage a wide range of adverse scenarios. The regulator’s judgement follows an in-depth review of documentation provided since the merger, which completed on 28 February and takes into account the strong regulatory track records of both legacy organisations – Bromford previously held a G1/V1 rating, while Flagship had achieved G1/V2. Heather Richardson, Chief Risk Officer, said: “This rating reflects the robust foundations we’ve built as a newly merged organisation. It recognises the strength of our governance and financial planning, which are vital to enabling our teams, customers and communities to thrive.” The G1/V1 outcome signals confidence in Bromford Flagship’s ability to maintain compliance and deliver on an ambitious long-term strategy. Additionally, the merger has created a financially robust organisation with the capacity to invest £4bn in new homes during this Parliament. This positions Bromford Flagship to deliver 2,000 new homes every year for the next 30 years, with an ambition that 50% will be at social rent – making the organisation the largest builder of new social homes. This aligns with national housing ambitions and supporting the organisation’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis at scale. Receiving top regulatory ratings reaffirms Bromford Flagship’s capacity to balance financial resilience with social impact, ensuring that its growth is underpinned by strong governance and a clear focus on long-term value for residents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New UK Distribution Centre to Enhance Support and Stock Availability for Customers in the UK and Ireland Dakota Europe Srl is pleased to announce the official opening of Dakota Group Limited, a new UK distribution centre in Halifax, West Yorkshire. This strategic expansion will strengthen Dakota’s presence in the UK and Ireland, providing local stock availability and enhanced support to existing customers and distribution partners. Located in a prime logistics hub, Dakota Group Limited will serve wholesale and retail distributors in the building construction, drainage, landscaping, and civil engineering sectors. By ensuring faster delivery times with a broader range of stock readily available in the UK, the new warehouse will help meet growing demand and streamline supply chain operations for UK and Irish customers. “We are excited to establish a dedicated distribution centre in the UK, reinforcing our commitment to supporting our valued partners with reliable stock availability and exceptional service,” said Michele Cipriani on behalf of Dakota Europe Srl. “This expansion marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy and our ongoing dedication to serving the needs of the construction and engineering industries. We are looking forward to establishing new partnerships with agents and distributors in our industry sectors.” Dakota Group Limited will offer a comprehensive range of products, including essential solutions for building and construction professionals. As a market-leading manufacturer, Dakota specialises in Channel Drains and Catch Pits; Levelling and safety systems for floating floors, decks, and patios; Gravel Grids and permeable solutions for Landscaping; Floor and wall tile spacers and levelling systems. We will also be offering, for the first time in the UK, WPC and other products from the Dakota Living range which includes composite decking, fencing and cladding systems in a broad range of stylish finishes and colours. Dakota is dedicated to sustainability, reducing waste and addressing environmental challenges by using recycled and recyclable materials for their products wherever possible. The addition of permeable safety and floating floor systems to help combat the effects of increased rainfall is a proactive approach that could play a significant role in mitigating flooding and improve water management as climate change leads to more extreme weather events. For more information about Dakota Group Limited and its UK operations – please visit dakota.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property giant Landsec has confirmed a strategic pivot from office-led developments to a more residential-focused future, signalling a new direction for one of the UK’s largest real estate players. The company, which is currently delivering two London office schemes in Victoria and Southwark, announced that no new speculative office projects will begin until a substantial portion of expected rental income—estimated at £61 million—has been secured. “We are seeing encouraging customer interest in this space emerge and although it will take time to lease-up as these are multi-let buildings, they should add £7m to earnings once fully let,” the company stated. “We will not start any new speculative office-led projects until the expected income on these projects is substantially de-risked.” Landsec cited inflation in construction costs, continued supply chain disruptions, and increased exit yields as key reasons for tightening margins in office development. While demand remains steady, the financial environment has made office projects less attractive compared to residential ventures. “This impacts office development more than residential,” the company said. “We continue to carefully weigh risks and returns on any new schemes, but in any case, we do not plan to commit to any new speculative London office projects until we have secured the majority of the £61m ERV on our existing projects.” Instead, Landsec is turning its attention to building a major residential platform and scaling up its retail investment. Chief executive Mark Allan said: “We have set out a clear plan to increase investment in major retail by a further £1bn and establish a £2bn+ residential platform by 2030, to be funded by rotating £3bn of capital out of offices, non-core investments and low or non-yielding pre-development assets. Delivering on this strategy, whilst continuing to drive sustainable income and EPS growth, is our priority and we are firmly under way.” The strategy update comes as Landsec reported a pre-tax profit of £393 million for the year ending 31st March 2025—a sharp rebound from last year’s £341 million loss. Landsec has already made significant progress on its residential ambitions. Infrastructure works have begun on its Finchley Road site in London, where phase one of a 1,800-home scheme is taking shape. In Manchester, the renegotiation of a development agreement at Mayfield has unlocked potential for 1,700 homes, while a planning application has been submitted for a 2,800-home masterplan in Lewisham. With solid groundwork in place and capital reallocations in motion, Landsec appears poised to reshape its portfolio around the evolving demands of the UK’s property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The programme, from Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), is scheduled to launch Autumn 2025 Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland have joined forces with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to create a new suicide prevention training programme tailored to the Scottish construction industry. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is backing the bespoke training and resource programme, currently scheduled to launch Autumn 2025, with £239,000 in funding from its Industry Impact Fund. The programme will be designed specifically for the unique pressures faced by construction workers, aiming to equip companies and individuals with the tools necessary to identify colleagues facing mental health challenges and provide meaningful support. It will be available to individuals and companies across Scotland, ensuring the whole industry has access to help. The programme will be designed specifically for the unique pressures faced by construction workers, aiming to equip companies and individuals with the tools necessary to identify colleagues facing mental health problems and thoughts of suicide, and provide meaningful support and suicide interventions. It will be available to individuals and companies across Scotland, ensuring the whole industry has access to help. Since 2020, CITB has supported nearly 52,000 people to complete mental health first aid and awareness training through its short courses and is vocal about the need for greater access to mental health support in the construction industry. Vanessa Freeman, CITB Head of Grant & Funding Products, said: “We’re proud to be supporting such an important initiative for the Scottish construction sector. We believe the programme will play a vital role in tackling mental health challenges in the construction industry and wish everyone involved every success in the developmental phase of this programme and its resources. “Too often people in construction feel like they can’t talk about their mental health issues, and it’s imperative we improve the poor understanding of mental health in the industry.” CITB’s Industry Impact Fund launched in April 2023 and is the first fund of its kind. It gives employers the power to design and develop training solutions that don’t already exist – ensuring they are scalable, sustainable and make a lasting impact. Find out more about CITB’s Industry Impact Fund, and how to apply, on the CITB website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction has been named as the main contractor for the landmark regeneration of Brunswick Wharf in Bideford, Devon—a £30 million scheme set to revitalise the town’s riverfront. The development, led by local developer Red Earth, will see three five-storey apartment blocks built along the banks of the River Torridge. In addition to delivering over 100 new homes, the project will introduce a restaurant and six retail units to the area, creating a vibrant mixed-use destination. Brunswick Wharf will also feature a new riverside walk, a public open square, and a shared pedestrian and cycle route connecting to the popular Tarka Trail, enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable travel. Simon Friend, director of Red Earth, said: “We are delighted to have Morgan Sindall on board as the main contractor. This milestone follows a thorough tendering process and marks a major step forward for the regeneration of this iconic riverside site. We are excited to partner with them initially through preconstruction as they support us through the design development stages leading up to the start on site. This is a big step forward for the Brunswick Wharf project, and we’re confident that their expertise will ensure the vision for this development is brought to life in a sustainable and inspiring way.” Graham Kingdon, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, added: “The project will create a new burst of life for this North Devon community, all while paying tribute to the Wharf’s industrial roots. We very much look forward to strengthening our relationship with Red Earth as we transform this important site at the heart of Bideford.” Construction is set to begin following the completion of the design phase, with the development playing a key role in Bideford’s wider regeneration ambitions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multiplex has selected Explore Manufacturing to supply its Megaplank flooring system for the landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street development in the City of London—a £400 million project set to become one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse office towers. The 36-storey building, being developed by AXA IM Alts, will feature over 68,000 square metres of Megaplank precast concrete flooring, manufactured by Explore Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Laing O’Rourke. The appointment follows a year-long pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) between the parties. Megaplank units will be produced at Explore’s advanced factory in Worksop using a high-speed carousel production line, ensuring a consistent, high-quality soffit finish. The system’s composite design, used in conjunction with steel beams, enables the reduction of steel section sizes—supporting more efficient material use and lowering the overall structural weight. Fifty Fenchurch Street is designed with sustainability and wellbeing in mind, incorporating tenth-floor gardens and over 40 planted terraces, helping it stand out as a benchmark in green commercial architecture. James Langley, general manager at Explore Manufacturing, said: “We are excited to be part of the Fifty Fenchurch Street project and look forward to showcasing the exceptional qualities of our Megaplank product. This collaboration with Multiplex marks a significant milestone for us, and we are committed to delivering outstanding results that meet and exceed expectations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
