Developer Chart Forte has secured planning approval to deliver a four-storey rooftop extension as part of the conversion of a former City of London office building into a luxury hotel. The City of London Corporation has granted consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed St Clement’s House at 27–28
Developer Marvel has secured full planning approval to deliver a £300m indoor ski and leisure resort in Wales after the Welsh Government confirmed it would not intervene in the scheme. Councillors at Merthyr Tydfil Council have now given final approval for the Rhydycar West development, clearing the way for what
Developers Gamuda Berhad and Castleforge have formally appointed Multiplex to deliver the £250m main construction contract for the redevelopment of 75 London Wall in the City of London. The contract was signed this week, clearing the way for full construction to begin on the landmark scheme following extensive enabling and
Robertson Facilities Management has secured its first contract with ScotRail after being appointed to deliver grounds maintenance and winter gritting services across the rail operator’s Scottish estate. The two-year contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and marks the first time Robertson Facilities Management has worked with ScotRail. The
Industrial developer Hillwood has secured a 35-acre site in Crewe and is pressing ahead with plans for a major £100m speculative logistics and industrial development. The land, located off David Whitby Way close to Junction 16 of the M6, has been acquired from a subsidiary of the Co-op Group, which
PizzaExpress has opened in the restored former Burton building in Hull, bringing the art deco landmark back into use for the first time in half a decade. The pizzeria brand has become the first occupier of Burton House in Hull city centre, following a stunning £2.4m regeneration delivered by leading
Award-winning sustainable housebuilder Greencore Homes has exchanged on a 13.9 acre residential development site in Puckeridge, East Hertfordshire. The acquisition, promoted by Wates Group, marks a major addition to Greencore’s expanding portfolio of Better Than Net Zero homes and the company’s first site in East Hertfordshire. Located in the south
UK’s largest hotelier buys into Bognor Road location as part of its southern expansion drive Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, the UK’s largest hotel company, has announced plans to build a new 82-bedroom Premier Inn in Chichester, satisfying the company’s long-term goal to secure a second hotel in the cathedral city. The site on Bognor Road, which was acquired from Hanbury
Contractor Clegg Construction, on behalf of its client Liverpool-based developer Brickland, has secured Gateway 2 approval for a £46m, 12-storey apartment scheme in Nursery Street, Sheffield. The 267-apartment, build-to-rent development has received authorisation from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) – paving the way for work on site to begin in
Momentum Build, part of The Momentum Group, the leading North West property services company, has been appointed to refurbish Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, an educational facility in North Wales owned by Wrexham University. After a competitive tendering process, the two organisations are delighted to be working in partnership. Known as “the home of science in North Wales,” Xplore! offers a wide range
Developer Chart Forte has secured planning approval to deliver a four-storey rooftop extension as part of the conversion of a former City of London office building into a luxury hotel. The City of London Corporation has granted consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed St Clement’s House at 27–28 Clements Lane, clearing the way for a 180-key Marriott hotel in the heart of the Square Mile. The scheme is being brought forward by family-run developer Chart Forte (Monument), with designs by Studio Moren. Construction works are expected to commence this summer, with the build programme anticipated to last between 18 and 24 months. Located between Monument and Bank, the mid-19th century building will be transformed from underused office space into a design-led hotel, supporting the City’s wider ambition to diversify land use beyond its traditional commercial office base. The proposals include a public-facing ground floor offering a lounge, restaurant, café and bar, helping to animate the surrounding streetscape throughout the day and evening. A key feature of the scheme is a lightweight metal rooftop extension that will add four new storeys of guest accommodation. The curved design has been developed to respond sensitively to the building’s historic context, drawing inspiration from its existing segmental arches as well as the vaulted forms of nearby St Clement’s Church. This approach allows the hotel to increase capacity while maintaining a respectful relationship with the surrounding townscape. The conversion is underpinned by a heritage-led strategy that will see key architectural features retained and restored. These include the marble-clad street-level façade, original staircases and cast-iron columns. Elements that have been lost over time, such as decorative plaster ceilings, chimney breasts and internal arches, will be reinstated as part of the works. Sustainability sits at the heart of the proposals, with the project targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating. A reuse-first approach will be adopted, incorporating roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, low-carbon materials and building services, fabric upgrades, rainwater harvesting and the creation of a biodiverse green roof. Once complete, the hotel is expected to make a significant contribution to the City’s growing leisure and hospitality offer, bringing new life to a historic building while responding to changing patterns of demand in the Square Mile. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Marvel has secured full planning approval to deliver a £300m indoor ski and leisure resort in Wales after the Welsh Government confirmed it would not intervene in the scheme. Councillors at Merthyr Tydfil Council have now given final approval for the Rhydycar West development, clearing the way for what is being promoted as the UK’s longest indoor snow centre. The site is located on land to the south west of the A470 and A4102 roundabout. At the heart of the scheme is a 400-metre-long indoor ski slope, which would significantly exceed the length of existing UK facilities and place the resort among the largest indoor snow centres worldwide. The development will also include a tropical water park, a range of indoor and outdoor adventure attractions, up to 418 hotel bedrooms, 30 woodland lodges and approximately 830 car parking spaces. Marvel said the facility is intended to become the official training base for GB and Welsh Olympic and Paralympic snow sports teams, positioning Merthyr Tydfil as a major destination for winter sports and leisure tourism. Plans for the Rhydycar West scheme were first unveiled in 2017, with a formal planning application submitted in 2023. When the proposals were considered by councillors in March 2025, members voted against officers’ recommendations to refuse consent on the former coal and ironstone mining site. The decision prompted a referral to the planning inspectorate. In November 2025, the Welsh Government confirmed it would not call the scheme in, returning the application to Merthyr Tydfil Council for a final determination, which has now been granted. Marvel said the resort would surpass the UK’s current benchmark indoor snow facility at Manchester’s Chill Factore and deliver a major boost to the local and regional economy. The developer estimates that the project will generate around 1,500 construction jobs during the build phase, with approximately 1,200 of those expected to be filled by local workers. Once operational, the resort is forecast to support around 800 permanent jobs across hospitality, leisure and facility management. With planning hurdles now cleared, Marvel is expected to progress the scheme towards delivery, bringing one of the UK’s most ambitious leisure developments a step closer to reality. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developers Gamuda Berhad and Castleforge have formally appointed Multiplex to deliver the £250m main construction contract for the redevelopment of 75 London Wall in the City of London. The contract was signed this week, clearing the way for full construction to begin on the landmark scheme following extensive enabling and demolition works carried out by the Erith Group. The wider redevelopment carries an overall project value of £1.2bn, with practical completion targeted for the first quarter of 2028. Multiplex has been closely involved in the scheme for the past year under a pre-construction services agreement, working alongside the development team to refine buildability, programme and sustainability strategies ahead of the main works commencing. Once complete, the redevelopment of 75 London Wall will deliver more than 450,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, repositioning an existing large-scale building into a future-ready commercial asset at a time when availability of high-quality office space in the City remains constrained. Niall Farmer, head of Gamuda Land UK at Gamuda Berhad, said the contract award marked an important step in the group’s expansion in the UK market and its strategy to unlock long-term value from prime London assets. He added that the scheme represents a rare opportunity to transform a building of scale into highly sustainable workspace at a point when demand for top-tier offices continues to outstrip supply. Michael Kovacs, founding partner of Castleforge, said the timing of the project was critical. With office construction starts in London at their lowest level in almost two decades, he said bringing the scheme to completion in 2028 would help address acute supply shortages, noting that successful office investment often requires building through the quieter parts of the cycle. Callum Tuckett, managing director of Multiplex, said delivering a project of this scale in the heart of the City demands both technical expertise and innovation. He added that the scheme would set a new benchmark for sustainable commercial development, with the contractor’s early involvement enabling the project team to move swiftly into the delivery phase. The redevelopment is expected to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of City office space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Robertson Facilities Management has secured its first contract with ScotRail after being appointed to deliver grounds maintenance and winter gritting services across the rail operator’s Scottish estate. The two-year contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and marks the first time Robertson Facilities Management has worked with ScotRail. The appointment strengthens the company’s presence within the transport and infrastructure sector. Under the agreement, Robertson Facilities Management will deliver planned and reactive services at more than 360 locations across Scotland. These include stations, depots, signalling centres, office buildings, operational yards and a wide range of passenger-facing environments that require year-round maintenance. The scope of works covers winter gritting, vegetation control, litter collection and broader grounds maintenance activities. The services are designed to support safe, accessible and well-managed environments, particularly during challenging winter conditions, while maintaining consistent standards throughout the year. William Heaney, managing director for Scotland at Robertson Facilities Management, said Scotland’s rail network plays a vital role in daily life and requires a high level of care to ensure it remains safe, compliant and welcoming. He said the business brings extensive experience in maintaining complex operational estates and will apply this expertise to deliver consistent, high-quality and value-driven services across the ScotRail network. Heaney added that the company is looking forward to developing a collaborative partnership with ScotRail to support both staff and passengers throughout the year. The contract award represents an important milestone for Robertson Facilities Management and reflects growing demand for integrated, reliable estate services across major transport and public sector portfolios. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Industrial developer Hillwood has secured a 35-acre site in Crewe and is pressing ahead with plans for a major £100m speculative logistics and industrial development. The land, located off David Whitby Way close to Junction 16 of the M6, has been acquired from a subsidiary of the Co-op Group, which has been working in partnership with regeneration specialist Muse. The plots are capable of accommodating around 800,000 sq ft of industrial space and form part of the wider WestonM6 masterplan. WestonM6 spans a total of 64 acres and could ultimately deliver up to 1.3m sq ft of industrial accommodation. Hillwood’s acquisition represents a significant milestone for the project and signals strong confidence in the UK industrial market despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Hillwood said it will invest £100m to deliver the Crewe scheme on a speculative basis, with the development expected to be one of the largest speculative industrial projects to come forward in the UK next year. Bob Tattrie, managing director at Hillwood UK, said the scale and location of the scheme would attract strong occupier demand from across both the Midlands and the North West. He said the site’s proximity to Junction 16 of the M6 makes it particularly well suited to modern logistics and distribution operators seeking high-quality accommodation with excellent motorway connectivity. Muse acted as development manager for the scheme and secured planning permission in 2024. The developer will continue in its role overseeing the delivery of infrastructure works, including the creation of a 26-acre wildlife habitat designed to enhance biodiversity and deliver environmental benefits alongside commercial development. Sarah Chicken, development manager at Muse, said Hillwood’s investment marked an important next phase for WestonM6, reinforcing market confidence in the location and supporting the long-term vision of creating a greener, healthier and more connected business community. She added that the scheme is designed to attract forward-thinking businesses, generate new opportunities for local people and contribute to economic growth in the area. Muse is also expected to progress phase two of the wider WestonM6 masterplan early next year. That phase already benefits from outline planning consent for a further 447,298 sq ft of warehouse space. The masterplan was designed by Aew Architects, with CW Studio acting as landscape architect. Avison Young is advising on planning, Hannan Associates is the MEP services engineer and Integra Consulting is responsible for civil, structural and highways engineering. B8RE has been appointed as letting agent for the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PizzaExpress has opened in the restored former Burton building in Hull, bringing the art deco landmark back into use for the first time in half a decade. The pizzeria brand has become the first occupier of Burton House in Hull city centre, following a stunning £2.4m regeneration delivered by leading commercial property developer Wykeland Group. Designed for Burton menswear company founder Montague Burton by his famed Chief Architect Henry Wilson, the building dates back to the 1930s but has stood empty since 2020, when Burton owner Arcadia Group collapsed into administration. Wykeland purchased the building in 2021 and has since delivered an extensive restoration to the exterior and key parts of the interior of the building. PizzaExpress has leased 2,400 sq ft of ground floor space, as well as 1,600 sq ft in the basement. Wykeland Development Director, Jonathan Stubbs, said: “We’re delighted to welcome PizzaExpress to Burton House. Having the nation’s most iconic pizzeria brand as our first occupier realises our vision to bring the building back into use, to be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike. “We’re extremely proud to have delivered a restoration project sensitive to the extraordinary character and history of the building. “We’re sure PizzaExpress will love their new home and customers will enjoy dining in one of the city’s most striking settings. “We’re also receiving significant interest from potential occupiers of the upper floors as we continue to once more make Burton House a thriving gem in the heart of Hull.” PizzaExpress Hull General Manager, Chris Joseph, who heads a 24-strong team, said: “We’re so excited to open our doors in our stunning new setting. We know pizza fans are going to love our new restaurant – it’s the perfect destination, from catch-ups to celebrations and everything in between.” At Burton House, work is continuing on the upper floors to create premium commercial space which are ready for occupiers to move straight into. The offices are loft-style spaces with an exposed brick aesthetic, complete with new flooring, kitchen facilities and toilets. The first, second and third floors each cover 2,500 sq ft. The restoration of Burton House is the latest significant city centre regeneration project delivered by Wykeland. The Hull-based developer has also restored historic Castle Buildings in a £2m project to bring another Hull landmark back into use, for the first time in more than half a century. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning sustainable housebuilder Greencore Homes has exchanged on a 13.9 acre residential development site in Puckeridge, East Hertfordshire. The acquisition, promoted by Wates Group, marks a major addition to Greencore’s expanding portfolio of Better Than Net Zero homes and the company’s first site in East Hertfordshire. Located in the south of Puckeridge, north of Standon Hill, the 13.9 acre site benefits from previously secured Outline Planning Consent for 91 homes. Greencore Homes will submit a Reserved Matters planning application by Summer 2026. The site acquisition and Outline Planning Consent forms part of East Hertfordshire Council’s District plan to deliver 1,173 new homes per year to provide much needed housing. As of October 2025, the average house price in East Hertfordshire was £459,000[1], 70% higher than the UK average, emphasising the need for sustainable and affordable homes in the area. Greencore Homes will construct the Better Than Net Zero homes, using natural materials. The homes are ultra-low in embodied carbon and are designed to achieve a net energy balance across the development. With renewable energy sources, including optimal photovoltaic panels on the roof, Greencore’s EPC-A rated homes are built to Passivhaus standards, allowing for comfort, low running costs and a minimal impact on the environment. The Puckeridge site sits within a 10-minute walk to the village centre. Located six miles west of Bishop’s Stortford and 10 miles north of Hertford, Puckeridge is a village with convenient access to a wide range of facilities within a 20-minute walk, cycle or bus ride. Perfect for professionals and young families, Puckeridge is ideally located for commuting into either London or Cambridge, with trains from Stevenage just 24-minutes into King’s Cross. Laura Stone, COO at Greencore Homes, said: “Our aim at Greencore Homes is to become the blueprint for Better Than Net Zero development. Homes can, and should, be better for people, places and planet from the start of construction. With an aim to deliver 10,000 Better Than Net Zero homes by 2035, the exchange on this site in Puckeridge brings us one step closer to achieving our ambitions. The 91 homes we will construct on the site will be designed to be healthy, comfortable, and cost-effective for residents, while contributing meaningfully to the transition toward a zero-carbon future.” Oliver Luard, Partnerships and Investment Director at Greencore Homes, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Geencore Homes and an excellent start to the New Year, having exchanged contracts on this superb development opportunity in the lovely village of Puckeridge, Hertfordshire. We look forward to completing the purchase and submitting our Reserved Matters application for 91 much-needed Better Than Net Zero homes early in 2026.” Wates Group promoted the site, and Forsters provided legal services to Greencore Homes. The landowner’s sales agents were Strutt & Parker, and the landowner received legal advice from Birketts and DAC Beachcroft. For more information on Greencore Homes, visit https://greencorehomes.co.uk/ [1] Office For National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/housingpriceslocal/E07000242/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK’s largest hotelier buys into Bognor Road location as part of its southern expansion drive Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, the UK’s largest hotel company, has announced plans to build a new 82-bedroom Premier Inn in Chichester, satisfying the company’s long-term goal to secure a second hotel in the cathedral city. The site on Bognor Road, which was acquired from Hanbury Properties, is located adjacent to the main A27 / A259 junction, offering a highly accessible location for business and leisure travellers looking to spend time in the historic city. This new location complements the existing Premier Inn at Gate Leisure Park to the south west of Chichester city centre and will bring the total number of Premier Inn bedrooms in the catchment to 165, completing Whitbread’s network plan for the city. Whitbread Acquisitions Manager Louise Woodruff said: “From Roman ruins to the racing circuit at Goodwood, Chichester’s diverse cultural offer and successful business economy is fuelling year-round demand for high-quality, affordable hotel rooms from our customers. “This consistent demand has underpinned our search for a suitable second Premier Inn location in Chichester which we are pleased to have acquired from Hanbury Properties, who have provided us with a fully serviced site, ready for development in the Spring. “Purchasing the site freehold shows how flexible we can be to bring high-quality locations like this one into our pipeline, and our in-house development team is itching to get started and begin constructing our newest hotel on the south coast later this year.” James Belbin, Director of Hanbury Properties, said: “We’re delighted to complete the sale of this site to Premier Inn and look forward to seeing their plans come to life. It’s an excellent location for a new hotel and will help to underpin the next phase of development at Cathedral Business Park. “The site was a former WWII fuel depot that required significant investment, including full remediation, a new slip lane and traffic light junction off the A259, bus stop, a 220m estate road, and services under the A27 to facilitate development – so it’s not been the most straightforward site to deliver. “This sale represents the culmination of all that hard work. It’s been a pleasure working with all the acquisition team at Premier Inn to bring this site forward, and it’s great to know that this hotel will create valuable jobs and help contribute positively to the local community in the years to come.” The Bognor Road acquisition is Whitbread’s latest commitment to investing across Sussex and the south coast of England where it sees an excellent opportunity to grow Premier Inn. Later this year the business is set to grow its network in West and East Sussex to 23 locations following the opening of its latest Premier Inn on Bognor Regis Seafront in April. The construction of the first Premier Inn in Littlehampton Town Centre is also due to commence in February following the demolition of the former supermarket occupying the site. Whitbread is also seeking a suitable new location for Premier Inn in Rye. The acquisition of the second Chichester location forms part of Whitbread’s ongoing expansion of Premier Inn across the UK and Ireland. Currently the business offers its customers close to 86,000 bedrooms from more than 840 UK and Ireland hotels and it sees the long-term potential to expand to 125,000 rooms in these two core markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction, on behalf of its client Liverpool-based developer Brickland, has secured Gateway 2 approval for a £46m, 12-storey apartment scheme in Nursery Street, Sheffield. The 267-apartment, build-to-rent development has received authorisation from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) – paving the way for work on site to begin in January 2026. Gateway 2 was introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 and is aimed at improving building safety, particularly for high rise buildings. Michael Sims, managing director at Clegg Construction, said: “Securing Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) confirms that this development in Sheffield meets the most stringent of safety requirements. “This approval means that we can now proceed to the next stage, with enabling work starting on site to deliver this 12-storey concrete-frame apartment project.” Clegg Construction has been appointed by Brickland Ltd to build the development. Other members of the team include architect Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, built environment consultancy Ridge, MEP services consultant Futurserv, project manager and quantity surveyor Egan Lucocq Ltd, and Design Fire Services. This is the latest in a number of residential projects that Clegg Construction has delivered in recent years including The Ironworks, a 12-storey apartment block of 229 properties in Sheffield, 185 apartments at Spinners Yard in Leeds, and Gilders Yard in Birmingham, which featured 158 new homes. The company has been involved in several projects in Sheffield and is currently working on a new Faculty of Health building at the University of Sheffield. With its head office in The Lace Market in Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Momentum Build, part of The Momentum Group, the leading North West property services company, has been appointed to refurbish Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, an educational facility in North Wales owned by Wrexham University. After a competitive tendering process, the two organisations are delighted to be working in partnership. Known as “the home of science in North Wales,” Xplore! offers a wide range of educational and interactive exhibits for all ages, alongside a visitor centre, café, school activity programmes, venue hire, corporate event options, and birthday party experiences. Momentum Build has been appointed to carry out phase one of the refurbishment, including Xplore!’s planetarium. The tender covers procurement for building and refurbishment services for the planetarium, including lift and kitchen installations. Once upgraded, the planetarium will become the only fixed-dome planetarium in north-east Wales. Xplore! have secured funding for the project with the phase one works being completed in Spring 2026. Dan Lewis, Construction Director at Momentum Build, said: “Being appointed by Xplore! is a fantastic opportunity. Not only does this take us into a new sector, but it also allows us to partner with another non-profit client. Xplore! is a unique facility, and we are excited to be working with such a passionate client team to help ensure it continues to inspire people for many years to come.” Scot Owen, Centre Manager at Xplore!, added: “Momentum Build has the expertise, the experience and the reach to help us achieve our ambitions for the refurbishment of Xplore!. More than that, as a business, they are passionate about adding value to the communities in which they operate, and to do so sustainably, both of which are values we prize highly too. We are looking forward to how this partnership will develop and seeing the positive impact it will have.” This appointment, together with Momentum Maintain’s recent work with Crosby Housing Association and Momentum Build’s £1.9 million industrial refurbishment in Maidenhead, transforming an industrial unit into temporary housing, demonstrates The Momentum Group’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful community impact through its projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals