Global real estate advisor CBRE has been appointed to spearhead the operator selection process and development funding strategy to deliver Sunderland’s Crown Works Film Studios. The agent, renowned for its global expertise in large-scale commercial and regeneration projects, will act on behalf of Sunderland City Council to start immediate engagement
More than half (59%) of UK heating engineers are either already or likely to work with other companies to develop heat pump competencies, according to heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi’s fourth annual Installer Skills Survey. Despite this interest in being prepared, a lack of consumer demand remains the
Former ice rink site has been cleared and will become a major residential led scheme of nearly 1000 homes, complete with associated amenities. Strettons and Vandermolen Real Estate are pleased to announce the sale of Rom Valley Gardens, a significant seven-acre site in Romford, Essex, for an undisclosed price. Previously
Bouygues UK proudly announces a pivotal milestone in the transformation of Stanmore College, with the construction project successfully reaching topping out – the highest point of the new building structure. This significant achievement marks a crucial step forward in delivering the £60 million state-of-the-art further education facility, funded by the
Wingstop will open its third Glasgow restaurant at Silverburn this December, taking a 3,606 sq ft unit as the centre continues to expand its food and leisure offer. The deal forms part of a sustained repositioning of the south-west Glasgow destination. Over the past three years Silverburn has more than
Today, Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the October 2025 edition of its Construction Index. The Index reviews the three months to the end of September 2025, focusing on underlying projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise stated).
Morgan Sindall has lifted its profit guidance again on the back of a standout performance from its Overbury fit-out arm, signalling a stronger-than-expected 2025. Since its summer half-year update, the group now anticipates full-year results will be significantly ahead of previous expectations. Overbury has led the charge, outperforming on trading
The City of Edinburgh Council has awarded a £61m contract to Harmony Fire to deliver a major programme of fire safety improvements across 30 multi-storey residential buildings in the city centre. Procured via the Prosper Passive Fire Safety Framework, the scheme is among the UK’s largest internal fire safety upgrade
Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Liverpool and its journey to achieving net zero, as The Peel Group, together with district heat network specialist Ener-Vate, officially opens the new Mersey Heat Energy Centre. Located within Liverpool Waters, the project received £7.5m Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) funding towards the Energy
Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed the landmark refurbishment of Barnsley College’s University Centre, redeveloping the 93-year-old art-deco building into the new South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (IoT). Marked with an official opening ceremony held on the 25th September, the building was officially opened by Barnsley MPs Dan Jarvis
Global real estate advisor CBRE has been appointed to spearhead the operator selection process and development funding strategy to deliver Sunderland’s Crown Works Film Studios. The agent, renowned for its global expertise in large-scale commercial and regeneration projects, will act on behalf of Sunderland City Council to start immediate engagement with potential operators, investors and developers, managing new interest to deliver a studio at the site. CBRE advised SKY on their partnership with Legal and General to deliver Sky Studios Elstree, a 12-sound-stage studio in Hertfordshire. CBRE will work to secure operators, partners and private investment needed to transform the 80-acre site on the banks of the River Wear into a 1.5 million sq ft, world-class film and TV production complex, with the aim of a developer breaking ground in the new year. The appointment of CBRE marks a significant milestone for the multi-million-pound development. CBRE will bring its global reach and sector expertise to identify and secure the best operator, while also advising on the structuring of the development funding strategy to ensure the successful delivery of the project. This supports the council’s wider ambitions to place Sunderland firmly on an international stage and, along with other major regeneration projects currently taking place, keep attracting inward investment into the city. Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Appointing CBRE is a pivotal and strategic step in securing the right investor and development partner to deliver this transformational scheme. Their global reach, experience and industry knowledge is highly impressive and we, and they, are very positive and determined that Crown Works Studios will be delivered but now with a new partner. Our ambition has not wavered, so we will keep pushing forward.” Planning permission is already in place for the first phase of Crown Works Studios, with outline consent for future phases, and this is supported by a public funding package worth £120 million secured from the UK Government, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority. Remediation of the site is currently underway, funded through an initial £25 million investment. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness commented: “We have made the creative industries a central part of our Growth Plan for the region, and this site has the potential to power an entire industry in our region, opening new opportunities for local people and building on our reputation as a prime location for major film and TV drama. With CBRE now on board, we are very much looking ahead and taking a major step towards turning this vision into a reality.” CBRE will now begin comprehensive market engagement to identify preferred operating and funding partners, it is anticipated, by autumn. The new selected partner(/s) will be responsible for delivering the first phase of the development and unlocking the full potential of the site. The project is expected to attract private sector interest, buoyed by the scale of public investment and the strength of demand for high-end film and TV production space, especially more recently as production in the North East region surges. Figures from North East Screen show a 131per cent increase over three years in production spend in the region. Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, added: “We are witnessing a landmark moment for creative industries here in our region and Crown Works Studios will provide ground-breaking facilities and the infrastructure we need to build on our recent 131% growth in production. It will support a sustainable, thriving sector that is growing month on month, year on year right here in the North East.” Andy Byrne, Northern TMT Lead for CBRE, added: “CBRE is excited to bring this opportunity to the market. Sunderland City Council is at the forefront of regeneration in this region and have ambitious plans to see world-class film and TV production space brought forward to match the demand for purpose-built studio space. This scheme is set to be a catalyst for great things within the region.” For more information about the Crown Works Studios investment opportunity, please contact CBRE at Andrew Byrne, 07823 520 540 andrew.byrne@cbre.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than half (59%) of UK heating engineers are either already or likely to work with other companies to develop heat pump competencies, according to heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi’s fourth annual Installer Skills Survey. Despite this interest in being prepared, a lack of consumer demand remains the number one barrier to heat pump uptake – with 60% of installers citing this as the main barrier, highlighting the challenge of converting installer interest into real-world installations. The 2025 Survey showed that attitudes of some segments of the heating engineer population are becoming more sceptical of heat pumps and towards net zero more broadly, reflecting the increasingly divisive narratives on the topic from across the political spectrum. The survey – conducted with green supply chain consultancy Talan (formerly Gemserv) – gathered responses from almost 400 installers, making it the most comprehensive snapshot of UK installer attitudes to heat pumps to date. Confidence growing as training makes its mark The study found that 59% of installers are either already developing the skills to fit heat pumps or intending to do so within the next few years. As the majority of installer operators are either sole traders or very small businesses with just two or three employees, the trend is to partner with other companies that can provide complimentary services, such as system design, installation support or financing. The number of installers citing a lack of training as a barrier has fallen by 18 percentage points compared with 2024, suggesting that industry investment in training is beginning to pay off. Baxi alone has seen over 1,000 installers attend its own heat pump training courses over the last 12 months. When asked what drives them in their work, heating engineers most frequently cited providing a good service to customers (85%), solving technical problems (62%), and getting things right from a technical perspective (50%). According to Baxi, this sense of professionalism partly explains why some installers hesitate to recommend new technologies until they feel fully competent. “Installers clearly want to do the right thing for their customers,” said Ian Trott, Head of Training at Baxi UK. “Many take pride in their technical ability and won’t compromise on service until they’ve built real hands-on experience with the technology. Training for a qualification is one thing – but training for competence is what’s really needed to move the needle on installer engagement.” Hybrids seen as a practical bridge The 2025 survey also found that 35% of installers have or would be somewhat or extremely likely to move to fitting heat pumps as part of a hybrid system, where a heat pump works alongside an existing combi boiler, rather than as a full heat pump only replacement. Unlike a stand-alone heat pump system, hybrids typically do not require a water cylinder making the installation lower cost, quicker, less disruptive and with less complexity for the installer. “Hybrids can be a powerful transitional step,” Trott said. “They are often more attractive to installers because they’re easier to fit, and to customers because they require less cost and disruption. Research shows a well-installed hybrid can cut a home’s heating carbon footprint by around 70% a year or more. Supporting hybrid options would give more installers valuable real-world experience and help homeowners see the benefits earlier.” Paperwork and demand still holding the sector back While attitudes to heat pumps have shifted positively, consumer demand is developing more slowly. Although many households continue to prefer a straightforward like-for-like boiler replacement, 2024 was still a record year for UK heat pump sales. Almost half of respondents – 46% – named the paperwork involved in government schemes as a major obstacle to installing heat pumps, saying it slows down projects and can deter customers from making the switch. To help ease this burden, Baxi will launch its own MCS Umbrella scheme later this year, designed to reduce the administrative workload for smaller businesses and sole traders. The company has also expanded its hands-on training programme and increased online and video-based educational resources produced at its Warwick Solutions Academy. Generational divide and industry dynamics A recurring theme in Baxi’s annual surveys has been a generational divide in attitudes to retraining. Installers approaching retirement are generally less inclined to invest in developing new skills, while those earlier in their careers are more open to diversifying their expertise. The survey also noted that a large proportion of UK heat installers work either as sole traders or in very small teams. This structure can make it more difficult for them to take time out for training or to manage the additional paperwork that often accompanies low-carbon installations. Many respondents said they expect to collaborate or partner with other service providers to meet future demand for clean heat technologies. “These findings show that despite some hardening of opinions most gas boiler installers aren’t dogmatic about technology and just want to do a good job for their customers. Many installers are preparing for the future, with plans to prepare for the uptake of heat pumps and develop their skills. As a result, more installers are comfortable talking to their customers about energy efficiency and fewer say that training is a barrier than in last year’s study. It shows that the work the sector is doing to encourage training is working,” said Will Taylor, Principal Consultant at Talan. The role of installers in decarbonisation Home heating is responsible for around 18% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and approximately 85% of households still rely on natural gas boilers. As the transition to cleaner heating accelerates, installers are expected to play a central role in guiding customers through their choices and in ensuring new technologies are fitted competently and to a high standard. Almost 400 installers took part in this year’s survey, which was conducted in July and August 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Former ice rink site has been cleared and will become a major residential led scheme of nearly 1000 homes, complete with associated amenities. Strettons and Vandermolen Real Estate are pleased to announce the sale of Rom Valley Gardens, a significant seven-acre site in Romford, Essex, for an undisclosed price. Previously the home of the Romford Ice Arena, planning permission has been granted for the site to become a new mixed-use residential led scheme, bringing much needed new homes and associated amenities to Romford. Acting jointly with Vandermolen RE, Strettons’ Agency team advised Strettons Receivers on the sale of the site to an undisclosed buyer. Rom Valley Gardens has a hybrid planning consent for a phased scheme of up to 972 dwellings, alongside a new medical centre, retail, café and resident amenities. The masterplan envisages seven blocks ranging from 2 to 12 storeys, providing flexibility across tenures and the scale to create a new community in central Romford. Aasia Pathan, Agency & Development Land Director at Strettons, said:“Rom Valley Gardens is a strategically significant site for Romford, with the capacity to deliver hundreds of much-needed homes as well as vital community facilities. With the Elizabeth Line just minutes away and planning consent already secured, it is well placed to transform this part of the town. We saw strong interest in the site and secured an unconditional exchange quickly, which reflects both the strength of the opportunity and the capability of the purchaser to move the project forward at pace.” Chris Rook, Land Director at Vandermolen RE said: “It’s fantastic to have secured another successful sale on behalf of Strettons Receivers. Rom Valley Gardens represents an exceptional opportunity to unlock over 970 much-needed homes in the heart of Romford. We’re proud to have been involved in re-energising this important strategic site.” Located on Rom Valley Way in the London Borough of Havering, the site is just 0.6 miles from Romford Station, offering fast Elizabeth Line services into central London. It also benefits from close proximity to Romford town centre’s retail and leisure offer, as well as excellent road and bus connections via the A12 and M25. Strettons’ Development Land Agency team acted jointly with Vandermolen RE. The transaction was completed on behalf of the Fixed Charge Receivers, Charles Kornbluth and Benjamin Tobin of Strettons. Charles Kornbluth said: “Well done to Strettons and Vandermolen RE agency teams, and thanks to Simmons & Simmons for their expert legal advice. I look forward to seeing the completed scheme which will greatly enhance the area.” Strettons are regeneration specialists, working on behalf of landowners and developers to realise the value of their assets. Their multidisciplinary in-house teams advise across all stages of development, from site sale and planning through to disposal of completed schemes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK proudly announces a pivotal milestone in the transformation of Stanmore College, with the construction project successfully reaching topping out – the highest point of the new building structure. This significant achievement marks a crucial step forward in delivering the £60 million state-of-the-art further education facility, funded by the Department for Education’s Further Education Improvement Programme under the CF21 Framework. The topping out ceremony symbolises the emerging reality of a transformed educational environment that will serve thousands of students for years to come. With the structural framework now complete, the project moves into the next exciting phase of creating inspiring learning spaces designed to enhance student outcomes and opportunities. “Topping out is always an incredibly proud moment for our team, but this project holds special significance as we’re constructing the future of further education in this community,’ said Mark Cesenek, Managing Director at Bouygues UK. ‘Our standardised ‘kit of parts’ approach, combined with our commitment to net-zero principles, is creating a building that will be flexible, sustainable and designed to inspire learning“ The ambitious project involves complete reconfiguration of Stanmore College’s existing site, replacing four outdated buildings with four cutting-edge new builds. Utilising Bouygues UK’s proven educational building methodology, the new facility integrates sustainability principles whilst ensuring an efficient and timely build. Beyond the physical construction, the project is already delivering educational value through innovative partnerships. Bouygues UK has inducted its first cohort of T Level students into Design Surveying and Planning internships, developed in collaboration with social enterprise Class Of Your Own. The second cohort will include students from Stanmore College. These internships form part of the award-winning ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ learning programme, giving future professionals hands-on experience with cutting-edge construction projects. “The college’s Principal Anette Cast expressed her enthusiasm about the progress: ‘The speed and quality of this build is amazing. It’s inspiring to see the new campus taking shape so quickly and to such a high standard. This transformation will give our students access to world-class facilities and create opportunities that will benefit the wider community for years to come.“ With construction progressing smoothly towards the 2027 completion date, the topping out milestone demonstrates Bouygues UK’s commitment to delivering high-quality educational infrastructure to the Department for Education. The new facility will feature modern teaching spaces, advanced technical workshops, and collaborative learning areas designed to meet the evolving needs of further education. The project reinforces Bouygues UK’s position as a leading contractor in the education sector, with a proven track record of delivering inspiring and sustainable learning environments across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wingstop will open its third Glasgow restaurant at Silverburn this December, taking a 3,606 sq ft unit as the centre continues to expand its food and leisure offer. The deal forms part of a sustained repositioning of the south-west Glasgow destination. Over the past three years Silverburn has more than doubled its F&B and leisure footprint from 75,000 sq ft to 168,000 sq ft, anchored by the arrival of flagship bowling concept King Pins in July. The strategy is aimed at deepening dwell time and broadening appeal beyond pure retail, with a pipeline focused on high-growth operators. Managed by Eurofund Group and owned by Henderson Park, Silverburn has been selectively reconfigured to create modern, right-sized space for brands with strong regional draw. Wingstop’s addition complements an evolving mix that targets families, groups and evening trade, strengthening the centre’s position as a regional destination. Wingstop entered the UK in 2018 and has been recognised as the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant group for three consecutive years in The Sunday Times 100, making it a sought-after tenant for landlords seeking experiential offers that drive frequency. Henderson Park and Eurofund Group were advised by Culverwell and Time Retail Partners on the letting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today, Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the October 2025 edition of its Construction Index. The Index reviews the three months to the end of September 2025, focusing on underlying projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise stated). All figures are seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The October Index paints a bleak picture of continuing decline, with the impressive performance increases observed over spring and summer now feeling like a distant memory. The value of work starting on-site in the three months to September declined 16%, remaining 15% lower than the same period in 2024. Performance fell in both the residential and non-residential sectors. The former was hardest hit, plummeting by around a quarter against the preceding three months (-26%) and last year (-24%), respectively. The impact on the latter was less severe, with drops of 9% against the preceding three months and 5% compared to 2024. Once more, this highlights an industry being constantly buffeted by fresh headwinds. Battling against persistently low market confidence, poor investor appetite and trepidatious public spending, this trio of challenges is likely discouraging clients and contractors from commencing projects in the short term. However, it wasn’t entirely doom and gloom; a couple of bright spots shone through the overall malaise. Similar to last month’s index, office starts were, once more, on the up. A relatively strong period, starts on-site soared by a third (32%) against the preceding three months and rocketed 123% on the previous year. A number of landmark developments have contributed to this impressive rise, including two high-value retrofits in London. One is at Bush House, the former BBC World Service headquarters, which is undergoing an £86 million transformation for King’s College London. Another is the £59 million retrofit of 30 Finsbury Square, located on the edge of the City of London. Commenting on the results, Glenigan Economic Director Allan Wilen says, “It feels somewhat like déjà vu, where encouraging signs in the middle of the year have once more given way to further decline. Of course, there are several different factors at play. Looking at the residential market, project starts have faltered over the past quarter, which, perhaps, reflects the slower-than-anticipated recovery in house purchaser confidence, coupled with ongoing developmental delays. This is in part due to slow BSR approvals, which account for the sharp fall we registered in the apartment sub-vertical. He continues, “It was great to see office starts continue its ascendancy and encouraging to see confidence flooding back into a vertical which has been largely subdued in recent years. However, these positive results were not nearly enough to mitigate the poor performance in other quarters, particularly health and education, which eclipsed these outlying areas of growth. As uncertainty once again tightens its grip, the industry will be looking ahead to the Autumn Budget to see what rabbits, however small, the Chancellor can pull from her hat, to help kick-start activity.” Taking a closer look at the Index results… Sector Analysis – Residential The residential sector has failed to regain the renewed momentum it experienced in Q.2 2025. Overall starts were down 26% in the preceding three months, standing 24% below 2024 figures. Drilling down further, private housing fell 25% during the Index period and 23% compared to the previous year. It was a similarly disappointing story for social housing, with activity slashed by over a quarter (-29%) to finish 24% lower year-on-year. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential Aside from the outstanding results recorded for office construction, performance was generally poor in non-residential sectors. Positive signs were registered in the Civils vertical, where work starting on-site increased 4% against the preceding three months but decreased 13% against the previous year. This was largely due to a modest spurt in infrastructure starts, which increased 9% against the preceding three months and rose by 4% over the previous year. This was tempered by a dip in utilities work, which declined 2% against the preceding three months to stand 26% down against the previous year Elsewhere, the chips were decidedly down. Health experienced a poor period, falling 21% against the preceding three months and diving 30% lower than the previous year, whilst education fell 19% against the preceding three months and declined 32% against the previous year. Reflecting subdued consumer confidence, hotel & Leisure declined 11% against the preceding three months and declined 1% against the previous year. Likewise, retail was down 17% against the preceding three months to stand 28% lower than 2024 levels. Finally, community and amenity project starts declined 24% against the preceding three months but increased 12% against the previous year. Regional Performance Regional performance was decidedly sluggish, with the North West the only consistently robust performer, albeit only just, posting 6% increases against the preceding three months while managing to stay flat at 2024 levels. It was a mixed picture in a couple of other regions. The North East declined 32% against the preceding three months, yet stood 54% up against the previous year. Similarly, the West Midlands dipped 13% against the preceding three months but rose by a more modest 5% compared to last year. Elsewhere, it was across-the-board decline. The Capital experienced a poor performance, falling 27% against the preceding three months to finish 20% down against the previous year. The South East fared little better, declining 17% against the preceding three months to stand 25% down against the previous year. The South West also declined 24% against the preceding three months to stand 23% down against the previous year. Find out more about Glenigan here: www.glenigan.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall has lifted its profit guidance again on the back of a standout performance from its Overbury fit-out arm, signalling a stronger-than-expected 2025. Since its summer half-year update, the group now anticipates full-year results will be significantly ahead of previous expectations. Overbury has led the charge, outperforming on trading and delivery and pushing its order book to £1.6bn at the end of August — up 8% on both the half-year and year-end 2024. Around £900m of that workload is already locked in for 2026 and beyond, underscoring momentum into next year. Across the wider group, the secured workload has risen to £12.2bn, 7% higher year on year. Daily average net cash is expected to exceed £350m, beating earlier guidance of £330m and reinforcing balance sheet strength. Partnership Housing profits are tracking in line with plan, supported by long-term regeneration programmes including 3,500 homes at Druids Heath in Birmingham and 2,500 across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Mixed Use Partnerships remains a drag, with second-half operating losses set to nearly double the £1.5m recorded in the first half as the business continues to invest in schemes yet to break ground. Construction and Infrastructure divisions are on course to meet targets with solid order book growth, while Property Services continues to deliver a modest profit. With fit-out demand still robust and significant forward work secured, Morgan Sindall enters the final quarter with increased confidence and visibility across its core markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of Edinburgh Council has awarded a £61m contract to Harmony Fire to deliver a major programme of fire safety improvements across 30 multi-storey residential buildings in the city centre. Procured via the Prosper Passive Fire Safety Framework, the scheme is among the UK’s largest internal fire safety upgrade programmes of its kind. It forms a key part of the council’s strategy to futureproof its residential estate and enhance protection for thousands of residents. Harmony Fire’s scope covers upgrades to entrance, communal and ancillary doorways, alongside enhanced fire stopping, mechanical services upgrades and compartmentation measures. The package builds on the firm’s existing work with the council, which includes installing 60-minute compliant (FD60) fire-rated door sets across a range of multi-storey blocks. Amos Thomas, pre-construction director at Harmony Fire, said the council’s decision to use the Prosper framework has enabled early contractor engagement and efficient procurement, “setting the conditions for best value and project success from the outset”. For the construction supply chain, the programme is expected to generate steady work across multiple trades, from certified fire door and doorset installation to passive fire protection, MEP adjustments and resident liaison. With a clear emphasis on compliant products, tested systems and robust record-keeping, the contract also underlines the sector’s shift towards third-party accreditation and whole-building fire strategy. By fast-tracking this investment, Edinburgh aims to raise the standard of compartmentation and means of escape across its high-rise stock, improving life safety while extending the service life of core building fabric. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Liverpool and its journey to achieving net zero, as The Peel Group, together with district heat network specialist Ener-Vate, officially opens the new Mersey Heat Energy Centre. Located within Liverpool Waters, the project received £7.5m Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) funding towards the Energy Centre and network, which will deliver reliable, energy-efficient heating and hot water to a growing number of residential, commercial, and public buildings at the Liverpool Waters development and across the city. Businesses based within No. 8, No. 10, and No. 12 Princes Dock made history by being the first commercial office buildings in Liverpool to connect their heating and hot water supply to the multi-million-pound Mersey Heat network and Energy Centre. Running through Liverpool Waters, the heat network provides further sustainable infrastructure to serve Peel Waters’ wider regeneration plans for its growing Liverpool Waters District. The Titanic Hotel, Tobacco Warehouse and Torus Housing’s Hartley Locks scheme are now also connected to the Mersey Heat Network with the Cunard Building, George’s Dock Building and Museum of Liverpool now committed to connect as part of Mersey Heat’s southerly expansion. Designed and built by leading renewable energy company Vital Energi, the new Energy Centre houses one of the UK’s largest two-stage water source heat pumps provided by Star Refrigeration. Harnessing heat from the nearby Leeds and Liverpool Canal and distributing it through the 6km district heating network, the system supplies surrounding homes and businesses with low carbon heat and hot water, while cutting carbon emissions by an impressive 4,200 tonnes each year. The Mersey Heat Energy Centre was officially launched at an event with Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero, as well as James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters. The Liverpool City Region was the first to declare a climate emergency back in 2019 and set the ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2035 or sooner. Since 2005, carbon emissions in the city region have dropped by 40%. Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Net Zero, commented: “Building a cleaner, greener future isn’t just about meeting targets – it’s about improving people’s lives. The Mersey Heat Energy Centre is a fantastic example of how we can use our region’s strengths and ingenuity to cut carbon, lower energy bills, and support jobs in the industries of the future. “I know the scale of the challenge we’re facing – but also the scale of the opportunity. Projects like this show that we’re serious about hitting our target to be net zero by 2035, at least a decade ahead of the rest of the country, and that the Liverpool City Region is leading the way.” David Tatton, Investment Director – District Heat, Peel Group, said: “With the UK’s target to reach net zero by 2050, today is an important milestone for Liverpool’s journey to decarbonisation. Projects like this not only play a vital role in helping the country meet its carbon reduction goals, but it also demonstrates what can be achieved through innovation, collaboration and a commitment to a cleaner future.” Jo Longdon, Strategy and Development Director, Ener-Vate, said: “The Ener-Vate team is thrilled to have been part of this exciting project from the very beginning and officially opening the new Mersey Heat Energy Centre today marks a huge milestone for us and for Liverpool. The city is leading by example, paving the way for decarbonisation and for other cities to follow suit in leaving fossil fuels behind and delivering low carbon sources of heat.” The new Energy Centre will deliver 20GWh of heat every year, which will serve up to 6,700 homes and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space. However, there is planning permission in place to expand the project to supply around 45GWh, which is the equivalent of supplying 17,000 new homes with low carbon heating and hot water. Andrew Wightman, Regional Director, Vital Energi said: “We are pleased to see the new Mersey Heat Energy Centre now officially open, and proud to have played a pivotal role in the design, build, and maintenance of this network, which will be delivering low-carbon infrastructure for the city. It is a showcase project for Liverpool, and other areas across the UK looking to achieve their net zero aspirations.” Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The launch of the Mersey Heat Energy Centre is a landmark moment in Liverpool’s journey towards a cleaner, greener future. It is a visible example of how Liverpool is leading the way on low carbon infrastructure, protecting historic buildings, cutting emissions and creating long term green value for our communities. “Liverpool has long been a leader in climate action, and this project reinforces our commitment to achieving net zero. It’s not just about infrastructure, it’s about creating a legacy of sustainability that benefits our communities, our economy, and our environment. “I’m proud to see this vision and investment come to life, creating jobs in the emerging green economy. I want to thank all the partners involved for helping Liverpool take another bold step towards a low carbon future.” For more information about the new Mersey Heat Energy Centre visit www.merseyheat.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed the landmark refurbishment of Barnsley College’s University Centre, redeveloping the 93-year-old art-deco building into the new South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (IoT). Marked with an official opening ceremony held on the 25th September, the building was officially opened by Barnsley MPs Dan Jarvis and Dr Marie Tidball – who joined College representatives and stakeholders including GF Tomlinson, AECOM, Salix, the Department for Education (DfE), and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT). The iconic building, originally erected in 1932 as Barnsley Mining and Technical College, has been reimagined as a future-ready learning environment for higher-level education, innovation and sustainable development, providing capacity for more than 1,000 students and staff. The multi-million-pound project delivered on behalf of Barnsley College, was funded through a combination of Department for Education (DfE) investment, college capital funds, and additional sustainability upgrades supported by a successful Salix decarbonisation bid. The transformation has included the refurbishment of the former open-air college courtyard into a fully enclosed atrium, complete with a new glazed roof to create a bright and central hub which houses a modern Learning Resource Centre, set across tiered mezzanine floors. Spaces link to specialist IoT teaching facilities and include bespoke areas for flexible, digital and collaborative learning. On the ground floor a new café and breakout zone is available for students to enjoy. A key focus of the project was to embed sustainable technologies and low-carbon upgrades throughout the building, and a total of 100 photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof, generating up to 29.73 kWp of renewable energy to offset electrical demand. An efficient all-electric Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system provides simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones, replacing the old gas boiler plant. Two new air handling units have been added to the roof, and two existing units have been refurbished to support ground floor systems and enhance the ventilation strategy for the new facility. Further sustainability interventions include LED lighting throughout, point-of-use electric water heaters, and secondary glazing to all external windows to improve airtightness and reduce heat loss. Approximately 3,238m² of insulated plasterboard has been applied to internal walls, alongside new roof insulation across all four roof areas. Electrical infrastructure has also been upgraded with a new substation to support increased demand and solar energy export. These combined measures have resulted in an EPC asset A rating making it a highly energy efficient building – a notable achievement for the refurbishment. The completed building now stands as a benchmark for low-carbon retrofit in the education sector, combining renewable energy, modern insulation, and all-electric systems to support decarbonisation and long-term operational efficiency. G F Tomlinson also prioritised delivering social value throughout the project and the team engaged directly with the local community, providing eight student site tours involving over 100 learners, 22 mock interviews, and hosting five staff tours with 44 members of college personnel. The project team participated in four local job fairs, supported the Barnsley Apprenticeship Conference, sponsored the Sustainability Award at the Barnsley College Excellence Awards and donated to St George’s Church Food Pantry. In addition to its community engagement, the project delivered strong local economic benefits – 63% of the workforce was sourced from within 40 miles of the site and 84% of total spend was retained locally within 40 miles. Across the construction phase, over 8,000 miles were travelled by low-emission vehicles or on foot, and 15.6 apprentice weeks were delivered on-site. The project was also awarded a top score on the Considerate Constructors Scheme of 45 out of 45. The South Yorkshire Institute of Technology is part of a national network of 21 IoTs, bringing together further and higher education providers with employers to address regional and national skills gaps in sectors such as engineering, health, digital and construction. The Barnsley site is a key part of this initiative and is being delivered in partnership with Barnsley College, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, DN Colleges Group, the Sheffield College and RNN Group. Adrian Grocock, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to deliver this landmark facility for Barnsley College and the wider South Yorkshire IoT. This world-class learning environment reflects the very best in heritage refurbishment, sustainability and future-ready education design. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the client team to deliver a project that meets high technical aspirations while generating lasting benefits for the community.” Barnsley College Principal and Chief Executive Officer David Akeroyd said: “The opening of the University Centre is a landmark moment for higher-level education in Barnsley and the wider region. “This project has been years in the making and represents the hard work, vision and commitment of so many colleagues and partners. Together, we have taken a unique building that once stood as a symbol of Barnsley’s mining and technological excellence and reimagined it for the future, while keeping it where it has always historically been – at the cutting-edge of technical education. “This is an exciting time for the College and all our partners involved in the South Yorkshire IoT – as we look ahead to a future in which our hard work has led to increased opportunities for retraining and upskilling, more accessible and higher-quality jobs, and a productive workforce who are skilled in the right areas.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals