Manchester United has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art 100,000-seat stadium as the centrepiece of a major regeneration project for the Old Trafford area. The club estimates that the stadium and wider redevelopment could contribute £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy, while also delivering significant social and economic benefits
Domino’s Pizza Group (DPG) has announced plans to open more than 50 new stores across the UK in 2025, as it continues to capitalise on long-term growth opportunities. The group, which operates 1,372 stores in the UK and Ireland, has secured a five-year framework agreement with its franchise partners to
Logic-i has been selected to deliver pivotal project management and planning roles for the Steel River Power project at Teesworks, one of the UK’s most ambitious industrial regeneration sites. As an independent project management consultancy, Yarm-headquartered Logic-i will play a key role over the next three to five years in
VIVID has been offered £14.35 million from the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH: SHF) to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. This provisional allocation of funding supports the aim for all homes to be warm and affordable. This means making sure each home is energy-efficient, which helps
New Report From Leading Ecology Firm Challenges Government’s Proposals A new report by leading UK ecology consultancy, Arbtech, reveals that the Government’s plans, announced in Tuesday’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, for a new tax on development that includes a single payment into a Nature Restoration Fund could put UK cities
Yesterday, in Leicester, City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby joined Midlands Connect and business leaders to pledge their support for the proposed rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. At the meeting, at the station, attendees were told that 13.5 million minutes could be saved by people travelling by train on
Newcastle City Council planners have approved crucial enabling works that will unlock a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle. With One Public Estate brownfield funding already secured for the site, the unanimous decision today (March 7) now allows for the first phase of clearance and remediation within
GMI Construction Group has celebrated the successful completion of the £32.9m Urban 8 Logistics Park at King’s Norton, Birmingham – transforming the former Pilkington Automotive and GKN Aerospace sites into a state-of-the-art warehousing and logistics hub. The 400,000 sq. ft speculative development by Canmoor Asset Management and Tristan Capital Partners,
Hundreds more much-needed homes, including more than 200 for social rent, will be built as part of the regeneration of Wornington Green, after Peabody’s plans for the third and final phase of the project were green-lit by the council. At a meeting last week (Tuesday 4 March), the Royal Borough
Over 250 commercial and industrial refurbishments were completed by Inco Contracts in 2024 as it completed its best year to date. The Cannock headquartered company, which is fast approaching its 15th anniversary, continued to win and deliver large scale logistics, distribution and manufacturing projects, whilst also adding a significant volume
Manchester United has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art 100,000-seat stadium as the centrepiece of a major regeneration project for the Old Trafford area. The club estimates that the stadium and wider redevelopment could contribute £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy, while also delivering significant social and economic benefits to the local community. Plans suggest the initiative could create up to 92,000 new jobs and 17,000 homes, making it one of the most transformative projects in the region’s history. Leading architecture firm Foster + Partners has been appointed to design the stadium district and will oversee the development of a comprehensive masterplan, including feasibility studies, consultations, and detailed design work. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham highlighted the scale of the opportunity, stating: “Our shared ambition is to unlock the full potential of the club for the benefit of its supporters and Greater Manchester as a whole. If executed successfully, the regeneration impact could surpass even that of London 2012.” Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe emphasised the long-term benefits: “Beyond football, this project has the potential to drive lasting economic and social renewal in Old Trafford, creating jobs and investment opportunities both during construction and once the stadium district is fully operational.” The UK government has prioritised infrastructure investment, particularly in the North of England, and this redevelopment aligns with that mission, reinforcing its national significance. Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners, described the vision for the new district: “The stadium will be an outward-looking, dynamic hub at the heart of a walkable, sustainable community, fully integrated with public transport and enriched by green spaces.” With Manchester United’s ambitious plans taking shape, the project promises to redefine Old Trafford, blending world-class sport with urban renewal and long-term economic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Domino’s Pizza Group (DPG) has announced plans to open more than 50 new stores across the UK in 2025, as it continues to capitalise on long-term growth opportunities. The group, which operates 1,372 stores in the UK and Ireland, has secured a five-year framework agreement with its franchise partners to drive expansion. This follows a strong performance in 2024, during which it opened 54 new stores across 21 franchise networks. Despite a slight 0.4% year-on-year decrease in revenue, bringing the total to £664.5 million for the year ending 29 December 2024, DPG continued to make strategic investments. It spent £62 million acquiring the remaining 85% stake in Shorecal Limited, the largest Domino’s franchisee in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and completed the sale of its corporate store estate in London for £34.8 million. DPG CEO Andrew Rennie highlighted the company’s progress, stating: “Our results reflect the strength of our long-term strategy. We’ve reinforced our competitive position, secured a new agreement with our franchise partners, and expanded our store network. As the year progressed, our trading momentum increased, our delivery channel returned to growth, and we achieved strong underlying earnings.” He added: “In 2024, we made disciplined investments to fuel growth, including the acquisition of Shorecal in Ireland and DP Poland. We also reinvested funds from store disposals to strengthen our position. Looking ahead to 2025, we are entering the year on a positive note, even in an uncertain market. With a strong pipeline of store openings and a resilient business model, Domino’s is well positioned for continued success.” As the company accelerates its expansion, Domino’s is set to strengthen its presence across the UK, reinforcing its market leadership in the fast-food delivery sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Logic-i has been selected to deliver pivotal project management and planning roles for the Steel River Power project at Teesworks, one of the UK’s most ambitious industrial regeneration sites. As an independent project management consultancy, Yarm-headquartered Logic-i will play a key role over the next three to five years in overseeing the expansion of one of the UK’s largest private wire networks – a cornerstone in the transformation of the former Redcar steelworks site. The Steel River Power project, a joint venture between Steel River Energy Ltd. and North West Electricity Networks (UK) Ltd. (NWEN UK), represents an investment exceeding £100m that will serve to expand the existing Teesworks’ private electricity distribution network to support the sustainable growth of new and existing industries on-site and provide a long term electrical utility infrastructure for the site’s future developments. Logic-i will be responsible for managing the project’s contract administration, taking a detailed oversight of contract performance, ensuring all agreements and adjustments are comprehensively documented and align with project goals. This approach will support the project’s dynamic needs while maintaining strict adherence to timelines and budgets. Additionally, it will appoint a senior planning consultant to assist in the delivery of the Steel River Power masterplan. This role is essential for ensuring that the principal contractor, local sub-contractors and supply chain partners maintain synchronised schedules, ensuring project milestones are achieved efficiently. The consultant will also proactively anticipate and mitigate potential challenges, supporting the smooth progression and delivery of the project. Beyond its technical impact, the growth of the Steel River Power electrical network will deliver significant local benefits, including the creation of hundreds of new jobs and major infrastructure improvements, further solidifying the Teesworks site’s position as a leading green energy and industrial hub. Stephen Humble, a Director at Logic-i, said: “While Logic-i delivers projects globally, securing this contract has special significance as it enables us to contribute to a project of immense importance to Teesside and the wider North East region. This opportunity underscores our expertise in project management and represents a key milestone in our growth strategy. We look forward to building a successful partnership and supporting the future of Teesworks here in our home region.” Andy Laundon, Operations Director of Steel River Power Limited, added: “Given the immense scale of our capital programme, it is imperative that safe delivery of the expansion project is the overarching priority. As such, we are delighted to have engaged Logic-i to oversee the contractual performance of the principal contractor and local sub-contractors. Their proven track record and expertise will be an asset to Steel River Power and to the facilitation of wider development on Teesworks, whilst maintaining alignment to Steel River Power’s principles of utilising local supply chain partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VIVID has been offered £14.35 million from the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH: SHF) to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. This provisional allocation of funding supports the aim for all homes to be warm and affordable. This means making sure each home is energy-efficient, which helps to reduce energy use and costs and carbon emissions. The £14.35 million WH: SHF grant, combined with VIVID’s own £33.6 million investment to improving energy efficiency over the next three years, is a significant boost. The primary goal of this funding is to enhance the energy efficiency of approximately 1,800 homes over the next three years. The initial focus will be on North Hampshire, specifically targeting the areas of Rushmoor, Hart, and Basingstoke and Deane. In this ‘decisive decade’ for climate action, efforts have already been intensified over the last 2 years with an ambitious retrofit project in Farnborough, part funded by the second wave of Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund grants. This project is a crucial step towards achieving 2030 energy efficiency targets. (pictured) Tom Robinson, Executive Director of Assets and Sustainability at VIVID said “I’m so pleased we’ve been awarded this grant. This funding will enable us to enhance and expand our energy efficiency programme, making our customers’ homes more comfortable and easier to heat. It’s a significant step towards achieving our 2030 energy efficiency targets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Report From Leading Ecology Firm Challenges Government’s Proposals A new report by leading UK ecology consultancy, Arbtech, reveals that the Government’s plans, announced in Tuesday’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, for a new tax on development that includes a single payment into a Nature Restoration Fund could put UK cities at risk of losing green space and nature. The levy could result in catastrophic consequences for urban and low income communities across the country, including a real impact on the mental and physical health of those living in disadvantaged areas, intensifying inequalities further. Arbtech’s report – ‘Growthwashing: Why a Nature Restoration Fund could be the worst thing to happen in ESG….Ever’ – has been produced in response to the Planning Reform Working Paper ‘Development and Nature Recovery’ which sparked intense debate among environmental advocates and the many housing delivery stakeholders. Central to the Government’s proposal, which was confirmed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, is for developers to make a single payment into a nature restoration fund in lieu of all surveys and mitigation for biodiversity on a development site. This streamlined approach is presented as a practical solution for balancing development needs with environmental conservation, but according to Arbtech, it introduces a series of harmful consequences. Robert Oates, CEO of Arbtech, explains; “When developments replace local green spaces, they remove the possibility for low-income communities already under-served by access to nature to enjoy its immediate and tangible benefits. A single, one-time payment into an abstract mechanism to streamline the planning process does not compensate for the immediate and very real biodiversity loss. Nor does it guarantee that conservation or restoration projects will unfold in or near the communities impacted by the development activity. “Over a decade or two, this “growthwashing” approach could lead to the creation of a few large nature reserves somewhere else in the authority, county or even country, and yet that does nothing to protect or reinstate local ecosystems in the very areas where the biodiversity was lost. Consequently, generations of children will grow up in areas with progressively less exposure to nature, devoid of the small patches of woodland, wetlands, or community gardens that would otherwise foster a connection to the environment and that has been evidenced in a very robust way as helping them develop healthier and happier lives.” The report states that affluent, rural or suburban areas often have established legal or policy protections, such as green belt, that shield them from the most aggressive development pressures. In contrast, urban areas and lower income neighbourhoods are not as well safeguarded by similar regulations. Arbtech’s report references several studies which highlight the repercussions on the mental and physical health of those living in disadvantaged communities that have less contact with nature including the Office for National Statistics report titled ‘A million fewer people are gaining health benefits from nature since 2020’, which underscores how critical and yet fragile the relationship between human health and nature has become. The NHS Forest’s ‘Green Space for Health 2021-22 Evaluation Report’ also highlights how even modest amounts of green surroundings can promote physical activity and foster mental relaxation. Research from ‘The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review’ has also been drawn upon to demonstrate that biodiversity loss and environmental degradation can have profound impacts on human wellbeing, asserting that these impacts are not linear. Lower-income families already face higher rates of poor health, reduced access to quality healthcare, and greater exposure to pollution. If their communities lose more natural spaces, these existing and very real inequalities will intensify. Oates continues; “The working paper’s proposals will impact biodiversity and communities in ways that completely ignore well-established findings across an enormous variety of research domains, including healthcare, sustainability, and economics. Time and time again, all of these disciplines consistently emphasise the same message: proximity to and quality of green space are critical factors in delivering a continuous stream of benefits in health, social equity,biodiversity, and a resilient and stable economy. “A payment scheme that fails to preserve local biodiversity and instead places faith in distant restoration effort risks undermining the ESG-literacy of young people. If families cannot afford in both money and time to travel far beyond their local area, regularly, the absence of local nature experiences leads to a diminished sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment.” Another critical issue covered in Arbtech’s report is the allocation of capital captured by the nature restoration fund, into which developers would make their payments. Concerns are raised on the governance, transparency, and accountability of the way the fund is invested and spent if it does not have appropriate oversight (e.g. from the Office for Environmental Protection) and transparent procurement processes that allow small businesses to benefit. Oates concludes;“The new tax on development that comprises a single payment into a nature restoration fund, as outlined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, is deeply flawed. Transforming nature recovery into a transactional, box-ticking exercise with zero accountability for local displacement of habitats and biodiversity means both nature and our communities become collateral damage in the relentless pursuit of “growth”. “If these policies are enacted through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, then it’s a huge gamble on the outcome of an enormously complex system.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday, in Leicester, City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby joined Midlands Connect and business leaders to pledge their support for the proposed rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. At the meeting, at the station, attendees were told that 13.5 million minutes could be saved by people travelling by train on the route. Last week, Midlands Connect submitted a business case to government asking for support to progress the project. New analysis shows that if the link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham is delivered an additional 600,000 trips per year will be taken by rail. At the moment, only 3% of people who travel between Coventry and Leicester travel are using rail, with the vast majority going by road, even though it’s only just over 20 miles as the crow flies. Travelling via train could become a more attractive option, with journey times from Coventry to Nottingham being cut by almost one hour under the proposals, reducing travel time from 117 to 65 minutes. Those travelling from Coventry to Leicester will also see a reduction in travel time, changing from 56 to 32 minutes. Extra services will also stop at Coventry Arena, Bedworth, Bermuda Park, Hinckley and Loughborough as part of the plans. The scheme will also massively deliver for businesses by boosting capacity for additional or re-routed freight services between Southampton, the Midlands, and Northern England which could add a further £280 million plus of benefits from the removal of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) kms. The project could create £400m overall benefits including almost £150m wider economic benefits for the region. Due to a more accurate understanding of how people shift from road to rail, the benefits are much higher than the previous business case submission in 2021. The scheme will also deliver for businesses by providing capacity for additional or re-routed freight services between Southampton, the Midlands, and Northern England which could add over £200 million plus of benefits from the removal of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) kms. At the meeting Sir Peter and Midlands Connect were joined by East Midlands Chamber, East Midlands Railway and Cross Country. Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor of Leicester said: “‘Coventry and Leicester are the two biggest cities without a direct rail link, with only 3% of journeys between them made by rail. This crucial scheme will reconnect them and directly help travellers and the local economies of Coventry Leicester and Nottingham. The increased rail freight capacity will remove HGVs from the highway network, reducing carbon and improving air quality.” Andy Clark, Head of Rail at Midlands Connect said: “In the early 2000s, direct rail links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were severed to make room for improvements along the West Coast Main Line, which required additional trains running through Nuneaton to the North West and Scotland. “Midlands Connect is keen to progress the project and we’ve submitted a business case last week to government. Our new figures show that we could save millions of minutes and create hundreds of thousands of new trips – this project will make a massive difference.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Newcastle City Council planners have approved crucial enabling works that will unlock a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle. With One Public Estate brownfield funding already secured for the site, the unanimous decision today (March 7) now allows for the first phase of clearance and remediation within the growing Founders Place scheme. Developed by igloo, the neglected and derelict site will evolve into the Orchard Yard housing scheme. The funding is to help build thousands of new homes as part of the Government’s plans to get the country building again, create jobs and grow the economy. This multi-million-pound boost is awarded to councils to unlock disused brownfield sites. Newcastle City Council were successful in securing £2,4m in the last funding round with £1.65m allocated to bring forward housing on Founders Place. The South Street site, once home to workshops of the Stephenson Engineering Manufactory, has seen various industrial uses over the decades but fell into disrepair after the last tenant, Doves Building Merchant, left in 2004. The Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop derelict shells are now deemed dangerous and inaccessible. The enabling work will now allow for the clearing out asbestos, removal of unsafe structures – largely added in the 20th Century with little or no historical value – and put in new retaining structures. This will also unlock millions of pounds of inward investment with the site eventually seeing circa 70 homes being developed. The phased plans will reinvent the Machine Shop whilst retaining and restoring the fabric of the earliest industrial structures. This will all help bring South Street back to life by providing family homes and apartments, along with business space, a public park and courtyard. Accessed from Sussex Street, the Smith’s Shop will complement its neighbour by providing further housing and public spaces. Combined, the two developments will once again be open to the public, enhancing the wider area. Insiyah Khushnood from igloo, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the enabling work which is the first essential step to breathing new life into this derelict site of the former Stephenson Works. Without these works the site would remain abandoned but now we have the opportunity to take the first steps in this important regeneration scheme that will create a thriving residential community within an unused and forgotten part of the city.” Cabinet member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, Cllr Dan Greenhough, said: “I am delighted that planning committee have approved this. “These are incredibly important buildings from a historic perspective, but they are also in a dangerous condition due to structural decay and asbestos. This work will enable the buildings to be made safe so work can begin restoring them to their original glory and turning them into much needed housing bringing more activity back to the site. “This will be another step forward for Founders Place development site which is also attracting good quality jobs to the city.” Work is expected to start on the site this summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has celebrated the successful completion of the £32.9m Urban 8 Logistics Park at King’s Norton, Birmingham – transforming the former Pilkington Automotive and GKN Aerospace sites into a state-of-the-art warehousing and logistics hub. The 400,000 sq. ft speculative development by Canmoor Asset Management and Tristan Capital Partners, in partnership with regeneration specialists St Francis Group, comprises eight BREEAM Outstanding EPC A-rated units ranging from 25,000 sq. ft to 70,000 sq. ft. The 29 acre former brownfield site is set to bring up to 900 jobs to the area, further enhancing the West Midlands’ infrastructure and logistics capabilities. GMI delivered the project on time and to a high standard despite initial adverse weather conditions and the constraints of the site, located off Eckersall Road and adjacent to the A441 and A38. The development features a variety of sustainable measures including LED lighting, over 300,000kWh/annum of PV power generation, electric vehicle charging and energy saving infrastructure – resulting in overall CO2 emissions savings of 25%. The high specification detached units are set amid landscaped surroundings and are externally finished in composite metal cladding in various grey and silver finishes, with glazing incorporated into entrances and office spaces. Simon Dale, Director of Operations at St Francis Group, said: “From commencement to PC, the GMI Team have been a pleasure to work with – a delivery partner in the truest sense. Working in a collaborative way the site team met all of the challenges that multi-unit schemes provide, to deliver a high-quality development that matched everyone’s expectations. Well done to the GMI Team.” Adam Taylor, GMI’s Regional Director, Midlands, added: “This project underscores GMI’s capability to deliver large-scale, impactful developments. It will significantly contribute to local employment and skills development while showcasing Birmingham’s prominence in the logistics sector. The collaboration between all stakeholders has been outstanding, and we are proud to hand over this first-class facility.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hundreds more much-needed homes, including more than 200 for social rent, will be built as part of the regeneration of Wornington Green, after Peabody’s plans for the third and final phase of the project were green-lit by the council. At a meeting last week (Tuesday 4 March), the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s planning committee gave permission for up to 370 more homes. Up to 208 will be for social rent, helping those on the council’s housing waiting list as well as providing new homes for existing residents. The council also granted permission for the much-anticipated new community centre, adventure playground and the final phase of Athlone Gardens. Peabody has been speaking to those who use the existing community centre as well as the council and wider community to ensure the design meets the requirements of the local neighbourhood and residents of all ages. The centre will be bigger than existing centre and accessible from Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove, helping to bring these communities together. The final phase of the project will also see further enhancements to green spaces, including the completion of Athlone Gardens, and better connectivity for pedestrians. There will also be improvements to roads, a new neighbourhood square and courtyard, an outdoor area for markets and other community events, and more commercial spaces. James McMylor, Regional Managing Director for Development for Peabody, said: “This project will ultimately provide around 1,000 much-needed new homes for people of the Royal Borough, more than half of which are affordable, as well as a new space for community events and activities. So, we’re pleased to have the council’s backing for this final phase and we hope to make quick progress on delivering this final phase. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their views on our plans and helped to shape the future of the neighbourhood.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Over 250 commercial and industrial refurbishments were completed by Inco Contracts in 2024 as it completed its best year to date. The Cannock headquartered company, which is fast approaching its 15th anniversary, continued to win and deliver large scale logistics, distribution and manufacturing projects, whilst also adding a significant volume of Cat ‘A’ and ‘B’ office schemes to its growing portfolio of clients. Work has been undertaken right across the UK and this has been facilitated by investment in a new office in Cardiff to cover opportunities in the South West and Wales, building on the continued expansion of existing offices in Warrington and Stevenage. Together, they have contributed £44m in project revenues, representing a 20% increase in sales on the previous year. Sam Norton, Operations Director, commented: “What we have tried to do over the last twelve months is put in place the foundations to consolidate the exponential growth we’ve enjoyed in recent years, investing in eighteen new people to take our direct team to 46 and our supply chain to more than 100 trusted suppliers. “The decision to open a presence in Wales and the South West has also been a resounding success, with ten projects already tendered for and won. This means we now have the capacity to deliver all the projects we’re working on, as well as exploring new opportunities across commercial, industrial and education. “A lot of the pension funds have stayed true to their investment plans, and we saw a take-up on industrial space rise in 2024. This, combined with elevated levels of liquidity in the office marketplace, gives us every indication that demand is increasing.” Inco Contracts is a specialist in industrial and commercial refurbishment schemes across the UK, completing hundreds of projects every year. These often tend to be turnkey in nature and involve the company working alongside architects, designers, and landlords to bring warehouse, educational establishments and office space back to life or to the required modern-day standards. Services provided range from industrial roof and cladding, dilapidation schemes, external groundwork packages, building services, M&E installations, strip-outs and demolition, not to mention heritage and conservation work. Sam continued: “There’s been some significant projects completed last year, including works at Manchester Airport, a stunning industrial transformation in Coventry and our largest fit-out to date in St Helens and exciting new work in Plymouth. “These contracts showcase our track record for delivering on time, to budget and to the highest possible standards. It’s an approach we are now taking into the education world, with a lot of schools and buildings set for repairs following Labour’s decision to increase the budget.” “Education expert Billy Sneddon has joined us as contracts manager and his years of experience is already helping us win new work in the Midlands and the North West.” Inco Contracts has also committed to its Early Years’ Talent scheme, which it first introduced in 2020. The company has pumped £125,000 into its roll-out and ongoing development to date and this has seen it recruit five people across its network of offices, with every person progressing quickly into important roles in our contracts team. They are all appointed with a mentor to oversee their development, 3-monthly training reviews to identify strengths and weaknesses, enhanced responsibility to lead and company-funded education at college or university. For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company across its social channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
