Opinion: Brian Farr, in-house shading expert at Kensington Blinds Updates to IEAs World Energy Outlook report were released last month, and they project concerning figures… Cooling is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Its updated World Energy Outlook report, released last month
CBRE Southampton has appointed Ryan Harris to a new role of Director of Residential Development and Investment. With 20 years of experience, Ryan will work across the central southern region, spanning multiple living sectors including Residential (Brownfield and Strategic Land), Build-to-Rent (Single Family Housing/Multi Family Housing), Purpose Built Student Accommodation,
A leading social entrepreneur has called on construction leaders to engage more with young people and communities to ensure they deliver greater social value in the West Midlands. Rosie Ginday MBE, founder of Miss Macaroon, made the rallying call at the ‘Building a Brighter Future’ luncheon held earlier this week
New research has revealed the London boroughs with the biggest share of new-build homes amid a renewed effort to increase housing supply across the capital. Drawing on the latest housebuilding statistics, property experts SBA Property Management have found that East London is leading the way for new-build developments. The research
Kadans Science Partner is excited to today announce the official opening of their new state-of-the-art laboratory building MAYDE, 5-10 Brandon Road. Located in King’s Cross, London, MAYDE is the most recent high-specification office and laboratory building to join the world-famous Knowledge Quarter. This new laboratory scheme of 114,000 sq ft
Solihull Council has joined forces with national developer Muse to lead the transformation of Mell Square, the iconic retail centre at the heart of Solihull. The two parties have formalised a Development Agreement to revitalise Mell Square with new retail options, leisure facilities, public spaces, and up to 1,600 homes.
Bouygues UK is thrilled to announce the completion of the Peckham Flaxyard project, a mixed-use, residential-led scheme in the heart of Peckham. This milestone marks the successful delivery of a £46.8m development that will significantly benefit the local community. Bouygues UK and Southwark Council celebrated the completion of the scheme
Persimmon Homes, one of the UK’s foremost housebuilders, has announced a bold expansion in the West Midlands, with plans to deliver 1,200 new homes across the region. This move is a substantial boost to local housing supply and forms a key part of the company’s strategy for long-term growth and
The Range is poised to acquire up to 75 Homebase stores as part of a pre-packaged administration deal, potentially saving around 1,500 jobs. Reports from Sky News indicate that administrators are being appointed to facilitate the sale, with The Range set to take over not only the stores but also
Work to build HS2’s 700-metre-long Burton Green Tunnel in Warwickshire has reached the halfway mark, with new images and video footage showcasing the latest progress. Once built, the tunnel will carry HS2 trains through the village of Burton Green, near Kenilworth, and will feature a green space above for use
Opinion: Brian Farr, in-house shading expert at Kensington Blinds Updates to IEAs World Energy Outlook report were released last month, and they project concerning figures… Cooling is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Its updated World Energy Outlook report, released last month (October 2024), projects concerning figures. The report states that the rise in energy consumption forecasted to cool homes is set to skyrocket by 280 per cent by 2050. Rising incomes in the developing world coupled with increasing temperatures due to climate change, mean the amount of energy used to power air conditioning units globally is expected to increase exponentially. In the UK, several initiatives are in place to ensure the decarbonisation of building practices, such as the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, and Part ‘O’ Building Regulations which limit unwanted solar gain in buildings. There’s never been a more pressing time to embrace alternatives to carbon-expensive features like air conditioning. Part ‘O’ Building Regulations focus on preventing buildings from gaining heat, eradicating the need to cool them with energy-intensive systems like air conditioning. Shading solutions like external blinds present a compelling solution to the problem, blocking solar glare before it reaches the building’s glazing forming a crucial part of sustainable building design. This can be enhanced further when combined with other passive measures such optimal glazing ratios and natural ventilation strategies. The often overlooked design feature could be the answer to achieving net zero carbon goals by minimising cooling energy demands in comparison to air conditioners. The figures released by the IEA are extremely concerning. External blinds have long been embraced as a cooling solution in Europe, and if we want to reach our net zero goals then we need to start utilising them in the UK and the rest of the world. We’ve seen external blinds achieve some incredible results when it comes to cooling, reducing temperatures inside by 7C. And in terms of energy use, they use a minimal amount. People need to know that there are more options available to them. Whether you’re a homeowner, an architect, or any other construction industry professional, we should all be making it our business to opt for more sustainable solutions. The blinds we install, here at Kensington Blinds for example, are carefully designed with solar glare repellent fabric, preventing the sun’s heat from entering buildings. In this regard they are considerably more efficient for keeping homes cool than internal blinds. And thanks to the open weave of the screen fabric used, the exterior blinds allow light to filter through while reflecting heat and keeping the interior cool, so homeowners can still enjoy clear sight out of windows and doors. When it comes to getting ahead of the massive problem that air conditioning is about to bring our way – external blinds provide a compelling solution. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE Southampton has appointed Ryan Harris to a new role of Director of Residential Development and Investment. With 20 years of experience, Ryan will work across the central southern region, spanning multiple living sectors including Residential (Brownfield and Strategic Land), Build-to-Rent (Single Family Housing/Multi Family Housing), Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Senior Living and Mixed-Use. Ryan has advised a variety of private landowners, charities and large institutions on their property portfolios and disposal strategies. He has overseen the delivery of multiple complex brownfield regeneration sites in city centres requiring detailed negotiations with key stakeholders, as well as helping clients maximise value from their long-term promotion land. Ryan said: “The south coast has enormous potential across the living sectors. With the new government committing to reforming planning and setting mandatory targets for housing delivery, our region will be a key area for growth and investment over the years to come. I am delighted to join CBRE and be advising clients on their real estate projects at such a key time in the marketplace.” Tej Singh, Head of CBRE Southampton, said: “Ryan brings quality expertise and a unique skill set to our team. With his years of experience, this new service will further expand our offering to clients across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A leading social entrepreneur has called on construction leaders to engage more with young people and communities to ensure they deliver greater social value in the West Midlands. Rosie Ginday MBE, founder of Miss Macaroon, made the rallying call at the ‘Building a Brighter Future’ luncheon held earlier this week in Birmingham, which involved more than 40 experts from the field and representatives from key funders and national agencies like Homes England. It was a clear message to a sector that generates billions for the regional economy and was reinforced by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker via a video address and keynote speakers including Gemma Bourne (Better Society Capital) and Simon Chisholm (Resonance). The event provided a review of the current landscape and how more businesses and local authorities are prioritising social value, giving it the same importance as environmental performance. Leo Pollak, Head of Housing Policy at the West Midlands Combined Authority, also shared ‘the great opportunity for the 12,000 construction businesses in the region to create social value’. Delegates heard how firms can address skills shortages through social impact programmes, such as Miss Macaroon’s All Rise Partnerships – an opportunity to create a bespoke course based on the proven ‘Macaroons that Make a Difference’ concept that has helped hundreds of young people overcome barriers to employment. “It was a really positive event with a real commitment from all attendees to create more social value in the West Midlands,” explained Rosie. “There was some fantastic best practice being shared, with some construction companies already linking the delivery of their social value with their personal KPIs and bonuses, which drives real innovation and engagement.” She went on to add: “We want to get the message out there that being ‘social’ is an opportunity and not a cost to the business and one of the ways we can directly assist is by crafting programmes that will give people – who traditionally have faced barriers to work – the confidence and softer skills needed to consider a career in construction. “We’ve done it for catering, we’ve done it for hotels, and we’re doing it for retail…construction is ready to be the next big adopter.” Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, added his support: “This event is crucial for discussing the importance of young people and the difference investing in young people can make to their lives. “It is a big priority of mine to help them access the skills and the training opportunities they need to get better jobs and build successful careers here in the West Midlands.” Hayley Millar, Social Value Manager at Wates Construction, concluded: “Social value sits in the heart of Wates Construction and all our projects aim to have a positive impact on the communities we work in. “It was lovely to see current social value programmes delivered in the West Midlands, whilst also exploring new ways to reach communities, which is always a good thing.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research has revealed the London boroughs with the biggest share of new-build homes amid a renewed effort to increase housing supply across the capital. Drawing on the latest housebuilding statistics, property experts SBA Property Management have found that East London is leading the way for new-build developments. The research shows that Tower Hamlets has the highest share of new builds in the city, with 7.2% of the borough’s housing constructed in the last five years. The inner London borough is followed by its neighbour, Newham, where 5.5% of homes are new builds. Barking and Dagenham also makes the top five boroughs for new-build property, with 4.1% of homes recently constructed. Collectively, the three East London boroughs account for over a fifth of new-build completions over the last five years. Other new-build hotspots include the outer London boroughs of Ealing and Croydon, where new builds make up 4.3% and 3.8% of housing stock respectively. Tim Darwall-Smith, Director at SBA Property Management, said: “London has been the driving force behind the UK’s housebuilding programme in recent years, with regeneration of the city’s historic East End delivering thousands of affordable new homes to local residents. “The Labour government has pledged up to 400,000 new homes in London over the course of its five-year term, so we can expect construction activity to be scaled even further, with Tower Hamlets and Newham likely to remain critical to this growth.” For prospective buyers looking to get onto the property ladder, London’s new-build hotspots offer some of the lowest house prices in the city. The latest house price index data shows that Barking & Dagenham, Croydon, Newham and Tower Hamlets are among the ten cheapest boroughs for property values. Barking & Dagenham and Croydon offer average property values below £400,000, meaning buyers can secure a new-build home for an initial investment as low as £50,000 with typical deposit costs. Habib Mogul, Director at SBA Property Management, commented: “There are many benefits to investing in new-build property, especially in London where capital growth has historically been more pronounced than the rest of the UK, though some buyers may be unsure whether now is the right time to take the plunge.” “A change in government and the new legislation that often follows will always bring a degree of uncertainty for property investors – Labour’s recent Renters’ Rights Bill is a prime example – so it’s more important than ever to lean on the data and consult with professionals to make the most informed purchasing decision.” To find out more about SBA Property Management’s services, visit: https://sbaproperty.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kadans Science Partner is excited to today announce the official opening of their new state-of-the-art laboratory building MAYDE, 5-10 Brandon Road. Located in King’s Cross, London, MAYDE is the most recent high-specification office and laboratory building to join the world-famous Knowledge Quarter. This new laboratory scheme of 114,000 sq ft includes high-quality good-manufacturing-practices (GMP) pilot plant facilities and is the only space in London offering GMP manufacturing facilities alongside R&D and office space. This includes one floor of fully fitted lab and office space ready to occupy immediately. The building was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours for guests, and speeches from Steve Bates, CEO BioIndustry Association (BIA) and James Sheppard, International Head of Asset Management at Kadans Science Partner. Will Fogden, Senior Development Manager at Kadans said: “We are thrilled to announce the official launch celebration of MAYDE, 5-10 Brandon Road. The space offers a unique opportunity for tenants to expand from R&D into commercialisation all under one roof with GMP manufacturing facilities alongside R&D and office space. It has been an exciting journey to reach this stage from inception all the way through to completion and we look forward to welcoming in new tenants. MAYDE is the first of four buildings within Kadan’s ownership at Tileyard, in King’s Cross providing over 350,000 sq ft of science innovation space. We are excited to continue our expansion and building on this already vibrant Science and Innovation ecosystem.” Construction began in 2022 with the intention of creating a space that boasted a high technical specification. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Solihull Council has joined forces with national developer Muse to lead the transformation of Mell Square, the iconic retail centre at the heart of Solihull. The two parties have formalised a Development Agreement to revitalise Mell Square with new retail options, leisure facilities, public spaces, and up to 1,600 homes. The ambitious plans were unveiled at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May and received Cabinet approval from Councillors last month. This project is a core part of the Solihull Town Centre Masterplan, which sets out a bold vision for growth and investment across the town centre. Muse, known for its high-profile developments like Newcastle Quayside, was selected as the preferred development partner in October 2023. Since then, a series of public consultations have engaged local residents and businesses in shaping the future of Mell Square. The latest round of feedback sessions is underway, offering the community an opportunity to weigh in on the evolving plans. This input will inform a planning application set for submission early next year. Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, remarked, “This partnership marks a crucial step in Mell Square’s transformation. With Muse’s expertise, we’re poised to reinvigorate Solihull’s retail and leisure offerings, support local businesses, and diversify our town centre’s appeal. I’m especially pleased that new housing forms a significant part of the plans, helping us attract more residents and boosting the local economy.” He also highlighted the importance of local input: “Further public engagement sessions are planned this November, giving residents and businesses a direct voice in this exciting redevelopment.” Maggie Grogan, Midlands Managing Director at Muse, added, “Our vision for Mell Square is to create a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood that will meet the changing demands of Solihull’s town centre. Securing this Development Agreement allows us to move forward with community consultations, and we look forward to sharing our innovative plans with residents.” The Mell Square redevelopment marks a new era for Solihull, promising to create a dynamic urban hub for work, leisure, and community living at the heart of the West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK is thrilled to announce the completion of the Peckham Flaxyard project, a mixed-use, residential-led scheme in the heart of Peckham. This milestone marks the successful delivery of a £46.8m development that will significantly benefit the local community. Bouygues UK and Southwark Council celebrated the completion of the scheme on 12 November, chatted to residents and had a tour of the development. The event concluded with an uplifting performance by the brass band from local St. James the Great Primary School. The project, executed in collaboration with Southwark Council has delivered 120 new affordable homes. This includes 96 council homes for social rent – part of Southwark Council’s commitment to tackling the local housing crisis by building thousands of new council homes across the borough – along with 24 shared ownership homes. Additionally, the scheme features disabled car parking, cycle storage for residents, commercial space on the ground floor, and landscaped surrounding areas. Situated near key community amenities such as the library, leisure centre, high street, primary and secondary schools, and existing homes, the project was completed through close collaboration with the local community and key stakeholders. Bouygues UK has contributed over £6m in social value, including over 300 hours of volunteering in the local area and donations of over £40,000 to local charities. In addition the contractor spent more than £10,000 on small local business and helped over 50 local unemployed residents benefit from training and employment sessions. To minimise energy use and related carbon emissions during the construction, Bouygues UK partnered with Gaia to identify, monitor, and reduce power consumption using AI and sensor software. This collaboration successfully reduced our energy use by over 55,000kwh and CO2 emissions by 17 tonnes over the duration of the project. Amine Azidine, Projects Director at Bouygues UK, commented: “We are so proud to have partnered with Southwark Council to deliver this important scheme which will make such a positive difference to the local area and increase the availability of affordable housing.” Ishmel Brady, Project Manager at Peckham Flaxyard, added: “Having grown up in Peckham, it has always been my dream to build something meaningful in the area. This project is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, and I am incredibly proud to see it come to fruition.” Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “We want everyone in Southwark to live in decent, safe and well-maintained homes, and building more affordable homes, especially council homes is at the heart of this ambition. “I’m so proud to be completing these brand new homes for local people, despite all the economic challenges over recent years. There is a housing crisis and it is vital that we continue to build new homes in response. “Located in the heart of Peckham, close to local facilities including schools, the library and leisure centre, this 100% affordable housing development will provide wonderful new homes for local people, and I look forward to celebrating with residents when they start to move in.” The completion of the Peckham Flaxyard project is a significant achievement for both Bouygues UK and Southwark Council, setting a benchmark for future developments aimed at addressing the housing needs of the local community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Persimmon Homes, one of the UK’s foremost housebuilders, has announced a bold expansion in the West Midlands, with plans to deliver 1,200 new homes across the region. This move is a substantial boost to local housing supply and forms a key part of the company’s strategy for long-term growth and investment in the area. In the past six months, Persimmon has secured planning approvals for a series of developments in sought-after locations, including Lichfield, Kenilworth, Redditch, Sandwell, and Burton on Trent. Additional land acquisitions have been finalised in Dunchurch and Bedworth, with another in Wednesbury anticipated by month’s end. Stephen Cleveley, Regional Chairman of Persimmon Homes, commented: “The West Midlands is crucial to our future. We see enormous potential to deliver quality homes in the region, supporting the government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes over the next five years. Our partnerships with Local Authorities and Registered Housing Providers have been central to our success, and we greatly value their collaboration.” The development of these new homes is projected to drive significant economic benefits, bolstering job creation and helping meet the increasing demand for housing in the West Midlands. Persimmon has highlighted the importance of strong partnerships with local authorities and housing associations, which have facilitated planning approvals and enabled the smooth progress of these projects. Supporting this growth is Persimmon’s national timber frame facility in Castle Bromwich, which plays a vital role in producing sustainable building materials. The facility manufactures timber frames, insulated wall panels, and roof components for up to 9,500 homes annually, underscoring the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly, high-quality construction. With this extensive West Midlands project, Persimmon Homes is not only contributing to regional housing supply but also stimulating local economies and supporting job creation. The initiative reinforces the company’s national goals and its long-term commitment to addressing housing needs across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Range is poised to acquire up to 75 Homebase stores as part of a pre-packaged administration deal, potentially saving around 1,500 jobs. Reports from Sky News indicate that administrators are being appointed to facilitate the sale, with The Range set to take over not only the stores but also the Homebase brand and its e-commerce operations. Approximately 1,600 Homebase employees would join The Range under this agreement. This latest move comes after The Range’s acquisition of Wilko last year, following Wilko’s entry into administration. Once appointed, Teneo, the advisory firm managing the sale, is expected to secure buyers for an additional 50 Homebase locations. Interest has reportedly been shown by discount food retailers, DIY competitors, and other high street brands. The deal would mark the end of Homebase’s six-year ownership by Hilco, a retail investor with a history of rescuing troubled brands such as HMV. Prior to Hilco, Homebase was owned by Australia’s Wesfarmers, which implemented a company voluntary arrangement in 2018, leading to store closures and revised lease terms to improve financial stability. Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s reached a £130 million agreement to purchase 10 Homebase stores, converting them into supermarkets. The potential acquisition by The Range could be a lifeline for the embattled homeware retailer, preserving jobs and providing new direction for the Homebase brand under The Range’s management. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work to build HS2’s 700-metre-long Burton Green Tunnel in Warwickshire has reached the halfway mark, with new images and video footage showcasing the latest progress. Once built, the tunnel will carry HS2 trains through the village of Burton Green, near Kenilworth, and will feature a green space above for use by the local community. It is one of five ‘green tunnels’ being built on the project – shallower tunnels which will be finished with trees, plants and shrubs on top, helping them blend into the natural landscape. As well as Burton Green, green tunnels will be constructed at Copthall in Hillingdon, Wendover in Buckinghamshire and Chipping Warden and Greatworth, both in Northamptonshire. Delivered by HS2’s main works civils contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), and designed by Mott MacDonald engineers from the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture (DJV), the Burton Green structure is being constructed using a ‘top down’ construction method which involves building the structure from existing ground level. This includes initially building the side walls and roof of the tunnel, with large openings to ease excavation. The tunnel is then excavated and the tunnel base is constructed. In the last year, work on the tunnel has ramped up and has seen the completion of the 200-metre-long southern portal entrance and a series of underground structural elements, including retaining walls and over 1,300 piles – concrete pillars built underground – using 33,000 cubic metres of concrete in total. An onsite team of 150 people will now focus on the next phase of the build ahead of full completion in Autumn 2026. This includes further tunnel excavation work – with excavated soil being reused as part of wider landscaping plans – and the installation of roof slabs, base slabs and internal structures. Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved the 50% completion mark here at Burton Green Tunnel and to be celebrating this milestone moment. Delivering a complex structure of this scale requires a huge amount of expertise and energy, which is thanks to everyone involved – from onsite engineers and machine operators, to design and support colleagues working behind the scenes.” A key feature of the Burton Green Tunnel for people in the local area is the realignment of the Kenilworth Greenway, which provides a link from Balsall Common to Kenilworth via Burton Green for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. Once construction and landscape work is complete, the Greenway will be restored close to its original alignment, running across the top of the new tunnel. While the railway is being built, HS2 has created a temporary route for the Kenilworth Greenway which starts at the site of the Burton Green Village Hall and then follows the existing field boundaries linking with Berkswell Station in the northwest. Rupert Blake, Project Manager for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “As an engineer, it’s hugely rewarding to lead the delivery of the 700-metre-long Burton Green Tunnel in Warwickshire. This is a fascinating structure both in terms of scale and complexity, but its green characteristics are what really sets this tunnel apart. When it’s complete, the roof will be finished with trees, plants and shrubs, so it blends in seamlessly with the existing landscape.” Tim Akers, Engineering Manager for Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture, said: “We’re extremely proud of the Burton Green Tunnel design, which we’ve been working on and evolving over the past five years, in close collaboration with the local community and other stakeholders. The result is a ‘railway within a landscape’ where the original character of the Kenilworth Greenway and ecological connectivity to the wider landscape are restored.” As construction continues at pace between the West Midlands and London, HS2 now supports more than 31,000 jobs. When complete, Britain’s new high-speed railway will create quicker and more reliable journeys, driving economic growth while crucially freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested part of the existing West Coast Main Line. In recent weeks, HS2 construction progress in the West Midlands has seen work start on the 2,000 underground columns that will support the flagship Birmingham Curzon Street Station, as well as the beginning of foundation work for a new bridge designed to carry HS2 trains under a section of the A38 near Lichfield. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
