Nearly 100 new affordable homes are set to be built across South Wales after housing association Valleys to Coast Group secured a multi-million-pound grant injection, just after launching its ambitious new Corporate Plan. Funding totalling £16.7 million has been allocated to four key residential schemes across the region, securing the
For many industrial businesses, workwear is one of the few operational costs nobody owns end to end. Procurement buys the garments, site managers chase replacements, HR handles starters and leavers, and health and safety signs off on whether any of it is still fit for purpose. Because the spend is
Willmott Dixon is set to lead a major £36 million redevelopment of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, following a decision by Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet to support the contractor’s appointment for the landmark leisure and cultural regeneration project. The proposed £29 million construction contract represents a significant step forward for
Nearly five million leasehold homes could face a significant shake-up in how they are managed following Government proposals to introduce an independent regulator for property agents, as new analysis from residential property management specialist Rushbrook reveals that annual service charges have risen by more than 26% in just one year.
Watkin Jones has reached a significant construction milestone on Skywalks, a new 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, after celebrating the topping out of the scheme being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s principal structural
Natural Power, a leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, has provided technical due diligence to support the successful €220 million refinancing of Valorem’s Project Atlas, a 192 MW portfolio of renewable energy assets across France. The transaction involved the refinancing and legal restructuring of 15 renewable energy assets, comprising eight
Helps fire safety teams prioritise action and investment Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Medway Maritime Hospital, has introduced a new digital system to manage fire safety information and improve its understanding of fire risks across the hospital estate. By taking data from multiple sources, the BIS Lens system created
Robertson Timber Engineering (RTE) has achieved Verified by Cast status, providing independent recognition of the company’s capability, performance and delivery credentials within the modern methods of construction (MMC) sector. Verified by Cast is an independent assessment for organisations operating within the MMC market. Conducted by specialist consultancy Cast, the process
Fresh has secured three shortlist nominations at the YourMagazine Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2026, recognising the company’s contribution to the student accommodation sector and its continued commitment to delivering exceptional resident experiences across the UK and Ireland. The business has been named as one of just 10 finalists for
The future of UK life sciences development could expand beyond the best-known towns and cities as technology changes the market and factors such as access to housing, talent, infrastructure and favourable planning conditions become increasingly important. London, Cambridge and Oxford remain the UK’s three strongest locations for life sciences development,
Nearly 100 new affordable homes are set to be built across South Wales after housing association Valleys to Coast Group secured a multi-million-pound grant injection, just after launching its ambitious new Corporate Plan. Funding totalling £16.7 million has been allocated to four key residential schemes across the region, securing the delivery of 98 brand-new properties to ease local housing pressures. The bulk of the work will begin this autumn, with handover of many of the homes expected as early as 2027. Fast-track relief for house hunters The largest chunk of the funding boost will go towards a major acquisition in Llanilid, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, where £6.6 million in grant support has unlocked 42 “off-the-shelf” homes. Because these units are being acquired turnkey, local families won’t have to wait years for key handover. Work on the scheme begins this autumn, with the first residents expected to move in between October 2026 and January 2027. James Griffiths, Managing Director of Development & Regeneration at Valleys to Coast Group, said: “Coming off the back of launching our Corporate Plan 2026–2031, securing this £16.7 million allocation shows that our growth ambitions are already delivering tangible results for South Wales. “Through our development arm, Sylfaen, we are taking a development-led approach to transform disused land into high-quality, net-zero carbon homes. Whether it’s rapidly handing over turnkey homes at Llanilid or regenerating iconic local sites like the Old Drill Hall and City Farm, these 98 properties represent our strategy in action, building safe, warm homes that provide the foundation for communities to thrive for generations.” Transforming historic and community land The funding allocation also paves the way for the regeneration of well-known community sites, turning disused land into much-needed residential space: Delivering on growth ambitions The £16.7 million funding allocation directly aligns with Valleys to Coast’s Group Corporate Plan 2026–2031, which sets out a strategic vision to scale up housing delivery, expand development across the M4 corridor, and invest in resilient, net-zero communities. By leveraging its group structure, including its development company Sylfaen, the housing association is shifting towards a development-led approach to maximise its impact across South Wales. Key Breakdown: The £16.7m Funding Allocation Scheme Name Number of Homes Grant Allocation Construction Start Forecast Handover Llanilid (Off the Shelf) 42 £6,600,000 Autumn 2026 Oct 2026 – Jan 2027 City Farm 23 £3,700,000 Nov / Dec Spring 2028 Old Drill Hall 18 £3,400,000 Started in 2026 Spring 2028 Ewenny Road (Phase 1) 15 £3,000,000 Started in 2026 Starting 2027 Total 98 £16,700,000 — — The confirmed funding ensures that 98 families across South Wales will have access to high-quality, affordable housing over the next two years. Valleys to Coast provides over 6,000 affordable homes across Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf, alongside a portfolio of commercial properties and leasehold flats. It was established in 2003 as the first large-scale voluntary transfer of council-owned homes to a social housing association in Wales. Last year, it published its growth plans, with five new strategies driven by increasing customer and colleague satisfaction. For further information, visit www.valleystocoast.wales. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
For many industrial businesses, workwear is one of the few operational costs nobody owns end to end. Procurement buys the garments, site managers chase replacements, HR handles starters and leavers, and health and safety signs off on whether any of it is still fit for purpose. Because the spend is spread across budgets, it rarely gets the needed scrutiny. That is starting to change. Finance and operations leaders are looking again at rented workwear with an integrated laundry service, not as a convenience but as a way to turn a scattered, partly invisible cost into a single managed line with clear accountability. The argument for doing so rests less on the price of a jacket and more on what happens to that jacket over the following two or three years. The purchase price is the smallest part of the cost When a business buys workwear outright, the invoice captures only the first transaction. The costs that follow tend to sit elsewhere: stock held in stores cupboards and vans, garments issued to staff who leave within months, emergency orders when sizes run out, and the management time spent tracking who has what, those secondary costs can easily exceed the original outlay. Garment rental can streamline the way of spending. Garments are supplied, collected, cleaned, repaired and replaced under one agreement, usually priced per wearer per week, via a managed industrial workwear rental service. Stock levels flex with headcount, so a seasonal ramp-up or a contract loss does not leave a business sitting on boxes of branded kit it cannot use. For a finance director, the practical gain is predictability: a known weekly cost that scales with the workforce, in place of irregular capital purchases and a long tail of untracked replacement spend. There is a cash flow point too. Moving workwear from periodic bulk purchasing to an operating cost frees working capital, which matters more in a higher interest rate environment than it did a few years ago. Compliance is a maintenance obligation, not a purchasing one Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers must not only provide suitable PPE but keep it in efficient working order and good repair. Since the 2022 amendment, that duty extends to limb workers as well as employees, which brought many agency and casual staff into scope. Buying compliant garments satisfies the first part of the duty. It does nothing to prove the second. This is where ownership models struggle. High-visibility clothing certified to EN ISO 20471 loses performance as fluorescent material fades and retroreflective tape degrades with washing. Flame-retardant garments to EN ISO 11612 and anti-static workwear to EN 1149 can be compromised by the wrong detergents or temperatures. Once garments go home with staff, the employer has no reliable way of knowing how they are being cleaned or when they have passed the point of protection. A managed rental service closes that gap. Each garment is inspected on every laundry cycle and repaired or withdrawn when it falls below standard, with its history tracked against the wearer it was issued to. For a board that has to answer for health and safety performance, the value is an auditable record showing that protective clothing was maintained, which is far easier to defend after an incident than a purchase order from two years earlier. Why home washing is a risk you are already carrying In sectors handling oils, solvents, metal particulates or chemical residues, sending contaminated workwear home increases unnecessary exposure beyond the workplace. Residues transfer to domestic washing machines and other household laundry, and the employer has little visibility of it. Some businesses accept this risk without ever having assessed it formally. Industrial laundering is designed for soiling that domestic machines cannot shift. Wash programmes are matched to the fabric and the contaminant, water and chemical dosing is controlled, and wastewater from oily or heavily soiled loads is treated before discharge. The result is cleaner garments that last longer, and a clear separation between what happens on site and what happens at home. There is also a hygiene and presentation dimension that matters in food production, pharmaceuticals and any customer-facing industrial role. Consistent, professionally laundered workwear supports audit requirements in regulated environments, and it reflects well on a business when staff are on client premises. Sustainability reporting is pushing workwear onto the agenda As more businesses report on Scope 3 emissions and face sustainability questions in tenders, textiles have become harder to ignore. Owned workwear typically follows a linear path: bought, worn, washed inefficiently at home, then binned when it no longer fits or looks presentable. Branded garments in particular are rarely reused, because they cannot be passed to another organisation. A circular rental model is built around extending garment life. Repairs are routine rather than exceptional, and garments returned by leavers are reissued after cleaning and inspection. When an item genuinely reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled or downcycled instead of going to landfill. Industrial laundries also use considerably less water and energy per kilogram than domestic washing, and the better providers can supply data to support that claim. For executives, the useful question to put to any provider is what reporting they can give you. Garment lifespan, repair rates, laundry resource use and end-of-life handling are all measurable, and having those figures to hand makes sustainability disclosures and tender responses considerably more credible. What to scrutinise before signing Not every rental agreement delivers the benefits above, and the detail of the contract matters more than the headline weekly rate. Decision makers comparing providers should press on the following. The providers worth shortlisting are those willing to carry out a site survey and wearer audit first, so that pricing reflects how your workforce actually uses its clothing rather than a generic package. Treating workwear as a managed service The shift towards rental and laundry services reflects a broader change in how industrial businesses think about non-core operations. Few would now choose to run their own
Willmott Dixon is set to lead a major £36 million redevelopment of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, following a decision by Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet to support the contractor’s appointment for the landmark leisure and cultural regeneration project. The proposed £29 million construction contract represents a significant step forward for the transformation of the popular arts venue on Eastern Lane, with preliminary works targeted to begin in November, subject to final funding approval. The project will deliver a comprehensive redesign of the existing theatre, creating a modern, accessible cultural destination incorporating improved performance facilities, cinema screens, hospitality spaces and community amenities. Central to the redevelopment is a reconfiguration of the building’s internal layout, bringing the main theatre, café bar and dining facilities together on a single level. The new arrangement is designed to improve accessibility, enhance visitor circulation and take greater advantage of the venue’s prominent position overlooking the River Tweed. The lower floors will undergo substantial remodelling to accommodate a main cinema auditorium alongside a smaller boutique cinema screen, with direct access from Shoe Lane. Additional facilities will include a dedicated rehearsal room, meeting space and new public areas positioned above the principal theatre level. The improvements are intended to strengthen the Maltings’ position as a leading cultural and entertainment destination in Northumberland, supporting the town’s wider visitor economy while providing more flexible facilities for performances, film screenings and community activities. However, the redevelopment remains subject to final financial approval after the overall project budget increased by £7.7 million to £36 million. Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to accept £28.5 million in funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, alongside a further £2 million allocation from the authority’s strategic regeneration budget. A request for an additional £2.6 million in borrowing will now require approval from the full council before the project can proceed. The contractor appointment is also subject to the council’s call-in process. The revised budget incorporates the provision of temporary facilities at Berwick Barracks, allowing the Maltings to continue delivering cultural activities and performances while its existing building undergoes redevelopment. Subject to the remaining approvals, preliminary construction activities are expected to commence in November, with the principal building works scheduled to begin in the new year. The transformed Maltings Theatre is currently programmed to reopen in spring 2029. Beyond the construction investment, the scheme represents an important element of Berwick’s ongoing regeneration ambitions, combining cultural infrastructure with hospitality, entertainment and improved public accessibility. The redevelopment also highlights the role that investment in established arts and leisure buildings can play in revitalising town centres, attracting visitors and supporting local businesses. For Willmott Dixon, the anticipated appointment would add another significant public sector leisure and cultural project to its construction portfolio, delivering a modernised venue designed to serve residents, performers and visitors for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly five million leasehold homes could face a significant shake-up in how they are managed following Government proposals to introduce an independent regulator for property agents, as new analysis from residential property management specialist Rushbrook reveals that annual service charges have risen by more than 26% in just one year. The proposed reforms would place estate agents, residential managing agents and estate managers under greater regulatory scrutiny, with additional measures being considered to tackle excessive administration fees and strengthen financial transparency across the leasehold sector. Rushbrook has welcomed the proposals, arguing that the growing sums of money handled by managing agents make stronger professional standards and greater accountability increasingly important. The announcement comes as Rushbrook’s analysis of the latest Government figures reveals approximately 4.902 million leasehold dwellings in England, including 4.633 million within the private sector. Almost 1.911 million are privately rented properties, representing 39% of all leasehold dwellings, while flats account for 82.4% of the total. These figures demonstrate the potential impact of greater regulation on landlords, managing agents, residential property investors and the wider block management sector. The growing financial responsibility placed on managing agents is particularly evident in rising service charges. Rushbrook’s analysis of Government data shows that the average annual service charge paid by owner-occupier leaseholders reached £2,169 in 2024–25, representing a 26.2% increase on the previous year. Over five years, average annual service charges have risen by 33.4%, reflecting increasing expenditure associated with maintaining and operating residential buildings. Ground rents have also increased, with average annual payments among owner-occupier leaseholders rising from £235 in 2023–24 to £315 in 2024–25, an increase of 34.3%. While these figures highlight growing financial pressures, Rushbrook emphasises that higher charges do not automatically indicate poor management. Inflation, maintenance expenditure and the wider costs associated with operating residential properties have all placed pressure on budgets. Nevertheless, the scale of expenditure reinforces the need for transparent service charge administration, effective financial planning and clear communication between managing agents, landlords and residents. The Government’s proposed reforms also seek to address additional administration fees, which can vary considerably depending on the managing agent and the service required. Published fee schedules examined by Rushbrook reveal charges of £50 to £60 for permission to keep pets, £60 to £150 for alterations consent and £100 to £250 for management information or LPE1 sales packs. Other examples include remortgage administration fees of £80 to £150, notices of transfer costing £80 to £100 and certificates of compliance ranging from £120 to £150. Roma Sharma, Managing Director of Rushbrook, believes stronger regulation represents an opportunity to reinforce confidence in the residential management profession. “Property managers are entrusted with people’s homes and increasingly substantial sums of their money, so it’s only right that professional standards keep pace with that responsibility,” she said. Sharma acknowledged that inflation and rising property maintenance costs have contributed to higher charges, but stressed that fees must remain fair, transparent and justifiable. She added that reputable operators should welcome greater scrutiny, particularly given the significant number of privately rented properties operating within the leasehold sector. For residential management companies, the proposed changes underline the growing importance of professional competence, financial accountability and consistent service delivery. As the management of residential buildings becomes increasingly complex, the ability to demonstrate value, maintain properties effectively and provide transparent financial information will remain central to building confidence among leaseholders, landlords and investors. With almost five million leasehold homes potentially affected, the proposed reforms could mark an important turning point in the professionalisation of UK residential property and block management. Data tables and sources Government leasehold dwelling estimates show 4.902m leasehold dwellings across all tenures, of which 4.633m are within the private sector. The private rented sector accounts for 1.911m leasehold dwellings, comprising 337,000 houses and 1.574m flats. GOV.UK – Leasehold dwellings 2024 to 2025 Government English Housing Survey data was used for average annual ground rents and service charges paid by owner-occupier leaseholders. GOV.UK – English Housing Survey data on leaseholders Example administrative charges were taken from published fee schedules. Hastoe – Administrative fees Jigsaw Homes – Additional administration fees for leaseholders Enfield Council – Leasehold administration chargesView the full data tables and sources online here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones has reached a significant construction milestone on Skywalks, a new 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, after celebrating the topping out of the scheme being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s principal structural phase, bringing the project another step closer to delivering much-needed student accommodation within Bristol’s rapidly evolving Temple Quarter regeneration district. Comprising four interconnected buildings, Skywalks will provide a mixture of ensuite cluster apartments and self-contained studios, designed to accommodate the changing requirements of students seeking modern, well-connected accommodation. The development is positioned to help address the continued shortage of dedicated student housing in Bristol, where demand remains strong and the delivery of new accommodation is an important consideration for the city’s expanding higher education sector. Once completed, the scheme will be operated by Host Students, the student accommodation management business of Tiger Developments, providing professionally managed accommodation within one of Bristol’s most strategically important regeneration locations. Situated within the wider Temple Quarter regeneration area, Skywalks forms part of the ongoing transformation of a substantial section of the city, where investment in residential, commercial and supporting infrastructure is helping establish a more connected urban environment. The development also reflects the growing importance of sustainability in the design and construction of new student accommodation, with increasingly demanding environmental performance expectations influencing investment and development decisions across the PBSA market. Skywalks is targeting an EPC A rating alongside BREEAM Excellent certification, demonstrating the project team’s commitment to delivering energy-efficient buildings with reduced operational environmental impacts. A range of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure connections will be incorporated into the scheme, including rooftop photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity. The development will also connect to Bristol’s district heating network, providing an alternative to conventional individual building heating systems and supporting the city’s wider ambitions to reduce carbon emissions. These measures are intended to improve long-term building performance while supporting more efficient operation and management throughout the development’s lifecycle. For investors and developers operating within the PBSA sector, energy efficiency and environmental credentials have become increasingly important considerations, particularly as operators seek to balance sustainability commitments with the long-term costs of managing student residential buildings. The topping out ceremony brought together representatives from Watkin Jones, Moorfield Group, Tiger Developments and key project partners to recognise the progress achieved and the contribution of those involved in delivering the development. The event also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the construction teams responsible for bringing the four-building scheme through a major stage of its delivery programme. With the principal structural works reaching completion, attention will increasingly turn towards the remaining construction activities, building services installations, internal fit-out and the completion of the accommodation and communal areas. Skywalks adds to the pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation being delivered in major UK university cities, where the availability of high-quality student housing continues to influence development and investment strategies. For Bristol, the project represents another addition to the Temple Quarter regeneration programme, combining new residential accommodation with sustainable building design and investment in an increasingly important part of the city. The development highlights the continued role of specialist contractors, developers and institutional investment partners in delivering modern student accommodation that supports university communities while contributing to the wider regeneration of urban centres. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Natural Power, a leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, has provided technical due diligence to support the successful €220 million refinancing of Valorem’s Project Atlas, a 192 MW portfolio of renewable energy assets across France. The transaction involved the refinancing and legal restructuring of 15 renewable energy assets, comprising eight onshore wind farms, six operational solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and a battery energy storage project. Natural Power was appointed as technical advisor to the lenders, undertaking comprehensive technical due diligence across the portfolio. Its assessment covered asset technologies, operational performance, grid connections, electricity offtake arrangements, operations and maintenance contracts, asset management agreements and the technical assumptions underpinning the financial model. Axelle Foix, Principal Due Diligence Advisor at Natural Power, said: “Project Atlas is a significant transaction involving a diverse portfolio of renewable energy technologies. Our role was to provide the lenders with a comprehensive and independent technical assessment, examining operational performance, contractual frameworks, energy yield and long-term asset considerations. “By drawing on our multidisciplinary expertise across wind, solar and battery storage, we delivered the detailed technical insight needed to support the refinancing process. “We’re delighted to have contributed to this important transaction, which strengthens Valorem’s ability to invest in future renewable energy projects and supports the continued growth of clean energy infrastructure in France.” Gauthier Leibenguth, Project Finance & Investment Manager, said: “We would like to thank the Natural Power team for its key role as technical advisor on the ATLAS portfolio. “Mobilising a broad team across multiple asset technologies while meeting tight timeline constraints was essential to this deal. Natural Power’s deep familiarity with our wind assets, built through previous standalone financing audits, combined with strong reactivity and a collaborative approach, was key to keeping the transaction on schedule.” The transaction demonstrates Natural Power’s ability to deliver multidisciplinary technical advisory services for complex renewable energy portfolios, supporting lenders, investors and asset owners throughout the financing and refinancing process. More here: www.naturalpower.com/uk/expertise/service/advisory/due-diligence Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Helps fire safety teams prioritise action and investment Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Medway Maritime Hospital, has introduced a new digital system to manage fire safety information and improve its understanding of fire risks across the hospital estate. By taking data from multiple sources, the BIS Lens system created by data experts BIS Consult, provides the Trust’s Fire Safety Group with a new strategic tool designed to bring together and analyse fire risk assessment information centrally, in a digital format. In one example, using the tool to examine fire assessments collectively revealed how a single, estate-wide approach to cabling issues would be more cost effective than several individual repairs. Medway NHS Foundation Trust is a single-site hospital Trust based in Gillingham, Kent serving more than 427,000 people across Medway and Swale. Neil McElduff, Director of Estates and Facilities for the Trust, said: “The new system is a significant step in our shift towards digital. It underpins the strategic direction of fire safety management and will help maintain a safe environment across our hospital. The work to date shows the system’s potential to drive similar insights for other critical areas of risk and compliance across the Trust.” New insights generated from interactive dashboards will support fire safety review meetings and help guide the Trust’s investment decisions by making it easier to identify priority risks, outstanding actions and recurring themes across the whole estate, such as further fire risk assessments, fire door replacement or new evacuation plans. Like many NHS estates, the Trust’s fire safety information was previously held across numerous separate records and documents, making it difficult to analyse information collectively. Jason Brittin, Capital Projects/Programme Manager for the Trust, who led the project, said: “The BIS Consult solution has demonstrated how we can transform the way we manage fire safety information across our hospital estate. The improved visibility of risk will help our fire safety and estates teams prioritise action, support regulatory compliance and make more efficient investment decisions.” The new structured digital approach supports NHS guidance for managing fire safety, including HTM 05-03, which explains how NHS organisations should assess fire risk and HTM 05-01, which provides the wider framework for managing fire safety across healthcare buildings. It also supports the ‘Golden thread’ principle of keeping accurate and accessible fire safety information available throughout the life of a building. BIS Consult has previously worked on similar risk management systems for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Airedale General Hospital, tackling asset condition, asbestos and RAAC. Nick Campbell-Voegt, Managing Director of BIS Consult, said: “The digital tool enables Medway NHS Foundation Trust to take a more connected, data-driven approach to risk reduction. By developing a single source of truth, it gives teams clearer priorities and ultimately helps create safer hospitals. Other areas of NHS estate risk can benefit from the same method, including water safety and structural condition of buildings or other assets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Robertson Timber Engineering (RTE) has achieved Verified by Cast status, providing independent recognition of the company’s capability, performance and delivery credentials within the modern methods of construction (MMC) sector. Verified by Cast is an independent assessment for organisations operating within the MMC market. Conducted by specialist consultancy Cast, the process reviews evidence across three core areas: company performance, product and system accreditation, and customer satisfaction, providing confidence that organisations have demonstrated industry leading capability and credentials. The verification reflects the established track record of RTE, the recognised quality and safety standards of the company, and its commitment to delivering high levels of customer service throughout the construction process. For more than 30 years, RTE has designed, manufactured and erected precision-engineered timber frame structures across the UK. Operating from its manufacturing facility in Elgin, the company combines specialist expertise with advanced digital design and manufacturing technologies to deliver timber frame and mass timber solutions for residential and commercial developments nationwide. The verification process assessed evidence relating to organisational performance, product and system accreditation, and customer satisfaction. RTE demonstrated established management systems, quality assurance processes and a strong track record of project delivery, supported by recognised industry certifications and accreditations including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, BOPAS accreditation, Constructionline Gold membership, CATG. CHAS Elite accreditation and robust supply chain assurance processes. The off-site manufacturing approach of RTE helps customers improve cost certainty, reduce waste and increase programme efficiency, while supporting more sustainable construction methods and helping to address skills shortages across the industry. Alongside timber frame solutions, RTE provides mass timber products including CLT (cross-laminated timber) and Glulam (glued laminated timber), supporting growing demand for lower-carbon construction solutions. Timber frame construction can save around five tonnes of CO₂ per home compared with traditional masonry construction. Mike Turner, Managing Director, Robertson Timber Engineering, said: “Achieving Verified by Cast status provides independent recognition of the expertise, capability and standards that underpin our work. “The assessment reflects the strength of our people, the quality of our manufacturing and delivery processes, and our commitment to supporting customers throughout the project lifecycle. “It reinforces for customers, partners and specifiers our ability to deliver high-quality timber engineering solutions, while demonstrating the evidence, experience and credentials behind our approach to modern methods of construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fresh has secured three shortlist nominations at the YourMagazine Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2026, recognising the company’s contribution to the student accommodation sector and its continued commitment to delivering exceptional resident experiences across the UK and Ireland. The business has been named as one of just 10 finalists for Best Student Housing Operator, while two Liverpool schemes managed by Fresh have both been shortlisted in the Best Student Accommodation Development category, where Benson Yard and Calico are among just nine finalists competing for the award. The prestigious awards celebrate excellence across Liverpool City Region’s property and business sectors, recognising the organisations, developments and individuals helping to shape the region’s continued growth and success. The awards ceremony will take place at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool & Rum Warehouse on Wednesday 25 November, bringing together leaders from across the property, development, construction and business communities to celebrate another year of achievement. The triple shortlist recognition highlights Fresh’s growing impact within Liverpool’s student accommodation market. The nominations for Benson Yard and Calico acknowledge two standout student communities that have strengthened the city’s accommodation offer, while the Best Student Housing Operator nomination reflects Fresh’s wider commitment to creating vibrant communities, delivering outstanding customer experiences and driving operational excellence. Located in the heart of Liverpool, Benson Yard provides more than 400 student beds in a modern, community-focused environment designed to support both academic success and student wellbeing. The property currently holds a 4.26 out of 5 rating on StudentCrowd, reflecting positive resident feedback and satisfaction. Meanwhile, Calico offers more than 730 student beds, making it one of Liverpool’s largest purpose-built student accommodation communities. Designed around communal living, resident wellbeing and premium amenities, the property currently holds a 4.51 out of 5 rating on StudentCrowd. Together, the two developments demonstrate Fresh’s approach to student living, combining high-quality accommodation with engaging resident experiences, dedicated support and opportunities for students to build meaningful connections throughout their university journey. With Liverpool continuing to attract tens of thousands of students each year, the provision of high-quality accommodation remains a vital part of supporting the city’s higher education sector and wider economy. The shortlist recognition highlights the important role purpose-built student accommodation plays in helping students thrive while contributing to Liverpool’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading university destinations. Fresh is a leading student accommodation operator and management platform, creating communities that people genuinely want to call home. Operating in more than 55 locations across the UK and Ireland, the business provides students with a wide range of accommodation options, including en suite rooms, studios and shared apartments, supported by dedicated onsite teams and resident-first services. Lindsey Cullen, Operations Director at Fresh, said: “To receive three shortlist nominations is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. Liverpool is an incredibly important city for Fresh, and we’re proud to play a role in delivering accommodation and communities that help students feel supported, connected and able to succeed during their time at university.” “Being named one of only 10 finalists for Best Student Housing Operator, alongside seeing both Benson Yard and Calico recognised among just nine shortlisted developments, is something we’re extremely proud of. The nominations reflect the hard work, passion and expertise of our teams, who go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for our residents every day.” “The recognition for Benson Yard and Calico highlights the quality of the student communities we’ve helped create in Liverpool, while the operator nomination acknowledges our wider commitment to delivering outstanding service, wellbeing support and vibrant communities across our portfolio.” The nominations add to a strong year for Fresh as the business continues to invest in innovative resident experiences, operational excellence and best-in-class accommodation across its portfolio. Organised by YM Liverpool, the Liverpool Property & Business Awards celebrate excellence across the region’s property, construction, development and professional services sectors. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on 25 November 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The future of UK life sciences development could expand beyond the best-known towns and cities as technology changes the market and factors such as access to housing, talent, infrastructure and favourable planning conditions become increasingly important. London, Cambridge and Oxford remain the UK’s three strongest locations for life sciences development, but other areas show growing potential. Within the life sciences ‘Golden Triangle’ in the south of England, Stevenage, Luton, Milton Keynes and Slough all rank within the top 20 places in the Alchemy Towns Index. Like London, Oxford and Cambridge, these places benefit from proximity to the UK’s largest concentration of life sciences anchors, investors, universities and hospitals. But the data analysed for the Alchemy Towns Index indicates that these areas’ other advantages, for example, the affordability and availability of housing for life sciences staff, or these areas’ impressive digital infrastructure, suggest they have the potential to support more intensive life sciences development. The findings come from the new Alchemy Towns Index, produced by built world communications and research consultancy ING and commissioned by construction and civil engineering company McLaughlin & Harvey. The Index ranks 40 UK towns and cities by eight conditions that can support future life sciences development. These include housing availability and affordability, catchment for talent, digital infrastructure, and the efficiency of the local planning regime. Beyond lab take-up: the wider ingredients underpinning life sciences growth Recent market uncertainty has prompted questions about the outlook for UK life sciences property, as occupiers take longer to commit and investors apply greater scrutiny to new schemes. The Alchemy Towns Index finds that current laboratory activity and take-up offer only part of the picture. Future growth also depends on whether a place can provide access to talent, suitable housing, digital infrastructure, an effective planning system and commercially viable property. At the same time, changing occupier requirements could widen the range of locations able to support life sciences growth. AI-led research, robotics, advanced manufacturing and dry-lab uses are increasing demand for flexible, digitally capable space alongside traditional wet laboratories. Alan Mackenzie, Lead for Life Sciences and Commercial at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “The UK’s leading life sciences locations remain world-class, but scientific excellence will not be enough on its own to determine where the sector grows next. Places that can combine talent with homes, infrastructure and viable development opportunities are ideally placed to accommodate growing businesses and attract investment.” The research was informed by a roundtable discussion about the future of life sciences development with contributions from leading experts across the UK. Andy Williams, Chair of the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, said: “We welcome research that looks at the wider conditions needed to support growth across the Oxford-Cambridge region. Cambridge and Oxford hold extraordinary concentrations of scientific and commercial expertise. Stronger links between them, and the towns around them, can help growing businesses access mentors, skills, infrastructure and investment across a much larger area, while allowing more places to share in the region’s growth.” Natalia Gospodinova, Associate Director at Linesight, said: “Location strategies are becoming increasingly important, with organisations looking beyond cost alone to assess long-term growth potential. Access to skilled talent, supportive local policies, and a business environment that encourages investment are key considerations. The most attractive locations also offer a strong return on investment, the capacity to scale, a smooth and predictable planning process, reliable utility infrastructure, and the availability of suitable land and development sites.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals