A major overhaul of Maidenhead town centre has moved a step closer after councillors approved London developer Areli’s long awaited plans to demolish the outdated Nicholson Centre and replace it with a new high rise mixed use quarter. The hybrid planning application, endorsed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s planning committee, clears the way for 856 new homes spread across buildings up to 20 storeys tall, along with 55 new shops and commercial units. A ten storey car park providing 452 spaces is also included in the proposals. The scheme involves demolishing almost the entire 1960s shopping centre, with only two existing buildings retained. Four new residential towers of 10, 13, 17 and 20 storeys will take its place. Most of the new homes will be one bedroom apartments, with 100 allocated for residents aged over 75. None of the units will be affordable. Designed by architect JTP, the wider Nicholson Quarter masterplan also introduces a new civic plaza intended to act as the town’s central gathering space. The updated approval replaces an earlier consent granted in 2021 and reflects market changes, including a significant reduction in office space and a drop from the previous 25 storey height peak. Final sign off is subject to a Section 106 agreement, which includes contributions towards local car park improvements. Construction is hoped to begin in the first quarter of next year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The historic Nottingham War Rooms is set for a major transformation after a planning application led by developer Langcroft received approval. The project will see the iconic site redeveloped into a vibrant mixed-use community hub, alongside the creation of 104 affordable homes for East Midlands Housing Group (emh), with all design work carried out by Nottingham-based CPMG Architects. Situated close to the city centre, the Grade II-listed wartime bunker has long been regarded as one of Nottingham’s most distinctive heritage landmarks. The approval represents a major step forward for a regeneration scheme that aims to combine heritage preservation with new housing and community-focused spaces. Langcroft was appointed to the project through a Homes England tender in 2022, and the development team has since worked to protect the site’s historic character while maximising its social value for the city. Under the approved plans, the 4,563 sq m bunker will be reimagined as a community hub offering workspace, conference facilities, exhibition areas, flexible commercial units, health and wellbeing amenities, food and beverage spaces and media suites. CPMG Architects will also retain several significant features inside the War Rooms, including original 1950s and 1960s rooms such as the Lamson Tube Room, plant rooms, kitchen areas and the former BBC recording studio, which will be restored. Parmi Uppal MSc from Homes England said: “We are pleased to support this important project, which delivers much-needed affordable housing while preserving a historically significant site. The partnership approach taken by Langcroft, CPMG Architects, EMH Group, Historic England and ourselves has been exemplary, and we look forward to seeing the scheme progress into delivery.” Craig Cameron, land and partnerships at Langcroft, added: “This is an exceptionally proud moment for everyone involved. Delivering 104 affordable homes while bringing the historic War Rooms back to life is exactly the kind of development we believe in one that blends heritage with community benefit. The support and collaboration from emh Group, CPMG, Historic England, Homes England and Owl Homes has been outstanding, and we’re thrilled to reach this milestone together.” Originally engineered to function as a protected stronghold in the event of a nuclear strike, the fortress-like structure will undergo significant modernisation to improve accessibility, introduce new entrances, redesign the roof and enhance natural light throughout the building. Sara Harraway, director and interior design lead at CPMG, said: “The plans for the Nottingham War Rooms and surrounding site showcases how the past and the present can align to create a desirable destination for living, working, wellbeing and leisure; it imbues modern design, inspired by its beautifully brutal architectural canvas, to create sustainable and tangible community facilities. As a design team with our HQ so close to the site, the regeneration of the War Rooms is an incredibly exciting project for us, and we’re really proud to be a part of it.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Willmott Dixon has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator, paving the way for a £136m regeneration of Luton town centre. Known as The Stage, the flagship scheme will be delivered through the Southern Construction Framework and will transform the former Bute Street Shoppers car park into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood. The plans include 292 new homes, ground-floor commercial space, a multi-purpose food and events venue, and a new public garden square designed to act as a focal point for the community. Supported by £20m from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, The Stage is a key component of Luton’s town centre masterplan. The project aims to boost footfall, attract new businesses and create a more welcoming environment for residents, visitors and commuters. Sustainability and placemaking sit at the heart of the design. The development will incorporate photovoltaic panels, upgraded insulation and high-performance building fabric to improve energy efficiency. New landscaped spaces will be structured around sustainable drainage systems and biodiverse planting, helping to manage surface water while enhancing the local environment. Located beside the rail station and bus interchange, The Stage occupies one of the most accessible locations in the town. The scheme is intended to make better use of this gateway site, encouraging sustainable travel and supporting the wider regeneration of the surrounding area. Stewart Brundell, chief operating officer at Willmott Dixon’s construction business, said the project represented exactly the kind of comprehensive town centre renewal needed to revitalise urban areas and deliver long-term benefits for local communities. The Luton scheme adds to Willmott Dixon’s growing portfolio of large-scale regeneration projects, which includes the Queen Mary University School of Business and Management redevelopment, the Barnes Hospital regeneration and Oldham’s 450,000 sq ft Spindles Town Square upgrade. Willmott Dixon will deliver The Stage in partnership with Rider Levett Bucknall and WSP. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major new development at Kensal Canalside has been given the green light by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council. After nearly three hours of debate, councillors voted four to one in favour of granting planning permission for the scheme, which has been brought forward by developer Ballymore in partnership with supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. The plans propose 2,519 new homes, including 500 affordable properties, alongside a community hub, a new supermarket, extensive public green spaces, improved transport links with cycle paths, and an extended bus route. Following the Council’s decision, the application will now be referred to the Mayor of London, a standard procedure for developments of this scale. The Mayor will decide whether to endorse the Council’s approval or call in the application for further consideration. Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, described the decision as a landmark moment for the borough: “This is a major milestone for the borough. We have very little space to build in Kensington and Chelsea and a very high demand for housing, so it’s absolutely crucial that the opportunity is grasped with both hands at Kensal Canalside. I hope it won’t be long before the developer can get on with the job of building over 2,500 much-needed homes, 500 of those will be affordable. It will be a change for the area, but I look forward to it becoming a happy neighbourhood and a new amazing space, offering homes and community for many people in the near future.” Cllr James Husband, Chairman of the Planning Committee, added: “We gave detailed consideration to the application over almost three hours last night. The number of homes is very significant in the context of our borough and in the end the public benefit outweighed the harms. At a vote of four to one, the committee agreed to resolve to grant planning permission.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The founders of luxury lifestyle brand, Nobu Hospitality and Salboy, the national property development and funding company, have gathered to celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of Manchester’s newest skyscraper.  Standing at 246 metres when it is expected to be completed in 2031, the tower will transform the fast-evolving Manchester skyline and bring a fresh new approach to sophisticated living and first-class dining to the city’s residents and visitors. Developed in a partnership between Nobu Hospitality, Salboy and construction firm Domis, the tower will be home to a signature Nobu restaurant (Nobu Manchester), a 160-room luxury hotel (Nobu Hotel Manchester), and 452 branded Nobu residences (Nobu Residences Manchester). Together, these assets will cater to property buyers, locals, and visitors seeking sophisticated living and hospitality experiences in the UK’s fastest-growing city.  The partners have announced that the Nobu restaurant, serving a world-class and endlessly innovative Japanese dining experience, will be situated on the ground floor of the tower, among the site’s original Grade 2 listed, Victorian viaduct arches. The vast brick arches will imbue the space with a strong sense of the city’s industrial heritage, marrying centuries-old architecture with modern cuisines. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened his first restaurant, Matsuhisa, in Los Angeles in 1987. After partnering with actor Robert De Niro, he opened the first Nobu restaurant in New York in 1994 and, since then, has taken his inimitable approach to creating memorable dining experiences in over 50 restaurants worldwide. In 2013, the first Nobu Hotel opened in Las Vegas, paving the way for Chef Nobu, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper to bring Chef Nobu’s famed attention to detail, innovation, and flair to luxury hotels and branded residences.  The Nobu Residences Manchester mark Nobu’s entry into the UK’s luxury real estate market. Not only will the residences on the upper levels be some of the highest apartments and penthouses in Western Europe, but every property will be designed with refined Japanese-inspired interiors, and residences will enjoy premium amenities, including an exclusive swimming pool, a podium garden offering panoramic views over the city, a gym, and access to Nobu dining.  The Salboy and Nobu Hospitality teams are collaborating with award-winning designers, Bowley James Brindley, to develop interiors that uniquely marry Nobu’s commitment to elevated curated living experiences with a strong sense of Manchester’s industrial and cultural heritage as well as its position on the contemporary world stage. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, Nobu Hospitality’s Shareholders, commented: “Breaking ground in Manchester is a defining moment for Nobu in the UK — our first venture beyond London, and the introduction of Nobu Residences to this market. This landmark project — encompassing a hotel, restaurant and residences — marks the debut of Nobu Residences in the United Kingdom. Manchester’s global outlook and dynamic spirit align perfectly with the Nobu brand. We’re proud to bring our signature hospitality, dining and design to the city, and excited to offer both guests and residents an authentic Nobu experience.” Fred Done, Co-founder of Salboy, said: “Ten years ago, Simon Ismail and I founded Salboy with a clear vision: to change Manchester’s skyline. I believe we are doing just that. I’ve been fortunate to experience exceptional cuisine and hospitality around the world, which is why we chose Nobu as our partner to help realise that vision. Best in class, best in creativity, the best of the best. This is our pièce de résistance— exactly what we wanted to bring to Manchester, the city of firsts. This is why it’s so fantastic to welcome Nobu to our wonderful city.”  Simon Ismail, Co-founder and CEO of Salboy, added: “Chef Nobu’s 30-year influence on our culinary tastes can not be understated and I look forward with huge anticipation for the impact he and his team have on Manchester’s established and ambitious dining scene. As a proud Salfordian too, I’m keen to see how Chef Nobu and his team blend local produce and influences from the Northwest’s culinary heritage into the dishes and flavours they are famous for. Beyond the signature restaurant, which will look magnificent under the Victorian arches, being part of Nobu’s journey to extend its leadership in the global luxury hospitality and property markets is an honour. Manchester deserves luxury accommodation to match its growing position on the international stage and the Nobu team has the imagination and track record to make that happen.” The event comes as Domis, a partner on the scheme, has started enabling works on site with intentions to start construction next year. Salboy expects to launch sales for Nobu Residences Manchester by Q2 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London Square has secured planning permission from the London Borough of Merton to convert and extend Wimbledon Bridge House into a mixed-use scheme, unlocking new homes and commercial space in the heart of the town centre. The 1989 office building, acquired by London Square earlier this year, sits opposite Wimbledon station and close to the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Under the approved plans, the developer will reconfigure and sensitively extend the structure to deliver 123 apartments supported by around 27,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace. The ground-floor layout will be upgraded to improve the public realm and create more active frontages at street level, aiming to strengthen the connection between the station, local shops and nearby amenities. The residential element will offer a mix of apartment sizes to meet local demand, with the commercial component expected to accommodate a blend of employment, retail and service uses. By retaining and adapting the existing building rather than pursuing full demolition, the scheme is intended to reduce embodied carbon while bringing an underused asset back into productive use. Subject to approvals from the Building Safety Regulator, London Square anticipates completing the project in 2028. The programme will include façade enhancements, internal re-planning, and upgrades to building services to meet contemporary performance standards for comfort, energy efficiency and accessibility. Chief executive Adam Lawrence said the decision enables a high-quality addition to the townscape at a strategically important location. The scheme is expected to support local jobs through its commercial space and to contribute to Wimbledon’s wider regeneration by increasing footfall and enhancing the station gateway. With permission in place, detailed design and contractor procurement will progress ahead of the main construction phase, setting the stage for a prominent mixed-use destination at one of south west London’s busiest transport interchanges. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Henley Investment Management has announced that Salford City Council has granted approval for the transformative £1.3 billion Regent Park development, set to create a sustainable, mixed-use neighbourhood offering housing, jobs, and community amenities. Located just outside Manchester city centre, the project will redevelop the 130,000 sq ft Regent Retail Park, one of Salford’s designated Local Centres. The scheme will retain substantial retail space while introducing a mix of residential, retail, and community uses to support both day and night-time activity. The new retail offering will include approximately 15 units totalling 86,000 sq ft, accommodating a combination of local independent businesses, high-street brands, and service providers. Henley has confirmed that all existing retailers will be invited to return after redevelopment. Designed by Matt Brook Architects, the masterplan will create a placemaking-led urban quarter across ten buildings delivered in two phases. Certain parts of the centre will remain operational during construction to minimise disruption and maintain services for the local community. The development will provide up to 3,300 new homes, including 660 affordable units, marking Salford’s largest affordable housing initiative in over 50 years. By redeveloping a brownfield site, Regent Park aims to reduce pressure on greenbelt land while delivering high-quality, energy-efficient housing. At the heart of the scheme lies five acres of public open space, including the 3.5-acre West Union Park, children’s play areas, and a village square designed for pop-up events. A dedicated Community Forum will offer a shared space for residents and occupiers, while the green infrastructure will enhance biodiversity and deliver a net environmental gain. Ian Rickwood, Chief Executive of Henley Investment Management, said: “Our approved scheme for Regent Park will deliver a new green and sustainable neighbourhood, a renewed local centre for Salford. Our plans recognise the importance of retail and services for the community, retaining significant enhanced provision that will cater to the needs of local people, while delivering much needed high-quality homes, including a significant proportion of affordable homes, a new park, a village square and community forum. “We look forward to continuing to work with Salford City Council, stakeholders and the local community to deliver our vision.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd (GKRL), in partnership with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC), has submitted a hybrid planning application for St Michael’s Place, a major £200 million regeneration project at the heart of Huyton Village. The scheme aims to transform Huyton Town Centre into a vibrant, mixed-use destination, with proposals including new homes, high-quality commercial space, a 130-bed hotel, and the creation of a central village green alongside significant public realm improvements. The plans also include the development of a community hub on Derby Road and the conversion of the Lathom Road multi-storey car park into a sustainable travel hub, supporting greener transport options. Together, these proposals are expected to attract inward investment, create new jobs, and deliver long-term social and economic benefits for local residents and businesses. The planning submission follows a four-week public consultation held in April and May 2025, which saw more than 5,000 people visit the consultation website and over 80 residents attend in-person events. The consultation process gathered valuable community feedback to refine and shape the plans ahead of submission. According to GKRL, community input has played a crucial role in the final proposal, ensuring the regeneration reflects local priorities and promotes an inclusive, sustainable town centre. Feedback revealed strong public support for increased green space, with residents viewing it as essential for improving the town’s appearance and supporting wellbeing. Participants also welcomed plans for high street revitalisation, expressing a desire for more independent shops, cafés, and restaurants. Concerns around affordable housing and accommodation for older residents were also raised and have been incorporated into the revised plans. If approved, the St Michael’s Place project will mark a significant milestone in Huyton’s regeneration, creating a modern, accessible and community-focused town centre for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals