Metrocentre has entered into an agreement with Gateshead Council to bring forward Metro Riverside, a large-scale mixed-use development set to transform brownfield land along the south bank of the River Tyne. Located around three miles west of Newcastle-Gateshead city centre, the project will regenerate under-utilised land surrounding Metrocentre, creating a new urban neighbourhood comprising up to 4,500 homes alongside improved infrastructure, public spaces and leisure amenities. The scheme is being designed as a walkable, well-connected destination, with a focus on creating compact neighbourhoods that prioritise accessibility and strong links to public transport. The ambition is to establish a high-quality waterfront environment that supports both residential and economic growth. Metro Riverside has been identified as a key housing-led regeneration project within the North East Combined Authority’s Local Growth Plan, as well as forming part of the Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England, aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes across the region. A central element of the development will be the evolution of Metrocentre itself, with plans to reposition the retail destination to better serve the day-to-day needs of a growing local population, while continuing to attract visitors from across the North East. The agreement highlights the importance of long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors in delivering complex regeneration projects at scale. By aligning investment, planning and delivery strategies, the partners aim to unlock a new phase of growth for the area. Martin Healy, chair of Metrocentre, said the scheme demonstrates how coordinated partnerships can drive meaningful change, bringing together investment and local leadership to create a sustainable urban community. The project is expected to deliver a mix of residential, commercial and leisure uses, supporting job creation and long-term economic activity, while reinforcing Metrocentre’s role as a key regional destination. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A key milestone has been reached in the development of Mill Yard in Cambridge, as MY Central – the scheme’s main office building – has officially topped out. The moment was marked by Railpen, development partner Socius and lead contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, who are working together to deliver the £180 million mixed-use campus. Located on Devonshire Road, the Mill Yard scheme will transform a central part of Cambridge into a sustainable new neighbourhood. The finished development will include three office buildings – MY North, South and Central – along with two residential buildings and a nursery, all arranged around a publicly accessible park. MY Central, a five-storey office building at the heart of the site, reached its topping out on Tuesday 10th March. To mark the occasion, members of the project team and local community visited the site and viewed the scheme from the newly completed roof. When complete, the development will provide around 110,000 sq ft of flexible workspace, 70 build-to-rent homes, a 2,100 sq ft nursery, as well as a restaurant, café and bakery, and an outdoor pavilion for community events. The workplaces will overlook landscaped gardens and are designed to support collaboration and innovation. Sustainability is a key priority, with targets including NABERS Design for Performance 5-star and BREEAM Outstanding ratings. All buildings at Mill Yard will be fully electric, powered by a combination of on-site and off-site renewable energy sources. Through its Intelligent Solutions approach and use of the CarboniCa digital tool, Morgan Sindall has reduced environmental impact, diverting 99 per cent of waste from landfill and aiming to achieve an embodied carbon saving of more than 5,000 tonnes. The project also aims for a 280 per cent biodiversity net gain, with features such as bat, bird and bee boxes, green roofs, hedgehog habitats and evergreen planting. In total, the development will offer 1.55 acres of publicly accessible green space, including more than 120 trees and a mix of edible and ornamental planting. The gardens will feature a community pavilion designed by George King Architects, along with a perimeter running track, secure cycle parking and end-of-journey facilities. Mill Yard is due for completion in 2027 and forms part of Railpen’s wider Cambridge innovation cluster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Planning committee approval paves the way for upwards of 2,300 new homes and more than 300,000 sq ft of commercial, community and educational space on London’s Great West Road in Hounslow. A pioneering approach to retrofit and reuse will save more than 34,500 tonnes of embodied carbon in the demolition and construction phases. Hadley Property Group has secured Resolution to Grant for the transformation of 980 Great West Road in Brentford, west London. The decision by the London Borough of Hounslow’s planning committee marks a milestone in delivering one of the UK’s most ambitious reuse-led developments transforming the former GSK House into a new neighbourhood rooted in sustainability, circular economy principles and genuine long-term social value for Brentford. Spanning 13 acres, the approved scheme will deliver 2,324 new homes, including 227 social rent, 90 intermediate, 506 Purpose-Built Student Accommodation and 296 co-living units, alongside 24,000 sqm of commercial space. The development provides 22% affordable housing with a 70/30 split of Social Rent and Intermediate housing and will generate 1,980 permanent jobs. The designs have been developed by a multiple award-winning design team led by Haworth Tompkins, with Studio Egret West, Metropolitan Workshop and DRMM as plot architects, and Turley as planning consultant and Montagu Evans advising on heritage, townscape and visual impact. The project’s pioneering low-carbon strategy retains the basement and substructure, significantly shaping the masterplan — heavily influencing the proposed building heights and locations, while also freeing up the ground floor for active uses. Two key buildings from the original campus, including the high-rise tower, will be retained and adapted, with their reuse being integral to the overall low-carbon approach. Studio Egret West is leading the design of the retained tower, which will contain generously proportioned homes with oversized balconies, large communal areas, shared amenity spaces and a large rooftop conservatory. The new neighbourhood is grounded in a reuse-first strategy — a bold approach that retains embodied carbon, preserves significant existing sub and superstructure, and champions material reuse. It will deliver 61% publicly accessible open space and a 10% biodiversity net gain. Reconnecting the historical island site to Boston Manor Park, the River Brent and Brentford High Street is also key to the site’s placemaking credentials. Alongside their work on the tower, Studio Egret West has designed a generous and accessible landscape that sees more than 60% of the site given over to public realm, including play areas, gardens and riverside access. More than 330,000 sq ft of flexible commercial, retail and community uses will be provided  across the wider masterplan supporting a diverse local economy and providing a platform for education providers, social enterprises, independent businesses and charitable organisations. A collaborative process with the London Borough of Hounslow and the University of West London will see a 200 sqm innovation hub delivered to drive innovation within the emerging Golden Mile district. Over the past 18 months, an extensive co-design process led by Hadley’s in-house team and Haworth Tompkins, supported by Metropolitan Workshop and Neighbourly Lab has engaged hundreds of local residents, community groups and stakeholders, ensuring the proposals reflect local priorities and aspirations. Andy Portlock, CEO of Hadley, said: “Reaching this milestone — the first of many for this project — is down to the way we’ve been able to work with a local authority that is genuinely committed to growth and has a clear strategic vision for one of the most exciting places in London. Alongside a pioneering approach to retrofit at this scale is a very clear commitment to people and place. A broad range of tenures, a new NHS primary care facility, a tech and innovation hub are all part of a new neighbourhood at the heart of the emerging Golden Mile district.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has today [12 March 2026] launched the next round of public consultation on The Croydon Project, its vision to regenerate Croydon town centre and strengthen its role as a key destination in South London. Led by URW The Croydon Project will transform the Whitgift Centre, Centrale and the iconic Allders building, alongside surrounding areas on North End, into a vibrant mixed-use destination with new homes, public spaces, shops, restaurants and leisure uses. The evolving masterplan outlines how Croydon town centre could be transformed into a modern mixed-use destination, combining new homes with a stronger retail, leisure and cultural offer that keeps the town centre active throughout the day and evening. As part of the proposals, the project aims to deliver: The revitalisation of the historic Allders building The latest proposals also respond directly to feedback received during earlier consultations, including calls for greener public spaces, improved accessibility, more cultural and leisure activities, and the protection and reuse of Croydon’s historic buildings. The consultation will give residents, businesses and visitors the opportunity to review the latest masterplan ideas and provide feedback on how the project can best meet the needs of Croydon’s communities. As part of the consultation, the project team will host a series of pop-up events across Croydon where local people can learn more about the proposals and share their views directly with the team. The pop-up events will take place at: (weather dependent) Progress is already underway on the project. New shops and restaurants have opened at Allders Parade, refurbishment of shops along North End is continuing and a planning application for improvements to Centrale was submitted earlier this year. Adam Smith, Strategic Development Director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: “The Croydon Project aims to reimagine Croydon town centre and restore its role as the economic and creative capital of South London. Our ambition is to create a thriving mixed-use destination with new homes, public spaces and a vibrant mix of retail, leisure and cultural activity that reflects Croydon’s energy and creativity. This long-term regeneration will bring new life and investment to the heart of the town centre. Community feedback will remain central, with this next round of consultation giving local people the chance to help shape the evolving masterplan.” Residents and businesses can also view the proposals and provide feedback online at TheCroydonProject.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Manchester City Council has named a partnership led by Aviva and Place Capital Group, supported by Homes England, as its preferred development and investment partner for a £41m mixed‑use regeneration of sites along Moston Lane. The proposals envisage almost 150 new homes, 36% of which would be affordable through a mix of social rent, Manchester Living Rent and Shared Ownership. Provisional plans also feature a new NHS GP health centre, fresh commercial space for shops and the creation of a long‑planned public square set out in the Council’s 2023 Development Framework for Moston Lane. A report to the Council’s Executive on Friday 13 March will seek approval to dispose of the development plots to the partnership to unlock this district‑centre investment. Subject to planning consent, construction could begin next year. To make way for the new square facing Moston Lane, the Council last year acquired land between Pym Street and Hartley Street and concluded a deal to relocate the existing Moston Superstore. The square is intended to host markets and community events and will include seating, lighting, trees and planting to attract visitors and bolster local trade. Around 100 new homes are proposed on vacant plots behind Moston Lane, including apartments suited to key workers and downsizers and family‑friendly 2, 3 and 4‑bedroom townhouses. These would include social and genuinely affordable options such as social rent and Manchester Living Rent, alongside Shared Ownership aimed at local residents and first‑time buyers. A further 45 three‑ and four‑bedroom family houses are planned on land between Watermans Close and Ebsworth Street, helping to meet demand for larger properties in the neighbourhood. Cushman and Wakefield has acted as agent for the Council in marketing and the planned disposal of the 4.2‑acre development opportunity. Since the Moston plans were launched in 2023, the area has seen multi‑million‑pound investment in new social housing, pocket parks and green spaces, junction upgrades, road safety measures, alley‑gating, and action on fly‑tipping and environmental issues. On Moston Lane, improvements to three pocket parks were completed last year, alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub. More than £3m of government grant funding has supported 83 new social and affordable homes for residents in recent years, including 17 Rent to Buy homes at the Moston Campus scheme finished last year. Over 100 additional affordable homes are in the pipeline for Moston in the coming years, on top of those planned within the Moston Lane scheme. Moston will also receive a share of £20m Pride in Place funding over the next decade for community projects and initiatives. The programme aims to make streets safer, strengthen district centres, enhance community spaces and support new events and activities, complementing the Council’s existing neighbourhood improvement plans. Local firms are being supported through direct engagement via the Business Growth Hub so they can benefit from forthcoming opportunities linked to the Council’s investment. To ensure residents and businesses help shape the future of Moston Lane, the Council is setting up the Moston Lane Regeneration Forum, chaired by local councillor Paula Appleby. The group will advise on priorities, guide future investment and work with the appointed developer on the design of the new square and wider public realm. The Moston Lane regeneration sits within the Council’s city‑wide High Street Investment programme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A prominent mixed-use block within London’s so-called ‘Tech Belt’ has changed hands, with Berkeley Homes completing the sale of the retail and leisure element of Goodman’s Fields in Aldgate to an undisclosed purchaser. The 7-acre Goodman’s Fields estate occupies a key position on the eastern fringe of the City of London. In May 2025, Berkeley brought 12 ground-floor commercial units to the investment market, offering a total of 38,717 sq ft of retail and leisure accommodation. At the point of sale, the units were fully let to a diverse mix of occupiers spanning retail, food and beverage, leisure and fitness. Tenants include Amazon Fresh, Pizza Union, Boom Battle Bar, Power-Up Tavern, Kova Patisserie, 12X3 Boxing, Movement Labs, Zia Lucia, DanDan Noodle, Tian Tian Market, Sai Pharmacy and Knife-Sliced Noodles, reflecting the estate’s appeal as a vibrant destination within a high-density urban neighbourhood. The wider Goodman’s Fields development has transformed the former check clearing office site into a substantial mixed-use quarter comprising more than 1 million sq ft of accommodation. The scheme includes over 1,000 homes, a 250-bed hotel and in excess of 600 student beds, alongside landscaped public realm and commercial space. Positioned close to London’s financial district, the area has evolved into a hub for technology and digital businesses, with major firms such as Blockchain, Uber, Lebara, BT, Monzo and Onfido located nearby. The strength of this surrounding occupier base underpins continued investor interest in mixed-use assets that combine residential density with active ground-floor commercial frontage. GCW and CBRE acted on behalf of Berkeley Homes in the transaction, while Knight Frank advised the purchaser. The deal attracted attention across leading property and business media, highlighting sustained demand for well-located, income-producing mixed-use estates in central London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals