Ambitious plans to transform Wythenshawe town centre are accelerating, as Muse submits proposals for a brand-new food hall as part of its £500 million regeneration programme. The proposed food hall forms part of a wider vision to revitalise Wythenshawe Civic Shopping Centre in Manchester, alongside the development of a £32 million Culture Hub currently under construction by Kier. Joel Chandler, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said the project is progressing at speed to deliver the renewal the town centre deserves. He explained that the food hall is set to become a lively destination, showcasing a diverse mix of local food and drink operators. Designed as a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike, it will provide new opportunities for people to gather, socialise and enjoy the town centre — while also giving a significant boost to Wythenshawe’s evening economy. Muse has already begun discussions with prospective vendors, following positive engagement with the local community about the types of cuisine they would like to see represented. The goal is to create an inclusive offering that reflects the tastes of local people and celebrates the very best of Wythenshawe. In addition, Muse has submitted three separate planning applications to deliver 422 new affordable homes for social rent across three town centre locations. This initial phase forms part of a long-term masterplan that will see up to 2,000 new homes built over the next 10 to 15 years, reshaping Wythenshawe into a thriving, modern neighbourhood fit for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ambitious designs to revitalise Mersey Square and the neighbouring Bear Pit have been revealed, marking the first comprehensive makeover in generations and setting out a plan to create a lively, welcoming focal point in Stockport’s town centre. The proposals represent the next phase of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration, building on momentum already transforming the borough. They aim to cement Mersey Square as a place for residents, families and visitors to meet, relax, walk, play and enjoy events year-round. The scheme envisages a greener, safer, people-first square featuring high-quality public realm, a new play space in the Bear Pit, additional planting, premium materials and enhanced walking and cycling links connecting the Interchange, Merseyway, the Underbanks and the wider town centre. A centrepiece of the plans is the sensitive reworking of the Bear Pit, a distinctive local landmark. Once a 19th-century amphitheatre that hosted bear fighting, it will be reimagined as a key gathering point that keeps its character while improving safety, accessibility, greenery and everyday use. The redesign seeks to: Funding is provided by Transport for Greater Manchester and United Utilities, ringfenced to deliver this new look for Stockport. Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Housing, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for Stockport. Mersey Square sits at the heart of our town centre and acts as the gateway for so many people arriving from our award-winning interchange and these plans will turn it into a space that truly reflects the pride, ambition and creativity of our borough. The Bear Pit is a landmark that means so much to our community, and this transformation will honour that heritage while creating a vibrant, modern space where people want to spend time. This is Stockport continuing to move boldly forward.” Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services, said: “These proposals show just how ambitious we are for our town. Mersey Square will become greener, safer and far more enjoyable for everyone – families, businesses, visitors and residents alike. The improvements to walking and cycling routes will make moving through the town centre easier than ever. The work will complement our award-winning spiral ramp that links the town centre to the train station while it will create a further access point for the Trans Pennine Trail and the recently announced Mersey Valley Way.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major £500m mixed-use regeneration project close to London’s King’s Cross knowledge quarter has been given the green light, paving the way for hundreds of new homes and substantial employment space. The development, led by Camden Council in partnership with Ballymore and Lateral, will transform a complex site at Camley Street, bordered by railway lines and split by a major road. Delivered through the Council’s Community Investment Programme, the scheme is being positioned as a model for how local authorities can unlock challenging inner-city locations. Planning approval covers the unification of two brownfield sites to provide 401 new homes alongside more than 350,000 sq ft of office and employment space. Around half of the homes will be classed as genuinely affordable. The scheme will be built across six buildings ranging in height from eight to 30 storeys. Site A will be led by Camden as developer and will feature three interconnected mixed-use residential blocks, designed in terracotta and red brick, rising between eight and 13 storeys. Site B will accommodate a 30-storey residential tower, a 12-storey commercial building, and an eight-storey mixed-use block with homes above ground-floor commercial space. Under the agreed structure, Camden is providing the land on a long leasehold basis to the joint venture. While Ballymore will oversee demolition works on Site B, the Council will initially fund these works, with costs later reimbursed through partner contributions and the first land receipt payment. More than 200 private-sale homes delivered by Ballymore will generate capital receipts, which Camden plans to reinvest into the delivery of social housing on Site A and other Community Investment Programme projects. The proposals are rooted in a landscape-led approach, prioritising walking and cycling routes, public squares and play spaces designed to enhance health, wellbeing and biodiversity. A car-free strategy will improve connections to Regent’s Canal and protect future links to the proposed Camden Highline, reflecting a broader national shift towards low-car, active-travel neighbourhoods. Camden Council estimates the development will create more than 1,000 job and training opportunities, including apprenticeships and school placements. These are intended to open pathways into life science, technology and digital careers for local residents, while maximising the wider economic benefits of the scheme. The first homes are expected to be ready for occupation by late 2030. The project team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Morris + Company, with Hoare Lea providing MEP services and Aecom and Gardiner & Theobald acting as cost consultants. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

An agreement has been finalised to push ahead with the Stevenage Station Gateway project, forming a key part of the broader transformation of Stevenage town centre. The scheme is valued at around £1bn. It will deliver a minimum of 1,000 new homes, upgraded station facilities and about 50,000 sqm of additional development, including new public amenities and community spaces. These will be set along a landscaped street linking the town centre to the enhanced station and the Leisure Park. Stevenage Borough Council, supported by the Stevenage Development Board, has entered into a development agreement with Muse Place, backed by ECF — a partnership between Muse, Homes England and L&G. The appointment was made by Pagabo through its Developer Led Framework, which it manages on behalf of the contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust. Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: “Ahead of this year’s 80th anniversary of Stevenage becoming designated as the UK’s first New Town, this deal marks an important milestone in the next chapter of the town centre’s regeneration. Delivered in partnership with ECF, Station Gateway will reflect what our town needs and deserves and will bring with it new homes, workspaces and jobs for our local communities.” Sir Michael Lyons, Chair at ECF, said: “Stevenage Borough Council has an ambitious vision for Stevenage and the signing of this agreement helps to move this one step closer to reality. We are pleased to take our commitment to the project further, unlocking this unique opportunity to create growth and community value in this fantastic location.” Chris Scott, Development Director at Muse, said: “We are excited to have formalised our partnership with Stevenage Borough Council for Station Gateway, and look forward to collaborating with the people and businesses of Stevenage as we move into the next phase of masterplanning. We believe successful regeneration is rooted in understanding and responding to the aspirations of the community, and our aim is to shape a detailed vision for Station Gateway that truly reflects the town’s priorities, while also recognising Stevenage’s national and international strategic importance.” The station multi-storey car park area has already seen £6m invested from the government’s Towns Fund, secured by the Stevenage Development Board. ECF’s role will enable wider development and investment in and around the rail station. The next phase is to prepare a detailed masterplan, building on the established vision. Stevenage Borough Council and ECF say they will work closely with residents, ensuring community feedback meaningfully shapes the proposals. Consultation on the detailed masterplan is planned for the first half of 2026, with a range of ways to take part — including online surveys, community drop-ins, stakeholder meetings and written submissions. Further details will be widely publicised to make it easy to participate. Subject to securing the necessary government grant funding, the aim is to start construction in 2028, with the first homes completed in 2030. Image: Stevenage Council Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Amro Partners has submitted a major planning application to transform Lewisham Retail Park into a large mixed-use residential neighbourhood, marking one of the most substantial regeneration proposals brought forward in the borough in recent years. The application, submitted on 4 December and currently awaiting validation by Lewisham Council, outlines the full redevelopment of the 2.8-acre site on Loampit Vale, which Amro acquired earlier this year. The plans set out a £650 million scheme comprising five new buildings and close to 2,000 square metres of commercial floorspace. The development would deliver 387 Build-to-Rent homes, 383 co-living studios and 682 student rooms, creating a total of 1,452 residential units. Discussions are said to be under way with specialist food hall operators to take up 1,000 square metres of the proposed commercial space. The Build-to-Rent homes would include one to three-bedroom flats, with layouts intended to accommodate single residents through to larger households of up to six people. Affordable housing levels have yet to be agreed with the council, though the intention is for the scheme to incorporate a blend of social rent and discounted market rent homes. Public realm improvements form a substantial part of the proposals, with plans for two residential garden areas and a central square featuring seating, children’s play spaces, open lawns, walking and cycling routes, and almost 100 new trees. Amro said the aim is to create a vibrant, inclusive environment to support long-term community life. Raj Kotecha, chief executive and co-founder of Amro Partners, described the proposals as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the site into a new sustainable neighbourhood. He said the team had spent months engaging with local people to help inform the vision and ensure the development delivers meaningful social, environmental and housing benefits. The site was previously owned by Legal & General, which secured consent in 2018 for a residential-led scheme that was never brought forward. If Amro’s plans are validated, they will move into the formal decision-making process, including public consultation and eventual consideration by either a planning officer or planning committee. Should planning permission be granted, Amro anticipates beginning construction in early 2027, with phased completion expected through 2029 and 2030. The scale of the proposals sits alongside other major regeneration activity in the area, including Landsec’s £1.5 billion redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre, approved in October, which will deliver 1,744 homes alongside student accommodation and co-living units. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The £2bn York Central regeneration scheme has taken another decisive step forward, with McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate submitting a comprehensive planning application for the next major building phase. Known as phase 1C, the proposal represents the most substantial package of development brought forward so far and sets the foundations for delivering one of the largest regeneration projects in the country. The application outlines the creation of a new mixed-use district beside York Railway Station, located on a 45-hectare brownfield site that is larger than the scale of the King’s Cross redevelopment in London. The plans include 999 new homes across different tenures, with 20 per cent allocated as affordable housing, marking a significant contribution to meeting local housing need. In addition to residential development, the submission features a 99,188 sq ft innovation hub to support business growth and enterprise, 69,255 sq ft of retail and leisure space, and a 213-bed hotel designed to enhance the city’s visitor offer. Major new infrastructure is also proposed, including a new western entrance to York Railway Station, improving access for passengers and integrating the new neighbourhood with the wider city centre. Extensive parkland, landscaped routes and public realm form a core part of the masterplan, ensuring that the development combines high-quality urban design with generous green spaces. City of York Council is anticipated to make a decision on the application in spring 2026. Headline plans for phase 1C include:• 999 mix-tenure homes, with 20% designated as affordable• A 99,188 sq ft innovation hub• 69,255 sq ft of retail and leisure space• A 213-bed hotel• A new western entrance to York Station• Significant parkland and public realm Earlier reserved matters approvals have already been secured for a 135,000 sq ft government office building and Museum Square, adding momentum to the wider regeneration programme. York Central is being brought forward by a partnership between McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate, working alongside Homes England and Network Rail. The project team continues to collaborate closely with City of York Council and the National Railway Museum, whose site sits within the broader scheme. With £135m of government funding already secured for enabling infrastructure, the development is set to deliver major economic benefits, supporting up to 6,500 direct and indirect jobs across construction, commercial activity, retail, hospitality and associated supply chains. The project aims to create a thriving live-work-play destination, blending new homes, employment space, community amenities and cultural attractions. Its scale and ambition mark it as one of the most significant regeneration opportunities currently under way in the UK, with long-term benefits expected for residents, businesses and visitors. Tom Gilman, managing director of McLaren Regeneration, said the submission marks an important milestone and demonstrates the project’s continued momentum. He noted that the development aligns with national ambitions to accelerate housebuilding and economic growth, while delivering a modern urban district for York. Leon Guyett, director of regeneration partnerships (York) at Homes England, added that the application illustrates how strategic government investment can unlock transformative regeneration and drive substantial change for cities and communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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