A major new £1 billion film and creative industries quarter is being proposed for an industrial estate in Kentish Town, north London, with plans now formally lodged for the Camden Film Quarter. Backed by investment firm Yoo Capital, the scheme centres on a state-of-the-art studio campus featuring visual effects, animation and post-production facilities. Two leading film schools – the National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy – are set to open new education hubs as part of the development, creating a pipeline of talent alongside world-class production space. If planning consent is granted, around 1,370 construction jobs are expected to be created over the three-year build phase. Alongside the studios, partner social housing developer Places for People has submitted a linked application to deliver 485 new homes adjacent to the campus. The residential element will form a key part of the wider masterplan, helping to establish a mixed-use neighbourhood anchored by the creative industries. Places for People group managing director of developments, Andrew Usher, said the Camden Film Quarter would be a landmark project and the next step in the organisation’s placemaking work. Yoo Capital co-founder Lloyd Lee said the ambition was to create “a neighbourhood where world-class studios, 50% affordable homes and public spaces sit side by side to inspire the next generation”. Architect Broadway Malyan is leading the design of the residential sites, with a brief to deliver an ambitious new quarter that reflects the character of Kentish Town while generating real social value. Turner and Townsend has been appointed by Camden Council as client representative for the regeneration. The firm will define the council’s requirements for replacement facilities on the site and oversee project management, cost control and design assurance as the plans progress through the planning and delivery process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a major new film studio complex in Buckinghamshire have been given the go ahead by the government, clearing the way for a £750 million production campus on the edge of Marlow. The Marlow Film Studios proposal, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, will transform a former quarry and landfill site off the A404 into a state-of-the-art media campus. The project is intended to tap into booming global demand for film and television production space and strengthen the already powerful West London film cluster. The scheme had previously been refused by Buckinghamshire Council, but following a public inquiry earlier this year the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government has now approved the plans. Marlow Studios chief executive Robert Laycock welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant moment for the UK’s creative industries and for the local area. “We are very pleased with the decision by the secretary of state to approve our planning application for Marlow Studios,” he said. “The determination is a real vote of confidence in the UK and in its creative industries. This is a meaningful decision for anyone who believes in the UK’s future, our nation’s creative genius, and our unmatched capability to inspire the world. “For Buckinghamshire, this is a powerful vote of confidence in the coming generations. Regenerating a poorly landfilled site to enable new careers and pass on exceptional skills in this world-beating British industry is the right decision. It is a signal to investors who aim for high quality development, done in the right way, through outstanding design that brings sustainable opportunities and benefits to their community. “The decision is clear in its assessment that Marlow Studios will attract global investment, help the UK maintain its competitive creative edge, and will strengthen the West London film cluster. We know that Marlow Studios will be a media campus like no other – offering the world’s creative businesses a bespoke facility, leading in emerging technology and design that drives creativity and storytelling. “The global creative sector is growing fast, with a pace of change that is driving new investment. New platforms, new technology, including AI, and new ways of telling stories require a different approach. Marlow Studios will be the campus that drives creative collaboration for the coming era.” With planning consent now secured, attention will turn to detailed design, enabling works and securing occupiers, as the backers of Marlow Studios look to position the site as a flagship destination for international film and television production. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Morgan Sindall has started work on a flagship 217,000 sq ft science and innovation building at the heart of Manchester’s Knowledge Quarter. The £100m Plus Ultra Manchester scheme, led by Kadans Science Partner, sits within the Oxford Road Corridor and will act as the focal point of the wider £450m Upper Brook Street masterplan. That masterplan will deliver around 490,000 sq ft of mixed-use space, including laboratories, student accommodation and community facilities. Sustainability is a key feature of the project. The building will be fully electric and is targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Gold ratings. Plans include extensive rooftop solar panels, advanced building management systems and high-performance façades to minimise energy use. Morgan Sindall’s North West area director, Steven Gregory, said the scheme represents a major step forward in Manchester’s development as a leading centre for life sciences and innovation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Prologis UK and main contractor, SDC have marked a key construction milestone at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus today, with a Topping Out ceremony at 2000 Discovery Drive – the latest addition to Prologis’ growing life sciences presence on the campus. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Prologis UK, SDC and the wider project team and marked the placement of the final steel beam, which will be signed and commemorated with a memorial plaque. 2000 Discovery Drive follows the successful completion of 1000 Discovery Drive in 2024 – a project that has already attracted leading life sciences organisations to the campus. Most recently, the Cambridge University Hospital Trust’s relocated its Histopathology service to a newly commissioned lab, enhancing its diagnostic capability. Together, the two buildings form a vital part of Prologis UK’s long-term commitment to delivering modern, flexible space for the nation’s science and innovation sectors. The ceremony also reflects Prologis’ landmark £3 billion investment intentions at Cambridge Biomedical Campus which was announced in September. Andrew Blevins, Head of Life Sciences, Prologis UK: “Reaching this milestone at 2000 Discovery Drive is a testament to the exceptional quality of work delivered by SDC and our wider project team. With Discovery Drive now home to leading life sciences organisations, including the NHS, BioNTech and Abcam, our latest development builds on that momentum. With lab-enabled space completing in late 2026, it presents a rare opportunity for businesses looking to grow within the UK’s most dynamic life sciences research ecosystem.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Oxford Science Park (TOSP), one of the UK’s leading locations for science and technology companies, has announced the acquisition of Northbrook House, a prominent three-storey building, comprising 23,500 sq ft, on the eastern side of the Park. Following refurbishment, Northbrook House will deliver flexible, high-quality laboratory and write-up accommodation designed to meet the needs of pioneering science and technology start-ups and growth businesses, with suites ranging from 3,600 to 23,500 sq ft. Originally designed by Ritchie Studio – formerly Ian Ritchie Architects – Northbrook House embodies the practice’s innovative and highly regarded architectural approach. The design provides a strong foundation for the building’s transformation, with the planned refurbishment enhancing and modernising the space, alongside an infrastructure upgrade that supports today’s science and technology companies. Situated close to the Park’s vibrant Magdalen Centre, Northbrook House benefits from immediate access to amenities including a café, conference suite, fitness classes, and a broad programme of networking and social events. The building also enjoys a picturesque setting overlooking Littlemore Brook, surrounded by mature landscaping, and offers allocated on-site parking and bike storage. A regular bus service is within a minute’s walk of the building, and the planned Cowley Branch Line station will offer even more connectivity with a fast rail link to the city centre and direct services to London every half hour. The station will feature a platform providing immediate access to The Oxford Science Park, making travel to and from the Park quick and convenient. Yong Shen, Director of The Oxford Science Park, said: “The acquisition and transformation of Northbrook House further strengthens our commitment to providing the best possible space for the UK’s most innovative science and technology companies. Northbrook’s flexible design and proximity to Park amenities make it an ideal location for organisations seeking both technical excellence and community connection.” The addition of Northbrook House forms part of TOSP’s ongoing development strategy to expand capacity and deliver exceptional laboratory environments for innovative early-stage companies in Oxford. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans are moving forward for the first data centre at Blackpool’s landmark Silicon Sands digital infrastructure site, marking a major milestone in the town’s ambition to become a leading hub for sustainable technology and data innovation. An application for planning permission is due to be submitted before Christmas for a 6MW carbon-friendly data centre alongside 20,000 sq ft of office and research space. The development has already attracted strong interest from private sector investors keen to be part of the Fylde Coast’s emerging digital economy. Located next to Blackpool Airport, the Silicon Sands project builds on the arrival of the transatlantic Aquacomms cable, which connects the UK to North America and Europe. The initiative is designed to position the region as a strategic location for high-capacity, energy-efficient data infrastructure. The proposed data centre will be powered entirely by renewable energy and will feature advanced liquid immersion cooling to maximise efficiency. Waste heat generated by the facility will also be captured and reused to provide energy for nearby properties — a key element of its sustainable design. Councillor Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said the project could be transformative for the area. “Silicon Sands is a transformational opportunity for Blackpool. It can create thousands of well-paid jobs, attract investment, and put us at the forefront of sustainable digital development. That vision is proven by the significant interest we have had from the private sector already. Silicon Sands is about so much more than just data centres though. We are carefully managing the programme so that we can create data centres which are carbon friendly and can even supply waste heat back to local communities.” The first phase of development will be located on the former fire station and engineering yard at Blackpool Airport, which was demolished in 2023, as well as the old administration offices and security point. If approved, the project will signal the start of an ambitious new chapter for Blackpool, establishing Silicon Sands as a pioneering example of how digital infrastructure and sustainability can work hand in hand to drive regional growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

ILI Group has announced plans for three new hyperscale data centres across Scotland, creating what it calls The Stoics – A £15 billion Green Digital Network spanning the central belt. The projects, named after Stoic philosophers, are located in Fife (Cato), East Ayrshire (Rufus), and North Lanarkshire (Aurelius). The Stoics will stand among the largest hyperscale data centre clusters globally — more than double the size of many of today’s biggest recognised campuses. Each project has secured a grid connection, land rights, and has now entered the planning process. Collectively, The Stoics will form a digital corridor of opportunity, designed to power the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced connectivity, and the broader technology economy while being anchored in Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources. Named after Stoic philosophers, The Stoics embody the values these projects require: Economic & Strategic Impact: By linking Fife, East Ayrshire, and North Lanarkshire, The Stoics create a new strategic digital hub for Scotland, underpinned by renewable energy and positioned to meet the surging demand from AI and next-generation digital services. Mark Wilson, CEO of ILI Group, said:“With The Stoics, we are inspired by ancient wisdom to create modern innovation. These projects will provide the digital backbone needed to power the rise of AI and advanced technologies, while creating a Green Digital Network that delivers jobs, investment, and ensures Scotland leads in the global shift towards a sustainable digital future.” About ILI Group:Intelligent Land Investments Group (ILI) is a leading Scottish clean energy and infrastructure developer with a portfolio of over 4.1 GW of energy storage and digital projects, including: ILI Group achieved a major milestone with the sale of its first 450 MW pumped storage hydro project, Loch na Cathrach at Loch Ness, to Statkraft one of Europe’s largest renewable power generators. This landmark transaction underscores ILI Group’s expertise in developing large-scale infrastructure and its role in shaping the UK’s clean energy and digital future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

DC01UK today announced the sale of its South Mimms data centre site in Hertfordshire to Equinix, one of the world’s largest data centre companies and operators. The deal represents one of the largest infrastructure and real estate transactions in the world in recent years. This milestone transaction marks a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. With a projected total investment value in the region of £3.9bn, the deal lays the foundation for one of Europe’s largest and most advanced data centre campuses – a project of unprecedented scale and ambition that will drive the next wave of cloud and AI innovation. The 85-acre site in South Mimms, Hertsmere – now named the ‘Hertfordshire Campus’ by Equinix – will deliver over two million square feet of cutting-edge data centre space. Designed to meet both current and future demand for data, storage, and AI-powered services, the campus will set a new benchmark for excellence in digital infrastructure. The sale reflects a strategic vision executed at pace by the DC01UK team, underpinned by collaboration with experts, local and national government and precision planning. Once operational, the development is expected to support thousands of skilled jobs nationwide through the wider digital supply chain and contribute billions to the UK economy. This pivotal sale also highlights the UK’s growing prominence in global digital infrastructure investment. It follows the Government’s designation of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure last year – an announcement that majored on the scale and ambition of the DC01UK project. James Craig, Director of DC01UK, said: “This is a landmark moment for the UK and a powerful example of local entrepreneurship driving national innovation. The ambition behind the DC01UK project is extraordinary and we are delighted that the vision for this project will be taken forward by leading experts committed to delivering it to the highest standards, maintaining our ambition, realising the community benefits, and embedding themselves in the growth and future of Hertfordshire. For us, it’s a proud moment that also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we continue to progress other UK data centre development opportunities to drive further innovation and investment in this space across the UK.” Andy Brewer, Director of DC01UK, said: “This deal marks a significant step forward for this world-class project and for the UK’s digital future. It was born of local ingenuity and determination and aligns closely with the Government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader in AI and advanced technology. With one of the world’s largest operators now taking our vision forward, the project is entering an exciting new phase, one that will help position the UK at the forefront of the data revolution.” Stephen Beard, Global Head of Data Centres at Knight Frank, who advised on the project, said: “This is a seismic moment for the UK’s infrastructure landscape. The scale, ambition and strategic value of this site are unmatched. It’s rare to find a location that ticks every box – power, connectivity, proximity to key markets – and this one does. Today’s announcement gives the UK a major leg up in the global AI infrastructure race.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals