A prestigious £5.8 million state-of-the-art Porsche centre in the West Country is now fully operational, with help from a fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) provided quantity surveying and employers agent services for the creation of the new cutting edge Porsche dealership in Exeter. The state-of-the-art development,
Building services contractor TClarke has reportedly withdrawn from its role on the major £4bn Agratas electric vehicle battery gigafactory currently under construction in Somerset. Industry sources suggest the company has stepped away from the mechanical and electrical delivery team on the vast Gravity Smart Campus development near Bridgwater, following growing
Plans for what is set to become the UK’s largest artificial intelligence data centre campus have received outline planning approval, marking a major milestone for digital infrastructure in the country. The vast scheme near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire will transform the former RAF Elsham Wolds airfield into a hyperscale technology
A £104m public funding package aimed at kick-starting a new arena, film studios and cultural infrastructure across the North East could unlock major construction work beginning this summer. The ambitious Crown Works Studios project in Sunderland is among the developments expected to move forward as part of the investment programme.
McLaren has confirmed its key supply chain partners after formally signing the shell and core contract to deliver the first of three major data centre buildings at Ada Infrastructure’s Docklands campus in London. The contractor’s appointment covers not only the initial 70MW data centre facility but also the supporting infrastructure
Lancaster City Council has approved revised plans for the £100 million Eden Project Morecambe, giving the go-ahead to a significantly streamlined version of the long-anticipated seafront attraction. Councillors granted planning permission for a second time after developers reduced the overall scale of the scheme, cutting the number of signature biomes
A major construction milestone has been reached at the £4 billion Agratas gigafactory in Bridgwater, Somerset, with the completion of the primary steel frame for the landmark facility. Agratas, the global battery business of Tata Group, began construction on the multi-billion-pound development in 2024. Once operational, it will be the
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre
Glencar is understood to be on course to secure a major new data centre contract in north London, strengthening its growing reputation in the UK’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure market. Industry sources suggest the contractor is set to be appointed on a £100m-plus scheme for Pure Data Centres at Brent
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre
A prestigious £5.8 million state-of-the-art Porsche centre in the West Country is now fully operational, with help from a fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) provided quantity surveying and employers agent services for the creation of the new cutting edge Porsche dealership in Exeter. The state-of-the-art development, on Matford Business Park, included the demolition of a previous dealership building, a new large vehicle showroom, new high quality workshop areas equipped with the latest technology, servicing and testing bays and a wet and dry valeting building . The development also included drainage and civils installation, landscaping and extensive parking areas. TCC has been involved since the initial project feasibility stage. As employers agents, TCC had the responsibility of acting on behalf of Ryland Automotive and Dealership Developments Ltd to see the project through to completion. TCC director Gareth Powell said, “We are delighted to have been involved in this prestigious project which involved combining premium design and advanced technology into a space which embodied the essence of the Porsche brand and reflected Porsche’s high status and luxury in a centre of automotive excellence.” Ryland Automotive group property director Chris Page said, “Ryland Automotive appointed TCC as cost consultants and employers agent on the Porsche Centre, Exeter new build and part refurbishment project and they provided a professional service throughout the project. TCC offered clear advice and maintained strong cost control throughout. TCC’s professional approach added real value and I would recommend and work with them again.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill in Birmingham city centre, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building services contractor TClarke has reportedly withdrawn from its role on the major £4bn Agratas electric vehicle battery gigafactory currently under construction in Somerset. Industry sources suggest the company has stepped away from the mechanical and electrical delivery team on the vast Gravity Smart Campus development near Bridgwater, following growing difficulties in its working relationship with client Agratas, the Tata Group’s global battery manufacturing business. TClarke had originally been appointed alongside NG Bailey around 18 months ago as joint MEP delivery partners for the project, which is set to become the UK’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility once complete. According to insiders, tensions between Agratas and TClarke have intensified in recent months as the project moves closer to the start of major installation works. As a result, the contractor is understood to have redeployed staff previously assigned to the scheme to other projects across its business. NG Bailey is now expected to take on the majority of the MEP delivery package previously allocated to TClarke. A specialist contractor is also likely to be brought in to undertake the highly technical cleanroom installation works required for battery production. One industry source said the working relationship between the parties had become increasingly strained as the scheme progressed, ultimately leading to the two organisations parting ways. Sir Robert McAlpine continues to act as construction manager on the project, although its role has evolved into more of a project management function as Agratas engages directly with a number of major package contractors. The change in the supply chain comes shortly after a large-scale MEP “meet the buyer” event linked to the development and is expected to increase pressure on NG Bailey to expand its workforce to meet the demands of the installation programme. The gigafactory scheme has already experienced delays, although construction activity across the site is now accelerating. Steel contractor Severfield recently completed the structural frame for the first phase of the facility, allowing external cladding works to begin ahead of the next stage of MEP installation. Supporting infrastructure works are also progressing. Earlier this year Costain secured a £123m contract to design and construct a new junction on the M5 motorway to serve the site. The new connection, known as Junction 22A, forms part of a wider plan to support construction activity and future operations at the campus by improving access to the motorway network. Procurement activity is also underway to appoint a provider for the site’s water supply and wastewater infrastructure. When finished, the Gravity Smart Campus is expected to play a central role in the UK’s electric vehicle supply chain. TClarke declined to comment on the reported changes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for what is set to become the UK’s largest artificial intelligence data centre campus have received outline planning approval, marking a major milestone for digital infrastructure in the country. The vast scheme near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire will transform the former RAF Elsham Wolds airfield into a hyperscale technology campus capable of supporting the rapidly growing demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing services. The development, known as Elsham Tech Park, would deliver more than 1.5 million square metres of data centre floorspace spread across 15 data halls. Once completed, the campus is expected to support up to 1,000MW of IT load, placing it among the most ambitious digital infrastructure projects ever proposed in the UK. The project is being brought forward by Elsham Tech Park Ltd, a company established specifically to deliver the scheme and overseen by planning and infrastructure specialist Greystoke. The proposals cover a 176-hectare site and include a significant supporting energy infrastructure to power the facility. At the heart of the masterplan is a new energy centre capable of generating up to 49.9MW on site, alongside substations, battery energy storage systems, district heating infrastructure and additional flexible commercial space. A distinctive element of the project is the inclusion of energy-efficient greenhouse agriculture facilities. These would reuse excess heat generated by the data halls to support food production, creating a more circular approach to energy use and sustainability. The scale of the development is expected to generate significant economic activity during construction. A 10-year build programme has been outlined, with estimates suggesting the project could support between 2,600 and 3,600 full-time equivalent construction jobs each year across the supply chain. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2027, with the first phase of the campus targeted to open in 2029. Buildings across the site would range between 7m and 23m in height. Extensive landscape bunds reaching up to 10m high, together with new woodland planting, are proposed to reduce visual impact and integrate the campus into the surrounding countryside. The scheme will also feature a central spine road connecting all 15 development zones, each capable of being delivered independently. A new primary access route will link the campus to the nearby industrial estate. If completed, Elsham Tech Park would place Lincolnshire at the forefront of the UK’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence and cloud computing sector, creating a major new hub for digital infrastructure and technology investment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £104m public funding package aimed at kick-starting a new arena, film studios and cultural infrastructure across the North East could unlock major construction work beginning this summer. The ambitious Crown Works Studios project in Sunderland is among the developments expected to move forward as part of the investment programme. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said the funding would help unlock plans for the large-scale film studio complex while also supporting enabling works for a long-planned arena at Gateshead Quays. The largest single scheme within the programme is the £39m Crown Works Studios development. Preparatory construction work for phase one is expected to begin in July. The first phase will deliver around 125,000 sq ft of studio space, combining a new Studio One building with the conversion of the former Doxford Printworks site beside the River Wear. Once complete in 2027, the development is expected to rank among the largest film studio facilities in northern England. Funding for the scheme includes £11m of recyclable investment funding, £500,000 a year in operational support over five years, and £25m from previously allocated Trailblazer Devolution Deal funding. Alongside the Sunderland development, the Mayor has earmarked £24m to help unlock a new arena scheme at Gateshead Quays. The funding would support infrastructure works needed to prepare the riverside site for a proposed 12,500 to 15,000-seat arena. Plans also include a new public performance square next to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and the creation of a green linear park linking the Tyne riverside with the Baltic Quarter. The investment is expected to help restart development at the Gateshead Quays site, where arena plans stalled during the pandemic amid rising construction costs. In January 2023 it was revealed that the estimated cost of the project had increased from £260m to more than £350m. The arena is also set to become the first major scheme linked to the Newcastle–Gateshead Mayoral Development Zone, which was established last year to accelerate regeneration along the Tyne corridor. Beyond the major construction projects, the wider £104m package also includes a £42m North East Culture, Creative Industries and Sport framework. This funding is intended to support grassroots venues, festivals and wider growth across the region’s creative sector. Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “If you have a creative dream, you don’t need London to succeed. We’ll prove that.” The proposals are due to go before the North East Combined Authority cabinet next week for approval. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren has confirmed its key supply chain partners after formally signing the shell and core contract to deliver the first of three major data centre buildings at Ada Infrastructure’s Docklands campus in London. The contractor’s appointment covers not only the initial 70MW data centre facility but also the supporting infrastructure for the wider campus, including provision for a future district heating network. The scheme represents a significant investment in digital infrastructure within the Royal Docks, transforming a long-vacant site into a high-capacity, future-ready data hub. Alongside the three 70MW data centre buildings, the development will include a community multi-purpose facility and enhanced public realm. Improvements will extend to upgraded pedestrian and cycle routes along the River Thames, supported by substantial repairs and enhancements to the Thames river wall. McLaren has been carrying out enabling works since October 2024. The shell and core contract is scheduled for completion in mid-2028, with the first building of the Ada Docklands Campus expected to be ready for occupation by the end of that year. James Moloney, head of Ada Infrastructure EMEA, said the appointment marks a key step in delivering a sustainable campus that will also contribute to the broader regeneration of the Royal Docks. He highlighted McLaren’s experience in complex data centre and infrastructure projects as central to realising the vision for the site. Gareth Peebles, divisional director at McLaren Construction, said the scale and complexity of the project demands coordinated expertise across civil, structural, architectural and MEP disciplines, with health and safety remaining a core priority throughout delivery. The confirmed supply chain partners include Keltbray for CFA piling, Menard for BMC piling, Gallagher for groundworks and civils, William Hare for the steel frame and Capital Concrete for ready-mix supply. Together, the team will deliver one of the capital’s most significant new data centre campuses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lancaster City Council has approved revised plans for the £100 million Eden Project Morecambe, giving the go-ahead to a significantly streamlined version of the long-anticipated seafront attraction. Councillors granted planning permission for a second time after developers reduced the overall scale of the scheme, cutting the number of signature biomes from four to two and substantially lowering the total floor area. The redesign follows years of construction cost inflation, which had stalled the original programme and pushed back a targeted 2024 completion date. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the development will occupy the 11-acre former Bubbles Leisure Complex and Superdome site on Morecambe’s promenade. Under the updated proposals, internal floorspace has been reduced from 185,000 sq ft to 91,500 sq ft, while the height of the main dome has been lowered by four metres to 37.3 metres. Opening is now anticipated in late 2028. Grimshaw’s distinctive ‘colony of shells’ concept remains central to the design, but only two domes will now be delivered – the Realm of the Sun and the Realm of the Moon – connected by a central arrival space known as the Metronome. With less built form across the site, landscaping will play a greater role in shaping the visitor experience. Two expanded outdoor gardens, Rhythm and All Seasons, will provide additional open-air space for events and performances. Projected visitor numbers have also been revised down from one million to 585,000 annually, reducing the scale of associated transport and infrastructure works. John Pye, project director for Eden Project Morecambe, described the approval as a major milestone, confirming that formal agreements are being finalised as the scheme moves forward. The project previously secured £50 million in public funding to support regeneration of the derelict site. A construction partner has yet to be appointed, with preparatory works expected to begin in October. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major construction milestone has been reached at the £4 billion Agratas gigafactory in Bridgwater, Somerset, with the completion of the primary steel frame for the landmark facility. Agratas, the global battery business of Tata Group, began construction on the multi-billion-pound development in 2024. Once operational, it will be the largest battery manufacturing facility of its kind in the UK, producing battery cells for automotive applications and energy storage systems, and playing a central role in advancing clean technology. The vast steel structure for Building One, the first phase of the project, spans 525 metres in length, 167 metres in width and rises to 34 metres at its highest point. In total, 23,000 tonnes of steel have been used across the main building and associated ancillary structures — a volume comparable to that used in the construction of Wembley Stadium. More than 500 people were involved in delivering the complex steel operation, with all structural steel sourced from within the UK. Completion of the frame enables the project team to move into the next stages of development, including external cladding, roofing works and internal fit-out. The steel package has been delivered by construction partner Sir Robert McAlpine, working alongside steel specialist Severfield and the integrated design and engineering team at Stantec. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in creating large-scale battery manufacturing capacity in Britain. Recruitment for the site is continuing, with around 1,600 roles to be filled over the coming year across operations, maintenance, engineering, logistics and quality functions. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to support around 4,000 jobs and generate more than £700 million in annual economic value for the South West. In parallel, Costain has been appointed to design and construct a new junction on the M5 motorway, providing critical infrastructure access to the expanding Agratas site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre solutions to meet growing market demand, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting the digital economy. Data Centres is Winvic’s fourth core sector, sitting alongside Industrial & Logistics, Multi-room, and Civils & Infrastructure. As a Tier 1 partner of the UK’s most complex industrial and infrastructure developments, Winvic has built an enviable record of disciplined delivery and the highest standards of quality. Its move into the Data Centre market is part of its ongoing growth and diversification, bringing its core values and expertise to a rapidly expanding market. Danny Cross, Director – Head of Data Centre Delivery at Winvic, said: “Over the last eighteen months we have focused on developing our supply chain, upskilling our teams and recruiting new expertise. Working alongside specialist MEP partners, we’re combining civil engineering scale and management with technical precision to deliver data centres designed for uptime, resilience, and scalability. “This marks a significant milestone in Winvic’s evolution as we expand into one of the fastest-growing construction sectors whilst maintaining our commitment to quality, collaboration, and excellence.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Our entry into the Data Centre market is a natural evolution of our capabilities as these developments share similar attributes to buildings we’ve been specialising in for over 25 years. Our proven delivery of large-scale and complex industrial and logistics projects, rigorous safety and quality standards through our ‘Doing It Right’ culture, and a collaborative approach gives us a strong advantage. “ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar is understood to be on course to secure a major new data centre contract in north London, strengthening its growing reputation in the UK’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure market. Industry sources suggest the contractor is set to be appointed on a £100m-plus scheme for Pure Data Centres at Brent Cross, forming the next phase of the developer’s wider £1bn campus investment in the area. If confirmed, the project would represent another significant win for Glencar in the highly competitive data centre sector. The proposed facility is expected to stand out not only for its scale but also for its design credentials. Central to the scheme is a vast living wall wrapping around the building, covering approximately 7,400 square metres and incorporating more than 750,000 plants. The feature is intended to soften the appearance of the development, enhance biodiversity and contribute to improved air quality, reflecting the increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental performance in data centre design. Sources close to the procurement process indicate the contract came down to a straight contest between Glencar and Winvic, with Glencar ultimately emerging as the preferred contractor. The decision is understood to have been influenced by Glencar’s strong delivery record on complex logistics and technology-led projects, particularly in west and north London. Glencar has previously delivered data centre schemes in the capital, including a six-storey facility at Park Royal for Vantage Data Centers, which reached completion late last year. That project is said to have demonstrated the contractor’s ability to manage technically demanding builds within constrained urban sites, while maintaining programme certainty and quality. The latest Brent Cross scheme would further consolidate Glencar’s position as a go-to contractor for large-scale data centre developments, at a time when demand for digital infrastructure continues to accelerate across London and the South East. Neither Glencar nor Pure Data Centres has formally commented on the appointment, but an announcement is expected once contractual arrangements are finalised. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre solutions to meet growing market demand, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting the digital economy. Data Centres is Winvic’s fourth core sector, sitting alongside Industrial & Logistics, Multi-room, and Civils & Infrastructure. As a Tier 1 partner of the UK’s most complex industrial and infrastructure developments, Winvic has built an enviable record of disciplined delivery and the highest standards of quality. Its move into the Data Centre market is part of its ongoing growth and diversification, bringing its core values and expertise to a rapidly expanding market. Danny Cross, Director – Head of Data Centre Delivery at Winvic, said: “Over the last eighteen months we have focused on developing our supply chain, upskilling our teams and recruiting new expertise. Working alongside specialist MEP partners, we’re combining civil engineering scale and management with technical precision to deliver data centres designed for uptime, resilience, and scalability. “This marks a significant milestone in Winvic’s evolution as we expand into one of the fastest-growing construction sectors whilst maintaining our commitment to quality, collaboration, and excellence.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Our entry into the Data Centre market is a natural evolution of our capabilities as these developments share similar attributes to buildings we’ve been specialising in for over 25 years. Our proven delivery of large-scale and complex industrial and logistics projects, rigorous safety and quality standards through our ‘Doing It Right’ culture, and a collaborative approach gives us a strong advantage. “ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals