A landmark former department store in the heart of Oxford is set to begin a new chapter after Morgan Sindall secured the fit-out contract for a major £125m redevelopment that will transform the historic building into a cutting-edge life sciences hub. Located at 1–12 Magdalen Street, the former Debenhams store will be repurposed to provide approximately 100,000 sq ft of laboratory-enabled incubator and accelerator space, creating a significant new destination for science and technology businesses within one of the UK’s leading innovation centres. The project is being delivered through a partnership between The Crown Estate, Pioneer Group and Oxford Science Enterprises, with international architecture practice Perkins&Will leading the design. The fit-out package secured by Morgan Sindall is expected to be worth more than £35m. The redevelopment will breathe new life into the prominent city centre building while preserving its historic character. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the scheme will retain and repurpose the existing late-19th century structure, creating flexible laboratory facilities and workspace across the upper floors. The development will also feature conference and collaboration spaces, alongside a showcase laboratory designed to engage the wider public with scientific discovery and innovation. A key feature of the project is its strong sustainability focus. By retaining the building’s existing structural frame and external envelope, the development team aims to significantly reduce embodied carbon and minimise the environmental impact associated with large-scale redevelopment. The approach reflects the growing emphasis across the construction and property sectors on adaptive reuse and the preservation of valuable built assets. The scheme also highlights the increasing demand for specialist laboratory and research facilities as Oxford continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s most important science and technology clusters. The new hub will provide flexible accommodation for start-ups, scale-ups and established businesses operating across a range of scientific disciplines, helping to support innovation, collaboration and commercial growth. The redevelopment forms part of The Crown Estate’s ambitious £1.5bn investment programme focused on science, innovation and technology sectors over the next 15 years. The long-term strategy is designed to support the growth of knowledge-based industries while creating sustainable and future-ready environments that encourage research, development and entrepreneurship. Once complete, the transformation of the former Debenhams building will create a vibrant new centre for life sciences in the heart of Oxford, combining heritage preservation, sustainability and innovation to deliver a flagship destination for the city’s growing scientific community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Glencar has secured a major new contract to deliver the next phase of Pure Data Centres’ rapidly expanding Brent Cross campus in North London, reinforcing its growing reputation within the fast-moving data centre sector. The contractor has been appointed to construct the latest stage of the development, known as LON1B2, a 70MW facility extending to more than 23,000 sq m. The project represents an investment of more than £100m and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2029. The appointment marks another significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of the Brent Cross campus, which is emerging as one of the capital’s key digital infrastructure hubs. The site is being developed within a live operational environment, with one facility already operational and a further phase currently under construction. Glencar’s scope of works includes piling and foundations, the structural frame, connections to adjacent buildings, concrete and slab works, stair cores, as well as the full building envelope and roofing package. One of the most striking elements of the scheme will be a substantial living wall installation covering approximately 7,400 sq m of the building’s façade. Featuring more than 750,000 plants, the system is believed to be among the largest living wall installations of its kind anywhere in the world. The green infrastructure has been designed to enhance biodiversity, improve local air quality and help reduce noise levels adjacent to the Brent Reservoir Site of Special Scientific Interest. The approach reflects the increasing focus on sustainability within the data centre sector as operators seek to balance growing digital demand with environmental responsibilities. Eddie McGillycuddy, chief executive of Glencar, said the project demonstrates the company’s growing expertise in delivering complex data centre developments within operational environments. He added that the scheme requires careful coordination across multiple active construction zones and phases. The project also highlights the continued growth of the UK data centre market, driven by increasing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services and secure data storage. For Glencar, the Brent Cross appointment adds another high-profile scheme to a portfolio that continues to expand across industrial, logistics, commercial and mission-critical infrastructure sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Oxfordshire, has unveiled plans to enable substantial investment in its estate over the next 10 years to enhance its masterplan vision to foster a connected, dynamic and sustainable community for automotive and aviation experience brands to thrive, alongside the introduction of new and affordable apartments and its strengthened plans for a hotel. Bicester Motion was established in 2013 when the 444-acre former RAF site was acquired to create a world-leading mobility cluster for like-minded mobility manufacturers, artisans, engineers, innovators and change-makers who have a shared passion to deliver the future mobility solutions society needs. Bicester Motion has previously secured a number of major planning consents bringing its total areas of active business space and consents to total circa one million sq ft (92,903 sq m). These include Bicester Heritage, The Hangars, The Command Works, The Rushes, The Ranges and The Hotel. The first five years of ownership focused on regenerating the award-winning technical site to create Bicester Heritage, which has evolved into the mobility-focused and award-winning new build development home to eight buildings forming The Command Works in 2020 and The Ranges’ first HQ with the first phase completed in 2026. Today, the estate hosts a diverse range of businesses in the automotive and aviation sector and is supported by a range of amenities on site that includes cafés, overnight accommodation, vehicle valeting and storage, specialist retail, insurance, events and apprenticeship training. More than £100 million has already been invested to re-purpose the estate, bringing it to new life as a hub for innovation, home to more than 50 companies, the majority of which were new to Bicester employing more than 500 people and training 200 apprentices per year. The cluster currently boosts the economy by circa £500 million in gross value added per annum. Future mobility automotive and aviation brands such as Audi Revolut F1 Team, Polestar, Motorsport UK, Skyports Infrastructure and record-breaking synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero have recently arrived at the estate. TeamSport is also set to open its new indoor e-karting centre later in the year, while Mercedes-Benz-owned electric motor technology company YASA will this summer move into a new HQ at The Ranges bringing with them 400 skilled employees. This activity has demonstrated a strong demand from businesses seeking to be part of Bicester Motion’s community and benefit from its strategic location in the heart of Motorsport Valley. Bicester Motion’s proposed enhanced masterplan will draw upon its experience to deliver distinct and connected areas of its estate by their unique character to enable an additional circa one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of offices and technical workspace for pioneering companies accelerating the world’s adoption of future mobility technology. It also plans to create a place where people can live, work and thrive, supported by a wider ambition to create in the region of 200 one to three-bedroom new and affordable apartments, while the hotel will support new lodges and include a clubhouse for people to visit and stay. With ecology and biodiversity initiatives already in place, the proposed masterplan will further invest in the landscape and enhancements to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain to enrich its environment through mindful design and development. The plans will foster employment opportunities and career pathways within the traditional and pioneering businesses based on the estate and across its construction programme. As a destination for automotive enthusiasts through its annual events programme, which includes its sold-out Scrambles and attracts circa 150,000 per year visitors from all over the UK and world, the ten year vision is designed to boost growth, bolster the local economy, UK PLC and generate enduring opportunities for people to live, work, and flourish. Also, it will ensure Bicester Motion is further cemented as a proud part of the Bicester community. Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive officer, Bicester Motion said: “As custodians of the estate, we’re proud of the world-leading mobility cluster we have created by investing in Bicester and Oxfordshire, creating skilled jobs, remarkable opportunities and unique experiences. We remain driven to deliver a dynamic and inclusive environment, with thoughtful design, community wellbeing and long-term sustainability all coming together to shape a vibrant place for generations to enjoy. We now look ahead to the next 10 years and welcome people’s feedback as we look to further invest in and enhance this unique place.” A four week public consultation has opened on Thursday 28 May 2026 and will run until Thursday 25 June 2026. A public exhibition will be held at Bicester Motion on Friday 12 June from 2pm to 7pm. To view the public consultation, please visit: https://consultation.bicestermotion.com/ Ridge, Edgars, Nicholsons, Stantec, Motion, Auroch Ecology, Worlledge Associates and LDA Design acted on behalf of Bicester Motion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major new chapter is underway for one of the UK’s most iconic film and television production sites after McLaren Construction was appointed lead contractor for the redevelopment of the former BBC Elstree Centre, now rebranded as Fairbanks Studios. The landmark project, led by BNP Paribas Asset Management through its alternatives platform BNPP AM Alts, will transform part of the historic Elstree campus into a state-of-the-art production hub aimed at supporting the rapidly growing demand for high-end television and independent film production space across the UK. Planning consent for the redevelopment was secured in December 2025, with enabling and demolition works now completed. Main construction works officially commenced in April 2026, marking the beginning of a significant brownfield regeneration scheme with completion targeted for late 2027. Located on a 16-acre site, approximately half of the former BBC Elstree campus will be redeveloped into a 266,000 sq ft production complex designed specifically for the modern media industry. The remaining part of the site continues to be occupied by the BBC under a long-term lease and remains home to the filming of EastEnders, one of the UK’s longest-running and most recognisable television dramas. The wider redevelopment aims to ensure the historic studio complex remains commercially competitive within an increasingly global production market. Originally opened as a film studio in 1914, the Elstree site has played a central role in British television and film production for more than a century. The new Fairbanks Studios development will significantly expand the campus’ production capabilities, more than quadrupling the existing stage space to around 100,000 sq ft across five new sound stages. These stages will range between 16,000 sq ft and 21,000 sq ft, providing flexible, large-scale facilities capable of supporting major television and film productions. Alongside the new stages, the development will also include workshops, production offices, a café and a dedicated 58,000 sq ft Media Hub. The hub will provide office and amenity space specifically aimed at media-related businesses and companies directly connected to studio operations, helping create a broader creative production ecosystem on site. Paul Serkis, director of studios projects at McLaren Construction, said the scheme reflects the growing strength and international appeal of the UK’s film and television industry. He noted that demand for high-quality production space continues to rise rapidly as the UK strengthens its reputation as a leading global destination for film and high-end television projects. He added that delivering approved studio schemes quickly and efficiently will be essential if the sector is to fully capitalise on future growth opportunities. McLaren Construction will work alongside a specialist supply chain team on the project, including Harrington Builders delivering groundworks, Aarsleff managing piling works, SCWS overseeing steelwork operations, Halsall handling mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and Northern Cladding responsible for cladding installation. The redevelopment comes amid continued investment across the UK studio sector, driven by growing international demand for premium production facilities, the expansion of streaming platforms and increasing levels of inward investment into British film and television production. As competition intensifies globally for production projects and creative investment, the transformation of the former BBC Elstree Centre into Fairbanks Studios is expected to strengthen the UK’s position as a world-leading hub for film and television production while breathing new life into one of the country’s most historic studio campuses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Pure Data Centres and SEGRO have secured planning approval for a major hyperscale data centre development at Premier Park in west London, representing a £1 billion investment into the capital’s growing digital infrastructure sector. The scheme was approved by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation planning committee and will transform a redundant warehouse site into a state of the art, liquid cooled facility designed to support increasing demand for AI ready infrastructure and high capacity computing. Designed by Scott Brownrigg, the three storey development will provide 72MW of power capacity across 22,365 sq m of floorspace. The facility will include nine data halls, office accommodation, storage areas, plant space and a secure entrance pavilion, alongside a dedicated substation to power the site. Construction is expected to commence in 2026, with the project being delivered through a joint venture between Pure Data Centres Group and SEGRO. The building has been designed with operational efficiency at its core, using a simple linear layout to maximise IT capacity while maintaining a strong architectural presence within the surrounding industrial landscape. The scheme has also been developed with sustainability in mind, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and EPC A rated office space. Environmental measures include photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting systems and the potential use of heat recovery technology to improve energy performance and reduce operational impact. The approval further strengthens Park Royal’s position as a key industrial, logistics and technology hub in west London, as demand for advanced digital infrastructure continues to accelerate across the UK market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Real estate investor Castleforge, in partnership with full-service data centre operator and advisory firm Galaxy Data Centers, today announces that full planning consent has been granted for a new 15MW data centre development at its Redhill campus.             Located just outside of London, the new development will include four data halls and support a local waste heat recovery initiative.  Following approval from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Planning Committee, the consented project marks a significant step forward in the joint venture’s plans to expand digital infrastructure capacity in the London market, following the partnership’s £100 million-plus investment in the existing Redhill Data Centre campus in December 2024. The scaling of the campus will see a follow-on £200m investment into the campus with a gross project value of around £500m.  Situated on the existing 3.1-hectare industrial estate at Foxboro Business Park, the consented project comprises a single two-storey data centre with four data halls and an accompanying office block.   The development has been designed to achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating and incorporates a range of low and zero carbon technologies. Waste heat generated by the facility will be reused on site, and the design enables future export of waste heat to the neighbouring residential heat network, supporting the wider community’s transition to lower carbon energy.  The expansion follows surging demand for digital infrastructure across the London market, driven by advancements in AI, cloud computing and hybrid workloads. Demand for data continues to significantly outstrip current levels of power supply, with the difficulty of constructing new data centres around major metropolitan areas making established hubs increasingly attractive prospects for investment.  Mike Adcock, Head of Investments at Castleforge, said: “Securing planning consent for our new development at Redhill is a major milestone in our plans to deliver high-quality, sustainable digital infrastructure to one of the world’s most important data centre markets.   “Demand for capacity in and around London continues to outpace supply, and this consent enables us to bring forward the additional power and scale required to serve enterprise, hyperscale and edge customers. We are particularly proud of the project’s sustainability credentials, including the potential to export waste heat to local homes, which reflects our commitment to creating places that deliver lasting value for both customers and the surrounding community.”  Paul Leong, Chief Financial Officer and Partner of Galaxy Data Centers, said: “This planning consent is a pivotal step in realising the long-term vision we set out when we acquired Redhill alongside Castleforge.  “The new facility will significantly expand the capacity available to our customers and ensure Redhill is positioned to meet the evolving needs of edge, hyperscale and enterprise users. We are proud to be delivering a development that combines operational excellence with meaningful sustainability outcomes, and we look forward to bringing the project forward in close collaboration with the local community.”  The Redhill campus currently spans 11,800 square metres across three buildings serving a dynamic existing customer base, including Fortune 500 enterprises across financial services, AI and other sectors. Customers are drawn to the site’s secured green energy, low-latency connectivity to data centre hubs including Slough and the Docklands, and scalable infrastructure.  London remains the largest and most dominant data centre market in Europe, and the second largest globally after Northern Virginia. According to CBRE, the European data centre market continues to demonstrate strong year-on-year growth, with significant development activity across Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris.  With planning consent now secured, Castleforge and Galaxy will move forward with the next phase of development, with further milestones to be announced in due course. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals