Croydon Council has lodged a planning application to transform College Green into a greener, inclusive public space featuring play areas and picnic spots. Funded by the Croydon Growth Zone, the scheme will revive the land linking Fairfield Halls and Croydon College, creating a large multi‑use park and meeting place, and providing a pleasant, accessible route between East Croydon Station and the town centre. The proposals support Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to regenerate the town centre, making it more welcoming and accessible for people who live and work in the borough, as well as visitors. Public engagement included a six‑day exhibition at Croydon College in October, a borough‑wide survey, a student workshop and direct conversations with local community groups. Around 88% of respondents said they strongly or very strongly agreed with the plans; 2% disagreed with providing a public space at College Green, while 10% were neutral. Following feedback, the designs were refined to boost greening, safety and inclusivity — including planting more trees and wildflowers near Fairfield Halls, and making the Young Play area and the Multi‑Use Games Area more accessible and inviting. MICA Architects were appointed by the council to develop the proposals, which build on the wider Fairfield Masterplan. The submitted application will now be reviewed by the Local Planning Authority. College Green is one of ten town centre projects championed by Mayor Perry to improve connectivity, greenery and public spaces, while celebrating Croydon’s rich history. Fair Field — home to College Green and Fairfield Halls — historically hosted The Walnut Fair, or October Fair, from the late Middle Ages until the 1860s, when it became known as Croydon Fair. Elsewhere in the town centre, improvements to Minster Green and Surrey Street are under way, alongside an intensive clean‑up and upgrades at North End. The new Wellesley Road crossing was completed at the end of last year to better connect East Croydon to the town centre, complemented by public realm updates to George Street and Dingwall Road. “We have received a really positive response as part of our engagement on the designs for College Green – thank you to everyone who got involved. I’m delighted we have reached the next stage in this process in transforming this historic site into a green and vibrant park for the whole community, as part of the regeneration of our town centre,” said Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon. The project is funded through Croydon’s Growth Zone, a business rate uplift retention funding mechanism that delivers infrastructure and regeneration in the town centre. Growth Zone projects are delivered by the council with support from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Planning approval has been granted for the next stages of the major regeneration of the Channel View estate in Grangetown, paving the way for hundreds of new homes and community improvements. Cardiff Council’s Planning Committee approved the plans, enabling the delivery of 228 new energy-efficient homes aimed at meeting local housing demand while allowing existing residents to remain within their community. The development will be delivered across six phases, with a seventh phase dedicated to enhancements to The Marl public open space. Plans also include a new neighbourhood retail unit as part of phase three to support local services and boost activity in the area. The latest approval builds on outline planning permission granted in December 2021 for the wider Channel View masterplan. Work is already underway on phase one, being delivered by Wates Residential, which will provide 126 apartments for older residents across two blocks, replacing existing high-rise flats. Block B is due for completion later this year, while Block A is expected to be finished by the end of 2027. Wates Residential will continue its involvement in the project, having been appointed to deliver the next phases of the regeneration. Of the 228 homes approved, 189 will be affordable homes for council tenants, while 39 will be available for private sale. Seventy-five homes are earmarked for existing Channel View residents, ensuring they can remain in the area while moving into modern accommodation. The scheme will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, alongside two- to five-bedroom houses, with a particular focus on meeting the demand for larger family homes. One new block has been specifically designed for families, featuring two- and three-bedroom flats and duplexes, each with private amenity space. The building will also include a communal garden with play areas, storage for pushchairs and prams, and lift access. Ed Rees, Managing Director for Wates Residential Wales said: “Our partnership with Cardiff Council is going from strength to strength. The progress on phase one shows the impact we can deliver together. “As we continue that work, our team is fully embedded in the community and we are committed to creating places where people feel connected, supported and able to thrive. “With planning approval for phases two to seven now in place, the next stage of this regeneration feels incredibly exciting. Being contracted to deliver phases two and three A gives us the chance to build on what is working and bring more high quality, sustainable homes to local residents.” All new affordable homes will meet Welsh Government design quality and Lifetime Homes standards. Flats will include private balconies or patios, and all buildings over three storeys will have lift access. The wider scheme will also deliver significant green infrastructure, including sustainable drainage systems, green streets and two new open spaces designed to be safe, welcoming and suitable for socialising and informal play. These areas will connect with planned improvements to The Marl. Construction on phases two and three is expected to begin by the end of the year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a major redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre have been submitted to the London Borough of Bromley as part of proposals to transform the historic venue into a modern, sustainable and accessible sporting facility. Morgan Sindall Construction has put forward the planning application for the comprehensive refurbishment of the Grade II*-listed complex, which originally opened in 1964. The project has been procured through the Southern Construction Framework, with Morgan Sindall appointed as the main contractor. The proposals aim to revitalise the 15-hectare site while preserving its heritage features and upgrading facilities to modern standards. Plans include improvements designed to support sporting participation from grassroots to elite levels, enhanced accessibility across the site and sustainability upgrades intended to significantly reduce the venue’s carbon footprint. There are also ambitions to work with partners to revitalise the centre’s well-known athletics stadium. The redevelopment proposals have received backing from more than 15 national sports governing bodies as well as local authority leaders. Community engagement has also been strong, with more than 500 residents attending recent consultation events to discuss the plans. Key elements of the proposed redevelopment include a full refurbishment of the main sports centre building, expanded gym facilities and new spaces for sports clubs. The aquatics hall would be redesigned to include a 50-metre swimming pool and diving facilities alongside shallow water and 25-metre swimming, all located within a single unified space. The project also aims to enhance indoor sports areas to support year-round training for clubs, athletes and the local community. Under a ‘More Courts, More Sports, More Play’ concept, the scheme proposes new facilities including a six-court padel centre, 3×3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch. Further plans involve renovating existing stadium stands and constructing a new North Stand designed in collaboration with athletes to improve the atmosphere at sporting events. Accessibility improvements across the site would include a new step-free route linking the Penge and Crystal Palace sides of the park. Sustainability measures are central to the design, which targets a 97% reduction in carbon emissions. Using the CarboniCa digital carbon calculation tool, the project team plans to achieve this through measures such as rooftop photovoltaic panels and the installation of air source heat pumps. Additional upgrades include separating wet and dry areas with a new glazed screen to reduce noise and humidity and introducing an improved heating strategy expected to reduce energy demand by around 70%. A new community space is also planned, featuring a café, a 200-metre running track, an outdoor gym and a 3×3 basketball court. These facilities would be free to access and open to the public. The sports centre has played a major role in the UK’s sporting history, hosting landmark events such as the first Women’s FA Cup final and record-breaking performances including Steve Backley becoming the first man to throw the modern javelin beyond 90 metres, and Zola Budd setting a world record in the 5,000 metres. The redevelopment will include commemorative and interactive features highlighting these achievements. Alongside the physical improvements, the project will provide training and employment opportunities for young people in South London through Morgan Sindall’s social value initiatives. More than 40 people have already participated in programmes linked to the redevelopment, including the Future Palace Programme, which aims to involve young people in shaping the centre’s transformation. The initiative, led by Beyond the Box CIC and delivered with Morgan Sindall and project partners, has engaged 20 participants aged 15 to 25 from eight London boroughs. Through workshops and collaborative sessions, the programme allows young people to share their perspectives and help influence how the redeveloped centre will serve the community. Key organisations involved in the project include sports masterplan specialists WOO Architects, sustainability and decarbonisation experts Max Fordham, architects Faulkner Brown Architects and engineering and heritage specialists Alan Baxter Associates. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a £1 billion expansion of the London Cancer Hub have been given planning consent by Sutton Council, paving the way for a major boost to cancer research and the UK’s life sciences sector. The scheme, led by Aviva Capital Partners with development manager Socius, will deliver around 1 million sq ft of laboratory and research space across a 12-acre site. The approval marks the next phase of growth for the London Cancer Hub and is expected to significantly strengthen the UK’s science, research and innovation infrastructure. Planning permission was granted on World Cancer Day (4 February), highlighting the urgency of advancing cancer research and treatment. The development is intended to support innovation, attract investment and accelerate life-saving discoveries, helping the UK respond to future health challenges. Once complete, the expansion is expected to create around 3,000 new jobs, most of them in high-skilled research and development and life sciences manufacturing. As part of the wider London Cancer Hub district, the project will contribute to a cluster that, when fully realised, is forecast to support approximately 13,000 jobs and add an estimated £1.2 billion in gross value added to the UK economy, according to analysis by the London Borough of Sutton. The wider district already hosts internationally recognised institutions including The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside the Innovation Gateway for early-stage life sciences companies. Together, these organisations form a globally recognised centre for cancer research, treatment and commercialisation, supporting collaboration between researchers, clinicians, start-ups, scale-ups and global life sciences firms. Designed to high environmental standards, the new buildings will target net-zero carbon in operation. The plans also include new public spaces to support wellbeing and collaboration, as well as affordable housing for around 220 key workers, helping to create a mixed-use, community-focused employment district. Recognised as nationally significant science infrastructure, the London Cancer Hub aligns with government ambitions to establish the UK as a global leader in life sciences and health innovation. The project is also identified in the Mayor of London’s Growth Plan as a key driver of frontier innovation. Designed by Gensler, the masterplan won the New London Architecture Award 2025 for Healthcare and Life Sciences. Commenting on the approval, Sophie White, Sector Head Regeneration at Aviva Capital Partners, said: “We’re delighted to secure planning consent for the London Cancer Hub – a landmark moment for this scheme. This development will deliver critical science infrastructure for the UK, helping the UK get ready for the future by creating an environment where innovation can flourish and lifesaving research can accelerate. We are proud to play a role in shaping a campus that will have a profound impact on global health, as well as the economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry has secured a non-material amendment to Block D at Meridian One, clearing the way for the next phase of the flagship regeneration scheme being delivered in partnership with Enfield Council. The approval enables Phase 1B of the development, which will deliver more than 700 homes across three buildings. Vistry expects to submit a Gateway 2 application in spring 2026, with construction due to start towards the end of the year. Meridian One forms part of a major regeneration programme and will ultimately deliver around 1,000 mixed-tenure homes. Phase 1A has recently completed, providing 301 homes, 92 per cent of which are affordable, alongside a Construction Skills Academy and a community garden. Phase 1B will build on this first phase, delivering approximately 700 additional homes. These will include further affordable housing, with the remaining homes designated for the private rented sector, supporting local housing demand and the long-term vision for the area. Progress is also continuing at Meridian Two, where a topping-out ceremony took place at the Leeside Road site in December 2025. The milestone marked the completion of the building’s frame ahead of the next stage of construction. The scheme, being delivered by Vistry for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, will provide 274 affordable homes for Enfield residents by winter 2026 and forms part of wider plans for around 1,000 new homes alongside new public spaces and community facilities. Together, Meridian One and Meridian Two represent a significant investment in the area, aimed at creating new neighbourhoods and opportunities for local communities. Rob Wilkinson, Managing Director at Vistry South London, said: “Securing this planning approval is a significant step forward for Meridian One and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality homes and community facilities in partnership with Enfield Council. With Phase 1A now complete and Phase 1B moving into the next stage, we are proud to be playing a key role in creating a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood that meets the needs of local people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

St Helens Borough Council has published a series of computer-generated images offering a first look at proposals to extend, refurbish and repurpose the landmark Gamble Building in St Helens town centre. Created by the project’s architects, Donald Insall Associates, the visuals highlight key elements of the scheme: a fully accessible entrance foyer; a purpose-built, modern Archive benefiting from improved environmental controls; an engaging and inclusive Youth Hub; and a new café and communal spaces within a state-of-the-art St Helens Library intended to serve as the borough’s ‘living room’. The plans also include a Business Connect Service and flexible office accommodation on the upper floors. Released following a public engagement event at The World of Glass on 30 January, the images underscore a heritage-led approach, showing how contemporary, future-proofed facilities will complement and enhance the Gamble Building’s historic architectural features. Work to advance the project is under way. Around £1.2m of external repairs have already been completed, and Liverpool City Region-based Krol Corlett Construction is on site delivering enabling works including asbestos removal, stripping out redundant equipment and outdated facilities, and removing flooring and false ceilings to prepare the building for the main phase. Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to share these images offering an insight to our vision for the Gamble Building with residents and stakeholders. As a Council, we made a commitment to bring the Gamble Building back to its former glory and these images demonstrate the bold ambition we have for the next chapter of this historic landmark. The designs allow people to understand our vision for the Gamble and how it truly will act as the living room of our Borough where there is something for everyone to access, enjoy and feel proud of now and for future generations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HBD, part of Henry Boot, has submitted a Reserved Matters planning application for phase one of its flagship Golden Valley development, located adjacent to GCHQ in Cheltenham. The landmark £1 billion innovation and technology project is being delivered in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, with construction on the first phase scheduled to begin next year. Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as contractor. Phase one of Golden Valley will include IDEA, a 160,000 sq ft building highlighted in the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. IDEA is designed as a sustainable hub for community, collaboration, and innovation, clustering expertise in sectors such as AI, quantum technologies, defence tech, and communications. Also part of the first phase is ROUTER, a building aimed at promoting sustainable, smart movement across Golden Valley and the wider area. Facilities include advanced cycle infrastructure, e-bike charging, showers, lockers, real-time transport information, and 453 car parking spaces to address long-term traffic challenges. Golden Valley is already supporting regional initiatives, including The Skills Hub, created to tackle skills gaps and provide career guidance for young adults and career changers. This programme, delivered by HBD in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire College, the University of Gloucestershire, and Amazon Web Services, is a precursor to the physical skills hub that will launch at IDEA. Additionally, the project is funding digital workshops in local primary schools, teaching coding, robotics, game design, and animation through Jam Coding. Hamer Boot, Executive Director at HBD, said: “The submission of Reserved Matters planning is a key milestone for Golden Valley; the first phase will set the tone for a dynamic new district that underpins the UK’s leadership in cyber, AI and emerging technologies. We look forward to moving into delivery this year, creating a scheme that combines new ideas, cutting-edge research and world-class talent with space to drive growth and innovation. “We’re pleased to be working alongside Cheltenham Borough Council to deliver a landmark project that will have a transformational impact on the region for decades to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bellway has submitted a planning application for a 176-home residential development on a 19-acre site at Jacksons Lane in Hazel Grove, Stockport, which would also deliver new publicly accessible green space. The proposals include a commitment that 50 per cent of the homes would be affordable housing, alongside the creation of new open areas for the local community. The scheme has been brought forward by Bellway’s Strategic Land team and its Manchester division following the site’s inclusion in the draft allocation of land for residential development in the emerging Stockport Local Plan. The land lies to the south of Jacksons Lane on the southern edge of Hazel Grove. Sebastian Burrow, Bellway Strategic Land Director for the North West, said: “We have worked closely with the landowners and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to develop proposals which make effective use of this site and respond positively to local planning policy, helping to deliver much-needed new homes in the borough. “The project would include 50 per cent affordable housing, with a mix of rented and shared ownership properties, contributing towards meeting identified local housing needs and supporting the delivery of mixed, balanced communities in Stockport. “This is a highly sustainable location for new homes, with shops, schools and bus stops all within walking distance. The development has been designed to promote walking and cycling, with new pedestrian and cycle links proposed as part of the site layout to ensure the development connects with surrounding footpaths. “The proposals also provide significant areas of public green open space and a children’s play area, alongside a range of measures to protect and enhance biodiversity, including new planting and the creation of wildlife habitats. These will deliver environmental benefits as part of a high-quality, sustainable development.” The development would comprise a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes for private sale, alongside two and three-bedroom affordable houses in a range of terraced, semi-detached and detached styles. Plans also set out measures to enhance the site’s landscape features, including the retention of existing hedgerows, mature trees, the tree-lined corridor along the southern and south-western boundaries, and two ponds. New planting using native species is proposed to boost biodiversity, together with the installation of wildlife habitats such as bat and bird boxes. Bellway is also expected to make financial contributions through the planning process to support local infrastructure improvements, potentially including schools, healthcare services, and open space, sports and recreational facilities. Sebastian added: “As well as providing new housing and open space for people in the area, this project will enhance the vitality, viability and accessibility of Hazel Grove, bringing jobs and inward investment into the local economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Housebuilder Keepmoat has announced plans to deliver 199 new homes as part of a £44.5 million investment into the next phase of development at Sandymoor. Following the recent completion of a land sale off Windmill Hill Avenue with Homes England, construction has now begun on the site, which will be known as Meadow Brook. The scheme has been designed in accordance with the national Building for a Healthy Life (BfHL) code, placing people, nature, sustainability and strong connections to public transport, walking and cycling routes at the heart of the development. As part of the build, 71 of the homes will use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) timber frames, improving energy efficiency and overall build quality. Katie Dean, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, North West, said: “We’re proud to bring forward this exciting new community at Sandymoor in partnership with Homes England. Meadow Brook will provide a bespoke and wide range of high-quality, energy-efficient homes surrounded by abundant green open spaces and waterside walks. “The evolution of the site has been designed to meet the highest Building for a Healthy Life principles, which seek to embed quality placemaking and healthier lifestyles bolstering our commitment to well designed quality homes, excellent design, connectivity and integration with nature. “Our proposals have been developed with DK Architects, and Planit-I.E creating a blueprint that puts people and nature at the centre of the design process.” Homes England selected Keepmoat as its preferred development partner in 2023 to deliver a mix of one to four-bedroom homes for private sale alongside a number of affordable properties. Simon Herring, Development Director at Homes England, added: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, our aim is to create high-quality homes in well-designed places, helping to create jobs and drive local economic growth. “This is an important milestone we have reached with Keepmoat and local partners at Sandymoor, where we are enabling a high quality, landscape-led development of 199 new homes, including 40 affordable homes, unlocked by essential infrastructure as part of the wider masterplan. “We look forward to seeing these plans develop into much needed homes in a new, thriving community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The comprehensive transformation of a major site on London’s Oxford Street, designed by KPF, has received the green light from Westminster City Council. The Strategic Planning Committee unanimously resolved to grant planning permission for the scheme at its meeting last night. The redevelopment, designed by KPF for Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BEAM), involves the former BHS and UAL College of Fashion site. The plans will deliver state-of-the-art office accommodation, flagship retail units, and flexible cultural space. The design strategically combines innovative retrofitting with new construction, retaining over half of the existing structure. This approach aligns directly with Westminster City Council’s emerging ‘retrofit-first’ policy and serves as a strong guardian of embodied carbon. The completed building will be fully electric and net-zero aligned, and will feature over 1,000 cycle parking spaces, underpinning its commitment to environmental sustainability. The new workplace environment is intended to attract top talent and support high levels of productivity, wellbeing, and sustainability. Key features include nearly 23,000 sq ft of terraces offering panoramic views across London. John Bushell, KPF Principal, expressed his delight at the decision: “We are delighted to have received unanimous planning approval for 33 Cavendish Square. This development will be a distinctive expression of everything that makes the West End exceptional: world-class retail on one of the world’s most iconic shopping streets, cultural spaces designed to host events from major product launches to conferences, and contemporary workspaces that continue to attract and inspire leading businesses. It will enhance the area’s long-standing reputation for creativity, commerce and culture, delivering lasting benefits for businesses, residents and visitors alike.” Mr Bushell further detailed the design philosophy: “33 Cavendish Square is a thoroughly modern building, designed to resonate with the best of the large buildings along Oxford Street, responding to their composition, scale and materiality. We carried out extensive analysis of the existing buildings to create a scheme that restores a coherent urban form and is an exemplary guardian of embodied carbon. This comprehensive agenda of keeping, adding to, improving, and reimagining the existing building has been an exciting process with a very productive dialogue with Westminster Planning officers and a wide expert team. At KPF, we believe this approach will play an increasingly significant part in the renewal of cities. 33 Cavendish Square will become a powerful exemplar of what this approach can achieve.” Construction works are currently anticipated to begin in 2029, with the development slated for completion in 2033. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals