Construction has officially commenced on a community fire station rebuild in Whitefield for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), led by Robertson Construction North West. Located on Bury New Road, the new Whitefield Community Fire Station is part of GMFRS’s £38m Estates Improvement Programme and is thoughtfully designed to support the next generation of emergency response. The new-build station will feature a reconfigured, more accessible layout and will be equipped with sustainable facilities, creating a modern fire station for the local community and beyond. Work began in May with the demolition of the existing station, clearing the way for the two-storey building that will benefit from a revitalised appliance bay, a state-of-the-art training tower, improved landscaping, and upgraded parking facilities. Material from the demolition has been repurposed to create the substrate for the new station, resulting in minimum waste leaving the site. The project has been designed to achieve BREAAM Excellent and will feature 47 solar panels. Whitefield is one of several fire stations being rebuilt across Greater Manchester. Robertson took over as main contractor for delivering both Whitefield and Blackley in March, after the previous contractor went into administration. This process was completed thoroughly and without delay and construction is now back on track. The new stations will include sustainable heating and lighting systems to support Greater Manchester’s target to become a carbon neutral city-region by 2038. Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “GMFRS has been making strong progress over recent years and the improvements to our estate will only solidify this and push us further forward. “Our investment in our estate will create facilities the community can engage with and be proud of. We’re determined that there won’t be any reduction in fire cover across Greater Manchester, and that’s why we’re investing in new stations and additional fire engines. Communities can be confident that there will no effect on the standard and level of service while these vital rebuilds take place.” Paul Coyle, Commercial Director, Robertson Construction North West, said: “Robertson has been involved in delivering projects for the blue light sector for many years across the UK. Working with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service we will be providing a modern, high-quality facility which will enhance emergency response capabilities and meet the evolving needs of the community. “Using modern construction techniques designed to improve efficiency, quality and sustainability, we will be contributing to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s Estates Improvement Programme and the region’s ambition to become a carbon neutral city-region by 2038. We will also extend our work further into the community, as a responsible contractor, we are committed to creating community wealth through the provision of local employment opportunities, supporting skills development and local engagement.” Dave Russel, Chief Fire Officer, GMFRS, said: “The beginning of construction on our second new-build community fire station is very exciting. These new fire stations will provide a positive and engaging presence in their local communities while giving our staff modern facilities. “I am proud of all the work that has gone into our estates programme, building an estate that is fit for a modern Greater Manchester.” The new-look fire station is set to be complete by October 2026, with Whitefield’s firefighters working from a temporary station on Bury New Road, ensuring the community will receive the same level of cover while the work takes place. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wates Construction has been awarded a £110.6 million contract (excluding VAT) to lead the major restoration of Victoria Tower – the historic structure at the House of Lords end of the Palace of Westminster. The imposing 98.5-metre-high tower, which dates back to 1860, has shown significant signs of decay in recent years. With several incidents of falling masonry since 2018, urgent safety measures – including the installation of a protective deck – have already been put in place. However, these temporary fixes are no longer sufficient, prompting the need for extensive and long-term repairs. The project, commissioned by parliamentary authorities, will see Wates undertake vital conservation and repair works to safeguard the tower’s future. This includes the restoration of exterior stonework to reduce the risk of further stone fall, refurbishment of the roof, window glazing, and the historic flagpole. The last significant works on Victoria Tower were completed more than three decades ago, in the early 1990s. Following a competitive tendering process, Wates was selected to deliver the programme, which forms part of a wider £253 million investment to secure the structural integrity and safety of the tower. Work is expected to begin later this year and will continue until 2031. Steve Holbrook, Managing Director at Wates, said: “Wates and Parliament share a commitment to preserving traditional building techniques while embracing innovative construction and logistic methodologies to protect and enhance this historic landmark. The extensive repair and restoration work we will be carrying out on the Victoria Tower will ensure it can continue its important role on the parliamentary estate for decades to come.” The project follows the recent completion of works to the Elizabeth Tower – home to the iconic Big Ben – by Sir Robert McAlpine at the opposite end of the Palace. Despite the scale of the work, access to the Sovereign’s Entrance – used by the monarch during the State Opening of Parliament since 1852 – will be maintained throughout the restoration period, allowing ceremonial events to continue uninterrupted. As one of the most recognisable features of the Westminster skyline, Victoria Tower plays a key role in the identity of the UK Parliament. Its restoration signals a renewed focus on preserving the heritage of the Palace while ensuring public safety and operational continuity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The UK’s first all-electric prison has officially opened in York, marking a significant milestone in the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) drive to create modern, sustainable facilities that support prisoner rehabilitation. HMP Millsike, a Category C resettlement prison with a capacity for 1,500 prisoners, forms part of the MoJ’s New Prisons Programme (NPP), one of several programmes which make up the 20,000 prison place programmes which aims to deliver 20,000 new prison places across the country. Designed with rehabilitation at its core, HMP Millsike will provide prisoners with the skills and training needed to secure employment upon release, supporting the government’s wider efforts to cut reoffending and improve public safety. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard acted as the lead designer on the project, working closely with the MoJ and Kier to deliver an efficient, safe, and secure facility. The consultancy has a long-standing partnership with the MoJ, spanning over two decades, and has been instrumental in shaping the design of multiple prisons, including HMP Five Wells, HMP Fosse Way, and HMP Oakwood. Jenny Curtlin, director at Pick Everard, said: “HMP Millsike sets a new standard for sustainable prison design, incorporating biophilic principles and energy-efficient solutions to create a facility that prioritises rehabilitation. Our work on the New Prisons Programme included developing the reference design—a blueprint that has been successfully used across multiple new prisons. This latest project builds on that foundation, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.” The prison will operate on 70 percent less energy than traditional prison facilities, thanks to air-source heat pumps, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting systems, generating over 8,500kWh of renewable energy on-site. HMP Millsike has been designed to provide a safe, secure, and rehabilitative environment, featuring six accommodation blocks, a central services hub, an entrance resource hub, workshops, kitchens, a support building, and a care and separation unit (CASU). The facility’s innovative approach to prison design reflects the MoJ’s commitment to creating environments that support rehabilitation while reducing the carbon footprint of the justice system. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, said: “This Government is fixing the broken prison system we inherited, delivering the cells needed to take the most dangerous criminals off our streets. “HMP Millsike sets the standard for the jails of the future, with cutting crime built into its very fabric. It is a huge step in our plan to add 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. “But building jails only takes us so far in ending this crisis, which is why we’re also reviewing sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous offenders and make our streets safer.” With the successful completion of HMP Millsike, the MoJ and Pick Everard continue to drive forward sustainable and rehabilitative prison design, shaping the future of the UK’s custodial estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The UK construction industry is set to benefit from a significant pipeline of work, as the government pushes forward with a £2.3 billion prison expansion programme aimed at creating 14,000 new prison places by 2031. According to industry analysts Glenigan, the Ministry of Justice’s Prison Capacity Strategy offers substantial secured opportunities for contractors across the country. The ambitious strategy will see four new prisons constructed over the next seven years, delivering 6,500 new places for offenders. In addition to the new builds, a further 6,400 places will be created via new blocks within existing prison estates. An extra 1,000 places are planned through the installation of rapid deployment cells, while over 1,000 existing cells will undergo refurbishment. To support the long-term functionality of the prison system, the government has also allocated an additional £500 million for maintenance across the prison and probation estates. Fast-Tracking Delivery In a move to avoid the planning delays that have previously hindered prison developments, the government will reclassify prisons as ‘sites of national importance’. This change is designed to accelerate the planning process. Additional land acquisitions are also planned to accommodate future expansion. Sector Growth Backed by Data Recent data highlights a notable surge in prison-related construction activity. Glenigan reports that the value of prison project starts rose to £164 million in the three months to January 2024—almost fourteen times the value recorded a year prior. These projects represented approximately 38% of all construction activity within the communities and amenities sector during that period. A major driver of this increase was the £101.5 million refurbishment of a detention centre in Gosport, alongside several other Ministry of Justice projects currently at various stages of development. Key Projects Across the UK Among the most prominent schemes is a £116 million development at HMP Lancaster Farms, due to begin this summer. The project includes new houseblocks, workshops, and storage facilities over nearly 5,000 sq m, with Kier Construction appointed as the main contractor for the 17-month build. Elsewhere in the North West, HMP Hindley near Wigan is undergoing a £93 million expansion. The 40-month project, led by Wates Smartspace, involves constructing two accommodation blocks and support facilities totalling nearly 25,000 sq m. Work is scheduled to commence this spring. In the South of England, a substantial £300 million new-build prison is planned at HMP Grendon Springhill near Aylesbury, spanning up to 67,000 sq m. Further south, a £75 million development is planned at HM Ford Open Prison in West Sussex. The scheme will include seven three-storey houseblocks and various supporting facilities over 17,000 sq m, with work expected to begin later this year, though a main contractor has yet to be appointed. Additional developments in the south include projects at HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire and HMP Standford Hill in Kent, both currently in the pre-tender phase. Opportunities in Smaller Schemes The expansion programme also includes a range of smaller projects. For example, at HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire, a £3.52 million scheme involving two two-storey houseblocks and associated facilities has received detailed planning approval. Construction is due to start this spring and run for 12 months. Looking ahead, one of the most significant projects in the pipeline is the £236.4 million HMP Wymott 2 development in Chorley, Lancashire. Outline planning permission has been granted and tenders submitted. The project will deliver nearly 75,000 sq m of new facilities adjacent to two existing prisons, with construction set to begin next summer and span two years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction has commenced on a £300m expansion project at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, set to deliver 741 new category C prison places as part of the government’s wider plan to create 14,000 additional spaces by 2031. The development will introduce three four-storey houseblocks alongside key facilities, including a healthcare building, workshop, teaching spaces, and additional kitchen capacity. Several existing structures, such as the gym and gatehouse, will also undergo upgrades. A key focus of the project is social value, with initiatives to provide apprenticeships, employment for former prisoners, and training programmes aimed at upskilling inmates. Modern construction methods are being utilised to improve efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and accelerate project delivery. Standardised designs are being implemented to ensure the highest standards of quality, security, and sustainability. The scheme also aims to achieve a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. Major stakeholders involved in the project include Mace, Pick Everard, Baker Hicks, Gleeds, and Prism Offsite Manufacturing, with key trade contractors such as Moortown, Gallagher, Trident Electrical, Munnelley, Green Shield, and HSH contributing to the build. The new prison wings are expected to be completed by summer 2027, with prisoners set to move in shortly after. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a £1.5 billion investment programme aimed at regenerating 75 neighbourhoods across the UK over the next decade. Each selected area will receive £20 million as part of the government’s new Plan for Neighbourhoods, designed to breathe new life into local high streets, parks, youth clubs, cultural venues, libraries, and health and wellbeing services. To ensure that funding meets local needs, newly established neighbourhood boards will bring together residents and businesses to decide how best to invest the money in their communities. Options could range from repairing pavements and revitalising high streets to setting up community grocers offering low-cost essentials, co-operatives, or even strengthening neighbourhood watch schemes. The investment will also focus on improving education, health, and employment services while tackling pressing local issues such as crime. Alex Norris, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, said the programme would provide long-term support to strengthen community spirit and help struggling areas recover. “This will deliver lasting funding to reignite the potential of neighbourhoods that have for too long been left fighting for survival,” he said. “Alongside our planning reforms, devolution of powers, and strengthened workers’ rights, this investment will help people and places to thrive again.” Among the communities set to benefit are Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, Irvine in Scotland, Wrexham in Wales, and Coleraine and Derry in Northern Ireland. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner highlighted the importance of putting local people in control of their own regeneration. “For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment despite their potential to grow and flourish,” she said. “Communities across the UK have so much to offer—from rich cultural heritage to strong local networks—but they know best what their neighbourhoods need. “Our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods does things differently. It puts local people in the driving seat, giving them the power to decide how government investment is spent, what issues to tackle, and where to focus growth.” With this ambitious funding package, the government aims to give neighbourhoods the tools and resources to transform their futures, creating stronger, more vibrant communities across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals