The £1 billion regeneration of Eastgate Quarter in Leeds city centre has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of a specialist consultant team to help deliver the ambitious scheme. Danish planners and British architects have been selected to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of a four-hectare site in
Birmingham City Council has confirmed a new long-term arrangement for the repair and maintenance of its council housing, appointing Wates, Equans and Mears to share responsibility for work across the city. Following a detailed procurement process, Wates Property Services, Equans and Mears have each secured places on a 10-year contract
Birmingham City Council is overhauling the way its council housing is maintained, appointing a new group of contractors to take responsibility for long-term repairs and investment across the city. From July 2026, Equans, Wates and Mears will deliver day-to-day repairs, planned maintenance and improvement works across around 60,000 council homes.
The Liverpool City Region has unveiled ambitious plans to accelerate the delivery of more than 63,000 new homes through a £2bn housing pipeline designed to unlock stalled sites and drive large-scale regeneration across the region. Led by metro mayor Steve Rotheram, the initiative brings together local authorities, housing associations and
Earlier yesterday (Thursday 15 January) the Finance and Resources Committee recommended the approval of a £21 million contract to Kier Construction to deliver a comprehensive retrofit and upgrade programme at Craigmillar Court and Peffermill Court, two 15 floor blocks in Edinburgh. The project forms part of the Council’s wider Strategic Investment
The construction firm behind a brand-new and trailblazing Youth Zone, that is going to transform the lives of young people in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire for generations to come, has completed work on the project ahead of it opening early next year. Hobson & Porter, which operates across Lincolnshire
Manchester City Council is set to welcome around major investment into key growth areas for the city – part of the £1bn Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund announced by the GMCA this week. The funding package is set to be approved by Cllr Bev Craig, the portfolio Leader for Good Growth, and the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy
Savills Earth has successfully delivered the Pendleton, Eccles and Swinton Social Impact Guides, a landmark commission for Salford City Council that sets a new standard for building capability within the social value economy. The guides provide developers and investors with practical insights to understand local strengths, challenges and real-life opportunities
Lewisham Council has appointed Higgins as the main contractor for its major new housing development at Ladywell Park Gardens, marking the next step in the regeneration of the former Ladywell Leisure Centre site in south London. The project will see the creation of 102 high-quality residential apartments, spread across four
Following the successful delivery of energy efficiency projects across seven of the City of London Corporation’s iconic buildings, Vital Energi have moved on to a second phase of works to further accelerate its journey to net zero. Together, both phases will deliver annual carbon savings of over 1,500 tonnes and
The £1 billion regeneration of Eastgate Quarter in Leeds city centre has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of a specialist consultant team to help deliver the ambitious scheme. Danish planners and British architects have been selected to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of a four-hectare site in the heart of Leeds. The mixed-use project will span from Vicar Lane in the west to Bridge Street in the east, and from Lady Lane in the south to the A64(M) in the north. Leeds-based developers Khalbros and Torsion Group formed a joint venture after acquiring the Eastgate Quarter site in April 2025. Their plans aim to expand the footprint of the city centre and establish a vibrant new neighbourhood featuring homes, workspace, leisure and hospitality destinations. To realise this vision, the joint venture has appointed FeildenCleggBradley (FCB) Studios as lead architect and masterplanner, alongside Danish urban design practice SLA. FCB Studios already has strong ties to Leeds, having designed Broadcasting Place for Leeds Beckett University and developed the masterplan for Wellington Place. Planning consultancy services will be delivered by Leeds-based ID Planning, while Roscoe will provide structural and civil engineering expertise. AMA has been appointed to advise on highways and transport matters. A further 15 specialist consultants and advisers will support the core team. These include Urban Wilderness for townscape visual impact assessments, Futuresecology for ecological consultancy, Prospect for archaeology services, and Social for communications and public consultation support. Additional expertise will be provided by FD Global on wind consultancy, Levrant on heritage conservation and repurposing, GIA Consulting on daylight and sunlight surveying, and Tace on services and utilities consultancy. The proposals are currently progressing through a pre-application process with Leeds City Council to ensure alignment with the ambitions set out in the Eastgate Quarter masterplan. David Khalastchi, Managing Partner at Khalbros, described Eastgate Quarter as a defining moment for Leeds, calling it the final major regeneration opportunity within the inner city centre. He said the appointments signal the project’s international significance while remaining rooted in Leeds’ distinctive character, adding that the team and its investors are proud to contribute to the city’s long-term transformation. Dan Spencer, Chief Executive of Torsion Group, said the consultant appointments represent a pivotal step in bringing the vision for Eastgate Quarter to life. He highlighted the strength of the team, combining local and international expertise, and said the calibre of advisers reflects the scale of ambition behind the scheme and its commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth while creating a lasting legacy. Alex Whitbread, Senior Partner at FCB Studios, said the area has been overlooked for decades. He outlined plans to create a new mixed-use neighbourhood grounded in Leeds’ identity, where sustainability, density and high-quality placemaking work together. The scheme will breathe new life into long-vacant buildings, replace empty plots and car parks with a dynamic public realm, and reconnect surrounding residential communities as the city centre continues to expand. Rasmus Astrup, Design Principal and Senior Partner at SLA, added that the team is excited to be working on such a transformative project. Drawing on Leeds’ heritage, the ambition is to reimagine Eastgate as a ‘Greengate’ — a neighbourhood shaped by nature, public life and green infrastructure as key drivers of regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council has confirmed a new long-term arrangement for the repair and maintenance of its council housing, appointing Wates, Equans and Mears to share responsibility for work across the city. Following a detailed procurement process, Wates Property Services, Equans and Mears have each secured places on a 10-year contract to maintain around 60,000 council homes, with the option to extend the agreements by a further five years. The new contracts cover a broad range of services, from day-to-day responsive repairs to planned improvement programmes and the preparation of empty homes for new tenants. Under the new model, Wates will take responsibility for more than 30,000 homes across the north and south of Birmingham. Equans will manage around 17,000 properties in the east of the city, while Mears will oversee approximately 11,500 homes across central and west Birmingham. The scope of work includes planned maintenance programmes such as kitchen and bathroom replacements, alongside wider improvement works aimed at raising housing standards across the council’s estate. Wates said its contract is valued at £1.1bn over the initial 10-year term, while Mears confirmed its agreement is worth £450m. Equans has not disclosed the value of its contract. Birmingham City Council said the new arrangements are designed to modernise how repairs and maintenance services are delivered, placing a stronger emphasis on flexibility, communication and tenant experience. Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the contracts provide an opportunity to reset how the council monitors and manages housing maintenance. She said tenants should see a more responsive service with clearer communication, alongside continued investment to improve the quality of homes. The council is investing more than £200m a year to upgrade its housing stock, including the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms and measures to improve energy efficiency. Brennan said the new contracts will help maintain the pace of that investment, ensuring tenants and leaseholders live in warm, safe and sustainable homes across Birmingham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council is overhauling the way its council housing is maintained, appointing a new group of contractors to take responsibility for long-term repairs and investment across the city. From July 2026, Equans, Wates and Mears will deliver day-to-day repairs, planned maintenance and improvement works across around 60,000 council homes. The appointments form part of a new 10-year framework arrangement, split across four city regions and potentially worth up to £3bn, with an option to extend for a further five years. Under the new framework, Equans will retain one of the three lots it previously held, while Wates has emerged as the largest winner, securing two lots with a combined value of up to £1.75bn over the life of the contracts. Mears completes the new trio of delivery partners. 10-year Birmingham housing maintenance lots City region New partner Previous holder Value East Equans Equans £619m North Wates Equans £451m South Wates Fortem £1.3bn West Central Mears Equans £607m Willmott Dixon-owned Fortem, which has provided housing maintenance services in south Birmingham for 18 years, will exit the programme when its current contract ends this summer. The contracts cover a broad range of services, including responsive repairs, kitchen and bathroom replacements, wider planned maintenance programmes and the preparation of empty homes ready for new tenants. Birmingham City Council said the new delivery model has been shaped by extensive tenant feedback and is intended to provide a more flexible, responsive and modern service. A key feature will be the introduction of a fully digitised repairs journey, giving tenants clearer communication around planned works, timeframes and any changes to appointments, as well as greater ability to rearrange visits. New digital systems will also be used to monitor the condition of homes more effectively and support programmes to improve energy efficiency, helping to make properties warmer and cheaper to heat. Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the new contracts represent a reset in how repairs and maintenance are delivered and monitored. She added that tenants should see improved communication, more responsive services and continued investment in kitchens, bathrooms and energy efficiency measures across the council’s housing stock.
The Liverpool City Region has unveiled ambitious plans to accelerate the delivery of more than 63,000 new homes through a £2bn housing pipeline designed to unlock stalled sites and drive large-scale regeneration across the region. Led by metro mayor Steve Rotheram, the initiative brings together local authorities, housing associations and delivery partners to identify over 300 development sites capable of supporting new housing. Nearly half of the proposed homes, around 31,000 units, would be delivered within the city of Liverpool itself. The Liverpool City Region Housing Pipeline sets out a coordinated approach to housing delivery, aligning land preparation, infrastructure investment and funding support to speed up development. It follows a recent commitment of £700m for new social and affordable housing across the region, representing the largest investment of its kind locally. The combined authority is being asked to formally approve the work completed to date and endorse the pipeline as a priority framework for directing development funding. Approval would allow detailed preparation of sites to move forward, coordinated alongside wider investment in transport infrastructure, economic development and place-based regeneration. Working jointly with Homes England, the combined authority is already investing £1.3m to bring forward 309 priority sites across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. This work forms part of a strategic place partnership aimed at tackling viability challenges and accelerating delivery. Members will also be asked to endorse the creation of a new Housing Investment Fund to unlock difficult sites and support early-stage development. Analysis suggests around £1bn of public support will be required to deliver 139 of the identified schemes, with the full pipeline potentially needing up to £2bn in total investment. Rising construction costs, higher borrowing rates and increasingly stringent building standards have created significant viability gaps, particularly on complex urban brownfield sites. To further accelerate delivery, the combined authority is exploring the establishment of a mayoral development corporation, initially focused on a North Docks development area, with the potential to extend the model to other priority regeneration zones. The next phase will involve active engagement with the wider housing market. A meeting scheduled for early February will bring together developers, contractors, investors, housing associations and local authorities, marking the launch of a new Liverpool City Region Developer Forum aimed at building market confidence and supporting delivery. If delivered in full, the pipeline would represent one of the most significant housing and regeneration programmes in the region’s history, reshaping communities and supporting long-term economic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Earlier yesterday (Thursday 15 January) the Finance and Resources Committee recommended the approval of a £21 million contract to Kier Construction to deliver a comprehensive retrofit and upgrade programme at Craigmillar Court and Peffermill Court, two 15 floor blocks in Edinburgh. The project forms part of the Council’s wider Strategic Investment Plan for high-rise buildings and will bring both blocks up to modern standards, significantly improving comfort, safety, energy efficiency and long-term sustainability for residents. Built in 1968, the two floor blocks currently have no insulation, making homes difficult and expensive to heat. The retrofit will introduce extensive external wall insulation, dramatically improving thermal performance and helping homes retain heat more effectively. These upgrades are expected to create warmer living spaces and reduce heating costs for residents throughout the year. To further improve indoor air quality and tackle long-standing issues with damp and mould, each flat will be fitted with a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system. This will provide a continuous supply of fresh air while retaining heat, supporting healthier and more comfortable homes. Other improvements include: The surrounding environment will also be transformed, with: Craigmillar Court and Peffermill Court each contain 57 two-bedroom homes. This major investment represents a long-term commitment to improving living conditions, reducing carbon emissions, enhancing safety and creating more welcoming, sustainable communities for current and future residents. Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Cllr Tim Pogson, said:This £21 million investment represents a major step forward in improving the quality, safety and sustainability of our high-rise homes. By upgrading insulation, ventilation, fire safety and communal spaces, this project will deliver warmer, healthier and more affordable homes for residents, while also ensuring these buildings are fit for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The construction firm behind a brand-new and trailblazing Youth Zone, that is going to transform the lives of young people in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire for generations to come, has completed work on the project ahead of it opening early next year. Hobson & Porter, which operates across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, has now handed over the £11.5m Horizon Youth Zone and work is currently underway on the internal fit-out of the facility before it opens. Decisions on the interior design including paint colours and artwork are being led by the Young People’s Development Group (YPDG), made up of young people from across the local area. Construction started in late 2023 and has incorporated a vast spectrum of work. Several large Grade II listed 19th century maltings and grain store buildings, known as West Haven Maltings and Migar House, have been fully restored and repurposed. Part of a building also had to be completely rebuilt alongside the River Freshney, using a pontoon in the river to create a working platform to access a river wall. In addition to the intricate refurbishment and restoration aspects of the project, Hobson & Porter has also built a large new sports hall and an outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA). Other facilities include a climbing wall, music room with built-in recording studio, performing arts space, maker zone with 3D printing equipment, arts and crafts area, boxing gym and fitness suite. Horizon Youth Zone, part of the OnSide Network, will offer a safe and inspiring place for young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, to enjoy their leisure time. There will be over 20 activities taking place each evening, for just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit. Joe Booth, Pre Construction and Business Development Director from Hobson & Porter, said: “There’s no doubt this has been a hugely challenging and complex project. There were new build aspects, refurbishment works, delicate conservation phases, heritage considerations, major repurposing, river works and highway improvements, which all had to be balanced and carefully managed by our dedicated team and supply chain. “However, it’s been a very rewarding project for everyone involved. As well as giving a disused site and several major derelict buildings a completely new life, the whole construction team knows what it means for young people in and around Grimsby and the lasting impact it will have. “We’re therefore delighted to complete work and hand the project over to the team and we can’t wait to see it welcome the first members through the doors in the coming months.” Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “This is another significant milestone, and because the people of North East Lincolnshire can now see the completed buildings and how amazing they look, the level of anticipation and interest surrounding Horizon Youth Zone is growing by the day. “We now have a busy and very exciting couple of months coming up as we complete the rest of the internal work and begin the soft openings phase of school, community visits and team training ahead of us opening early next year.” Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, which is contributing to the development as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, and the Department of Culture Media and Sport, through the Youth Investment Fund. Capital funders of Horizon Youth Zone comprise of Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Youth Investment Fund, Evergreen Life, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK. Horizon Youth Zone is also building a fabulous family of Founder Patrons, comprising of local organisations and philanthropists, who will support the Youth Zone during its first four years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council is set to welcome around major investment into key growth areas for the city – part of the £1bn Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund announced by the GMCA this week. The funding package is set to be approved by Cllr Bev Craig, the portfolio Leader for Good Growth, and the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at a meeting of the Combined Authority next week. The first tranche of the pioneering funding model will deliver £400m investment for 30 projects across the city region making sure that the whole of Greater Manchester will benefit. For Manchester, the investment will focus on delivering major residential projects – with a keen focus on social housing and genuinely affordable tenures – along with transformative investment in key projects that will unlock major commercial and office space, and significant employment and skills opportunities for local people. New Housing and Affordable Homes Victoria North This City Wythenshawe Town Centre Commercial Space Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “Manchester is leading the way in trying to both supercharge our economy to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, while also creating new opportunities for our residents and building homes everyone can afford. Our mission is clear, good growth that creates a world class city, a thriving economy and a place where everyone benefits. “This groundbreaking GM Good Growth Fund will supercharge our ambitions, backing schemes that create jobs and the homes we need for everyone’s benefit. It will unlock and deliver major new sustainable housing investment that meets the needs of our residents, building excellent communities and town centres that our residents are proud to call their own – and, crucially, unlock projects that can deliver genuinely affordable and Council homes that make sure these developments are open and available to as many Mancunians as possible. “We also know that the whole of the Northwest, and the rest of Greater Manchester, needs Manchester City Centre to do well – attract growth, investment and opportunity for the whole region. That’s why the Greater Manchester investment in commercial office development is so important. And despite the commercial challenges elsewhere in the country, Manchester can forge ahead with making sure our commercial pipeline meets the huge demand we see for new space in the city. It will also help a range of globally significant projects to move forward, while creating the conditions for our key growth sectors to thrive in digital, life sciences, research and innovation. “The Good Growth Fund represents an unprecedented level of investment in key sectors and homes across our city region. We have thought carefully about how we can best inject money into the right locations and this fund is a major shot in the arm for economic growth, job creation, skills and infrastructure – translating directly into new jobs and opportunities for our residents to play their part in the city’s success.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills Earth has successfully delivered the Pendleton, Eccles and Swinton Social Impact Guides, a landmark commission for Salford City Council that sets a new standard for building capability within the social value economy. The guides provide developers and investors with practical insights to understand local strengths, challenges and real-life opportunities to help ensure all residents benefit from the city’s growth. Supported by funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, and working alongside Salford CVS, this project represents a bold and innovative approach to embedding social value as a core element of civic infrastructure, moving beyond its traditional role as a planning requirement. Developed through engagement with over 300 residents, 61 VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise) organisations, and local councillors, the guides are a co-designed framework integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles and aligning with UKGBC guidance. The final product is a practical blueprint for embedding social value across planning, procurement and asset operations, with clear delivery routes and measurement tools aligned to national standards. Olivia Sutcliffe, Associate Director, Savills Earth, states: “Salford’s leadership in embedding social value at the planning stage sets a new benchmark for ethical, inclusive development. This scalable model rooted in collaboration, accountability and long term stewardship offers a blueprint we hope to see other local authorities adopt.” Councillor Jack Youd, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration, adds: “Our mission is to create a brighter future for everyone in Salford, and that begins with listening to our residents and understanding their needs. We’ve worked closely with communities and VCFSE groups to co-produce these place-based guides rooted in local strengths and challenges. They provide developers and investors in Eccles, Swinton, and Pendleton with a framework to help realise our vision of a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive Salford. We thank Savills for their expertise and instrumental role in shaping frameworks that will deliver tangible, positive impact for our communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lewisham Council has appointed Higgins as the main contractor for its major new housing development at Ladywell Park Gardens, marking the next step in the regeneration of the former Ladywell Leisure Centre site in south London. The project will see the creation of 102 high-quality residential apartments, spread across four architecturally designed blocks by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The development aims to provide a balanced mix of homes, including 47 social rent apartments for families on the council’s housing waiting list, alongside 55 shared ownership properties to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. Planning permission for Ladywell Park Gardens was secured in October 2023, with the scheme forming a key part of Lewisham Council’s ongoing commitment to delivering more affordable homes within the borough. The appointment of Higgins, a contractor with a strong track record in community-focused regeneration, signals an important milestone in turning these plans into reality. Although the final contract details are still being clarified, early preparatory works have already begun on site. The development is expected to be completed by spring 2028, creating a new residential community designed to meet high standards of sustainability, design quality and accessibility. Declan Higgins, chief executive of Higgins Group, said: “This development represents an important opportunity to provide much-needed housing while working collaboratively with our partners and the local community. We are proud to be part of a project that will not only deliver new homes but also enhance the wider neighbourhood.” Once finished, Ladywell Park Gardens will form part of the council’s broader housing strategy, which focuses on tackling the borough’s growing demand for affordable and family-friendly accommodation. The mix of tenures is designed to foster a diverse, inclusive community while ensuring that local residents benefit from the regeneration of underused sites. With construction activity now underway, the transformation of the former leisure centre into a vibrant new residential hub represents a significant step forward for Lewisham’s housing ambitions – and another example of how local authorities and private contractors are working together to deliver homes that make a lasting difference. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the successful delivery of energy efficiency projects across seven of the City of London Corporation’s iconic buildings, Vital Energi have moved on to a second phase of works to further accelerate its journey to net zero. Together, both phases will deliver annual carbon savings of over 1,500 tonnes and financial savings of £1.25m, forming a key part of the City Corporation’s ambitious strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its operational estate by 2027, before reaching net zero across all its activities by 2040. Bespoke decarbonisation plans have been developed for each building, incorporating the latest renewable technologies and energy conservation measures. These upgrades are designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce heat loss, and lower energy bills, while respecting the heritage and operational needs of each site. Featured buildings: Alderman Alison Gowman, Climate Action Lead at the City of London Corporation, said: “The built environment sector is the largest source of carbon emissions in the Square Mile, so our work with Vital to decarbonise City Corporation buildings is crucial for meeting our own net zero goals, as well as supporting the wider Square Mile net zero goal. “Energy use is central to this challenge. By improving efficiency and investing in low-carbon energy solutions, such as heat pumps and solar power, we can make a real impact on the City Corporation’s energy emissions. We can also show it’s possible to make historic and operationally complex buildings part of a low-carbon future: Practical steps that turn climate ambition into tangible progress. “Since launching our Climate Action Strategy in 2020, we have made strong progress in cutting carbon emissions and reducing climate risks – meaning we remain on track for net zero across our full value chain and the whole Square Mile by 2040.” Scott Lutton, Regional Director at Vital Energi, said: “We’re proud to be continuing our partnership with the City of London Corporation to deliver the next phase of decarbonisation works across some of the capital’s most iconic and historically significant buildings. “By combining renewable technologies with tailored energy conservation measures, we’re not only helping to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, but also supporting the Corporation’s bold commitment to achieving net zero across its own operations by 2027. Each building presents unique challenges, and our bespoke decarbonisation plans ensure that sustainability goes hand-in-hand with heritage and operational excellence.” Learn more about phase one of the project here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals