The master plan for transforming the Broad Marsh area in Nottingham has been unveiled, progressing from the initial vision to detailed plans outlining new homes, offices, leisure facilities, and green spaces. This comprehensive plan aims to create opportunities for living and working in the area, attract investment, and generate employment
Stand L20, Royal Armouries Hall @ UKREiiF Senior representatives from Cornwall Council, Cornwall Trade and Investment and Treveth will be attending the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), 21-23 May, to attract investment for a range of once in a generation development opportunities in the region. Procurement pipeline
TODAY Greater Manchester is taking its first step towards offering a property check to renters across the city region, empowering those who feel trapped in substandard housing. This morning, in Moss Side, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a £600,000 package of measures to support tenants and clamp
Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community this week at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the
Opportunity Mid Sussex, the inward investment platform of Mid Sussex District Council, will promote 70 hectares of employment space at one of the UK’s premier real estate, investment, and infrastructure shows. Representatives from Mid Sussex District Council will attend UKREiiF in Leeds from 21-23 May 2024 to promote and showcase
Barnet Council has announced the appointment of Russell Curtis as chair of the borough’s first-ever Quality Review Panel. The Quality Review Panel will test the fundamental design principles of planning proposals, playing a major role in the council’s commitment to exemplary, high-quality developments. Comprising 28 experts drawn from across the
NEWLY re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for his third term. Today he unveils measures to increase the amount of social housing in the city-region, improve the standard of rented accommodation and end the housing crisis in Greater Manchester by
London Councils has welcomed a new report from a cross-party parliamentary committee pointing to serious financial pressures on the social housing sector. A London Councils spokesperson said: “Without more government investment it is hard to see anything but a bleak future for social housing. “Our analysis shows London boroughs face
In a move aimed at progressing the development of a new £65 million university campus, a council has initiated a compulsory purchase order to acquire necessary land, paving the way for ambitious construction plans. Blackpool Council has previously granted approval for the demolition of 59 residential properties within the designated
An £80 million scheme to revitalize the heart of Telford is set to take the spotlight at a significant national development and investment event. Telford & Wrekin Council’s ambitious plan to rejuvenate the core of Telford – by establishing a dynamic new residential, educational, and business community, complete with an
The master plan for transforming the Broad Marsh area in Nottingham has been unveiled, progressing from the initial vision to detailed plans outlining new homes, offices, leisure facilities, and green spaces. This comprehensive plan aims to create opportunities for living and working in the area, attract investment, and generate employment for local businesses. A new fly-through CGI video and images provide a glimpse of the future look of the area. The master plan, developed by major international architecture and design practice BDP and property advisor JLL, follows extensive public consultation. Key elements of the Broad Marsh vision include: Nottingham City Council appointed BDP and JLL to develop the plan for this significant city centre project. The plan will be used to continue dialogues with Homes England and the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to prepare the area for market readiness. Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “It is exciting to see the Broad Marsh vision brought to life with this fly-through video. The plan shows our commitment to finding a solution for Broad Marsh and attracting investment to support the transformation. We will continue to work with partners to find the investment and developers needed to deliver our vision. “The surrounding area has changed dramatically, with the new Central Library, bus station, and car park, plus new pedestrian areas along Sussex Street and Collin Street with its new play area. We also have plans for a new NHS Community Diagnostic Centre in part of the old shopping centre. One of the biggest transformations is happening right now, with work on the Green Heart due to finish this summer. This is a significant improvement for the people of Nottingham.” Urban Design Director David Rudlin, overseeing the Broad Marsh master planning process, said: “This project represents a pivotal moment for the city of Nottingham. Building on previous work, we have created a viable scheme that will deliver a lively and creative new urban quarter, breathing new life into this important city centre site. We are also seeking sustainable solutions to reuse part of the shopping centre’s existing concrete frame to support the development of a range of new spaces that will benefit the community.” Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, added: “Unveiling the Broad Marsh Master Plan presents an unparalleled opportunity for investment and growth for Nottingham. This transformative project is set to reshape Nottingham’s landscape, creating a welcoming gateway into the city centre with over 1,000 new homes, 20,000 sqm of office and leisure space, and around 2,500 new jobs. “The retention of the old shopping centre’s structural frame for innovative spaces, including an NHS Community Diagnostic Centre and a Caves visitor attraction, highlights the importance of tourism and innovation in our region. Team Nottingham, led by Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s Invest in Nottingham, is looking forward to launching the Broad Marsh Master Plan at this week’s UKREiif investment event in Leeds alongside other exciting development sites across the region.” Phil Farrell, JLL’s development director for the Midlands, said: “JLL has been supporting Nottingham City Council for a number of years on Broad Marsh. We were delighted to work with BDP, a world-class master planner, to bring this concept to life. Broad Marsh is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK today and certainly the most transformative. It sits at the very centre of the city, connecting the retail core and office quarter to the emerging areas around the railway station and river. Broad Marsh will become the heart of the city, delivering a modern employment, residential, and leisure experience, sensitively integrated into world-famous heritage. JLL is proud to have been involved in ensuring this master plan is both aspirational and commercially viable.” The Broad Marsh master plan was unveiled at a special Nottingham event at UKREiiF, hosted by Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s Invest in Nottingham. A small team from Nottingham City Council joined partners from across Nottingham at the country’s biggest annual investment event. The funding to attend the event was not paid for by Nottingham City Council. Wider Regeneration The Broad Marsh sits at the heart of a current £4bn regeneration programme. Currently, building work is ongoing to create the new wildlife-rich Broad Marsh Green Heart. This new green space will feature 38 semi-mature trees, 34 of which are newly planted, colourful planting areas, a new ‘marsh’ area, several footpaths, and seating areas. The Green Heart will serve as a key pedestrian route, creating a clear and direct path from the train station to the city centre, well-lit at night and accessible for people with limited mobility. The Green Heart is the latest addition to the wider Broad Marsh public realm redevelopment. Most recently, a new play space was opened on Collin Street, featuring specially designed swings, a play trail with timber stepping blocks, balancing walkways, a seesaw, and green planting. This new play space is part of a Playable Cities Initiative and supports Nottingham’s journey to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City. In addition to the new play space, Collin Street is now fully open for pedestrian access, with a traffic-free route connecting the Green Heart and Lister Gate to the new green public space on Sussex Street next to Nottingham College. This area features a mini amphitheatre, a skateable space, and a multi-use games area. The Broad Marsh regeneration has already seen the development of a new Central Library, Car Park, and Bus Station, as well as a new Nottingham College city hub, which has transformed streets and public spaces in the area, increasing footfall and supporting businesses on Lister Gate. Recently, it was announced that a new state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre will be located on the Broad Marsh regeneration site, run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The CDC will be a one-stop shop supporting GPs by providing direct access to diagnostic services such as MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, and lung function testing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice
Stand L20, Royal Armouries Hall @ UKREiiF Senior representatives from Cornwall Council, Cornwall Trade and Investment and Treveth will be attending the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), 21-23 May, to attract investment for a range of once in a generation development opportunities in the region. Procurement pipeline project research carried out by Inner Circle Consulting, has qualified eight significant development projects in Cornwall, which equate to a £10.6 billion forecast capital spend in the next ten years. This figure includes £3.4bn on Housing and another £3.4bn on Culture and Economic Development, and some of these opportunities will be showcased at UKREiiF to encourage national contractors to expand their operations to Cornwall and drive economic growth. Chief Executive of Cornwall Council, Kate Kennally will be joined at the three-day Conference from 21-23 May 2024 by a team of key representatives from Cornwall Council, Cornwall Trade and Investment and its arms length property development company, Treveth, on stand L20 in the Royal Armouries Hall. Cornwall has attended the UKREiiF since its inception, three years ago. The Conference connects people working within the UK Real Estate industry, with more than 10,000 attendees expected and 700 speakers over the course of the three days. For 2024, Cornwall is actively seeking discussions with investors and potential partners to support the region’s strategic focus by bringing forward eight key development opportunities that will drive green growth and demonstrate the volume of work, over a longer term, taking place across the region. Committed to creating sustainable and more inclusive and prosperous communities, a Supported Housing Delivery project, to deliver 48,000 new and improved supported housing units across Cornwall by 2050 and valued at c.£82m over 5 years, is one of the key opportunities Cornwall is hoping will be of interest to delegates attending the Conference. A £300m project to deliver a pioneering green community at Langarth Garden Village is billed as a world-class flagship scheme. Other significant projects that have been ear-marked for development include a c.£300m Cornwall Airport & Estate opportunity, which is one of the UK’s largest designated Enterprise Zones; a £100-200m new transport quarter in Newquay; a commercial development opportunity at Goonhilly Earth Station ranging from £1m-£20m; a £230m Pydar Street regeneration project in Truro; floating offshore wind operations facilities and development at Falmouth Docks, and an ambitious £1m Local Investment in Nature Cornwall (LINC) initiative. Councillor Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council said, “The team are really excited to be attending UKREiiF this year, with an impressive pipeline of development opportunities. The figure of £10.6 billion in the next 10 years, is qualified by independent research, so we’re confident this will make Cornwall an attractive prospect for national contractors, consultants and their supply chains to expand their operations and help us deliver our ambitious plans. “We are developing housing stock faster than the rest of the UK so harnessing the power of Cornwall is essential to the UK’s journey to net zero. Investing in Cornwall means having the space to think big and work with a proactive council to create a real legacy.” As well as a dedicated stand at UKREiiF, senior members of the Cornwall team will be part of a series of panel discussions and presentations throughout the Conference. Key topics will include an ambitious Public Sector decarbonisation agenda, the importance of the circular economy, delivery solutions for housing and regeneration and where the UK goes next in terms of Devolution. In addition, Investors and potential partners are invited to visit the Cornwall Stand (L20) on Wednesday 22 May between 3-3.45pm to meet the team and hear more detail about the scale of construction opportunities in the region. Councillor Linda Taylor continued, “In the last ten years Cornwall has delivered more new homes than Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Liverpool, and £900m GVA per annum is generated by Cornwall’s construction sector which represents 7% of the Cornish economy. This offers a coherent and circular economy, and developers and contractors can expect tailored support and a well-resourced, strategic approach to development from Cornwall Council and our partners. “Our team look forward to meeting with investors and potential partners at UKREiiF and unveiling plans to create sustainable communities, enhance key sectors and drive economic growth in Cornwall.” CLICK TO SEE PROSPECTUS Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TODAY Greater Manchester is taking its first step towards offering a property check to renters across the city region, empowering those who feel trapped in substandard housing. This morning, in Moss Side, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a £600,000 package of measures to support tenants and clamp down on rogue landlords, as part of a plan to rewire the rental system so it works for people, not against them. The Good Landlord Charter, set to be rolled out later this year, will work with landlords who are willing to improve the standard of the properties they rent out. The first in the UK, the Charter scheme will cover social and private rented sector housing and set out clear, practical, and accessible standards to drive up the quality of renting in Greater Manchester. For tenants whose landlords are not willing to work with us voluntarily, we will be launching a Property Check scheme – another UK first. This will help those who feel trapped by their housing situation by giving them the right to request a property check, carried out by local teams and followed up with enforcement action where necessary. Data shows that, throughout Greater Manchester, around 23 per cent (56,000) of private rented homes and just under 17 per cent (82,000) of all rented homes do not meet the legal Decent Homes Standard. But since many tenants feel unable to raise complaints for fear of eviction, it’s thought the true number of substandard rentals may be as high as 40 per cent. Our recent survey of private tenants in Greater Manchester found that in the past year: Greater Manchester is investing £150,000 in a pilot with Salford City Council and central government to explore how these checks can be used effectively and proactively and help identify properties that fall short of the Decent Homes Standard – a legal requirement when the Renters (Reform) Bill comes into law later this year. The Mayor will be asking the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to support the delivery of Property Checks. Our fire crews already visit around 30,000 homes a year, providing fire safety checks and work is under way to explore how they could deploy Property Checks as part of their work with our communities. To drive forward Greater Manchester’s plans to tackle the housing crisis, the Mayor has announced two more new pilot projects that will come into effect in the next 12 months, supporting the implementation of the Good Landlord Charter and the vision to become the UK’s first Housing First city-region: Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Today we drive forward the next phase of Greater Manchester’s mission to tackle the housing crisis and get serious about housing standards. “Everyone across our city-region deserves a good, safe, and secure home. It should be the starting point for a good life. It should not damage your health or be a source of concern and anxiety. “Sadly, too many people in Greater Manchester still find themselves in those situations, trapped in poorly maintained properties and in fear of unlawful eviction. But the days of bad landlords renting out unsafe and unfit homes are coming to an end. This new right to a property check for all residents, backed up with new measures to protect renters and take action against rogue landlords, will empower people across Greater Manchester and put us on course to become the UK’s only Housing First city-region.” The three pilot programmes, currently in development, support Greater Manchester’s plan to make sure every resident in our city-region can live in a good, safe home. Galvanising this plan will be the creation of a multi-agency Greater Manchester Housing First unit within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will develop a strategy to drive up standards and bolster enforcement capacity across the board. The Mayor announced the package of measures today (Thursday 16 May) on a visit to a housing estate in Moss Side, Manchester. He was joined by Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Housing and Development. Manchester City Council is currently consulting on proposals for new selective licensing schemes, which require private landlords or their managing agents to obtain a license before renting out a property. Their proposals would see the total number of private rented sector properties in the borough covered by selective licensing schemes rise from 2,000 to just under 4,000. For further information please contact the Communications and Engagement team on: news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk. Find us on social media @greatermcr. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community this week at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of the people who live and work in Druids Heath. Staff were at the launch event to answer questions and receive the feedback from the community about the plans, with more events planned over the next few days. An extensive consultation on the plans will begin in the coming months before approval for the plans will be sought next year. The proposed regeneration aims to make Druids Heath a more sustainable and greener place to live in the long term. New high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be built alongside excellent green spaces. The commercial and community spaces in Druids Heath will also be revitalised as part of the plan. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “The masterplan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regeneration of Druids Heath. “This new plan shows how Druids Heath will be transformed into a healthier, more sustainable area by building on its key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space. “This regeneration scheme will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions. It will also bring much-needed provisions for older residents so they can live healthy, independent lives for longer. New greenways will be built to better connect the estate within the community and the estate to the surrounding city. “The scheme goes beyond delivering new homes; the regeneration will create a sustainable, healthy community that will allow anyone who lives there to thrive. “While the masterplan is a big step forward for the scheme, much more work remains, and there will be more decisions to be made with the local community about the scheme. With that in mind, an independent steering group representing residents, stakeholders, and businesses is being established to help influence future decisions regarding the regeneration. “We also understand residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area. For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate. We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so. “Regenerating an area is always a lengthy process. For this reason, the council will bolster services for tenants on the estate by installing more CCTV, implementing a specific repairs service for Druids Heath, and increasing cleaning provision to tackle fly-tipping.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Opportunity Mid Sussex, the inward investment platform of Mid Sussex District Council, will promote 70 hectares of employment space at one of the UK’s premier real estate, investment, and infrastructure shows. Representatives from Mid Sussex District Council will attend UKREiiF in Leeds from 21-23 May 2024 to promote and showcase the area to investors, building on the many strengths of the district and the significant growth being delivered. The expert team will join industry leaders to talk about the opportunities for development in the district, take part in debates and network to effect positive change and generate further investment. Opportunity Mid Sussex is looking forward to letting investors and the Government know that Mid Sussex is open for business, that this is a council focused on positive change and delivering results. Mid Sussex is an ideal location for businesses to grow and flourish, with new employment space planned, fantastic landscapes in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Park, and excellent transport links by rail, road, and air. This event will further put Mid Sussex on the map and showcase the huge potential for investment and growth that the region has to offer. With a cluster of businesses offering highly skilled work in sectors such as engineering and advanced manufacturing, MedTech, life sciences, Agri-tech, computer games development, multi-media software development, as well as e-commerce, financial and professional services, this is a fantastic opportunity for developers to create spaces for businesses to grow. In addition, a further 40,000m2 of employment space is now available at Panattoni Park Burgess Hill and ready for tenant fit-out, much of which is available for high value technology-led businesses. Panattoni, the largest logistics developer in the UK and Europe, said demand for the high-quality commercial space has already been strong and will be promoting the space at UKREiiF. David McGougan, Panattoni’s development director in the South East, said: “Our core business plan at Panattoni is to go into regions which are undersupplied with commercial property, especially in the South East. We saw there was an opportunity for us to speculatively develop this site to deliver much needed employment and space for businesses to grow. “Mid Sussex already has an existing industrial base and a very strong demographic in terms of availability of labour and excellent access to motorways. “It’s a great place to live and work. It’s close to both the seaside and the countryside, you’ve got the universities, plus cities and towns nearby to visit including London and Brighton which are both easily accessible by train. It has huge potential to grow.” Opportunity Mid Sussex will champion a total of 22 housing sites and seven employment sites, across the district, many of which are already in development and the allocation for a new Science and Technology Park when they attend UKREiiF. Businesses already based in the area include Swiss multinational healthcare company Roche Diagnostics, multinational engineering company Continental AG, which develops Advanced Driver Assistance Systems from its hub in Burgess Hill and Universal Quantum the groundbreaking quantum computing start-up that has chosen Haywards Heath as its HQ. Working in partnership with Homes England, the £1bn+ Burgess Hill Strategic Growth Programme in the heart of Mid Sussex is expected to deliver 5,000 homes and 15,000 jobs as well as major infrastructure improvements. It includes 25,000m2 of employment space, a Science and Technology Park in Burgess Hill, which will cost £250m to develop, providing 100,000m2 of employment space and 2,500 new jobs. The UK’s Real Estate, Investment, and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) will take place in Leeds in May 2024. Opportunity Mid Sussex (OMS) will exhibit at the event, which draws over 10,000 attendees and 150 exhibitors, to highlight and promote the district. For more information, please visit: https://www.opportunitymidsussex.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barnet Council has announced the appointment of Russell Curtis as chair of the borough’s first-ever Quality Review Panel. The Quality Review Panel will test the fundamental design principles of planning proposals, playing a major role in the council’s commitment to exemplary, high-quality developments. Comprising 28 experts drawn from across the planning and design sectors, the independent panel will ensure design issues can be discussed at the early stages of the planning process. Its formation fulfils a key commitment of the council’s corporate plan. Russell Curtis is a well-known local architect and founding director of London-based firm RCKa, which specialises in innovative residential, community and commercial projects. Vice-chair Selina Mason, another local resident, is director of masterplanning and strategic design at Lendlease, focusing on urban regeneration masterplans. The chair and vice-chair will work with a talented team of independent experts tasked with ensuring new developments in the borough are built to high standards, with sustainable credentials. Cllr Ross Houston, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration, said: “I’m delighted that Barnet’s first-ever Quality Review Panel has now been formed, fulfilling a key pledge of the council’s plan for Barnet. The team of experts will help to deliver our commitment to high-quality development that complements the existing townscapes of our borough. “At the same time, we’re strengthening our planning policies to focus on building communities, not just homes, to ensure that developments integrate well with surrounding areas, and to align with our ambitious environmental goals.” Barnet Council aims to concentrate development in the borough’s town centres and around transport links, to consolidate growth and help build sustainable communities. It is committed to high-quality design that responds to its context and improves the lives of residents. With these aims in mind, the council’s Cabinet has approved a series of changes to its Local Plan – the fundamental planning framework that shapes development in the borough. These modifications include strengthening policies to encourage high-quality design, improve street safety and amenity, and promote active travel. The updated policies aim to ensure that the public realm forms an integral part of the design process, and to enhance the connection between publicly accessible space and the built environment. They also encourage developers to address crime prevention and fire safety in pre-application discussions. Revisions have been also made to environmental policies, in line with the council’s commitments on combating climate change and enhancing green and open spaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NEWLY re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for his third term. Today he unveils measures to increase the amount of social housing in the city-region, improve the standard of rented accommodation and end the housing crisis in Greater Manchester by 2038. The Mayor’s announcements include: The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater Manchester can’t achieve its full potential as long as it remains in the grip of a housing crisis. That is why I am setting a new ambition for the city-region to end it within a decade. “Ten thousand new council homes will help to do that as long as stock can be retained. That’s why we’re calling for the suspension of Right to Buy. “Everyone deserves to live in a good, safe home and by building new council homes, and suspending the Right to Buy on them, we can give our councils the breathing space they desperately need to replenish their stock, so that all of those waiting in temporary accommodation or on the housing registers have the chance to access good homes.” Access to social housing is essential to many residents in Greater Manchester, as capped rent increases provide some protection to tenants against the soaring rents seen in the private rented sector. The average rental price of a two-bed property in Manchester increased by 12.5% between February 2023-24, against an England average of 8.9%. Limiting access to affordable social housing can therefore help fuel a rise in housing insecurity, homelessness, and families in temporary accommodation. The new ‘Housing First’ approach aims to address the main challenges for housing in Greater Manchester – poor living standards, especially in the private rented sector and low availability of truly-affordable housing – by implementing a collaborative, multi-agency approach that can address issues by developing tailored, whole-system solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Councils has welcomed a new report from a cross-party parliamentary committee pointing to serious financial pressures on the social housing sector. A London Councils spokesperson said: “Without more government investment it is hard to see anything but a bleak future for social housing. “Our analysis shows London boroughs face a black hole of £700m in their social housing budgets over the next four years, despite the desperate need to improve housing conditions and build new homes in the capital. With resources massively squeezed, it feels like we’ve been left with mission impossible. “Social housing is crucial to tackling London’s homelessness crisis. It’s a vital component of the capital’s social and economic success, and we should all want the sector to thrive. Boroughs are as keen as ever to work with ministers in ensuring more resources are secured for boosting social housing in London and across the country.” London is grappling with the most severe homelessness crisis in the country and over 320,000 London households are on social housing waiting lists. London Councils estimates that one in 50 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough. Boroughs are determined to keep increasing delivery of new affordable homes in the capital, including social housing, but high construction costs and interest rates have led to many projects becoming unviable without additional funding. In March, London Councils revealed a £700m pressure on boroughs’ housing revenue accounts (their budgets for managing social housing stock). This is due to costs significantly outpacing the income boroughs can expect from social rent levels, which are set nationally by the government and have led to a substantial real-terms reduction in funding available for social housing. The decision in the last Budget to remove councils’ ability to retain 100% of receipts from Right to Buy has further squeezed funding at a time when both need and costs are growing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In a move aimed at progressing the development of a new £65 million university campus, a council has initiated a compulsory purchase order to acquire necessary land, paving the way for ambitious construction plans. Blackpool Council has previously granted approval for the demolition of 59 residential properties within the designated area, endorsing an outline proposal for the erection of three substantial buildings on the site. The envisioned campus, dubbed University Centre Blackpool, is poised to play a transformative role in the locality’s educational landscape. Residents impacted by the compulsory purchase order have until 24th May to lodge any objections, as the council proceeds with its ambitious £350 million Talbot Gateway rejuvenation initiative. This collaborative effort between Blackpool and the Fylde College, alongside Lancaster University, signifies a significant leap forward in educational infrastructure. Acknowledging the upheaval caused by the project, Alan Cavill, the council’s director of regeneration, affirmed their commitment to supporting affected residents. He stated, “We continue to support any residents who have to move as a result, and nobody will be asked to move out without reasonable warning and support to find somewhere else suitable to live.” In a bid to ensure transparency and accessibility, the council has established an independent advice service for affected residents, offering assistance and guidance throughout the transition period. Emphasizing the site’s strategic significance, authorities underscored the area’s suitability for the campus due to its robust transport links. Interested parties can review the details of the order at the Bickerstaffe House council offices in Talbot Road or at the Town Hall, as the council remains steadfast in its commitment to community engagement and consultation. A previous public consultation in 2021 revealed overwhelming support for the project, with 86% of respondents expressing positivity towards the proposed scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An £80 million scheme to revitalize the heart of Telford is set to take the spotlight at a significant national development and investment event. Telford & Wrekin Council’s ambitious plan to rejuvenate the core of Telford – by establishing a dynamic new residential, educational, and business community, complete with an academic campus focused on digital skills and enterprise – will be featured at UKREiiF next month. This three-day event, held in Leeds, brings together key figures from the public sector alongside government officials, developers, housebuilders, international investors, and funders. The investment and potential of the borough’s flagship Station Quarter development will be explored by a panel of decision-makers and industry leaders on May 22 as part of the Midlands Engine pavilion, showcasing a £42 billion investment portfolio. Panel members will include Telford & Wrekin Council leader and LGA Chair Cllr Shaun Davies, Harper Adams University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Simone Clarke, Stuart Penn, regional managing director for leading housebuilder Lovells, and Anette Simpson, director of development and partnerships from Legal and General. During the session, attention will be given to how Telford has embraced the opportunities of the technological revolution to establish a cutting-edge education hub, fostering new partnerships between the public sector, further and higher education, and the business community. Councillor Davies stated: “Our transformation of Station Quarter will pioneer a new model of inter-generational town centre living alongside an innovative, easily accessible academic campus anchored by The Quad, offering learning pathways to individuals of all ages, from school to higher education, with a focus on digital skills. “This ambitious and dynamic transformation will establish a truly integrated residential, educational, and business community, providing a vibrant and connected lifestyle that will serve as the foundation of the town’s future.” The panel, chaired by Amy Bould, managing director of Newport-based strategic communications consultancy Be Bold Media, will also delve into the opportunities presented by The Quad – a unique collaboration between the council, Harper Adams University, Telford College, and others, aimed at creating a state-of-the-art digital skills and enterprise hub. Councillor Davies added: “The Quad will redefine education, business innovation, and digital skills provision in this region. It will equip individuals with the skills necessary for the digital era, offering start-up and incubation space to nurture great ideas into successful businesses. “Modern, sustainable housing, high-quality commercial premises, and green spaces will all contribute to building a thriving community that embodies the future of our youthful town. “We believe this development model could benefit many other towns and cities across the country and also presents a significant opportunity to attract further investment into the borough. “By showcasing the scheme at UKREiiF, we aim to highlight both the opportunities offered by our plans and the broader approach to regeneration, education, training, and business partnerships we are adopting to create an innovative and dynamic borough.” The Quad is scheduled to open in September 2024 and is expected to accommodate over 300 students annually. Further phases of the Station Quarter have already received planning approval, and de-risked by phase 1 infrastructure investment, they offer immediate opportunities for residential, leisure, and commercial development. UKREiiF will take place from May 21-23 and is anticipated to draw over 10,000 attendees, including 1,500 investors, 250 local authorities, and 1,500 developers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
