The regeneration of Wythenshawe town centre continues to accelerate as the Council decides on the appointment of a new development delivery and investment partner – in a report to the Council’s executive committee yesterday. The opportunity is to transform the 1970s shopping centre and surrounding areas through an aspirational project
Liverpool City Council is set to receive a £55m investment boost from Homes England to accelerate the regeneration of Liverpool’s historic northern docklands. A report to the Council’s Cabinet today is recommending the council enters into an agreement with Homes England to accept Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) grant funding.
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed construction of a new £16.5 million low carbon innovation hub in Leicester, on behalf of Leicester City Council. The Dock extension project has created three new buildings which deliver c.65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for hi-tech industries in an area of Space City
On Tuesday 9 July, Cabinet members approved the proposed allocations for essential capital delivery, investment, and wellbeing projects for 2024-2026. The budget aims to address urgent and essential condition, health and safety, and service delivery issues within the Council’s portfolio of land and buildings, whilst facilitating a programme of refurbishments
Equans will continue to provide FM services across Manchester City Council’s public buildings estate. The three-year contract extension will see the energy and facilities management specialist providing responsive repairs and planned preventative maintenance to industry-standard specifications across the Council’s portfolio of 258 buildings. As part of the contract, which originally
The City of London Corporation has received a prestigious planning award for its involvement in developing a new home for the Migration Museum in the Square Mile. Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars, which will include a permanent home for the museum, interactive temporary
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has started work on the second project awarded to it under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract. Work has begun on the resurfacing and signal
Following an extensive and thorough tender process, Rutland County Council has awarded their Highways Term Maintenance Contract (HTMC) to the highest scoring bidder, Thomas Bow Ltd. Rutland County Council’s current HTMC ended on 31st May 2024. Thomas Bow Ltd then commenced with their contract on 1st June 2024 and this
Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre, spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area, addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces. The comprehensive scheme involves
The North of England contractor secured the scheme after commencing a £1.8 million enabling works package in February Esh Construction is delivering a new bus station in Bishop Auckland after being awarded a £6.4 million contract by Durham County Council. The contract follows on from Esh’s £1.8 million package to
The regeneration of Wythenshawe town centre continues to accelerate as the Council decides on the appointment of a new development delivery and investment partner – in a report to the Council’s executive committee yesterday. The opportunity is to transform the 1970s shopping centre and surrounding areas through an aspirational project that will deliver a new public square, new shops, net zero carbon commercial, community and cultural space, and more than 1750 new homes built on Council-owned land. The housing will be a mix of typologies and tenures to match local housing demand and will include affordable homes along with supported accommodation. Earlier this year, the Council was awarded £20m grant funding through the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) programme. The Council will now complement this with a further £11.9m of match funding to deliver a new Culture and Creative hub, food hall, co-working and enterprise employment space, and investment in the Civic’s public realm. However, over the lifespan of the long-term regeneration programme, the total investment will exceed £500m over the next 10 years with initial development work commencing as early as next year. Culture Hub A professional team has already been appointed to design a new Culture Hub, including an operational business model to ensure the hub is financially and operationally sustainable along with being able to support local people on a long-term basis. Following initial consultation in July this year, a feasibility study has now been approved and emerging plans will be subject to further public consultation. Once the principles of the Culture Hub have been agreed, the Council will begin a process to appoint an operator to run and manage the hub. This will process will likely begin later this year. Public Realm A landscape design team has now been commissioned to map out opportunities to deliver a new public square, new connections, sustainable drainage and significant new green planting and play equipment. This work is currently at RIBA stage 2 and the Council has already commenced procurement of a contractor to deliver the works, subject to public consultation on the final designs. The Council is on track to appoint the contractor to deliver the new public square later this summer. Work is ongoing on the feasibility options to deliver the food hall and co-working and employment spaces. Joint Venture Delivery & Investment Partner Following the acquisition of the Civic by the Council in 2022, it was envisaged that a private sector partner would be required to invest into and develop the Civic at scale to meet the regeneration ambitions set out in the development framework for the shopping centre. The formal procurement process is now complete subject to approval by the Councils Executive. If approved, the successful partner will be announced in August following the formal call-in period. The joint venture partner will: A formal announcement of the successful partner will be made in the next four weeks. In the meantime… The Council has also been working with community organisations and enterprises to widen the offer at Wythenshawe Civic to increase footfall within the town centre and drive momentum ahead of the major investment beginning. Monthly Makers Markets will begin from 3 August offering a range of independent stalls – from crafts to street food. The Maker Market brings together artisans, makers, bakers and other businesses in pop-up markets that have previously been held in Ancoats and Chorlton. Following hosting an event earlier in the year, the Civic will also host regular bike workshops hosted by the Bike Kitchen, providing training, servicing and sales. Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We know this will be welcome news to the people of Wythenshawe as we stand at the dawn of a new era for their town centre. “However, we also know that areas like Wythenshawe have seen higher rates of deprivation – and this extends to poorer health outcomes – but through strategic investment such as this, we can begin to create opportunities for these communities to share in the economic success of the city. “This means the right housing – including council, social and genuinely affordable homes – new jobs, new shops and a neighbourhood that both meets their needs and a place they can be proud to spend time in. These are the building blocks for successful communities and this programme of regeneration will deliver for local people.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “Regeneration programmes of this size and ambition take some time to bring forward and although we understand that local people are very keen to see this investment take shape – as we are too – the work we are doing now will make sure we have a long-term, sustainable proposal that will benefit Wythenshawe people for years to come. “In the meantime, we are working hard to bring forward impactful investment that will kick-start the long-term development of the Civic, including the Culture Hub and public realm improvements. Alongside plans to increase footfall to the town centre and attract new visitors to the area, such as bike repairs and local markets. “We are fully committed to the regeneration of Wythenshawe and we can’t wait to show local people what we have been doing so far and get their feedback.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council is set to receive a £55m investment boost from Homes England to accelerate the regeneration of Liverpool’s historic northern docklands. A report to the Council’s Cabinet today is recommending the council enters into an agreement with Homes England to accept Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) grant funding. The public funding relates to Central Docks, the largest neighbourhood within Liverpool Waters, and the city’s largest brownfield site. The site, owned by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters, is projected to unlock more than £500m in private investment. The Central Docks scheme includes the establishment of a public park and vital infrastructure to accommodate approximately 2,350 new homes. The funding for this site, which is subject to final approval from HM Treasury, comes just a week after Rachel Reeves MP, referenced the scheme in her first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer in which she set out the new Government’s commitment to unlock stalled housing schemes. The Central Docks scheme was also identified by the Liverpool Strategic Futures Panel, chaired by Mayor Steve Rotheram, and forms part of Liverpool’s ambitious 20-year plan for the whole of its iconic waterfront. Liverpool City Council has also made a similar brownfield site commitment in its draft housing strategy, currently subject to a public consultation, which supports the delivery of 2,000 new homes every year to 2030 and to double the number of affordable homes across the city. Peel Waters has stated that the key infrastructure within the 10.5 hectare scheme, which would comprise of utilities, thoroughfares, green spaces, and public amenities, would lay the groundwork for future investments and the development of housing and commercial ventures would also support new community, retail and leisure facilities. With full planning approval for the site preparation work, the comprehensive plans for Central Docks include the creation of an interconnected network of public spaces. The proposed new landscape will be enriched with the planting of hundreds of trees, with the centrepiece being ‘Central Park,’ a sprawling 2.1-hectare oasis, set to become one of the city’s largest urban green spaces. Central Park’s design will celebrate the site’s industrial heritage and coastal location, blending coastal and woodland plantations, wetlands, community gardens, and open parkland. Embracing inclusivity and sustainability, the park will feature amenities such as shelters, recreational facilities, and wildlife habitats, to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. The development will also significantly enhance connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, with the aim of creating seamless open access between the city centre, Princes Dock, Central Docks and Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed construction of a new £16.5 million low carbon innovation hub in Leicester, on behalf of Leicester City Council. The Dock extension project has created three new buildings which deliver c.65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for hi-tech industries in an area of Space City formerly known as Pioneer Park, within Leicester’s Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone. Known as Docks, 3, 4 and 5, the new buildings include two new offices that cater for up to 45 businesses across c.43,000 sq ft. A terrace of nine manufacturing units provides more than 21,500 sq ft for innovative start-ups and established businesses seeking grow-on space. New buildings are net carbon zero in operation and require no gas heating. They house a range of environmentally sustainable features, such as low energy LED lighting, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels on the offices, air source heat pumps, and super-thick insulation. Externally there is cycle storage and 12 electric vehicle charging points in a new parking area. The Dock extension has been designed to complement the look and feel of the original Dock workspace buildings and is part of Space City Leicester, one of the largest and most connected Enterprise Zones for space-related activities in the UK. Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of BPD, said: “We are very pleased to have delivered the expansion of the successful Dock managed workspace development for Leicester City Council. “These three new energy efficient units deliver purpose-built space for exciting new businesses in a range of sectors. Extending the Dock innovation hub will undoubtedly support the attraction and retention of local talent and hi-tech entrepreneurs, ensuring Leicester continues to be a hub for research, production and manufacture in the space industry.” Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “It’s fantastic to see the next chapter of our innovative workspace development for hi-tech businesses take shape. “Space City Leicester is helping to put our city firmly on the map for research, production and manufacture in the space industry. “We’re proud to contribute to that momentum by further expanding our Dock innovation hub with three new, low carbon buildings which will help meet demand from businesses keen to locate here from the UK and overseas. The new buildings will also provide valuable grow-on space and much-needed manufacturing facilities for our local talent and high-tech entrepreneurs. “The new buildings are looking fantastic and I’m particularly pleased that we have been able to work with locally-based Brackley Property Developments as our development partner on this ambitious project.” The development was supported by £12 million from the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund, with The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership providing £3.5 million from Enterprise Zone retained business rates. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
On Tuesday 9 July, Cabinet members approved the proposed allocations for essential capital delivery, investment, and wellbeing projects for 2024-2026. The budget aims to address urgent and essential condition, health and safety, and service delivery issues within the Council’s portfolio of land and buildings, whilst facilitating a programme of refurbishments and remodelling and in some cases rationalisation to ensure that council owned operational buildings can remain fit for use and make essential savings where necessary. The programme of works will address the modernisation of key council buildings and enable more local based services to operate from them. This Investment will cover many areas across the councils current building stock, undertaking urgent condition and health and safety works to ensure that public spaces remain safe for use and within legislation, and that the council can continue to serve their local communities across Kirklees. Some of the upcoming works include venues such as Oakwell Hall, Tolson Museum, The Walsh Building in Dewsbury, Huddersfield Upperhead Row Bus Station car park. Now this item has been approved the council will look to develop, design and where necessary procure the delivery of this programme of works for the next financial year. David Shepherd, Executive Director of Place, Kirklees Council, said: ‘’The council is committed to making sure its portfolio of buildings is safe, secure, and sustainable for the future. Providing appropriate spaces for service delivery and community activities. ‘’We have a large portfolio of buildings, which have come into our ownership over many years and over time the services we deliver and the needs of the communities we deliver them for have changed. By continually reviewing our properties, investing in those that continue to meet our needs and looking at a more appropriate future for those that do not, we can make sure we are making the best use of our resources for the benefit of Kirklees.’’ For more information please contact chelsey.warvill@kirklees.gov.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Equans will continue to provide FM services across Manchester City Council’s public buildings estate. The three-year contract extension will see the energy and facilities management specialist providing responsive repairs and planned preventative maintenance to industry-standard specifications across the Council’s portfolio of 258 buildings. As part of the contract, which originally commenced in 2019, Equans has responsibility for repairing and maintaining Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed buildings, including Manchester Town Hall – as well as care facilities where 24-hour service delivery is paramount. As the partnership evolves into its next phase, Equans is collaborating with Manchester City Council to work towards the city’s target of becoming net zero by 2038. This will be evident in the way Equans conducts its own operations and through targeted decarbonisation activities across the council’s property portfolio. Richard Carmichael, Managing Director for Local Authority Services at Equans UK & Ireland, said: “This is a terrific opportunity for us to build on an already strong and successful partnership with Manchester City Council and draw on our broader expertise in decarbonisation to help the city of Manchester reach its impressive zero carbon ambitions. “Beyond service delivery, the partnership with Manchester City Council extends to supporting local priorities such as job creation, social welfare, and innovation. We are thoroughly committed to continuing to undertake social value activities across the region to help improve prosperity in the area; including employment opportunities and community fundraising.” This contract award follows the recent three-year extension with Manchester City Council Housing, which will see Equans providing ongoing maintenance and repairs to 12,000 homes and carrying out refurbishment and adaptations on behalf of the council until 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of London Corporation has received a prestigious planning award for its involvement in developing a new home for the Migration Museum in the Square Mile. Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars, which will include a permanent home for the museum, interactive temporary and permanent exhibition galleries, a flexible learning suite, an event space, outdoor areas, a restaurant, and a shop. The project won the “Planning Permission of the Year” award at the Planning Awards 2024, held at Savoy Place. The judges commended the scheme for its focus and its potential to attract a diverse range of communities to the City of London. The museum will form part of a 769-bedroom (35 per cent affordable) student accommodation-led development, remaining at its current Lewisham venue until the new site opens in 2027. The Migration Museum celebrates how migration has shaped the UK over the centuries, with current exhibitions including “Migration and the Making of the NHS” and segments of the Berlin Wall. Developer Dominus Donates £500,000 Towards Museum Staff Costs Developer Dominus Real Estate, founded by Ugandan refugee Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, is currently on site delivering the project, which will feature over 3,000 square metres of space. Dominus has guaranteed to underwrite the museum’s first three years of operating costs and has proposed a donation of £500,000 to fund a team of museum staff to lead the fundraising drive. Migration Museum CEO, Sophie Henderson, stated: “We cannot think of a more exciting or resonant location for Britain’s missing museum than the City of London, site of some of the oldest and most intriguing migration stories from the Romans to medieval times and the present day. The Migration Museum will be a high-profile, stylish and welcoming new cultural institution that puts our long, rich and complex story of the movement of people both to and from Britain over the ages right at centre stage, where it belongs. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with the City planning team and developers Dominus to bring this important project to fruition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has started work on the second project awarded to it under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract. Work has begun on the resurfacing and signal improvement scheme on Newland, between Carholme Road and Mint Street, along with sections of Wigford Way, Mint Lane and Lucy Tower Street. As part of proposed works, Winvic will be improving multiple highway assets, including drainage, footways, kerbs, surfacing, traffic signals and road markings. The General Works Lot contract is designed to deliver new infrastructure assets and improvements across the County over a four-year period. Winvic commenced construction in April, and work is expected to be completed by November 2024. Activities at Carholme Road and Lucy Tower Street junction feature the replacement and upgrade of existing signal equipment, new construction of traffic islands and footways replacements. Newland will see footpath replacements, and new carriageway surfacing. Altogether it is expected some 9,800sq m of new carriageway will be placed, plus 2,200sq m of footpath asphalt, 100m of new drainage systems, alongside repair works on gullies and ironwork renewals. Winvic will oversee traffic management, implementing lane closures and one-way restrictions on westbound Newland traffic. The resurfacing works will primarily occur overnight towards the end of the programme with full road closures in place. As part of its social value commitments to the region, Winvic is also engaging local schools through careers talks and on an art project, which will see the pupils’ winning creations printed on the construction site hoarding. Winvic is furthering its community support by donating copies of the ‘When I Grow Up’ book to local schoolchildren, has sponsored the Greenbank JFC U9s football team, and has installed defibrillators on city centre site hoardings. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, adds: We’re delighted to have been awarded our second highways scheme as part of the four-year Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) highways framework. “We look forward to building an even stronger relationship with LCC’s team while delivering these transformative infrastructure improvements. Our commitment extends beyond construction through to actively engaging with the local community and promoting safety. “We look forward to delivering these essential upgrades with minimal disruption and maximum benefits to nearby communities, businesses and road users.” Jared Taylor, Winvic’s Contracts Director, adds: “We are very proud that Winvic is exceeding expectations on this project and that our dedication to positively impacting the local community is being warmly received. It’s truly a pleasure to be supporting schools in the county through our ongoing social value initiatives. “Winvic is working extremely hard to ensure works are progressed quickly and efficiently to avoid disruption and long-lasting infrastructure improvements are delivered across Lincoln. Much of this success is due to our diligent and highly dedicated workforce.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (Formally Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following an extensive and thorough tender process, Rutland County Council has awarded their Highways Term Maintenance Contract (HTMC) to the highest scoring bidder, Thomas Bow Ltd. Rutland County Council’s current HTMC ended on 31st May 2024. Thomas Bow Ltd then commenced with their contract on 1st June 2024 and this will run for a period of ten years to 31st May 2034. There will be an option to further extend the contract by a further 2 x 5 year periods if a number of Key Performance Indicators are met. Rutland County Council’s Strategic Director for Places, said: ‘Thomas Bow Ltd have a breadth of industry experience and have a significant number of highway contracts around the country. ‘We are pleased to be able to shape the new contract to ensure it has an emphasis on social value and positive benefits to the local community, ranging from employment to community engagement. There is also a focus on carbon reduction, innovation, an opportunity for potential income generation and a cost reduction on the depot lease. ‘We are looking forward to working with Thomas Bow Ltd to deliver proactive maintenance measures, ensuring the highway network is kept safe and maintained in a sustainable manner for all residents and visitors to the County.’ Thomas Bow Ltd Managing Director Alistair Bow commented ‘This is an exciting contract for Thomas Bow and demonstrates our in-house capability to deliver multi discipline contracts for clients. We are extremely happy to secure this long term contract and we look forward to working with Rutland County Council to deliver improvements identified in the recent survey and also having a positive impact on the local community.’ In 2023 Rutland County Council scored well in The National Highways and Transport (NHT) Public satisfaction survey results. The survey was carried out in June 2023 and Rutland County Council was ranked joint 5th in the country along with Manchester and Solihull out of a total of 111 authorities that took part. The NHT Public Satisfaction Survey collects public perspectives on, and satisfaction with, Highway and Transport Services in Local Authority areas. It is a unique, standardised, collaboration between Highway Authorities across the UK enabling comparison, knowledge sharing, and the potential to improve efficiencies by the sharing of good practice. Over four million households have been sent a copy of the NHT Survey since it was first launched in 2008 and over a million members of the public have responded to date. For further information about the NHT Survey please visit www.nhtnetwork.co.uk/home Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre, spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area, addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces. The comprehensive scheme involves the demolition of 180,000 square feet of outdated retail space, specifically targeting large sections of Egerton Walk and Victoria Square, which have struggled with high vacancy rates in recent years. In their place, Derwent Estates plans to create modern commercial units and a landscaped public area designed to boost the centre’s appeal and functionality. This transformation is expected to enhance the vitality of Walkden Town Centre, providing a more attractive and sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors. A planning statement by Savills, who advised on the project, highlighted the potential for future redevelopment of the newly cleared plots. “Those future development plots will be landscaped areas that will host meanwhile uses in the interim period before development progresses on those plots, further supporting the centre’s vitality and viability,” the statement noted. This phased approach ensures that the area remains vibrant and functional throughout the redevelopment process. In addition to the new commercial units, the project will introduce a contemporary façade for Walkden Town Centre, significantly improving its aesthetic appeal. The plans also include enhanced public spaces, aimed at creating a more welcoming and user-friendly environment. With the council’s approval secured, Derwent Estates is now seeking a contractor to commence demolition work later this year. Scott Hall, asset manager at Derwent Estates, emphasised the project’s importance to the local community. “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area, which is why we have taken this proactive decision to significantly improve its current offering. We aim to create a more contemporary and attractive yet sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors. We recognise the changing attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders, which is why these plans are so imperative to ensuring a vibrant future for the centre.” The architectural design for the redevelopment has been crafted by RGP, while project management is being handled by Artal. Barker Proudlove and Graham Sibbald are the retained letting agents, responsible for leasing the new commercial spaces. Derwent Estates is also in the process of liaising with current tenants as part of its relocation programme, ensuring minimal disruption during the redevelopment. Beyond the town centre, Derwent Estates is demonstrating its commitment to the local community through additional investments, notably at the nearby Little Hulton Community Centre. Hall explained, “The charity’s commitment to enhancing and improving amenities in the area is further indicated by the works currently underway at Little Hulton Community Centre. A grant has been awarded to redevelop the existing pavilion, which has been underused since its construction in 2008. Funds from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation will provide an enhanced and permanent place for the community to come together, with a commitment to investing in and maintaining the building for the next 125 years. The full refurbishment and extension of the existing facility has already started on site and will be handed over to Community Little Hulton in October of this year.” This dual focus on both Walkden Town Centre and the broader community underscores the holistic approach of Derwent Estates and the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. Their coordinated efforts are set to provide lasting benefits, creating vibrant, functional, and attractive spaces that cater to the evolving needs of the local population. The redevelopment of Walkden Town Centre, coupled with the revitalisation of the Little Hulton Community Centre, marks a significant investment in the future of the area, promising enhanced amenities and a more dynamic local economy.
The North of England contractor secured the scheme after commencing a £1.8 million enabling works package in February Esh Construction is delivering a new bus station in Bishop Auckland after being awarded a £6.4 million contract by Durham County Council. The contract follows on from Esh’s £1.8 million package to carry out enabling works on the site. The new station will offer modern and accessible facilities to passengers, with eight stands and improved passenger information. It will also house a retail kiosk, CCTV, and more toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet, changing places unit, and a parent and child facility. Alongside it there will be a new 124 space car park, with high quality paving, street lighting, landscaping and cycle stands. The scheme forms part of an £11.8 million investment in the town with funding secured through the Future High Streets Fund and an additional £3.6 million from Durham County Council. Esh’s Divisional Director, Steven Garrigan, said: “There are some exciting projects happening across Bishop Auckland and as a Durham-headquartered contractor we are proud to play a part in the regenerative journey for the town and its residents. We’re pleased to be working with Durham County Council to enhance the transport infrastructure while maximising the social and economic value in the local community throughout the project.” Esh Construction commenced the enabling works in February, with works including the excavation and clearance of the existing hard surface to facilitate a new drainage system for the new bus station. Seven attenuation tanks have already been installed. A new sub station will be built to provide the necessary power requirements as well as new retaining walls and the installation of a sub base. Ducting for the lighting and CCTV along with concrete foundations will be installed before the main bus station build commences in late June. In 2020, Durham County Council successfully bid for funding from the Future High Streets Fund to improve Bishop Auckland’s transport and parking facilities. The development forms part of the council’s wider plans to regenerate the town centre through a range of leisure and recreation projects, including the repurposing and reopening of vacant properties and improving public spaces. Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are pleased to have made an exciting step forward in delivering Bishop Auckland’s new bus station with Esh Construction on site carrying out enabling works. “The new bus station will be modern and fit for purpose, helping support businesses by attracting visitors to the town, address shortages in car parking and increase footfall into the town centre. It forms part of our wider regeneration plans to bring new life to Bishop Auckland town centre and enable the town to become thriving place to live, work and visit.” Bishop Auckland was also successful in securing a further £33.2 million of Stronger Town Funding to help the town build on its unique heritage and develop as a visitor destination. To find out more about Esh Group, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
