Innovo Developments UK, the UK development arm of international leader in construction and development, Innovo, is set to deliver its debut scheme following the successful acquisition of a long-dormant brownfield site opposite the world-famous Lord’s Cricket Ground. Set within one of the capital’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, the prime development on St John’s Wood Road will feature a total of 89 apartments. A quarter of these will be family-sized three-bedroom offerings, complete with extensive roof gardens offering impressive far-reaching views out over the cricket ground and London’s skyline. Residents will enjoy premium on-site amenities, including a spa complete with a sauna, ice bath and swimming pool, a large gym, library, children’s play space, and concierge services. London attractions Regent’s Park and St John’s Wood High Street are within a five minutes’ walk. Prioritising a design-led approach to development, Innovo Developments UK has assembled a best-in-class team of London-based architects, landscapers, and interior designers to deliver the St John’s Wood Road scheme. This includes Apt, the architecture studio behind the Merchant Square and Mayfair Members Club; garden designers and nine-time RHS Gold Medal winner Andy Sturgeon Design; and two interior design studios, the award-winning Goddard Littlefair alongside Bowler James Brindley. The St John’s Wood Road scheme marks the first site in Innovo’s wider identified pipeline of high-value residential and commercial projects in London, with today’s announcement marking a major vote of confidence in the UK capital’s real estate market. Set to complete in 2029, the St John’s Wood Road development meets a need for housing in a deeply undersupplied and highly desirable area. Only one other major prime residential scheme in the area is scheduled to complete within the same period. Detailed planning consent for the residential development has already been approved and implemented. In delivering its debut scheme, Innovo Developments UK will draw on Innovo’s global track record for complex, high-value residential projects across North America and the Middle East, with over £2 billion in development internationally. Innovo’s portfolio includes branded residences, large-scale residential communities, commercial centres, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure. Innovo Developments UK is made up of a highly experienced senior team, led by Managing Director, Brendon Moss, who oversaw the redevelopment of the former Chelsea Barracks at Qatari Diar. Innovo Developments is a subsidiary of Innovo Development, chaired by John Forrester, who is also Chair of Related Argent, and the mastermind behind the regeneration of King’s Cross. Brendon Moss, Managing Director, Innovo Developments UK, said: “Aligned with our ambitions to build a portfolio of high-quality, modern developments in London, St John’s Wood Road will deliver much-needed homes in a highly desirable location. Directly opposite the global “home of cricket,” and a stone’s throw from Regent’s Park, the proposals have been sensitively designed to reflect their local area in close collaboration with a first-class architecture and landscaping team.” John Forrester, Chair, Innovo Development, said: “Drawing on Innovo’s extensive expertise in high value and complex projects worldwide, we look forward with excitement to deliver our first London development. Whilst long dormant, the site is of the highest quality, and we are excited to be creating desirable new homes in one of this great city’s most attractive neighbourhoods.” The wider Innovo business is headquartered in London, and chaired by former Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt. Hon. Lord Phillip Hammond. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has been selected as the preferred bidder to deliver a significant new residential development in Preston, following a competitive tender win for a mixed-tenure scheme with Community Gateway Association (CGA) – Preston’s largest social housing landlord. The £28 million contract will mark the first collaboration between Vistry and CGA and will see the delivery of 126 homes in the first phase of this wider scheme. The development will offer a mix of tenures, supporting CGA’s commitment to providing a wider choice of good quality and affordable homes for the local community. Work is scheduled to begin on site in 2026, with Vistry bringing its proven expertise in delivering large-scale residential projects to the partnership. Zac Worthington, Managing Director of Vistry Merseyside & Cheshire West, said: “We’re delighted Community Gateway Association has chosen to work with us for the first time on this exciting new scheme in Preston. Working together we can deliver a significant number of homes for local people in a range of housing choices.” Stephen Galbraith, Head of Development and Regeneration at Community Gateway said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Vistry on this development, which will bring much-needed, high-quality homes to Preston. This partnership reflects our corporate priority of offering a wider choice of affordable housing and supporting our ongoing commitment to meet local housing needs.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The sale follows Catesby Estates successfully overturning a refused planning application in 2024 Catesby Estates, a leading strategic land promoter, has completed the land sale of a 25 acre site in Latchingdon, Essex, to housebuilder Dandara Homes. The land, which is a dedicated greenfield site, has planning permission for 160 new homes, 50% of which will be affordable. The plans also include a designated plot for a children’s nursery, comprising a 300 sqm building with outside play space and on-site parking. More than 40% of the 25 acre site will be retained and transformed into a new community park. This green space will include a new children’s play area, community allotments and integrated walking and cycling routes. The site also makes provision for a 100 sqm office hub, designed to support residents working from home, local entrepreneurs and start-ups. Planning was achieved on this site in 2024 after Catesby Estate’s team successfully appealed Maldon District Council planning committee’s decision to refuse the scheme in 2023, despite a recommendation for approval by the Planning Officer. The refusal was overturned last year, with the Inspector’s report supporting Catesby Estates’ evidence of a significant shortfall of new housing delivery in Maldon. David Harper, Senior Area Land Director at Catesby Estates, comments: “The completion of this land sale to Dandara Homes will not only accelerate the delivery of much-needed new homes but it will also bring significant community benefits to the area, including a nursery, office hub, and dedicated play areas. “We’re proud that our team was able to demonstrate the demand for these new homes and facilities to the council on behalf of the landowner, and overturn a previously unsuccessful planning application. We look forward to seeing the team at Dandara Homes transform this land for the benefit of its future residents and surrounding community.” John Baines, Land Director at Dandara Homes, adds: “Dandara are really pleased to have completed the purchase of this site in Latchingdon and look forward to delivering a high-quality development that will make a real contribution to the local community. The mix of new homes, green spaces, and facilities such as the nursery and office hub will help create a vibrant and sustainable place to live.” David Brooks and Tom Bloomfield from Brooks Leney acted on behalf of the landowners. The price was not disclosed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Sovereign Network Group (SNG) has received planning approval to redevelop its Windmill Court site in Mortimer Common, near Reading, into 24 high-quality affordable homes. The project will replace an outdated over-55s accommodation block with a modern development of houses and maisonettes, each designed with private outdoor space and parking. Set in a quiet location on the edge of the village, the scheme aims to meet local housing needs while improving the character of the area. The homes will offer a mix of 11 for Shared Ownership and 13 for social rent, ensuring a variety of affordable housing options for local people. All properties will be built to SNG’s Homes and Place Standard, which sets high expectations for comfort, space and energy performance. Sustainability measures such as air source heat pumps and solar panels will be incorporated to reduce energy costs and support greener living. Jenny Grote, Assistant Director New Business at SNG, said: “We are delighted that planning has been achieved at Windmill Court after a long journey through the system. This project will replace older buildings with a well-designed new community of affordable homes. By working to our Homes and Place Standard, we are ensuring these homes will be comfortable, spacious, and energy-efficient. The mix of houses and maisonettes will suit a range of local households and the inclusion of outdoor space and parking makes them especially attractive for village living. Most importantly, these homes will enhance Mortimer Common and create affordable opportunities for people who want to live in the village.” The planning process involved lengthy engagement with local stakeholders to ensure the development meets community needs. Approval followed extended discussions with the local authority to address the site’s historic covenants and its previous use. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2025, with completion targeted for late 2027. Four households who previously lived at Windmill Court have already expressed interest in returning once the new homes are ready. Located just seven miles from Reading, Mortimer Common offers a strong community identity, local amenities and good transport links, including a railway station on the Reading to Basingstoke line. The redevelopment of Windmill Court is set to bring much-needed affordable homes to this popular West Berkshire village. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has agreed to the purchase of two parcels of land at Parsonage Road in Takeley, Essex, with plans to deliver a high-quality new residential community of 108 homes. The site, which spans almost 16 acres, was acquired through land promoter Endurance Estates and agent Sworders and has a gross development value of £50 million. 40% of the development will be delivered as affordable housing, comprising one and two-bedroom apartments, and two to four-bedroom houses for affordable rent and shared ownership. The development will also offer a range of two to five-bedroom houses for private sale. To better align with the housing needs of Uttlesford District Council, Hill will replace an existing reserved matters consent for a 66-bedroom care home on part of the land, identified as surplus to local requirements, with additional housing. A reserved matters application for 88 homes and a full application for 20 homes are expected to be submitted in October 2025, with a start on site targeted for summer 2026. The new homes will be designed to meet high environmental standards in line with Hill’s commitment to sustainable development. Features will include energy-efficient fabric-first construction, air-source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage, and private or shared outdoor space. Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “Parsonage Road is a well-located site that will enable us to deliver high-quality new homes in an area where there is a strong housing need. By adapting existing consents to reflect local housing requirements, we can create a new residential community that truly enhances the local area. We look forward to engaging with residents and stakeholders as we develop our detailed proposals.” Takeley is a thriving Essex village located between Bishop’s Stortford and Great Dunmow, with excellent transport links via the M11 corridor to both London and Cambridge, as well as close proximity to Stansted Airport. The village benefits from a wide range of community amenities, schools, and local services, making it an attractive setting for home movers. Hill has a proud tradition of delivering high-quality new homes in Essex, with its headquarters based locally in Waltham Abbey. Current developments include Hollymead Square in Newport and a large-scale development at Kennel Lane in Billericay, both of which showcase Hill’s design-led approach to placemaking. Together with the new proposals for Takeley, these projects demonstrate Hill’s long-term commitment to working in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders to deliver much-needed sustainable new homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The London Borough of Lambeth has approved plans for a mid-rise residential development in Brixton, with Higgins Partnerships securing consent for a series of blocks delivering 378 apartments on Somerleyton Road. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with full completion scheduled for 2030. The project is a joint venture between Higgins Partnerships and Lambeth Council. Of the 378 flats, 187 will be affordable, including 63 low-cost extra care homes. The scheme also includes a community gym, new community and commercial spaces, and significant public realm improvements along Somerleyton Road. Higgins Group chief executive Declan Higgins said: “This application is about more than delivering much-needed affordable homes. It’s about creating a sustainable, inclusive and vibrant neighbourhood that reflects the true spirit of Brixton.” Kathryn Eames, director of housing delivery and strategy at Lambeth Council, added: “With more than half of these new homes approved as affordable, this scheme is a powerful demonstration of Lambeth’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis. Less than a year since the launch of our refreshed New Homes Programme, we are proud that our first major partnership project with Higgins has already secured approval. By next year, construction will begin in Brixton, bringing much-needed homes and new community amenities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Henry Boot has announced that its property investment and development arm, HBD, has been appointed by Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge, as development partner for Duxford AvTech. The 25-acre site, located eight miles south of Cambridge within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, will be transformed into a 435,000 sq ft aviation technology campus with a gross development value of £162 million. The scheme aims to bring academia, industry and government together to drive the development of low- and zero-carbon aircraft technology at IWM Duxford. Plans for the new campus include high sustainability standards, with targets of BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ ratings. Once complete, the project is expected to deliver 1,200 new jobs and contribute an estimated £64 million in additional gross value added to the Cambridgeshire economy. Detailed plans will now be prepared ahead of a planning application, which is expected to be submitted before the end of the year. The Duxford AvTech scheme adds to HBD’s growing portfolio of large-scale innovation projects. Earlier this year, the developer secured approval for the first phase of the £1 billion Golden Valley scheme in Cheltenham, which will deliver around 1 million sq ft of commercial space, including the 160,000 sq ft National Cyber Innovation Centre, alongside 576 new homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Linear Living has completed the first phase of its £34 million Trafford Gardens project on Talbot Road, marking a key milestone in the transformation of the Trafford Civic Quarter. The initial stage, finished earlier this month, has delivered 33 affordable homes, all of which have been purchased by Salford-based housing association Irwell Valley Homes. The properties will be offered to residents on a rent-to-buy basis, supporting local demand for accessible housing. Work is already underway on phase two, which will deliver a further 116 homes for private sale, with prices starting from £220,000. The wider scheme, set for completion in late 2025, will ultimately provide a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments spread across a 13-storey block. Residents will also benefit from shared amenities, including a rooftop garden and a private courtyard. Located just 300 metres from both Old Trafford and Trafford Bar Metrolink stops, Trafford Gardens offers strong connectivity to Manchester city centre, a key factor in its appeal to both buyers and renters. The project forms part of the Trafford Civic Quarter masterplan, which seeks to regenerate the area surrounding Old Trafford Cricket Ground into a vibrant residential community. The development is being delivered by Linear Design and Construct, an associated company of Linear Living, with support from Peak Properties as advisor and sales agent. Other key stakeholders include Irwell Valley Homes, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Maslow Capital, and JDA Architects. The site has a complex history: originally launched in 2020 by Investar Property Group with designs by Tim Groom Architects, the scheme stalled when Investar entered administration. Linear Living acquired the site in 2023, breathing new life into the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has completed on the 526 new homes on a 47-acre site in Boulton Moor, Derby. This new development promises an excellent mix of much-needed family homes for the area, including affordable homes, homes for the private rental sector and properties for sale on the open market. The site will also feature a playground for the younger members of the new community. Dave Bradley, Managing Director of Vistry North Midlands, said: “I am delighted that our land team has completed the acquisition of land to build 526 high-quality new homes at Boulton Moor. This marks a significant step forward in bringing much-needed housing to the area, including a blend of affordable, PRS and private homes designed to create a vibrant and sustainable community. We look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to bring this development to life and provide homes that cater to the needs of local people.” This development forms the third phase of Derby’s Strategic Urban Extension, designed to create a 2,600-home village attached to the city. It will incorporate facilities including schools, shops, a care home, businesses, a transport hub, and electric charging stations. Planning permission was granted in May 2025 with work expected to start later this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans have been submittedfor a new developmentwhich wouldbring up to 125 new homes, 15 acres of public open space and improvements to a key road junction in Bishop’s Tachbrook. Bellway Strategic Land has lodged an outline planning application with Warwick District Council for the scheme after carrying out a public consultation on its proposals at the end of last year. It is seeking permission to develop a 24-acre site on land south of Mallory Road at the western edge of the village, with large areas of public open space – including a community orchard and children’s play area – to be provided alongside the new homes. The development would also deliver improvements to the junction of Mallory Road and Banbury Road, which have been added to the plans following feedback from local residents during the consultation process. Christy McLean, Strategic Land Manager for Bellway’s Central region, said: “Our plans for the Mallory Road site are the result of extensive consultation with Warwick District Council and the wider community, enabling us to design a scheme which responds to the priorities of local people. “We have made a number of key changes to our plans following the public consultation, including relocating the community orchard within the site and allowing more space for an attenuation basin to improve its appearance. We are now also proposing to create a dedicated left-turn facility onto Banbury Road from Mallory Road to increase capacity at this junction, after this was highlighted as a particular priority by residents.” Bellway’s outline plans propose that 40 per cent of properties will be provided as affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership, and five per cent as self or custom-build plots. The homes would feature a range of energy efficiency measures and low carbon technologies including air source heat pumps and solar PV panels. It is estimated that the development would create 45 new jobs and add £11 million to the region’s economy over the anticipated three-year construction period, as well as generating £2 million in local household retail spending and £310,000 in council tax payments per year. Christy said: “If approved, the development would provide significant social, economic and environmental benefits for Bishop’s Tachbrook and the wider district. Up to 50 homes would be provided as affordable housing for local people unable to buy on the open market, while at least five per cent of properties would be bungalows to meet the needs of older residents. “The 15 acres of public open space proposed far exceeds the four acres required for a development of this size and would include a community orchard, wildflower meadow and hedgerow planting, providing new habitats to increase biodiversity. Improvements to walking and cycling routes – another priority highlighted in the consultation responses – will also be delivered, with the enhancement of the existing footpath and a new pedestrian route providing access to the bus stops on Mallory Road and amenities in the village.” Warwick District Council will make a decision on Bellway’s outline planning application. For more information on how Bellway Strategic Land plans sustainable communities, see https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/. To find out more about Bellway’s developments in Warwickshire, go to https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals