Ballymore has received planning consent from the London Borough of Newham for the redevelopment of its Thames Road site, located on the north bank of the River Thames to the east of Thames Barrier Park. The approved scheme will deliver 1,685 new homes on the industrial brownfield site, also known as UNEX, including 173 homes for social rent. Designed by Howells, the development will also feature 359 co-living suites, a new primary school, over 13,500 sq m of light industrial and flexible workspace, a riverside park, and a range of ground-floor retail and community spaces. The architectural design reflects the Royal Docks’ industrial heritage, incorporating a rich palette of brick tones and varied building types—from riverside mansion blocks and townhouses to contemporary co-living buildings—creating a distinctive and layered new neighbourhood. John Mulryan, Group Managing Director at Ballymore, said: “Securing consent for Thames Road is a significant milestone and a strong endorsement of the ambition and care that has shaped these proposals. Our commitment to the Royal Docks spans decades, and this approval allows us to build on the success of Royal Wharf while continuing to respond thoughtfully to the area’s evolving character and needs. “Royal Wharf has demonstrated what high-quality brownfield regeneration can achieve, becoming an international benchmark for new town delivery since its completion in 2020. With planning now in place for Thames Road, we are excited to move forward and prepare to begin construction next year.” Ballymore has a long-standing track record in Newham, most recently delivering Royal Wharf and Riverscape, a 40-acre riverside neighbourhood with over 4,000 homes, a new primary school, public park, vibrant high street, and accessible riverside walkway connecting Lyle Park and Thames Barrier Park, including a Thames Clippers pier. In addition, Ballymore submitted plans in 2024 for a sister site at Knights Road, currently awaiting determination. The Knights Road proposals, designed by Allies & Morrison, include 1,667 new homes and 4,000 sq m of light industrial and flexible workspace, located a short walk from West Silvertown DLR. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ballymore has secured planning permission from the London Borough of Newham to redevelop its Thames Road site into a major mixed-use scheme delivering 1,685 new homes. The development, designed by Howells, will also provide a new primary school, more than 13,500 square metres of light industrial and flexible workspace, a riverside park, and a mix of ground-floor retail and community facilities. John Mulryan, Group Managing Director at Ballymore, said the approval marked a key milestone for the project and reflected the ambition behind the proposals. He highlighted the company’s long-standing commitment to the Royal Docks and said the scheme would build on the success of nearby Royal Wharf while responding to the area’s changing character and needs. Royal Wharf has become widely recognised as a benchmark for high-quality brownfield regeneration since its completion in 2020. With planning consent now in place for Thames Road, Ballymore plans to progress the scheme and prepare to start construction next year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Story Homes has secured revised planning permission for Phases 6 and 7 of its Edgehill Park development in Whitehaven, paving the way for 158 new homes and the next stage of the long-running project. Phase 6 will see the introduction of a new collection of house types, a contemporary sub-brand designed to meet modern lifestyles and evolving housing needs. The designs offer a modern take on Georgian-style terraces, with statement detailing, flexible layouts, and a fresh, progressive feel. The collection is aimed particularly at first-time buyers and downsizers seeking homes that are easy to manage, well-located, and thoughtfully designed for everyday living. “Today’s lifestyles are more dynamic, social and convenience-driven than ever before,” Story Homes said, noting that the new designs feature open-plan layouts, manageable private gardens, and carefully considered public green spaces to support community life. Philip Fell, Land Manager for Story Homes Cumbria & Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to have secured planning consent for the next phases at Edgehill Park. Whitehaven has been an important location for Story Homes for many years, and Phase 6 represents an exciting step forward with the introduction of our new collection of house types. It’s been rewarding to see how our developments have evolved to reflect changing lifestyles while continuing to deliver high-quality, well-designed homes.” The new homes will incorporate energy-efficient features and innovative heating systems, helping to reduce household energy bills while meeting Future Homes standards and supporting the UK’s sustainability goals. By focusing on well-connected locations close to amenities and public transport, the development also encourages walking and cycling, reduces parking requirements and makes efficient use of land. Story Homes has had a long-standing presence in Whitehaven for over 15 years, delivering homes that contribute to the local economy, provide employment opportunities, and raise expectations for design quality and specification. The approval of Phases 6 and 7 marks the next chapter in Edgehill Park’s growth, combining innovative design, sustainable living, and community-focused planning for residents of Whitehaven. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Persimmon Homes Wessex has received detailed planning approval to build 180 new homes in Midsomer Norton, following outline consent for the site in February 2025. The development, which will be known as Wellow Brook, is located in the south of the town, to the east of the Fosseway. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with first residents anticipated to move in by the end of 2026. The scheme has been carefully designed to include substantial areas of green space, including a Central Square with a children’s play area and a Southern Spur featuring a community orchard, walking routes and extensive new tree planting, creating a strong sense of place on site. A total of 54 homes will be allocated to a local housing association to help address Somerset’s significant housing waiting list. The development will also feature new pedestrian and cycle links throughout the site. Commenting on the approval, Persimmon Homes Wessex Managing Director Seb Spiller said: “We at Persimmon are very pleased to have been granted detailed planning as we seek to bring high-quality housing solutions for local people in the Somer Valley area. “Having secured detailed planning approval, we are very excited to deliver on our vision and making our plans a reality, leaving a positive and lasting legacy in the process. “Wellow Brook will have a strong sense of place at the heart of its design, with new green open spaces, ecological enhancements and carefully designed new homes that incorporate local character features. “Persimmon looks forward to continuing our work with local stakeholders as we seek to deliver quality new homes, jobs, and infrastructure for the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developer Muse has been selected as preferred development partner to lead one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration programmes, taking a central role in shaping the future of Bristol Temple Quarter. Muse Places will drive the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes alongside major commercial development, new public realm and significant transport upgrades centred around Bristol’s main rail hub. The appointment places Muse at the heart of a long-term regeneration strategy designed to transform a key gateway into the city. The developer will initially focus on Temple Meads West, an area comprising a series of publicly owned sites immediately adjacent to Bristol Temple Meads station. These include land at the Friary, the City Point building and multi-storey car park at Temple Gate, Lower Station Approach and the Portwall Lane car park. Muse is expected to begin work on an outline planning application for Temple Meads West, with submission targeted for early 2027. Alongside this, Muse will support BTQ LLP in developing longer-term proposals for St Philip’s Marsh. The area represents one of the largest remaining brownfield regeneration opportunities in central Bristol and forms a key component of the wider 135-hectare Temple Quarter programme. Bristol Temple Quarter is being brought forward through a partnership between Homes England, Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority. BTQ LLP said Muse was selected for its strong regeneration credentials and proven delivery record, citing major schemes in Salford, Plymouth and London, as well as its long-standing involvement in Bristol through the Wapping Wharf development. The appointment comes as momentum continues to build across Temple Quarter, supported by substantial public investment already under way. Construction is progressing on a new £23m eastern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads, funded through a £95m government grant, and due to open in September 2026 alongside the University of Bristol’s £500m Enterprise Campus. Further transport improvements are also advancing. BTQ LLP secured a resolution to grant planning permission for the Southern Gateway transport hub late last year, with a contractor expected to be appointed imminently and works scheduled to begin on site this summer. With Muse now in place as preferred partner, the Temple Quarter regeneration is set to enter a critical new phase, laying the foundations for one of the most ambitious urban renewal programmes in the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has secured planning permission to build 42 new homes on Oak Hill Road, at the edge of the village of Stapleford Abbotts in Essex. The site, located in Epping Forest on the border with Havering, will provide a mix of high-quality homes designed to blend seamlessly with the village while addressing local housing needs. The development updates a previous planning consent for the site, incorporating improved designs and layouts shaped by local consultations. Forty percent of the homes will be affordable, delivered in partnership with B3Living, including 13 homes for affordable rent and four shared ownership properties, all two- and three-bedroom houses for local residents. Private sale homes will range from three to five bedrooms and include private gardens, parking, and cycle storage, catering to first-time buyers, growing families, downsizers, and older residents. All properties will meet The Hill Group’s sustainability standards, featuring air-source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, and other energy-efficient measures to help households reduce energy costs. The development has been designed with biodiversity and green space in mind. Plans include a 10% biodiversity net gain, bird and bat boxes, an attenuation pond, a children’s playground, and landscaping that complements the village’s rural character. The site benefits from close proximity to local amenities, including the village shop, pub, and the local primary school, rated Good by Ofsted. It is also allocated for residential development in the Epping Forest Local Plan to help meet long-term housing demand. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to receive planning permission for our new development in Stapleford Abbots. This thoughtfully designed neighbourhood will provide much-needed high-quality homes, including a significant proportion of affordable housing for the local community. Our updated plans reflect extensive consultation and respond sensitively to the village’s character, delivering sustainable homes and generous green spaces that future residents can enjoy for generations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning sustainable housebuilder Greencore Homes has exchanged on a 13.9 acre residential development site in Puckeridge, East Hertfordshire. The acquisition, promoted by Wates Group, marks a major addition to Greencore’s expanding portfolio of Better Than Net Zero homes and the company’s first site in East Hertfordshire. Located in the south of Puckeridge, north of Standon Hill, the 13.9 acre site benefits from previously secured Outline Planning Consent for 91 homes. Greencore Homes will submit a Reserved Matters planning application by Summer 2026. The site acquisition and Outline Planning Consent forms part of East Hertfordshire Council’s District plan to deliver 1,173 new homes per year to provide much needed housing. As of October 2025, the average house price in East Hertfordshire was £459,000[1], 70% higher than the UK average, emphasising the need for sustainable and affordable homes in the area. Greencore Homes will construct the Better Than Net Zero homes, using natural materials. The homes are ultra-low in embodied carbon and are designed to achieve a net energy balance across the development. With renewable energy sources, including optimal photovoltaic panels on the roof, Greencore’s EPC-A rated  homes are built to Passivhaus standards, allowing for comfort, low running costs and a minimal impact on the environment. The Puckeridge site sits within a 10-minute walk to the village centre. Located six miles west of Bishop’s Stortford and 10 miles north of Hertford, Puckeridge is a village with convenient access to a wide range of facilities within a 20-minute walk, cycle or bus ride. Perfect for professionals and young families, Puckeridge is ideally located for commuting into either London or Cambridge, with trains from Stevenage just 24-minutes into King’s Cross. Laura Stone, COO at Greencore Homes, said: “Our aim at Greencore Homes is to become the blueprint for Better Than Net Zero development. Homes can, and should, be better for people, places and planet from the start of construction. With an aim to deliver 10,000 Better Than Net Zero homes by 2035, the exchange on this site in Puckeridge brings us one step closer to achieving our ambitions.  The 91 homes we will construct on the site will be designed to be healthy, comfortable, and cost-effective for residents, while contributing meaningfully to the transition toward a zero-carbon future.” Oliver Luard, Partnerships and Investment Director at Greencore Homes, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Geencore Homes and an excellent start to the New Year, having exchanged contracts on this superb development opportunity in the lovely village of Puckeridge, Hertfordshire. We look forward to completing the purchase and submitting our Reserved Matters application for 91 much-needed Better Than Net Zero homes early in 2026.” Wates Group promoted the site, and Forsters provided legal services to Greencore Homes. The landowner’s sales agents were Strutt & Parker, and the landowner received legal advice from Birketts and DAC Beachcroft. For more information on Greencore Homes, visit https://greencorehomes.co.uk/ [1] Office For National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/housingpriceslocal/E07000242/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Contractor Clegg Construction, on behalf of its client Liverpool-based developer Brickland, has secured Gateway 2 approval for a £46m, 12-storey apartment scheme in Nursery Street, Sheffield. The 267-apartment, build-to-rent development has received authorisation from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) – paving the way for work on site to begin in January 2026. Gateway 2 was introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 and is aimed at improving building safety, particularly for high rise buildings. Michael Sims, managing director at Clegg Construction, said: “Securing Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) confirms that this development in Sheffield meets the most stringent of safety requirements. “This approval means that we can now proceed to the next stage, with enabling work starting on site to deliver this 12-storey concrete-frame apartment project.” Clegg Construction has been appointed by Brickland Ltd to build the development. Other members of the team include architect Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, built environment consultancy Ridge, MEP services consultant Futurserv, project manager and quantity surveyor Egan Lucocq Ltd, and Design Fire Services. This is the latest in a number of residential projects that Clegg Construction has delivered in recent years including The Ironworks, a 12-storey apartment block of 229 properties in Sheffield, 185 apartments at Spinners Yard in Leeds, and Gilders Yard in Birmingham, which featured 158 new homes. The company has been involved in several projects in Sheffield and is currently working on a new Faculty of Health building at the University of Sheffield. With its head office in The Lace Market in Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects.   For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bellway has submitted a detailed planning application for 176 new homes on land at Jacksons Lane in Hazel Grove, Stockport. Half of the homes planned for the 19-acre site would be affordable housing, while new publicly accessible open space would also be created as part of the development. The application, which has been developed by Bellway’s Strategic Land team and Manchester division, follows the site’s inclusion in the draft allocation of land for new residential development in the emerging Stockport Local Plan. The land sits to the south of Jacksons Lane, on the southern edge of Hazel Grove. Sebastian Burrow, Bellway Strategic Land Director for the North West, said: “We have worked closely with the landowners and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to develop proposals which make effective use of this site and respond positively to local planning policy, helping to deliver much-needed new homes in the borough. “The project would include 50 per cent affordable housing, with a mix of rented and shared ownership properties, contributing towards meeting identified local housing needs and supporting the delivery of mixed, balanced communities in Stockport. “This is a highly sustainable location for new homes, with shops, schools and bus stops all within walking distance. The development has been designed to promote walking and cycling, with new pedestrian and cycle links proposed as part of the site layout to ensure the development connects with surrounding footpaths. “The proposals also provide significant areas of public green open space and a children’s play area, alongside a range of measures to protect and enhance biodiversity, including new planting and the creation of wildlife habitats. These will deliver environmental benefits as part of a high-quality, sustainable development.” The plans include a range of two, three and four-bedroom houses for private sale and two and three-bedroom affordable houses, with a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached designs. The proposals also seek to enhance the site’s landscape features, retaining existing hedgerow and mature trees, including the tree-lined corridor along the site’s southern and south-western boundaries, and two ponds. In addition, there will be new planting incorporating native species to maximise biodiversity improvements, and new wildlife habitats including bat and bird boxes. As part of the planning process, it is anticipated that Bellway will make financial contributions towards improving local infrastructure, which could include schools, healthcare services and open space, sports and recreational facilities. Sebastian said: “As well as providing new housing and open space for people in the area, this project will enhance the vitality, viability and accessibility of Hazel Grove, bringing jobs and inward investment into the local economy.” More information about the work of Bellway Strategic Land can be found at https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Build to Rent developer PLATFORM_ is preparing to move its major Bristol city centre scheme into procurement, following planning approval secured just before Christmas. In December, Bristol City Council resolved to grant planning permission for the large-scale regeneration project, marking a key step forward for the former sawmill site. With the approval now in place, PLATFORM_ is gearing up to tender for a main contractor in the second quarter of 2026, ahead of a Gateway 2 submission planned for the end of the year. The development will deliver 352 Build to Rent homes and is designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. It is positioned as a significant regeneration scheme that will transform a previously inaccessible riverside location into a new residential neighbourhood with strong public realm credentials. Central to the proposals is a new riverside park that will open up access to the River Frome to the public for the first time in generations. The landscaped space will be supported by a new pedestrian bridge across the river, improving connectivity and creating a more permeable route through the area for both residents and the wider community. Since planning approval was secured on 20 December 2025, the project team has been progressing pre-construction activity, refining technical design and preparing the scheme for market engagement. The upcoming contractor tender will represent a major milestone as the developer transitions from planning into delivery. PLATFORM_ chief executive Jean-Marc Vandevivere said the planning decision represented a significant step forward for one of Bristol’s most important regeneration sites. He said the scheme would provide much-needed new homes while delivering high-quality public spaces and amenities that support long-term placemaking. The project is expected to play a meaningful role in addressing housing demand in the city, particularly within the professionally managed rental sector, while also enhancing the riverside environment and reconnecting the site with its surroundings. With contractor procurement scheduled for Q2 and regulatory submissions planned later in the year, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the scheme. PLATFORM_ said it remains focused on working closely with the council and its advisory team to ensure the project progresses smoothly towards construction and delivery, helping to establish a vibrant new riverside community in the heart of Bristol. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals