Scotland is looking to attract greater levels of private investment into housing development, with Build to Rent identified as an important part of plans to accelerate the delivery of new homes across the country. The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2026–31 sets out plans for a new national housing agency, More Homes Scotland (MHS), which will bring together funding, expertise and delivery tools in an effort to remove barriers and get more housing projects moving. The agency is expected to be phased in from 1 April 2027. Central to the approach will be a strategic partnership between More Homes Scotland and the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), designed to leverage additional private commercial capital for residential development. The partnership will look across different housing tenures, with Build to Rent specifically identified alongside affordable and social housing as an area capable of supporting increased delivery. The Government also wants the initiative to encourage new entrants into the market and support the growth of existing housing providers. For Scotland’s BTR sector, the announcement provides a potentially important new route for attracting institutional and private capital into projects at a time when the industry continues to face challenges around development viability, funding and the delivery of new housing at scale. More Homes Scotland will have a wider role in coordinating housing delivery and investment, strengthening regional collaboration and helping to align new development with economic growth priorities. The Government is also proposing further changes to the planning system aimed at speeding up development and helping projects progress from planning through to construction. The measures form part of a broader strategy to increase housing supply and improve investor confidence across Scotland. Alongside the increased focus on private capital, affordable housing remains a major part of Scotland’s housing programme. The Government has committed to delivering 111,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 70% intended for social rent. The establishment of MHS could therefore create a stronger link between public-sector housing priorities and institutional investment, opening opportunities for developers, investors, contractors and the wider construction supply chain. For Build to Rent in particular, the commitment is significant because it places the sector directly within the Government’s plans for increasing housing delivery rather than treating it solely as a specialist investment market. As More Homes Scotland begins to take shape ahead of its planned introduction from April 2027, attention will now turn to how its partnership with SNIB will translate private capital into viable development opportunities and, ultimately, new homes on the ground. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Starlight Investments has completed the closing of its second UK Build to Rent fund, securing £680 million in total capital commitments to support the acquisition and delivery of more than 6,000 rental homes across the country. The capital has been raised through Starlight UK BTR Fund II alongside ancillary investment vehicles, providing significant backing for the global real estate investor’s continued expansion within the UK purpose-built rental market. The fund is already partially deployed, with three major residential communities currently under construction. Two are located in Manchester, while a further development is progressing in Basildon, Essex. Among Starlight’s growing pipeline is Trinity Heights in Manchester, a 60-storey BTR tower approaching completion, alongside The Mercantile in Basildon and another major rental community under construction within Manchester’s Greengate neighbourhood. The latest fundraising represents another substantial injection of institutional capital into the UK’s rapidly expanding BTR development sector. Investors participating in Fund II include institutions from Europe, Asia-Pacific and Canada, combining existing Starlight investment partners with several new entrants. Significantly, the fund has also attracted government-backed investment. Earlier this year, the National Housing Bank, part of Homes England, committed £100 million as a cornerstone investor in Fund II. The investment is intended to help accelerate Starlight’s pipeline of rental housing in locations where housing supply remains constrained. Starlight’s strategy is focused on professionally managed rental communities across major regional cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, together with locations within the London commuter belt. Developments are being targeted towards areas with strong rental demand and access to employment, education and transport infrastructure. The company’s wider UK platform now comprises 12 BTR communities at various stages from development and construction through to leasing and operation. Starlight says its expanding pipeline is expected to place the business among the UK’s four largest BTR operators by scale as further developments become operational. Jonnie Milich, Head of UK Residential at Starlight Investments, said the closing would allow the business to concentrate on execution and the next phase of growth, supported by an established development pipeline and expanding UK team. The investment comes as institutional capital continues to play an increasingly important role in bringing forward large-scale rental housing. For the construction and residential development markets, Starlight’s £680 million capital raise provides substantial funding capacity for thousands of new homes, creating a significant future pipeline for architects, contractors, consultants and specialist supply chain businesses as schemes progress. Starlight has operated in the UK since 2020 and, as of May 2026, managed around 4,000 UK homes with approximately £1.1 billion of assets under management. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Noble Consultancy has secured Reserved Matters planning approval for a 450-home development at Gibraltar Farm in Gillingham, on behalf of Barratt Redrow Homes, following a unanimous decision by Medway Council’s planning committee on 29 July 2026. The scheme delivers 450 new homes across the site, alongside 10.62 hectares of high-quality, multi-functional open space, and is fully compliant with Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS). It marks the successful conclusion of a two-year process for The Noble Consultancy, which supported the site from BDW Kent’s early feasibility work through to the granting of detailed consent – on a site that had stalled since outline permission was first granted in 2018. The project’s direction shifted significantly partway through, when Barratt’s acquisition of Redrow turned Gibraltar Farm into a dual-brand development. Rather than proceeding with the site’s existing Reserved Matters application, The Noble Consultancy revisited the masterplan from first principles, exploring multiple layout options to establish a single coherent scheme that could accommodate both the Barratt and Redrow brands. The Noble Consultancy’s design team carried out a detailed local character assessment to ensure the scheme responded to the surrounding area, reviewing local policy and design guidance, analysing historic settlement patterns, and undertaking a tissue analysis of neighbouring residential areas. Midway through the process, Medway Council introduced an emerging policy requirement for NDSS compliance, prompting The Noble Consultancy to redesign all 450 plots within the existing programme without compromising open space provision or design quality. The team also develop an enhanced sustainable drainage strategy, using dual-purpose seasonal basins to maximise usable open space and built a planning narrative that balanced the client’s use of standard house types with the Local Planning Authority’s design aspirations. Extensive engagement underpinned the application throughout, including pre-application discussions, design workshops, a Design Review Panel, a Building for a Healthy Life assessment and ongoing coordination with the design team and council officers. Toby Eichler, Managing Director (Planning), at The Noble Consultancy said: “Gibraltar Farm has been a complex and rewarding project, requiring us to rethink the scheme following the Barratt Redrow merger while responding to evolving planning requirements. Through close collaboration with the client, council and wider design team, we helped unlock a site that had been stalled for several years and secure approval for a high-quality development that will deliver much-needed new homes and open space for the local community.” Gibraltar Farm is the latest in a series of major residential planning successes for The Noble Consultancy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group is proud to announce the launch of Fitzwilliam Gate, a new collection of 70 one to four-bedroom homes in north Cambridge on Saturday 26 September 2026. Located on Histon Road Fitzwilliam Gate brings high-quality new homes to one of the city’s most connected and established neighbourhoods.Set within the welcoming area of Arbury, Fitzwilliam Gate combines the convenience of city living with the character and familiarity of a well-established, leafy suburb, ensuring these homes will appeal to families, professionals and first-time buyers alike. Well-regarded schools, a wealth of local amenities and the green space of Histon Road Recreation Ground are all close by.Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at The Hill Group, comments: “Fitzwilliam Gate opens an exciting new chapter for homebuyers seeking the perfect balance of quality, connectivity and community. Many homes overlook the recreation ground, putting woodland trails, green space and a play park right on residents’ doorsteps, while the buzz of the city centre, top local schools and everyday essentials are all just a short walk away. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family or just looking for the best of city and village living, then this is a neighbourhood that truly suits every stage of life.” Each home has been finished to a premium specification, featuring luxurious touches throughout, including sleek Caesarstone worktops, fully integrated appliances and soft close drawers in the kitchens, while bathrooms showcase feature framed mirrors and generously sized porcelain tiles. The homes span two to three storeys, with underfloor heating on the ground floor providing extra comfort and flexibility. Many homes feature open-plan kitchen-dining areas with bifold doors opening out onto spacious terraces and gardens. Residents can also make the most of energy-efficient living with air source heat pumps, EV charging and large triple-glazed windows, whilst each home includes dedicated cycle storage and a private parking space. Two show homes – a four-bedroom and a three-bedroom home – will open soon, giving prospective buyers the opportunity to see the quality and craftsmanship on offer first-hand. Arbury is one of North Cambridge’s most established neighbourhoods, known for its strong community spirit, excellent local amenities and the popular annual Arbury Carnival. Fitzwilliam Gate brings residents close to the energy of Cambridge, while still providing a quiet sanctuary to unwind. Within easy reach, residents can explore Kettle’s Yard art gallery, a 13-minute walk away, or Jesus Green Lido, just 19 minutes on foot, while Cambridge Market Square is an eight-minute cycle from the development. Families will benefit from a broad range of education options nearby, spanning state and independent schools. Mayfield and Arbury Primary Schools are less than a 15-minute walk away, with both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. For secondary education, residents have an excellent choice across the city, including Chesterton Community College and Parkside Community College, both rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Independent options include Cambridge Arts and Sciences and The Leys School. Fitzwilliam Gate is ideally positioned for commuters to Cambridge’s thriving employment hub, with Cambridge Business Park just a 15-minute cycle and St John’s Innovation Park a 17-minute cycle away. For those working in the city’s growing science and healthcare sector, Cambridge Science Park is only 17-minutes by bicycle, whilst Cambridge Biomedical Campus is just 23 minutes by car. Cambridge Station is also a 15-minute cycle away, connecting residents onward across the city and beyond. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Living has secured planning permission for a £65 million co-living and affordable housing development at Fish Island in Hackney Wick, paving the way for 324 new homes in east London. The Wansbeck Road scheme will deliver 280 co-living studios alongside 44 affordable homes across two buildings rising to 10 and seven storeys. Occupying the final development plot within the wider Neptune Wharf masterplan, the project will complete a key part of the regeneration of Fish Island and establish a new residential gateway at the junction of Wansbeck Road and Monier Road. Designed by HTA Design, the development has been conceived as a residential-led community combining private accommodation with an extensive range of shared amenities. Residents of the co-living building will have access to a gym, library, cinema and creative studios, together with communal kitchens and dedicated dining and social spaces. At ground-floor level, plans also include a social co-working café and flexible pop-up event space, helping to create greater activity and interaction between the development and surrounding neighbourhood. A landscaped central courtyard will sit between the two buildings, providing shared outdoor space while creating new connections through the site. Sustainability has also been embedded within the design. The car-free development will provide extensive cycle facilities alongside rain gardens and sustainable drainage measures, while rooftop solar panels will contribute towards reducing operational energy requirements. The scheme is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, further strengthening its environmental credentials as McLaren Living looks to deliver a high-density residential development designed around sustainable urban living. The combination of co-living and affordable housing also reflects the increasing diversification of London’s residential market, with purpose-designed shared living emerging alongside more established housing models as developers respond to demand for well-connected homes with greater communal and amenity provision. Ed Court, divisional managing director at McLaren Living, said the developer was excited to progress its plans for Wansbeck Road and complete an important remaining part of the Neptune Wharf masterplan. He added that the location represented a significant co-living investment opportunity, supported by a diverse professional population and strong connections to employment, education and leisure destinations across the capital. With planning permission now secured, the £65 million development represents another significant addition to Hackney Wick’s evolving residential landscape and the continuing regeneration of Fish Island. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Thakeham and Abri have completed work at Manorwood, West Horsley, delivering 139 homes designed to reflect the character of the local area.  The new community includes 56 affordable homes and 74 for private sale, comprising bungalows and 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes. Manorwood is currently 90% sold, with just nine homes still available to buy. The homes feature electric vehicle (EV) charging points, and over 300 solar panels were installed across the site. Manorwood properties achieve an impressive reduction in carbon emissions, averaging 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is about half the UK average.  In addition, the development has wildlife-friendly features such as bird and bat boxes. Local couple, Lia and Ross, who moved into their first home together recently said that Manorwood offered the right balance of familiarity and fresh beginnings. It felt connected to the surrounding village, with homes that sat comfortably alongside the local architecture and streetscape. “We just fell in love with it,” says Lia. “It was one of those moments where we said, ‘we’ll just have a look’ – and then a couple of weeks later, we were here reserving our first home together.”* Matt O’Halloran, Operations Director at Thakeham said: “Manorwood has delivered 139 quality new homes that fit seamlessly into the existing village, but that offer all the benefits of modern construction.” “We are proud to have provided, in partnership with Abri, a new nursery building for local children, a junior sports hall, and two padel courts, marking this development out from others in the area. The community feel is already growing as people move into Manorwood, and once the final homes have sold, it will only get stronger.” Sally Ingham, Director of Development at Abri said: “Completing all 139 homes at Manorwood is a fantastic milestone. Fifty-six of these are affordable homes, meaning local people who might otherwise have been priced out of the area now have a genuinely affordable place to live. High quality, sustainable homes like these are exactly what we need as we work towards our ambition of building 20,000 homes by 2036.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Renaker has cleared a major planning hurdle for its next generation of residential towers in Manchester after reaching a Section 106 agreement with Manchester City Council that could deliver up to £114 million towards affordable housing. The agreement enables the developer’s five-tower Great Jackson Street proposals to progress more than two years after councillors initially backed the development. Designed by Manchester-based SimpsonHaugh Architects, the ambitious programme will deliver 2,388 new apartments across five high-rise buildings. At the centre of the plans is the 71-storey Lighthouse, a 213-metre residential tower that, if completed as proposed, would become Manchester’s tallest building and the tallest in the UK outside London. Around 640 apartments are planned within the slender tower, together with a public restaurant at its upper level. The Lighthouse takes its name from its distinctive glazed crown, which will create a lantern-like feature on the Manchester skyline. SimpsonHaugh’s design incorporates a unitised façade and a chequered architectural treatment beneath the upper glazed floors. Construction expenditure on the tower has been reported at approximately £235 million. The remaining four buildings, known collectively as The Green, will comprise two 47-storey and two 51-storey towers, providing 1,746 homes alongside commercial, leisure, food and drink accommodation at lower levels. Landscaping, public realm, cycle storage and supporting infrastructure also form part of the wider proposals. Construction of these four towers is expected to represent investment of more than £570 million. Affordable housing has been a significant part of negotiations between the developer and the council. Rather than affordable homes being delivered within the five towers, the Section 106 agreement establishes a viability-linked mechanism through which contributions could be secured for affordable housing elsewhere within Manchester. The Lighthouse is subject to a maximum contribution of around £33.2 million, while The Green could contribute up to a further £81 million. Importantly, these figures represent maximum potential contributions rather than guaranteed upfront payments. The eventual sums will depend on future viability assessments and the financial performance of the developments. The agreement brings greater certainty to one of Manchester’s most significant residential development programmes and continues the transformation of Great Jackson Street into a major high-density neighbourhood. Once delivered, the new buildings will help connect Renaker’s established Deansgate Square and Crown Street developments, creating an increasingly continuous cluster of residential towers on the southern edge of Manchester city centre. Alongside SimpsonHaugh Architects, the wider professional team identified for the development includes Deloitte, Curtins, WSP, GIA, Godwins, TPM Landscape, Element Sustainability, FutureServ and DP Squared, among others. Renaker has not yet confirmed a demolition or construction timetable for the five-tower programme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Capital&Centric is marking the opening of its Weir Mill Build to Rent development in Stockport with a major community event, highlighting how the transformation of the historic mill is creating much more than a new collection of rental homes. The social impact developer has confirmed an all-local line-up for WEIR:LIVE, a free event taking place at the newly opened neighbourhood on 3 October. The celebration will bring live music, DJs, food and entertainment beneath Stockport’s landmark Grade II* listed railway viaduct. Weir Mill itself represents a significant heritage-led residential regeneration project. Capital&Centric has transformed the Grade II listed former cotton mill and surrounding site into a new riverside neighbourhood comprising 253 one, two and three-bedroom rental homes, including 88 apartments within the restored mill buildings. The development has been delivered by Capital&Centric in partnership with Stockport Council and Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation and forms part of the wider £1 billion regeneration of Stockport town centre. Alongside its BTR accommodation, Weir Mill provides around 20,000 sq ft of commercial space for independent businesses, with new public squares, landscaped courtyards and improved access to the River Mersey helping turn the formerly underused site into a mixed-use destination. The development combines the restoration of the historic mill complex with new-build elements, retaining much of the industrial character that has defined the site for generations. Weir Mill dates back to 1790 and predates the neighbouring railway viaduct, which was constructed over part of the mill complex during the 19th century. New amenities include Weaver’s Square, positioned beneath the viaduct and designed to accommodate markets, events, live music and pop-ups. The restored Wheelhouse has meanwhile been repurposed to provide residents with a gym, lounge and co-working facilities. A growing collection of independent operators is also helping establish the development as a destination beyond its residential community. Businesses include Social Osteria, Kontrol Pilates, Prologue, Rita Rays, The Jane Eyre and Bodega. Capital&Centric officially opened Weir Mill in August, with homes now available through the developer’s Ollo rental platform. WEIR:LIVE will provide an opportunity for the wider Stockport community to experience the completed regeneration, with Capital&Centric deliberately selecting musicians, DJs, artists and creatives from the borough. The approach reflects a wider shift within the BTR market towards developments that combine professionally managed rental homes with amenity, public realm, hospitality and community-focused spaces. For Stockport, Weir Mill also demonstrates how the reuse of challenging historic buildings can contribute to town-centre regeneration, combining new housing with heritage conservation and creating new commercial and public spaces around one of the borough’s best-known landmarks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Grainger has reported continued strong demand across its Build to Rent (BTR) portfolio as the UK’s largest listed residential landlord advances a development pipeline that includes its newly approved 425-home Cambridge North Residential Quarter. The FTSE 250 property company’s latest trading update, covering the 11 months to the end of August 2026, showed occupancy remaining above 96%, alongside like-for-like BTR rental growth of 3%. Grainger now owns and manages more than 11,000 rental homes across the UK and remains focused on expanding its purpose-built rental portfolio. A significant development milestone during the period was planning approval for Cambridge North Residential Quarter, which will become Grainger’s first investment in Cambridge. The 425-home scheme is being brought forward on railway land adjacent to Cambridge North station through blocwork, the joint venture between Network Rail property company Platform4 and developer bloc. Grainger is lined up to forward fund the development and, once completed, will operate and manage the new rental homes. The project will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a new residential neighbourhood designed to take advantage of its highly connected location. The wider proposals include linear parks, pocket gardens, tree-lined streets and active ground-floor uses, with walking, cycling and public transport forming an important part of the development strategy. Franklin Ellis Architects is involved in the design of the Cambridge North Residential Quarter, which forms part of the continuing transformation of land surrounding the station. The Cambridge investment reflects Grainger’s wider strategy of targeting well-connected UK cities where demand for professionally managed rental housing is supported by employment, transport infrastructure and constrained housing supply. Grainger is also progressing another partnership opportunity with Platform4 and blocwork in Nottingham, where a planning application has been submitted for a further 252 BTR homes. Alongside development activity, Grainger is targeting significant earnings growth from its committed BTR pipeline. Chief executive Helen Gordon said the company remains on track to grow earnings by 35% between FY25 and FY29, supported by new Build to Rent developments moving into operation. The company is simultaneously progressing an accelerated disposal programme covering approximately £850 million of non-core assets, while targeting a £300 million to £350 million reduction in net debt by the end of FY29. With high occupancy, continued rental growth and new developments advancing through planning, Grainger’s latest update highlights the growing maturity of the UK BTR sector. Cambridge North is particularly significant, combining institutional investment, residential development and transport-led regeneration to create a substantial new rental community in one of the UK’s strongest regional property markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Watkin Jones has completed two major Build to Rent (BTR) developments during its 2026 financial year, marking further progress for the residential developer as it continues to deliver large-scale schemes despite challenging market conditions. The completions represent another important milestone for Watkin Jones, which has established a significant presence across the UK’s purpose-built rental and student accommodation sectors. Among the developer’s major BTR projects is Loftlines, a significant residential development that forms part of the wider regeneration of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. The project demonstrates the scale and ambition of the purpose-built rental schemes now being delivered in major UK cities, combining new homes with the amenity-led approach increasingly associated with modern BTR development. Watkin Jones has also progressed its Tai Afon BTR development in Cardiff, adding further purpose-built rental accommodation to its portfolio and strengthening the company’s presence within the residential market. The latest completions arrive against a demanding backdrop for the UK development sector. Higher construction costs, financing pressures and changing investment conditions have all influenced the pace at which new residential projects can be funded and brought forward. Despite these challenges, BTR continues to represent an important area of activity within the UK housing market, supported by demand for professionally managed rental accommodation and continued institutional interest in residential property. For the wider construction and built environment industry, the delivery of major BTR developments also creates opportunities across a substantial supply chain. Large schemes require expertise spanning main contracting and structural construction through to façades, M&E services, fit-out, landscaping and public realm, before moving into long-term property and facilities management following completion. Watkin Jones’ latest progress therefore provides another indication of the continued evolution of the UK BTR sector, particularly in regional cities where large residential developments are increasingly becoming an important component of wider regeneration strategies. With two major BTR schemes reaching completion during FY26, Watkin Jones continues to demonstrate its ability to take substantial residential developments through construction and into operation while navigating a more challenging development and investment environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals