Construction has begun on Dorchester’s first Build-to-Rent residential scheme, with developer RTI Estates Ltd, part of the Dorchester-based Redtale Group, leading the project. The £11 million development will see the transformation of Vespasian House, a well-known commercial premises at the top o’ town, into a contemporary rental complex. The brownfield site is considered a highly sustainable location close to both the town centre and Dorset County Hospital. The project will deliver 33 apartments across three phases, offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. Residents will also have access to shared recreational, communal and work facilities, a gym, and a courtyard garden. Under its ‘lifestyle’ concept, the scheme will provide tenants with greater security of tenure, with options ranging from six months to five years and alternative deposit arrangements. Funding support has been secured from Poole-based property finance specialist MSP Capital. Work began in July 2025, with the first phase of apartments scheduled for completion in spring/summer 2026. Malcolm Curtis, chief executive of the Redtale Group, said: “This Build-to-Rent development, the first in south Dorset, will bring a new, innovative style of modern living to the area. “We are delighted to reach this exciting milestone, in association with MSP Capital. We can’t wait to deliver what will be a well-designed and high-quality re-purposing of the prominent Vespasian House, in what is a highly sustainable location within close proximity to the town centre and Dorset County Hospital. “It fits perfectly with our ‘discover the difference’ ethos, which aims to deliver properties with better planning, better design, better build and better customer service. “As the county town of Dorchester continues to grow as a vibrant and popular town, the scheme will enhance and diversify the local housing mix and provide new options for the rental market, whilst helping to combat the chronic under-supply of quality rental homes in the area.” MSP Capital, which specialises in bridging and development loans of up to £10 million, is providing financial backing for the scheme. Lee Merrifield, MSP Capital director, said: “We are pleased to continue to support the highly-experienced and long-established Redtale Group in the regeneration of Vespasian House. “It promises to deliver a high-quality and innovative type of scheme which has proved popular in other locations throughout the UK. We look forward to seeing the development take shape.” Alongside the Build-to-Rent apartments, work has started on an extension to the front of Vespasian House to create a mixed-use building, with commercial space on the ground floor and apartments above. The project is part of Redtale Group’s wider regeneration of Dorchester’s historic Barrack Quarter into a new neighbourhood. Completed schemes already include a £2.4 million redevelopment of Barrack House, providing nine key worker apartments for NHS staff and their families, as well as the conversion of the former Quartermaster’s stores into five townhouses and two apartments for open market sale. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

 Developer hands over keys to 135 of scheme’s first owners Amenity Club opens doors to residents with swimming pool & spa, gym, sports court, social spaces and cinema room Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has completed Phase 1 of Waterhouse Gardens, the £195m GDV scheme currently under construction on the site of the former Boddington’s brewery. Phase 1 comprises apartments and the scheme’s well-appointed amenities.  Keys to the first completed residences in Blocks C & D of the scheme have been handed over to owners – a combination of owner-occupiers and private landlords. These residents will be the first to enjoy some of the scheme’s extensive leisure and social facilities that are ready for use in the Amenity Club, including the 2,500-sqft gym, pool, sauna, cold plunge, steam room, and sports court, as well as extensive social spaces and games room, a private dining room, and a cinema room fitted out with luxury oversize sofa-style seating.  At full completion in Q1 2026, the regenerative scheme will comprise 556 apartments, 30,000 sq ft of commercial space and a fully private landscaped podium garden. Running through the scheme will be a new public avenue, designed to foster a vibrant sense of community. Simon Ismail, MD of Salboy, comments: “Watching a scheme’s first residents collect their keys, move into their homes, and start to enjoy the wide range of leisure and socialising facilities available at our Amenity Club is a hugely satisfying and motivating experience for everyone involved in the development process.  “We ensured that the quality of the social and leisure spaces Salboy has become known for in our other developments fed through to everything we built at Waterhouse Gardens. In doing so, we’ve raised the bar for what residents can expect from developments in this area just north of the city centre.”  “Waterhouse Gardens was specially designed to breathe new life into an unloved, underinvested part of central Manchester, and the people who would eventually call Waterhouse Gardens their home were right at the heart of that design process. Every facility, space and small detail was included with their convenience, enjoyment and satisfaction in mind. We look forward to seeing how Waterhouse Garden’s first residents take to the space as we keep moving at a fast pace to complete the entire scheme on time and on budget by early 2026.” Sales for both phases of the Waterhouse Gardens scheme remain ahead of targets. By early September  2025, 90% of Phase 1 apartments were sold, as were 65% in Phase 2. In May this year, Hamptons reported how the North West is outperforming all other regions in England and Wales for off-plan apartment sales, including London.* Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Property developer StudioHIVE has been given the green light to build 434 new homes at the major Silverthorne Lane urban regeneration scheme in Bristol. Bristol City Council has granted consent for The Iron Works (Plots 2 and 3) of the wider Silverthorne Lane project, which will provide a mix of studio, one, two and three-bed build to rent homes near Bristol Temple Meads station. The scheme also includes new workspace, plus bars and restaurants sited around a public space, a new water taxi stop for Bristol Ferry Boats and a waterside walkway beside the Feeder Canal. The scheme is expected to be complete in 2029. The Iron Works forms part of the 12-acre Silverthorne Lane mixed use development in the heart of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone (TQEZ). This comprises new homes, offices and student accommodation plus Oasis Academy Temple Quarter – a new 1,600 place comprehensive secondary school and sixth form – and new academic and office space for the University of Bristol. StudioHIVE is working in partnership with Woh Hup and Atlas Land, who acquired the site in June 2023 as part of the wider Silverthorne Lane masterplan. James Howard, development director at StudioHIVE, said: “Silverthorne Lane represents the biggest regeneration of a brownfield site in Bristol for some time, one which will provide huge social value benefits in a previously neglected part of the city. “At a time of considerable economic uncertainty we’re very proud to be delivering hundreds of much-needed new homes in the city centre, alongside employment and leisure opportunities for the people of Bristol and beyond. “The city council’s decision means we can now press on with this exciting project with a view to delivery in around four years’ time.” Sophie White, head of Lichfields’ Bristol office, which is providing planning consultancy on the project, added: “Lichfields is delighted with the planning committee’s decision on this landmark housing scheme. Securing consent follows close collaboration with Bristol City Council, StudioHIVE and the wider design team. “As one of the first residential projects in Bristol Temple Quarter, it will play a key role in shaping an exciting future for this part of the city.” The StudioHIVE team is based at The Temperance House in Wraxall, North Somerset, a Grade II listed building which was formerly The Battleaxes pub. Plans for a business centre, serviced accommodation, community hub and new homes at the site have also been approved by North Somerset Council with the support of Wraxall & Failand Parish Council. StudioHIVE is also involved in several other high-profile projects in the South West, including the development of the Weston-super-Mare Rugby Football Club site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

O’Brien Contractors Limited has made substantial progress on the next phase of critical earthworks at Fairham, one of the East Midlands’ largest and most ambitious mixed-use developments. The earthworks are a key part of the delivery of the remaining residential parcels at Fairham, a transformative new neighbourhood on the edge of Nottingham. Once complete, Fairham will offer 3,000 new homes, over one million square feet of employment space, and 200 acres of open green space, creating a balanced community where people can live, work, and thrive. Delivered by O’Brien Contractors on behalf of master developer Clowes Developments, in partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, the earthworks are part of a wider £100 million infrastructure investment across the 606-acre site. Earthworks includes: These operations pave the way for future construction activity and are expected to be completed by the end of October 2025, subject to weather conditions. Rob Hopkinson, Technical Associate Director at Clowes Developments commented, The progress achieved at Fairham reflects a significant collective effort from all parties involved. Completion of this phase of earthworks will unlock substantial parcels of land ready for residential development, marking a pivotal step forward in the delivery of this landmark scheme. Once these works are finalised, we will be positioned to complete the remaining roads, sewers, and key landscaping phases, further advancing the creation of a sustainable and well-connected community. Fairham is being designed as a sustainable and highly connected community. Alongside residential and employment zones, plans include a local centre, new education and healthcare facilities, sports and leisure amenities, and a safeguarded route for a future NET tram extension. To support this major development, Clowes Developments and Homes England continue to work in close coordination with National Highways, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, and Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver infrastructure improvements with minimal disruption to existing transport networks. Once fully developed, Fairham will make a significant contribution to regional growth—delivering thousands of homes and jobs, and supporting Rushcliffe Borough Council’s housing target of 13,500 new dwellings by 2030. With its strategic location, integrated design, and focus on sustainability, Fairham is setting a new benchmark for modern, mixed-use communities in the East Midlands. Keep track of the progress onsite at Fairham, here: https://fairhamlife.co.uk/news/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Orbit Homes is continuing its drive to deliver quality, energy efficient homes in Suffolk with plans to bring 220 new homes to Reydon at its new development, Copperwheat Place. Over half of the homes at Copperwheat Place will be affordable homes with 118 for affordable rent and Shared Ownership, alongside a further 84 for market sale. 11 homes will be available as self-build plots and 7 homes will be for those impacted by or at risk of coastal erosion. The development will feature a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses, and one, two and three-bedroom bungalows. The homes will be built to Orbit Homes’ sector-leading design and safety standards, which have been matched against the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Safer by Design framework to limit the most common hazards found in a home. All homes at Copperwheat Place are also planned to include several features to support energy efficiency as standard, including Air Source Heat Pumps, electric vehicle charging points and enhanced cavity insulation. The scheme will be designed to embrace sustainability and biodiversity, supporting Orbit Group’s biodiversity commitment to enable nature’s recovery in 30% of its outdoor spaces by 2030, and will include public spaces, a children’s play area and connecting footpaths to new and existing walkways. Copperwheat Place will also include at least one nature positive feature for every new home built, as part of Orbit Homes’ commitment to ‘Homes for Nature’, a five-year initiative from the Future Homes Hub dedicated to increasing wildlife on all new developments. Homes for Nature measures include bird nesting boxes, hedgehog highways and nature friendly planting. Construction is set to begin in autumn 2025. Ray Winney, Regional Managing Director for Orbit Homes in the East, commented: “We are delighted to announce plans to bring 220 quality, energy efficient new homes to Suffolk at Copperwheat Place in Reydon. This development continues our investment in the region and will deliver much-needed new homes in a mix of tenures to support the local housing need. “Copperwheat Place is designed to be a sustainable new community, providing customers with energy efficient homes and attractive green spaces for residents to enjoy which help wildlife thrive. We’re excited to see this site progress over the coming years.” Copperwheat Place is situated in Reydon, a village offering the best of both worlds with its stunning countryside location and the bustling seaside of Southwold just a mile and a half away. Copperwheat Place joins several developments that Orbit Homes is currently delivering in Suffolk, including Homestead Park in Stonham Aspal, Weavers Grove in Bildeston, Brickmakers Place in Woolpit and Harolds Gate on the Norfolk-Suffolk border in Harleston. For more information about Copperwheat Place and to register your interest, visit: www.orbithomes.org.uk/copperwheat-place Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Newcastle’s last major brownfield site is finally set for transformation following government approval of a £122 million regeneration package for Forth Yards. The funding will cover remediation, groundworks and key infrastructure works needed to resolve long-standing land constraints that have delayed progress for decades. Once complete, the project will unlock the potential for up to 2,500 homes alongside new commercial space and high-quality public realm. The regeneration effort is being driven by a partnership between Homes England, Newcastle City Council, Network Rail and the newly formed North East Mayoral Combined Authority. Together, they aim to turn Forth Yards into a thriving new district at the heart of the city. A pivotal element of the scheme will be Quayside West, one of the largest plots within the site, capable of delivering more than 1,100 homes. Acquired into public ownership last year, it will form the cornerstone of a new mixed-use neighbourhood located just a short distance from Central Station and the River Tyne. The funding announcement marks the start of the next phase, with a development platform to be established before a private sector delivery partner is procured later this year. At the same time, public sector partners will continue to accelerate activity across the wider site, ensuring momentum is maintained. The regeneration of Forth Yards is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape a long-neglected part of Newcastle, creating homes, jobs and community space while reconnecting the city with its riverfront. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has been granted planning permission for the Land East of Catherington Lane site in Horndean from East Hampshire District Council. This follows on from the housebuilder receiving a resolution to grant planning permission from the council’s Planning Committee in January this year. The proposed plans for Land East of Catherington Lane include up to 109 new zero carbon ready one to four-bedroom homes, 44 of which are affordable across varying tenures, a 40% provision in compliance with planning policy. Each home is expected to feature an air source heat pump, dedicated electric vehicle charger and PV solar panels to reduce its carbon emissions well beyond the requirements of building regulations. Working for an onsite biodiversity net gain of more than 10% for the local natural habitat, the landscape-led scheme will create a new sustainable edge of village community. Early discussions with Horndean Parish Council highlighted the importance of open space. The northern part of the site – totalling 17.9 acres – will be landscaped as green public open space for leisure and recreation, while preserving the green gap between Horndean and Catherington. Multiple pedestrian access points will be available to this green space, while new play spaces are planned throughout the development to encourage children to spend time outdoors. Other elements of Land East of Catherington Lane include cycling and pedestrian links, a significant number of new planted trees and a new access road from Catherington Lane. Tristan Robinson, Thakeham’s Director of External Affairs, said: “A comprehensive consultation process was undertaken for this development, with a high level of public interest and engagement in our proposals, so we’re pleased that East Hampshire District Council has approved our plans and granted us planning permission. There were nearly 1,600 households on the housing waiting list across East Hampshire between 2022 and 2023, reflecting the clear requirement for additional housing across the district. Land East of Catherington Lane will help to address this need by delivering much needed sustainable new homes.” Land East of Catherington Lane is located approximately 1km north west of Horndean village centre and east of Catherington Lane, which links to the A3. This proximity provides the development with a solid connection to cities and towns including Portsmouth, Guildford, Petersfield and Havant. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Award-winning homebuilder Spitfire Homes has acquired a prominent 1.28-acre site in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the latest addition to its expanding Bespoke Collection of high-specification residences. Planning permission has been secured to redevelop the site into a collection of design-led, sustainable homes. Site clearance and demolition works will begin immediately, with construction expected to begin later this year.  The scheme will feature a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments, alongside four-bedroom semi-detached townhouses, reflecting Spitfire’s signature approach to thoughtful design and contemporary living. A selection of properties will be delivered through the First Homes Scheme to support local housing needs. As part of the scheme, Spitfire will also contribute more than £100,000 towards local community infrastructure.  Matt Vincent, Operations Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “Our decision to return to Edgbaston is a strategic one, building on the success of our previous scheme at Beaufort and the growing demand for high-quality, design-led homes. This latest acquisition strengthens our commitment to expanding our Bespoke Collection in the region’s most desirable postcodes, delivering contemporary living with exceptional architectural detail. We see strong, long-term potential in Birmingham’s premium suburbs and are actively seeking new opportunities across the Midlands that align with the vision of our growing portfolio.” Adrian Willet from Furlong Land Limited added: “Harrison’s Road is an outstanding brownfield site on one of Edgbaston’s most prestigious roads, and the planning permission secured by Calthorpe Estates earlier this year has unlocked its full potential. Furlong Land was proud to act as selling agent, and we’re pleased to see the site now in the hands of Spitfire Homes. With their track record for delivering distinctive, high-specification schemes, we’re confident they will create a truly exceptional development that reflects the quality of this location.” Located within walking distance of Edgbaston Village and Harborne High Street, the new scheme will offer residents a rare opportunity to buy in one of Birmingham’s most prestigious postcodes known for its top-rated schools, independent restaurants and local parks. The site also benefits from excellent transport links into Birmingham city centre. For more information on Spitfire Homes, visit: https://spitfirehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Birmingham, Thursday 31st July 2025 – Pension Insurance Corporation (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension schemes, and Court Collaboration, a Birmingham-based specialist residential property developer, have confirmed Sectional Completion of Tower B at the hotly anticipated One Eastside BTR development in the city. The completed phase means 140 new homes, including one and two-bedroom apartments, will now become available for rent just a stone’s throw from the £1 billion HS2 station at Curzon Street. Once the second phase is completed in 2026, One Eastside will feature a total of 667 high-quality new homes for rent, with state-of-the-art co-working spaces and a range of amenities for residents, including a cinema room, sky lounge, spa and gym. PIC forward funded the £200 million One Eastside development in 2023 and will own it for the long term. Court Collaboration is delivering the development, which at 51 storeys (Tower A) will be the tallest building in Birmingham. PIC’s investment strategy is carefully constructed to deliver robust, index-linked cash flows that match future pensions payments it its policyholders. PIC has invested more than £14 billion in UK infrastructure and housing. These assets are generating social value up and down the country, driving economic growth and job creation. Rob Groves, Chief Investment Officer at PIC, said: “We are proud to have reached another milestone in our One Eastside development, with 140 of the total of 667 high-quality homes made available for rent in the heart of Birmingham. One Eastside will be the tallest building in the city and help pay the pensions of our policyholders for decades to come.” Alex Neale, Chief Executive Officer at Court Collaboration, added: “We’re really proud to see the first homes becoming available at One Eastside, representing another exciting milestone for this development. Huge thanks go to PIC and the vast team of contractors and consultants who have helped us make this scheme a reality. Now it’s onwards and upwards for the remaining sections of the overall project.” The new homes will become available from this summer. Enquiries can be made by emailing leasing@oneeastside.co.uk, calling 07812408381 or for more information, please visit www.oneeastside.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals