Story Homes is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for a new residential development in the village of Swarthmoor. The planning application for 155 new high quality homes has been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council, and will make an important contribution towards local housing delivery, including the provision of 54 new affordable homes for eligible local people. The scheme will deliver a range of well-designed, two to six-bedroom properties to complement the existing area. From first-time buyers to downsizers or those looking for a ‘forever’ family home, this new development will deliver much-needed new homes for residents at different life stages. Adam McNally, Senior Land & Planning Manager for Story Homes, said: “We are delighted to have submitted plans for a new residential development in Swarthmoor. Our plans demonstrate our commitment to this site and how we have overcome key long standing planning constraints. The scheme has been carefully designed around flexibility and modern living, reflecting the aesthetics of the local area and featuring the distinctive and appealing street scenes that define Story Homes. “This is a key site for Story Homes as we continue to focus on growth throughout the South Lakes area, building on the success of our recent schemes in Kendal and Ulverston. These projects have been well-received by customers, reflecting the strong demand for our high quality homes in the area. We look forward to receiving the Council’s views on our proposals.” This scheme will generate over £1 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)* as well as delivering infrastructure and highways improvements, as well as a travel plan. New green areas of public open space, including an equipped area of play, will be delivered on-site which will be accessible to the local community, benefitting new and existing residents. This development will bring substantial benefits to the local economy, both during and after construction. During the construction phase, it will create direct and indirect employment opportunities through subcontractors and supply chains. Once the new homes are occupied, the increased demand for local services will provide an ongoing boost to the community. It is anticipated that a decision on these plans will be received by Westmorland & Furness Council by summer 2025. For more information, please visit www.storyhomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie, in partnership with Howkins & Harrison, has successfully brokered the sale of a 25-acre site in Bulkington, Warwickshire. Acting as joint agents on the sale, Howkins & Harrison represented the landowners, while Mather Jamie was instructed by Tarmac, the land promoter. The development, located on Lancing Road, with access from Nuneaton Road and Bramcote Close has outline planning permission for 230 new homes and was acquired by leading residential developer Taylor Wimpey. Commenting on the sale on behalf of Mather Jamie, Associate Director, Karla Williams said “We’re thrilled to see this project take shape. Bulkington’s prime location near the M69 and M6 offers excellent transport links to Coventry and Leicester, making it a highly attractive option for future homeowners. Jeff Paybody from Howkins & Harrison added “Bulkington is a vibrant village with a community of over 6,000 residents and a range of established amenities. Adding quality housing here will not only enhance the local economy but also make the village an even more appealing destination for new homeowners.” A spokesperson from Taylor Wimpey said “We’re passionate about creating homes that meet real community needs. This project gives us the chance to provide essential housing in this part of Warwickshire. The Reserved Matters application has been submitted and we are looking forward to seeing our plans come to fruition.” Taylor Wimpey plc, one of the UK’s largest homebuilders, constructs over 15,000 high-quality homes across the country each year, committed to providing sustainable, community-focused developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Legal & General (‘L&G’) has announced the completion of New Acres, delivering one of the UK’s largest purpose-built rental developments. The sites are located on either side of Swandon Way, Wandsworth, and include amenities for residents, workspaces, commercial opportunities at street level, as well as substantial public realm, including a new station square. New Acres provides 1034 homes across 18 buildings next to Wandsworth Town Station, making it L&G’s largest Build to Rent (BTR) scheme to date. Due to the supply/demand imbalance in the city, the Mayor of London’s latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) identifies that the net unmet housing need in London has now reached a shortfall of 66,000 homes per year. Through the creation of a BTR asset class, L&G is looking to use its sources of long-term capital to help address the chronic lack of housing supply and meet the increasing demand for sustainable, quality rental accommodation. New Acres is now a significant contributor to tackling this shortage, providing purpose-built rental homes for all ages, demographics, and social groups. The scheme also includes 35% affordable housing within one of Central London’s most established and popular residential areas. As such, it continues to experience significant demand and is over 75% let. Dan Batterton, Head of Residential, Private Markets, L&G Asset Management: “We’re very excited to reach this milestone at our New Acres scheme. This has been in development since 2019, and it is a significant step to help address an enduring national housing crisis and clear imbalance of supply and demand in our local communities. “We believe greater investment to deliver new homes is needed, therefore, the BTR sector plays a vital role in providing net-additional homes that wouldn’t otherwise exist. We aim to maximise our social outcomes, bring renewed life to neighbourhoods, and re-think the mixed use of real estate environments, all whilst offering long-term rental growth potential and income security for investors.” Situated adjacent to Wandsworth Town station, a major transport hub, New Acres is integral to a broader plan aimed at developing modern, consumer-focused areas. This initiative seeks to foster a vibrant community for its 1,500+ residents and the local area by activating over 50,000 sq. ft of commercial space. A carefully curated line up of independent retailers is being selected to drive footfall and support the longevity of the high-street retailers alongside that of co-working spaces, creative makers studios, and the weekly market. The initiative is providing a diverse selection of brands with their first year rent-free to help independent businesses and promote entrepreneurship, all in line with L&G’s ‘Future Places’ mission. Phil Catcheside, Residential Sector Lead, Hawkins\Brown: “We are very proud to have helped Legal & General Investment Management design and deliver one of their largest Build to Rent led mixed use, mixed tenure developments, which delivers over 1000 homes, in an exciting new urban quarter for Wandsworth Town. We envisaged a family of buildings, each with similar characteristics but each with its own individual identity. We’re thrilled to have successfully delivered our largest single phase residential project through close collaboration with the contractors and our client Legal & General Investment Management.” The completion of New Acres is a testament to L&G’s long-standing commitment to developing and delivering rental properties; most recently demonstrated by the firm’s new partnership with PGGM and UK pension scheme Nest, which is expected to grow to a BTR portfolio of £1bn over the coming years. Since 2016, L&G has deployed over £3 billion of capital into the Build to Rent sector, delivering over 6,000 homes amid sustained demand for high-quality rental housing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and construction of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects has announced the completion of The Bath House, an iconic Build-to-Rent (BTR) development in the centre of Birmingham. The project, delivered for Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (REIM), has been designed to exemplify modern urban living and offers 406 quality, purpose-built apartments on the historic site of the former Kent Street Swimming Baths. Designed by Glenn Howells Architects and engineered by Hexa Consulting Limited, this landmark scheme consists of four residential blocks ranging from seven to 18 storeys, comprising a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bed studios as well as 3-bed duplex apartments. Offering impressive views of Birmingham’s dynamic cityscape, the tallest tower fully overlooks the local area, highlighting its innovative design and sustainable construction features. Despite the unique logistical challenges posted by the site’s compact central location – with roads bordering the development on all sides – Winvic’s expertise in delivering similar developments ensured a smooth delivery. Modernity is prioritised in every aspect of construction, with the buildings incorporating reinforced in-situ concrete frames, and a striking façade of brick-slip panels. The site is further enhanced by a timber-framed hub external amenity area, which complements the building’s sustainable design. This space is designed to host activities like outdoor yoga, an external cinema and other covered-events for the residential community. With a 20,000 sq ft landscaped central courtyard, multiple amenity spaces for residents, 10,000 sq ft of ground floor commercial units, and basement parking for 95 vehicles as well as storage for 406 bicycles, The Bath House is more than a building, but a thriving community within a community. The Bath House received national recognition from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) National Site Awards in 2024 and won the Social Value Impact Award in BTR in this year’s prestigious Love to Rent Awards. These accolades celebrate the project’s Social Value Plan developed to meet Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) highest priorities of training and employment to address the city’s high youth unemployment rate. During construction, Winvic created an extraordinary 7,993 employment and training weeks for local people, surpassing BCC’s Employment & Skills Plan targets. This included new entrant and graduate employment opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience placements. By joining forces with multiple subcontract partners and BCC’s Employment Access Team (EAT), Winvic also enabled 54 apprentices to gain valuable hands-on experience, while almost 500 Birmingham residents worked on the project. In addition to workforce development, Winvic engaged 235 young people through nine curriculum-based engagement activities with local schools and colleges – including Ark St Albans, City Academy, Walsall College and King Edward School – and donated over 50-hours and more than £30,000 to support community projects, such as Tabor Living project, Father Hudson’s Care, and supporting the UKRO challenge. Mark Jones, Managing Director for Multi-room at Winvic, said: “The Bath House goes beyond offering high-quality living spaces. This vibrant community redefines urban living with its shared spaces and ground-floor commercial units that will further enhance the Kent Street area, contributing to Birmingham’s regeneration. “I’d like to thank Edmond de Rothschild, the entire Winvic team, and our supply chain partners who contributed to the successful delivery of The Bath House. This development stands as a testament to Winvic’s commitment to shaping the future of city living while creating valuable employment and training opportunities for local residents and young people.” James Whidborne, Head of Residential Fund Management (UK), added: “At 406 apartments The Bath House is now our largest scheme and testament to our conviction to deliver good quality but affordable housing across the UK. We’re confident the Bath House will be a catalyst for yet further regeneration across southern Birmingham and with the arrival of HS2 these are exciting times for the UK’s “second city”. Winvic have been an exemplary construction partner, allowing us the confidence to invest in a project of this scale.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (Formally Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has revealed plans to invest more than £50m across three new developments in Calderdale to deliver more than 200 homes.  The developments are being delivered in partnership with Calderdale Council and will contribute to the North Halifax Transformation Programme created by the local authority to regenerate the area and create much-needed housing stock there. Furness Avenue, Turner Avenue and Brow Bottom Lane in North Halifax are being regenerated by the housebuilder with a local housing association, to breathe new life into disused land and create quality new homes – repurposing 15 acres of space. Furness Avenue and Turner Avenue South in Illingworth and Brow Bottom Lane in Mixenden will be transformed into a new flourishing community of more than 200 energy efficient homes.  Brow Bottom Lane will see around 50 multi-tenure homes delivered, meanwhile across Furness Avenue and Turner Avenue, nearly 200 new homes will be built for both open market sale and in partnership with a local housing association to meet the needs of the local community. Chris Clingo, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire West, said: “We’re thrilled to be delivering hundreds of new homes in the North Halifax area under our strategic partnership model to build quality, sustainable homes as part of the North Halifax Transformation Programme. “We’re excited to begin building at Furness Avenue, Turner Avenue, and Brow Bottom Lane to create new thriving communities in the heart of Halifax whilst rejuvenating brownfield land.’’ Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, added: “Driven by local people and their priorities for North Halifax, we’re committed to providing facilities that meet their needs, breathe new life into unused land and tackle local issues.  “Our exciting plans for high-quality homes are a significant part of our commitment to North Halifax alongside a range of other improvement schemes, which reflects our priority for thriving towns and places across Calderdale. “As well as transforming the area and reducing inequalities, it’s great that the developments will also help towards fighting the climate and cost of living crises through their embedded sustainable features.” The sites all sit within the Homes England Strategic Place Partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Master planning for the North Halifax Transformation Programme was partially funded through the Combined Authority and One Public Estate Programme. To find out more about Keepmoat, please visit: www.keepmoat.com The transition to the new Vision 2034 for Calderdale is beginning, encouraging local communities to be bold and ambitious about what we can do next to make Calderdale a better place for all. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Morro, Scape Group’s co-living developer, has been granted planning permission for its 150-home co-living scheme on Kingsland Road in Haggerston. The plans, revised from a previously approved 2020 submission, include an extra 31 homes whilst maintaining the same visual and heritage impact. The approved proposal features an enhanced amenity offering, including a gym, co-working spaces and a landscaped rooftop accessible to all residents. Residents will also benefit from the site’s excellent connectivity, located just 300 metres from Haggerston Overground Station with regular connections to the Victoria Line via Highbury and Islington, as well as Shoreditch and the City. The scheme, which backs onto the Regent’s Canal, is just a 15-minute walk to the green spaces of London Fields. The development will revitalise a currently vacant 0.2-hectare site providing best-in-class accommodation. The scheme will support Hackney in reaching its housing targets as well as providing over 1,500 sqm of affordable workspace to the area.  In addition, renewable technologies such as solar PV will feature alongside delivering direct and indirect jobs both during construction and in operation. This is the fourth major co-living scheme in the capital that Morro has secured planning permission for, following approvals in Surrey Quays, Hackney Wick and Walthamstow – indicating the team’s commitment to bringing a diverse range of much-needed housing solutions to the London market. Neil Smith, Managing Director at Morro and Scape Group, said: “At Morro, we are committed to providing flexible, thoughtful, and well-designed housing that meet the needs of contemporary city living. We’re delighted to be working closely with Veretec, Ab Rogers Design, Nicola Harding Design and Hackney Council to transform this site into high quality, canal-side living and contribute to the rich and dynamic character of the area. Work is expected to start on site towards the end of the year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Salford-based builder, Watson, has submitted plans to transform a 1.55-acre site on Charter Street, Accrington into 40 new homes. The development represents the latest chapter in the regeneration of this key site, which previously contained railway sidings, an engine shed, and a sports club and was recently acquired from Hyndburn Council. The proposed development comprises 32 houses and eight cottage flats, all of which will be delivered as affordable homes through partnership with a registered housing provider. The scheme has been carefully designed to complement the surrounding area while maximising the potential of this emerging housing allocation site. Located off Charter Street, the development will benefit from good transport links and proximity to Accrington town centre. It will also provide adequate parking and attractive landscaping to create a desirable new neighbourhood. Rob Watson, director at Watson, said: “This planning submission represents an important step forward in bringing new life to this historic site. We have extensive experience in delivering high-quality affordable homes across Lancashire and look forward to working with our partners to create a development that meets local housing needs and contributes positively to the area.” Subject to planning approval, the development will transform a key site in Accrington, providing much-needed affordable homes. This latest scheme adds to Watson’s strong track record in delivering affordable housing across the North West, with more than 1,210 homes completed and 659 currently in development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Allegro acquisition marks a significant step in expanding UK property portfolios Global real estate powerhouse QuadReal Property Group and Canadian investment firm Realstar have announced the acquisition of Allegro, a prominent Build-to-Rent (BtR) development in Birmingham’s One Exchange Square. This joint venture adds the impressive 345,662 sq. ft scheme to their portfolios, featuring 603 modern rental units across three interlinked buildings. A standout feature of the development is the expansive central garden podium, complemented by ground-floor retail and leisure spaces. Residents also benefit from a range of premium amenities, including a gym, co-working areas, a roof terrace, and 150 car parking spaces. Situated in the heart of Birmingham, One Exchange Square enjoys a prime location near key transport links, employment hubs, university campuses, and a wealth of shopping, dining, and leisure options. The scheme addresses Birmingham’s increasing demand for high-quality rental housing. With the city’s population expected to grow by approximately 3.9% between 2018 and 2028, and a student population of nearly 100,000, mid-market rental properties are in particularly high demand. Jay Kwan, Managing Director, Head of Europe, International Real Estate, at QuadReal, highlighted the strategic value of the acquisition:“The purchase of Allegro reflects our conviction in the living sector and our strategy of acquiring high-quality assets in prime locations like Birmingham. This sector remains a global priority for us, and Allegro strengthens our growing portfolio of BtR investments across Europe.” Ryan Prince, Vice Chairman of Realstar, added:“Allegro is a fantastic addition to our UK portfolio. We are excited to invest further in the property to align it with our UNCLE brand standards. This will enhance its appeal and integrate it into our wider portfolio of over 5,000 UNCLE-branded rental apartments across London, Manchester, and Leeds.” Allegro represents a significant milestone for both QuadReal and Realstar, underscoring their shared commitment to investing in vibrant, growing cities and delivering high-quality, tenant-focused living spaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals