The first 30 homes on a high-profile £36m urban development scheme in Birmingham have been handed over – ahead of schedule. Keon Homes, working in partnership with sister company Cameron Homes, has completed the two and three-bedroom homes on Icknield Port Loop development for housing association partner Midland Heart, with many residents already settling in. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the thoughtful design of the homes, the sense of community taking shape, and the smooth move‑in experience. It marks an important milestone for Phase 3 of the scheme, which will eventually see the construction of 124 properties, a mix of different size homes and a small apartment block that straddles the canal corner. All homes are being designed to be sympathetic to the heritage of the site and will be spacious and zero carbon ready, incorporating electric heating, hot water heat pumps and generating localised electricity through solar panels. They will utilise sustainable timber frame construction methods and the first 30 properties all feature sawtooth roofs – a hat tip to an industrial past. Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director at Keon Homes, commented: “Port Loop was a real statement urban regeneration scheme for the local authority, yet hasn’t been without its challenges with two developers entering administration before they could start Phase 3. “We came in and promised to build the 124 properties on time and to the highest standards and this first handover, ahead of schedule, reaffirms that commitment.” He continued: “More importantly, we have delivered thirty much-needed affordable homes to individuals and families, giving them the opportunity to start new lives and form the beginning of new communities. That’s what this scheme is all about.” Icknield Port Loop is the latest in a long line of successes for Keon Homes, who secured a record £60m year in 2025. The company has evolved into one of the Midlands’ fastest growing affordable developers and a business that thrives on delivering complex projects that predominantly bring brownfield sites back to life. There is a big focus on ensuring projects leave a legacy to the region, both in the fabric of the design, the creation of new communities and the economic boost to a supply chain that is 90% based within a 25-mile radius of the scheme. “Our mantra is ‘to do the right thing’ and this was put in place by the founding directors in 2017,” added Matt. “We can only consistently deliver schemes ahead of schedule if you have the right supply chain in place, with transparent communications, trust and collaboration at the heart of the relationship. “Port Loop is the perfect example of this in action. We’re utilising building experts and sub-contractors that are predominantly based within the West Midlands and have worked with us on numerous schemes before. In fact, last year we invested £48m with our suppliers.” He continued: “Developing the next generation of construction professionals is also important to us. This isn’t marketing rhetoric, this is reflected in the fact we are employing 15 apprentices directly or indirectly on this landmark scheme.” Port Loop is the fifth scheme Keon Homes has developed in partnership with Midland Heart, following completion of Booth’s Lane and ongoing works at Holyhead Road, Bulkington and Phase 3D of Port Loop. Midland Heart’s ambitious development programme has delivered 4,000 new affordable homes over the past five years, with a further 2,250 set to be built and handed over by 2030. Joe Reeves, Deputy Chief Executive at Midland Heart, said: “Port Loop is an important regeneration project for Birmingham, and we’re delighted to see the first homes completed and handed over to tenants. “These properties reflect our commitment to delivering sustainable, well‑designed places where people can thrive. As the wider scheme progresses, we look forward to welcoming many more families into this growing neighbourhood of high‑quality, affordable homes.” For further information, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk or follow the company on its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Peabody has announced the completion of 197 affordable homes at the Capital Interchange Way site in Brentford, West London. The handover includes 85 homes specifically designated for social rent, alongside 112 shared ownership properties designed to provide a more accessible route into home ownership. The project is part of a larger 420-home mixed-tenure development spread across three residential blocks. In addition to the affordable allocation, the site features 223 private rent homes, which includes 12 discounted market rent units. Families from Hounslow Council’s housing waiting list have already begun moving into the social rent properties. The not-for-profit housing association, Peabody, received upwards of £7 million in funding from the Greater London Authority to deliver the affordable portion of the scheme, which it will manage and own over the long term. The build-to-rent elements of the project were funded through a partnership involving Angelo Gordon, Ridgeback, and Telford Living. The development prioritises sustainability, utilising air source heat pumps for low-carbon heating and hot water, complemented by high-quality insulation to reduce energy costs. Residents have access to communal terraces and gardens, including a dedicated courtyard for the affordable housing blocks. Beyond the residential units, the project includes 45,000 sq. ft of retail and commercial space intended to bolster local employment and support Brentford’s town centre. James McMylor, Managing Director of Development for Peabody’s north London region, said: “Affordable rent and shared ownership give people the chance to stay in the communities they know and love. It hasn’t been an easy scheme to deliver, especially in such a tough financial climate, but by working closely with our partners, we’ve created homes that will make a real difference for local people. We’re looking forward to welcoming residents over the coming weeks and seeing this new neighbourhood come to life.” Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing & Residential Development, said: “It’s great to see these affordable homes complete at Capital Interchange Way, offering communal spaces, green surroundings and excellent transport links. I am delighted that funding from the Mayor of London has helped bring much-needed affordable housing to the area, and this development shows what can be achieved when partners share a clear commitment to delivering for local people. New shops, workspaces and training opportunities will also hugely benefit local residents, serving the wider community for years to come as we continue to build a better, fairer London for all.” Alex Taylor, Senior Vice President of Telford Living, said: “This has been a complex project, delivered during a challenging time for the industry. We are proud to have partnered with Peabody and our development partners to deliver a high-quality, mixed-tenure development that will serve Brentford for generations to come.” Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “The completion of these new homes at Capital Interchange Way is a proud moment for our borough. In partnership with Peabody and Telford Homes, we’re delivering 420 new homes, with half of them affordable, helping more local families put down roots in Hounslow. This is about more than numbers, it’s about creating safe, secure homes and building communities where people can thrive.” The construction phase supported 58 employment and training opportunities via MIT Skills and Hounslow Council. The project also earned a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 43 out of 45, highlighting its adherence to high safety and environmental standards. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Barratt Homes is set to launch its first homes at Chaulden Meadows in Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 21st February. The housebuilder’s first phase will bring 155 homes to the development, following a successful launch by David Wilson Homes in late 2025. The launch will comprise two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, alongside two-bedroom apartments. A further 65 affordable homes will be delivered through schemes such as shared ownership and social rent, delivered by a Registered Provider. The first residents are expected to move in this summer. Hemel Hempstead is a strategic development location in the Home Counties and was designated as a ‘New Town’ in 1947. The Government has renewed its focus on how New Towns can support housing delivery and economic growth, and Chaulden Meadows will contribute to meeting local housing targets while bringing forward new community infrastructure for the area. Alongside new homes, Chaulden Meadows includes plans for a 70-bedroom care home, 7,500 sq ft of retail space, a community hall and a nursery. Wider works will include new access roads, public open space, children’s play areas and sustainable drainage measures. Section 106 contributions from the overall development totalling more than £12.6m will support investment in local services and facilities, including education, healthcare, transport, sports provision and open space. Over the span of the project, Chaulden Meadows will provide 1,100 new homes in Hemel Hempstead, ranging from one to five-bedroom homes. Affordable housing will make up 40% of the overall delivery, equating to 440 homes. Marc Woolfe, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt North Thames, comments: “Chaulden Meadows represents an important next chapter for Hemel Hempstead. It brings much-needed new homes to the area, including affordable housing, alongside infrastructure that will support both residents and the wider community. “As one of the original post-war New Towns, Hemel Hempstead has a strong legacy of connected neighbourhoods and community-focused designs. We’re proud to build on that heritage with homes that reflect the character of West Hemel, using red and buff brick and traditional gable-fronted elevations, creating a development that will serve the area for years to come.” Two, three and four-bedroom homes are currently available at Chaulden Meadows. To find out more about Chaulden Meadows or Barratt Homes, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or call 0333 355 8501. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading partnership housing specialist Lovell Partnerships has exchanged contracts on a 13-acre parcel of land at Fairham in Nottingham, where it plans to deliver 199 new homes. The major new residential development sits within the emerging new community, Fairham, which is being facilitated by Homes England and Clowes Developments. Situated five miles from Nottingham City Centre in the Borough of Rushcliffe, Fairham is a 606-acre, £800m neighbourhood that will ultimately deliver around 3,000 new homes, alongside new infrastructure including employment space, a new school and community facilities. Subject to planning, the scheme will comprise 99 properties for open market sale and 100 affordable homes, contributing to the continued growth of one of the region’s most significant new communities. Lovell Partnerships’ regional managing director, Beth Bundonis, said: “Exchanging contracts at Fairham Phase Four is an important milestone for Lovell Partnerships and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality new homes as part of well-planned, sustainable communities. “Fairham is a landmark development for Nottingham, and we look forward to submitting our plans for this next phase in partnership with Clowes, Homes England and the wider project team.” Once complete Fairham will be the East Midlands’ most significant mixed-use development. With world-class connectivity, future forward homes, new amenities and a wealth of employment and business opportunities it is set to become the region’s prime commercial and residential destination. Homes England head of disposals, Mark Laidow, commented: “The exchange of contracts with Lovell Partnerships marks another important step forward in the delivery of Fairham. This latest phase will help maintain momentum across the site, bringing forward much-needed new homes alongside the infrastructure and amenities that will support our long-term vision. “This is a prime example of how we are working collaboratively with partners like Lovell to achieve our mission to build vibrant, new communities that people can be proud of.” Planning for the development is expected to be submitted in spring 2026.  To find out more about Lovell Partnerships visit the website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has announced an exciting collaboration with Jigsaw Homes Group to deliver 43 much-needed affordable homes at its flagship Linby Meadows development in Nottinghamshire. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the ambitious 763-home development in Linby, north of Hucknall. The project, supported by Nottinghamshire Country Council, will offer a vibrant mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, maisonettes, and apartments. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director for Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jigsaw as a partner at our Linby Meadows development. Together, we’re building more than just homes, we’re creating a thriving new community where families can flourish. After listening to local residents and shaping the scheme to meet their needs, we’re now on site, building a new community of high-quality, mixed-tenure properties for people in the area to call home.” Garnet Fazackerley, Operations Director of Development at Jigsaw Homes Group, added: “As a significant housing development providing new homes via a Section 106 agreement, this scheme demonstrates how planning policy can meaningfully deliver both quality new homes for sale and much‑needed affordable housing. This project is a strong example of how partnerships can translate policy into real, positive impact for local communities. There is a real and growing need for quality, affordable homes in this area, and we’re proud to join forces with Vistry to provide properties that offer comfort, security and opportunity for local people. Our partnership is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about supporting communities and creating green, welcoming spaces for everyone.” The land acquisition from the Council in March 2025 has unlocked a £6 million investment in local services, including substantial funding for education, highways, public transport, and healthcare. The scheme will also introduce new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, and safe pedestrian and cycle routes, as well as a brand-new primary school. Vistry looks forward to welcoming the first residents to Linby Meadows later this year as the vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community comes to life. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Exchange Communications has completed a landmark connectivity project at Chelsea Barracks, delivering one of the UK’s largest and most technically advanced 4G in-building installations at the luxury London development. Setting a new benchmark for digital infrastructure in prime residential real estate, the phase two installation brings the total number of antennas across the project to an extraordinary 755, all engineered and integrated by Exchange Communications, the UK’s leading provider of smart, in-building cellular solutions. A showcase of world-class architecture and design, Chelsea Barracks is renowned for its exceptional apartments, penthouses and townhouses, crafted by globally acclaimed designers. The development’s commitment to excellence extends far beyond aesthetics. By incorporating 4G infrastructure at the construction stage, rather than retrofitting it later, Exchange Communications ensured that every piece of equipment blends seamlessly into the building’s fabric, maintaining the integrity of the design while delivering best-in-class performance. Tom Sime, CEO of Exchange Communications, said: “This project ensures residents benefit from fast, consistent and reliable mobile connectivity across all major networks. Installing 384 antennas as part of the second phase, 755 in total, positions Chelsea Barracks as one of the most comprehensively connected residential developments in the UK. “We’re proud to help bring to life a collection of homes defined by exceptional quality and uncompromising attention to detail.” He added: “When connectivity is embedded into a development from the earliest planning stages, the results are not only more efficient, but also more integral to the funcitonality of the building. This approach enables us to deliver a seamless, future-ready solution that enhances every aspect of the resident experience.” Exchange Communications continues to lead the UK market in smart-building and 5G technology. The company has created some of the most connected public environments in the country, including major shopping centres, hospitals, sports arenas, football stadiums, hotels and key national transport hubs. The completion of Chelsea Barracks’ phase two connectivity programme further cements Exchange Communications’ reputation as the partner of choice for ambitious developments demanding world-class digital infrastructure. For more information visit www.exchangecommunications.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has officially started work on 163 homes in Mastin Moor, Chesterfield. Delivered in partnership with Sage Homes, England’s largest provider of newly built affordable homes, the scheme will offer a diverse range of housing options for local people. Situated to the east of Bolsover Road, the development forms part of a wider 650‑home masterplan, being delivered by Devonshire Property Group, which includes proposals for later living, a local centre, extensive new parkland and an extension to the existing community garden. The wider site is also home to the Construction Skills Hub operated by Chesterfield College. Dave Bradley, Managing Director of Vistry North Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be moving forward with this project, which is all about creating opportunities for local people. Our focus is on building not just 163 high-quality homes, but a thriving, inclusive community where families can grow and friendships can flourish. We’re committed to working closely with our partner Sage, local authorities, and residents to ensure this development delivers real value for Mastin Moor and the wider Chesterfield area.” Alex Dawkins, Acquisitions Director, Sage Homes, said: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Vistry and, as England’s largest provider of newly built affordable homes, are proud to be providing much needed high quality, energy efficient, affordable homes for people on the local authority’s housing waiting list.” Andrew Byrne, Director of Devonshire Property Group, said: “Seeing this second phase of Mastin Moor commence is a huge step forward in the delivery of the wider masterplan. We are delighted to welcome Vistry and their partner Sage Homes to Mastin Moor and Chesterfield. Their commitment to the provision of affordable homes to rent or buy, helping create diverse and vibrant communities, is a key factor in the partnership and something that aligns with the core values of the Devonshire Group. Vistry’s use of timber frame buildings also demonstrates their commitment to creating sustainable homes for the future.  We wish them well.” Vistry will continue to work with local stakeholders throughout the construction process to ensure the new neighbourhood reflects community aspirations and supports long‑term growth in the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is working to deliver 100 high-quality new homes as part of a multi-million pound investment to transform land off Spratsgate Lane in Cirencester at The Steadings. The housebuilder secured planning this month to develop the land. The homes, set to be built in Cotswold stone, will make up part of the second phase of the wider scheme, which is set to create 2,350 new homes, together with new education, health, community and leisure facilities.  Working in partnership with master developer Bathurst Development Limited and Homes England, Keepmoat is creating a unique mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom homes. All the homes will feature a mix of energy-saving technology such as air source heat pumps and PV panels. Bathurst Development has completed the delivery of the new primary road, play area and landscaping of the adjoining open green spaces as well as improving local infrastructure.   Ben Leather, Regional Managing Director, South West, said: “At Keepmoat, we’re dedicated to creating high-quality, sustainable homes in thriving communities. “Our focus is on creating a well-connected neighbourhood that complements its surroundings whilst meeting the housing requirements of the local community, including delivering high-quality affordable homes. “We look forward to working closely with our partners to progress our plans for a scheme that reflects the character, heritage and long term ambitions of the area.”  Peter Cusdin, Development Director at Bathurst Development, added: “Our vision for The Steadings is to be a welcoming and integrated new neighbourhood for Cirencester.  “Beautifully designed energy-efficient new homes that integrate modern living with the architectural traditions of the Cotswolds will all be built within a generous open parkland setting so that the whole area becomes somewhere people are proud to live, work and spend their leisure time.  “We look forward to working with Keepmoat to bring forward this much-anticipated next phase within The Steadings.” Joe Wharton, Assistant Director – Regional at Homes England, added: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, our aim is to work with public and private sector partners to unlock strategic housing sites, and we are committed to supporting Keepmoat to achieve their ambitions. “Funding from Homes England will enable the delivery of 100 high-quality new homes in Cirencester. This is a prime example of how we are working with partners to achieve our mission to build thriving communities that people can be proud to call home.” Following the establishment of Keepmoat’s South West region, the developer is also working on multiple live sites across, including in Swindon, Warminster and Weston-Super-Mare. To find out more about The Steadings, please visit: www.thesteadingscirencester.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Salboy, the UK property development and funding group, has officially launched Salboy Construction, a specialist residential construction business created to deliver and support complex, time-critical and distressed housing schemes at a time when rising build costs, contractor capacity constraints and programme risk are increasingly impacting new housing delivery across the UK. “The outlook for housing developers, fundings and associations shouldn’t look as bleak as it does,” comments Andrew Cavanagh, CFO of Salboy. “Buyer demand is robust, finance is accessible, and the supply:demand ratio for new housing in this country is skewed heavily in their favour. But the difficulty of securing capable construction partners to build in locations where houses are most needed is reaching fever pitch. Across the country, developers’ schemes are slowing down, stalling altogether or taking years to get out of the ground because suitable contractors cannot be mobilised quickly enough or with sufficient certainty that they can deliver on time and on budget.”  Salboy Construction was established by Salboy in April 2024 in response to these conditions. The business was initially focused on supporting some of the Group’s own developments, as well as select sites funded by Salboy Capital, the Group’s property funding partnership business.  In less than two years, Salboy Construction has grown to a team of 16 construction professionals, quantity surveyors and procurement specialists and has delivered 120 homes with a further 139 currently under construction. The team is now contracted to work on sites by both Salboy’s development team and a number of other developers, funders and housing associations around the country.  Salboy Construction’s team is deployed onto a mixture of brand new sites where work needs to begin from scratch, as well as onto distressed sites where either sufficiently qualified partners were unavailable locally, or problems had slowed progress and a new delivery process was needed to bring the project to fruition.  The business has live and completed schemes in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, London, Cornwall, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire. Recent projects include new-build sites in Wandsworth in London, Tuckingmill in Cornwall and Tean in Staffordshire, in addition to the takeover of a 70-home residential site in Lincolnshire, the reset of two distressed urban schemes in South London, and the delivery of a 77-home affordable housing development in Cornwall. With this track record firmly in place, Salboy Construction is formally launching its services to a wider range of third-party clients nationwide.  Andrew Cavanagh: “Over the past few years, more and more funds, banks, housing associations and registered providers of social housing have approached Salboy to help bring their projects forward. Until this point, capacity was our only constraint. We’re excited that now, thanks to Salboy Construction, we can start saying ‘Yes’ to more of these projects and bring forward more homes where they’re desperately needed.” Demand is particularly high in cost-sensitive areas, such as affordable housing, where Salboy Construction has recently begun work on schemes for three registered providers. The business operates through a hybrid delivery model, combining its own direct delivery teams with a national network of trusted regional partners, including Salboy’s long-standing partner in the Northwest, Domis Construction. This structure allows Salboy to maintain full oversight of every scheme and ensure consistent standards of governance, reporting, quality and cost control. One of Salboy Construction’s key strengths and differentiators is its home-grown procurement network that enables regional partners to save up to 20 per cent on common building materials. The network gives the SME partners Salboy Construction works with access to the buying power and supplier relationships normally reserved for Plc housebuilders, helping them manage inflationary pressures and reduce exposure to material price volatility. Access to the procurement network is also available to developers funded by Salboy Capital.  Stephen Ward, Construction Director at Salboy: “Anyone working in the construction space today will have seen good housing schemes stall, not because demand wasn’t there, but because the right delivery partner could not be secured or retained. That is exactly the gap Salboy Construction has been created to fill. In a short space of time we’ve been able to show developers and funders we’ve the right mix of domain expertise, supplier leverage and tenacity to bring greater certainty to schemes that might otherwise struggle to get off the ground.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals