Major homebuilder Cala has launched a new business division, Cala Southern, as part of its growth strategy across the South of England. Cala Southern will spearhead the company’s westward expansion, enhancing Cala’s presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-quality housing. The new division will
Award-winning housebuilder, Spitfire Homes, recently hosted a fully booked launch event for prospective buyers to view its highly-anticipated show home at Maybank, a collection of design-led new properties in Halesowen. New data from Zoopla has revealed the housing market has made the strongest start to a year since 2022, with
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new residential and community space in London’s Notting Hill area. The £17.5 million Acklam Road project, which consists of 32 residential flats alongside community space, was procured via the Southern Construction Framework and delivered on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has extended its partnership with housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) to deliver 256 homes at Finchwood Park in Wokingham. Having now completed the land purchase of parcel 10 at Finchwood Park from Cala Homes, the 256 homes to be
As National Apprenticeship Week (10–16 February) approaches, independent housebuilder Dandara is highlighting a range of trainee schemes for those interested in a career in the housebuilding industry. This initiative is part of Dandara’s ongoing commitment to helping the UK close its skills gap and inspire the next generation. While the
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 new affordable homes across two sites in the city. The developments, which will be owned and managed by Dérive, the council’s wholly-owned housing company, will provide much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has secured outline planning approval for a development on Land North West of Preston Farm in Bookham, Surrey from Mole Valley District Council’s Planning Committee. Land North West of Preston Farm has received a resolution to grant outline planning
Caddick is building its placemaking pipeline in Birmingham with its appointment to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse’s flagship regeneration project, Upper Trinity Street in Digbeth. The 182,986 sq. ft residential project inaugurates a wider regeneration of the Upper Trinity Street scheme in Digbeth, and will comprise 211 apartments
Emerging housebuilder Honey has achieved remarkable growth, securing 21 sites across Yorkshire and the Midlands to deliver 2,850 homes with a gross development value of £795 million—all within just two years of trading. Launched in October 2022, the Sheffield-headquartered company has quickly established itself as a key player in the
Lovell has officially broken ground on its latest eco-conscious housing development in Hessle, marking the start of construction on 54 new homes. Valued at £19 million, this mixed-tenure development will feature cutting-edge air source heat pumps, making it entirely gas-free, a significant step toward sustainable living in East Yorkshire. Situated
Major homebuilder Cala has launched a new business division, Cala Southern, as part of its growth strategy across the South of England. Cala Southern will spearhead the company’s westward expansion, enhancing Cala’s presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-quality housing. The new division will also manage Cala’s existing live sites in these counties, including Winchester, Wimborne and Fordingbridge, previously overseen by Cala Thames. Cala Southern will be led by incoming managing director Rod Martin who brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked across the housebuilding sector for almost 25 years, including in leadership positions at Taylor Wimpey and Redrow. This year, Cala Southern will deliver 400 homes, with plans to increase this to over 500 homes annually by 2028. The division’s new headquarters in Winchester will open in March, and the region will support around 90 new direct roles so far, and hundreds more jobs through subcontractor partners and the supply chain. Kevin Whitaker, CEO of Cala Group commented: “Our strategy to expand Cala’s presence in the South West of England has taken a significant step forward. The expertise within our team and success of our high-quality, sustainable homes across England, have given us the confidence to invest in Cala Southern.” “Cala is well-positioned to achieve our goal of building over 4,000 homes by 2029, across the Group. Aligned with this ambition, our teams throughout the UK are proactively looking to invest in sites with and without planning permission, for both short-term and future development. They have the skill and financial backing to unlock potential across the full range of planning and development opportunities.” “We’re delighted to welcome Rod to the Cala Southern business. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the local market and our customer profile will further strengthen our team as they continue to invest in opportunities across the new patch.” Rod Martin, Managing Director of Cala Southern added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Cala at such an exciting time as we announce the launch of the Southern division. The business is already in a strong position, with 1,800 homes in the pipeline to be delivered between now and 2028.” “We will soon be opening our new head office in Winchester, which will perfectly position Cala to further capitalise on markets across Dorset, Hampshire and southern Wiltshire. We are focused on building on Cala’s success in the region to date and look forward to forging new relationships as we further expand the business.” Cala has a long-term plan for growth in England. The strategic decision to launch Cala Southern has been accelerated by the strong performance of Cala’s Thames division, which completed over 560 homes and delivered over £225m turnover in 2024. Cala Thames aims to deliver more than 1,800 homes in prime residential locations in Surrey, Berkshire and central Wiltshire by 2028. For more information about Cala Southern visit: www.cala.co.uk/southernland Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning housebuilder, Spitfire Homes, recently hosted a fully booked launch event for prospective buyers to view its highly-anticipated show home at Maybank, a collection of design-led new properties in Halesowen. New data from Zoopla has revealed the housing market has made the strongest start to a year since 2022, with new sales agreed increasing by 12% year-on-year. Located at the former Sandvik HQ, the new West Midlands address includes a range of 61 two-to four-bedroom homes, plus two one-bedroom maisonettes, and first occupations are set from Spring 2025. All properties at Maybank include energy-efficient air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, and electric vehicle charging points, all as standard. In addition to retaining existing woodland, Spitfire is planning to plant a number of trees and enhance green areas to encourage wildlife and preserve the natural environment. Matt Vincent, Operations Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “We have seen unprecedented levels of interest at Maybank since acquiring the site in 2023, and the opening of the new show home marks a significant and exciting milestone for the collection. “Our database has been consistently growing and there was a real sense of anticipation ahead of the opening weekend, with a number of customers having already visited show homes at our other collections across the Midlands to experience the Spitfire difference. We are already 10 per cent sold prior to the show home launch so we would urge any prospective buyers to schedule their appointment to view.” The Midlands-based housebuilder welcomed customers to explore the Kedleston, a four-bedroom detached family home showcasing Spitfire’s Signature specification. As the largest property available at Maybank, it boasts an open-plan kitchen and dining area, as well as a spacious living room and study ideal for home working. Upstairs, the home presents four double bedrooms, including a premium en suite to the primary and a four-piece family bathroom. Dean Grove, Managing Director at Grove Properties Group, the instructed selling agent for Maybank, added: “We are not surprised by the high level of interest at Maybank because Spitfire Homes has a growing reputation as one of the leading housebuilders in the region, and the show home is testament to why that is. We’ve also found that buyers are prioritising futureproof homes due to the financial benefits of sustainable technologies and the general change in attitudes towards living a greener lifestyle, something that aligns well with Spitfire’s energy-efficient homes.” To find out more about Spitfire Homes, or schedule your appointment to view the show home at Maybank, please visit: https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/maybank/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new residential and community space in London’s Notting Hill area. The £17.5 million Acklam Road project, which consists of 32 residential flats alongside community space, was procured via the Southern Construction Framework and delivered on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC). Of the 32 homes that have been built, the majority (20) are social rent homes. The seven-storey building incorporates ground floor community units open to the public, with residential space starting on the first floor in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Four of these homes will be fully wheelchair accessible and all the apartments feature a fully enclosed balcony or winter garden. The homes were officially opened in a ceremony attended by Deputy Leader Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, representatives from Morgan Sindall, members of Swinbrook Residents’ Association and Golborne Youth Centre, local councillors, Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Sof McVeigh. The scheme was recently named the best affordable housing development for under £20million at the Inside Housing Development Awards. Situated near Portobello Road market, Acklam Road has been constructed with a brick facade to complement the building’s surroundings. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) have been installed to provide the new homes with a sustainable energy source and making the site completely gas free. Morgan Sindall’s London business leveraged its Intelligent Solutions approach to incorporate advanced fire safety measures into Acklam Road. This included installing an enhanced, commercial grade sprinkler system in each apartment and throughout non-residential areas. The building also includes two staircases and two emergency evacuation lifts as well as a dry riser. A high-end smoke detection and alarm system as well as an evacuation alert system has also been added to every apartment. The site’s proximity to the busy A40 presented a logistical challenge during construction. The project team utilised its Intelligent Solutions approach to think innovatively and utilised only a small pocket of land in an efficient manner to ensure that the work could continue at pace. Additionally, the Acklam Road development is situated opposite the Al-manaar cultural heritage centre, to ensure minimal disruption the team organised delivery schedules to avoid Friday prayer times while the road is at its busiest. As part of the tier one contractor’s commitment to generating as much social value as possible, the site team engaged in a wide variety of educational, volunteering and community projects. Among other things, this included creating a new kitchen for Golborne Youth Centre, engaging with 483 students, putting on 19 local education events and creating seven jobs for Kensington and Chelsea residents. The development also hosted eight apprentices, five work experience placements, five people on a week-long employability programme, one T-Level student, and three year-out placements. The amount of social value activity Morgan Sindall conducted onsite meant the project far exceeded the Employment and Skills plan requirements. This level of social value generation is especially impactful in the local community as there is a limited pool of construction labour and skills in the area. The Morgan Sindall team also worked in collaboration with numerous key partners including The Children’s Book Project, Metropolitan Police, Morley College, Construction Youth Trust, and several schools and engaged in educational events such as open days, volunteering within the local community, and donating to community-led projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has extended its partnership with housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) to deliver 256 homes at Finchwood Park in Wokingham. Having now completed the land purchase of parcel 10 at Finchwood Park from Cala Homes, the 256 homes to be built on the site have been forward sold to MTVH. Reserved matters planning permission has already been granted for these 256 homes, of which 35% will be affordable housing, delivered in a variety of tenures. Vistry will deliver these new homes for MTVH in a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses. Construction on Parcel 10 will commence in early 2025. This deal follows the exchange of contracts with Cala Homes in September 2024 on five parcels of land at Finchwood Park in Finchampstead, near Wokingham. In total, these five parcels of land will deliver over 600 new homes, as part of the wider development of 1,500 homes being brought forward by Cala Homes. With outline permission already granted, Vistry will submit detailed planning applications for the remaining parcels of land in early 2025, with construction on those phases then expected to begin in the latter part of 2025. Trevor Wicks, Managing Director for Vistry Thames Valley, said: “We’re excited to extend Vistry’s strong relationship with MTVH through these 256 homes at Finchwood Park, which will make a significant improvement to the provision of affordable housing and the availability of green open spaces in the area. With detailed planning permission already granted, our team is looking forward to starting construction on these high-quality new homes imminently.” Guy Burnett, Executive Director of Development at MTVH, commented: “MTVH is pleased to be involved in this partnership with the Vistry Group for the delivery of 256 homes at Finchwood Park in Wokingham. This development is an exciting project which will deliver a variety of mixed housing, many of which will be affordable homes, and continues our long-standing relationship with Vistry. “This is also a crucial step in helping to alleviate the housing pressures facing the local community in the Southeast. As the new homes are of a mix of sizes, these benefits will be felt by families and single people alike. Continuing these partnerships is crucial as we work to deliver the homes which ensure everyone has the chance to live in a safe, warm, and affordable home and to live well.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As National Apprenticeship Week (10–16 February) approaches, independent housebuilder Dandara is highlighting a range of trainee schemes for those interested in a career in the housebuilding industry. This initiative is part of Dandara’s ongoing commitment to helping the UK close its skills gap and inspire the next generation. While the UK government has planned to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years[1], the latest Construction Skills Network report forecasts that there is a need for 251,500 extra construction workers by 2028 to meet the anticipated levels of work[2]. Amid concerns regarding a lack of trained professionals to help reach the target, Dandara has established a trainee programme to guarantee newcomers the proper training and qualifications needed for the future. Dandara’s trainee scheme include an initial three-year programme designed to deliver skills and qualification-based experience, rotating between all departments. Provided a trainee stays with Dandara two years after completing their traineeship, their tuition and qualifications costs will be taken care of as they continue to study and work on the job. Alison Murphy, Learning & Development Manager at Dandara, commented: “The skills gap is a major challenge we face as a housebuilder. The boom for housing and Government ambition to build 1.5 million homes is there, but the most crucial element driving the whole project is missing – the workforce to deliver these ambitions. “As National Apprenticeship Week beckons, we want to support those trying to plug this skills gap by offering schemes such as our management programme. The scheme is designed for anyone looking to leave education right through to those looking to change careers. Investment into people and training the next generation is the key to unlocking the UK’s housing targets and we are here to help anyone who is passionate to kickstart their career. Creating opportunities for people to bring their skills, enthusiasm and passion to the industry encompasses the ethos behind our trainee schemes, and we equip all our newcomers with quality training for a career at Dandara.” Harry Collins, an apprentice on Dandara’s trainee management scheme, adds: “Each department has a designated mentor overseeing my activities, and Dandara has structured the programme exceptionally well. Although moving between departments might seem stressful, the process has been seamless so far, and the apprenticeship has provided me with valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the company. The range of experience and the opportunity to fully immerse myself in different departments have given me a much clearer idea of the housebuilding industry, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next few years have in store.” To find out more about Dandara’s trainee schemes, please visit https://careers.dandara.com/page/traineeschemes or call 01908 036 284 [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-homes-fact-sheet-1-the-need-for-homes/fact-sheet-1-the-need-for-homes [2] https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/construction-industry-research-reports/construction-skills-network-csn/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 new affordable homes across two sites in the city. The developments, which will be owned and managed by Dérive, the council’s wholly-owned housing company, will provide much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The first development, located on Bridgewater Street in Little Hulton, will comprise 12 homes, including three two-bedroom and four three-bedroom family houses, and eight one-bedroom apartments specifically designed for young people aged 18 to 25. The second development, located on Tully Street South in Higher Broughton, will consist of ten self-contained apartments for young people experiencing homelessness. “These developments are part of our commitment to increasing the number of good quality, affordable homes, with support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” said Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council. “The new, spacious low energy apartments will help tackle youth homelessness and the under-provision of young persons supported accommodation in the city.” The Tully Street South development will be delivered under the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), a government-led initiative aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. “There is real need for schemes such as these in our city, with over 5,000 households on the city’s housing register and over 6,000 homeless presentations made to the council in 2023-24,” said Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett. “It’s vital we continue to work to provide truly affordable housing in our city. Housing is so important for the wellbeing of everyone. Without a stable, secure, affordable place to live everything else suffers, from health to education to employment prospects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has secured outline planning approval for a development on Land North West of Preston Farm in Bookham, Surrey from Mole Valley District Council’s Planning Committee. Land North West of Preston Farm has received a resolution to grant outline planning permission for up to 200 new net zero carbon one to four-bedroom homes, 40% of which will be affordable in compliance with planning policy, and a new community centre. Each sustainable home is planned to have features including dedicated electric vehicle charging points and secure cycle storage. Targeting an onsite biodiversity net gain of over 20%, the development will feature landscaping and new planting to create approximately 45 acres of open space and a new country park that will be open to the wider community. Additional landscaping will also take place around existing lakes to improve blue space. A reserved matters application will be made in due course further detailing the development’s layout, design and landscaping. Tristan Robinson, Thakeham’s Director of External Affairs, said: “After undertaking a comprehensive public consultation process for Land North West of Preston Farm, we are pleased to receive backing from Mole Valley District Council. The scheme includes 40% affordable housing – something urgently needed locally – and significant new public open spaces for everyone to enjoy.” Land North West of Preston Farm lies on the western settlement edge of Bookham, which is made up of the two historic settlements of Great Bookham and Little Bookham. The site is strategically located close to Leatherhead, Guildford and Dorking, with easy access to the M25, M25/A3 junction and Bookham railway station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick is building its placemaking pipeline in Birmingham with its appointment to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse’s flagship regeneration project, Upper Trinity Street in Digbeth. The 182,986 sq. ft residential project inaugurates a wider regeneration of the Upper Trinity Street scheme in Digbeth, and will comprise 211 apartments in total, 115 of which will be one-bedroom and 96 two-bedroom apartments. Construction will commence imminently following demolition and enabling works by Caddick. Caddick’s contract will include the design and build of the apartments, amenities space, external works and the development of a shared courtyard area, as well as management and fit-out. Due for completion in Spring 2027, the development spans three individual blocks, the tallest of which is 10 storeys high. Ray O’Sullivan, Regional Managing Director for Caddick Construction Midlands, comments: “Cole Waterhouse has visualised an ambitious and impressive masterplan to create a thriving creative and cultural hub at Upper Trinity Street, and we’re proud to have been appointed to bring this vision to life in phase one. Caddick has built its extensive expertise delivering high-quality residential projects across the North, and as we take on new and exciting projects in the Midlands, we look forward to bringing our skillset to Upper Trinity Street for our valued client, Cole Waterhouse.” Damian Flood, CEO at Cole Waterhouse commented: “Entering into a contract with Caddick enables us to undertake this exciting project with Taurus, Housing Growth Partnership and BGO. This is our first Joint Venture with the professional team at Housing Growth Partnership and we are all excited to bring forward the first phase of UTS, which will be one of the catalysts for the further regeneration of Digbeth, demonstrating our confidence in delivering much needed housing in this key part of the City.” The project marks Caddick’s second major regeneration development in the Midlands, adding to the nearby Port Loop scheme, which has seen Caddick build 58 new-build apartments on behalf of Urban Splash and Places for People. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Emerging housebuilder Honey has achieved remarkable growth, securing 21 sites across Yorkshire and the Midlands to deliver 2,850 homes with a gross development value of £795 million—all within just two years of trading. Launched in October 2022, the Sheffield-headquartered company has quickly established itself as a key player in the UK housing market. For the financial year ending 31 December 2024, Honey has already secured £85 million in total forward sales. Earlier this year, the company also launched a partnerships division, which will initially deliver 286 affordable homes across four sites, generating forward sales of £60 million. Negotiations are also underway for two additional partnerships sites, totalling a further 238 units. With five active developments, Honey has achieved a sales rate of 0.69 for the year, with an average selling price of £290,000. The company has also earned a 100% customer satisfaction score in all independent surveys conducted by In-house Research, reinforcing its reputation for quality and service. From 2024, these metrics will be measured against the Home Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction survey. Honey currently employs 80 people across its two regional headquarters in Sheffield and Leeds. The company has secured £235 million in funding, including £75 million in equity investment from private equity firm Alchemy Partners and £160 million in bank financing from four leading lenders. Mark Mitchell, founder and chief executive of Honey, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory: *”We are significantly ahead of where we expected to be at this stage. Our homes have been incredibly well received, offering the perfect blend of style, quality, and sustainability—delivering exactly what buyers want at an accessible price point. Now firmly in our build-and-sell phase, we remain committed to providing outstanding new homes with exceptional customer care before, during, and after purchase. With strong financial backing, we are actively seeking new sites and plan to expand further south into the Midlands this year.”* Thomas Boszko of Alchemy Partners praised Honey’s rapid progress: “Mark and the team have delivered incredible growth in just two years, and 2024 will be another significant milestone for the business. We are excited to continue supporting Honey as it strengthens its presence across Yorkshire and the Midlands.” Over the past year, Honey has been shortlisted for nine national and regional property and business awards, reflecting its innovative approach to housebuilding. “We have built an agile and forward-thinking team, and it’s fantastic to see our approach being recognised both within the industry and the wider business community,” Mark added. “By thinking differently and keeping the needs of modern homebuyers at the heart of our designs, we are redefining what buyers can expect from a new home.” Honey’s 23 house types are designed using detailed consumer research to meet the evolving needs of today’s buyers, with a focus on flexibility and functionality. Every home features bi-fold doors, fully integrated designer kitchens, boutique-style bathrooms with a signature freestanding bath, full-height tiling, and an electric vehicle charging point as standard. As Honey continues to expand, its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction ensures it remains one of the most exciting new names in the UK housebuilding industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lovell has officially broken ground on its latest eco-conscious housing development in Hessle, marking the start of construction on 54 new homes. Valued at £19 million, this mixed-tenure development will feature cutting-edge air source heat pumps, making it entirely gas-free, a significant step toward sustainable living in East Yorkshire. Situated in the picturesque town of Hessle, known for its Humber Bridge Country Park and tranquil atmosphere, the development aims to reflect the natural beauty of its surroundings. The homes will showcase a blend of red brick and silver pearl render, accented by grey and terracotta roof tiles, offering elegant designs that integrate seamlessly into the local landscape. This groundbreaking project represents the developer’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. By incorporating air-source heat pumps into every home, the development will provide residents with energy-efficient and future-ready living solutions while supporting the UK’s transition to greener housing standards. The development will include 28 open-market homes with options ranging from four to five bedrooms, as well as four two-bedroom First Homes available through the First Homes Scheme. Affordable housing will also be available through a partnership with Together Housing, ensuring that this new community is both inclusive and diverse. In addition to the new homes, Lovell has committed over £360,000 in contributions to support local services, education, and healthcare, reinforcing its dedication to enhancing the surrounding community. Groundbreaking marks the beginning of a construction phase that will conclude in Summer 2026. The first homes will be available for sale in early 2025, offering buyers the opportunity to secure modern, eco-friendly homes in a serene and convenient location. Robert Adams, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “Breaking ground on this development in Hessle is an exciting milestone. It’s a chance to bring modern, sustainable living to a beautiful and serene environment while contributing meaningfully to the local community.” To find out more about Lovell and the upcoming Hessle development, visit here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
