Watkin Jones has secured planning permission for a major mixed-use development in Chesser, to the west of Edinburgh city centre, following approval from Scottish ministers. The project will deliver 779 new homes in total, comprising 100 affordable apartments, 293 build-to-rent (BTR) homes, and 406 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bedrooms. Initially approved by the City of Edinburgh Council’s development management sub-committee in December 2022, the application was called in by the Scottish Government in February 2023 for further consideration of noise-related issues. After a detailed review, ministers have now granted consent subject to several planning conditions. The Chesser site includes a series of listed buildings that once formed part of an agricultural market established in the early twentieth century. Many of these structures have fallen into disrepair and now require substantial investment. Working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Environment Scotland, Watkin Jones has developed plans that retain and restore key heritage features, creating a publicly accessible ‘Heritage Square’ at the heart of the scheme. Sustainability has been placed at the centre of the project, which is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The development will incorporate air source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels to reduce carbon emissions. Discussions are also under way with a local registered provider to manage the affordable housing once the project is complete. Watkin Jones planning director Iain Smith said the approval marks an important milestone for the city. “Securing approval from Scottish ministers for this landmark regeneration project in Chesser is another step in addressing the city’s housing shortage,” he said. “Following the Scottish Government’s declaration of a national housing emergency in 2024, our new development helps to meet Edinburgh’s housing needs across multiple tenures by delivering high-quality homes in a highly accessible location. “We are not only relieving pressure on the city’s housing market but also contributing to a more sustainable city. Importantly, the development will also protect the most important elements of historic buildings for future generations and ensure the public has access to Heritage Square for years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hundreds of new homes are set to be delivered at one of North East England’s biggest new residential developments after three housebuilders signed up to take the project forward. North East development firm Banks Property, supported by independent North East property consultants and land agent youngsRPS, secured outline planning permission for the Kingston Village site last year, which will see over 800 new family homes being built on a 49-hectare site to the north west of Newcastle, including around 120 affordable homes. Since then, Banks Property and youngsRPS have been working to identify the housebuilders that will deliver Kingston Village – and now, Miller Homes, Stonebridge Homes and Banks Homes have all signed up to the project. The three housebuilders will also build the affordable homes element of the project before a registered social housing provider takes them on. The Kingston Village development, which was allocated for housing in the 2015 Newcastle & Gateshead Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan, will also feature a range of important community assets, including a new primary school, a local shop and cafe, allotments, a village green and substantial amounts of public open space. It will see a £178m investment being made in the North East economy, with hundreds of people being employed both in building the new homes and in the development’s supply chain. A wide range of contract tenders will be made available to regional suppliers through the project’s construction period. A network of public footpaths and cycle ways, including links to the Newcastle Great Park and other nearby communities, will also be put in place, while a ten per cent Biodiversity Net Gain will be delivered through the project and significant improvements will be made to the local road network, public transport links and wildlife habitats. Full details of all aspects of the scheme are now being finalised, with infrastructure work scheduled to start on site early next year.  The first new homes are then expected to be available for sale in 2027. Russ Hall, managing director at Banks Property and Banks Homes, says: “Our vision is for Kingston Village to be an outstanding, vibrant community which will integrate successfully into the west of Newcastle. “Confirming the housebuilders who will help to create Kingston Village is a major milestone in its development, with the new assets that will be delivered alongside their homes being central to the creation of this inclusive, sustainable new community. “The importance of increasing the UK’s supply of high-quality homes, both to ensure people have the housing options they need in the places they want to live and to support the wider UK economy’s future growth, has never been clearer, and we’re proud to be part of a project that will have a significant impact on Newcastle and the wider North East in this respect. “When Graeme Bruce at youngsRPS first identified the site’s potential and introduced it to us, it sparked a collaboration which has since secured planning permission, attracted leading housebuilders and paved the way for one of the region’s most important housing schemes.” Graeme Bruce, managing director at youngsRPS, adds: “This is arguably the biggest single residential land sale in the North East in recent times. The sheer scale of the site, coupled with the intense interest it generated from both local and national developers, underlines its significance. “Bringing this project to completion has been the largest development sale I’ve handled in my career and one of the most professionally rewarding.” Ryan Lincoln, regional managing director at Miller Homes, said: “This represents one of the most significant and sought-after development opportunities in the North East and we’re proud to be part of the select group of developers to deliver it. “Set in a fantastic location, it will offer an exceptional place to call home – combining high-quality housing alongside well designed local facilities, supporting the creation of a vibrant and sustainable new community.” Steve Errington, managing director at Stonebridge Homes, adds: “Kingston Village is the largest project in Stonebridge Homes’ history, and we are proud to be delivering 354 of its new homes. Like in all our work, our focus will be on building premium, sustainable communities that will stand the test of time. “By combining good design and energy-efficient infrastructure, we’re creating homes that are environmentally responsible and part of a place where families can truly belong. We’re excited to bring this landmark development to life for Newcastle and the wider region.” For further information on the Kingston Village development, please visit  https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/projects/kingston-village/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Paul Silver, CEO of Dorchester Living, said: “The inclusion of Heyford Park in the Government’s new towns programme shows a growing commitment to building not just more homes but better places – places with identity, infrastructure and long-term purpose. That’s exactly what we’ve been working towards at Heyford Park. “Our development is one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in the UK, and it’s shaped by a clear masterplan and a strong sense of place. From new homes and schools to community spaces, green infrastructure, local employment and plans to become the UK’s first energy-surplus town, Heyford Park is designed to grow in a sustainable and balanced way. We’ve already come a long way in transforming a former RAF base into a thriving, modern community, and the next chapter is about delivering on that original vision with ambition and care. “As momentum builds behind the new towns programme and strategic growth across the region, Heyford Park stands as a clear example of what’s possible when development is led by placemaking. This recognition gives us the platform to build on everything achieved so far and deliver create a long-lasting legacy for Oxfordshire.” For more details and to view the masterplan in full, visit: www.heyfordpark.com/heyford-park-masterplan Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

NHBC is supporting the Association for Rental Living (ARL) to deliver a webinar examining the processes and challenges associated with unlocking brownfield sites for mixed tenure development. Those attending the webinar will join experts from NHBC and the rental living sector to explore how complex sites are being transformed into viable, successful Build to Rent (BTR) developments. Aimed at developers, investors, operators and consultants in BTR, this webinar, running on 23rd September 2025, will guide attendees through the journey from pre-acquisition assessment to post-acquisition viability, highlighting critical considerations and pitfalls to avoid. Insights will include: Experts from Placefirst and Urban&Civic will join speakers from NHBC’s Land Quality Service and BTR teams as part of a varied agenda which will cover the political landscape, sector collaboration and the hurdles the industry faces. Real life case studies will be used to illustrate the ways land can be unlocked and attendees will have the chance to pitch questions to the webinar’s presenters. This webinar will also explain NHBC’s role in the sector beyond warranty, demonstrating its expertise in technical services, site viability and risk mitigation. Suitable for anyone in the sector navigating constrained sites, repurposing opportunities or seeking practical guidance on land viability and delivery, this webinar has limited places available and those interested in joining should register now. Niki Kyriacou, Sector Lead for BTR at NHBC commented, “We’re pleased to support ARL in delivering this specialist webinar for those working in BTR looking to develop constrained or challenging sites. BTR is an increasingly important part of the residential mix – as the sector grows many of us recognise we need to unlock more brownfield sites to help meet demand. These sites offer a wealth of opportunity for developers and investors, and NHBC is committed to helping deliver quality homes at pace across BTR and all tenures.” NHBC works in partnership with developers and investors to bring forward challenging or complex sites that otherwise might have been considered unviable. Working hard to provide a pathway to warranty, saving time and money, NHBC provides confidence throughout the build journey. To register your place on the Unlocking brownfield sites for mixed tenure development webinar visit: https://thearl.org.uk/events/unlocking-brownfield-sites-for-mixed-tenure-development/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction firm GRAHAM has marked a key milestone in the Lakes Estate Renewal Project, as the first council tenants moved into their new homes in Milton Keynes. Awarded through the Pagabo Major Works Framework, the two-stage design and build contract represents one of the city’s first large-scale regeneration schemes. The project aims to revitalise the Lakes Estate by providing new housing, improved amenities and healthier living conditions. The latest milestone includes the completion of six homes at Burnmoor Close and 16 properties at A3, together with soft and hard landscaping, parking and electric vehicle charging points. In total, the scheme will deliver 183 high-quality, energy-efficient council homes alongside a new park and commercial spaces. The development has been shaped through years of engagement with local residents, whose input has helped to guide the plans. Earlier phases have already delivered a play park and improvements to shared courtyards. Cllr Ed Hume, Cabinet Member for Housing at Milton Keynes City Council, said: “We’re really pleased with how the project is shaping up. It’s fantastic for the residents who now have a good new home where they can settle and get on in life. This is an incredibly proud moment for the whole community. These new homes will make a real difference, providing families with high-quality housing which will help them in so many ways. We look forward to welcoming more families into their new homes as they become available.” Pat O’Hare, Regional Director at GRAHAM, added: “The handover of phases one and two at The Lakes Estate marks an important milestone in the development, and we are delighted to see the first new residents settling into their homes. With the next phase progressing well, we are excited to continue building momentum and look forward to handing over more homes later this year.” The Lakes Estate Renewal Project continues to progress, with more families set to move into their new homes as construction advances through the next phases. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals