Plans to regenerate one of the largest brownfield sites in the West Midlands and build a new, 600 home community have reached a key milestone. Sandwell Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) haveappointed top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat as their preferred developer to construct the Friar Park Urban Village
Chelmsford City Council has begun the hunt for a development partner to help deliver the £250m regeneration of Chelmer Waterside, one of the city’s most significant brownfield sites. Formerly home to the town’s gas works, the site has been rebranded as Chelmer Waterside and is now primed for transformation into
London Councils has urged the government to reconsider key elements of plans to reform council funding in its response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, which closed recently (Friday 15 August). In particular, the cross-party group highlighted the need to accurately measure the capital’s high levels of deprivation, with
Urban Splash UK Residential LLP (The Fund) has published its annual results for the financial year ending March 2025, reporting a period of significant growth and continued operational success. The Fund was established by SURE Capital Partners in 2017 to acquire design-led, sustainable homes in urban regeneration areas across the
MPs across the UK are being urged to support the second Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week as campaigners highlight the urgent need for coordinated action on a widespread housing crisis that costs the NHS over £1.4 billion every year. The week, taking place from 20–26 October, was first
A long-neglected site in Birmingham is set for a major transformation, as developer Pickstock Group unveils ambitious plans to create a vibrant mixed-use community on Soho Hill. The Bill House site, which has stood vacant in recent years and suffered from fires and anti-social behaviour, could soon become home to
Manchester City Council’s housing company, This City, has reached a major milestone with the completion of its first development, No. 1 Ancoats Green, delivering 129 low-carbon homes in the heart of the city. The landmark scheme, built on council-owned brownfield land, includes 119 apartments and 10 townhouses ranging from one
Pennyfarthing Homes has received detailed planning approval for the first 74 homes at Sandle Park, a new residential development forming part of the wider Forde Valley neighbourhood, located just a mile northwest of Fordingbridge town centre. The approval, granted by New Forest District Council’s Planning Committee, marks the start of
A major step forward in unlocking the potential of surplus railway land has been announced with the launch of Platform4 — a new development company created through a collaboration between Network Rail Property and London & Continental Railways (LCR). The venture aims to deliver up to 40,000 new homes over
The first residents will begin to move in through the summer as This City begins completion phase for its development in the heart of Manchester. The No. 1 Ancoats Green development of 129 low carbon homes – a mix of 119 apartments and 10 town houses – using Council-owned land
Plans to regenerate one of the largest brownfield sites in the West Midlands and build a new, 600 home community have reached a key milestone. Sandwell Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) haveappointed top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat as their preferred developer to construct the Friar Park Urban Village scheme in Wednesbury. The appointment follows a selection process which has been progressed since January 2024 and ending with Sandwell Council Cabinet approval at the end of July. The scheme, a joint project between the council and WMCA, will see around 600 homes built on the huge site, approximately the size of 32 football pitches. At least 25% of the homes will be classed affordable. The site, which is joint owned by the council and WMCA, has been home to a waste treatment plant, a foundry and hospital in the past but has lain undeveloped for more than 40 years due to the complexity involved in making the land ready for housing. Cllr Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure said: “It’s great to see another step forward in our ambitious plans to regenerate Sandwell and to be able to offer more jobs, homes, green space and infrastructure to our residents. “This project will be genuinely collaborative between the WMCA, Keepmoat, the Council and local residents. We will work hard to ensure that we deliver a site which is a real asset to the Borough and something which improves quality of life.” Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “I’m pleased to see more progress on this project. “This is not an easy site to bring forward, but when I met with the Environment Agency, they assured me they are treating our land clean-up plans as a top priority now. That matters because thousands of families need a safe, warm home and this site can deliver 600 of them. “The appointment of Keepmoat is a real step forward. They can now start designing a new community that will help meet our housing needs, create jobs and support the regeneration set out in my Growth Plan.” Keepmoat is a leading housebuilder and has achieved 5-star builder status in the National Home Builders Federation (HBF) Awards. It is also a strategic partner of the WMCA with the two organisations signing an agreement in 2023 under which Keepmoat committed to building 4,000 additional homes in the West Midlands. Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair at Keepmoat added: “We’re thrilled to be working collaboratively with the WMCA and Sandwell Council to unlock this complex brownfield site. “At Keepmoat, we’re committed to transforming lives and creating a thriving new community in Wednesbury is an exciting project to deliver much-needed high quality housing for local people. “As brownfield specialists, with almost 70 percent of our current developments being delivered on brownfield land, the plans to breathe new life into Friar Park will champion affordability, accessibility, green space and connectivity. We have a strong relationship with the West Midlands Combined Authority and we’re immensely looking forward to continuing our work together on this flagship regeneration project with Sandwell Council.” The first phase of work on Friar Park Urban Village will be to treat the land to address historic contamination issues so that it can be made ready for housebuilding. A planning application will be submitted by the Council and WMCA for the remediation work shortly and will be available for public comment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chelmsford City Council has begun the hunt for a development partner to help deliver the £250m regeneration of Chelmer Waterside, one of the city’s most significant brownfield sites. Formerly home to the town’s gas works, the site has been rebranded as Chelmer Waterside and is now primed for transformation into a residential-led neighbourhood. Recent infrastructure improvements, including a new pedestrian bridge linking the site to the city centre in under five minutes, have unlocked the area’s potential for large-scale development. Chelmsford City Council said the scheme could deliver between 770 and 1,000 new homes across six hectares, with phases designed around apartment-led blocks. Work has already begun on relocating the existing gas pressure reduction system, due to complete in early 2026, while remediation and decontamination of the former gasworks land will form a key part of the early programme. Some housebuilders, including Taylor Wimpey, have already delivered homes on adjoining parts of the wider waterside area. The council is now seeking a lead partner to accelerate the main residential development. The procurement process will shortlist up to three bidders from an initial questionnaire stage, who will then move into dialogue and negotiation before final tenders are submitted. The winning bidder will enter into a preferred developer agreement to confirm delivery commitments. A council spokesperson said the vision for Chelmer Waterside is to create a vibrant new residential community that makes the most of its riverside setting, while supporting wider regeneration and growth across the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Councils has urged the government to reconsider key elements of plans to reform council funding in its response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, which closed recently (Friday 15 August). In particular, the cross-party group highlighted the need to accurately measure the capital’s high levels of deprivation, with the impact of housing costs properly factored in. Boroughs argue ‘flawed’ deprivation measures risk undermining the government’s aim of ensuring funding follows need. For example, the deprivation measure currently proposed gives ‘road distance to a post office’ equal weighting to levels of homelessness – suggesting these factors have the same level of impact on deprivation in a community [1]. London Councils has also raised concerns about: The government’s reforms, which set out a new approach to distributing funding between local authorities in England, are due to be implemented from 2026/27 and will have a major long-term impact on council finances. While London Councils welcomes the government’s commitment to target areas of high deprivation when allocating funding, the cross-party group says the proposed deprivation measures do not sufficiently factor in housing poverty – with potentially devastating consequences for London boroughs’ future budgets. Housing costs take up the largest portion of most household spending. How much someone pays for housing has a significant impact on their disposable income, and the wider impact of housing availability and homelessness is a significant driver of deprivation. However, the government plans to use the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) to measure deprivation, which fails to account for these impacts as it does not adequately reflect housing poverty. Housing poverty is a particular concern for the capital, where one in 50 Londoners is currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation, and one in four London households is living in poverty when housing costs are taken into account. Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, said: “We have long called for reform to local government funding to ensure money is distributed fairly on the basis of need. However, the current proposals risk failing to achieve this. After more than a decade of structural underfunding, rising demand and skyrocketing costs, the impact on London could be severe. “It is right to focus resources on areas with the highest levels of deprivation, but we can’t ignore deprivation in the capital – London has the highest rate of poverty in the country once housing costs are factored in. It is difficult to explain how proximity to a post office affects someone’s life as much as homelessness, yet these factors are given equal weighting under the current proposals. “As the government considers the responses to the consultation, we will continue working with them to ensure we create a funding regime that genuinely matches resources to need and helps restore financial stability to the sector. This is critical to us delivering on our shared priorities, including building homes, creating jobs and driving economic growth.” London Councils is urging the government to amend its proposals so that the new funding formula is robust and accurately measures levels of need for local services. Councils in London already have the widest funding gap of any region in the country. Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) previously found an estimated 17% gap between funding need and the actual levels of local government funding across the whole of London. Recent analysis by the IFS found that “regionally London is the biggest loser” under the current funding reform proposals. Boroughs are facing a funding shortfall of at least £500m this year and nearly one in four (seven) currently rely on emergency borrowing measures through the government’s Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) scheme – the highest rate of any region in the country. London Councils’ modelling of proposed funding reforms suggests a majority of the London boroughs currently reliant on EFS will actually see their funding shares decrease under the current proposals. Without sufficient funding to meet the demand and cost of delivering services in the capital, the cross-party group warns that more councils risk needing EFS. London Councils’ briefing on the Fair Funding Review 2.0 proposals can be found here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Urban Splash UK Residential LLP (The Fund) has published its annual results for the financial year ending March 2025, reporting a period of significant growth and continued operational success. The Fund was established by SURE Capital Partners in 2017 to acquire design-led, sustainable homes in urban regeneration areas across the UK, and recorded a 9.9% increase in portfolio value to £102.6 million (2024: £93.3 million), alongside a 14.9% rise in turnover to £5.5 million. Operating profit reached £2.8 million, reflecting a 21.3% year-on-year increase, while Net Asset Value grew to £94.4 million (2024: £93.4 million). Like-for-like rental growth for the period was 4.6%, with financial occupancy holding steady at 95% and rental collection at 99%. This performance has been underpinned by a sound investment strategy and a continued focus on delivering high-quality rental homes across UK cities. During the reporting period, the fund entered into a significant new partnership with sustainable developer Citu, formalised by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth £200 million. The partnership has already resulted in the acquisition of 28 homes during the financial year, with a further 24 homes secured post-year end – a combined investment of £19.5 million. Post-year end in May 2025, the Fund also announced a new £50 million revolving credit facility (RCF) with Barclays, expanding upon a previous £20 million facility secured in 2023. This increased capacity positions the fund to capitalise on future growth opportunities and support further acquisition activity. Commenting on the results, Akeel Malik, Partner at SURE Capital Partners LLP, the Fund’s investment advisor, said: “FY25 has been another significant year of growth for us, marked by the establishment of a major strategic partnership with the award-winning developer Citu, with an initial pipeline of 600 homes. “It means we now own and operate 450 homes with a total investment value of £102.6 million. Our differentiated rental offer now spans multiple urban centres including Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Cambridge, Bradford and, most recently, Leeds.” Established in 2017, the Fund has developed a reputation for delivering high-quality rental experiences that also prioritise ESG and community impact. The Fund’s bespoke community app – Ark –connects tenants to local businesses through curated discounts and events. These initiatives, Malik added, are a core part of the fund’s broader social and environmental strategy: “They align with our belief that sustainable living should be both accessible and rewarding – and they support long-term value creation for both our residents and our investors.” For further information, please contact Akeel Malik at akeelmalik@sure-capital.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MPs across the UK are being urged to support the second Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week as campaigners highlight the urgent need for coordinated action on a widespread housing crisis that costs the NHS over £1.4 billion every year. The week, taking place from 20–26 October, was first launched in 2024 to shine a spotlight on the devastating health and housing consequences of damp and mould – an issue affecting up to 6.5 million households in England alone. Last year’s inaugural campaign brought together housing providers, charities, health professionals and tenants, reaching over three million people through national press, radio and TV – and even received a note of commendation from King Charles III. This year’s campaign gains added urgency as Awaab’s Law comes into effect, requiring social landlords to fix reported health hazards like damp and mould within strict legal timeframes. The law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from prolonged exposure to mould in his home, aims to ensure tenants can hold landlords accountable through the courts if their homes remain unsafe. Campaign organisers at home safety specialist Aico are now calling on MPs to show their support, raise awareness in their constituencies, and encourage local stakeholders to take part in this vital public health initiative. They have written directly to MPs across the UK, urging them to play an active role in addressing unsafe housing conditions in their local areas. Dr Sam Collier, Policy & Research Manager at Aico, said: “We launched this campaign in response to a glaring gap – there was no single, coordinated platform dedicated to addressing one of the most prevalent and dangerous issues in UK housing. We wanted to change that. “Damp and mould doesn’t just damage buildings – it damages lives. From asthma and respiratory issues to mental health problems, the effects are serious and far-reaching. That’s why this campaign is so important – and why we’re asking MPs from across all parties to stand with us and make it a priority. “MPs are uniquely placed to amplify this issue and influence real change. By supporting this campaign, they can help bring landlords, local authorities, health services and tenants together to tackle it head-on.” This year’s campaign will include a range of free webinars, thought leadership articles, downloadable resources and digital content designed to help educate and empower professionals and residents alike. Aico has also developed a comprehensive campaign toolkit filled with resources to help housing providers, local authorities, charities and community groups get involved and show their support. Damp and mould produce allergens, irritants, mould spores, and other toxins that are harmful to health. The NHS spends an estimated £1.4 billion a year on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing. When wider societal costs such as ongoing healthcare are taken into consideration, the figure leaps to £15.4 billion. “We want this to be a truly collaborative effort – one that grows stronger each year until no family has to live with the fear or reality of unsafe housing,” Dr Collier added. For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, visit www.aico.co.uk/damp-mould-action-and-awareness-week Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A long-neglected site in Birmingham is set for a major transformation, as developer Pickstock Group unveils ambitious plans to create a vibrant mixed-use community on Soho Hill. The Bill House site, which has stood vacant in recent years and suffered from fires and anti-social behaviour, could soon become home to 115 new houses and flats, alongside an 80-bed care home. With a gross development value of £48.5 million, the project aims to boost housing provision while contributing to the regeneration of the wider area. Pickstock Group development director Liam Davies described the proposal as “a dynamic approach to different housing typologies”, combining affordable housing, open market sale and lease options with specialist care provision. The 2.5-acre brownfield site will be redeveloped by a professional team including Glancy Nichol Architects and RPS Group, part of Tetra Tech. Glancy Nichol managing director Adam McPartland said: “This will be a comprehensive redevelopment that is sensitive to the local character, providing multi-generational living in line with the needs of the community. The aim is to create a place that feels authentic and uplifting, contributing to broader regeneration goals for the area.” RPS planning director Jacob Bonehill added: “These proposals present a chance to deliver much-needed homes and employment opportunities beyond Birmingham’s city centre. For too long, growth has been concentrated within the Inner Ring Road, and developments like this are essential to ensuring regeneration reaches areas such as Soho Hill.” The scheme follows early engagement with stakeholders and detailed planning appraisals. If approved, it promises to replace dereliction with a thriving neighbourhood that serves a range of housing and care needs, while breathing new life into a key part of the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council’s housing company, This City, has reached a major milestone with the completion of its first development, No. 1 Ancoats Green, delivering 129 low-carbon homes in the heart of the city. The landmark scheme, built on council-owned brownfield land, includes 119 apartments and 10 townhouses ranging from one to four bedrooms. As part of its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality housing, 30% of the homes will be let at the Manchester Living Rent, a level that aligns with local housing allowance, making the properties accessible to a wider range of residents. Residents are set to begin moving in over the summer as the final phases of construction wrap up. The new homes overlook the newly revitalised Ancoats Green and are closely integrated with the surrounding public space and park. With city centre amenities on their doorstep, the development also benefits from excellent transport connections and a network of walking and cycling routes. Each property is designed with energy efficiency in mind, featuring large triple-glazed windows, top-tier insulation, and airtight construction to keep summer temperatures down and winter bills low. Residents will also have access to the nearby Ancoats Mobility Hub, offering cycle storage, EV charging, and car parking. The Ancoats Green development marks the first step in a much larger programme for This City. A second phase, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, is already in the pipeline and is set to deliver more than 1,500 new homes across Manchester. An open day is scheduled for Friday, August 1 at 11am, inviting the public to tour the development, meet members of the project team, and learn more about This City’s future plans. This City plays a key role in delivering Manchester’s housing strategy, which aims to build at least 36,000 new homes between 2022 and 2032—with a minimum of 10,000 for social rent, council housing, or genuinely affordable homes, including 3,000 in the city centre. Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “No. 1 Ancoats Green is the product of a vision we have had since the inception of This City, to use our own land to build the homes we know our residents want and need, to a high specification, and on our own terms. “For many years it has been incredibly challenging for Councils to build homes to meet demand, but through This City we are proving that it is possible – while also delivering genuinely affordable housing for our residents. “This is only the beginning for This City and through our new joint venture partnership with the GM pension fund, we are scaling up delivery and we have more than 1,500 new homes in the coming years with sites across the city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pennyfarthing Homes has received detailed planning approval for the first 74 homes at Sandle Park, a new residential development forming part of the wider Forde Valley neighbourhood, located just a mile northwest of Fordingbridge town centre. The approval, granted by New Forest District Council’s Planning Committee, marks the start of a major new phase in the housebuilder’s expansion in the area. Development is expected to begin later this year. Sandle Park will eventually comprise 342 homes, with 25% allocated for affordable tenures including shared ownership, affordable rent and First Homes. The first phase will deliver 74 properties, made up of 56 homes for private sale and 18 affordable homes. The scheme offers a wide range of housing options, from one- to three-bedroom apartments in a manor-style building to two- and three-bedroom bungalows and larger family houses with two to four bedrooms. The new neighbourhood has been designed with a strong focus on green infrastructure and community wellbeing. Plans include more than a kilometre of new pathways, 1,700 newly planted trees, informal open spaces, a children’s play area and a 2.4-hectare Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace to benefit both residents and the wider community. Ben Arnold, Land and Planning Director at Pennyfarthing Homes, said: “We are delighted to have received overwhelming support from New Forest District Council’s Planning Committee for the first 74 homes at Sandle Park. Members of the planning committee praised the layout and appearance of the development, including the feature apartment building and the use of bungalows in the layout. The mix of properties will serve a range of homebuyers’ needs here in Fordingbridge, creating a diverse community with a deep sense of connection to nature, thanks to its abundance of greenspaces. We look forward to commencing development work at Sandle Park later this year.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major step forward in unlocking the potential of surplus railway land has been announced with the launch of Platform4 — a new development company created through a collaboration between Network Rail Property and London & Continental Railways (LCR). The venture aims to deliver up to 40,000 new homes over the next decade, with a projected £1bn in residential development planned across the UK. Backed by the Department for Transport, Platform4 marks a departure from previous, fragmented approaches to station-adjacent regeneration, where Network Rail and LCR operated independently. By bringing both under one umbrella, the government expects to boost delivery speed and scale, potentially generating an additional £227 million in value through strategic alignment. Platform4’s mission is to repurpose surplus railway land for housing, attract private sector investment, and stimulate urban renewal in key areas. The initiative has four flagship sites lined up for initial development: Former Lendlease managing director Bek Seeley will chair Platform4. Seeley also leads the government’s Euston housing delivery group and brings a track record in large-scale regeneration and place-making. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Our railways are more than just connections between places – they create economic opportunity and drive regeneration. It’s exciting to picture the vibrant neighbourhoods, family homes, and businesses that will grow out of these sites.” Profits from Platform4 will be reinvested into the national rail infrastructure, creating a circular model of development and improvement. Industry figures have welcomed the move. Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the Home Builders Federation, said the initiative will help “address our chronic housing crisis, allow young people to access decent accommodation, and generate investment in infrastructure and amenities.” The British Property Federation added that releasing under-utilised public land in this way has the potential to “stimulate local regeneration, drive economic growth, and deliver long-term benefits to communities across the country.” With an eye on sustainable growth and strategic placemaking, Platform4 is expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping urban environments around the UK’s transport networks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first residents will begin to move in through the summer as This City begins completion phase for its development in the heart of Manchester. The No. 1 Ancoats Green development of 129 low carbon homes – a mix of 119 apartments and 10 town houses – using Council-owned land to build the homes that the city needs with a range of sizes from one to four bedrooms. 30% of the homes will be let at the genuinely affordable Manchester Living Rent, which can be covered by the local housing allowance and therefore affordable to as many people in the city as possible. The project started on site in 2023 as the maiden development for This City (the Council’s housing development company) with the aim of increasing the delivery of homes to meet demand using brownfield land, while also improving access to genuinely affordable housing and creating more options for Manchester residents. No. 1 Ancoats Green overlooks a transformed Ancoats Green with the public realm surrounding the homes seamlessly into the new park and through to the Ancoats neighbourhood. The homes have the facilities and attractions of the city centre on their doorstep, serviced by great transport links together with walking and cycling routes. Each of the properties have large triple glazed windows, alongside industry leading air tightness and insulation for energy efficiency to keep the homes cool in the summer and keep running costs down in the winter months. Residents will also have the opportunity to make use of the brand new Ancoats Mobility Hub for cycle storage, electric vehicle charging and car parking. No. 1 Ancoats Green represents the first phase of an exciting pipeline of projects for This City that will see more than 1,500 new homes built in the second phase – delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Pension Fund. See notes to editors for more information. There will also be an open day taking place on Friday, August 1, at 11am, where members of the public will be able to visit the development and receive a personalised tour of the site, with an opportunity to have their questions answered by a member of the team. Find out more about This City This City is contributing the Council’s ambitious housing strategy that has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 36,000 homes between 2022 and 2032. At least 10,000 will be for social rent, Council and genuinely affordable homes – of which at least 3,000 will be in the city centre. Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, said: “No. 1 Ancoats Green is the product of a vision we have had since the inception of This City, to use our own land to build the homes we know our residents want and need, to a high specification, and on our own terms. For many years it has been incredibly challenging for Councils to build homes to meet demand, but through This City we are proving that it is possible – while also delivering genuinely affordable housing for our residents. This is only the beginning for This City and through our new joint venture partnership with the GM pension fund, we are scaling up delivery and we have more than 1,500 new homes in the coming years with sites across the city.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “This is an exciting milestone for This City. I’ve been following the progress of this development from the beginning and it’s brilliant to start welcoming the first residents into their new, quality homes. With the Ancoats Green and the city centre on the doorstep, this is surely one of the most attractive developments on offer right now. And importantly, 30% of these homes are genuinely affordable and capped at the Manchester Living Rent meaning as many people as possible in the city can access them.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals