National retailer expands at Prologis Park Marston Gate
A leading national retailer has doubled its footprint at Prologis Park Marston Gate, securing a new national distribution centre to support its continued growth. The move will sustain hundreds of jobs locally in Central Bedfordshire, positioning the business to handle increasing order volumes and is expected to be fully operational for peak trading in Q4. The new facility, DC2, will bring together the retailer’s national and regional distribution operations, alongside new office space and a dedicated training facility. Once complete, it will serve as a technology-enabled hub for storage, fulfilment and customer service. Prior to taking occupation, Prologis undertook a comprehensive refurbishment of DC2, including a full renewal of the office space and sustainability-focused upgrades to achieve an EPC A rating. Through Prologis Essentials, the unit will be fitted out with wide-aisle racking and energy-efficient LED lighting, ensuring the space is ready for efficient, sustainable operations. A bespoke skills academy will also be created on site, providing colleagues with opportunities to develop expertise in logistics operations and customer service. By remaining at Marston Gate, the retailer is able to retain its experienced workforce while benefiting from the park’s amenities, including a café, landscaped green spaces and walking routes. Prologis facilitated the expansion through a seamless Prologis-to-Prologis transaction, demonstrating its commitment to helping customers grow within sustainable, high-quality logistics spaces. Gillian Scarth, Leasing Director, Prologis UK: “This expansion at Marston Gate demonstrates how this well-located park can support a growing retailer whilst minimising operational disruption. By refurbishing DC2 to modern, energy-efficient standards and streamlining the move, we’re enabling our customer to scale sustainably and keep its talent exactly where it belongs – here in Central Bedfordshire.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Premier Inn maps out fresh growth push across the South East
Whitbread is gearing up for a fresh phase of expansion in the South East, with plans to bring new Premier Inn hotels to six key locations across Surrey, Kent and Sussex. Following a detailed review of its existing network and future demand, the company has identified Rye in Sussex; Canterbury and Broadstairs in Kent; and Caterham, Weybridge and Leatherhead in Surrey as priority targets for new sites. The move forms part of Whitbread’s wider strategy to capture opportunities in high-demand regional markets and respond to shifts in the hotel landscape. To drive the programme, Whitbread has appointed James Hall as Acquisitions and Development Manager. He will work closely with local authorities, landowners, investment agencies and developers to unlock suitable plots and underused assets. The focus is on locations that can accommodate hotels of around 100 bedrooms or more, whether through new-build schemes, the repurposing of vacant buildings, or the regeneration of town centre sites. Premier Inn already operates more than 85,000 rooms across the UK and Ireland, and Whitbread sees clear potential to grow this to 125,000 over the long term. The new South East targets are underpinned by data showing strong guest demand for additional capacity in these markets, as well as the brand’s confidence in its value-led offer. The company continues to refine its property strategy to ensure it has the right hotels in the right places, balancing freehold and leasehold opportunities. Alongside growth in Surrey, Kent and Sussex, Whitbread is also exploring further prospects in Greater London and other parts of the UK and Ireland, while expanding its footprint in Germany. With more than 855 hotels already trading across the UK and Ireland, Premier Inn aims to combine its established brand strength with flexible development requirements and robust investment capacity. The planned sites in the South East represent the next step in that trajectory, supporting local regeneration while meeting rising demand from business and leisure travellers alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stoford appointed as development manager for 200-acre MK East logistics scheme
Berkeley Group has appointed Stoford as development manager to lead the delivery of MK East, a prime logistics development site off Junction 14 of the southern M1 motorway near Milton Keynes. The indicative masterplan envisages the development of up to c.4 million sq ft of industrial/logistics accommodation on a 200-acre site, with capacity for a wide range of buildings from 40,000 to 1.5 million sq ft. Once complete MK East will support up to 7,150 permanent jobs in the heart of the government’s Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. Development plots are available for sale, with units offered on flexible leasehold or freehold design-and-build terms, giving occupiers the ability to tailor space to their requirements. MK East has outline planning consent and is fully serviced with estate roads, drainage, utilities, and 21 MVA of secured power. All buildings are targeted to achieve BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+, and the scheme will feature extensive green and recreational spaces, including walking and cycling paths. Subject to reserved matters approval, units at MK East are expected to be delivered from Q3 2027 onwards. CBRE has been appointed as marketing agent for the scheme. Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director at Stoford, said: “We are pleased to be working with Berkeley Group to deliver an outstanding logistics development at the heart of the UK’s supply chain network. MK East is a flexible, sustainable development of significant scale, and with planning and infrastructure already in place, we’re already engaging with occupiers to bring forward the first phase of development.” Stephen Kirwan, Managing Director of St Joseph, part of Berkeley Group, said: “Our shared vision for MK East is to create a sustainable, high-quality employment destination that meets the needs of both local and national businesses, driving long-term economic growth and bringing thousands of jobs to Milton Keynes.” MK East forms part of Berkeley Group’s wider Milton Keynes East masterplan. The logistic hub is located on the southern boundary of the site, close to the M1, and is a key part of Milton Keynes City Council’s development framework. The wider masterplan area to the north will be separated from the logistics hub with a landscape buffer. It has outline planning consent for a new neighbourhood of up to 4,600 new homes, 99 hectares of green space and a mix of community facilities. For more information on MK East logistics, please visit https://mkeast.com/ or contact agents CBRE – Alex Scofield, Olivia Newport and Hannah Metcalfe. For more information on the wider Milton Keynes East Masterplan, please contact MKE@redwoodcomms.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
East West Rail unveils major redesign as £7bn plan accelerates
The team behind East West Rail has revealed a significant rethink of the Oxford–Cambridge route, with a much larger and more ambitious station-building programme now at the heart of the £7bn scheme. More than 80 design changes have been added as the project moves towards its Development Consent Order, reshaping the service pattern, expanding station provision and introducing new access points across the line. The most dramatic shift affects the Marston Vale Line, where nine ageing stations are set to be replaced by four larger, modern facilities. One of these is a completely new station at Stewartby, positioned to support the proposed Universal Studios theme park. The other three consolidated stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont and Lidlington will take the place of nine existing low-use stops, forming a more streamlined and efficient set of interchanges. Key new and updated stations include:• Cambridge East – a new station near Cambridge Airport, now within the project scope and dependent on third-party funding.• Cambourne (EWR) – unchanged in location but now one of five stations serving the wider Cambridge area.• Stewartby (new) – serving Universal Studios’ proposed visitor resort.• Three new consolidated Marston Vale Line stations – replacing nine smaller stops.• Tempsford (new) – with an added southern entrance to support government-backed new town plans, and a fast-tracked East Coast Main Line phase.• Cambridge station – a new eastern entrance with an active travel hub and enhanced walking and cycling connections.• Bletchley station – a proposed eastern entrance improving town-centre and bus interchange access, subject to external funding. Cambridge sees the most substantial expansion, with the new Cambridge East station easing mounting pressure on the city’s busy main station and opening up new growth opportunities. The long-planned eastern entrance at Cambridge station also forms part of the redesign. Bletchley is in line for its own eastern entrance, improving integration with the town centre. In Oxford, adjustments have been made to support the reinstatement of the Cowley Branch Line, which will unlock capacity at Oxford station and allow East West Rail to operate its full timetable. Further east, the planned southern entrance at Tempsford will link directly with the government’s new town proposals, while ministers have instructed East West Rail Company and Network Rail to accelerate the East Coast Main Line phase in response to future development pressures. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the project represents far more than a new railway, describing it as a catalyst for growth, jobs and long-term regional opportunity. She added that modern infrastructure investment would help create a greener and more reliable network for millions of passengers. A further round of consultation is expected in the New Year, ahead of a full DCO submission planned for late spring or early summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Moda Group achieves GRESB Four-Star status, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable living
Moda Group is proud to announce its certification as a GRESB Four-Star organisation for the first time, while also retaining its GRESB Green Star status for the second consecutive year. This recognition highlights Moda’s ongoing leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and reaffirms its commitment to creating sustainable, future-proof communities across the UK. GRESB is the global benchmark for ESG performance in real estate and infrastructure. This year, Moda delivered strong, measurable improvements across both its Development and Operations GRESB platforms, to achieve its four-star rating, putting its scores above peer and global averages. These results underscore Moda’s unwavering commitment to driving performance and continuous improvement across every area of its business. The GRESB Development Benchmark assesses the sustainability of projects throughout planning, design and construction, while the Operational Benchmark evaluates how assets are managed in terms of energy use, emissions, waste and social impact. Together, these frameworks provide a comprehensive view of how organisations like Moda perform against international sustainability standards. Moda Group’s development platform rose to an impressive 96/100, up from 89/100, while its operational platform increased to 89/100, up from 81/100. Moda’s ESG strategy, Next Generation Futures, continues to guide how the business designs, builds and operates its neighbourhoods, with sustainability embedded in every decision. This strategic approach has directly contributed to Moda’s outstanding GRESB scores, ensuring that environmental and social responsibility are not only prioritised but also measured and improved year-on-year. Several Moda neighbourhoods, including New York Square in Leeds, The Mercian in Birmingham, The Lexington in Liverpool and The McEwan in Edinburgh are REGO certified, sourcing electricity from 100% renewable sources such as wind, hydro and solar. The Group has also committed to reducing operational carbon, waste and water consumption with a group-wide commitment to strategically driving down emissions for the long term. Moda’s neighbourhoods are designed with sustainability at their core, featuring energy-efficient lighting, low-carbon heating systems and EV charging points, supported by travel management initiatives such as free access to Beryl Bikes to reduce congestion and air pollution. In partnership with Utopi, Moda also utilises smart building technology that enables real-time monitoring of energy use and indoor air quality, helping residents make more sustainable choices. Tarry Depledge, ESG Manager at Moda Group said:“These results are firm evidence that sustainability and governance are taken seriously and are at the core of Moda Group’s strategy. As an established and trusted developer and operator, we will continue our dedicated work to deliver the most environmentally and socially sustainable places for our residents, teams and wider communities.” Moda’s continued success across GRESB and other ESG benchmarks reflects its ambition to lead the way in responsible, people-first development, driving progress through innovation, transparency and collaboration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Loudoun Retail Park officially launches as Greggs and Farmfoods open their doors
Multimillion-pound investment brings up to 60 jobs, Scotland-leading ultra-rapid EV charging points and a confidence boost for the Irvine Valley East Ayrshire’s Irvine Valley has received its most significant economic boost in decades with the formal launch of the new Loudoun Retail Park in Galston last Thursday (13 November). In addition to retailers Greggs and Farmfoods which are already drawing crowds, energy giant E.ON has installed eight 300 kW EV charging bays which are amongst the most powerful and fastest in Scotland. The development, led by local businessmen Gareth Downie and Paul McIvor of Downie & McIvor Capital, represents a multimillion-pound investment and is already delivering on its ambition to revitalise confidence in the potential of the Irvine Valley with modern retail, new employment and improved amenities. Farmfoods’ state-of-the-art 11,000 sq ft store features its newest format, while Greggs’ 1,500 sq ft unit, includes plans to launch Just Eat deliveries shortly. Both retail offerings have already proved popular with higher-than-forecast footfall. Together, the stores are expected to create dozens of jobs and retain everyday spending within the Irvine Valley rather than obliging residents to travel to Kilmarnock. In addition, the development will boost local contracting jobs in ongoing maintenance and landscaping work. The site’s eight E.ON ultra-rapid 300 kW EV charging bays also puts Galston firmly on the map since it is amongst only a handful of locations in Scotland with such levels and rapidity of charging capability. Drivers can charge from around 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes, creating a new “stop and shop” destination for electric vehicle users. More than 24,000 vehicles pass the site every day, with initial data showing a further increase in traffic since opening. Loudoun Retail Park has over 100 parking spaces, laid out to maximise accessibility including dedicated disabled, parent and child bays, and a separate zone for EV charging. Gareth said: “This is genuinely the most significant development for the Irvine Valley in thirty years, not only in terms of private sector investment, but in the impact it will have on jobs, confidence and the quality of life in our community. “Our aim from the outset was to bring proper amenities, modern retail and real economic activity back into the Valley, and it is already doing exactly that. “Historically, the Irvine Valley has been largely overlooked by national retailers, but this is now changing. The successful opening of Loudoun Retail Park demonstrates the strength of the local market and should act as a catalyst for further investment across the wider area. “It also opens the door for delivery platforms such as Just Eat to serve national retailers in the Valley properly for the first time, creating further local employment and economic activity. “Both Paul and I grew up here, so this is personal. We are grateful for the encouragement we have received from East Ayrshire Council and are extremely proud of what we have created and the positive difference it is already making. “We are already getting lots of interest in the remaining 3,000 sq ft of roadside retail space which can be split into two units, plus our new 2,500 sq ft modern two-storey office building with its own entrance and foyer, whose occupiers will benefit from free parking, on-site retail and the ultra-rapid EV chargers.” Paul said: “We wanted this to be a development that genuinely supports the local economy throughout its lifespan, from the contractors building it to the people working and shopping here. “Throughout the construction phase, the project employed a broad range of local contractors and suppliers, supporting jobs locally, and we aim to continue that theme. The early response from local people has been fantastic, and we’re only just getting started.” Gareth added: “This isn’t just about a retail park; it’s about the bigger picture. The jobs, footfall and amenities are important, but the real legacy will be the confidence it creates for further private investment across the Irvine Valley.” All retail and office enquiries are being handled by Stephen McParlane at McParlane Property. Loudoun Retail Park website: www.loudounretailpark.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals