Green Light for Mercia Park Expansion Paving the Way for More Than 1,700 New Jobs
Plans to expand Leicestershire’s Mercia Park have been approved, opening the door to the creation of up to 1,720 new jobs. The employment hub, located close to Junction 11 of the M42, already houses JLR’s Global Logistics Centre. Developer IM Properties submitted the hybrid planning application for the next phase of growth. The site currently supports more than 2,500 jobs and is home to JLR’s Global Logistics Centre (operated by Unipart) as well as a major facility for international logistics specialist DSV. The proposed expansion, split across two development zones, will deliver significant new commercial space and is expected to accommodate between 1,000 and 1,720 additional roles once fully operational. The scheme is also projected to generate around £2.8m per year in business rates. Development Zone 1 includes approximately 611,000 sq ft of employment space, with a further 442,000 sq ft planned for Zone 2. A report to North West Leicestershire Council’s Planning Committee, which met on 9 December, stated that the development’s contribution to economic growth and its ability to meet immediate demand for high-quality business space made it a strong fit for the area’s social and economic needs. Councillors voted to approve the plans subject to conditions. Speaking when the application was submitted, Matthew Fox, planning director at IM Properties, said that Mercia Park had proven itself as a prime business location with excellent transport links, net-zero-ready buildings and a high-quality landscaped environment. He added that expanding the site would build on its success and deliver much-needed commercial space to support investment in Leicestershire. Richard Sykes, development director at IM Properties, welcomed the committee’s decision, saying it marked a key step towards unlocking new employment opportunities and boosting the economy of North West Leicestershire. With DSV already planning an additional facility within the scheme, he said the expansion is well placed to attract another major manufacturer or logistics operator to the remaining 450,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren and Arlington Advance £2bn York Central Vision with Major First-Phase Planning Submission
The £2bn York Central regeneration scheme has taken another decisive step forward, with McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate submitting a comprehensive planning application for the next major building phase. Known as phase 1C, the proposal represents the most substantial package of development brought forward so far and sets the foundations for delivering one of the largest regeneration projects in the country. The application outlines the creation of a new mixed-use district beside York Railway Station, located on a 45-hectare brownfield site that is larger than the scale of the King’s Cross redevelopment in London. The plans include 999 new homes across different tenures, with 20 per cent allocated as affordable housing, marking a significant contribution to meeting local housing need. In addition to residential development, the submission features a 99,188 sq ft innovation hub to support business growth and enterprise, 69,255 sq ft of retail and leisure space, and a 213-bed hotel designed to enhance the city’s visitor offer. Major new infrastructure is also proposed, including a new western entrance to York Railway Station, improving access for passengers and integrating the new neighbourhood with the wider city centre. Extensive parkland, landscaped routes and public realm form a core part of the masterplan, ensuring that the development combines high-quality urban design with generous green spaces. City of York Council is anticipated to make a decision on the application in spring 2026. Headline plans for phase 1C include:• 999 mix-tenure homes, with 20% designated as affordable• A 99,188 sq ft innovation hub• 69,255 sq ft of retail and leisure space• A 213-bed hotel• A new western entrance to York Station• Significant parkland and public realm Earlier reserved matters approvals have already been secured for a 135,000 sq ft government office building and Museum Square, adding momentum to the wider regeneration programme. York Central is being brought forward by a partnership between McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate, working alongside Homes England and Network Rail. The project team continues to collaborate closely with City of York Council and the National Railway Museum, whose site sits within the broader scheme. With £135m of government funding already secured for enabling infrastructure, the development is set to deliver major economic benefits, supporting up to 6,500 direct and indirect jobs across construction, commercial activity, retail, hospitality and associated supply chains. The project aims to create a thriving live-work-play destination, blending new homes, employment space, community amenities and cultural attractions. Its scale and ambition mark it as one of the most significant regeneration opportunities currently under way in the UK, with long-term benefits expected for residents, businesses and visitors. Tom Gilman, managing director of McLaren Regeneration, said the submission marks an important milestone and demonstrates the project’s continued momentum. He noted that the development aligns with national ambitions to accelerate housebuilding and economic growth, while delivering a modern urban district for York. Leon Guyett, director of regeneration partnerships (York) at Homes England, added that the application illustrates how strategic government investment can unlock transformative regeneration and drive substantial change for cities and communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Secures Approval for Landmark Worksop Logistics Scheme Promising Up to 4,000 Jobs
A major industrial and logistics scheme in Worksop, covering up to 4.5 million sq ft and with the potential to create as many as 4,000 jobs, has won approval. Caddick’s hybrid planning application for the 300-acre site, positioned at the A1/A57 junction on the eastern approach to the town, was backed by Bassetlaw District Council’s Planning Committee on 10 December. Known as EM.EX Worksop, the development is the largest employment allocation in Bassetlaw’s adopted local plan. Once fully operational, it is expected to contribute £175m in GVA each year and generate £11.5m in annual business rates. Phase 1 will see Caddick deliver enabling infrastructure and prepare a fully serviced development plot, supported by detailed consent for a multi-level unit of around two million sq ft for an identified occupier. This first phase represents a significant milestone in activating the scheme, with hundreds of new roles in logistics, operations and support services set to follow. Outline permission has also been granted for the remaining phases, allowing for a further footprint of up to four million sq ft of ground-level industrial and logistics space. Across the full masterplan, the scheme has the capacity to create up to 4,000 jobs. Chris Procter, director at Caddick, said the approval was the result of years of collaboration with the local authority and positions the development to deliver on its long-term vision. He said EM.EX Worksop offers next-generation logistics space with the flexibility and connectivity required to attract both national and international companies, adding that ongoing investment would help cement Bassetlaw’s role within the UK’s industrial and logistics landscape. Construction of Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in 2026, with phased development of the wider scheme to follow, ultimately bringing forward a range of unit sizes. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, welcomed the decision, noting that the prospect of up to 4,000 new jobs is a major boost for the region. She highlighted the importance of distribution hubs to the East Midlands economy and said the scheme will reinforce the area’s standing as a leading logistics corridor. Sally Gillborn MBE, chief executive of North Notts BID, said EM.EX Worksop represents a significant opportunity for Bassetlaw, attracting increased investment and delivering high-quality employment that will strengthen the district’s reputation as a centre for industry, innovation and logistics. The project team includes Stantec as planning consultant, KPP as architect, FPCR for landscape and biodiversity, BWB for environmental services, Brookbanks as utilities consultants, and MBA providing lighting and BREEAM expertise. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Penta Real Estate Makes London Debut Through £700m Joint Venture with Ballymore
Slovakian developer Penta Real Estate has officially entered the UK market, launching its first London projects through a new 50/50 joint venture with urban regeneration specialist Ballymore. Together, the partners will deliver more than 680 new homes across two major residential schemes, marking a significant milestone in Penta’s international expansion. The developer has recently established a London office and is moving ahead with its initial developments after both secured full planning consent. Construction is already under way on the schemes, which have a combined gross development value of more than £700m. The first project, Cuba Street, is a 52-storey residential tower located on the edge of Canary Wharf. Designed to bring contemporary homes to one of London’s most dynamic business districts, the scheme is set to become a new landmark in the area. The second development, The Capston, forms the final phase of Ballymore’s ambitious Embassy Gardens regeneration in Nine Elms. The project will deliver 247 apartments across two buildings rising 11 and 22 storeys, completing one of London’s best-known regeneration masterplans. Pavel Streblov, managing director of Penta Real Estate UK, said the partnership marks an exciting moment for the business as it enters what he described as the world’s leading real estate market. He said the joint venture reflects a shared ambition with Ballymore to deliver high-quality homes and create positive outcomes for London’s communities. Streblov added that both organisations are committed to shaping distinctive and inspiring residential environments, and he looked forward to bringing forward new opportunities for Londoners. John Mulryan, group managing director at Ballymore, said securing the investment for the two schemes is a major achievement given current market conditions. He emphasised that with housing supply under pressure across the capital, progressing projects at pace is essential, and the partnership with Penta Real Estate will help ensure delivery continues. Mulryan noted that the two companies are aligned in both approach and ambition, and he welcomed the opportunity to establish what is expected to be a long-term collaboration in London’s residential sector. With construction under way at both sites, the joint venture is set to play a meaningful role in meeting demand for new homes in highly sought-after parts of the capital. For Penta, the developments mark the beginning of what is expected to be a wider programme of UK activity, following years of growth in Central Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Blueprint completes fourth fit out project for Worldline
Global technology provider Worldline has moved into a newly refurbished office space in Wolverhampton, following the completion of a fit out by Blueprint Interiors. Having moved into a new space within the same building, located just off junction two of the M54, Worldline appointed Blueprint to deliver a design that better served the team and brought the same standard as its other UK sites. In the UK over the last four years, Blueprint has renovated Worldline offices in Nottingham, Darlington and Chester. The new 6,500 sq. ft Wolverhampton office space has been designed to create an open, bright workspace with social zones, improved acoustics which allowed Worldline to install upgraded technology throughout. Features include a cafe and breakout area with shared benches and a pool table, a hideout room for quiet breaks or personal calls, and planting and tactile finishes to add texture and warmth. ESG credentials were a significant driver across the project utilising waste reduction and extending the life of existing resources. Worldline supported Blueprint on initiatives such as PC monitors being assessed and reused and wall partitions retained. Chloe Sproston, Creative Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Our long-term relationship and collaborative approach with Worldline has played a key part in creating a space focussed on smart design for long-term impact. “As well as creating workspaces that best support the team and productivity, we developed solutions that connected Worldline’s office network in the UK, while reflecting the unique character of each location. “Blueprint and Worldline’s shared goal remains the same; to create spaces that are connected, accessible and designed to support people, and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to bring our clients’ vision to life again, by delivering a creative, bespoke fit out on time and on budget.” Andrew Linsley, Operational Delivery Director at Worldline, said: “Over the past four years, we’ve partnered with Blueprint to transform our office spaces into enhanced collaboration hubs, equipped with cutting-edge technology that our teams rely on every day.” Tony Burgess, Director B2B Closed Loop Payment Cards Business, said: “As the home of Worldline’s Business Pay and Contact Centre activities, it is great to see our West Midlands home evolve into a welcoming, positive space. The enhancements have been very well received by both staff and visiting customer.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis announces cutting edge new development at DIRFT
Prologis UK, a leading property developer, investor and owner, has secured planning approval for a 107,000 sq ft distribution centre at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT), the UK’s largest inland freight hub. Construction works will begin in January 2026, paving the way for DC107 to be ready for occupation from August of that year. A distinctive new building for DIRFT The rail-linked new development will use a contemporary architectural approach that pushes the boundaries of logistics design. Features include a glazed south-facing external balcony and full-width bifold doors, integrating the outdoors with the internal work environment to support placemaking and wellbeing. The building will also target EPC A+ and BREEAM Outstanding. Enhanced Fit-Out for speed and efficiency Built on a speculative basis, DIRFT DC107 will include LED lighting and fire alarm systems alongside optimised racking options that can be provided by Prologis Essentials. Launched in 2025, Prologis’ Enhanced Fit-Out programme offers market leading “ready-to-operate” logistics facilities, saving customers time and money on design and installation of key high-level and long lead time elements. Building off the success of the enhanced fit-out campaign delivered during 2025, DC107 will come ready to operate from day one. Digital connectivity built in from day one DC107 will include high-quality, resilient digital infrastructure to support robust and scalable connectivity. Targeting WiredScore Gold, with Wi-Fi installed from day one, customers can plug and play immediately, helping save valuable operational time. This new approach aligns with Prologis UK’s commitment to improving and streamlining the customer experience for businesses of all sectors and sizes. James Hemstock, Vice President Capital Deployment at Prologis UK, said: “At just over 100,000 sq ft this unit’s size is quite a rarity at DIRFT, and offers the market a distinctive proposition. With a clear focus on developing logistics real estate in the most desirable locations, Prologis aims to meet growing demand and changing industry needs. The wide range of customers at DIRFT shows that the site offers a best-in-class logistics location for businesses needing to reach every corner of the UK efficiently and we anticipate that this new development will generate a high level of interest.” Design approach DC107 is a modern logistics facility designed by Stephen George + Partners (SGP) on behalf of Prologis UK. Tariq Khan, Studio Director at SGP, said: “This unit represents contemporary logistics design, where future proofing functionality, architectural quality and customer experience work hand in hand. Our approach focused on creating a building that not only performs efficiently but also enhances everyday wellbeing, with features helping to elevate the overall working environment.” DIRFT’s strategic location With three build-to-suit projects on site and further infrastructure being delivered, DC107 will complete the northern gateway to DIRFT with a statement building. DIRFT is strategically positioned at the UK’s centre of logistics (M1/M6/A14), with the added benefit of three on-site rail freight terminals. Recent leases at DIRFT include a 1.3 million sq. ft. build to suit development for M&S and a 327,689 sq. ft speculative unit for GXO. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “This has been an exceptional year for DIRFT. With construction and planning progressing well across the remainder of Phase III, DC107 marks our first speculative development onsite for some time and is our only available building at the park. We’re planning on bringing more positive news to the market in 2026 as we build on our strong momentum.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals