Laing O’Rourke and HMJV Land Key Packages on £1bn Grid Upgrade for AI and Data Centre Boom
Laing O’Rourke and the Hochtief Murphy joint venture (HMJV) have secured major construction packages on National Grid’s £1 billion North West London Upgrade, a substantial infrastructure programme designed to strengthen electricity capacity and support the rapid expansion of data centres and digital infrastructure. The project will reinforce the electricity transmission network running between Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and North West London, creating additional capacity to connect five new data centres with a combined electricity demand of 1GW. Laing O’Rourke has been appointed to deliver new and upgraded substations at Letchmore Heath, Elstree and St John’s Wood, forming a major element of the programme’s civil engineering and electrical infrastructure works. HMJV will undertake the installation of new 400kV cables and upgrade the existing transmission tunnel between Elstree and St John’s Wood. The wider supply chain will include Hyundai Electric, which will provide transformers and other major electrical equipment, while Siemens Energy will supply shunt reactors for the upgraded Elstree substation. Stretching from Sundon substation in Bedfordshire through Elstree in Hertfordshire and onwards to St John’s Wood in London, the programme represents a significant reinforcement of the electricity infrastructure serving the capital and surrounding areas. The works include upgrades at Sundon and a 35km reconductoring programme on the Sundon-to-Elstree overhead line. Elstree substation will be extended, a new substation will be constructed at Letchmore Heath and further reinforcement works will be undertaken at St John’s Wood. More than 200km of overhead line will be upgraded as part of the programme, while another 60km of new high-voltage cable will be installed through the existing 20km-long transmission tunnel between Elstree and St John’s Wood. The tunnel was originally designed with sufficient capacity to accommodate an additional transmission circuit, enabling National Grid to significantly increase capacity while making use of existing underground infrastructure. The investment comes as the growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other digital services drives increasing demand for energy-intensive data centre developments, particularly around London and the wider South East. The ability to secure sufficient electricity connections has become an increasingly important consideration for the development and construction of new data centre campuses. National Grid’s programme will provide capacity for five new facilities while simultaneously strengthening the network for homes, businesses and future developments. National Grid said the investment will improve network resilience, unlock future electricity connections and reduce long-term constraint costs across the transmission system. The North West London Upgrade brings together major civil engineering, tunnelling, cabling, substation and electrical engineering packages within a single infrastructure programme. With Laing O’Rourke and HMJV taking leading delivery roles, the £1 billion investment will provide critical new capacity as London’s built environment responds to the continued expansion of AI and digital infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VINCI UK Delivers Record Growth as Profit Surges Following Major Group Integration
VINCI Construction Holding UK has reported a significant rise in profitability following the successful integration of its UK businesses, with pre-tax profit climbing 51% to almost £100 million as revenue approached the £3 billion mark. The strong financial performance comes after the French-owned infrastructure group completed a major corporate restructuring, bringing together Eurovia, Ringway, Taylor Woodrow, VINCI Building, VINCI Facilities and newly acquired FM Conway under a single UK operating structure. Combined revenue, including joint ventures, increased by almost 20% during 2025 to reach £2.9 billion, reflecting robust demand across highways, civil engineering, construction and infrastructure markets. For the construction sector, the results demonstrate the benefits of strategic consolidation, with improved operational efficiencies and stronger project delivery contributing to higher profitability across the enlarged business. Operating margins more than doubled during the year, rising from 1.7% to 3.5%. The improvement was driven by stronger performances across several divisions, including the return of the facilities management business to profitability and increased margins within Taylor Woodrow’s civil engineering operations. FM Conway made the largest contribution following its acquisition at the end of January, adding £569 million in revenue and almost £39 million in operating profit to the enlarged group. Among VINCI’s established businesses, highways maintenance specialist Ringway once again delivered one of the strongest operating performances, while Taylor Woodrow increased its operating profit contribution from £17 million to £19 million as investment in major infrastructure projects continued. Eurovia also delivered a solid trading performance during the year. However, VINCI Building and VINCI Facilities continued to face challenges associated with legacy projects, which constrained profitability despite generating combined revenues of more than £1.1 billion. The enlarged group also expanded its workforce significantly, with employee numbers rising by more than a third to almost 9,000 people following the integration of FM Conway into the business. Scott Wardrop, Chief Executive of VINCI Construction Holding UK, said: “These results are a credit to the six core operating business managing directors, their respective senior management teams in each of our principal operating businesses and all our teams in our business units and projects. “We have all endured significant change in our careers, but this intense period is unprecedented. “However, we are optimistic, and we have three-year plans for each business and each business unit, and plan to deliver +4.0% in 2026. “We will keep evolving through optimisation, innovation and transformation and continue to develop into a strong and resilient dynamic UK infrastructure group.” The results reinforce VINCI’s position as one of the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure businesses, with expertise spanning highways, civil engineering, commercial building, facilities management and major infrastructure delivery. As investment continues across transport, utilities, commercial property and public sector infrastructure, VINCI Construction Holding UK enters the next phase of its growth with a strengthened balance sheet, an expanded workforce and a diversified portfolio capable of delivering complex projects across the built environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni submits plans for 1 million sq ft at Panattoni Park Maidstone
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned developer of industrial real estate, has submitted a hybrid planning application for Panattoni Park Maidstone, a major new 1.04 million sq ft industrial and logistics development in Kent. The application includes detailed proposals for the first phase, comprising two units of 100,000 sq ft and 150,000 sq ft. Outline permission is being sought for the second phase, which will provide customers with opportunities to secure flexible built-to-suit facilities tailored to their operational requirements. The 70-acre site at Lenham is a former manufacturing site being brought back into productive use. It is strategically located close to the A20 and M20, providing strong connections to London, the M25, and key ports serving the UK and continental Europe. The application follows an extensive programme of local consultation. More than 150 people attended a public exhibition in Lenham earlier this year, and feedback showed strong support for the proposals: nearly 85% of respondents backed redeveloping the site for employment use, and 98.5% agreed that redeveloping brownfield land was preferable to building on greenfield. The development will target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A+ ratings, with buildings designed to support modern logistics, manufacturing, and distribution operations. Alongside the commercial floorspace, the scheme will deliver around 5km of new and improved roads, cycleways and footpaths, together with landscaping and enhanced public access across the site. Panattoni’s nearby scheme at Aylesford as evidence of the economic potential of industrial and logistics developments. Also a redeveloped Kent brownfield site, Panattoni Park Aylesford is now fully occupied and contributes an estimated £180 million a year to the local economy, supporting thousands of jobs. David McGougan, Senior Development Director for the South East at Panattoni, said: “This is a significant planning application that will unlock more than one million square feet of high-quality industrial and logistics space in a market where modern supply remains constrained. “The combination of immediately available units and flexible built-to-suit opportunities will allow us to respond to a broad range of customer requirements. Panattoni Park Maidstone is exceptionally well located for businesses serving London, the South East, and European markets.” Colliers, CBRE, and Vail Williams are the retained agents for Panattoni Park Maidstone. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landmark HSBC Canary Wharf Tower Set for £1bn Mixed-Use Transformation
Plans have been submitted for a major retrofit of HSBC’s landmark Canary Wharf headquarters, paving the way for one of the world’s largest office building transformations. Canary Wharf Group and building owner Qatar Investment Authority have lodged proposals with Tower Hamlets Council to reinvent the 45-storey tower at 8 Canada Square as a new mixed-use destination combining offices, hospitality, leisure and publicly accessible spaces. While the development cost has not been confirmed, the ambitious project is expected to represent an investment in the region of £800 million to £1 billion. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the retrofit-led scheme will retain much of the existing 1.1 million sq ft structure while making substantial architectural interventions to reposition the former banking headquarters for its next generation of occupiers. A major feature of the design will be the transformation of the tower’s upper levels, where sections of the existing floorplates will be removed to introduce landscaped terraces and create a striking new profile on the Canary Wharf skyline. The redevelopment will retain significant office accommodation while introducing an 181-room hotel, restaurants and leisure facilities across the upper floors, reflecting the continued evolution of Canary Wharf from a predominantly commercial district into a broader mixed-use destination. At the centre of the proposals is the “Cloud”, a new publicly accessible destination across levels 42 and 43. Large sections of the upper floorplates will be removed to create a rooftop venue offering panoramic 360-degree views across London. At ground level, the redevelopment will also improve connectivity through the estate. A new north-south pedestrian route is planned through the building, creating a direct connection between the Elizabeth line station and Canada Square Park and helping to open up the tower to the surrounding public realm. HSBC is due to leave 8 Canada Square in 2027 when its existing lease expires, ahead of relocating its headquarters to the City of London. Strip-out works are expected to begin following the bank’s departure, with the main three-year construction programme scheduled to commence in 2028. KPF secured the commission after winning a design competition for the redevelopment in 2024. The shortlist is understood to have included Foster + Partners, the architectural practice responsible for the original tower, and Danish studio 3XN. The wider professional team brings together a number of leading construction and engineering specialists. Gardiner & Theobald is acting as project manager and cost consultant, Robert Bird Group is providing structural engineering expertise, while Sweco is responsible for MEP and sustainability consultancy. The proposals represent a significant example of large-scale adaptive reuse within the commercial property sector, retaining much of an existing high-rise structure while introducing new uses, modern building services, public spaces and extensive architectural alterations. If approved, the transformation of 8 Canada Square will mark a new chapter for one of Canary Wharf’s most recognisable buildings, demonstrating how major office towers can be repositioned to meet changing occupier requirements while supporting the district’s continuing shift towards a more diverse mix of workplaces, hospitality, leisure and public amenities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Liberton High School opens doors to pupils
Cutting-edge building replaces existing Liberton High School as part of new community, lifelong learning and sports campus Staff and pupils at Liberton High School have started the new school year in their brand new state-of-the-art learning and community campus this week, after the building was handed over to the Council. Balfour Beatty was appointed by the Council to deliver the new building, which has been designed by jmarchitects. The new campus has been formed with the needs of learners in mind. To encourage collaborative learning, the school building features breakout and retreat spaces to offer pupils choice on where they want to work, socialise or take time out. Large windows fill the building with natural light, while helping to connect departments and classrooms with outdoor spaces. Internal spaces have been decorated with warm colours and light woods to create comfortable spaces for learning and coming together. Outdoor sports facilities include a new 3G synthetic rugby and football pitch and a multi-use games area. A new grass recreation area that can be lined for football or other sports activities will be added following the demolition of the former Liberton High School building. The 1,200-space school forms the centrepiece of the new Liberton Community Campus, a multi-purpose facility to help meet the needs of young people, their families and the wider community. Its spaces have been designed to allow all generations to come together in a number of ways, including a community café, library, GP surgery and workspaces for Council partners. New sports facilities operated by Edinburgh Leisure will feature bookable amenities for the whole community, including a fitness suite and dance studio. Information on when the other community facilities within the building will be ready for use will be published soon. The new Community Campus has been built to Passivhaus standard, minimising energy consumption and reducing the reliance on active heating or cooling systems, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly construction. In addition to the Passivhaus design, the new school contains other sustainable features supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments. This includes measures to improve the air quality and thermal performance of the building which are vital to achieving Passivhaus certification. The new school building has been designed in line with the guiding principles of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy and is one of the projects in the second phase of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, alongside the project to redevelop Wester Hailes High School. Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: The opening of the new Liberton High School marks a major milestone for pupils, staff and the wider community. This building has been designed to be futureproof with sustainability at its core, and I’m proud that it stands as one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools. The school’s leadership team has played a crucial role in shaping a learning environment that puts the needs of young people first, while also meeting our commitments to a net‑zero future. This project is however about more than just a school. It’s the foundation of a community lifelong‑learning and sports hub that will bring together education, public services and local amenities in one accessible place, from a Community Library to an NHS GP Surgery. This reflects our ‘Living Well Locally’ strategy, ensuring local services are co‑located where people need them most. Our aim is simple: to put local people at the heart of this campus, giving everyone the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive. I’m delighted that this exceptional new building will help to bring more local people in the community together, and we’re looking forward to announcing more about the new community facilities soon. Stuart Danskin, Project Director at Balfour Beatty said: As Balfour Beatty’s first Passivhaus secondary school and the centrepiece of the new Liberton Community Campus, the successful completion of Liberton High School demonstrates our expertise in delivering innovative and sustainable infrastructure that creates lasting value for communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lovell Renew and Amplius enter next phase of £58m social housing retrofit programme
Lovell Renew and Amplius kickstart year two of their partnership REFURBISHMENT and retrofit specialist Lovell Renew has officially commenced the second year of its three-year retrofit partnership programme with social housing provider Amplius. As part of the £58m Wave 3 Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund programme, the contract will deliver extensive energy-efficiency improvements to homes across Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Peterborough. Following a successful first year that saw 713 homes upgraded in 2025/2026, the partnership is now scaling up operations, to complete 750 in year two, 750 in year three and a further award of additionality to complete circa 1,500 additional properties within the same period. In total, the Wave 3 programme aims to improve more than 3,700 properties across Amplius’ portfolio by March 2028. Working with Amplius – a Strategic Partner with DESNZ, Lovell will also be improving approximately 250 more homes with Solar PV and battery installations taking us to almost 4000 upgraded properties. Matt Hickman, refurbishment partnerships director at Lovell Renew said: “Reaching the start of year two in our Wave 3 programme is a fantastic milestone for our team and our longstanding partners at Amplius Living. The application for funding to complete a further 1,800 homes also showcases the confidence in the partnership and our ability to deliver people-focused retrofit at scale and pace. “Having set high standards during Wave 2, we’re proud to build on that foundation and continue delivering high-quality, resident-focused decarbonisation across Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, and Peterborough. We also understand that retrofit is about far more than lowering carbon emissions, focusing on how we can improve people’s lives, tackle fuel poverty and make homes warmer and healthier. “ The Wave 3 programme builds on the successful completion of the earlier £15m Wave 2 contract, where Lovell Renew upgraded 260 properties in 2024/2025 installing more than 3,000 energy measures. That initial phase achieved a 98% resident satisfaction score (against a 95% target), 99.6% waste diversion from landfill and a 100% success rate in raising energy performance ratings from D-G up to EPC C or higher. Through a full PAS 2035 turnkey approach, homes are benefiting from a comprehensive suite of measures– including external and internal wall insulation, loft insulation, high-efficiency windows and doors, solar PV, air source heat pumps and AICO environmental monitoring sensors. Fallon Warren, head of asset optimisation, sustainability and commercial facilities at Amplius said: “Building on the success of our first year, we’re delighted to continue our partnership with Lovell Renew as we enter the next phase of our Warm Homes programme. What makes this partnership so successful is our shared vision and passion for delivering retrofit the right way – not simply installing energy efficiency measures, but creating safer, healthier and more affordable homes while putting our customers at the heart of every decision we make. “Together, we’ve developed a collaborative approach that focuses on quality, resident engagement and long-term outcomes, ensuring customers are supported throughout their retrofit journey. As we significantly increase delivery over the coming two years, we’re confident that by continuing to work together we can improve thousands more homes, reduce fuel poverty, lower carbon emissions and leave a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve.” Lovell Renew has also consistently prioritised social value within its programmes by employing a local supply chain and promoting material reuse and recycling. Outside of physical works, the team heavily invested in the community, completing initiatives such as coffee mornings and drop-in days for residents to give feedback, school engagement sessions focused on sustainable construction careers and environmental responsibility and making Christmas donations of selection boxes across the delivery areas. In addition, Lovell Renew has been working with ‘Stop Social Housing Stigma’ – a tenant led campaign that celebrates the value of social housing, acting to breakdown the stereotypes and stigma associated with being a social housing tenant. For more information, visit: https://corporate.lovell.co.uk/lovell-renew Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals