LaSalle Adds £300m-Plus Commitment as UK Property Mandate Reaches £1bn
LaSalle Investment Management has secured an additional commitment of more than £300 million for a UK local authority investment mandate, taking the strategy to £1 billion and providing further capital for investment across the country’s property market. The expansion represents a significant vote of confidence in UK real estate at a time when institutional investors are increasingly focused on assets capable of delivering resilient, long-term income alongside strong environmental and social performance. The mandate is being led at LaSalle by Sophie Simmonds and Philip La Pierre, with the additional capital significantly increasing the scale of the investment programme. For the UK built environment, the commitment has the potential to support further investment across property sectors where long-term institutional capital can play an important role in development, regeneration and the improvement of existing assets. Residential property, including Build to Rent (BTR), remains one of the areas attracting significant institutional attention as investors look towards professionally managed housing and other living sectors as part of diversified real estate strategies. The increase in LaSalle’s mandate to £1 billion also comes against a backdrop of continued change across the UK property investment market. Investors are increasingly assessing buildings not simply on location and rental performance, but on energy efficiency, operational performance, sustainability and their ability to meet changing occupier requirements. This creates opportunities throughout the construction and property supply chain. Institutional investment into new and existing assets can support development, refurbishment, retrofit, building services upgrades and improvements to public realm, while also creating longer-term requirements for asset and facilities management. LaSalle is one of the world’s major real estate investment managers, operating across a broad range of property sectors and investment strategies. The latest commitment provides the business with substantially greater capacity to pursue UK opportunities on behalf of its local authority mandate. With more than £300 million of additional capital now committed and the mandate reaching the £1 billion mark, the move demonstrates the continuing importance of large institutional investors to the future of the UK property market. For developers and the wider construction sector, the deployment of that capital will now be closely watched, particularly as investment opportunities emerge across residential and BTR, regeneration and other areas of the built environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£249m Refinancing Backs Next Chapter for Manchester’s Landmark Square Gardens
Downing has secured a £249.2 million refinancing package for two major residential towers at its £400 million Square Gardens development in Manchester, marking another significant milestone for one of the city’s largest new living schemes. The financing, provided by Bank of Ireland, covers Acer and The Fernley, the two completed co-living buildings within the wider Square Gardens development in Manchester’s First Street district. Together, the buildings provide a major concentration of new rental accommodation, with the 25-storey Acer and 45-storey Fernley forming the first two phases of the development. Both buildings are now operational, demonstrating the scale of demand for professionally managed, amenity-led rental accommodation in Manchester. Designed by Manchester-based SimpsonHaugh Architects, Square Gardens represents a substantial addition to the city’s evolving residential landscape. The wider £400 million development has been conceived as a new urban neighbourhood combining high-density living with extensive shared amenities, landscaped spaces and public realm. Residents have access to facilities including a gym and wellness centre, co-working and meeting areas, social lounges, private dining spaces and extensive landscaped gardens and terraces. Sustainability has also formed an important part of the development, with measures including air source heat pumps, while the scheme has targeted BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. The refinancing represents an important financial milestone following the completion and occupation of the two buildings. Savills Capital Advisors advised Downing on the transaction. Bay Downing, joint chief executive of Downing, described the deal as a landmark transaction for the business, highlighting the strength of the company’s portfolio and growing opportunities across the living sector. The deal is also significant for the wider UK residential market. Large-scale co-living and Build to Rent developments are becoming an increasingly established component of regeneration in major regional cities, combining new housing supply with extensive shared facilities and professionally managed environments. Square Gardens has been created using Downing’s vertically integrated approach, with development, construction and ongoing management delivered by the business. This has enabled the company to take the scheme from construction through to operation within the wider group. With Acer and The Fernley now completed and backed by £249.2 million of refinancing, Square Gardens is moving firmly from major construction project to established residential destination, reinforcing Manchester’s position as one of the UK’s leading markets for large-scale rental and co-living development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction Midlands & North appointed to deliver Mountpark Hinckley Units 2 & 3
McLaren Construction Midlands & North have been appointed by Mountpark to deliver Units 2 & 3 of its logistics development in Hinckley, a £48 million project that will provide two high-specification warehouse distribution units totaling 772,340 sq. ft. Located off Watling Street in Hinckley, the scheme comprises two single-storey industrial and logistics units, alongside associated transport hubs, office space, gatehouses, and extensive external works. Construction commenced in July 2026, with the steel frame scheduled to begin in September and completion forecast for spring 2027. It forms the second phase of the established Mountpark Hinckley logistics park, with the first phase and enabling infrastructure having already been completed. Unit 2 will provide approximately 514,100 sq. ft. of warehouse space with standard and Euro dock loading on both the east and west elevations, together with two transport hubs and 28,460 sq. ft. of office accommodation. Unit 3 will comprise approximately 258,248 sq. ft. of warehouse space with standard and Euro dock loading to the south elevation, one transport hub and 12,900 sq. ft. of office accommodation. McLaren Construction’s works also include the delivery of hardstanding, service yards, car parking, landscaping, mains services and drainage across the site, creating a high-quality industrial and logistics environment for occupiers. The project has been designed with sustainability at its core and is targeting a BREEAM Outstanding certification, alongside being WELL ready, with an embodied carbon target to support Mountpark’s commitment to delivering environmentally responsible logistics facilities. The wider development includes an extensive countryside walk with trim trail equipment and water features through existing and enhanced landscaping. As part of its social value ethos, McLaren Construction will work alongside the client and local stakeholders to develop a programme of community initiatives throughout the build. Gary Cramp, Managing Director at McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “We are pleased to have been appointed by Mountpark to deliver Phase 2, further strengthening our longstanding expertise in the industrial and logistics sector as a region and continuing our successful relationship with one of the UK’s leading developers. “The scheme will deliver two high-quality, sustainable warehouse facilities that are designed to meet the evolving needs of future occupiers while creating lasting benefits for the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
5,600 more on-street EV chargers installed for households without driveways
More than 5,600 public EV chargers have been installed through completed government-backed on-street charging projects in the past year, expanding access to charging for households without off-street parking. A review of newly published Department for Transport figures by specialist EV charging cable retailer EV Cable Hub found the number of public charging devices installed through completed On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) projects increased by 42.6%, from 13,325 on 1 July 2025 to 19,001 on 1 July 2026. ORCS was introduced specifically to help local authorities provide public charging infrastructure for residents who do not have access to private off-street parking. Separate analysis by EV Cable Hub found that the number of approved charging devices linked to incomplete ORCS projects also fell substantially over the same period, from 7,847 to 1,825. Jake Wardle, Founder at EV Cable Hub, said the figures show significant progress in improving access to public charging for households without off-street parking. He said: “For households without a driveway, access to reliable charging close to home can have a major influence on whether switching to an EV feels practical. “The growth in on-street infrastructure over the past year is therefore really encouraging. Thousands more charging devices have been delivered through completed projects, helping make public charging more accessible in residential areas. “There is still work taking place across some longer-running projects, but the overall direction is positive.” The scheme is now closed to new applications, with newer local charging infrastructure in England being supported through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. Three quarters of devices linked to incomplete projects relate to schemes approved by March 2023 EV Cable Hub’s analysis found that 18 of the 30 incomplete projects were approved by the end of March 2023. More than three quarters (76.6%) of the 1,825 approved devices are linked to projects approved by the end of the 2022/23 financial year, accounting for 1,398 devices. The 30 projects account for approximately £12.8 million in approved project awards, around £9.7 million of which relates to projects approved in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Government guidance set a standard completion deadline of March 2025 for ongoing ORCS projects, although extensions could be considered on a case-by-case basis where unforeseen circumstances affected delivery. Jake added: “There are still some longer-running projects in the system, but that shouldn’t overshadow the significant amount of charging infrastructure that has already been delivered. “For drivers who depend on public charging, maintaining that momentum will be important as the UK’s wider charging network continues to grow.” West Sussex has the highest number of devices linked to incomplete projects West Sussex County Council has 410 approved charging devices linked to incomplete projects, the highest total of any area in the UK. The Cardiff Capital Region Regional Transport Authority follows with 291, while Islington and Derry City and Strabane each account for 124. The areas with the highest totals are: DfT only marks an ORCS project as complete once all charging devices have been installed and final funding payments have been claimed, meaning some devices linked to projects still awaiting formal completion may already have been installed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic appointed by Durham County Council to deliver Witton-le-Wear Bridge scheme under NEPO framework
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and construction of private and public sector works and civil engineering projects has been appointed by Durham County Council to design the Witton Le Wear Bridge scheme on the A68 – the company’s first project awarded under the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) Framework. The scheme will see Winvic act as Design & Build Contractor for essential works to Witton-Le-Wear Bridge, which carries the A68 over the River Wear near the village of Witton-le-Wear in County Durham. Design work is underway with completion of this scheduled for summer 2027, the project is being delivered in partnership with design consultant Mott MacDonald. Originally built around 1970, the bridge comprises two arched, tapered in-situ reinforced concrete beams supporting a reinforced concrete slab deck. Changes in the river alignment, caused by an upstream gravel bank, have led to erosion of the riverbanks and the southern embankment near the bridge pier, resulting in localised undercutting and damage to the paved apron. Additionally, the Northern Pier & embankment is now being assessed. This is being closely monitored by Durham County Council and appointed professionals. Construction works will focus on preventing further embankment erosion, protecting the bridge structure and undertaking refurbishment or replacement works to ensure the long-term resilience of this important transport route. Following completion of survey & design works, Winvic will issue Durham County Council with options for the recommended repairs to the structure and scour protection measures to the southern embankment extending upstream of the bridge. The final design solution will be confirmed following detailed river modelling, durability assessments and cost analysis. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure said: “Securing our first scheme through the NEPO framework with Durham County Council is a significant milestone for our Civils and Infrastructure sector. The Witton-Le-Wear Bridge is a key route on the A68, and we are proud to support Durham County Council in strengthening this vital link for the local community and the region.” “We look forward to working collaboratively with Durham County Council and our design partner Mott MacDonald to deliver a durable, long-term solution that benefits residents, businesses and regional connectivity for years to come.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
G F Tomlinson renews its commitment to young people in sport
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has renewed its partnership with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) for the 2026/27 season, continuing its support for the Trust’s Female Talent Pathway and its commitment to creating opportunities for young people across Derbyshire. The Female Talent Pathway is a structured development programme supporting aspiring female footballers from under-9 through to under-21 level. The programme provides talented young players with a progressive route into elite football, with the potential to advance into Derby County Women’s First Team. Through the partnership, players can benefit from high-quality coaching, regular competitive fixtures and access to a professional training environment. Alongside football development, the programme places an important emphasis on education, personal development and the wider skills needed to help young people thrive both on and off the pitch. The renewal reflects G F Tomlinson’s continued commitment to investing in the communities in which it operates and supporting initiatives that can have a lasting impact on young people. The continued investment also comes at an important time for women’s and girls’ football, with participation and interest in the game continuing to grow year on year. By supporting DCCT’s Female Talent Pathway, G F Tomlinson is helping the Trust maintain high-quality provision for its players while contributing to the development of the next generation of female footballers. As part of the partnership, G F Tomlinson also provides support to the local community through the Harrisons Hub Community Meals programme at Pride Park Stadium to help the most vulnerable members of society. Andy Sewards, Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Derby County Community Trust and to continue supporting the Female Talent Pathway for another year. What stands out to us about the programme is that it is about so much more than football, it gives young people the opportunity to develop their confidence, resilience, teamwork and self-belief, while providing a clear pathway for those who aspire to progress within the game. “As a business with deep roots in the Midlands, supporting the communities where we live and work is significantly important to us. We are proud to play a part in helping local young people access these opportunities and are looking forward to seeing the pathway continue to grow throughout the 2026/27 season.” Chris Tomlinson, Head of Business Development at Derby County Community Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that G F Tomlinson has chosen to continue its partnership with DCCT for another year. The support of our partners is fundamental to the work we do, enabling us to provide high-quality opportunities for young people and continue developing programmes such as the Female Talent Pathway. “G F Tomlinson shares our belief in the importance of investing in local communities and creating opportunities for young women to fulfil their potential. Their continued support will make a real difference to our players and help us to keep developing the pathway both on and off the pitch.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals