McLaughlin & Harvey appointed to deliver additional SEN provision at Rathore School
McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed by the Education Authority as the main construction contractor on the phase 1 expansion of specialist SEN provision at Rathore School, enabling much needed facilities for children in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The scheme, which is being delivered in three stages, is the first construction project in Northern Ireland for the Antrim based firm since the completion of the new distillery at Bushmills in 2021. This first phase of the project will see current and future pupils at Rathore SEN School will benefit from nine new classroom facilities with additional outdoor play areas, car parking and outdoor landscaping, ensuring the school meets the growing needs of the SEN community in the Newry Mourne and Down area. The project is well underway, with the scheme making use of modern methods of construction to minimise disruption to existing staff and pupils, including off-site fabrication of 1,300m2 of classroom and ancillary rooms. Completion is expected by the end of December 2026, with the new facilities ready to receive pupils from August 2027 onwards following further fit out by Rathore School. Gavin Parkinson, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey said: “Our experience working on public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK means we’re ideally placed to deliver a project as important and sensitive as the one at Rathore School. We understand that the need for SEN school facilities across Northern Ireland is a pressing issue, and our approach to modern methods of construction will enable smooth delivery, ensuring classrooms are ready to meet the needs of young people in the area.” “Although our civils team has continued to thrive in Northern Ireland, we’re extremely proud to see our construction team back on site for a Northern Irish project.” Dale Hanna, EA Chief Operations Officer, said: “This project will make a real difference for children and young people with SEN and their families, giving them access to modern, purpose-built accommodation designed around their needs. “EA will continue to consider every available option to increase capacity and support children and young people to access appropriate SEN provision as close as possible to their local community. “This investment forms part of EA’s wider capital programme to expand SEN provision across Northern Ireland and support children and young people now and in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Gets Green Light for £50m RAAC-Hit Stockport School Rebuild
Willmott Dixon has secured planning permission for the near £50 million redevelopment of Bramhall High School in Stockport, paving the way for construction of a new three-storey secondary school to replace the existing RAAC-affected campus. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the replacement school being built alongside the existing facilities to allow teaching to continue while the major redevelopment progresses. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the new school will accommodate 1,350 pupils on the existing 36-acre site off Seal Road. The project will consolidate the current sprawling school estate into a modern purpose-built teaching environment, while addressing problems associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within the existing buildings. Once the new building has been completed, most of the existing school estate will be demolished, although the newer maths block will be retained and incorporated into the future campus. The replacement school will include 25 general classrooms and 10 science laboratories alongside specialist teaching facilities for drama, computing, ICT, art and design. Five dedicated SEND classrooms will also be provided, together with an assembly hall featuring tiered seating, dining facilities, a library and new staff and support accommodation. Sport will form another major part of the redevelopment. Indoor facilities will include a four-court sports hall, activity studio and changing accommodation, significantly improving the school’s provision for pupils and physical education. Externally, the plans include two replacement multi-use games areas and a new 3G sports pitch, while the existing hockey pitch will be retained. The phased construction strategy will be particularly important to the delivery of the project, allowing the existing school to remain operational while Willmott Dixon builds the replacement accommodation elsewhere on the site. The subsequent demolition and external works will then enable the wider campus to be reorganised around the new building. The project forms part of the continuing programme of investment required across the education estate following the discovery of RAAC in school buildings around the country. With planning now secured, the Bramhall High School redevelopment moves a significant step closer to construction, delivering modern teaching, SEND and sports facilities while replacing ageing and RAAC-affected accommodation with a more consolidated school campus for 1,350 pupils. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Senior Marketing Appointment Supports Next Phase of Growth at Newett Homes
Yorkshire housebuilder Newett Homes has appointed Zoe Wheatley as sales and marketing director, recognising the significant contribution she has made since joining the business. With 22 years of industry experience, Zoe began her career as a sales executive before progressing through a range of senior roles. She joined the Wetherby-based developer as sales and marketing manager in May 2025 and was promoted to head of sales in August the same year. As sales and marketing director, she will now lead the company’s sales and marketing strategy, driving the sales team to achieve its targets and support the wider objectives of the business. Zoe’s responsibilities also include raising brand awareness of Newett Homes’ product and its developments, overseeing all aspects of marketing, and ensuring customers continue to receive an exceptional level of service. Commenting on her new position, Zoe, said: “Newett Homes is an ambitious organisation with a fantastic product, and I’m delighted to have been recognised for my part in driving its success. “I am excited to build on our strengths, raise standards across sales and marketing, and help the business achieve its growth plans while continuing to enhance the brand and customer experience.” Established in 2017, Newett Homes is an award-winning housebuilder dedicated to delivering quality-led homes in hand-picked locations. Employing over 70 people, the business currently has 10 active developments, supported by a growing land pipeline. In April the housebuilder marked a significant step in its growth strategy by acquiring a seven-acre greenfield site in Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire, which is its first development site outside Yorkshire. In March 2026, it was awarded its first five-star rating from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) recognising the businesses continued commitment to excellence in build quality and outstanding customer experience. Newett Homes chief executive, Will Newett, said: “Zoe has made a considerable impact on the business since joining us and has demonstrated the leadership, expertise and drive needed to take our sales and marketing function forward. “Her commitment to developing the team, strengthening our brand and delivering an outstanding experience for our customers will be invaluable as we continue to expand and I look forward to working closely with her as we deliver the next stage of our growth plans.” For more information about Newett Homes visit https://newetthomes.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CIOB publishes free building regulations and Building Safety Act advice for clients
A new guide to help construction clients better understand their responsibilities under Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act has been published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The free guide is aimed at anyone commissioning building work on behalf of a business, public body, charity or other non-domestic organisation. It clearly sets out a client’s legal duties under the Building Safety Act 2022, as well as helping identify which projects are and are not subject to Building Regulations. The guide also includes a checklist clients are recommended to follow in advance of each project, which covers checking the competence of experts, confirming processes for managing compliance and checking if their project is categorised as a high-risk building. Ayo Allu, Chair of CIOB’s Client Steering Group, said: “As a client your role is no longer simply to commission construction work. You should help ensure it is properly planned, managed and delivered in compliance with the Building Regulations, keeping in mind the decisions you make before and during the project influence safety, quality and compliance. “You are not expected to be a technical expert. However, you are expected to make informed decisions, appoint competent people, provide necessary information to your contractor and estate manager, maintain records and remain engaged throughout the project. “It is not uncommon for projects to be derailed when clients are unaware of the level of involvement they need to have and only realise when it’s too late. By empowering clients to make good decisions from the outset and fulfil their legal obligations, their relationships with their contractors are likely to be easier and their projects more successful.” To download the new guide visit CIOB Building Regulations August 2026.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Coast industrial market delivers strong first half of the year
The Southampton and South Coast industrial and logistics market has delivered a strong performance in H1, according to figures by global real estate advisor CBRE. CBRE Southampton let a total of 320,000 sq ft of space in eight transactions across the region, which included Yunex Traffic taking 160,000 sq ft of space at Bournemouth Airport, the largest letting on the South Coast so far this year. The site will serve as Yunex’s UK headquarters after it relocated from an existing site in Poole. Other key transactions included two units at Sonar in Portsmouth at a combined 30,196 sq ft, which were taken by global engineering and infrastructure firms and brought the development to 60% occupancy, while 37,000 sq ft was also let at Penta Park and 28,000 ft2 at Proxima Park (Phase 1), which took both estates to full occupancy. Southampton’s positive figures mirror the progress seen across the wider South East region, where H1 take-up was 1.2m sq ft. A further 615,000 sq ft of space was under offer in the region at the end of Q2, a 61% increase quarter-on-quarter.* Nick Tutton, Director at CBRE Southampton, said: “We’ve seen a healthy amount of activity in the first half of the year which demonstrates resilient occupier demand and whilst vacancy rates have increased across most regions over the previous quarters, we are anticipating the limited development pipeline and sustained take-up levels on the South Coast will cause vacancy rates to fall during the rest of 2026.” CBRE’s UK Real Estate Market Outlook Midyear Review is available here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“The Human Experience of Work”: 2027 Workspace Design Show London Reveals New Theme Focused on Designing More Human-Centered Workplaces
Workspace Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre, London on 24–25 February 2027, unveiling its new theme: “The Human Experience of Work”, a direction placing wellbeing, inclusion, sensory comfort, belonging, neurodiversity and emotional experience at the center of workplace design. As organisations continue to rethink what makes people want to come together in person, the 2027 edition will explore how workplaces can move beyond functionality to become environments that genuinely support people. Spaces designed around human connection, comfort, mood, acoustics, hospitality, inclusivity and how work environments make us feel. The theme will shape the entire visitor experience across the show floor, influencing exhibitor booths and product launches, installations and immersive spaces created in collaboration with feature partners. Designers, architects, manufacturers and workplace brands will interpret the theme through original concepts and experiences, creating highly engaging environments that demonstrate how design can positively influence workplace culture, productivity and wellbeing. Confirmed brands already joining the 2027 edition include Brunner, Bisley, König + Neurath, KI Europe, Milliken, and Interface, alongside a line-up of workplace brands helping shape commercial interior design. Workspace Design Show is the UK’s only dedicated platform for workplace interiors, where architects, designers and occupiers come to source products, meet suppliers and push the conversation around how we design for work. It is where project decisions get made, new supplier relationships are formed, and the ideas shaping tomorrow’s workplaces get debated live on stage. Visitors can expect an expanded exhibition floor, workplace product launches, immersive installations and a comprehensive content programme exploring the trends, strategies and ideas transforming workplace environments. Returning conference pillars include: Workspace Design Talks — exploring the latest trends and insights shaping workplace design, strategy and culture. Sustainability Talks — bringing together key figures driving sustainable thinking and initiatives across workplace design. Occupiers Forum — providing “The View from HQ”, sharing insights into how employers are creating engaging and high-performing workplace experiences. FIS: Interiors Insight Live — delivering the latest thinking, innovation and expertise from the finishes and interiors sector. The Workspace Design Awards will also return in 2027, celebrating exceptional workplace projects and design concepts. Judged exclusively by corporate occupiers, developers and project managers, the awards recognise ideas and projects delivering meaningful real-world impact. Key dates and entry information will be announced soon. In 2027, expect a bigger room, a sharper programme and industry-defining conversations that continue to make Workspace Design Show the event the workplace community comes back to year after year. Join the workplace design community on 24–25 February 2027 at the Business Design Centre, London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals