Plans lodged for new Salford neighbourhood
Proposals for a major riverside scheme in a key regeneration area within Salford have been submitted to Salford City Council by Euan Kellie Property Solutions. Designed by DLA Architecture for Crescent Investments LLC Limited and developers Forshaw Group, the proposed scheme is centred on three brick-fronted residential towers comprising 814 homes. Proposals also include a two-storey community pavilion, designed to be used flexibly with the potential for commercial, retail, hospitality and community use to meet requirements of the growing neighbourhood. Significant areas of public space will be delivered within the site too, alongside improved access to the Irwell Riverside Path, enhancing connections to Salford Quays and Manchester City Centre. Following public consultation last year, the scheme has been updated to provide an increased amount of public realm along the front of Regent Road, totalling 6,000 sqm, providing a high-quality arrival space for residents and visitors. The reimagining of the site delivers enhanced accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists to the Irwell Riverside Path, with a well-designed landscaped ramp and area of tiered seating to the waterfront area. The significant investment in the public realm, which frames the three residential towers and the new community pavilion, supports the vision for the site and the wider regeneration of the Ordsall Waterfront Area. James Ketley, associate director at Euan Kellie Property Solutions, said: “This is not only a major milestone in the evolution of Riverside Place, but a landmark moment for the Ordsall Waterfront Area. “The proposed development is situated in a fantastic waterfront location that capitalises on direct pedestrian routes to nearby Salford Quays and Manchester City Centre and will deliver new homes and community infrastructure that are two elements central to the success of a place.” Lyndon Forshaw CEO, Forshaw Group, added: “We have worked to improve our plans following consultation with the local community last year. The final plans submitted are focussed on community integration with the existing Ordsall neighbourhood, providing a community pavilion at the heart of the scheme. We have also been able to increase the area of public realm on the Regent Road frontage for all to enjoy and improve the shared amenity space for the new residents within the new residential buildings”. Jonathan Knowles, Director at DLA Architecture, concluded: “Riverside Place brings to life the vision for the reimagining of the Ordsall Waterfront Area, seamlessly integrating the new development into the existing community, opening access to the Irwell Riverside Path and creating a new neighbourhood that everyone can enjoy. The architecture and public realm are designed to re-establish a strong physical and visual connection to the Irwell, as well as providing 814 much-needed homes. In total, the scheme introduces over 1.5 acres of new public realm. The Pavilion is conceived as a civic marker within the masterplan, with retail, hospitality and community uses, ensuring this stretch of waterfront becomes a destination. “Riverside Place is about establishing a new piece of Salford that feels open and genuinely connected to the community both socially, physically and environmentally.” The proposals meet Salford Council’s ambitions for high-density, residential-led growth in this location, with the current retail units occupied by McDonald’s and Grosvenor Casino, having been approved for demolition in 2023, to make way for new development. The scheme is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs during construction and £67m in economic value over the three-year build. On completion the plans will bring a £24m boost to local shops and services, enough to support 86 jobs locally and generating £1.7 million extra council tax revenue each year for Salford Council. Subject to planning approval, the new development will contribute directly to the city’s goal of building 9,000 new homes across Ordsall, Quays, Pendleton, and Charlestown by 2042. Consultants advising on the scheme alongside Euan Kellie Property Solutions include DLA Architecture, TPM Landscape and Font Comms. More information is available at www.riversideplacesalford.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Survey on CDM Regulations launched by CIOB
The Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB), Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Panel is seeking industry perspectives on the Construction Design & Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). The regulations apply to all commercial and domestic construction projects, regardless of size or duration, to ensure all jobs are subject to safety standards that reduce risks for everyone involved in each stage a project. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) intended CDM 2015 to reduce bureaucracy for example by requiring fewer forms and reducing duplication. However, there is a sense of feeling across the industry that there remains room for improvements, particularly in light of how the regulations fit with new safety legislation such as the Building Safety Act 2022, which has been introduced since the CDM regulations were formed. CIOB has launched a short survey to gather views on how the regulations are currently interpreted and enforced, and how widespread formal training on the regulations is accessed, as well as their effectiveness and what, if anything, can be improved. Ben Powell, Chair of CIOB’s Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisory Panel, said: “We hear that for many people, including designers, contractors and clients, the current CDM regulations are a constant source of frustration with varying degrees of understanding over who is responsible for what. There are also questions around the effectiveness of the regulations when we still see so many incidents involving falls from height for example. “Therefore, just over a decade on from the regulations being introduced, we think it’s important to gather some quantitative data on how they’re being interpreted and applied throughout projects, and where appropriate how they could evolve to reflect the construction landscape in 2026.” CIOB intends to use the findings of the survey to develop recommendations for the HSE and policy makers on how and where the current CDM regulations can be improved. The survey closes on April 30 2026, and can be found here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/iDhcBAkPtK Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
IFS Breaks with Industry Convention Pricing to Unlock Enterprise-Wide AI Adoption
IFS, the leading provider of Industrial AI software, today announced a new pricing model that fundamentally changes how enterprise AI is bought and deployed. With this announcement, organisations will now have the freedom to deploy Industrial AI wherever it creates value, without constraint, and without the fear of escalating costs. IFS is disrupting enterprise software pricing models, that traditionally price ‘per user’. By moving away from user-based licensing to a model grounded in operational reality, IFS is enabling customers to pay by assets, rather than users. For example, for an energy company managing 400 offshore assets pays based on those 400 assets rather than the 12,000 people and machines that need to access the data. The model aligns software investment with the operational assets customers manufacture, manage, and maintain, such as vessels, components, infrastructure, or production assets. The result for IFS customers is predictable costs that align with operations, enabling projects to expand and enterprises to grow without the constraints of user-based licensing. The move will force the broader industry to rethink how it packages and prices software. Why now?Industrial organisations are on the cusp of an unprecedented expansion in what they can produce, maintain, and deliver using Industrial AI. There is no reason for it to be constrained. Through this pricing model, IFS technology is no longer just enabling workers to do more; it is directly driving work and outcomes. This is a commercial model directly tied and aligned to the success of IFS customers. The model is designed for industrial systems of action, where software investment aligns with the operational environments a company manages rather than the number of users accessing the system. This drives greater value for customers by creating a system with metrics that are measurable, auditable, and transparent, ensuring organisations pay for the operational value the system supports, not every individual, contractor, or automated process interacting with it. This evolution in pricing directly supports the IFS Industrial AI strategy and anticipates changing market needs. At its core, this shift is about enabling customers to navigate an increasingly AI-driven industrial landscape and capitalise on the opportunities it presents. Mark Moffat, CEO, at IFS, said: “This is a clear message to our customers: rather than rationing users, IFS wants you using AI everywhere you can to create value. Our customers should not have to choose between automating their operations and controlling their software costs. This progressive move on pricing removes that trade-off entirely. We’re not pricing the workers. We’re pricing the work.” Mickey North Rizza, Group Vice-President, Enterprise Software at IDC, noted: “IFS moving into the next realm of pricing means buyers have flexibility in the Agentic world. IFS new pricing model helps companies operationally scale their investment to the value levers it needs to run the business. This new methodology will help clients sustain their economic value.” Aly Pinder Jr, Research VP, Aftermarket Services Strategies, at IDC, added: “Asset-centric organisations have made the shift to expect to work with technology vendors that can align the partnership in a way for shared benefit and flexibility enabling growth as market conditions evolve.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sir James Cleverly MP announced as keynote speaker at UK Construction Week London
UK Construction Week (UKCW), the UK’s largest and most comprehensive construction event, has announced that Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, will headline as a keynote speaker at its London show next month. Sir James will speak at the Housing Action Hub on Thursday May 14th at 12.30pm, addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities currently facing the UK housing sector. He will be joined by a strong line-up of senior policymakers, including Mike Reader MP, the Department for Business and Trade’s Business Construction Champion, and Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade. Further high-profile speakers confirmed for UKCW London include: From May 12th-14th, UK Construction Week London will come together with Futurebuild and The Stone & Surfaces Show, creating the UK’s largest event uniting the entire built environment, attracting over 25,000 industry professionals, where every stage of a project gets decided. As the largest and most comprehensive construction event in the UK calendar, the show will bring together 25,000 industry professionals, 600+ exhibitors and 700+ speakers across six dedicated stages – all under one roof. Attendees can expect a packed programme of CPD-accredited panels and seminars tackling the sector’s most pressing issues, covering everything from innovation in construction methods, to product testing and assurance; housing insights to workforce capacity; workplace culture to data-driven project management. Sam Patel, Divisional Director at UK Construction Week London, commented: “Securing Sir James Cleverly as a speaker highlights the scale and influence of UK Construction Week. Alongside an exceptional line-up of industry leaders, policymakers and innovators, it reinforces our position as the UK’s leading platform for shaping the future of the built environment.” Sponsored by Sage, Wyre, HotelPlanner, Zurich Resilience Solutions and Build Warranty, UKCW London will feature over 300 leading brands; over 25 trade bodies and associations, including the Federation of Master Builders, CIBSE, and the National Association of Air Duct-Cleaners UK. Following the London Show in May 2026, UKCW Birmingham will return to the NEC from 29th September to 1st October 2026. To register for free, visit: https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2026/cab-campaign Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HLM Architects appoints new Studio Director in Birmingham
Award‑winning architecture practice HLM Architects has appointed Simon Reid as Studio Director of its Birmingham studio, due to open this summer. Simon joins from Lungfish Architects, where he served as Managing Director, and brings 15-years’ experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering high‑impact public sector and community projects across the Midlands. HLM’s Birmingham studio will become the practice’s eighth location across the UK and Ireland, joining its existing studios in Sheffield, London, Plymouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin. It will place HLM at the centre of one of the UK’s fastest-evolving regions – home to major regeneration schemes, ambitious decarbonisation initiatives, expanding healthcare and education estates, and long‑term infrastructure investment across the West Midlands and into Wales. Simon and his team will collaborate closely with colleagues across HLM’s national network. HLM will recruit architects, interior designers and landscape architects to operate across the education, defence, justice, healthcare and commercial sectors, aiming to create a team of up to twelve within the first full year of operation. HLM already has a strong track record in the West Midlands, with notable projects including Three Snowhill – a premier 17-storey, 420,000 sq ft Grade A office building in Birmingham’s central business district. The new studio will provide a platform to expand this portfolio and strengthen client relationships across the region. Commenting on his appointment, Studio Director Simon Reid said: “I’m delighted to be joining HLM Architects and to be launching our new Birmingham studio. “The Midlands is experiencing a wave of regeneration and long-term investment across public services, infrastructure and placemaking. Establishing a permanent base here gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with clients and partners, to grow our regional presence, and to support the delivery of projects that have real and lasting social impact.” Philip Watson, Chair and Head of Design of HLM Architects, added: “Opening our eighth HLM studio, right in the heart of Birmingham, is an important milestone for our practice. It reflects the momentum we’re building and the scale of opportunity across the West Midlands, from major health and education programmes to long‑term justice, defence and emergency services estates. “Strengthening our national resilience and deepening our regional presence is a strategic priority for HLM. Birmingham provides the ideal base to broaden our reach, enhance our framework capabilities, and tap into a new and diverse talent pool. As a Brummie myself, it’s great to be returning to the city, and we are thrilled to welcome Simon to the team and excited for the opportunities ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canary Wharf set for record-breaking tower as JPMorgan secures key approvals
JPMorgan Chase is moving closer to delivering Canary Wharf’s tallest tower after overcoming critical height restrictions linked to nearby London City Airport, clearing a major hurdle for its proposed £3bn headquarters at Riverside South. The Wall Street banking giant is now preparing a planning application for a 265-metre skyscraper that will surpass One Canada Square, which has dominated the Docklands skyline at 235 metres for more than three decades. Designed by Foster + Partners, the scheme will deliver approximately 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space. The development is intended to consolidate JPMorgan’s existing London operations into a single hub capable of accommodating up to 12,000 staff, establishing its largest base across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flight path constraints had posed a significant challenge due to Canary Wharf’s position within the airport’s safeguarding zone. Aircraft approaching London City Airport follow a notably steep glide path, imposing strict limits on building heights across the estate. However, following negotiations, an agreement has been reached allowing the tower to rise to its proposed height while maintaining operational safety. The Riverside South site, owned by JPMorgan Chase since 2008, already benefits from existing foundations and basement structures. This could accelerate delivery timelines once planning consent is secured, with construction expected to take around six years. Canary Wharf Group will act as co-developer on the project. Economically, the scheme is expected to provide a substantial boost. Estimates suggest it could inject up to £9.9bn into the UK economy and support more than 7,800 jobs across construction and associated industries. However, questions remain סביב the role of government incentives in unlocking the project. JPMorgan is understood to have sought clarity over business rates liabilities, with discussions reportedly including potential discounts to support the investment. A report from Tower Hamlets council indicated the bank had requested a long-term business rates incentive, with government sources suggesting progress may depend on certainty around its future tax burden. The debate has drawn mixed reactions. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the development as a “multi-billion-pound vote of confidence” in the UK economy, critics have raised concerns over offering tax breaks to major corporations. Despite this, the project signals renewed momentum for Canary Wharf’s commercial market. A series of recent commitments, including expansions from major financial occupiers, point to a broader recovery in demand for large-scale office space in the Docklands. If approved, JPMorgan’s tower will not only redefine the area’s skyline but also reinforce Canary Wharf’s position as a leading global financial district, at a time when confidence in large office developments is returning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals