Project Four takes Gateway 2 track record beyond 10,000 homes as it joins Vadella
Project Four Building Safety Experts has joined the Vadella Group as the business enters its next phase of growth, building on a strong track record of supporting clients through the Building Safety Act and Gateway 2 process. The Northwest headquartered consultancy has taken more than 10,000 homes through Gateway 2, with over 30 schemes already securing approval and a live Gateway 2 portfolio of more than 14,000 units nationally. The projects span some of the North West’s most significant residential and mixed-use developments, with P4 supporting developers, contractors and wider project teams through the increasingly complex Building Safety regime. For Project Four, the partnership with Vadella is about building on that momentum rather than changing direction. Max Meadows, Managing Director at Project Four, said: “We’ve built Project Four around one simple idea – good people, good technical advice and getting the job done properly. “The Building Safety Act has changed the way the industry has to approach projects, and Gateway 2 has raised the bar again. We’ve been right in the middle of that, working with some of the region’s biggest development teams and helping them navigate what is still a relatively new and challenging process. “We’ve got a strong business, a great team and a lot of opportunity in front of us. Vadella gives us the investment and additional capability to build on that rather than take our foot off the gas. “We’re still Project Four. The people, the clients and the way we work remain at the heart of the business. This is about building the next phase properly.” Project Four’s Gateway 2 work includes major schemes across Manchester and Leeds, ranging from developments of hundreds of homes to large-scale projects, with its wider portfolio collectively covering more than 14,000 units. Its experience includes work with leading developers and contractors across the residential, build-to-rent and student accommodation sectors. Alan Robson, Chairman, said: “We’ve always wanted Project Four to be bigger and better without losing what made it successful in the first place. “The business has grown quickly, and the Building Safety market is only becoming more important. We’ve reached a point where the right partner can help us take the next step while giving the team more opportunity to develop and the business more capability to invest. “Vadella felt like the right fit. They understand what we’re trying to build and, importantly, they understand that Project Four has its own identity, its own culture and its own way of doing things.” James Knight, Group CEO of Vadella, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the Project Four team to Vadella. Their Building Safety Act and Principal Accountable Person expertise is a fantastic addition to the Group. Project Four’s track record with some of the UK’s leading contractors and developers makes them a natural fit alongside the compliance specialisms our clients already rely on us for.” The partnership will support further investment in Project Four’s people, systems and technical capability, while creating opportunities to collaborate across the wider Vadella Group. Project Four will continue to operate under its existing brand and leadership, with Max Meadows continuing as Managing Director. Its existing services, client relationships and projects will continue as normal. The business will also continue to develop its wider Building Safety offer, including Gateway 2, Building Safety consultancy, Principal Designer services, Principal Accountable Person and Safety Case support, CDM and Principal Contractor Support. Max added: “There is a lot of talk about Building Safety at the moment. For us, this isn’t a new market we’ve suddenly decided to enter – it’s what we’ve been doing every day for years. “The opportunity now is to take what we’ve learned, keep developing our people and help more clients get their projects through the process safely and properly. “That’s the bit we’re excited about.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Northern Irish firm behind insulation solution used in two landmark Premier League stadium projects
A Northern Irish insulation company has played a key role in two major Premier League stadium developments, after its innovative product was used for projects at Everton and Fulham Football Clubs. energystore, which is headquartered in Holywood, Co Down, supplied its TLA insulation product for works at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and at Fulham’s redeveloped Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage. The projects mark a major milestone for the local business, placing Northern Irish construction innovation at the heart of two of the most high-profile stadium developments in English football. At Everton, energystore TLA was used extensively throughout the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, a nearly 53,000-seater waterfront arena which cost an estimated £800 million to construct. The stadium represents one of the largest sporting infrastructure projects in the UK and forms part of the wider regeneration of Liverpool’s northern docklands. energystore’s product helped support a more efficient build by reducing the amount of screed required from 100mm to 50mm, cutting material use and lowering the project’s carbon impact by an estimated 21kg of carbon per square metre, when compared with the original specification. At Fulham’s Craven Cottage, energystore TLA 250 was used as part of the newly redeveloped Riverside Stand, a significant project that blends luxury, heritage and modern engineering on the banks of the Thames. The product supported the delivery of high-performance insulation while meeting stringent acoustic requirements and maintaining compliance in a highly complex stadium environment. The Riverside Stand redevelopment is designed to transform the matchday and visitor experience at Craven Cottage, with contemporary spaces, premium hospitality options and a new riverside destination that extends beyond football. Connor McCandless Managing Director at energystore said: “Major stadium developments demand materials that can perform under pressure, from complex build programmes and strict technical requirements to the need for more efficient, sustainable construction methods. “To have energystore TLA used at both Everton and Fulham FC is a proud moment for our team and a strong endorsement of the role Northern Irish innovation can play on major UK infrastructure projects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Partnership agreement marks another milestone for Derby’s Market Place redevelopment
The transformation of Derby’s Market Place has taken another step forward, with the signing of a MasterDevelopment Agreement between the Council and ION Property Developments Limited. Now in contract as the Council’s Strategic Development Partner, ION will work alongside the Council todeliver its plans to regenerate several sites across the city centre, including the Market Place. Outline plans for the Market Place, which were drawn up using feedback from two public consultationsand approved by the Council’s Planning Committee in July, include Derby MADE. Sitting on the site of theformer Assembly Rooms, the multi-use building will feature a music venue, cultural / exhibition space, ayoung person and family library, and dedicated flexible working and meeting areas. It will be complementedby Derby HOTEL, a four-star hotel and high-quality office space in Derby WORKS. ION is a long-established developer with a strong track record of working with partners, including localauthorities, to deliver regeneration projects. Recent schemes include the Wolverhampton Interchange onbehalf of City of Wolverhampton Council, the Knowledge Quarter Gateway for Liverpool City Council andRhyl Waterfront for Denbighshire County Council. Earlier this year, ION underwent a buyout and merger with VINCI UK Developments, the UK division of themultinational VINCI Construction, cementing the two companies’ existing relationship and furtherstrengthening their delivery capabilities. Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration,Strategy and Policy, said: “This is another important milestone in our plans to revive this important and historic site in the heart ofDerby. We know how desperate everyone is to see work starting on site, me included, and the signing ofthis contract brings that day even closer. “ION Property Developments has an excellent record for delivering regeneration projects on this scale. Bybringing a private sector development partner on board, we can benefit from their expertise, capacity andinvestment to help bring these ambitious plans for the city centre to life.” Steve Parry, Managing Director of ION Property Developments, said: “We are delighted to have entered into the Master Development Agreement with Derby City Council and tobe moving into the next phase of our partnership. “ION, together with the wider VINCI business, is fully committed to the long-term delivery of this importantregeneration programme. By combining ION’s development and regeneration expertise with VINCI’s widerresources, financial strength and delivery capability, we believe we have a very strong platform from whichto turn the Council’s ambitious plans into deliverable projects on the ground. “Our focus now is on working closely with the Council to maintain momentum, progress the Market Placeproposals and deliver lasting benefits for Derby and its city centre.” Once the planning conditions associated with the demolition of the Assembly Rooms have beenremoved, ION will begin preparing the site. This will include disconnecting utilities and creating a secureand safe working environment, which will take a number of weeks. Work to demolish the site is expected to take around 12 months and, once this is complete, work on thenew buildings will begin. Demolition consent for the Assembly Rooms was granted in March 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Devon builder who’s trained five apprentices urges teenagers to consider a career in construction
The director of a building firm in Devon that has put five apprentices through their training — every one of them still with the business — is urging teenagers to consider a career in construction. Dale Chadwick, of Dale Chadwick Carpentry & Construction Ltd, has had three apprentices qualify through the company, all achieving distinctions in some or all of their assessments. Two more are now entering their second year. Between them they have represented the firm at regional competitions and area meetings, and one has met the Prime Minister. Dale Chadwick, who runs the family firm in Devon and sits on the Federation of Master Builders’ South West Area Board, said: “For us, apprentices aren’t cheap labour — our work doesn’t allow for that. We need skill. We pay a fair living wage rather than the minimum, and we provide uniform, tools and travel to support them. In return, we’ve kept hold of every apprentice we’ve taken on. “There’s no better way to learn than hands on — working with the materials, adapting to what happens on site, spotting problems as they come up. But there’s a huge skills gap to fill. The multi-generational building families don’t really exist anymore, and the school system is set up so that university is the target everyone’s told to aim for.” His firm is one of thousands across the region taking on young people at a time when demand for skilled trades has rarely been higher. New research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) shows the South West is the best-informed part of the UK when it comes to building careers. Polling of over 2,000 UK adults found 90% of people in the region have heard of apprenticeships as a route into construction — the joint-highest figure of any UK region or nation. Awareness of BTECs is also joint-highest in the country at 65%, and just 4% of South West adults could not name a single route into the industry. Iain Kirtley, South Director at the Federation of Master Builders, said: “Congratulations to everyone celebrating their recent results. Dale’s firm in Devon is exactly what our industry looks like at its best — a small local business investing properly in young people and keeping hold of every one of them. “Our research shows the South West is the best-informed region in Britain on building careers, and that’s something to be proud of. But it raises the stakes. If young people here already know the routes into our industry, the question is no longer whether they’ve heard of an apprenticeship — it’s whether there’s one waiting for them when they go looking. “With ambitious housebuilding targets and real uncertainty about what AI means for other careers, a trade is one of the most secure things a young person can go into. We have the appetite here in the South West. We now need the places to match it.” Luke Moss, Skills and Employer Project Manager at South West Construction Technical Excellence College, Exeter College, concluded: “As students receive their GCSE results, many will be considering what comes next. For those interested in construction, apprenticeships combined with vocational qualifications offer a practical and highly respected route into the industry. These pathways equip learners with the technical skills and hands-on experience employers are looking for, while creating clear opportunities for long-term career development. Construction offers a wide range of roles and excellent prospects for ambitious young people ready to build their future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HB Reavis set out ambitious new vision for unlocking One Waterloo
HB Reavis has unveiled new plans for One Waterloo, a transformational vision to sustainably redevelop Elizabeth House into a vibrant mixed-use destination and connected gateway to Waterloo Station and the South Bank Local residents, businesses and visitors are invited to shape the proposals, as HB Reavis launches public consultation on the scheme. Building on HB Reavis’ long-standing commitment to revitalise the site, the mixed-use masterplan for One Waterloo reflects a broader shift in the UK and London to prioritise sustainable development that minimises demolition and saves carbon through construction and operation. Encompassing a range of uses – including new hotels, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), built-to-rent (BTR) homes, retail and leisure, workspace and public realm – this scheme will create a multitude of jobs for local people. The proposals aim to catalyse Waterloo’s economy while delivering immediate and ongoing local benefits. As a landmark retrofit scheme, One Waterloo seeks to achieve net zero carbon in construction and operation. Compared to a demolition and new build approach, the new retrofit led One Waterloo proposals target embodied carbon cuts of 75%, to responsibly deliver major change. HB Reavis’ retrofit strategy for One Waterloo will mean an expected delivery date three and a half years following planning permission. PLP Architecture, the global architecture and urban design practice behind the proposals, has reimagined the existing building to reduce engineering complexity and minimise disruption next to the UK’s second-busiest train station and above Waterloo Station’s critical transport infrastructure that supports 70 million journeys annually. The proposals include: This campus will establish a complementary mix of hotel guests, students, residents, workers and visitors, creating a vibrant and resilient 24/7 destination. Three new pedestrian routes to connect Waterloo Station are central to the plans. Currently, Elizabeth House acts as a barrier between the station and the surrounding area. The proposals would open up the site, introduce a public square and provide new pedestrian routes between York Road, The Curve, Leake Street, the South Bank and Waterloo Station. Revitalising the station frontage, the proposals also feature new shops, restaurants and leisure spaces to create an active streetscape and a welcoming destination to stimulate activity throughout the day and evening. Once complete, One Waterloo is expected to support over 1,000 new jobs in restaurants, hotels, offices, startups, among other sectors. It would secure long-term investment in a strategically important part of Lambeth. Steven Skinner, CEO at HB Reavis Developments, said: “Waterloo is one of the most exciting places in central London. We have spent a long time looking closely at the site and what this part of Lambeth really needs. We are excited to share our ideas for a mixed-use scheme, including new homes, workspaces, shops and places for people to come together that will make this a genuine destination. Our starting point has been the environment and community. By retaining the existing structure rather than demolishing it, we’ll save 100,000 tonnes of carbon, with less noise and disruption for local residents and businesses as a result. But this only works in partnership with the people who already live and work here. That means leaving them better off through long-term jobs supported by the new workspaces, shops and hospitality, and real opportunities for local businesses. Which is why we’re encouraging people to come along to our consultation events and help shape what One Waterloo becomes.” Public consultation is an opportunity for people to learn more about the new proposals and share their views on the future of this important site. Feedback received will help shape the One Waterloo masterplan prior to submission of a planning application. Local residents, businesses, neighbours and visitors are invited to view the proposals, meet the project team and provide their feedback at the following consultation drop-in sessions: More information can be found on the consultation website: https://onewaterlooconsultation.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major logistics development site brought to market along Scotland’s strategic M8 corridor
Global real estate adviser CBRE has been appointed by Castlebrooke to bring Prime4Eight to market, a four-unit industrial and logistics development, totalling 377,200 sq ft, which is strategically positioned along Scotland’s key M8 corridor between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Prime4Eight has planning consent for four Grade A industrial and logistics units, ranging in size from 77,200 sq ft to 150,300 sq ft, providing occupiers with a rare opportunity to secure high-quality warehouse accommodation in one of the country’s most constrained logistics markets. Located in the heart of Scotland’s established logistics region, the development benefits from excellent connectivity, with direct access to the M8 via Junctions 4 and 5, providing strong links across Scotland and to the North of England via the M74 and M6. The surrounding area has become one of Scotland’s most established logistics destinations, with Junction 4 accommodating major occupiers including Aldi, Schuh and GXO across approximately 2.2 million sq ft of warehouse space. Complementing this, the nearby 2 million sq ft Tesco Distribution Centre at Junction 5 further reinforces the strength of the location as a premier distribution hub. Prime4Eight is uniquely positioned to accommodate both large-scale and big-box occupier requirements and represents one of the only opportunities along the M8 corridor capable of delivering modern warehouse space at scale within relatively short timescales. At the time of reporting, there is zero grade A stock under construction above 50,000 sq ft across the Central Belt, therefore there is a clear opportunity for Prime4Eight to meet the potential demand in this size range. The units will be delivered to an institutional-grade specification, providing best-in-class distribution accommodation. The scheme will also incorporate strong ESG credentials, aligning with the evolving sustainability requirements of modern occupiers and investors. The construction of unit 1, circa 77,200 sq ft, is anticipated to start in Q3 2026 and will be available for occupation from Q3 2027. The remaining units will be available for pre-let discussions and further speculative development may commence following the success of phase one. Craig Semple, Director at CBRE, said: “Prime4Eight represents one of the most significant industrial and logistics opportunities currently available in Scotland. Schemes that are capable of accommodating large-scale occupiers, while offering immediate access to the M8 and a best-in-class specification, is extremely rare. “Occupier demand continues to be driven by the need for high-quality, sustainable logistics space in well-connected locations, and Prime4Eight is exceptionally well placed to meet that requirement. With occupation anticipated from next year, and the industrial vacancy rate along the M8 corridor between Glasgow and Edinburgh currently hovering at a record-low of circa 2.5%, we’re looking forward to engaging with occupiers seeking a future-proof solution in one of Scotland’s most established logistics locations.” A spokesperson for Castlebrooke said: “Prime4Eight has been designed to meet the evolving needs of modern logistics occupiers, combining a strategic location with high-quality, sustainable accommodation in one of Scotland’s most established distribution corridors. “Bringing the scheme to market marks an important milestone, and we are pleased to be working with CBRE as we introduce this opportunity to occupiers. We are confident that Prime4Eight will attract significant interest from businesses looking for high-quality logistics space that supports their long-term operational and sustainability ambitions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals