YTL Developments reveals first Build to Rent projects at Brabazon
YTL Developments has unveiled two major investments in Build-to-Rent (BTR) homes as it continues to accelerate the speed of delivery at Brabazon: the new town for the West of England being built on the historic former Filton Airfield. Construction is now underway on the first major Build to Rent project at Brabazon. Three residential buildings will deliver 239 new homes, including 189 Build to Rent apartments, seven Build to Rent houses and 43 affordable properties for shared ownership. In addition, a design team has now been appointed to develop plans for a second Build to Rent project at Brabazon. HTA Design has been appointed as architects with a brief to deliver a further 900 properties for rent in the urban heart of Brabazon, close to where the 20,000-capacity Aviva Arena is under construction. Both BTR projects are located less than 250 metres from the new Bristol Brabazon rail station, which is expected to open before the end of 2026. YTL Developments is also currently delivering a range of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses for open-market sale, while the first phase of its 1,514-bed purpose-built student accommodation project – known as The Propeller Quarter – has opened for the current academic year. 239 new homes to be built in first project Designed to meet demand for high-quality rental accommodation in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the homes for rent in the first project, to be built by YTL Construction UK, will offer a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and houses. Residents will also benefit from landscaped communal podium gardens, creating a private outdoor space at the heart of the neighbourhood. The start of construction marks the next stage of YTL Development’s commitment to rental living. As an important part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon, the broad range of homes of differing sizes and tenures is designed to appeal to residents at different stages of life – allowing people to rent, own or move within the community as their circumstances change, whilst also building a multi-generational, vibrant place to live and work. 900 High-Amenity BTR apartments in design The second BTR project at Brabazon has now commenced design development. Featuring up to 900 additional Build to Rent apartments, delivered across a series of future phases, the project will establish Brabazon as both one of the largest but also the most diverse and ambitious mixed-tenure neighbourhoods in the UK. These premium rental properties will include a mix of studio, one, two and three bed luxury apartments. Residents will be able to access an estimated 21,000 sq ft of shared amenity space with a comprehensive range of facilities centred around lifestyle and wellness, including access to landscaped roof terraces – all designed to create a best-in-class rental experience unlike anything currently available in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This second stage of rental living will also include retail and commercial space spread across 26,000 sq ft of active frontages at the start of one of the primary pedestrian high streets at the centre of Brabazon. Seb Loyn, Planning Director at YTL Developments, said: “Starting construction on our first Build to Rent homes represents another important milestone in the delivery of Brabazon. “We have always believed that creating a successful new town means providing homes of all types and sizes to buy and rent at Brabazon to cater to people at every stage of their life. Build to Rent is a key part of that vision, delivering professionally managed homes that offer flexibility, quality and a strong multi-generational community. “This first stage is just the beginning. Over the coming years we will create a substantial rental neighbourhood that forms an integral part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon and reinforces our long-term commitment to Bristol.” Jon McDiarmid, Director at YTL Developments, said: “Build to Rent continues to attract significant interest from both residents and institutional investors because of the quality of homes, customer experience and long-term operational model it provides. “Brabazon offers a unique opportunity to deliver rental housing at scale within one of the UK’s most exciting regeneration projects. As the new Bristol Brabazon train station, Brabazon Park and Aviva Arena come forward, residents will benefit from an exceptional place to live and work that has been designed from the outset for long-term sustainable growth.” The first Build to Rent apartments are expected to complete by the end of 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Europa puts warehouse rooftop to work – but warns barriers are slowing solar progress
Millions of square metres of warehouse roof space across the UK could be used to generate renewable energy, but complex lease arrangements and divided responsibilities between landlords and occupiers continue to slow progress. Independent logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group (EWG) has partnered with its landlord, Prologis, to install a 600 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its £30 million Dartford site. Expected to generate 541,800 kWh of renewable electricity annually, it is Europa’s first rooftop solar installation and could save the business approximately £80,000 in the first year, based on current electricity rates. In its first month of operation, over 40 per cent of the site’s consumption came from solar energy. The project shows what landlords and occupiers can achieve when they work together, while highlighting the practical barriers that must be overcome for rooftop solar to be adopted more widely across the UK warehouse sector. At a time when the UK must increase renewable energy generation while managing growing pressure on land, warehouse rooftops offer an opportunity to make better use of existing commercial buildings. Around 140 large-scale solar farm schemes were reported to be under construction across the UK in August, with further projects competing for land. Warehouse rooftops offer untapped capacity Analysis by the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) suggests that existing warehouse rooftops could provide 17.3 GW of solar generating capacity. However, research examining more than 300 warehouse rooftops found that just five per cent had solar installed. Europa has explored opportunities to install solar at Dartford for several years. The site is its European road freight hub and is also home to the company’s specialist 3PL services, creating substantial daytime energy demand. However, the number of parties involved, and the complexity of the process presented significant barriers. UKWA has identified grid connection delays, structural considerations, insurance requirements, lease restrictions and a lack of alignment between landlords and tenants as persistent obstacles. Tom Jenkins, Central Services Director at Europa Worldwide Group, said: “We have wanted to utilise solar panels on our Dartford headquarters and transit hub for a long time. The environmental and commercial case is compelling, particularly for a large logistics facility with substantial daytime energy demand, but there are way too many barriers. Warehouse occupiers may not own their buildings, while landlords, energy providers, network operators and legal teams all need to be involved. The process can quickly become lengthy and difficult to navigate, even when every party supports the principle of renewable energy. Our partnership with Prologis has enabled us to overcome those challenges. It shows what can be achieved when landlords and occupiers work closely together, but the wider process needs to become much easier if rooftop solar is to reach its full potential across the logistics sector.” Partnership removes cost and contractual barriers The installation was led by Jon Margetts, Head of Health & Safety and Facilities, at Europa – and delivered through a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement with Prologis. This removes the upfront capital expenditure that would otherwise have been required and allows Europa to purchase renewable electricity generated at the site. Through Prologis Essentials, the property company has provided a turnkey solution, with its energy specialists managing each stage of the project. This has included assessing the site’s energy profile, determining the appropriate system size and overseeing design, approvals, procurement, installation and commissioning. The agreement runs alongside Europa’s property lease and does not create dilapidation or exit charges should the company leave the building before the solar term ends, removing two potential barriers for the occupier. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “This project demonstrates how landlords can play a practical role in helping customers progress their sustainability ambitions. By removing the upfront investment and managing the technical, contractual and delivery process, we have helped make renewable energy commercially and operationally accessible to Europa. Through Prologis Essentials, we are investing in solutions that help our customers improve energy resilience, reduce emissions and unlock the value of renewable energy across our logistics portfolio.” As Prologis’ 48th rooftop solar installation in the UK, the project supports the company’s wider environmental, social and governance commitments to increase on-site renewable energy generation. Clare Bottle, CEO of the UKWA, said “Europa’s experience chimes with what we hear from other UKWA members. The appetite to invest in rooftop solar exists, and the potential commercial, environmental and energy-security benefits are clear, but there are still too many practical and contractual barriers. The Europa and Prologis partnership is a strong example of how a landlord-led model can remove some of those obstacles. We need to see more collaboration of this kind, alongside solar-ready new warehouse developments, faster grid connections and tax incentives for connection fees” Europa’s 26,368 square metre Dartford site opened in 2015 on the former site of Littlebrook Power Station, which was decommissioned the same year. The solar PV system is expected to provide locally generated renewable electricity for the next 30 years, supporting Europa’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Europa was recently awarded the EcoVadis Committed badge, with a sustainability score of 48. The business is also certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001, supporting its work to track and improve environmental performance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fire safety rules reshape drainage specification at White City
Brymec has supplied the cast iron drainage package for White City Living Phase 4, a 28-storey residential development in west London. Amendments to Approved Document B, coming into force this September, are prompting a wider reassessment of material selection on high-rise residential schemes. Non-combustible performance is now a specification requirement at every stage of design, including drainage. At 28 storeys, White City Living Phase 4 falls within scope. The project is being developed by St. James Group, part of Berkeley Group. The scheme comprises 503 apartments across three residential blocks, with completion expected in December 2027. Berkeley Group PLC is the main contractor and A&J Ryan Mechanical Services Ltd is the MEP contractor. Cast iron drainage was specified for its fire performance, durability, acoustic properties and long operational lifespan. Brymec’s system is rated non-combustible and achieved an A1 fire classification when tested to BS EN 13501-1 as a system. Brymec was subsequently appointed to manufacture, supply, and deliver the cast-iron drainage package, following a technical submittal process. Installation began in December 2025, with Brymec supplying 642 metres of cast iron pipe to site across more than 30 deliveries to date. Once installation was complete, Brymec’s Specification Director inspected the work on site and provided A&J Ryan with a formal quality assurance report for Berkeley Group. Jeremy Douglas, Specification Director at Brymec, said: “On a building of this height, the drainage system has to perform as one certified system, not a collection of individually tested components. Cast iron’s A1 fire rating and its acoustic and durability credentials made it the right specification for White City Living. We documented the technical case from the design stage, so the project team had the assurance they needed throughout.” Gary Thorp, Projects Manager, A&J Ryan Mechanical Services Ltd, said: “Berkeley Group’s standards on this development are exceptionally high, which demands the same standard from every supply chain partner involved. Brymec provided a well-supported technical solution from the outset and has delivered consistently throughout the project.” For more information, please visit Brymec. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Navien and Passiv UK partner to bring smarter heat pump control to UK homeowners
Heat pump manufacturer Navien and heating technology company Passiv UK have partnered to offer an integrated heat pump and smart control offering to homeowners and tenants across the UK. Customers can now install the Passiv Smart Thermostat with Navien’s PEM750 air source heat pump. Designed to optimise heat pump operation, the Passiv Smart Thermostat intelligently adjusts flow temperatures and automatically takes advantage of smart tariffs and excess solar generation to reduce heating costs. Its smart heating feature, ecoHeat, has been independently verified by the Energy Saving Trust to improve heat pump efficiency by 17% and can reduce heating bills by up to 30%. The Passiv Smart Thermostat works with Navien heat pumps out-of-the-box, requiring no additional hardware. Installers can now avoid the complexity and challenges of setting static weather compensation curves, while end customers avoid the headache of trying to optimise heating and hot water schedules to time-of-use tariffs and solar generation. Ian Rose, Managing Director at Passiv UK, said: “Heat pumps shouldn’t require homeowners to become energy experts. The technology should do the hard work in the background – keeping the home comfortable, responding to electricity prices and making the most of renewable energy when it is available. Our partnership with Navien brings that intelligence together from the outset, making smart heat pump ownership much simpler.” Navien is headquartered in South Korea and is the world’s fourth-largest gas boiler manufacturer. Greg Banham, Commercial Director at Navien UK, said: “By working with Passiv, we can bring together Navien’s heat pump technology with intelligent controls that can automatically take advantage of cheap electricity available from time-of-use tariffs, or free electricity available from rooftop solar generation, to help customers minimise their heating bills.” Installers will have free access to remote heat pump monitoring and diagnostics through the Passiv Portal, while the system also gives homeowners the ability to control how and when their heat pump uses electricity. End customers will also be eligible to sign-up to Passiv’s Greener Grid Payment scheme, which rewards households for allowing their heat pump to intelligently flex its operation during periods when electricity demand and supply on grid networks is constrained. Passiv delivers flexibility services without compromising household comfort, helping accelerate the roll-out of renewable generation and adoption of low-carbon heating and transport in the UK. The Navien and Passiv integrated solution is available through Ultimate Renewables Supplies, UKPS and select merchants. For a limited time, to celebrate the launch of the partnership, Installers receive a £100 discount on the Navien PEM750 and Passiv Smart Thermostat when they purchase the kit bundle through participating merchants. For more information, visit www.passivuk.com and www.navien.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pagabo names suppliers for largest infrastructure procurement offering to date
SUPPLIERS have been announced by leading digital procurement specialist Pagabo for the £4.29bn National Framework for Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Enabling Works 2026, its largest infrastructure procurement offering to date. Among the 111 suppliers’ appointed to new framework across 13 lots are industry-leading names such as Balfour Beatty, Costain, GRAHAM, Kier, M Group, Rhodar and VolkerFitzpatrick. The new framework will run for a term of four years, with the framework agreement available for use by sectors including central and local government, NHS, blue light, housing and education. Compliant with both the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024, the framework has been created to connect public sector bodies and private organisations with appointed contractors that will collaboratively deliver quality service and value for money outcomes. The new offering will combine the scopes of the National Framework for Civils and Infrastructure and the National Framework for Demolition and Land Preparation, both of which supported Pagabo in establishing its presence in the infrastructure sector and helping public sector organisations with procuring transformational schemes. David Llewellyn, construction and infrastructure director at Pagabo, said: “This new framework offers significant procurement opportunity for both the appointed suppliers and the public sector organisations it will support. From civil engineering, infrastructure, enabling works and beyond, the scope is extensive and is evidenced by the interest we’ve had since the invitation to tender earlier this year. “As with all of the frameworks we manage, compliance, transparency and impact play vital roles within its makeup, and it is a vital procurement offering for UK infrastructure. Our longstanding commitment to SME inclusion serves to provide avenues for clients to access suppliers of all sizes across the country, increasing access to the best fit for their projects, enabling competition, and prompting good economic growth. “Bolstered by our digital-first approach, the 111 suppliers appointed have the opportunity to grow work pipelines while also ensuring effective social value for communities across a range of project possibilities. This could include new roads and rail routes through to energy supply transformation and brownfield regeneration.” This framework is one instalment in a series being brought to market by Pagabo and YPO in 2026, following the formation of a 10-year strategic delivery partnership that will see resources, reputation and expertise combined. YPO is the centralised procurement authority for the framework, while Pagabo is the framework manager responsible for design, delivery and ongoing management. Pagabo’s central platform Pagabo+ will be available to suppliers as part of the procurement specialists digital-first, end-to-end delivery model. The single environment will play host to information on and management of new opportunities, call-off activity, performance monitoring and reporting, as well as compliance assurance. Appointed suppliers will also have access to Pagabo Group’s other digital software offerings, including contract management platform Sypro, supporting with enhancing the full lifecycle of procurement and project delivery. To learn more about Pagabo, visit www.pagabo.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Valleys to Coast Group appoints James O’Connor as new Executive Director of Finance and Transformation to drive the next chapter of growth
Valleys to Coast Group announces the appointment of James O’Connor as its new Executive Director of Finance and Transformation. James’s appointment comes at an important moment for the group as it launches its new Corporate Plan for 2026–2031 and enters an exciting period of growth. James joins from Codi Group, where he served as Director of Corporate Finance and Sustainability, bringing a wealth of leadership experience and expertise in strategic change, financial governance, and organisational improvement. In his new role, James will oversee the group’s financial strategy and lead a transformation agenda. He will focus on building financial strength, modernising systems, and ensuring resources are used effectively to enable reinvestment into Valleys to Coast’s homes and communities. His arrival aligns with the launch of the group’s Corporate Plan 2026–2031, which sets out an ambitious strategy to move from traditional ways of working to progressive, data-driven practices. By expanding its reach across South Wales and launching a new development subsidiary, Sylfaen, Valleys to Coast Group is strengthening its financial foundation to deliver more high-quality, safe, warm, and dry homes. Joanne Oak, Group Chief Executive, said:”We are thrilled to welcome James to our team. We are entering a transformative chapter as we roll out our new Corporate Plan. James brings experience, energy, and fresh thinking that will help us build our financial strength. Most importantly, he shares our wholehearted commitment to our people and to making a lasting, positive difference in the communities we serve.” James O’Connor said:”I am delighted to be joining Valleys to Coast Group at such an exciting time. Their ambition has a clear, heartfelt commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives and communities. I look forward to working alongside the team to build on their strong foundations, drive innovation, and help guide the organisation through its next chapter of growth and service excellence.” As Valleys to Coast Group prepares to move its new office to Wyndham House in the heart of Bridgend town centre, James’s leadership will be central to guiding the team through this period of growth and positive change. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals