Young first-time buyers step onto the ladder at Little Bowden
Buying their first home together was always going to be a milestone moment for Amy Bassi and Ben Thompson – but after nearly two years of saving, planning and living back at home, moving into their new Davidsons property in Little Bowden felt even more special. Amy, 29, and Ben, 28, moved into their Stanbrook at Davidsons at Little Bowden in June last year, marking the end of a long journey to get onto the property ladder. The couple, who met at university, were balancing busy careers in different directions. Amy, originally from Dudley, works in marketing for a babywear company called My 1st Years in Northampton, while Ben, who grew up in Ireland, is a project manager for a web design agency in London. Finding somewhere that worked for both of them was key. Amy said: “We looked at lots of different areas because it had to work for both of us – I needed to be able to drive easily to Northampton, and Ben needed a straightforward train into London. As soon as we came to Market Harborough, it just felt right. It’s such a lovely town, and the station makes it so easy for Ben to get into London in under an hour.” As first-time buyers, the couple were determined to make a smart decision, even if that meant making sacrifices in the short term. They moved in with Amy’s parents for almost two years to build up their deposit. Amy said: “Living back at home in your twenties isn’t for everyone, but we’re so proud of ourselves for doing it. It took us a while to save, but it was completely worth it to be able to buy relatively young and get the house we really wanted.” After viewing a number of new build developments, they felt that Davidsons Homes stood out. Amy said: “We looked at other new builds, but some felt a bit crammed in. With Davidsons, the homes have so much character and space around them. They don’t feel squeezed together, and that was really important to us.” Visiting the show homes proved invaluable in helping them picture their future life there. Amy said: “Seeing the show homes was such a great way to understand how you’d actually live in the space. It made everything feel more real. We knew quite quickly that the Stanbrook 4th Edition was the one for us.” The couple were particularly drawn to the home’s open-plan layout downstairs – and one feature in particular. Amy said: “We really wanted a kitchen island. We love hosting and having people to stay, and the open-plan kitchen and living area is perfect for that. Choosing our kitchen was probably the most exciting day of the whole process.” Reserving their home in October 2024, long before it was actually built, meant a longer wait than some buyers experience – but Amy and Ben said the support from the sales team made all the difference. Amy said: “Because we were living with my parents, we couldn’t pop by regularly to check on progress, but Kelly and Michelle kept us informed every step of the way. We always felt updated and reassured, which made the whole process really smooth.” They were able to personalise their home by selecting fittings and finishes, making it feel like theirs from day one. Eight months on, the couple have fully embraced life in Little Bowden. Their spacious main bedroom and the large, open-plan living area remain firm favourites, along with their south-facing garden. Amy said: “Downstairs is definitely our favourite space. It’s light, open and perfect for having everyone round. We had a huge Halloween party and decorated everywhere, which was so much fun. Our parents come to stay as well, and there’s plenty of room.” Beyond the walls of their new home, they’ve quickly felt part of the local community. Amy said: “Everyone’s so friendly. Neighbours help each other out, even something as simple as taking your bins out if you’re away. There’s a lovely pub within walking distance, and I’ve already found a great nail technician, which is important!” For Amy and Ben, buying their first home wasn’t just about bricks and mortar – it was about creating a base that works for their careers, their social life and their future. Amy said: “It was a big commitment, and saving took time, but we couldn’t be happier. The whole process was smooth, we felt really supported throughout, and now we’ve got a home we absolutely love.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BIFIS Awards 2026 now open for entries
The British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists is pleased to announce that the BIFIS Awards 2026, in partnership with InstallerSHOW, is now open for entries. The BIFIS Awards recognises talent, contribution and achievement in the fitted interiors installation sector and has seen significant growth since it launched in October 2021, and this year will feature new six categories, including the Installer’s Choice Awards, with installation professionals voting for the best products and brands in the sector. The BIFIS Awards are free to enter, and businesses and individuals can nominate themselves, their business, a colleague, business associate, or a company that they work with via a dedicated online platform. Entries can be submitted from Tuesday 10 March and more information on the entry criteria, the submission process and key dates can be found at www.entertoday.co.uk. The 2026 categories are: The Installer’s Choice – voted for by BIFIS registered installers BIFIS CEO Damian Walters commented “The consistent year-on-year growth in both entries and industry support highlights just how important it is to properly recognise and reward this vital workforce. This recognition matters not only to installers themselves, but to the wider fitted interiors industry that depends on their skill, professionalism, and dedication. Each year, we are inspired not just by the volume of submissions, but by the calibre of talent across the sector, from apprentices and installers to installation businesses and managers. The BIFIS Awards provides an inclusive platform that brings the entire installation community together to celebrate excellence and achievement.” New for 2026 BIFIS has teamed up with InstallerSHOW to bring the BIFIS Awards Gala Dinner Ceremony to the show for the very first time! The BIFIS Awards will be presented on the evening of Tuesday 23 June 2026. The BIFIS Awards Gala Dinner will also support the BIFIS Charity of the Year, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, in recognition of the foundation’s outstanding work supporting people affected by motor neurone disease, following the loss of former BIFIS Inspector, Geoff Jackson, to the disease in 2025. More information on the BIFIS Awards 2026 can be found at www.entertoday.co.uk For information on remaining sponsorship opportunities, please email comms@bifis.org or call 01375 219 199, option 6. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lights, camera, construction: £104m boost set to spark arena and film studio projects across the North East
A £104m public funding package aimed at kick-starting a new arena, film studios and cultural infrastructure across the North East could unlock major construction work beginning this summer. The ambitious Crown Works Studios project in Sunderland is among the developments expected to move forward as part of the investment programme. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said the funding would help unlock plans for the large-scale film studio complex while also supporting enabling works for a long-planned arena at Gateshead Quays. The largest single scheme within the programme is the £39m Crown Works Studios development. Preparatory construction work for phase one is expected to begin in July. The first phase will deliver around 125,000 sq ft of studio space, combining a new Studio One building with the conversion of the former Doxford Printworks site beside the River Wear. Once complete in 2027, the development is expected to rank among the largest film studio facilities in northern England. Funding for the scheme includes £11m of recyclable investment funding, £500,000 a year in operational support over five years, and £25m from previously allocated Trailblazer Devolution Deal funding. Alongside the Sunderland development, the Mayor has earmarked £24m to help unlock a new arena scheme at Gateshead Quays. The funding would support infrastructure works needed to prepare the riverside site for a proposed 12,500 to 15,000-seat arena. Plans also include a new public performance square next to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and the creation of a green linear park linking the Tyne riverside with the Baltic Quarter. The investment is expected to help restart development at the Gateshead Quays site, where arena plans stalled during the pandemic amid rising construction costs. In January 2023 it was revealed that the estimated cost of the project had increased from £260m to more than £350m. The arena is also set to become the first major scheme linked to the Newcastle–Gateshead Mayoral Development Zone, which was established last year to accelerate regeneration along the Tyne corridor. Beyond the major construction projects, the wider £104m package also includes a £42m North East Culture, Creative Industries and Sport framework. This funding is intended to support grassroots venues, festivals and wider growth across the region’s creative sector. Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “If you have a creative dream, you don’t need London to succeed. We’ll prove that.” The proposals are due to go before the North East Combined Authority cabinet next week for approval. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tower Hamlets moves to unlock 52,000-home pipeline
Tower Hamlets has today (10 March 2026) set out how it will deliver its 52,000-home growth pipeline under Future Places, packaging publicly controlled land, direct council development and major regeneration sites into a single market-facing programme. As national and London-wide policy sharpens its focus on growth and housing supply, the borough is positioning itself to deliver at scale. The report, created in partnership with Arup, includes up to 10,000 homes at South Poplar and Billingsgate to the north of Canary Wharf, 3,300 homes across more than 40 council-owned sites, and 1,100 homes to be delivered directly by the council over the next six years. The borough is seeking development and investment partners to accelerate delivery across these sites. The pipeline builds on one of the strongest housing track records in London. Since 2011, Tower Hamlets has delivered more than 38,000 homes – more than any other London borough – and granted consent for over 9,000 additional homes in the past year alone. The borough already generates the third largest economic output in the UK and has the highest GVA per hour worked. Financial and professional services contribute £11bn in output and support more than 160,000 jobs, while Tower Hamlets represents half of London’s office development pipeline. Health, research and technology is identified as a key driver of the next phase of growth. £800m has been secured for the Barts Life Sciences Cluster in Whitechapel, creating more than 5,000 jobs and anchoring a major innovation corridor in east London. Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “We are scaling up growth in Tower Hamlets and opening up major opportunities for investment across the borough. We are unlocking major publicly controlled sites and inviting partners to help deliver them. We have the land, the connectivity and the track record to move at pace. We are open for investment and ready to engage with partners who want to move quickly and deliver quality. Tower Hamlets is at the forefront of tackling London’s housing crisis. Having already built more homes than any other London borough since 2013, we have one of the most ambitious plans in the country to build thousands more homes, and particularly affordable and social rent homes, to meet the needs of our residents. Together, we can create homes, jobs and innovation that strengthen London and the wider UK economy, while ensuring growth brings lasting benefits for our communities.” Steve Halsey, Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets Council, said: “Future Places sets out a clear and deliverable pipeline. We have publicly controlled land, a strong planning track record and the senior capacity in place to move schemes forward. Our focus is on investment certainty and partnership – providing a single point of contact, consistent decision-making and proactive use of our planning and enabling powers to unlock development. We are ready to work with institutional investors and development partners who want to deliver.” Eight key opportunity areas identified in Future Places include: The council says the scale of publicly controlled land and its delivery record position Tower Hamlets as one of London’s most active growth authorities. View the full Future Places prospectus at www.lovetowerhamlets.com/investors Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
From pharma HQ to riverside neighbourhood: 2,300 homes approved for Brentford regeneration site
Plans to transform the former GlaxoSmithKline headquarters in Brentford into a major mixed-use neighbourhood featuring more than 2,300 homes have been approved. Developer Hadley Property Group has secured planning permission for the large-scale redevelopment of the 13-acre site at 980 Great West Road in West London. The scheme will deliver over 2,300 homes across a mix of tenures, with 35% designated as affordable housing. Alongside the residential development, plans include around 330,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space, creating a new neighbourhood along the M4 corridor. A key part of the development involves retaining and repurposing two of the main buildings from the former GlaxoSmithKline campus, including its landmark tower. Hadley, which acquired the site three years ago, said the approach will help reduce embodied carbon while allowing the creation of new homes with large balconies, shared amenity spaces and a rooftop conservatory. The reuse strategy is expected to save more than 34,500 tonnes of embodied carbon during the demolition and construction stages. Studio Egret West is leading the redesign of the tower and is also involved in new affordable housing elements and the wider landscaping across the site. More than 60% of the development area will be given over to public realm, including new play spaces, gardens and improved access to the River Brent and nearby Boston Manor Park. The proposals also include around 23,000 sq m of employment space, with flexible units intended for local businesses, markets and community events. Hadley said the project will open up what has historically been a closed corporate campus, introducing a series of distinct areas described as arrival, central, underside and riverside zones designed to reconnect the site with Brentford High Street. One of the more distinctive features of the masterplan is a strip of public space known as the Underside, which will run beneath the elevated M4 motorway. A number of architectural practices are involved in the project, including Haworth Tompkins, Studio Egret West, Metropolitan Workshop and DRMM. The wider project team includes TPS as project manager, Gardiner & Theobald as quantity surveyor and Buro Happold providing MEP services. Andy Portlock, chief executive of Hadley, said reaching planning approval reflected the collaborative approach taken with the local authority. He said the development combines a major retrofit strategy with a strong focus on creating a new community, adding that the scheme will include a range of housing tenures alongside facilities such as a new NHS primary care centre and a technology and innovation hub as part of the emerging Golden Mile district in Brentford. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni strengthens UK platform with nine senior appointments
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial real estate developer, has made nine senior appointments across its UK development, project delivery and investment and finance teams, as the business continues to scale its acquisition and development programme. The appointments, which bring talent from CBRE, Savills, PwC, Chancerygate, Knight Frank, Boreal IM, Montagu Evans and Interpath Advisory, reflect the depth of Panattoni’s current UK pipeline and its confidence in continuing to invest in its people at a time when many across the sector are consolidating their workforces. Last year the company acquired 11 sites, secured 250 acres of land adding five million sq ft to its development pipeline, as well as leasing 2.5 million sq ft of space. That momentum has continued into 2026, with four lease transactions already signed in the first quarter. Development Three appointments have been made across Panattoni’s UK development platform, covering Southern England, London and the North. Alex Selwood joins as Associate Director from CBRE, where he was a Director advising industrial occupiers on their property acquisitions. Based within the Southern England and London team, he will focus on new site acquisitions and leasing activity. Chris Brown joins as Development Director from Chancerygate, where he was focusing on acquisitions in the North of England. He will help lead the expansion of Panattoni’s acquisition and leasing activity across its Northern portfolio. Will Fennell joins as Development Manager, South East and London, from Montagu Evans, where he was an Associate, and will work closely with occupiers on leasing while supporting speculative development across the region. Oliver Bertram, Head of Development (UK) at Panattoni, said: “The scale of our UK pipeline demands a development team with the depth and range to execute across multiple regions simultaneously. Alex, Will and Chris each bring a level of experience and market knowledge that will directly support our ability to move quickly on acquisitions and maintain leasing momentum. The breadth of their backgrounds, from occupier advisory to speculative development, reflects the range of what we are building at Panattoni.” Chris Brown, Panattoni new hire as Development Director, said: “I’m delighted to be joining Panattoni at such an exciting point in its growth. The momentum the business has built over the past few years has been remarkable, establishing itself as the most active industrial developer in the UK and a market leader across multiple regions. It’s a great platform to be part of, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the continued expansion of the Northern portfolio. Project Delivery Three appointments have been made to Panattoni’s Southern Project Management Team. Phil Beato joins as Project Delivery Director, having previously managed development and repositioning projects across Europe at Boreal IM. Tom Bird joins in the same role from Savills, where he was a Project Management Director. Chris Thrippleton joins as Senior Project Manager from Chancerygate, where he focused on project management for industrial developments. Ian Anderson, Head of Project Management at Panattoni, said: “Delivering at the pace our pipeline now requires means having the right people embedded at every stage of the process, from initial due diligence through to handover. Phil, Tom and Chris strengthen our capacity to do exactly that. Between them they bring experience across complex European development programmes, major project management mandates and industrial delivery at scale, and I am looking forward to what we will achieve together.” Phil Beato, Project Delivery Director, said: “It’s great to join Panattoni and gain a deeper understanding of the development platform from within such a well-respected global business. The scale, quality and ambition of the pipeline is clear to see, and it’s an exciting time to come on board. Having delivered development and repositioning projects across Europe, I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to the team and supporting the next phase of the company’s growth across the UK.” Capital Markets Panattoni has also bolstered its UK capital markets team against a backdrop of renewed investor appetite and activity across the sector. Phoebe Burdett has joined as Capital Markets Analyst from Knight Frank’s London Capital Markets team and will play a central role in capital formation, supporting investor relations and transaction management across the platform. Investment and Finance Two appointments have been made to Panattoni’s finance and investment team, strengthening its capacity to enhance financial structuring, execution and managing an increasingly active development programme. Garrick Pepper joins as Associate Director, Investment and Finance, from PwC, where he led advisory work across M&A and corporate finance transactions. Garrick is an active contributor to the UK property industry and serves on the British Property Federation’s Logistics Committee and Futures Advisory Board. Zachary Atkinson joins as Associate, Investment and Finance, from Interpath Advisory, where he was a Manager in M&A, having previously worked at KPMG. Oliver Choppin, Finance Director at Panattoni, said: “We are delighted to welcome Garrick and Zachary to the team to deepen and broaden our finance and investment function. Their appointments significantly strengthen our capabilities across transaction management, capital deployment and financial operations, ensuring we are well positioned to support the continued growth of the business. As our pipeline continues to expand, building out a best-in-class finance team is critical. These hires reflect our long-term commitment to disciplined growth, strong governance and delivering value for our investors and partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals