Winvic establishes Data Centres as fourth core sector
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre solutions to meet growing market demand, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting the digital economy. Data Centres is Winvic’s fourth core sector, sitting alongside Industrial & Logistics, Multi-room, and Civils & Infrastructure. As a Tier 1 partner of the UK’s most complex industrial and infrastructure developments, Winvic has built an enviable record of disciplined delivery and the highest standards of quality. Its move into the Data Centre market is part of its ongoing growth and diversification, bringing its core values and expertise to a rapidly expanding market. Danny Cross, Director – Head of Data Centre Delivery at Winvic, said: “Over the last eighteen months we have focused on developing our supply chain, upskilling our teams and recruiting new expertise. Working alongside specialist MEP partners, we’re combining civil engineering scale and management with technical precision to deliver data centres designed for uptime, resilience, and scalability. “This marks a significant milestone in Winvic’s evolution as we expand into one of the fastest-growing construction sectors whilst maintaining our commitment to quality, collaboration, and excellence.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Our entry into the Data Centre market is a natural evolution of our capabilities as these developments share similar attributes to buildings we’ve been specialising in for over 25 years. Our proven delivery of large-scale and complex industrial and logistics projects, rigorous safety and quality standards through our ‘Doing It Right’ culture, and a collaborative approach gives us a strong advantage. “ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
First power as Port of Liverpool marks major solar milestone
Peel Ports Group and E.ON have celebrated a significant milestone at the Port of Liverpool by successfully generating the first power from the new solar panels on the new nearly 260,000 square foot Alexandra Dock warehouse, part of a major sustainability programme at the Port and the creation of the UK’s largest roof-mounted solar array. A total of almost 7,000 (6,926) solar panels have been installed on the warehouse known as the ‘Alex Shed’ and have now been connected to the grid – the first instalment of an ambitious project that will see up to 48,000 solar panels installed across many more buildings at the Port of Liverpool. The project is part of a 25-year agreement between Peel Ports Group and E.ON, which is set to cut CO2e emissions(2) by 4,700 tonnes each year – equivalent to taking more than 1,600 cars off the road(3). This will play a central role in helping the Peel Ports Group to achieve its net zero emissions goal by 2040. Vijay Tank, Chief Operating Officer of E.ON Energy Solutions, said: “The Port of Liverpool is a critical national infrastructure site, and decarbonising places like this is essential for the UK’s environmental and economic targets. The first grid connection of this major solar project is a big leap towards creating a clean energy system fit for the future. “We’ve been energy partners of the Peel Ports Group for more than two decades and I’m extremely proud of our relationship and their continued trust in our ability to collaborate further in meeting their future energy ambitions.” The grid connection represents a key strategic objective for the port operator, which is seeking to secure 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Once complete, the panels are expected to deliver 25MW of electricity, providing enough energy to meet a quarter of the port’s annual requirements and matching the yearly consumption of more than 10,000 average UK homes(1). The full solar array is being financed and delivered by E.ON, with a commitment to employing local contractors for installation and ongoing maintenance throughout the 25-year agreement. In line with the sustainability ambitions of the port, all work has been completed within the existing port footprint, maximising available roof space, with all equipment and materials transported to the port by sea, minimising impact to the local community. Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director – Port Services at Peel Ports Group said: “Generating the first power from this landmark solar project is a major milestone for the Port of Liverpool and for Peel Ports Group as a whole. By transforming our warehouse rooftops into clean energy assets, we’re taking practical, large-scale action to decarbonise a critical national gateway which enables regional trade and economic growth. “We are proud to be an industry leader in decarbonising port operations, having recently reported a 48% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse emissions across the group, in just five years.” “This project demonstrates how ports can lead the transition to renewable energy by maximising existing infrastructure, working with trusted partners like E.ON, and delivering long-term benefits for our customers, local communities and the environment as we progress towards our net zero target by 2040.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chinese Mega-Embassy Cleared for Construction at Royal Mint Court
Plans for a vast new Chinese embassy complex in central London have been approved, clearing the way for the construction of what would become China’s largest diplomatic outpost in Europe. The £255m scheme at Royal Mint Court, located just east of the City of London and directly opposite the Tower of London, has received final sign-off from housing secretary Steve Reed. The decision follows years of delays and political scrutiny, with opposition raised by MPs across parties over national security concerns. The 20,000 sq metre development occupies the former Royal Mint site, which was purchased by China in 2018 for around £230m. The approval concludes a prolonged planning process that included three separate delays and a previous refusal by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022, which cited safety and security risks. In confirming the decision, Reed described the approval as a quasi-judicial determination taken in line with planning policy. He said the decision is final unless successfully challenged through the courts. A 240-page planning report concluded that, when assessed as a whole, the proposals comply with the local development plan and warrant both planning permission and listed building consent. The proposed embassy will include extensive office accommodation, staff facilities, a large basement and living quarters for approximately 200 personnel. A new underground tunnel is also planned to link key embassy buildings across the site. Its proximity to sensitive fibre-optic infrastructure serving financial institutions has been a focal point of ongoing concern. The architectural proposals, designed by David Chipperfield Architects, involve the retention and repurposing of the listed Johnson Smirke and Seamen’s Registry buildings, alongside the demolition of other structures and the construction of new office and residential elements. For security reasons, internal layouts for parts of the scheme have been redacted from publicly available documents. Construction management advice is being provided by BCEGI UK, with Arcadis acting as project manager. Turner & Townsend is serving as cost consultant, Arup is advising on structural and civil engineering, Cundall on building services and Thornton Tomasetti on façade design. Ministers confirmed that intelligence agencies were consulted throughout the process and that a package of protective security measures has been developed. However, the Home Office has pressed for the introduction of a hard perimeter to restrict public access, a requirement that could still necessitate a further planning application. With a final government position on security expected next month, the project now moves closer to delivery, though heightened ministerial scrutiny means concerns beyond planning policy could yet influence its future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Largest UK Antarctic construction project completes on time and budget with opening of new science support and operations hub
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has officially opened the £100m Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station, marking the on-time and on-budget delivery of the largest construction project ever undertaken by the UK in Antarctica – a once-in-a-generation upgrade to the UK’s Antarctic research and operational capability. The facility was delivered as part of the government-funded £670 million Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) in partnership with BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, G&A Barnie Group, Turner and Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects. The building, with an internal floor area of 4,500 square metres, features over 100 rooms and spaces spread over two floors and will serve as the operational “beating heart” of the UK’s main Antarctic research station, providing all power, drinking water, and communications. The building, alongside its new network of services, has been formally opened by Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, to mark the completion of the project which began in 2019. The Discovery Building has been delivered following a six-year programme of meticulous design, logistics planning and phased construction in one of the most extreme environments on the planet and where materials must be transported more than 8,000 miles to site. The new facility replaces ageing infrastructure spread across multiple buildings and is designed to provide a safer and more efficient environment for staff, alongside reducing station carbon emissions by 25% through improved energy efficiency. With the Discovery Building now operational, the AIMP team has begun the phased deconstruction of six redundant buildings, with three already completed, one in progress and two more to be undertaken this Antarctic summer season. Deconstruction is a carefully managed process used in place of demolition, deconstructing elements piece-by-piece, to minimise environmental impact and to allow materials and waste to be managed in a controlled and responsible way. Waste is being consolidated into shipping containers by site teams to optimise freight movements, with excavated areas and former foundations backfilled following removal. Where suitable, materials are being reused on site, including the repurposing of cladding panels from Old Bransfield House, one of the station’s original dining and accommodation buildings, to provide temporary weatherproofing to other structures while permanent upgrades are planned. The AIMP programme, the largest UK investment in Antarctic science infrastructure since the 1980s, has already delivered the UK’s polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough (launched in 2021), upgraded wharfs at Rothera and King Edward Point research stations, and an upgraded runway at Rothera. The investment demonstrates the UK’s commitment to world-leading polar science and Britain’s long-term presence in Antarctica, where research provides crucial insights into global climate systems and changes in our oceans which affect people worldwide. The ongoing investment in the UK’s polar infrastructure is a significant element of the UK Government’s commitment to Antarctica, as set out in the recently published UK Antarctic Strategy. Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research, Innovation and Nuclear, said: “Antarctic research is essential to understanding how changing climate patterns could affect our planet in the years to come, from food security to flooding risk, so together we can act. The UK has long been a leader in polar science and this government investment in modern, state of the art facilities will enable current and future generations of researchers to tackle shared challenges with our international partners.” Elen Jones, AIMP Director at British Antarctic Survey, said: “The Antarctic Infrastructure Programme is the largest investment in our polar infrastructure for decades and this is a huge milestone in that programme. The Discovery Building represents the scale of collaboration and long-term planning required to deliver major infrastructure in Antarctica, and the co-ordination of multiple experts in such a remote environment has been a significant achievement. We want to thank everyone who’s played a part in developing, designing and delivering this building and are incredibly excited to see it come to life in the year of Rothera’s 50th anniversary, becoming an asset that will support Antarctic operations and scientific research for decades to come.” David Brand, Senior Project Manager at British Antarctic Survey, said: “Delivering this impressive new Discovery Building and our wider programme of modernisation at Rothera has been a significant engineering and logistics achievement in one of the most challenging construction environments in the world. The project required long-term collaboration with our partners, careful planning around the seasonal changes in Antarctica, the complex challenges of delivering staff, equipment and materials to such a remote location, which was essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring we delivered the project on time.” The programme is delivered in partnership with BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, G&A Barnie Group Ltd, Turner and Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects, with additional support from NORR and OFR. By the end of the 2025 – 2026 season, both the Discovery Building handover and decommissioning of the outdated facilities will be complete, paving the way for a more streamlined, efficient Rothera Research Station that is equipped for the future of polar research. To find out more, visit: https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/aimp/ or be one of the first people to look around the Discovery Building through BAS’ latest YouTube video tour Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Celebration marks start of construction at outstanding alternative provision in Letchworth
Children who are permanently excluded or at risk of exclusion from mainstream schools in North Hertfordshire are a step closer to having a new purpose-built teaching centre following a groundbreaking celebration to mark the start of construction. The ceremony, at North Herts Education Support Centre (NHESC), Briar Patch in Letchworth was hosted by Hitchin-based contractor Ashe Construction, and was attended by representatives of the Education Support Centre, Hertfordshire County Council, architect Saunders Boston and the project’s consultants. Hertfordshire County Council is working in partnership with NHESC to provide a purpose-built replacement for its teaching centre at Briar Patch Lane and appointed Ashe to design and build the new facility. Rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, NHESC provides an alternative education for excluded students, or students who are at risk of exclusion, with the aim of supporting a return to permanent full-time education. NHESC currently operates across two sites, Briar Patch in Letchworth and Bancroft in Hitchin. The expansion at Briar Patch will increase capacity from 33 to 40 pupils, allowing NHESC to operate from one purpose-built centre. The new building will provide seven new classrooms and additional rooms for practical activities such as construction, science and food technology. There will be spaces for IT, a common room, fitness suite, administrative areas, and dedicated support spaces. Ashe’s construction and technical director Daniel Armes explained: “It’s exciting to see work starting on site to provide an inspiring, well-designed learning environment. We are currently in our groundworks phase which also includes preparation for a new grass games pitch. “In March we will start erecting the building structure and in April we will start work on the brickwork. All windows and curtain walling will be double glazed and the south facing windows will have solar shading to prevent overheating. “Once watertight in June, the mechanical and electrical works will start, and we’ll be installing the floors and ceilings. Then we’ll undertake the fit out and decorate the new building ready for students to move into their brand-new, purpose-built facilities in November.” The new building has been designed for energy efficiency with high levels of insulation, air source heat pumps, and LED lighting. Dan Nearney, Executive Head at North Herts Education Support Centre, described the benefits the new building will provide. He said: “Both of the existing education support centres were not fit for purpose. “This new facility at Briar Patch is designed for our children and will have a transformational effect on them. It will improve their life chances and help them towards their next steps whether it be college, university, an apprenticeship or returning to mainstream school. “Following our recent Outstanding Ofsted report, just imagine what we can do with the new building! We will be able to support at least 40 children and become a community resource for 5–16-year-olds. We’ll be supporting the community better than ever before. “Our new Centre will enable us to provide hot meals and sports facilities with an outdoor space for use in the summer. The first floor will accommodate Key Stage 3 and the ground floor will cater for Key Stage 4 – All designed for the curriculum, based on the young people’s needs.” Shelley Hughes, Head of Centre at Briar Patch NHESC, added: “The new Centre will provide a learning environment that’s a quality space, where the children feel valued. It will be an environment they can be proud of and that opens opportunities for enrichment in a way that our old facilities just didn’t provide.” “We didn’t have sports facilities or the ability to have afterschool clubs for specialist coaches. We can now provide enrichment and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. “We run as a school, and an educational environment to succeed. This will be a family resource space for outside agencies to use and where the whole child can be supported. The new Centre will also accommodate the increasing number of children in our area that need supporting.” Cllr Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that every child and young person in Hertfordshire has the opportunity to thrive and receive the support they need to fulfil their potential. The expansion of NHESC is a vital step in that journey—providing high-quality, alternative provision in an environment designed to inspire and empower. This investment reflects our dedication to building a sustainable, inclusive and thriving Hertfordshire.” External works to improve the access road and traffic flow will take place during the summer holidays to avoid any disruption to the Centre’s operations. The scheme has been designed by Saunders Boston, with Pellings as project manager and Gleeds as cost consultant. BCAL is the engineer and One Creative Environments is the mechanical and electrical consultant. Completion is scheduled for Autumn this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Press Release Happy New Year! UK construction performance finishes 2025 on a high
Happy New Year! UK construction performance finishes 2025 on a high 2025 concluded with a significant increase in project starts during the Index period This week, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the January 2026 edition of its Construction Index. The Index reviews the three months to the end of December 2025, focusing on underlying projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise stated). All figures are seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The January Construction Index reveals that overall construction performance is starting to improve following a sluggish end to Q.2 2025, and a distinctly depressed Q.3 2025. In fact, projects starting on site rose by 7% in the three months to December, indicating that the sector is starting 2026 on a surer footing than that of the preceding quarter. Despite start activity remaining 7% lower than 2024 figures, the outlook for the coming year is far from gloomy and, with significant Government funding in areas including housebuilding, amenities, critical infrastructure, and capital projects there’s hope that this cash injection into the public realm will act as a catalyst to thaw currently frosty private investors both home and abroad. According to the Index, this current and potential growth is being seen across a variety of different verticals and, whilst residential categories posted losses, non-residential counterparts (including civils) posted strong results during Q.4 and against the preceding year. Commenting on the results, Glenigan’s Economics Director, Allan Wilen, says, “Contractors and subcontractors across the UK will be breathing a sigh of relief that, contrary to expectation and speculation, the sector finished up 2025 on a positive note, buoyed by significant Q.4 growth across non-residential verticals, particularly office and industrial where work has skyrocketed providing much needed momentum.” He continues, “Looking at the year ahead, whilst it won’t be a cake walk by any means, hopefully this non-residential activity boost will provide the basis for a further strengthening, reflecting the 2026 return-to-growth predictions we made in our recent Construction Forecast. However, this only addresses half the story. In the short term, the toughest nut to crack will be the persistent private residential market stagnation. Languishing in the doldrums, it desperately awaits a return of house-purchaser confidence and faster BSR clearance of high-rise projects; something the Government will no doubt chew over intensely over the first half of the year to find a way of easing the deadlock.” Taking a closer look at the results… Sector Analysis – Residential The Residential sector was a mixed bag, registering a modest 2% decline in the preceding three months, down by a fifth (-20%) against 2024 figures. Drilling deeper, private sector activity maintained a downward trajectory, posting 15% drops during Q.4, plummeting 29% compared to the previous year. Social housing, however, fared somewhat better, with 28% rises during the Index period to finish 16% up on last year. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential It was a different story in the non-residential sector, which experienced a robust period of growth, with most verticals scoring an increase during Q.4 Once again, the sun continued to shine on office construction, which rose by 11% against the preceding three months and 53% above 2024 levels. These impressive results can be largely attributed to the commencement of some sizeable projects, including the £70 million Dirac Building on the new St John’s Innovation Park development in Cambridge, and various other schemes. Not to be outdone, Industrial project starts were similarly on the up, soaring to 41% during the Index period and by 57% against the previous year. The commencement of various schemes up and down the UK helped to support sector growth. Once again, community and amenity projects saw an increase, with project starts on site up by 37% on 2024 figures and by 29% compared to the preceding three months. Perhaps boosted by good vibrations from the UK Government, civils work starting on-site increased 17% during Q.4 and by 15% against the previous year. Infrastructure project starts jumped 8% and utilities 28% during the index period to finish 9% and 23% up on last year, respectively. Elsewhere, performance was inconsistent or in decline. Whilst retail increased by 9% against the preceding three months, it stood 15% lower than the previous year’s figures. Likewise, education projects witnessed a 13% spike during the index period, but finished 8% down compared to 2024. Health and Hotel & Leisure’s results were disappointing. The former saw performance slashed by a quarter (-25%) against the previous year, dipping 7% during Q.4. Similarly, the latter dropped 8% during the preceding three months, finishing 28% lower than 2024 figures. Regional Outlook The Capital was the standout performer, rising to 35% against the preceding three months to stand 33% up against the previous year. Keeping up the pace, the North East also performed well, rising 10% against the preceding three months to stand 34% up against the previous year. It was a similar story in Yorkshire & the Humber, where project starts rose by 16% against the preceding three months to stand 1% up on the previous year. Elsewhere, performance was either patchy or dismal. The South West experienced a mixed performance, rising to 20% against the preceding three months, yet finishing 6% down against the previous year. The West Midlands experienced an especially poor period, declining by 19% against the preceding three months and declining to 12% against the previous year. The South East also struggled, declining 7% against the preceding three months to stand 14% down against the previous year. Find out more about Glenigan here: www.glenigan.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals