G F Tomlinson completes University of Nottingham’s pioneering Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has successfully completed construction of the University of Nottingham’s new Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building at Jubilee Campus, marking the delivery of a landmark facility that will support the development and testing of next-generation clean propulsion technologies. Completed this spring, the facility has been designed to enable research and safe high-power testing of propulsion systems for transport and power generation, helping to advance the UK’s transition towards cleaner energy solutions. The specialist laboratory features cryogenic capabilities and environmental chambers suitable for altitude testing, enabling the safe high-power testing of propulsion systems using gaseous hybrid, ammonia and other green fuels. The facility will support research and innovation across a range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, marine and power generation, and is connected to the megawatt-class physical testing capabilities of the adjacent Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC). The project involved the construction of a state-of-the-art steel-frame building with metal cladding, designed to complement surrounding campus facilities. The building incorporates high-performance acoustic doors to manage operational noise levels and integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate renewable energy on site, supporting the project’s sustainability objectives and BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. The project was funded through round seven of Research England’s flagship UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), East Midlands Freeport, industry partners and the university, supporting the creation of a world-class research environment for the development of future propulsion systems and green fuel technologies. Throughout the programme, G F Tomlinson worked closely with the University of Nottingham and local stakeholders to deliver a range of social value initiatives that benefited students, staff and the wider community. These included 50 apprentice weeks on site, whilst also providing work placements for two local college students, who shadowed the site management, surveying and design teams. Guided tours and presentations were provided for Civil Engineering and Architecture students from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to further enhance their construction and design knowledge and help support their studies. The project also supported the local economy through the use of regional supply chain partners, with 97% of project spend within a 40 mile radius of site and 99% SME engagement. 100% of site waste was diverted from landfill and over 1,300 miles were made using low emission vehicles. The completion of the Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building further strengthens G F Tomlinson’s longstanding relationship with the University of Nottingham, following the successful delivery of a number of key projects across the university’s estate. Andy Sewards, Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “The successful completion of the hybrid propulsion systems lab is a significant milestone for both the University of Nottingham and the wider region. This facility will play an important role in supporting pioneering research into low-carbon propulsion technologies and strengthening the UK’s position at the forefront of clean energy innovation. “We are proud to have delivered this highly specialised facility on behalf of the University, building on a longstanding relationship that has seen us support a number of major developments across its estate. The completed laboratory provides an outstanding environment for research, collaboration and industry engagement, helping to create opportunities that will benefit future generations.” Dr Mark Pacey, Senior Technical Specialist – Hydrogen Propulsion, University of Nottingham, said: “This new facility is a game-changer for future transport and power generation research industries. We have hugely valued our collaboration with G F Tomlinson to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that will give rise to world-class innovation, drive knowledge exchange, and strengthen our industrial partnerships.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barhale wins UU Better Rivers project at Stockport
United Utilities has appointed Barhale to deliver a key project to improve water quality in the Micker Brook at Bramhall, Stockport. The civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist will construct a new detention tank at Bramhall Precinct car park to reduce the number of times the storm overflow operates into the brook, a tributary of the River Mersey. The shaft tank will intercept a sewer running into the existing Briarlands Combined Storm Overflow (CSO). The contract has been awarded as part of the largest investment in wastewater infrastructure in the North West for a century. United Utilities is investing £13bn to protect and enhance over 500km of rivers, lakes and bathing waters whilst safeguarding drinking water supplies for millions of customers. The site sits within an area with a high water table so Barhale and UU have collaborated closely to identify a suitable design solution. It includes diverting an 825mm diameter sewer running at 4m depth to allow construction of a 1,000m3 shaft tank using a 12.5m diameter segmented caisson sunk to an invert depth of 13.3m. Barhale will also carry out the MEICA fit out including new pumps in the shaft, control equipment kiosks, control panels, telemetry systems and incoming power supplies. A dual rising main will be connected to the network upstream of the CSO chamber. Nick Curtis, Regional Director – Northern Region, Barhale said: “The project presents some significant technical challenges because of the location and site conditions and we are pleased to continue supporting United Utilities as part of their wide reaching AMP8 investment programme. “We are already active across several aspects of the programme which are reinforcing the network’s ability to withstand storm events. They include constructing another smaller storm tank near this one in Cheadle and two more in Merseyside. “The investment is aiming to reduce spill rates to fewer than one-in-ten-year events. The completion of the Briarlands CSO programme will be an important step towards meeting United Utilities’ target of reducing spills from storm overflows by 60% before 2030.” Completion is scheduled for early summer 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry and Homes England complete deal to deliver 229 new homes and 12 commercial spaces on the edge of Weston-super-Mare
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has secured planning consent for 229 new homes and the first phase of the high street (12 commercial spaces) at Locking Parklands, a strategic development led by Homes England. The Vistry phases form part of the wider Locking Parklands masterplan, which will ultimately provide around 2000 homes (subject to planning permission) on the former RAF Locking site, alongside commercial spaces and community facilities. Vistry’s development will include a mix of homes and deliver 50% affordable housing, supporting local needs and creating a sustainable, inclusive community. Susan Scholfield, Regional Managing Director of Vistry Bristol, said: “We’re delighted to be contributing more than 200 new homes to the wider Locking Parklands regeneration site. With 50% of our homes to be offered in affordable tenures, we’ll be able to make a significant contribution to the area’s affordable housing supply whilst also providing local people with a range of housing choices.” Sam Gammon, National Disposals Lead of Homes England, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Vistry on these important phases at Locking Parklands. Delivery of these phases will see the areas between the completed primary school, secondary school and GP surgery filled with homes, jobs and amenities that will form a vibrant village centre at the heart of Locking Parklands and the wider Parklands Village.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Flex office giant Landmark becomes ‘Elementa Workspace’
The new brand positioning and name for the flex office provider reflect its holistic and science-led approach to the market and its objective to deliver a tangible, positive impact on the occupants of its buildings. Landmark Space, a leading UK flex office provider, today announced it will become Elementa Workspace. The new brand positioning and name reflect the operator’s holistic and science-led approach to the flex office market. The 30 buildings currently carrying the Landmark name or its sister brand, The Space, will transition to the Elementa identity over the next 12 months, beginning with its new website, elementaworkspace.com, now live. “For over 25 years we have known we are different to the rest of the industry, but now our brand reflects the difference we make,” says Ed Cowell, Elementa Workspace CEO. “The flex office space industry is not about flex office space at all; it’s about the positive, measurable impact we have on our customers’ business performance and the people who drive it. Elementa runs workplaces as a system – designed around how people work, operated to consistent standards, and continuously improved through evidence. We call this Science at Work.” A business catalyst In an era where businesses are navigating hybrid working norms, talent retention challenges and fast-changing expectations around wellbeing and productivity, Elementa exists to close the gap by building workspaces that are continually measured and improved. Catalyst is Elementa’s client feedback system – surveying clients on a rolling basis, with responses reviewed and acted on within 48 hours. Henry Horsfall, Chief People and Operations Officer, says, “We analyse responses to identify trends across the wider client base, so issues are addressed early rather than waiting for them to surface. Together with our customised journey mapping platform, through which we measure the client experience across more than 150 touchpoints, Catalyst is how Science at Work translates from philosophy into daily practice.” 1 Great St Helen’s Examples of this in practice can be seen at Elementa’s newest building, 1 Great St Helen’s, which includes acoustic and audio-privacy benchmarks that govern partitioning and layouts, a dedicated conferencing floor, gym and studio space, and access to a productivity-enhanced library space for frictionless working. Set across 12 floors and 52,000 sq ft, the building will be the first to be named Elementa from opening. The operator’s existing portfolio – including its flagship buildings 125 Old Broad Street, 110 Bishopsgate, 75 Grosvenor Street and Wogan House – will transform into the new Elementa identity, while its social media and communications channels will also transition to the new name. In their element Elementa’s 25-year heritage in this innovative thinking has led to retention rates of more than 80 per cent and an independently verified NPS score of +63, which has improved for 10 consecutive years. Recognised as excellent by Bain & Company, this score places the organisation among the highest performers for customer advocacy. The name Elementa reflects the hundreds of individual elements – touchpoints, standards, behaviours and environments – that the team optimises every day across its portfolio. These are organised around four pillars: performance, progress, partnership and people – an approach the business calls ‘Science at Work’. Tom Sleigh, Property Director comments, “A place you work is very different to a place you work better. That is what Elementa and ‘Science at Work’ is all about, and where 1 Great St Helen’s will set new standards.” Kate Cox, Chief Revenue Officer, adds, “AI and technological transformation have accelerated the pace of evolution among the British SME community. It’s essential that these progressive businesses have access to an infrastructure that is capable not just of keeping up with the pace of change but catalysing it, and this is where Elementa leads the conversation.” For more information on 1 Great St Helen’s, the Elementa rebrand and Science at Work, visit elementaworkspace.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Works commence on Vivere Cornbrook as landmark tower rises at Manchester Waters
Construction has officially commenced on VIVERE Residences at Cornbrook, a landmark £64.2 million mixed-use development by Forshaw Land & Property Group marking a major milestone in the continued transformation of the Manchester Waters neighbourhood. With enabling works now underway and DOMIS appointed as main contractor, the scheme will deliver 237 luxury apartments, an 88-key VIVERE aparthotel, ground floor commercial space and a range of resident amenities on a prominent gateway site adjacent to Cornbrook Metrolink station. The development will also become the tallest tower delivered to date within Peel Waters’ Manchester Waters masterplan, creating a striking new addition to Manchester’s skyline and reinforcing Cornbrook’s position as an emerging residential and commercial destination between the city centre and Trafford. Through a complex land assembly process, Peel Waters unlocked the opportunity to transform the site at Cornbrook, a key neighbourhood within their wider emerging ‘Manchester Waters’ district, one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects. VIVERE Residences forms part of the wider Manchester Waters vision. The development occupies a strategically important site at the entrance to Pomona Island, the largest neighbourhood within the Manchester Waters masterplan, where Peel Waters is creating a new waterside community featuring new homes, extensive public realm and more than 10 acres of green space. The start on site follows the recent securing of Building Safety Act Gateway 2 approval, together with a £64.2 million development finance facility from Maslow Capital, providing the platform for construction to commence. The scheme will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments alongside five panoramic penthouses, designed to meet growing demand for city-centre living. Residents will have access to a comprehensive amenity offering including a 24-hour concierge, gym, co-working lounge, games room, meeting rooms, private dining facilities, cinema and coffee bar. The accompanying VIVERE aparthotel will form part of Forshaw Group’s new VIVERE hospitality brand, supporting Manchester’s growing visitor economy with high-quality short-stay accommodation in a highly connected location. Lyndon Forshaw, CEO of Forshaw Land & Property Group, said: “Breaking ground at VIVERE Cornbrook is a hugely exciting milestone for us and marks the start of our largest residential development to date. This scheme represents a significant investment in Manchester and reflects our confidence in the city’s continued growth and appeal. “Working alongside Peel Waters and DOMIS, we’re bringing forward a landmark development that will deliver high-quality homes, a premium new aparthotel offering and exceptional resident amenities in one of Manchester’s most exciting emerging neighbourhoods. From thoughtfully designed apartments and penthouses to amenity spaces including wellness, co-working and hospitality facilities, our ambition is to create a destination that sets a new standard for living and staying at Manchester Waters.” James Whittaker, Managing Director at Peel Waters, said: “VIVERE Cornbrook is a landmark project in every sense. As the tallest tower delivered within Manchester Waters to date, it will stand as a powerful statement of confidence in the future of this neighbourhood and Manchester as a whole. “What was once underused brownfield land is being transformed into a vibrant waterfront district that will support thousands of homes, jobs and opportunities over the coming years. The start of construction marks another significant step in turning that long-term vision into reality. “Working alongside Forshaw Land & Property Group and DOMIS, we’re creating more than a building; we’re helping to establish a new destination at the gateway to Pomona Island and continuing the evolution of Manchester Waters into one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects.” Kingsley Thornton, Managing Director of DOMIS added: “VIVERE Cornbrook represents a considerable milestone in the wider Manchester Waters masterplan and the continuation of our strong relationship with Forshaw Land & Property Group. “This is a challenging build on a compact city-centre site, but these are exactly the kind of complex projects DOMIS is known for delivering. Our focus is on bringing the scheme forward safely, efficiently and to the highest possible standard, while maintaining the quality and pace required for a development of this scale. “We’re proud to be working alongside Forshaw and Peel Waters to deliver what will become the tallest tower within the masterplan to date, and a landmark development that will make a lasting contribution to Manchester Waters.” Construction of VIVERE Residencies Manchester is expected to be completed by Winter 2028 To find out more about VIVERE Residencies visit: Vivere Residences – VIVERE Residences | Manchester Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Esh completes key Riverside Sunderland regeneration projects
Esh Construction has completed two major projects for Sunderland City Council, marking significant milestones in the ongoing Riverside Sunderland regeneration programme. Delivered in partnership with Sunderland City Council, the schemes have transformed key areas of the city’s riverside environment, improving connectivity, enhancing public spaces and supporting the long-term vision for Sunderland’s continued growth. At Sheepfolds, Esh has completed a public realm scheme surrounding the Stadium of Light and Sheepfolds Stables, creating high-quality pedestrian infrastructure and strengthening connections between the city centre, the Stadium of Light and the wider Sheepfolds development area. Esh has also completed its work at Riverside Park – a major new green space being delivered as part of the wider Riverside Sunderland masterplan – where the Southern Gateway and Kingsley Gardens have been transformed. The Southern Gateway public realm connects the Farringdon Row neighbourhood and Riverside multi-storey car park, with the new Sunderland Strategic Eye hospital, Vaux housing development, and central business district. Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “The completion of both the Sheepfolds public realm scheme and our Riverside Park work represents another proud milestone for Esh in Sunderland and reinforces our long-term commitment to supporting the city’s regeneration ambitions. “While the projects are very different in nature, they share a common goal of creating high-quality places that enhance connectivity, celebrate local heritage and provide lasting benefits for the community. Together, they demonstrate how investment in public realm and green infrastructure can support wider regeneration and help attract people to live, work and spend time in the city.” A central feature of the Sheepfolds project is a new pedestrian overpass constructed above the site’s historic cobbled wagonway. The works have included the restoration of the former industrial route while integrating it into a modern, accessible thoroughfare, providing a direct link between the Stadium of Light, Sheepfolds Stables and Keel Square, with onward access to the city centre. Alongside the overpass, the project has delivered enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes through the installation of natural stone paving, new trees and landscaping, and critical infrastructure including sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) to support future phases of development. The Sheepfolds site was temporarily opened during the summer to help facilitate crowds attending the 2026 Women’s Rugby World Cup, providing an early opportunity for visitors to experience the improved public realm. Just a few minutes’ walk over the River Wear from Sheepfolds, situated between the Riverside multi-storey car park and new Sunderland Strategic Eye Hospital, the Southern Gateway includes a new park entrance, attractive landscaped spaces, ponds, and social areas designed to increase biodiversity and encourage public use. Kingsley Gardens has been developed as a community growing space, providing opportunities for healthy living and social interaction. With both sites handed back to Sunderland City Council, work is now focused on readying the new spaces for public use in the coming weeks. Cllr James Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Business, Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see work complete on the next phase of Riverside Sunderland, which will see the opening of the first phase of our stunning new city park and further enhance the area around Sheepfolds and the Stadium of Light. “Over the coming months and years, Riverside Sunderland is set to see hundreds of new homes, the national esports arena and new retail and leisure units rise from the ground and the completion of these critical infrastructure projects mark the latest milestone in the ongoing transformation of the city.” Across the projects, Esh has reinvested £2.5 million into the local economy through supply chain spending and generated additional social value through local employment, apprentice opportunities and community initiatives. Two Sunderland apprentices worked across the projects, while the team additionally supported a Council-led Riverside clean-up initiative. Esh also provided donations of £2000, £750 and £250 to Expo Sunderland, Hopewood Park and children’s charity Love, Amelia respectively. The completion of these projects further strengthens Sunderland’s growing reputation as a destination for investment, leisure and recreation while supporting the wider regeneration of the riverside for future generations. To find out more about Esh Construction, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals