Retail parks emerge as key growth area as physical retail evolves
Traditional bricks-and-mortar shopping continues to hold strong appeal for customers despite the continued growth of online retail, with retail parks emerging as an increasingly attractive destination for both retailers and consumers. With online retail having plateaued at just over 28% of UK retail sales, below its pandemic peak, physical stores remain firmly at the heart of how customers choose to spend their money. The question is no longer whether physical retail will survive, but how retailers and landlords are allocating space across different formats. Michaela Walker, a commercial property solicitor at national law firm Clarke Willmott, said: “The retail landscape has changed significantly, but reports of the death of physical retail have been greatly exaggerated. What we are seeing is a more nuanced evolution in the way retailers use physical space, with retail parks increasingly forming an important part of that picture. “Retail parks offer a combination of accessibility, convenience and flexibility that is particularly well suited to the way consumers shop today. For retailers, they can also provide larger units, easier access and opportunities to integrate traditional retail with click-and-collect, returns and other elements of an increasingly omnichannel customer journey.” The strength of demand for retail park space is reflected in current market data. British Land, one of the UK’s largest retail park owners, reports 99% occupancy across its 1,200-unit portfolio. Savills puts available floorspace across UK retail parks at just 1.8%, with 91% of existing occupiers choosing to renew rather than relocate. CBRE reported in 2025 that retail parks had the lowest vacancy rate of any major retail property sub-sector, alongside the strongest five-year rental growth across UK retail as a whole. Savills’ Johnny Rowland has described this as “a structural imbalance between supply and demand”, creating a “highly competitive environment, particularly for well-located schemes”. The shortage of space reflects a combination of limited land availability, high construction costs and challenging development appraisals, alongside the wider covenant strength of the sector. The profile of retailers occupying retail parks is also changing. The traditional image of retail parks as the preserve of DIY, furniture and automotive retailers no longer tells the full story. Food, fashion, homewares, leisure and value retailers are all expanding their presence in these locations. Home Bargains was the fastest-growing retail park tenant of 2025 according to Knight Frank, with 265 units. Aldi and Lidl now each operate more than 100 retail park sites, while Next, M&S and Skechers have pursued out-of-town strategies alongside their city-centre presence. This reflects what Savills describes as a more holistic approach to expansion, recognising the complementary role different retail formats can play in reaching different customer catchments. Michaela Walker said: “Retailers are increasingly looking at their estates as a portfolio rather than making an either-or choice between the high street, shopping centres and retail parks. Each format serves a different purpose, and the strongest strategies are often those that recognise how those locations can work together. “The appeal of retail parks is particularly clear for retailers whose customers value convenience. Easy road access, free parking and the ability to combine several shopping trips in one visit can be powerful advantages. At the same time, larger units can give retailers greater flexibility over how they operate their stores and integrate physical retail with their online offer.” The growth of retail parks should not, however, be interpreted as a story of high streets and shopping centres losing out. Strong demand for retail park space sits within a broader retail property market that continues to evolve across all formats. High streets, shopping centres and retail parks each serve distinct purposes within the customer journey, and retailers are increasingly using a combination of locations to reach different audiences. Michaela Walker said: “This isn’t the death of the high street. It is about retailers understanding where different types of physical space work best for their particular business and customers. “Retail parks are clearly experiencing strong demand at the moment, but that exists alongside continuing investment in town and city centres and shopping centres. The important point for retailers is to have a clear location strategy and to understand what each part of their estate is intended to achieve.” For retailers looking to expand, the strength of demand means that waiting for a suitable retail park unit to appear on the open market may no longer be an effective strategy. Space is often being absorbed before it becomes widely available, making early engagement with landlords and agents increasingly important. For developers, the supply gap presents an opportunity, although the planning process and development economics remain significant challenges, with applications taking nearly two years in some cases. Across the market, the 2026 business rates revaluation is also reshaping the cost equation for retailers operating across different formats, adding another factor to decisions around location and estate strategy. Michaela Walker said: “For occupiers, the message is to think ahead. If a retail park is an important part of your expansion strategy, it is worth engaging early rather than waiting for a unit to become publicly available. “Businesses also need to consider the wider costs of occupation, including rent, business rates and fit-out, alongside the operational benefits that a particular location can offer. With supply constrained and competition for good-quality space high, having a clear strategy can make a significant difference.” The next phase of physical retail is therefore likely to be less about choosing between physical and online channels and more about how retailers use physical space most effectively. For some, that will mean investing in flagship stores in town and city centres. For others, it will mean larger, more accessible and operationally efficient stores on retail parks. Michaela Walker concluded: “Physical retail remains incredibly relevant. What is changing is the role that individual stores and locations play within a retailer’s wider business. “The combination of retail parks, shopping centres and high streets is helping physical shopping remain vibrant and relevant. Retailers that understand how those different formats complement one another will be best placed to make
The Noble Consultancy secures approval for 450-home Barratt Redrow scheme in Gillingham
The Noble Consultancy has secured Reserved Matters planning approval for a 450-home development at Gibraltar Farm in Gillingham, on behalf of Barratt Redrow Homes, following a unanimous decision by Medway Council’s planning committee on 29 July 2026. The scheme delivers 450 new homes across the site, alongside 10.62 hectares of high-quality, multi-functional open space, and is fully compliant with Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS). It marks the successful conclusion of a two-year process for The Noble Consultancy, which supported the site from BDW Kent’s early feasibility work through to the granting of detailed consent – on a site that had stalled since outline permission was first granted in 2018. The project’s direction shifted significantly partway through, when Barratt’s acquisition of Redrow turned Gibraltar Farm into a dual-brand development. Rather than proceeding with the site’s existing Reserved Matters application, The Noble Consultancy revisited the masterplan from first principles, exploring multiple layout options to establish a single coherent scheme that could accommodate both the Barratt and Redrow brands. The Noble Consultancy’s design team carried out a detailed local character assessment to ensure the scheme responded to the surrounding area, reviewing local policy and design guidance, analysing historic settlement patterns, and undertaking a tissue analysis of neighbouring residential areas. Midway through the process, Medway Council introduced an emerging policy requirement for NDSS compliance, prompting The Noble Consultancy to redesign all 450 plots within the existing programme without compromising open space provision or design quality. The team also develop an enhanced sustainable drainage strategy, using dual-purpose seasonal basins to maximise usable open space and built a planning narrative that balanced the client’s use of standard house types with the Local Planning Authority’s design aspirations. Extensive engagement underpinned the application throughout, including pre-application discussions, design workshops, a Design Review Panel, a Building for a Healthy Life assessment and ongoing coordination with the design team and council officers. Toby Eichler, Managing Director (Planning), at The Noble Consultancy said: “Gibraltar Farm has been a complex and rewarding project, requiring us to rethink the scheme following the Barratt Redrow merger while responding to evolving planning requirements. Through close collaboration with the client, council and wider design team, we helped unlock a site that had been stalled for several years and secure approval for a high-quality development that will deliver much-needed new homes and open space for the local community.” Gibraltar Farm is the latest in a series of major residential planning successes for The Noble Consultancy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fitzwilliam Gate opens a new chapter for Cambridge Living
Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group is proud to announce the launch of Fitzwilliam Gate, a new collection of 70 one to four-bedroom homes in north Cambridge on Saturday 26 September 2026. Located on Histon Road Fitzwilliam Gate brings high-quality new homes to one of the city’s most connected and established neighbourhoods.Set within the welcoming area of Arbury, Fitzwilliam Gate combines the convenience of city living with the character and familiarity of a well-established, leafy suburb, ensuring these homes will appeal to families, professionals and first-time buyers alike. Well-regarded schools, a wealth of local amenities and the green space of Histon Road Recreation Ground are all close by.Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at The Hill Group, comments: “Fitzwilliam Gate opens an exciting new chapter for homebuyers seeking the perfect balance of quality, connectivity and community. Many homes overlook the recreation ground, putting woodland trails, green space and a play park right on residents’ doorsteps, while the buzz of the city centre, top local schools and everyday essentials are all just a short walk away. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family or just looking for the best of city and village living, then this is a neighbourhood that truly suits every stage of life.” Each home has been finished to a premium specification, featuring luxurious touches throughout, including sleek Caesarstone worktops, fully integrated appliances and soft close drawers in the kitchens, while bathrooms showcase feature framed mirrors and generously sized porcelain tiles. The homes span two to three storeys, with underfloor heating on the ground floor providing extra comfort and flexibility. Many homes feature open-plan kitchen-dining areas with bifold doors opening out onto spacious terraces and gardens. Residents can also make the most of energy-efficient living with air source heat pumps, EV charging and large triple-glazed windows, whilst each home includes dedicated cycle storage and a private parking space. Two show homes – a four-bedroom and a three-bedroom home – will open soon, giving prospective buyers the opportunity to see the quality and craftsmanship on offer first-hand. Arbury is one of North Cambridge’s most established neighbourhoods, known for its strong community spirit, excellent local amenities and the popular annual Arbury Carnival. Fitzwilliam Gate brings residents close to the energy of Cambridge, while still providing a quiet sanctuary to unwind. Within easy reach, residents can explore Kettle’s Yard art gallery, a 13-minute walk away, or Jesus Green Lido, just 19 minutes on foot, while Cambridge Market Square is an eight-minute cycle from the development. Families will benefit from a broad range of education options nearby, spanning state and independent schools. Mayfield and Arbury Primary Schools are less than a 15-minute walk away, with both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. For secondary education, residents have an excellent choice across the city, including Chesterton Community College and Parkside Community College, both rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Independent options include Cambridge Arts and Sciences and The Leys School. Fitzwilliam Gate is ideally positioned for commuters to Cambridge’s thriving employment hub, with Cambridge Business Park just a 15-minute cycle and St John’s Innovation Park a 17-minute cycle away. For those working in the city’s growing science and healthcare sector, Cambridge Science Park is only 17-minutes by bicycle, whilst Cambridge Biomedical Campus is just 23 minutes by car. Cambridge Station is also a 15-minute cycle away, connecting residents onward across the city and beyond. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HG Construction Starts £76m South Acton Student and Affordable Housing Scheme
HG Construction has secured a £76 million contract to deliver a major student accommodation and affordable housing development at Bollo Yard in South Acton, West London. Appointed by developer Hurlington Capital, HG Construction will deliver two residential blocks close to Acton Town station, combining a 21-storey student tower with a separate affordable housing building. The development will provide 429 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds alongside 95 affordable homes, creating a significant new mixed-tenure residential scheme in the London Borough of Ealing. Construction is moving forward following Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator, an increasingly important milestone for higher-risk residential developments before building work can commence. HG Construction secured Gateway 2 approval for Block AB in just 22 weeks, enabling the contractor and development team to progress into the main construction phase. The project has been supported by a £112 million development finance package secured by Hurlington Capital and its joint venture partner V-Fund. Ealing Council has separately agreed a £29 million deal to acquire all 95 affordable homes, which will be made available at social rent. The combination of purpose-built student accommodation and social housing provides the scheme with a diverse residential mix, while its location close to Acton Town Underground station offers strong public transport connections across West London and into central London. HG Construction will draw on a number of its in-house specialist businesses during delivery, including its piling, crane, mechanical and electrical and offsite pod operations. The integrated approach will give the contractor greater control over several key construction packages while supporting coordination across the high-rise development. DMWR Architects is leading the technical design for Bollo Yard, while KS4 is providing project management, cost consultancy and employer’s agent services. The project adds to a growing pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation being delivered across London as developers respond to continued demand for professionally managed student housing. Importantly, the South Acton development will also deliver a substantial package of new social rented homes alongside the student accommodation. For HG Construction, the £76 million contract further strengthens its presence in the capital’s high-rise residential and PBSA markets, with the contractor bringing its specialist construction and offsite capabilities to another complex urban development. With regulatory approval and development finance now secured, Bollo Yard is set to transform the South Acton site with more than 500 new student and affordable homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Tops Out £140m Derriford Emergency Care Centre in New Hospital Programme Milestone
Willmott Dixon has reached a major construction milestone at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, topping out the £140 million emergency care building that is set to transform urgent and emergency healthcare provision across Plymouth, South Devon and Cornwall. The project represents the first Wave 1 scheme within the Government’s New Hospital Programme to reach this stage, marking significant progress for one of the NHS’s major healthcare infrastructure investments. Representatives from Willmott Dixon, its supply chain and the wider design team joined University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and hospital staff to celebrate completion of the building’s structural frame. Construction of the frame has required approximately 10,900 cubic metres of concrete and 1,900 tonnes of recycled steel reinforcement, with reducing embodied carbon forming an important part of the structural design from the outset. Around 55% of the cement content has been replaced with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), a by-product of iron and steel production. This approach has resulted in an estimated carbon saving of 1,625 tonnes from the concrete used on the project to date. The sustainability strategy forms part of a wider drive to reduce the environmental impact of new NHS infrastructure. The Derriford development is one of the first New Hospital Programme schemes designed to meet the NHS Net Zero Building Standard, placing energy performance and carbon reduction at the heart of its design and construction. Once completed in April 2029, the new building will provide four clinical floors of modern, purpose-built accommodation for urgent and emergency care. An expanded Emergency Department will occupy the ground floor, increasing capacity and providing facilities designed specifically around modern emergency healthcare requirements. Following completion, the hospital’s existing emergency department will be reconfigured to create a dedicated Paediatric Emergency Department. The investment will provide an important upgrade to Derriford Hospital’s healthcare estate while supporting services for patients across a wide regional catchment. Delivery of the £140 million scheme is being undertaken through the ProCure23 framework, which is used by NHS organisations to procure healthcare construction and development projects. With the structural frame now complete, attention will increasingly move towards the building envelope, mechanical and electrical services, internal fit-out and the extensive specialist clinical infrastructure required before the new facility can become operational. The topping out represents an important step towards the April 2029 completion target and provides a significant early construction milestone for the wider New Hospital Programme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BBV Completes Mammoth HS2 M42 Bridge Operation in Major Engineering Milestone
Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) has completed a major weekend of engineering works on HS2, installing the final two 1,000-tonne viaduct spans over the M42 near Birmingham while simultaneously completing the roof structure of another major motorway crossing. The operation marked the culmination of four weekends of intensive construction activity and represents another significant milestone for HS2 infrastructure around Birmingham. At Water Orton, a 75-strong construction team installed two 45-metre-long viaduct spans, completing all six crossings required to carry the new high-speed railway over the M42. Each enormous span was assembled from 18 precast concrete segments manufactured at BBV’s Kingsbury facility. Once assembled, the structures were transported into position using self-propelled modular transporters before being secured together using internal tensioning cables. The two Water Orton viaducts form part of HS2’s complex triangular delta junction, which will connect Birmingham with the main high-speed route heading north. While work progressed at Water Orton, another 150-strong BBV team was completing the final stage of a separate 300-metre-long twin box structure close to the NEC. A 300-tonne crawler crane was used to lift the final 44 precast beams into position. Measuring approximately 23 metres in length and weighing as much as 92 tonnes each, the beams form part of the structure’s substantial 9,800-tonne roof. In total, 175 beams have now been installed across the twin box. The completed structure stands approximately 10 metres high and is supported by two 145-metre-long walls and 46 internal columns. Careful programming allowed both major operations to take place during the same weekend motorway closure, minimising disruption to road users. The M42 reopened at approximately 4am on Monday, around an hour ahead of schedule. BBV project director Oliver Shore described the works as a “huge engineering challenge” and praised the teams involved in delivering the complex programme. Work at Water Orton will now move into its next phase, with BBV extending the Water Orton 2 viaduct by a further 40 metres to close the remaining gap above Gilson Road. Further activity over the motorway is already planned, with another M42 closure scheduled from 23 to 26 October to enable parapets to be installed above the carriageway. The latest milestone demonstrates the scale of temporary works, heavy lifting, off-site manufacturing and logistical coordination involved in constructing HS2 around existing strategic highways, with BBV continuing to progress some of the programme’s most technically demanding structures across the West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals