STRABAG UK secures contract to deliver main works at SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett
STRABAG UK is delighted to announce that its building business arm has been awarded the contract for the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett. Located at the former Radlett Aerodrome site in Hertfordshire, SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett will deliver a state-of-the-art rail freight terminal complete with extensive distribution warehouses and over 600 acres of enhanced green space. The development aims to shift freight transportation from road to rail, significantly reducing carbon emissions and road congestion. Construction is anticipated to take place over the next three years. The scheme also promises numerous community and environmental benefits, including biodiversity net gain, employment and training opportunities, and integrated transport improvements. STRABAG UK’s Build Subdivision Technical Director, Ian Burford, said: “By shifting freight from road to rail, this project will play a major role in cutting carbon emissions and reducing road congestion. We look forward to working closely with SEGRO and other delivery partners to deliver this transformative project, maximising its sustainable legacy. This success is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our teams, and we look forward to delivering another landmark project for the UK.” Charles Blake, Senior Director, National Markets at SEGRO, added: “We’re pleased to be working with STRABAG UK on this vital next phase of SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett. STRABAG’s expertise will help deliver key infrastructure that supports the shift from road to rail, reduces carbon emissions, and enhances over 600 acres of green space. This is a major step towards a more sustainable and connected future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Government’s last-minute Planning Bill amendments will tackle blockers and boost growth
The Government has announced several major amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which further streamline the planning process. They include reducing the length of consultation, stripping uncooperative councils of the right to make certain decisions, and paring back the impact and ability to raise legal disputes. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders said: “Planning reform was never going to be a quick endeavour because our sclerotic, siloed system needs careful analysis to unpick and understand. The Government should be commended on recognising this and taking a proactive approach to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill because it will be an integral piece of legislation in ensuring all projects can be delivered more quickly.” Proposed amendments to Planning and Infrastructure Bill, include: The Bill, announced as part of the King’s Speech in July 2024, is designed to fast-track major infrastructure projects deemed to be of national significance, make grid connections and pylon construction easier, and give greater compulsory purchase and planning fee setting power to local authorities. The Government believes these new tweaks will remove barriers to their plans for economic growth and fulfil their 1.5 million homes target by the end of the Parliament. Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight at the National Federation of Builders said: “Tweaks to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will help deliver the water and grid capacity that projects require to get planning permission. They will stop councils finding loopholes to avoid building homes. This is a clear indication that the Government understands that ‘Build, baby, build’ is a mantra, not a slogan.” The 11th-hour rewrite to the Bill was demanded by the Prime Minister, with ministers working over the weekend on drafting the amendments. The amendments, while backed by the Government, need to be approved by Parliament in a vote on Monday 20 October 2025. Once the Bill is approved by the House of Lords, it will go back to the Commons. Ministers hope it will become law by early November 2025, meaning that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will be able to consider the economic benefits that will come from it in time for the Autumn Budget. The amendments are laid out here. The Government’s press release is available here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Newmark strengthens UK leisure team with Cardiff duo hire
Newmark has added two senior appointments to its UK leisure team, hiring partner Carys Chandler and associate Leo Llewellyn from Avison Young. Both will be based in the firm’s Cardiff office as Newmark expands its specialist coverage across the leisure sector. Chandler brings extensive valuation expertise spanning holiday parks and residential caravan parks nationwide, along with experience in large-scale portfolio valuations and single-asset appraisals for loan security, taxation and internal purposes. Llewellyn specialises in valuation and agency across licensed leisure, hotels, caravan parks, heritage venues, visitor attractions and sports stadiums, with a track record that includes high-profile leisure disposals in Wales, off-market pub sales and valuations of international holiday assets. Welcoming the pair, Dan Anning, co-head of Newmark’s UK leisure team, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Carys and Leo to the team. Their combined expertise and deep market knowledge will be instrumental as we continue to expand our leisure offer across the UK. Their appointments will significantly enhance our reach, reflecting the strong growth momentum of Newmark’s national leisure service line.” Chandler commented: “I’m excited to join Newmark at such a pivotal moment. The firm’s platform and collaborative culture provide a fantastic opportunity to grow our presence and deliver exceptional value to clients.” Llewellyn added: “Joining Newmark’s leisure team is a great step. I look forward to contributing to the team’s success and continuing to work on some of the most interesting and diverse leisure assets in the market.” For investors, lenders and operators, the hires signal Newmark’s continued push into specialist leisure sub-sectors—particularly holiday parks and mixed leisure portfolios—where market activity remains resilient and data-led valuations and strategic disposals are in demand. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
8build construction appoints industry veteran to drive commercial retrofit growth
Leading construction and fit out contractor, 8build, has appointed Steve Davies as Divisional Director, strengthening its leadership team as the firm seeks to expand its growth drive in commercial refurbishment and sustainable retrofit solutions. Previously a board member at Collins Construction and later a senior leader at Structure Tone London, Davies brings over 37 years’ experience in the London construction sector, having worked on some of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, The Shard, and the ‘Walkie Talkie’. Over the past 12 years, Davies has specialised in retrofit and complex refurbishment services, delivering major schemes for listed blue-chip property owners, institutional investors and capital managers, including The Crown Estate, Grosvenor, AXA, Frogmore and Shaftesbury. 8build has a proven record of delivering flagship fit out and retrofit schemes across the commercial, mixed-use, residential, healthcare, and cultural sectors, targeting £200m in turnover by year end as the contractor expands its client book. Notable projects include the ongoing More London development with St Martins, Sheldon Square and Paddington Central Amphitheatre for British Land, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres with Victoria Palace Theatre, and Lazari Investment’s The Lantern. In his new position, Davies will lead a London-centric division focused on commercial offices, building a team of specialists in fit-out, refurbishment and heritage projects to deliver Grade A space in an increasingly undersupplied market where prime stock demand is accelerating. Steve Davies, Divisional Director at 8build, said: “Retrofit and refurbishment in constrained markets like London are essential levers that unlock long-term value for clients. In these areas, 8build has developed an outstanding reputation for delivering complex, multi-year contracts with precision and skill, putting clients at the forefront of its practice and forming great relationships in the process. “Together with Andy and the Board, our focus is now on steady, sustainable growth that plays to the competitive edge 8build has carved out in institutional-grade commercial office solutions, meeting the growing need for stock that meets and exceeds incoming net zero targets.” Andy Tooley, Director at 8build, said: “Steve’s appointment charts an exciting new phase for our commercial retrofit division in London, where we see a huge unmet need for high-quality execution. “With his breadth of experience delivering high-profile projects for exceptional clients and his deep understanding of retrofit demand, Steve will add materially to our growth plans going forward as we broaden our client book and our strong pipeline of sustainable projects.” In London, 80%[1] of commercial buildings that will still be in use by 2030 are already standing, underpinning a market that is increasingly focused on retrofit to meet regulatory requirements and changing occupier preferences. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VIVID hosts live fire training exercise to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
Last week, VIVID welcomed Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (H&IOWFS) to one of their tall tower buildings for a hands-on training exercise designed to help crews gain valuable experience in tackling high-rise fires. The event brought together around 40 fire service personnel, including senior command officers and frontline firefighters, supported by four fire engines, an aerial ladder platform (ALP), and several support vehicles. Over the course of four hours, crews worked through a realistic mock scenario involving a fire in the building. To make the exercise as true-to-life as possible, each flat was marked with scenario cards indicating potential challenges—such as customers with disabilities—giving crews a chance to think on their feet. A temporary evacuation control hub was set up in the garden area, staffed by eight team members who coordinated the response and kept communication flowing throughout. Members of VIVID’s Building and Fire Safety Team also took part in the role play, helping guide the fire service through the scenario and sharing key information. Tom Robinson, Executive Director of Assets and Sustainability, VIVID said, “We’re proud to support Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service and continue working together on future training exercises. Building strong partnerships like this helps move towards a safer environment for our customers—and that’s something we’re fully committed to.” Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, Watch Manager, Sally Gould said, “My senior team are really happy with the opportunity, exercises like this are incredibly valuable—they give us the chance to put our policies and procedures into practice in a realistic setting, which is something we don’t often get to do. We’ve all learnt so much from being on-site and working through the scenario, and it’s helped build confidence across the team. It’s also been a great way to strengthen our working relationship with VIVID, and we’re really grateful for the time, expertise and support.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brewing a gateway: Wrexham lines up brewery, museum and offices beside the station
Wrexham Council has submitted detailed plans to ignite the city’s long-trailed Gateway regeneration with a mixed programme of culture, commerce and transport improvements next to Wrexham General Station. At the heart of the proposals is a celebration of the city’s brewing heritage. A former Jewson builders’ merchant warehouse would be converted to house a new Wrexham Lager brewery, while the neighbouring Cambrian Sheds are earmarked for a taproom and museum telling the story of local beer-making. Together, they aim to create an anchor visitor attraction on the station’s doorstep, activating the wider site from day one. The application is hybrid. Alongside the detailed change-of-use plans for the brewery and museum, the council is seeking outline consent for a five-storey commercial office building, a new public plaza at the station entrance, and a pedestrian footbridge connecting the northern end of the plot. Public-realm and mobility upgrades include new bus stops, EV charging points, secure cycle storage and improved pedestrian and cycle access from Mold Road. The scheme sits within the broader Wrexham Gateway project, which also encompasses the new Kop stand at the STōK Racecourse and a linked transport hub. Demolition of the former Girl Guides and Wrexham District Scouts buildings is proposed to clear space for the new facilities and public routes. SHR Studio Architecture leads the design team, with Cushman & Wakefield as cost consultant, Hoare Lea on building services and Civic Engineers providing civil and structural input. The design intent pairs adaptive reuse with contemporary infill: industrial sheds are repurposed and made public-facing, while new-build elements frame a coherent station square. For contractors and consultants, the opportunity blends heritage refurbishment with phased new build, complex interfaces around live rail and highway environments, and a sustainability brief that leans on reuse, low-carbon mobility and energy-efficient services. If approved, the project would set a strong urban gateway for arrivals to Wrexham, establishing a cultural draw alongside workspace and improved connectivity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals