Government agency achieves a world-first in providing ‘exceptional workplace experiences’
The Government Property Agency’s (GPA) Birmingham hub has become the first public sector building in the world to retain a coveted quality mark. Its flagship site at 23 Stephenson Street has secured Leesman+ accreditation – a prestigious global workplace experience rating – for the second time, demonstrating a sustained commitment to delivering an exceptional workplace experience for civil servants. Carly Ersser, Director of Workplace Services at the GPA, said: “We are incredibly proud that 23 Stephenson Street has secured Leesman+ accreditation for a second time. Surveying the people who work from our buildings gives us invaluable insights that directly inform how we design our services and continuously improve the workplace experience. “While this historic milestone is a fantastic achievement, we recognise there is always more work to be done. This rigorous feedback helps us target our resources to where they are needed most, ensuring we make a meaningful difference to civil servants working productively and happily from the office.” Leesman+ is a globally recognised certification awarded to top-tier workplaces that achieve outstanding employee satisfaction scores. To earn the accreditation, buildings must undergo rigorous, independent surveying and analysis of their features, services, and infrastructure. The GPA government hub at Stephenson Street first achieved this benchmark in 2023. The Birmingham office hosts 1,700 civil servants from more than 20 government departments and agencies. It was transformed from disused retail and commercial space into a modern, digitally-connected, and inclusive workplace in 2022, and now features a variety of spaces to support productivity, collaboration and wellbeing aligned to the Government Workplace Design Guide. Dr Peggie Rothe, Chief Insights and Research Officer at Leesman, said: “Leesman+ certifications have been awarded to just three per cent of the more than 10,400 buildings Leesman has assessed worldwide, and only 10 per cent of those have been re-certified. The GPA’s Stephenson Street Hub is the only public sector building globally to achieve Leesman+ re-certification, testament to the agency’s programmatic, data-led approach to delivering and sustaining exceptional workplace experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top-Rated GPS Time Clock Apps for Contractors (2026)
Choosing the best GPS time clock for construction crews in the US is tough when teams move across multiple jobsites and the day rarely goes as planned. Missed punches, unclear locations, and handwritten notes slow down billing, create payroll mistakes, and lead to compliance issues you don’t want. Contractors need a reliable way to see who’s on-site, when they arrived, and whether the hours match the job performed. This guide keeps things practical with the full list of leading options, the decisions they help with, and the details that matter most for field crews: GPS accuracy, dependable geofencing, mobile usability, and clean payroll sync. Here are the best GPS time clock apps for construction workers: Best GPS Time Clock Apps for Construction Crews in the US at a Glance App GPS Method Geofencing Offline Scheduling Payroll Sync Job Costing Kiosk From $ Trial Workyard Continuous high-precision GPS ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ $6/user + $50 base 14 days Planera AI-powered construction scheduling and optimization ✅ ⚠ Limited ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Custom pricing Demo Hubstaff Continuous GPS route tracking ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ $7/user 14 days Fieldwire Task-based GPS tagging (not continuous) ⚠ Limited ✅ Yes ⚠ Partial ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes $54/user Free tier BusyBusy GPS snapshots + photo verification ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ $11.99/user + $40 admin license 14 days Connecteam GPS clock-in with geofence restrictions ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ⚠ Basic ✅ Yes $29/mo (30 users) 14 days ExakTime Real-time GPS + rugged hardware device option ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes $9/user + base fee No ClockShark Periodic GPS pings + location-based reminders ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ $9/user + $40 base 14 days How We Chose These GPS Time Clock Apps To identify the best GPS time clock apps for construction crews, we focused on criteria that matter on real jobsites. Each tool on this list was evaluated using the factors below: #1 Workyard: Best GPS Time Clock Designed for Construction Workyard is a GPS time tracking platform for construction crews that captures exact entry and exit times for every jobsite. It records exact timestamps for jobsite arrival and departure using real-time GPS. Workyard is built for contractors who need reliable, real-world accuracy on every job. Unlike office tools adapted for the field, it’s created specifically for crews who move between sites and work in tough conditions. The system handles low-signal areas well and keeps hours tied directly to the jobs where the work actually happened. Its GPS tracking stays consistently accurate in construction environments. Location data remains clear and verifiable, even when teams are spread out. Verified time flows smoothly into payroll and job costing, reducing errors and cutting down admin work. These capabilities make it a strong fit for crews that need reliable, verifiable hours. What are Workyard’s key features? How much does Workyard cost? What are the pros and cons of Workyard? Pros: Cons: What are the use cases of Workyard? Workyard is a strong fit for crews working across multiple jobsites, as well as contractors who need verified hours for accurate billing on labor-based projects. It’s also useful for teams handling government or commercial work that require clean payroll and exact timestamps for location records. #2 Planera: Best AI-Powered Construction Scheduling Platform for Modern Contractors Planera is an AI-powered construction scheduling platform designed to help contractors create, manage, and optimize project schedules with greater accuracy. It combines traditional scheduling workflows with artificial intelligence to help teams build realistic timelines, identify potential delays, and keep projects moving forward. Unlike basic project management tools that focus mainly on task lists and communication, Planera is built specifically around construction scheduling challenges. It helps project teams manage dependencies, coordinate multiple activities, and adapt schedules when unexpected changes happen on the job. Planera gives contractors better visibility into project progress by turning complex construction plans into actionable schedules. Teams can quickly understand what needs to happen next, where bottlenecks may appear, and how schedule changes impact the overall project timeline. These capabilities make it a strong fit for general contractors, project managers, and construction teams looking to improve planning accuracy and reduce delays. What are Planera’s key features? AI-powered scheduling assistance: Planera uses artificial intelligence to help generate and optimize construction schedules, reducing the time required for manual planning and adjustments. Construction-focused project planning: Built specifically for contractors, Planera helps manage activities, dependencies, milestones, and critical paths across complex construction projects. Real-time schedule optimization: Teams can adjust timelines quickly when conditions change and understand how updates affect project completion dates. Collaboration and visibility tools: Planera keeps project stakeholders aligned by providing a centralized view of schedules, progress, and upcoming activities. Delay risk identification: The platform helps teams identify potential scheduling conflicts early, allowing contractors to address issues before they impact deadlines. How much does Planera cost? Planera offers customized pricing based on project requirements, team size, and construction workflows. Contractors can request a demo to explore the platform and determine the best solution for their needs. What are the pros and cons of Planera? Pros: Cons: What are the use cases of Planera? Planera is a strong fit for general contractors, construction managers, and project teams handling complex projects with multiple phases, subcontractors, and dependencies. It can help teams improve schedule accuracy, reduce delays, and maintain better control over project timelines. The platform is especially useful for commercial construction projects, large-scale developments, and teams that need a more intelligent approach to managing schedules beyond traditional spreadsheets or basic planning tools. #3 Hubstaff: Built for Location Tracking and Activity Oversight Hubstaff is a GPS-enabled time tracking tool used by teams that want straightforward location checks paired with productivity insights. While it isn’t purpose-built for construction, some contractors use it when they prefer simple GPS pings along with features like task timers, activity metrics, and optional screenshots. Hubstaff gives managers a broad view of where crews were during the
Spades in the Ground at £1bn Golden Valley Development in Cheltenham
Cheltenham Borough Council and its development partner HBD have commenced construction on the first phase of Golden Valley – a £1 billion cyber and technology campus in Cheltenham which will be central to driving growth and innovation in UK National Security and Defence. The news marks a significant milestone in the delivery of this purpose-built cyber and tech innovation space, where government, academia and industry will co-create the future of national security and defence as part of a nationally-significant, diverse ecosystem. Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor for the first phase, which will include the delivery of IDEA, Golden Valley’s central innovation hub, which houses the national security innovation centre. Scheduled to open early 2028, IDEA will be a true national asset and will drive diversification of the ecosystem by creating a platform for government, academia and growing companies to co-create; its importance in growing UK Cyber and Defence Innovation is underlined in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. IDEA has also been designed to be 50% more energy efficient than typical workspaces, reducing annual carbon emissions by 200 tonnes, and it will sit within a landscape-led development where 60% of Golden Valley is dedicated to open green space. The building is already 68% reserved thanks to strong early interest in the space and will further strengthen the region’s established reputation as a leading destination for cyber security and advanced technologies. IDEA will also have an integrated Skills Hub, with training programs and pathway guidance to help grow local talent and address the skills gap. Phase one of the development will additionally deliver a second building called ROUTER. This transport hub is designed to support sustainable and smart movement throughout Golden Valley and beyond. The hub will provide advanced cycling facilities, e-bike charging, showers and lockers, alongside real-time transport information, as well as over 400 car parking spaces, addressing long-term infrastructure needs, as well as convenience retail and leisure amenities for occupiers, residents and the wider community. Hamer Boot, Managing Director at HBD, said: “Reaching the point where Golden Valley is now a live construction site is a major achievement and reflects the strength of collaboration between the public and private sector partners involved in bringing this project forward. Phase one is scheduled for completion in early 2028 and will drive significant investment, create employment opportunities and support the development of future ground-breaking technologies.” Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “The delivery of phase one demonstrates our commitment to creating an internationally-recognised development that will deliver lasting benefits for the local, regional and national economy.” “This milestone also marks the first phase of the wider Garden Community vision at Golden Valley, which will establish a sustainable, mixed-use neighbourhood, including new homes, employment space, a new primary school and a range of amenities for the community.” Dr Marsha Quallo-Wright, GCHQ Director of Technology Futures, said: “As the Golden Valley development reaches an important milestone, we’re looking forward to working alongside academia and industry to strengthen our ability to address emerging security challenges, foster innovation, and support the region’s growth. Through these partnerships we will draw on new expertise, share knowledge, and help develop the skills needed for the future. These collaborations will play an important role in supporting our mission to keep the UK safe.” Stuart Fanshaw, Construction Director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “Golden Valley is a major strategic development, and this first phase will set the standard for the wider campus.” “IDEA and ROUTER will provide the foundations for the next stage of Golden Valley, while creating opportunities beyond the site itself, from supply chain involvement to skills development. We are pleased to be playing a key role in bringing this first phase forward.” Golden Valley has been designed to foster collaboration between government, SMEs, start-ups, major technology firms, universities and investors, creating an ecosystem that supports innovation, attracts talent and drives economic growth. GCHQ will serve as an anchor for the South West region, driving demand, talent, economic growth and national security focus while connecting to the wider national security cluster. Find out more by visiting: https://www.goldenvalleyuk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni secures planning consent for Panattoni T Park, Southampton
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned developer of industrial real estate, has secured planning consent for T Park Southampton, a new Grade A industrial and logistics development at Salisbury Road, Totton. The scheme will deliver five detached speculative units, providing around 223,000 sq ft of high-quality space in one of the South Coast’s most supply-constrained industrial markets. Units will range from approximately 25,000 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft, offering flexible options for manufacturers, distributors, last-mile operators, port-related businesses, and defence supply chain occupiers. T Park Southampton is immediately adjacent to Junction 2 of the M27, providing direct access to the wider South Coast, the M3, London, and the national motorway network. The site is also around 5.5 miles from Southampton Port, the UK’s second-largest container port and one of the country’s most important deep-sea trade gateways. The development is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’, with EPC A+ offices and EPC A warehouse space. Sustainability features will include roof-mounted solar PV, 15% rooflights, rainwater harvesting, energy sub-metering, EV charging points, and enhanced building fabric to support lower occupational costs. David McDougan, Senior Development Director: South Coast, said: “Securing planning consent for T Park Southampton is an important milestone as we continue to expand our speculative development pipeline in key supply-constrained markets. Southampton is a strategic location with excellent motorway access, a major port, and a strong regional labour pool, and this scheme will provide modern, sustainable space for occupiers looking to serve regional, national, and global markets.” Panattoni T Park Southampton forms part of Panattoni’s continued investment into the UK industrial and logistics market, delivering high-quality, sustainable buildings in locations where occupier demand remains strong and new supply is limited. Vail Williams, Lambert Smith Hampton, and JLL are retained as letting agents for the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chelmsford City Council gives the go-ahead for new 3,500-home neighbourhood
A joint venture between Countryside (part of Vistry) and L&Q has welcomed Chelmsford City Council’s Planning Committee resolution on 30th June 2026 to grant outline planning permission for Zone 2 of the Chelmsford Garden Community. This decision represents a significant milestone in delivering one of the UK’s most ambitious new communities and marks a major step forward in realising the long-term vision for North East Chelmsford. Zone 2 will bring forward a residential-led, mixed-use neighbourhood of up to 3,500 new homes, alongside a wide range of essential infrastructure including schools, healthcare facilities,employment space, local centres and extensive green infrastructure. Building on the success of the partners’ existing development at Beaulieu, Zone 2 will play a central role in delivering the wider Garden Community, which will provide around 10,000 homes overall, designed in line with Garden City principles to create sustainable, well-connected neighbourhoods. The development will deliver: Together, these elements will create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable place, where homes, jobs and services are delivered hand in hand with green space and community infrastructure. The application has been shaped through close collaboration with Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Council, Homes England and wider partners, building on years of masterplanning and community engagement. As well as making a substantial contribution to local housing needs, the scheme is designed to ensure infrastructure and community facilities are delivered alongside new homes. A strong focus on community stewardship will also ensure that public spaces and assets are carefully managed for the long term, giving residents a meaningful role in shaping their neighbourhood. Adam Simpson, Development and Project Management Director at L&Q said: “We welcome the Planning Committee’s decision to approve this important phase of the Chelmsford Garden Community. “This marks a significant step forward for our partnership with Countryside. Projects like this are vital, delivering new and affordable homes alongside schools, amenities, green spaces and infrastructure. This isn’t just about tackling the housing shortage but creating the conditions for communities to thrive. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to bring this new neighbourhood forward.” James Harkin, Head of Strategic Land at Vistry, commented: “Reaching this stage for Zone 2 reflects years of careful planning to create a place that genuinely works for the long term. What sets this scheme apart is its landscape-led approach and the way it brings together homes, jobs and everyday amenities within walkable neighbourhoods. “The vision for three distinct villages, connected by green corridors and active travel routes, will help foster a strong sense of identity and community from the outset. As we move forward, our focus will remain on delivering high-quality places that prioritise sustainability, support local economies and offer residents a better way of living”. The resolution is subject to the completion of planning obligations and legal agreements. Subject to this, development will be delivered in phases over the coming years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PLP Architecture secures planning consent for 30-room hotel and spa in Knightsbridge
Working on behalf of property investor JohnMichael Mouskos, global architecture practice PLP Architecture has secured planning permission from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to transform 30 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, into a 30-room boutique hotel and spa. Historically a mews and service street serving the grand houses of Sloane Street, Pavilion Road has evolved into one of the area’s most distinctive destinations, bringing together independent shops, restaurants, homes and hospitality. The refurbishment of 30 Pavilion Road will contribute to the ongoing transformation of the characterful street, which now acts as a key link between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge. The project adds to PLP’s expanding hospitality portfolio in London, which includes Pan Pacific London at One Bishopsgate Plaza, named Hotel of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards 2022, and the forthcoming Mandarin Oriental Bankside, due to open on the South Bank in 2028. It also draws on the practice’s experience working within conservation areas, including 60 Curzon in Mayfair. PLP Architecture’s proposals replace the previously consented mix of hotel and residential accommodation with a unified hotel and spa concept. Conceived as a sensitive refurbishment, the design retains more of the existing building fabric and carefully reorganises the interiors to improve the quality, accessibility and operation of the building’s future use as a hospitality and wellbeing destination. The architectural approach preserves the established character of the building, originally dating back to the 18th century, while addressing a series of unsympathetic alterations made over time. Elements of the existing elevations and original entrances are retained wherever possible, complemented by new, purpose-made painted timber sash windows with traditional detailing, a re-clad natural slate mansard roof and realigned lead-clad dormers. The approved scheme also includes basement works and a carefully integrated roof extension. Andrei Martin, Partner at PLP Architecture, said: “This is a refurbishment project centred around precision and restraint. Our design retains and strengthens the character of the existing building, while creating a highly individual and well-functioning boutique hotel and spa. It will add a distinctive new chapter to Pavilion Road and reinforce the special character of this part of Knightsbridge.” JohnMichael Mouskos, property investor, notes: “Securing planning consent for this landmark luxury hotel and spa is an important milestone in bringing our vision for the site to life. From the outset, our ambition has been to create a world-class destination that will make a lasting contribution to Knightsbridge while respecting its exceptional architectural heritage. PLP Architecture and our expert wider consultant team have embraced that ambition, and through a highly collaborative process we have achieved a planning consent of exceptional quality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals