Winvic to launch ESG whitepaper at UKREiiF during landmark 25th year
Winvic Construction Ltd will return to real estate event UKREiiF next month during its 25th year, leading its presence with the launch of a major new ESG whitepaper calling for regulatory action to accelerate net zero across the built environment. Demonstrating its continued commitment to the UK’s real estate, infrastructure and investment sectors, Winvic will have an expanded ‘Winvic and Partners Pavilion’, which will be shared with partners Ridge, UMC Architects, Maber and M1 Agency, creating a collaborative hub for engagement, knowledge-sharing and industry dialogue. As part of its position on the advisory board of The Westminster Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on ESG, Winvic has spearheaded the whitepaper, positioning the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (UKNZCBS) as a critical framework for delivering genuinely net zero carbon assets. Drawing on insights from a broad range of industry bodies and experts including investors, developers, contractors, consultants, designers and policymakers, the paper sets out clear, targeted recommendations for government to help accelerate adoption at scale and inform the future direction of net zero policy. Contributors to the whitepaper include UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Building Research Establishment (BRE), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Winvic Construction, BWB Consulting, Firethorn Trust, Panattoni, Ridge and Partners, Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), UMC Architects and Wordsworth Excavations. Further insights were gained from The Lord Porter of Spalding CBE and Lancaster City Council at a recent PLG round table where the UKNZCBS was discussed. The ‘Winvic and Partners Pavilion’ will host a programme of panel discussions and interactive sessions throughout UKREiiF, including a dedicated session exploring the whitepaper’s findings involving a number of the contributors and Mike Reader MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on the BuiIt Environment and Infrastructure, Business Champion for Construction and MP for Northampton South. Wider topics will include social value and planning reform, build-to-rent, data centre viability, and what makes “good” industrial and logistics development. In addition to its pavilion programme, Winvic will engage with a range of partners and initiatives during the three-day event. Leeds Children’s Charity has been selected as its local charity partner, with funds raised during the event supporting its work in the region, social enterprise Fusion21, Invest Warwickshire, developer Prologis, and partners Ridge and Maber will also host panel sessions within the pavilion, reinforcing Winvic’s collaborative approach across the industry. As it marks 25 years in business, Winvic’s presence at UKREiiF and its launch of the whitepaper celebrates its legacy, and its commitment to help shape policy and accelerate the adoption of net zero standards across the industry. Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial, Logistics & Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Over the past 25 years, Winvic has evolved in step with the industry, from a regional contractor rooted in Industrial & Logistics to a trusted national delivery partner across Industrial & Logistics, Multi-Room, Civils & Infrastructure and now Data Centres. That journey reflects a business responding to change while maintaining a disciplined approach to delivery. “It’s particularly meaningful to be at UKREiiF during our 25th year, sharing this milestone with partners and peers. This whitepaper is an important step in bringing together industry insight to help shape the policy and regulatory environment needed to deliver net zero at scale. Strong, collaborative partnerships are key to solving the sector’s most complex challenges.” Arun Thaneja, Technical Services and Sustainability Director at Winvic, said: “We’re proud to share a whitepaper that sets out a clear call to action for regulatory backing of the standard. Drawing on insights from across the industry, it provides practical recommendations for policymakers, highlighting where greater clarity and alignment can accelerate adoption of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard. Our focus is on ensuring ESG strategy translates into real outcomes on projects and across communities, helping to underpin the next phase of progress across the built environment. I look forward to sharing this at UKREiiF.” Recognised as the nation’s leading ‘shed specialist’, Winvic recently celebrated the construction of 110 million sq ft of industrial space and has expanded into data centre delivery. The company has also built a strong reputation in complex civil engineering and infrastructure, delivering over 125km of highways works and six Rail Freight Terminals to date. In the build-to-rent and student accommodation sector, Winvic has delivered more than 15,000 beds. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RO Group Showcases Silbury House in ‘Sustainable Assets for Real Estate Investors’ Webinar
In collaboration with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School Sustainability increasingly shapes how investors think about their portfolios RO Group recently collaborated with NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to showcase its flagship Milton Keynes office property, Silbury House, as part of an initiative focused on how corporate investors can translate sustainability strategy into practical action across real estate portfolios. As part of the programme, a webinar on Sustainable Assets for Large Corporate Investors in Real Estate was held on Tuesday 28 April, bringing together industry leaders to share their experiences of delivering decarbonisation and climate resilience initiatives, as well as highlighting challenges and opportunities. During the session, Ana Bajri, Head of Sustainability at the RO Group, presented Silbury House as a live case study. The presentation demonstrated how collaboration, data-led decision making and long-term investment can deliver measurable sustainability outcomes, while also setting out our broader approach to enhancing performance across the portfolio. Silbury House reflects RO Group’s commitment to improving the performance of existing assets through targeted, data-led retrofit and optimisation. The building has achieved an EPC A+ rating, the highest possible classification, and is currently the only office building in Milton Keynes to reach this standard, demonstrating net-zero operational carbon performance in practice. RO Group’s approach focuses on practical, scalable measures, including on-site renewable energy, electrification and the optimisation of building systems, alongside carefully planned low-carbon refurbishment. This enables a material reduction in operational energy demand and emissions, while also strengthening long-term asset resilience and supporting future regulatory requirements. Ana Bajri, Head of Sustainability at the RO Group, said: “It was a pleasure to take part in the Supply Chain Sustainability School webinar alongside NatWest, and to hear how others are approaching sustainability in practice. Thank you to the organisers and all speakers for the invaluable discussion. “Sustainability is increasingly shaping how investors think about their portfolios. Decarbonisation, climate resilience and future-proofing are no longer just considerations. They are increasingly central to long-term value and performance. “Silbury House is a fantastic example of how sustainability can be pursued. By focusing on targeted, data-led retrofit and optimisation, alongside on-site renewable energy and electrification, we have reduced operational energy demand and emissions while improving the resilience of the asset. “The focus now is on taking those lessons and applying them more widely across the portfolio as we continue to progress our net-zero pathway.” Claire Morin, NatWest, Regional Director Real Estate Finance , added: “Sustainability is no longer a future ambition for real estate investors – it is central to long‑term value, resilience and performance. Through our collaboration with RO Group and the Supply Chain Sustainability School, this webinar brought to life how data‑led decision making, collaboration and targeted investment can turn sustainability strategy into practical action. “Case studies like Silbury House show that when sustainability is embedded into core business strategy, it delivers tangible commercial outcomes alongside positive environmental impact. At NatWest, we are committed to supporting businesses with the insights, tools and partnerships they need to future‑proof their assets and thrive in a rapidly changing market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mixed-Use Developments Are Becoming the Future of UK Cities
Urban development priorities across the UK have moved toward mixed-use projects. Developers and local authorities are increasingly backing schemes that combine housing, retail, offices, hospitality, and entertainment in one location. Projects such as Smithfield Birmingham and St James Quarter reflect how city-centre development is changing in 2026. This change is being supported by policy. The Homes England 2023–2028 strategy, alongside wider planning reforms, increasingly favours brownfield regeneration projects that deliver homes, jobs, and commercial activity within the same development. Why Mixed-Use Schemes Are Accelerating Market data reflects the momentum behind this model. At least 25% of UK residential developments are expected to form part of mixed-use schemes. Urban regeneration projects of this kind are expected to play a growing role in the UK property sector through 2030. Analysts project that they could add roughly 0.6 percentage points to the cumulative CAGR of the UK real estate market. That reflects how deeply mixed-use regeneration schemes are now embedded in long-term development forecasts. Office and retail repurposing is also feeding the pipeline. Between 2022 and 2024, around 3.3 million sq ft of UK office stock was sold with the intention of conversion to alternative uses. Much of it is directed towards mixed-use and residential schemes. In regional cities, combining homes with retail, hospitality, and workspace in the same building or block has become a standard response to vacancy and shifting demand patterns. Construction Challenges Unique to Layered Developments Building a mixed-use scheme is structurally and logistically far more complex than delivering a single-use project. Different use classes, residential, commercial, and leisure, each carry distinct structural requirements, fire separation standards, acoustic specifications, and service zoning needs. Reconciling these within a single building envelope creates design and engineering challenges that contractors must address from the earliest stages of procurement. The entertainment and leisure sector adds another layer of complexity. Operators in this space, including high-footfall venues, gyms, and digital entertainment venues, require specific floor-loading tolerances. This includes ventilation systems and power infrastructure that sit well outside typical residential specifications. Online platforms operate very differently. Digital-first brands do not require the same type of mixed-use infrastructure to reach users. GamblingInsider’s UK online casino list, for example, highlights platforms that can deliver gaming, live dealer experiences, and entertainment services entirely online without relying on large physical destinations or resort-style developments. That difference shows how physical mixed-use projects must solve far more complicated construction and operational demands than purely digital entertainment models. Mixed-Use Projects Are Changing Build Requirements Mixed-use developments across the UK are no longer just changing city skylines. They are also changing how buildings are regulated, designed, and managed from the ground up. Under the Building Safety Regulator framework introduced through the Building Safety Act 2022, any building over 18 metres with at least two residential units can now be classified as a Higher-Risk Building. That means even largely commercial projects can fall under strict residential safety rules if apartments are included within the scheme. This has created new challenges for developers and contractors. Mixed-use sites must now balance the very different risks attached to residential living, retail activity, offices, hospitality, and entertainment spaces inside the same structure. Fire compartmentation standards have become stricter, especially between residential units and commercial areas such as restaurants or leisure venues. Acoustic separation requirements are also becoming more demanding in projects where people live directly above busy public spaces. Design requirements are evolving as well. From September 2026, new residential applications for buildings above 18 metres will require dual staircases. In mixed-use towers, that often means additional building cores, reduced sellable floor area, and more complicated structural layouts. Environmental standards are also influencing design decisions, with policies around biodiversity net gain, energy efficiency, and low-carbon systems now shaping everything from rooftop layouts to HVAC planning. Operational management has become more complex. Many mixed-use developments now involve multiple accountable parties, including residential operators, commercial landlords, and hospitality management teams. At the same time, projects must maintain a continuous “golden thread” of digital safety information throughout the building’s lifecycle. Together, these changes are turning mixed-use development into one of the most technically demanding areas of modern UK construction. How Contractors Are Adapting Procurement Strategies Procurement approaches are changing to match the complexity of mixed-use delivery. Early contractor involvement (ECI) is becoming more common, with main contractors brought in during RIBA Stage 2 or 3 to advise on phasing strategies, interface management, and trade contractor sequencing. This is particularly important where residential units must be handed over while commercial or leisure shells remain under construction on lower floors. Supply chain coordination is equally critical. Contractors managing mixed-use schemes are increasingly segmenting their procurement into use-class-specific packages, allowing specialist subcontractors to operate within defined zones without creating programme conflicts. The conversion of existing stock into mixed-use destinations adds further complications, since retrofit work requires detailed surveys and adaptive design responses that new-build schemes can avoid. The contractors best placed to win and deliver these projects will be those who invest in the coordination systems and specialist knowledge this new generation of development demands.
Legendre secures flagship City refurbishment with low carbon focus at Oriel St Bride’s
Legendre UK has been appointed as main contractor for a major office refurbishment scheme at 10 Salisbury Square in the City of London, marking another high profile project within the capital’s commercial retrofit market. The scheme will transform the existing six storey building into a high quality workspace totalling approximately 54,000 sq ft, alongside the addition of two new floors. Upon completion, the development will be known as Oriel St Bride’s. Working on behalf of Original Works, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability and low carbon construction. Around 90 per cent of the existing structure will be retained, significantly reducing embodied carbon while aligning with the growing demand for more environmentally responsible office space. The development has already been recognised for its sustainability credentials, having been selected as part of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Pilot Testing Programme. This reflects the scheme’s ambition to meet evolving environmental benchmarks and support the transition to lower carbon commercial property. Legendre UK’s appointment highlights its expertise in delivering complex cut and carve refurbishments, particularly within constrained urban environments such as the City of London. These projects require careful coordination, technical precision and a detailed understanding of working within existing structures. Thomas Vandecasteele, managing director at Legendre UK, said the project brings together the company’s experience in technically challenging refurbishments with its focus on sustainable delivery. He also highlighted the role of its self delivery MEP approach in supporting programme certainty and quality outcomes. Construction is scheduled to complete in autumn 2027, with the finished scheme expected to set a benchmark for sustainable office refurbishment in the City, while contributing positively to the surrounding urban environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UPP selected to deliver major 890 bed student scheme at Bristol’s Temple Quarter
University of Bristol has named UPP as preferred bidder to deliver a significant new purpose built student accommodation scheme at Temple Island, forming a key part of its expanding Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. The development will comprise three buildings providing 890 student bedrooms, creating one of the principal accommodation hubs for the University within the Temple Quarter area. The scheme is expected to primarily serve postgraduate students, supporting the University’s growing academic and research community in central Bristol. UPP will work in partnership with Watkin Jones as delivery partner, with Cushman & Wakefield advising the University on the procurement process. Located within the wider Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which is set to open in 2026, the accommodation forms part of a broader vision to create a leading innovation district. The campus will deliver advanced teaching facilities, research laboratories and collaborative workspace for students, staff and enterprise partners, reinforcing Bristol’s position as a key knowledge and innovation hub. Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the PBSA scheme will incorporate over 1,100 sq m of amenity space, including flexible study areas and social environments aimed at enhancing the overall student experience. The focus on high quality shared spaces reflects the evolving expectations of modern student living, particularly within postgraduate markets. Sustainability is a core element of the development, with the scheme targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating and an EPC A rating. These ambitions align with both the University’s and UPP’s commitment to delivering energy efficient, future ready buildings that support long term operational performance and reduced environmental impact. The appointment marks a further milestone in the delivery of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, with the PBSA scheme set to play a central role in supporting the University’s continued growth and strengthening the integration of education, research and urban development in the city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stagnant UK property market is bad news for the Government’s target of 1.5 million new homes
No motivation for builders to build if they can’t find buyers The Government will miss their target of 1.5m new homes due to a stagnant property market, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Heather Powell, a Partner at the firm, said: “The latest property statistics published by HMRC are bad news for the Government’s target of 1.5m new homes. They show a stagnant market with low appetite for buying, which means there is no motivation for builders to build.” She added: “Property sales continue to be steady. There has been no major increase in the number of residential or commercial properties sold per year in comparison to the last three years. A huge injection of confidence is required to end the market’s stagnation, but the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, seems to be bereft of ideas on how to generate this.” Heather said: “The Chancellor is going to have to reflect on the impact this will have on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) receipts, as well as all of the taxes that are collected as a result of property moves – VAT on move costs and refurbishment and taxes payable by the businesses selling to the new property owner.” She added: “This continued stagnation is not surprising. People are worried about the cost of living, job security and the cost of a mortgage and so are not rushing into home ownership – or stepping up the housing ladder. Commercial investors, the buyers of offices, factories and similar buildings have similar concerns – will tenants be found, will they be able to pay the rent, and will the rent received cover interest charged by lenders?” Heather said: “HMRC’s statistics highlighted an increase in the number of sales in March compared to February, which reflects the annual trend as the UK moves into the summer months. But property prices are unlikely to increase significantly over the next twelve months, so buyers will not rush to purchase a property.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals