Firethorn completes Aylesbury acquisition for mid-box logistics development
Firethorn has acquired a 17-acre site situated on the A41 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, from Taylor Wimpey with plans to deliver a new, best-in-class mid-box logistics development. The land forms the employment element of Taylor Wimpey’s residential-led development at Hampden Fields, and benefits from outline consent for up to 314,000 sq ft of employment use. Firethorn plans to invest £50m in the developmentand engage with the Local Authority planning team and local stakeholders to progress reserved matters planning consent, with speculative development anticipated to commence in mid-2027. Following its recent purchase of a 10-acre site in Maidenhead, and with further transactions under offer, this acquisition demonstrates Firethorn’s continued commitment to the UK I&L sector. James Sanders, Head of Industrial and Logistics at Firethorn, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with the Taylor Wimpey team and consultants on a site that we’re excited to bring forward. The development presents an compelling opportunity for occupiers, who continue to be displaced by affordability constraints of nearby markets. With excellent connectivity and Grade A product, we expect the project will allow us to address a gap for future customers and look forward to moving into the delivery phase. “The site complements our recent acquisition in Maidenhead and we hope, with further announcements to come, our logistics portfolio will continue to grow, suiting occupier requirements across different sizes and geographies. This reflects our focus on pursuing strategic opportunities in well-connected locations with strong fundamentals across the UK.” Henry Pauncefort-Duncombe, Head of Strategic Land at Kirkby Diamond (now part of Eddisons), who acted on behalf of Taylor Wimpey alongside Alex Jenden, said: “We are delighted to have advised on the sale of this significant 17-acre site in Aylesbury, working alongside joint agents Bidwells. Kirkby Diamond has been involved with the site at Hampden Fields for over 20 years, so it is particularly rewarding to see it move into its next phase. This is a major transaction for the region and, once complete, we expect the best-in-class development to attract strong interest from a wide range of occupiers, ultimately delivering substantial employment opportunities and long-term economic benefits for the local area.” Located south-east of Aylesbury, the site provides direct access to the A41 dual carriageway offering connectivity to the M40 and M25, which are both within 20 miles. Firethorn was advised by Cushman & Wakefield, Taylor Wimpey was advised by Kirkby Diamond (now Eddisons). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer-led City Ground expansion could boost Nottingham Forest capacity to 52,000
Developer-backed plans to significantly expand Nottingham Forest Football Club’s City Ground have been submitted, setting out proposals to increase the stadium’s capacity from 30,445 to around 52,000. The planning applications mark a major step forward in the club’s ambitions to deliver a large-scale redevelopment of the historic riverside ground. Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, said the proposals represent a significant investment that would create a sustainable and iconic stadium, forming an integral part of the economic growth of Nottingham and the wider region. The redevelopment has been designed by KSS Design Group, which is also leading stadium expansion projects at Anfield for Liverpool FC and Elland Road for Leeds United. The wider professional team includes Buro Happold, Gleeds and Savills, reflecting the scale and complexity of the proposed transformation. Under the new plans, the City Ground would be comprehensively redeveloped to deliver a modern, high-capacity stadium capable of supporting the club’s long-term sporting and commercial ambitions. Visuals released by the club show a substantially enlarged venue designed to enhance the matchday experience for supporters while improving facilities and accessibility. In a statement, Nottingham Forest said it is looking forward to working closely with the Mayor of the East Midlands, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, as well as fans and the wider community, to secure a positive outcome for the scheme. The new proposals replace a previously approved, more modest expansion. Last year, the club secured planning permission from Rushcliffe Borough Council to increase capacity to 35,000 through the demolition and rebuild of the Peter Taylor Stand. Those plans have now been set aside in favour of the more ambitious redevelopment. Architect Konstantinos Chatzimanolis, formerly of Foster & Partners, has also been advising the club on its expansion strategy since April last year. James Faflik, senior director and project lead at Gleeds, said he was proud to have led the professional team on what he described as a transformative stadium redevelopment. He said the project would deliver significant benefits for supporters, the local economy and the wider area, and expressed his enthusiasm for progressing the scheme following submission of the planning application. Gleeds regional director Matt Darby added that feedback from local businesses, councillors, season ticket holders and other stakeholders had been overwhelmingly positive. He said the firm is looking forward to continuing its long-standing relationship with the club as the project moves through the planning process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henry Boot secures planning for 5.5m sq ft Goole freeport development
Henry Boot has secured outline planning consent for a major 5.5m sq ft industrial and logistics scheme in Goole, marking a significant boost for manufacturing and distribution across the Humber region. The development, known as FREEPORT 36, is being brought forward by Henry Boot’s development arm HBD in partnership with landowner St John’s College, Cambridge. The approval clears the way for the creation of a 300-acre industrial and manufacturing park capable of accommodating a wide range of occupiers. Plans provide flexibility for buildings ranging in size from 40,000 sq ft to more than 1m sq ft, enabling the scheme to cater for advanced manufacturing, logistics and large-scale industrial users. Detailed proposals will now be prepared, with the development team targeting a start on site before the end of the year. Once fully built out, FREEPORT 36 is expected to support around 3,000 jobs in Goole itself and approximately 5,500 jobs across the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, delivering a substantial economic uplift. The site benefits from a highly strategic location adjacent to Junction 36 of the M62, offering direct access to Goole Docks, the M18 and the wider Humber Ports complex. This connectivity is expected to be a major draw for occupiers seeking efficient national and international supply chain links. FREEPORT 36 forms part of the Humber Freeport Goole tax site, which has been formally designated following approval from HM Treasury and HMRC. As a result, occupiers will be able to benefit from a range of freeport incentives designed to support long-term investment and growth. Tim Roberts, chief executive of Henry Boot, said the scheme will play a key role in supporting the expansion of manufacturing and logistics across Yorkshire, adding that freeport status further strengthens the location’s appeal to occupiers looking for scale, connectivity and long-term certainty. With outline consent now in place, the project is set to move into its next phase as one of the largest industrial developments in the north of England. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Edge lines up McAlpine for £150m Shaftesbury Avenue office transformation
Developer Edge, in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate, is preparing to move ahead with a £150m redevelopment of 125 Shaftesbury Avenue after securing a major funding package for the West End scheme. Sir Robert McAlpine is understood to be the preferred contractor for the large-scale office refurbishment, which is being taken forward on a speculative basis. With funding now in place, construction is expected to start early this year once enabling works and strip-out are completed by John F Hunt. The project, known as EDGE Shaftesbury, is backed by a consortium of Japanese equity investors including Tokyo Tatemono, Toko Electrical Construction and Fuyo General Lease, alongside development finance provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The investment underlines continued confidence in prime London office space despite wider market uncertainty. The scheme already has planning consent to transform the existing 1980s building into approximately 250,000 sq ft of modern workspace. Proposals include a reconfigured main entrance on Charing Cross Road, new rooftop terraces and upgraded office floors designed to meet the expectations of contemporary occupiers. Completion is targeted for 2028. A central feature of the redevelopment is its low-carbon strategy. Around 75% of the existing structure will be retained, significantly reducing embodied carbon compared with a full demolition and rebuild. The refurbishment will also increase the building’s height from 11 to 13 storeys and introduce new ground-floor workspace to enhance street-level activity. Fons van Dorst, managing director UK at Edge, said securing the funding represented a key milestone for the project and its partnership with Mitsubishi Estate London. He added that the move into delivery would allow the team to focus on creating a high-quality, future-ready office building that benefits occupiers, neighbours and the wider city. Once complete, the development is expected to play a prominent role in the ongoing renewal of London’s West End office market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning approved for landmark Joseph’s Well student tower in Leeds + McLaren Construction Yorkshire and North East appointed as main contractor
J Pullan & Sons has secured planning approval and appointed McLaren Construction Yorkshire and North East as main contractor for the Joseph’s Well student tower, launching a bold new chapter for the historic site. Full planning consent has been granted for a major new purpose-built student accommodation scheme at Joseph’s Well in Leeds city centre, marking the most significant transformation of the estate in over 45 years. The 14-storey development, known as The Tower, will deliver 256 high-quality student bedrooms in a mix of studios and cluster apartments, alongside premium communal and amenity spaces designed to support student wellbeing, collaboration and long-term operational performance. Christophe Demoulin, Contracts Manager at Pullans, said: “This consent marks a major milestone for Pullans. The Tower is the single largest investment in our 140-year history and reflects our long-term commitment to Joseph’s Well and the city of Leeds.” Alongside McLaren Construction Yorkshire and North East, the wider project team comprises Cunniff Design as architect, FutureServ as MEP consultant, Orion Fire as fire consultant, Roscoe as civil and structural engineer, and RBA as quantity surveyor and employer’s agent. Andrew Beaumont, Managing Director at McLaren Construction Yorkshire and North East, said: “This appointment represents a pivotal milestone for our Yorkshire and North East region and reinforces our strategic commitment to building a sustainable and relationship-driven business. With our broad experience and skilled team, we are well placed to deliver this landmark project for Pullans in the heart of Leeds city centre.” Located within walking distance of the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and the city centre, the scheme responds to Leeds’ growing demand for professionally managed, high-quality student living, helping to support the city’s continued status as one of the UK’s leading university destinations. Designed with sustainability at its heart, the building will incorporate modern, energy-efficient systems and a carefully balanced mix of social, study and relaxation spaces, enhancing the student experience while making a positive contribution to the wider Joseph’s Well estate and surrounding neighbourhood. Patrick Evers, Director at Cunniff Design, added: “We have been involved with this project from the very start, so it is incredibly rewarding to see our vision one step closer to being realised on site. Its efficient, contextual approach and commitment to technical innovation and build quality make it a fitting addition to the long history of this important site.” Joseph’s Well has played an important role in Leeds’ business landscape for nearly half a century. Acquired by Pullans in 1979, the former factory and mill was first converted into office space before a purpose-built headquarters was developed for Hammond Suddards in 1990. This latest phase represents a significant diversification of uses for the estate – the first major change since its original conversion some 45 years ago – signalling an exciting new chapter for this iconic Leeds destination. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colliers launches the Measured Survey Services team with appointment of Patrick Foster
Patrick joins as service line head to lead a new specialist department within Project & Building Consultancy Colliers has announced the appointment of Patrick Foster to lead its newly created Measured Survey Services department, within the Project & Building Consultancy division. Patrick brings more than 15 years of industry experience, and more recently he was a Director in the CBRE/Turner & Townsend Measured Survey team in London. In his new role, Patrick will spearhead the development and delivery of Colliers’ Measured Survey Services, providing clients with a comprehensive range of Geomatic Surveying solutions. Patrick brings deep expertise in internal area reports, measured building surveys and other geospatial deliverables. This strategic move reflects Colliers’ commitment to expanding its technical capabilities and delivering best-in-class data and insights to clients across the UK. Gavin McCosh, Director, Project & Building Consultancy at Colliers, said:“Patrick’s appointment is a great start to 2026, and it marks an exciting time for Colliers as we launch Measured Survey Services. His proven leadership and technical expertise will enable us to deliver accurate, technology-driven solutions to add real value to our clients. This new service line strengthens our team offering and reflects our continual growth and improvement.” Patrick Foster, Director, Measured Survey Services, commented:“I’m excited to join Colliers and lead the launch of our Measured Survey Services team, bringing clients a fully integrated solution. With demand for precise data and advanced surveying solutions growing rapidly, this new service line is vital for the property industry. I’m looking forward to building a market-leading team and helping clients get the best out of their assets.” This appointment marks a significant step in Colliers’ strategy to broaden its Project & Building Consultancy offering and respond to growing client demand for accurate, technology-driven surveying solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals