5,600 more on-street EV chargers installed for households without driveways
More than 5,600 public EV chargers have been installed through completed government-backed on-street charging projects in the past year, expanding access to charging for households without off-street parking. A review of newly published Department for Transport figures by specialist EV charging cable retailer EV Cable Hub found the number of public charging devices installed through completed On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) projects increased by 42.6%, from 13,325 on 1 July 2025 to 19,001 on 1 July 2026. ORCS was introduced specifically to help local authorities provide public charging infrastructure for residents who do not have access to private off-street parking. Separate analysis by EV Cable Hub found that the number of approved charging devices linked to incomplete ORCS projects also fell substantially over the same period, from 7,847 to 1,825. Jake Wardle, Founder at EV Cable Hub, said the figures show significant progress in improving access to public charging for households without off-street parking. He said: “For households without a driveway, access to reliable charging close to home can have a major influence on whether switching to an EV feels practical. “The growth in on-street infrastructure over the past year is therefore really encouraging. Thousands more charging devices have been delivered through completed projects, helping make public charging more accessible in residential areas. “There is still work taking place across some longer-running projects, but the overall direction is positive.” The scheme is now closed to new applications, with newer local charging infrastructure in England being supported through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. Three quarters of devices linked to incomplete projects relate to schemes approved by March 2023 EV Cable Hub’s analysis found that 18 of the 30 incomplete projects were approved by the end of March 2023. More than three quarters (76.6%) of the 1,825 approved devices are linked to projects approved by the end of the 2022/23 financial year, accounting for 1,398 devices. The 30 projects account for approximately £12.8 million in approved project awards, around £9.7 million of which relates to projects approved in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Government guidance set a standard completion deadline of March 2025 for ongoing ORCS projects, although extensions could be considered on a case-by-case basis where unforeseen circumstances affected delivery. Jake added: “There are still some longer-running projects in the system, but that shouldn’t overshadow the significant amount of charging infrastructure that has already been delivered. “For drivers who depend on public charging, maintaining that momentum will be important as the UK’s wider charging network continues to grow.” West Sussex has the highest number of devices linked to incomplete projects West Sussex County Council has 410 approved charging devices linked to incomplete projects, the highest total of any area in the UK. The Cardiff Capital Region Regional Transport Authority follows with 291, while Islington and Derry City and Strabane each account for 124. The areas with the highest totals are: DfT only marks an ORCS project as complete once all charging devices have been installed and final funding payments have been claimed, meaning some devices linked to projects still awaiting formal completion may already have been installed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic appointed by Durham County Council to deliver Witton-le-Wear Bridge scheme under NEPO framework
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and construction of private and public sector works and civil engineering projects has been appointed by Durham County Council to design the Witton Le Wear Bridge scheme on the A68 – the company’s first project awarded under the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) Framework. The scheme will see Winvic act as Design & Build Contractor for essential works to Witton-Le-Wear Bridge, which carries the A68 over the River Wear near the village of Witton-le-Wear in County Durham. Design work is underway with completion of this scheduled for summer 2027, the project is being delivered in partnership with design consultant Mott MacDonald. Originally built around 1970, the bridge comprises two arched, tapered in-situ reinforced concrete beams supporting a reinforced concrete slab deck. Changes in the river alignment, caused by an upstream gravel bank, have led to erosion of the riverbanks and the southern embankment near the bridge pier, resulting in localised undercutting and damage to the paved apron. Additionally, the Northern Pier & embankment is now being assessed. This is being closely monitored by Durham County Council and appointed professionals. Construction works will focus on preventing further embankment erosion, protecting the bridge structure and undertaking refurbishment or replacement works to ensure the long-term resilience of this important transport route. Following completion of survey & design works, Winvic will issue Durham County Council with options for the recommended repairs to the structure and scour protection measures to the southern embankment extending upstream of the bridge. The final design solution will be confirmed following detailed river modelling, durability assessments and cost analysis. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure said: “Securing our first scheme through the NEPO framework with Durham County Council is a significant milestone for our Civils and Infrastructure sector. The Witton-Le-Wear Bridge is a key route on the A68, and we are proud to support Durham County Council in strengthening this vital link for the local community and the region.” “We look forward to working collaboratively with Durham County Council and our design partner Mott MacDonald to deliver a durable, long-term solution that benefits residents, businesses and regional connectivity for years to come.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
G F Tomlinson renews its commitment to young people in sport
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has renewed its partnership with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) for the 2026/27 season, continuing its support for the Trust’s Female Talent Pathway and its commitment to creating opportunities for young people across Derbyshire. The Female Talent Pathway is a structured development programme supporting aspiring female footballers from under-9 through to under-21 level. The programme provides talented young players with a progressive route into elite football, with the potential to advance into Derby County Women’s First Team. Through the partnership, players can benefit from high-quality coaching, regular competitive fixtures and access to a professional training environment. Alongside football development, the programme places an important emphasis on education, personal development and the wider skills needed to help young people thrive both on and off the pitch. The renewal reflects G F Tomlinson’s continued commitment to investing in the communities in which it operates and supporting initiatives that can have a lasting impact on young people. The continued investment also comes at an important time for women’s and girls’ football, with participation and interest in the game continuing to grow year on year. By supporting DCCT’s Female Talent Pathway, G F Tomlinson is helping the Trust maintain high-quality provision for its players while contributing to the development of the next generation of female footballers. As part of the partnership, G F Tomlinson also provides support to the local community through the Harrisons Hub Community Meals programme at Pride Park Stadium to help the most vulnerable members of society. Andy Sewards, Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Derby County Community Trust and to continue supporting the Female Talent Pathway for another year. What stands out to us about the programme is that it is about so much more than football, it gives young people the opportunity to develop their confidence, resilience, teamwork and self-belief, while providing a clear pathway for those who aspire to progress within the game. “As a business with deep roots in the Midlands, supporting the communities where we live and work is significantly important to us. We are proud to play a part in helping local young people access these opportunities and are looking forward to seeing the pathway continue to grow throughout the 2026/27 season.” Chris Tomlinson, Head of Business Development at Derby County Community Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that G F Tomlinson has chosen to continue its partnership with DCCT for another year. The support of our partners is fundamental to the work we do, enabling us to provide high-quality opportunities for young people and continue developing programmes such as the Female Talent Pathway. “G F Tomlinson shares our belief in the importance of investing in local communities and creating opportunities for young women to fulfil their potential. Their continued support will make a real difference to our players and help us to keep developing the pathway both on and off the pitch.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£150m Baker Street Deal Marks Major UK BTR Move for Zara Founder’s Property Empire
Pontegadea, the private investment company of Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega, has made its first move into the UK Build to Rent (BTR) market with the £150 million acquisition of a residential development on London’s Baker Street. The transaction sees Pontegadea acquire 219 Baker Street in the West End from investor and developer Ridgeback Group, adding 86 apartments to an already substantial UK property portfolio. The deal, equivalent to approximately €175 million, represents a reported yield of 4%. Ortega is the founder and main shareholder of Inditex, the global fashion group behind Zara and brands including Pull&Bear and Massimo Dutti. While his wealth is closely associated with the international retail sector, Pontegadea has built up a major global property portfolio, with UK real estate holdings now valued at more than £2.7 billion. The Baker Street acquisition is particularly notable from a built environment perspective because of the history of the property itself. The Grade II-listed Art Deco building was originally constructed in 1932 as the headquarters of Abbey National, which later became part of Santander. The building was converted to residential use in 2004 and subsequently upgraded by Ridgeback. Its acquisition provides Pontegadea with an immediate foothold in the professionally managed UK rental market without the development and construction risks associated with delivering a new BTR scheme from the ground up. The deal also extends the investor’s presence across different areas of the UK property market. Its existing London assets include The Post Building on New Oxford Street, while in 2025 Pontegadea acquired an 850,000 sq ft Amazon logistics warehouse near Liverpool for £81 million. The move into BTR comes at a significant time for institutional investment in UK rental housing. BTR transactions reached a record £2.2 billion during the second quarter of 2026, demonstrating continued investor appetite for established, income-producing residential assets despite wider pressures facing development and construction. For the wider property sector, the £150 million Baker Street transaction is another indication of how the UK rental market is attracting international capital traditionally associated with commercial real estate. Pontegadea’s arrival adds another major global investor to the sector and, with an established London residential asset providing its entry point, could signal further interest from the group as the UK BTR market continues to mature. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green Light for 200 Council Homes in Next Chapter of Battersea Power Station Regeneration
Plans for 200 new council homes at Battersea Power Station have secured planning permission, marking another major step in the transformation of the landmark 42-acre regeneration site in London. The homes will be delivered by Battersea Power Station Development Company in partnership with Wandsworth Council on an undeveloped brownfield plot forming part of Phase 5 of the wider masterplan. All 200 properties will be operated by Wandsworth Council and made available at social rent levels through its Homes for Wandsworth programme. The development will include a mix of homes, including larger properties designed to meet the needs of families. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with completion targeted for 2029. Designed by Peckham-based Dowen Farmer Architects, the scheme will combine new housing with landscaped communal areas and ground-floor commercial and community uses. Residents will have access to communal gardens as well as a substantial south-facing roof garden, bringing additional green space into the development. Funding will be provided through Wandsworth Council’s Housing Revenue Account, supported by grant funding from the Greater London Authority. A multidisciplinary professional team has been assembled to progress the project, with Buro Happold appointed as structural engineer, MKP as M&E consultant and Cast Consultancy as cost consultant. The approval comes as attention increasingly turns towards the remaining phases of the Battersea Power Station regeneration. Around 16 acres of brownfield land are still to be developed, offering the potential for up to 3.2 million sq ft of additional residential, commercial, cultural and leisure space. Studio Egret West has been appointed to evolve the original masterplan created by Rafael Viñoly more than 15 years ago, as the development team considers how the remaining half of the regeneration site should respond to changing demands across London’s property market. Battersea Power Station Development Company chief executive James Saunders has also confirmed that a Section 73 planning application covering the future phases is due to be submitted later this month. The latest approval adds an important affordable housing element to one of London’s most prominent regeneration projects. The redevelopment of the former power station and its surrounding land has already created a major new mixed-use destination, combining homes, offices, retail, leisure and public realm around the restored Grade II* listed landmark. With 200 council homes now approved and further phases being reconsidered, Battersea Power Station is entering another significant period of construction and development as its long-term regeneration continues. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aldi Unveils £300m UK Store Investment as 25 Supermarkets Set for Major Upgrades
Aldi is stepping up investment across its UK property estate with plans to refurbish 25 supermarkets this year as part of a wider £300 million programme of store improvements. The investment will see the discount supermarket group upgrade existing locations across England and Scotland, with work focused on improving the customer experience while introducing more efficient and sustainable building technologies. Depending on the individual store, improvements will include the refurbishment and expansion of key departments such as bakery, health and beauty and fresh food. The programme is designed to create additional space and make stores easier for customers to navigate. Sustainability will also play a role in the refurbishment programme. Selected locations are set to receive energy-efficient fridge doors and refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants, supporting efforts to reduce energy consumption and improve the environmental performance of Aldi’s existing estate. For the retail construction and fit-out sector, the programme represents a significant pipeline of refurbishment activity across a geographically diverse portfolio. Upgrading operational supermarkets can require carefully phased construction, M&E, refrigeration, shopfitting and finishing works to minimise disruption while delivering improvements to existing buildings. Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said: “We’re continuing to invest in our existing stores because we know how important the in-store experience is to customers. “These upgrades will create more space, improve key areas of our stores and make them easier to shop. It’s an important part of how we’re investing in the communities we serve.” The £300 million commitment highlights the continuing importance of existing-store investment alongside new supermarket development. For major retailers with substantial property portfolios, refurbishment provides an opportunity to modernise customer-facing areas while improving energy efficiency and adapting stores to changing operational requirements. With 25 locations earmarked for work this year, Aldi’s programme will bring investment to stores from Aberdeen and Stirling to Manchester, Liverpool, London and Bedford. Aldi stores set for refurbishment • Arndale, Manchester• Barnsley Road, Doncaster• Batley Road, Wakefield• Brackley Court, Blaby• Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston• Brooks Road, Lewes• Chapel Street, Belper• Cornhill Shopping Arcade, Aberdeen• Crown Road, Enfield• Falkirk Road, Linlithgow• Grooms Alley, Wellington• Holyhead Road, Telford• Holloway Road, Archway• Knollside Close, Sunderland• London Road, Blackwater• Moreland Avenue, Billingham• Old Beck Road, Harrogate• Printers Place, Paisley• Ringtail Retail Park, Burscough• Rockingham Road, Corby• Sandbach Road, Congleton• Springbank Road, Stirling• St. John Centre, Liverpool• Stratford Road, Hall Green• Westville Road, Bedford Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals