Liverpool City Region Targets 63,000 New Homes Under £2bn Housing Pipeline
The Liverpool City Region has unveiled ambitious plans to accelerate the delivery of more than 63,000 new homes through a £2bn housing pipeline designed to unlock stalled sites and drive large-scale regeneration across the region. Led by metro mayor Steve Rotheram, the initiative brings together local authorities, housing associations and delivery partners to identify over 300 development sites capable of supporting new housing. Nearly half of the proposed homes, around 31,000 units, would be delivered within the city of Liverpool itself. The Liverpool City Region Housing Pipeline sets out a coordinated approach to housing delivery, aligning land preparation, infrastructure investment and funding support to speed up development. It follows a recent commitment of £700m for new social and affordable housing across the region, representing the largest investment of its kind locally. The combined authority is being asked to formally approve the work completed to date and endorse the pipeline as a priority framework for directing development funding. Approval would allow detailed preparation of sites to move forward, coordinated alongside wider investment in transport infrastructure, economic development and place-based regeneration. Working jointly with Homes England, the combined authority is already investing £1.3m to bring forward 309 priority sites across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. This work forms part of a strategic place partnership aimed at tackling viability challenges and accelerating delivery. Members will also be asked to endorse the creation of a new Housing Investment Fund to unlock difficult sites and support early-stage development. Analysis suggests around £1bn of public support will be required to deliver 139 of the identified schemes, with the full pipeline potentially needing up to £2bn in total investment. Rising construction costs, higher borrowing rates and increasingly stringent building standards have created significant viability gaps, particularly on complex urban brownfield sites. To further accelerate delivery, the combined authority is exploring the establishment of a mayoral development corporation, initially focused on a North Docks development area, with the potential to extend the model to other priority regeneration zones. The next phase will involve active engagement with the wider housing market. A meeting scheduled for early February will bring together developers, contractors, investors, housing associations and local authorities, marking the launch of a new Liverpool City Region Developer Forum aimed at building market confidence and supporting delivery. If delivered in full, the pipeline would represent one of the most significant housing and regeneration programmes in the region’s history, reshaping communities and supporting long-term economic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK Government Steadies £56bn New Hospital Programme as Delivery Pressures Mount
The UK Government’s reset of the £56bn New Hospital Programme has brought greater stability to one of the country’s largest construction pipelines, but significant delivery challenges remain, particularly around the replacement of hospitals affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. A recent update indicates the programme is now on a more credible footing, with the final hospitals expected to complete in 2045–46. However, seven hospitals prioritised due to extensive RAAC use are not forecast to open until 2032–33, well beyond the original 2030 replacement deadline. For contractors and consultants, the reset offers longer-term certainty and a clearer forward pipeline. However, the next five years will be critical, with a tightly sequenced construction programme and limited contingency leaving little tolerance for early delays or cost overruns. Key milestones are approaching. The Hospital 2.0 alliance contract, originally expected to be awarded by the end of last year, is now anticipated in early 2026. Work to finalise the standardised Hospital 2.0 designs is due to be completed by April 2026. Market interest in the alliance has been strong, with more than 20 contractors expressing interest and 16 firms shortlisted to take part in competitive dialogue. Wave 1 schemes are currently scheduled to begin construction in 2028–29, including major developments at Milton Keynes Hospital and Leighton Hospital. These projects will be among the first to adopt the Hospital 2.0 standardised design approach. Despite improved programme structure, capacity constraints within public sector client teams remain a concern. Vacancy rates stood at nearly 40% in late 2025, with shortages in digital, commercial and technical expertise identified as a key delivery risk. The reset followed a review which concluded that the original programme was not deliverable as planned. It now comprises 41 hospital schemes delivered across four waves over the next 20 years, alongside five schemes that were completed prior to the reset in early 2025. Total funding for all 46 schemes now stands at £60bn, including £56bn of capital expenditure. This represents a significant increase on earlier assumptions and includes a £12bn contingency to reflect inflation, market pressures, engineering complexity and environmental requirements. Capital investment of £8.9bn has been allocated between 2025–26 and 2029–30, with annual spending rising to around £3bn from 2030–31 onwards. RAAC remains the most immediate risk to the programme. An independent review recommended replacing seven RAAC hospitals by 2030, but that deadline will be missed. By 2025, more than £500m had already been spent on mitigation measures, while NHS trusts continue to incur between £100m and £140m a year in additional maintenance costs as replacement projects are delayed. The reset places strong emphasis on the Hospital 2.0 model, which aims to standardise layouts, improve buildability and create a more predictable market for contractors. Features include single-patient rooms, reduced staff travel distances, digital patient records and enhanced monitoring technology. Across 28 Hospital 2.0 schemes, average overnight bed numbers are expected to increase by around 6%. While the programme now rests on firmer foundations, maintaining delivery discipline will be essential if long-term ambitions are to be realised and further delays avoided. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic exceeds social value targets at Prologis Park, South London
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has exceeded social value targets in its delivery of the second phase of Prologis Park at Beddington Lane in Croydon, South London. In alignment with real estate logistics provider Prologis’ Social Value Charter, Winvic implemented a robust Employment and Skills Plan in collaboration with Sutton Council, Sutton and District Training, and the South London Careers Hub. The contractor surpassed its Section 106 Employment and Skills commitments, delivering high-impact social value initiatives as part of its partnership with Prologis and the London Borough of Sutton. The expansion of Prologis Park Beddington Lane comprises of four low-carbon logistics units totalling over 110,640 sq. ft, including 97,105 sq. ft of warehouse space and 13,535 sq. ft of modern office facilities built to BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ ratings. Winvic surpassed extensive training and skills targets, hosting 11 work insight sessions (83% above target) and seven site visits. Work insight sessions included six engagement with students from Sutton and District Training, helping to raise awareness of construction careers and skills pathways, and two tailored construction and sensory sessions for SEN learners at Greenholm School, offering an inclusive and engaging experience and engaging for young people with additional learning needs. Further activities included supporting a speed networking event at Harris Academy Sutton, where students interviewed members of the site team, and providing an employer talk as part of a site visit with representatives from London Borough of Sutton Council, to the same school. This led to one of the students completing a work experience placement with Winvic. In addition, mock interviews were delivered at Greenshaw School, helping Year 12 students prepare for future employment. Winvic coordinated apprenticeships and work placements, including a local Civil Engineering apprentice who was recruited directly onto the Beddington Lane site and continues to train with Winvic on another project. Another local Civil Engineering apprentice, engaged through shared apprenticeship provider Co-Train, successfully gained employment with Winvic to continue her apprenticeship. Winvic’s social value activities extended to supporting charity and community sector organisations including social enterprise Hey Girls, site signage provider Nuneaton Signs, who provide employment for people with disabilities , and the Daniel Baird Foundation, a charity which provides publicly accessible bleeding control packs for stab victims, with Winvic donating a pack for the local community. Emma Alderman, Senior Social Responsibility Manager at Winvic, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved at Beddington Lane. Our goal was not just to meet the extensive targets but to do so in a meaningful way. By working closely with Sutton and District Training, local schools, and shared apprenticeship providers, we’ve delivered a wide range of impactful opportunities that reflect our long-term commitment to social value.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial, Logistics & Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Beddington Lane Phase 2 is a great example of delivering not only sustainable, high-quality logistics units, but also long-lasting benefits for the local community. We’re pleased to be building on our long-standing relationship with Prologis with whom we share many of our core values. The team’s passion for engaging with local learners and creating real employment pathways has been wonderful to watch. I’m incredibly proud of our results and how we’ve embedded social value into the very fabric of this project, making a difference to people’s lives and the community.” Tim Burn, Director – Development Management at Prologis UK, added “Projects like Prologis Park Beddington Lane show how we bring our Social Value Charter to life on the ground. Working with partners such as Winvic, local authorities and education providers allows us to create opportunities that have a lasting impact on people and communities, not just buildings. We are proud of what has been achieved at Beddington Lane and of the positive legacy it is creating locally.” Recognising the quality and impact of the social value work, Beddington Lane has been awarded a Silver National Site Award by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, achieving an exceptional 44 out of 45 score, including a best practice point. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Press Release Happy New Year! UK construction performance finishes 2025 on a high
Happy New Year! UK construction performance finishes 2025 on a high 2025 concluded with a significant increase in project starts during the Index period This week, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the January 2026 edition of its Construction Index. The Index reviews the three months to the end of December 2025, focusing on underlying projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise stated). All figures are seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The January Construction Index reveals that overall construction performance is starting to improve following a sluggish end to Q.2 2025, and a distinctly depressed Q.3 2025. In fact, projects starting on site rose by 7% in the three months to December, indicating that the sector is starting 2026 on a surer footing than that of the preceding quarter. Despite start activity remaining 7% lower than 2024 figures, the outlook for the coming year is far from gloomy and, with significant Government funding in areas including housebuilding, amenities, critical infrastructure, and capital projects there’s hope that this cash injection into the public realm will act as a catalyst to thaw currently frosty private investors both home and abroad. According to the Index, this current and potential growth is being seen across a variety of different verticals and, whilst residential categories posted losses, non-residential counterparts (including civils) posted strong results during Q.4 and against the preceding year. Commenting on the results, Glenigan’s Economics Director, Allan Wilen, says, “Contractors and subcontractors across the UK will be breathing a sigh of relief that, contrary to expectation and speculation, the sector finished up 2025 on a positive note, buoyed by significant Q.4 growth across non-residential verticals, particularly office and industrial where work has skyrocketed providing much needed momentum.” He continues, “Looking at the year ahead, whilst it won’t be a cake walk by any means, hopefully this non-residential activity boost will provide the basis for a further strengthening, reflecting the 2026 return-to-growth predictions we made in our recent Construction Forecast. However, this only addresses half the story. In the short term, the toughest nut to crack will be the persistent private residential market stagnation. Languishing in the doldrums, it desperately awaits a return of house-purchaser confidence and faster BSR clearance of high-rise projects; something the Government will no doubt chew over intensely over the first half of the year to find a way of easing the deadlock.” Taking a closer look at the results… Sector Analysis – Residential The Residential sector was a mixed bag, registering a modest 2% decline in the preceding three months, down by a fifth (-20%) against 2024 figures. Drilling deeper, private sector activity maintained a downward trajectory, posting 15% drops during Q.4, plummeting 29% compared to the previous year. Social housing, however, fared somewhat better, with 28% rises during the Index period to finish 16% up on last year. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential It was a different story in the non-residential sector, which experienced a robust period of growth, with most verticals scoring an increase during Q.4 Once again, the sun continued to shine on office construction, which rose by 11% against the preceding three months and 53% above 2024 levels. These impressive results can be largely attributed to the commencement of some sizeable projects, including the £70 million Dirac Building on the new St John’s Innovation Park development in Cambridge, and various other schemes. Not to be outdone, Industrial project starts were similarly on the up, soaring to 41% during the Index period and by 57% against the previous year. The commencement of various schemes up and down the UK helped to support sector growth. Once again, community and amenity projects saw an increase, with project starts on site up by 37% on 2024 figures and by 29% compared to the preceding three months. Perhaps boosted by good vibrations from the UK Government, civils work starting on-site increased 17% during Q.4 and by 15% against the previous year. Infrastructure project starts jumped 8% and utilities 28% during the index period to finish 9% and 23% up on last year, respectively. Elsewhere, performance was inconsistent or in decline. Whilst retail increased by 9% against the preceding three months, it stood 15% lower than the previous year’s figures. Likewise, education projects witnessed a 13% spike during the index period, but finished 8% down compared to 2024. Health and Hotel & Leisure’s results were disappointing. The former saw performance slashed by a quarter (-25%) against the previous year, dipping 7% during Q.4. Similarly, the latter dropped 8% during the preceding three months, finishing 28% lower than 2024 figures. Regional Outlook The Capital was the standout performer, rising to 35% against the preceding three months to stand 33% up against the previous year. Keeping up the pace, the North East also performed well, rising 10% against the preceding three months to stand 34% up against the previous year. It was a similar story in Yorkshire & the Humber, where project starts rose by 16% against the preceding three months to stand 1% up on the previous year. Elsewhere, performance was either patchy or dismal. The South West experienced a mixed performance, rising to 20% against the preceding three months, yet finishing 6% down against the previous year. The West Midlands experienced an especially poor period, declining by 19% against the preceding three months and declining to 12% against the previous year. The South East also struggled, declining 7% against the preceding three months to stand 14% down against the previous year. Find out more about Glenigan here: www.glenigan.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer P3 Logistics Parks set to appoint British Land chief Simon Carter
Developer and investor P3 Logistics Parks is set to appoint British Land chief executive Simon Carter, following confirmation that he is stepping down from his role after five years at the helm of the UK-listed property company. Carter, who first joined British Land in 2004 and has spent a total of 18 years with the business across two periods, will take up a similar senior leadership position at P3. He is subject to a 12-month notice period, during which British Land will begin the process of identifying his successor. During his tenure as chief executive, Carter oversaw a period of strategic repositioning for British Land, strengthening its focus on London office campuses and retail parks. The company said he leaves the business with a strong management team in place and a platform well positioned to benefit from rental growth in supply-constrained markets. William Rucker, chairman of British Land, thanked Carter for his contribution, noting that he has played a central role in shaping the company’s direction and preparing it for its next phase of growth. He said the board wishes Carter well in his new role at P3 Logistics Parks. Reflecting on his departure, Carter said British Land has been a defining part of his professional life and described it as a privilege to have led the business. He thanked the board, executive committee and colleagues for their support and commitment to delivering the company’s strategy over the past five years. Carter added that decisions taken in the period following the pandemic have positioned British Land for long-term success, particularly across its core London and retail park assets. While acknowledging there is never a perfect time to move on, he said he leaves the business with market-leading positions and a strong outlook. His move to P3 Logistics Parks marks a high-profile leadership change within the UK and European property sector, bringing extensive experience of large-scale real estate investment and development to the logistics specialist. 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