Development Director Ulrike Maccariello to retire from Hastoe after 20-year career at the rural housing specialist
Regional Development Manager Chris Meadows to take reins as new Development Director Ulrike Maccariello will be retiring from Hastoe Housing Association at the end of July, following a distinguished 20-year career at the rural housing specialist that has included serving as Development Director for the last seven years. Chris Meadows, Hastoe’s Regional Development Manager for the West and Sales Manager, will become Development Director at the start of May, to ensure a smooth transition. In other changes to the team, Mike Cramp, currently Regional Development Manager for the East, will become Head of Development, with responsibility for development across all regions; Emily Moss will become Sales Manager; Neil Salisbury, Technical Manager, will now head up Hastoe’s technical quality control team; and a new Development Manager post is being created to cover the South-East, including Hampshire and Sussex. Andrew Potter, Hastoe CEO, says: “Ulrike has been an integral part of our development team for over 20 years, and for the past seven, she has led as director with unwavering dedication. During her time here, Ulrike has spearheaded our move to high-quality and sustainable rural developments, creating homes for those who need them most and championing rural affordable housing across the sector. Her leadership has left an indelible mark on Hastoe and the communities we serve. “We are fortunate Ulrike has created a skilled and talented development team, and I wish Chris and the rest of his team all the very best as they step into their new challenges.” Ulrike says: “The network of fantastic people I have had the privilege to work with are part of the reason I have stayed at Hastoe for so long. I am enormously grateful for all the opportunities I have had and the partnerships and friendships I have made. Rural housing is a topic that will always remain close to my heart, and I am delighted to see Chris become Development Director, as he has a real passion and enthusiasm for Hastoe and our values. I wish him and the rest of the team lots of success in their new roles.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Why Waste Planning Should Start Before Your Project Gets Complicated
If you want a project to run smoothly, you need to think beyond materials, labour, and deadlines. One of the easiest things to underestimate is waste. It sounds minor at first. A few broken materials. Some packaging. A growing pile of offcuts. But once site activity picks up, poor waste planning can start affecting access, productivity, safety, and even the pace of the programme. On projects of almost any size, that becomes a real operational issue, not just a housekeeping one. So, let’s take a look at why waste problems have a habit of becoming much bigger than expected. Waste Problems Rarely Stay Small You’ve probably seen it happen. A site begins in a controlled way, then clutter starts building in corners, near entrances, beside storage areas, and around working zones. Suddenly, trades are navigating around the mess instead of moving freely through the site. Deliveries become more awkward. Sorting waste becomes reactive. Time gets lost in tiny pockets all day long. That’s why it helps to treat waste like part of your site logistics plan, not something separate from it. When you think ahead about where waste will be created, how quickly it will accumulate, and how often it needs to be removed, you protect the workflow before problems develop. It is less about tidiness for appearance’s sake and more about keeping your site usable. The Right Setup Makes Daily Work Easier Choosing the right waste solution isn’t just about volume. It’s also about access, project type, and the kind of debris you expect to generate. The Waste Group’s Bournemouth service page outlines a range of options from smaller skips to larger containers and roll-on roll-off units, showing how different projects need different approaches. It also notes next-day delivery for orders placed before midday on working days, which can be useful when timelines are tight. Used properly, skip hire can do more than remove rubbish. It can help you create a cleaner working rhythm on-site. Trades spend less time shifting waste out of the way. Storage zones stay clearer. Access points remain usable. That sort of consistency makes a difference over the life of a project. Access Rules Need Attention Early You also need to think about where waste containers will go. If they are placed on private land, the process is usually simpler. If they need to sit on a public road or pavement, permits may be required. The Waste Group states that skips placed on public land in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area need council permission, and that approval can take several working days. That delay may not sound serious on paper, but on a live project, a few missed days can trigger unnecessary disruption. If demolition starts before disposal is properly arranged, you create pressure where there didn’t need to be any. Good Waste Planning Supports the Whole Project You don’t need to be running a huge development for waste planning to matter. Refurbishments, extensions, fit-outs, and commercial upgrades all benefit from early coordination. When you plan disposal as carefully as deliveries and labour, the whole site tends to operate better. And that’s really the point. Waste isn’t a side issue. If you manage it well, you make the rest of the job easier too.
Winvic shortlisted for Contractor of the Year at Construction News Awards 2026
Winvic Construction is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (turnover over £500M) category at the Construction News Awards 2026 as it celebrates its 25th year in business. Recognised as one of the construction industry’s most respected and competitive accolades, the Construction News Awards celebrate the organisations, projects and people that are driving excellence, innovation and impact across the built environment. Also marking the 30th anniversary of the awards – a rigorous judging process is led by an independent panel of over 100 senior industry figures, being shortlisted is a significant achievement and testament to Winvic’s Doing It Right ethos and values-led approach, The Winvic Way, delivering outstanding results for clients and the communities in which it operates. The Contractor of the Year category highlights organisations that demonstrate exceptional performance across a range of criteria, including project delivery, sustainability, innovation and workforce development. Winvic’s shortlisting, on the 25th year anniversary of the business, reflects the strength of its diverse portfolio and its ability to deliver complex, high-quality projects across multiple sectors, alongside recognising the company’s ongoing investment in its people and innovative construction methods, such as the use of a unitised brick façade system enabling the rapid installation of 2,768 prefabricated panels without scaffolding, HP SitePrint Robot and the UK’s first deployment of Skyline Cockpit for remote tower crane operation at Crown Place, Birmingham. Operationally, Winvic expanded delivery and community outcomes across its three core sectors in 2025, completing 20 Industrial & Logistics, 34 Civils & Infrastructure, and five Multi-Room projects, while launching a fourth sector, Data Centres in 2026. It also announced the early completion of a £14m infrastructure scheme in Milton Keynes, delivered three months ahead of programme, helping to minimise disruption and improve efficiency. The contractor showcased its leading ESG credentials achieving Achilles Net CarbonZero Certification, reducing overall carbon footprint by 71% in compliance with the Achilles Climate Impact Programme Part 3 requirements, and innovated an industry-first water pollution solution at SEGRO Park, Coventry. During the year, Winvic completed its 91st Net Zero/ Low Carbon facility and hosted its 10th workshop with 80 partners from its Green Supply Chain to collaboratively embed best practice and accelerate progress towards a Net Zero future. Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Winvic’s shortlisting for Contractor of the Year is a commendable achievement and a reflection of the hard work, commitment and expertise of teams across our entire business. “We pride ourselves on consistently delivering best-in-class projects while continuing to invest in our people, innovation and sustainable practices. I’d like to thank our teams, clients, supply chain and partners for their continued commitment and collaboration, which has made both this shortlisting and the last 25 years possible. Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mountpark – What Occupiers Wanting 2026: Insights Shaping the Next Era of Logistics Real Estate
As Europe settles into 2026, the logistics and industrial real estate landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. Occupiers facing supply chain recalibration, cost inflation and labour market constraints, are sharpening their logistics requirements. As Europe settles into 2026, the logistics and industrial real estate landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. Occupiers facing supply‑chain recalibration, cost inflation and labour market constraints, are sharpening their logistics requirements. Insights from the December 2025 Affinius Capital Sponsor Report illustrate how occupier preferences are evolving and what this means for big box developers. Its findings reveal much about occupier sentiment and have enabled Mountpark to pinpoint the Top Five Occupier Trends defining logistics in 2026: 1. Next generation design Affinius’ findings reveal occupiers continue to prioritise modern, high‑specification logistics facilities, widening the gap between demand for grade A space and the obsolescence of older stock. The report highlights that tenant preferences strongly favour modern, quality space, especially as older, functionally outdated buildings no longer support operational needs. This trend reflects: For Mountpark, which is already delivering next‑generation design, this reinforces the importance of continuing to lead on high-quality, future-proofed assets. One strong example is Mountpark Ferrybridge in Yorkshire, a former power-generation site now transforming into a next-generation logistics campus, and one that puts sustainable innovation at its core, targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+ ratings. The first unit was pre-let to Warburtons, demonstrating just how strong the demand is for Grade A properties. 2. Fight to quality While demand remains resilient, new supply is tightening sharply. European logistics completions are projected to decline by a staggering 40% from 2022 to 2026, driven by elevated borrowing costs and construction inflation that is reducing the feasibility of projects. This creates conditions where occupiers will increasingly compete for the best‑located, best‑specified space and where developers bold enough to continue delivering logistics assets will gain market advantage. Build-to-suit may also become more attractive to occupiers struggling to speculatively completed properties. At Mountpark, we want every business to have the choice to occupy or build a facility that genuinely fits its future. In an environment defined by scarcity, our goal is to deliver certainty, quality and room to grow. View our portfolio of live projects across Europe here. 3. ESG and Power Requirements Across Europe, occupiers are raising expectations around sustainability, energy performance, and regulatory compliance. The Affinius report notes that Europe’s regulatory environment places a strong focus on sustainability, data security and privacy, particularly in sectors such as data centres. Key ESG requirements include: Occupiers do not simply favour ESG‑aligned buildings they increasingly avoid non-compliant stock, accelerating the obsolescence of older facilities. Build‑to‑suit delivery is an increasingly powerful tool in this environment, enabling occupiers to align property specifications precisely with their operational priorities, ensuring they fully reflect and support ESG commitments. And it’s not just data centres where power requirements are rising. Occupiers across logistics, manufacturing and 3PL operations are requiring greater grid capacity to support their increased use of automation, robotics and AI‑enabled systems. Occupiers in 2026 will be seeking locations with the ability to scale energy use over time. Developers who can deliver these power‑robust sites will win disproportionate market share. Our focus at Mountpark for 2026 is therefore on identifying and accelerating sites with excellent power requirements while prioritising locations with undersupply, ensuring occupiers can secure future‑ready facilities even as market competition intensifies. 4. Location Strategy Affinius’ report emphasises the regionalisation of higher‑value manufacturing, growth in ecommerce and on/near‑shoring initiatives as key forces shaping logistics demand. Occupiers are reassessing their network footprints to prioritise proximity to labour pools, access to multimodal transport infrastructure and locations supporting resilient, diversified supply chains. With market conditions fluid and supply chains still adapting, occupiers also want flexible buildings that allow them to upscale or relocate quickly. The report shows latent demand delayed by macro uncertainty, with leasing momentum expected to rebound once conditions stabilise. Mountpark’s strategic landbank and presence across major European hubs positions it strongly to support occupiers recalibrating their networks. In the UK, Mountpark Hinckley is an excellent example, situated in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the UK’s premier logistics location, with unrivalled connectivity to national transport routes and major parcel hubs. The scheme has the ability to deliver up to 1.46 million sq ft of space, with Unit 1 (492,000 sq ft) already pre-let and Units 2 and 3 capable of delivery in Q2 2027, providing the certainty and speed to market that today’s occupiers increasingly demand. 5. Cost Predictability and Operational Efficiency Rising costs including energy, labour and transport are pushing occupiers to focus on buildings that make operations cheaper and more efficient. Key requirements include: Given stabilising valuations and easing borrowing costs highlighted in the Affinius report, occupiers may increasingly adopt long-term strategic leases to lock in the operational efficiencies. The leasing of all seven units at Mountpark Baldonnell in Ireland, prior to practical completion, reflects our ability to deliver complex, high-value developments that align with occupiers’ long term strategies. These five trends underline the decisive shifts defining logistics in 2026. Today’s savvy occupiers understand precisely what is required to support performance, resilience and long‑term growth and they are increasingly unwilling to compromise. Mountpark’s dedication to best‑in‑class design, forward‑thinking innovation and strategic development across Europe ensures we remain ideally positioned to meet and exceed the expectations of the modern occupier. Take an even deeper dive by viewing our live portfolio of projects across Europe offering a range of both speculative and build-to-suit opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Why High-Quality Heat Pump Installation Is the Key to Long-Term System Performance
As the construction industry continues to shift toward electrification and energy-efficient building practices, heat pumps are becoming a central component in both residential and multi-unit developments. Their ability to provide both heating and cooling, combined with improving cold-climate performance, has made them a preferred solution for modern HVAC design. However, while system technology has advanced rapidly, one critical factor continues to determine whether a heat pump performs as expected over time: the quality of installation. Installation Quality Defines System Performance Heat pumps are highly sensitive to system design and installation precision. Unlike traditional heating systems that can tolerate minor inefficiencies, heat pumps rely on proper airflow, accurate sizing, and precise calibration to operate efficiently. Even small installation oversights can lead to: In many cases, underperformance is not due to equipment failure but rather installation practices that fail to align with system requirements. The Role of Proper System Sizing Correct system sizing is one of the most overlooked aspects of heat pump installation. Oversized systems can short-cycle, leading to inefficient operation and unnecessary strain. Undersized systems, on the other hand, may struggle to maintain indoor comfort during peak demand. Accurate load calculations must consider: Without these factors being properly assessed, even high-end systems may fail to deliver expected results. Airflow and Duct Design Considerations Airflow is another critical component that directly impacts system efficiency. Poor duct design, improper static pressure levels, or restricted airflow can significantly reduce a heat pump’s ability to transfer heat effectively. In retrofit projects, especially, existing ductwork may not be compatible with modern heat pump requirements. Adjustments or redesigns are often necessary to ensure balanced airflow throughout the space. When airflow is not properly managed, common issues include: Electrical Integration and System Compatibility As heat pumps become more widely adopted, electrical infrastructure is playing a larger role in installation quality. Systems must be properly integrated with the building’s electrical capacity to avoid performance limitations. Key considerations include: Failure to address these factors during installation can lead to operational inefficiencies or system limitations that are difficult to correct after the fact. Why Expertise Matters in Installation Given the technical requirements involved, installation is no longer a straightforward mechanical process. It requires coordination between HVAC design, electrical planning, and on-site execution. Working with experienced heat pump system installation experts ensures that all aspects of the system are aligned from the beginning. This includes proper sizing, airflow optimization, and integration with the building’s overall mechanical and electrical systems. When installation is approached as a comprehensive process rather than a basic setup, the result is a system that performs consistently and efficiently over time. Long-Term Efficiency and Cost Implications The long-term performance of a heat pump is directly tied to how well it is installed. Systems that are properly designed and installed tend to: On the other hand, poorly installed systems often lead to ongoing service issues, increased maintenance costs, and premature equipment replacement. For developers and builders, this translates into long-term value. A well-installed system not only improves occupant satisfaction but also reduces lifecycle costs associated with HVAC performance. The Future of Heat Pump Performance As building codes continue to evolve and energy efficiency standards become more stringent, the importance of installation quality will only increase. Advances in heat pump technology will continue, but without proper installation practices, these improvements cannot be fully realized. High-performance buildings require high-performance systems, and those systems depend on skilled installation. The industry is moving toward a model where design, installation, and system integration are treated as a unified process rather than separate steps. Conclusion Heat pumps are no longer an emerging technology; they are becoming a standard solution in modern construction. However, their success depends not just on the equipment itself, but on how well it is installed. High-quality installation ensures that systems operate efficiently, reliably, and as intended over the long term. As adoption continues to grow, the focus must shift from simply selecting the right equipment to ensuring it is installed with the level of precision required for optimal performance.
Robertson lands key role in £36m Ashington regeneration scheme
Robertson Construction North East has been appointed to deliver a new cinema and leisure complex in Ashington, marking a major step forward in the £36 million transformation of the Northumberland town centre. The design and build project, located at Portland Park, will see the development of a five-screen cinema alongside a mix of complementary leisure uses. The scheme includes space for two restaurants and a family-focused ‘competitive socialising’ venue, reflecting a growing trend towards experience-led town centre regeneration. Planning approval for the development was secured last year, with construction now set to begin in the coming months. The project is being delivered by Advance Northumberland on behalf of Northumberland County Council and has been procured via the Procure Partnerships Framework. Once complete, the cinema will be operated by independent operator REEL Cinemas and will serve as the only ‘first run’ cinema between Edinburgh and Blyth. The venue is expected to attract between 125,000 and 157,000 visitors annually, significantly boosting footfall and supporting the town’s wider economic recovery. The development forms part of a broader strategy to reposition Ashington town centre as a vibrant destination for leisure, dining and social activity. By extending activity into the evening and weekend economy, the scheme aims to increase dwell time and encourage greater local spending. Neil Kennedy, regional managing director at Robertson Construction North East, said the project represents an opportunity to deliver meaningful long-term benefits for the community. He highlighted the role of high-quality developments in driving regeneration, supporting local businesses and enhancing the overall appeal of town centres. The scheme is being funded through a combination of public sector investment, including support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland. Local stakeholders have welcomed the project as a significant milestone in the town’s regeneration journey. The cinema and leisure complex will complement other recent and planned investments in the area, including new transport infrastructure and education facilities, helping to reinforce Ashington’s position as a growing regional hub. The appointment underlines continued confidence in town centre regeneration projects that prioritise mixed-use, experience-led environments, with construction-led delivery playing a key role in unlocking long-term economic and social value. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals