Pagabo opens bidding for next-generation £26bn developer-led framework
NATIONAL procurement specialist Pagabo is inviting suppliers yesterday – 11 May – to bid for places on its next-generation National Framework for Developer-Led Schemes, which has a total anticipated value of up to £26bn. Compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024, the unique procurement offering will support public sector bodies with securing transformative development work through compliant procurement routes over a closed four-year period from 19th October 2026. Following the formation of a 10-year strategic delivery partnership that will see resources, reputation and expertise combined to establish a new benchmark for construction and development procurement, this is one instalment in a series of new frameworks being brought to market by Pagabo and YPO in 2026. YPO is the centralised procurement authority for the framework, while Pagabo is the framework manager responsible for design, delivery and ongoing management. Suppliers will be appointed to provide a range of developer-led scheme related services including consultancy, legal support and development types. Within each lot, SME inclusivity is embedded, and for the first time, development consultants and legal providers have been added to offer clients a turnkey procurement solution that provides ongoing support, full compliance, reduced risk, cost savings, greater collaboration and broader project outcomes. The framework will be available to all public sector bodies, from local authorities and education providers through to NHS trusts and housing associations. The framework is divided into seven lots. Lots 3 to 6 each include eight development types, and each lot, as well as those containing development types, is further divided into eight geographic areas. The geographical areas that the national framework covers includes the north, midlands, southwest, and southeast of England, London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The lots include: Jonathan Parker, development director at Pagabo, said: “The Framework for Developer-Led Schemes has seen extensive use UK wide due to its substantial impact on client ambitions and built environment development. The existing framework supports clients with very prominent challenges in the market, such as compliance, viability and risk, with the new offering designed to do exactly the same and more – while conforming with updated procurement regulations set out within the Procurement Act. “We’ll continue to work closely alongside YPO, appointed suppliers and interested clients to offer effective procurement solutions and support throughout schemes. As well as wanting to see the framework continue contributing to major development and growth across the UK, the framework’s characteristics will ensure value for money, collaboration and impactful social value are prioritised in every procurement.” To date, the successful first iteration of the Developer-Led Framework has delivered projects with a total value of £7.8bn. Throughout the process of renewing the framework, priority has been given to premarket engagement and creating fair and transparent opportunities for suppliers, aligning with the principles at the centre of the Procurement Act 2023 which is now shaping new procurement activity. Jonathan continued: “As the Developer-Led offering has become more popular, we’ve been able to grow our dedicated team at Pagabo, welcoming experienced professionals with both sector specific and regional knowledge that benefits both suppliers and clients. This is an exciting time for Pagabo and YPO, and we both look forward to seeing this second iteration of the framework come to life.” Operating a digital-first, end to end delivery model, the national procurement specialist’s Pagabo+ system will be used as a central platform through which all framework activity will be managed. The single environment will play host to information on and management of new opportunities, call-off activity, performance monitoring and reporting, as well as compliance assurance. Supporting with enhancement of the full lifecycle of procurement and project delivery, appointed suppliers will also be able to use Pagabo Group’s social value and contract management platforms Loop and Sypro. To view the full tender document and submit a bid before the deadline at 12pm on 3 July, visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/pagabo/aspx/ProjectManage/1279 For more information about Pagabo, visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic launches landmark net zero whitepaper at UKREiiF urging industry-wide regulatory alignment
Winvic Construction Ltd has officially launched a major new ESG whitepaper at UKREiiF 2026, calling for stronger regulatory alignment to support the delivery of net zero carbon aligned buildings across the UK built environment. Published in conjunction with the Westminster body, The Policy Liaison Group (PLG) on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), the whitepaper – From Commitment to Compliance: Why the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Needs Regulatory Backing – argues that the industry is now ready to move beyond ambition towards measurable, verified operational performance, but requires policy and regulatory support to enable consistent adoption at scale. The paper explores the opportunities and challenges surrounding the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), which launched earlier this year following extensive industry collaboration. Drawing on insights from a Westminster roundtable and interviews with representatives across development, investment, construction, planning, sustainability and policy makers the report sets out practical recommendations for government, industry and investors to accelerate delivery. Contributors and participants include the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Building Research Establishment (BRE), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), BWB Consulting, Firethorn Trust, Panattoni, Ridge and Partners, Royal London Asset Management, UMC Architects, Wordsworth Excavations, Lord Gary Porter CBE and Lancaster City Council. The whitepaper identifies regulatory alignment as the single greatest enabler of market-wide adoption, highlighting that the barriers to net zero delivery are no longer primarily technical. Key recommendations include embedding the UKNZCBS into national planning and regulatory frameworks, mandating operational performance verification, aligning financial mechanisms with verified carbon outcomes, and improving consistency across ESG and carbon reporting standards. The publication was formally launched during UKREiiF at the ‘Winvic and Partners Pavilion’, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of net zero policy, delivery and accountability across the built environment. The launch forms part of Winvic’s wider presence at UKREiiF during its milestone 25th year in business. Alongside the whitepaper launch, the contractor is hosting a programme of panel discussions and collaborative sessions focused on sustainability, planning reform, social value, industrial and logistics development, data centres and build-to-rent. Arun Thaneja, Technical Services and Sustainability Director at Winvic, said: “The publication of this whitepaper marks a defining moment for the built environment sector. With the launch of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, the industry now has a credible and consistent framework to measure real operational performance, but turning ambition into measurable impact at scale will require far greater alignment across policy, regulation and delivery. “Developed through collaboration with organisations from across the built environment, the whitepaper sets out both the significant opportunities ahead and the critical barriers that we must still overcome. The sector has shown it is ready to move beyond aspiration and into accountability and our hope is that these recommendations will help accelerate the next phase of practical, measurable and scalable net zero delivery across the UK.” For further information or to request a copy of the whitepaper, please visit the Winvic and Partners Pavilion at the Pavilion Avenue and Courtyard or contact sustainability@winvic.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Half of planned US data centres in states at high risk of destructive storms
More than half (51%) of planned US data centre projects worth $670bn are being built in states at high risk of severe convective storms (SCS), according to research by specialty Lloyd’s insurer MS Amlin. The analysis of more than 670 data centre projects under construction or planned across the US found 320 facilities located in states classified as being at high risk of tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. Existing data centres in high-risk states for SCS are valued at almost $20bn, the study found, suggesting that future AI infrastructure in storm-exposed regions could be nearly 40 times the value of existing facilities. SCS has become a major driver of insured losses. Last year, SCS events generated $52bn in insured losses in the US – making it the costliest region and peril globally. Swiss Re reports insured losses from such storms have grown by roughly 8% a year since 2008. MS Amlin’s analysis found: The findings underline the scale of investment flowing into states at risk of natural catastrophes as development of new hyperscale facilities shifts to southern regions where land and power are more favourable. Martin Burke, MS Amlin’s Chief Underwriting Officer, said: “These numbers highlight both the opportunity and the risk. Hundreds of billions of dollars of new digital infrastructure are being directed towards regions at higher risk of potentially destructive severe convective storms. When assets of this scale cluster in hazard prone regions, the potential loss severity from a single storm event can rise very quickly. This is a growth opportunity for the specialty insurance market, but the risks must be properly managed and understood.” Data centres are typically insured through multiple business lines including property, cyber and credit and political risk. Without careful oversight, insurers can unknowingly accumulate exposure to the same facility across multiple policies. To address the risk, MS Amlin has developed a proprietary aggregation monitoring database to track data centre exposures across its underwriting portfolios. Burke added: “As AI investment accelerates, insurers must adopt more advanced ways to manage aggregation risk. If the industry is slow to address this challenge, it could restrict the deployment of capital and roll out of AI infrastructure. “Our proprietary database of hundreds of US data centre projects lets us capture the risk not just from tightly clustered facilities but also from supporting infrastructure like power generation. This provides a far more accurate picture of overall exposure. “This visibility allows us to deploy capacity responsibly to support the sector’s growth while maintaining underwriting discipline. The ability to monitor aggregation risk is becoming increasingly important as this class continues to grow.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
How to Deal With Furniture During a New Build Completion Delay
Completion delays on new-build properties are more common than most buyers expect. Developers push back handover dates for all kinds of reasons, weather, supply chain problems, subcontractor issues, and it rarely comes with much notice. If you’ve already left your previous home, that leaves you in an awkward position: your furniture is packed up, your new place isn’t ready, and you need somewhere to put everything in the meantime. Why Delays Hit Harder When You’ve Already Moved Out When a resale chain falls through, buyers often have a safety net of sorts. With new builds, the situation can be more brutal. You may have set a removal date, handed back keys to a rental, or completed a sale on your existing home, all lined up around a developer’s promised handover date. When that date slips by weeks or months, you’re left without a base. The stress isn’t just emotional. You’re potentially paying for temporary accommodation while also covering removal and storage costs you hadn’t budgeted for. Getting a plan in place early, even before a delay is confirmed, puts you in a much better position. Two Storage Options Worth Considering Mobile Storage For buyers in and around the capital, mobile storage in London is one of the most practical options. Instead of hiring a van and driving your belongings to a storage facility yourself, a team collects everything from your home, loads it into secure containers and takes it away. When your new build is finally ready, your items are delivered directly to your new address. This works especially well for new-build delays because the timescale is so unpredictable. You don’t have to commit to a fixed end date, you just give notice when you’re ready for redelivery. For someone caught in a limbo period of weeks or even months, that flexibility matters. Traditional Self-Storage Units Self-storage facilities are another option, but they put more of the legwork on you. You’ll need to transport your belongings there and back yourself, or arrange a removals company to do it. That can mean two sets of removal costs instead of one. It can work well if you only need to store a few items and have the means to move them, but for a full household, the logistics add up quickly. What to Do While You Wait for Handover There are a few things worth doing while your completion date is in flux: How to Keep Costs Under Control Temporary accommodation and storage fees can stack up fast. If you’re staying with family or in short-term rental accommodation, try to negotiate monthly rates instead of weekly ones, they’re almost always cheaper per night. The same logic applies to storage: commit to a reasonable minimum period rather than paying a premium for open-ended flexibility. It’s also worth being realistic about what actually needs storing. Large furniture and appliances obviously need to go somewhere, but personal items, seasonal clothing and documents can often go into a smaller unit or even a friend’s spare room. Reducing the volume you’re storing directly reduces the monthly cost. The Bottom Line A completion delay on a new build is frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. The buyers who come through it most smoothly are usually the ones who sorted their storage and accommodation options before they needed them, not after. If you’re approaching handover on a new-build and there’s any sign of slippage, it’s worth making a few calls now instead of scrambling when the developer finally calls to say the date has moved again.
M&S Accelerates Store Investment as Retail Giant Opens 15 New Locations
Marks & Spencer has continued its nationwide investment programme with the opening of 15 new stores over the past year as the retailer pushes ahead with plans to modernise its estate and strengthen long-term growth. In its preliminary results for the year ending 28 March 2026, M&S confirmed it had opened 12 new food stores alongside three new full-line locations as part of its wider store rotation and expansion strategy. The retailer said it is entering the 2026/27 financial year with a renewed focus on three core investment areas — supply chain modernisation, technology transformation and upgrading its store portfolio — with a strong pipeline of larger, high-volume stores now planned. The expansion reflects M&S’s ongoing strategy to reposition its estate around modern retail formats, stronger food-led locations and more efficient, digitally enabled operations designed to improve customer experience and long-term trading performance. Despite challenging market conditions, the business said it remains committed to investing in both quality and value while accelerating the pace of transformation across the company. M&S reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £671.4m for the year, representing a year-on-year decline of 23.8%. Chief executive Stuart Machin said retailers continue to face a “triple whammy” of pressures, including increased taxation, greater regulation and ongoing global instability. However, he stressed that M&S remains focused on long-term investment and operational improvement rather than short-term challenges. Machin said the company’s priority is to “protect the magic of M&S while modernising the rest”, highlighting the momentum now building across the business. The retailer’s investment programme comes amid wider change across the UK retail property market, where major occupiers are increasingly prioritising modern, high-performing locations capable of supporting omnichannel retailing, operational efficiency and evolving customer expectations. M&S has continued to invest heavily in store upgrades, food hall expansion, digital infrastructure and logistics improvements as part of its long-term growth strategy. The company’s latest openings also reflect continued confidence in physical retail, particularly in high-footfall locations and convenience-led food formats, despite ongoing pressures across the wider retail sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar Appointed to Deliver Link, Aylesbury
A five-unit Grade A industrial and logistics development totalling 192,000 sq ft, designed to deliver high-specification sustainable industrial space in Buckinghamshire. Glencar has been appointed by Newlands to deliver Link, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. The development will comprise five Grade A speculative industrial units totalling approximately 192,000 sq ft and is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality industrial and logistics accommodation in the region. Located at Gatehouse Close, Aylesbury, the scheme will provide flexible industrial and warehouse space built to a high sustainability specification. The development is targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings, reflecting a strong focus on environmental performance, energy efficiency, and long-term operational sustainability. The project will include associated infrastructure and external works, including service yards, car parking, landscaping, ground improvement works, and extensive Section 278 highway upgrades. The units have been designed to accommodate a range of industrial and logistics occupiers, offering modern specification warehouse and employment space in a strategically located South East logistics market. Roy Jones, Managing Director – South at Glencar, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed by Newlands to deliver Link, Aylesbury. This is a high-quality industrial development that aligns strongly with our expertise in delivering sustainable, best-in-class logistics and industrial schemes across the South of England. “The project’s strong sustainability credentials, including its BREEAM Excellent target and EPC A rating, demonstrate the shared ambition of the wider team to deliver future-focused industrial space that meets the evolving needs of occupiers. We look forward to commencing works and working collaboratively with Newlands and the professional team to bring the development forward successfully.” James Miller, Head of Construction at Newlands Developments, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Glencar again and look forward to delivering this project together as part of our upcoming portfolio of mid box schemes.” The project team includes Rame Consulting as PM / EA / QS, AJA Architects, and Burrows Graham as engineer. Construction is scheduled to commence in May 2026, with completion targeted for May 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals