Green Light for 425-Home Build-to-Rent Quarter at Cambridge North
Plans for a major 425-home build-to-rent development alongside Cambridge North railway station have secured approval, paving the way for the next phase of the area’s wider regeneration. The Cambridge North Residential Quarter is being brought forward by blocwork, the joint venture between Network Rail property development company Platform4 and developer bloc. Grainger has been lined up to forward fund the residential scheme and will operate and manage the rental homes following completion. Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council have approved the proposals, unlocking the redevelopment of under-used railway land immediately next to Cambridge North station. The new neighbourhood will provide 425 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, supported by a substantial programme of landscaping and public realm improvements. Plans include linear parks, pocket gardens and tree-lined streets, alongside shops and other active ground-floor uses designed to create a more vibrant and connected residential community. The masterplan places particular emphasis on sustainable transport, with walking and cycling prioritised throughout the development. Its location next to Cambridge North station will also give residents direct rail connections into central Cambridge, London and destinations across the wider region. The residential quarter represents the latest stage in the transformation of Cambridge North, building on earlier phases of Brookgate’s masterplan for the area. Previous development has included a 217-room hotel alongside new commercial accommodation, with major businesses including Samsung establishing a presence at Cambridge North. The latest approval is also significant for Platform4, which identified Cambridge North as one of four priority schemes when the government-backed property company launched last November. Platform4 has been established with a remit to accelerate the delivery of new homes and regeneration opportunities on publicly owned railway land, using transport-connected sites to support housing growth and create new mixed-use neighbourhoods. Andrew Ferguson, interim chief executive of Platform4 and director of blocwork, said: “This is great news and the positive decision allows us to bring under-used railway land into active use.” The scheme demonstrates the growing role of transport-led development in delivering new housing, with the combination of build-to-rent homes, landscaping, commercial uses and strong public transport connections intended to create a sustainable residential quarter around one of Cambridge’s key transport hubs. With planning approval now secured, the 425-home development can progress towards its next stages as the wider Cambridge North masterplan continues to take shape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multi-award-winning 250-home Cotswolds collection passes halfway milestone
Spitfire Homes’ multi-award-winning 250-home Ellenbrook collection has passed the halfway milestone, reinforcing its position as one of the Cotswolds’ standout new communities following sustained demand since its launch in 2024. The Moreton-in-Marsh scheme forms part of the exclusive Spitfire Homes Bespoke Collection and has maintained a sales rate well above the national average, meeting sustained demand for rural new homes in a location celebrated for its character, connectivity and countryside setting. A reflection of Spitfire’s thoughtful approach to design, the two- to five-bedroom homes are arranged across four character areas influenced by the Cotswolds’ vernacular, combining distinctive architecture with a future-focused specification. The scheme has also supported an estimated 868 jobs, alongside an investment of £5.5 million into the local community, helping to strengthen the local economy. Set to be fully occupied by 2028, Ellenbrook’s quality credentials have been recognised through multiple industry accolades, including two Silver and one Bronze award at last year’s WhatHouse? Awards. Senior Site Manager Josh Taylor was also awarded the Seal of Excellence at the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards, with continued recognition in 2026 following a further Quality Award win. The collection has also played an important role in supporting local people onto the property ladder, with a selection of homes offered through the Discounted Market Value and First Homes schemes, options taken by many homeowners to stay living locally in a sought-after area where house prices exceed the national average. One of Ellenbrook’s earliest homeowners, Catherine, shared her thoughts on life within the community: “We’ve had four new builds, and this is by far the best home we’ve ever owned. We absolutely love the house, we love the estate, and I think we’ve finally found our forever home at Ellenbrook. Being one of the first residents here, it’s been brilliant watching the community grow around us. It really does feel like a proper neighbourhood now.” Each home captures the character of the Cotswolds while embracing a forward-thinking sustainable specification, including air source heat pumps and underfloor heating as standard. Residents also benefit from a carefully considered setting with direct access to the historic Diamond Way footpath, connecting the community to the surrounding countryside and nearby Cotswold towns. The collection’s award success builds on Spitfire Homes’ wider reputation for delivering premium, design-led homes, supported by the housebuilder retaining its 5-Star Customer Satisfaction Rating from the Home Builders Federation in both 2025 and 2026. Operations Director, Matt Vincent, said: “Reaching the halfway milestone at Ellenbrook is a proud moment and a powerful endorsement of the quality of this multi-award-winning collection. Its sales performance, industry recognition and growing community all speak to what Spitfire does best: creating distinctive, design-led places that enhance their setting and that people are genuinely proud to call home.” For more information on Ellenbrook please visit https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/ellenbrook/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec Lines Up £500m-Plus Deal for Gateshead’s Metrocentre
Landsec is reportedly emerging as the frontrunner to acquire Gateshead’s Metrocentre in a deal that could value one of Europe’s largest shopping centres at more than £500 million. The FTSE 100-listed real estate investment trust is understood to be leading the race for the landmark North East retail destination, ahead of other interested parties including Frasers Group and Hammerson. Metrocentre was brought to market in June by the Metrocentre Partnership, which includes the Church Commissioners and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, with an asking price of around £500 million. However, Landsec could reportedly pay significantly above that figure to secure the asset, potentially requiring the property group to raise additional funding from shareholders to complete the acquisition. Spanning approximately two million sq ft, Metrocentre is one of the UK’s most significant regional shopping and leisure destinations and one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Its extensive retail offer includes major occupiers such as Marks & Spencer, Primark, Zara, JD Sports and Urban Outfitters, while recent additions including Hollister, Lovisa and KENJI have continued to strengthen the centre’s tenant mix. A successful acquisition would represent another major investment by Landsec in large-scale destination retail and further expand its exposure to some of the UK’s most prominent shopping centres. Metrocentre would join a portfolio that already includes major destinations such as Liverpool ONE, Bluewater in Kent and Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth. The potential deal comes as investor appetite for prime shopping centres continues to strengthen following several challenging years for the retail property market. Large destinations with established catchments, strong occupier line-ups and opportunities for active asset management are increasingly attracting attention from major property investors. For Landsec, adding Metrocentre would provide another substantial asset capable of supporting its strategy around destination-led retail, leisure and experience while increasing the scale of its national portfolio. The scale of the potential transaction would also make the sale an important marker for the wider UK retail investment market, particularly if the final price moves substantially beyond the £500 million guide. While a deal has yet to be completed, Landsec’s reported position as frontrunner places one of the country’s best-known shopping destinations on course for a significant change of ownership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hillwood lets Q40 at Quattro, Raunds, to GXP-Storage Ltd
Hillwood, a leading global real estate investor and developer, has let Unit Q40 at Quattro, Raunds — 41,046 sq ft — to GXP-Storage Ltd (“GXPS”). The lease was completed within six weeks of agreeing on Heads of Terms. Q40 will operate under the same regulatory-compliant quality system, facility, and equipment standards, and GXP-Guardian® platform as other GXPS facilities in the US, giving clients a single view of their materials across every storage environment, from controlled ambient to cryogenic. It places scalable, restricted-access storage capacity within reach of the UK’s principal life sciences clusters. Fit-out is underway, with the facility commissioned and operational by November 2026. Quattro comprises four speculatively built “mid-box” units from 10,867 to 117,552 sq ft, completed in March 2026. The letting follows 80,747 sq ft to furniture retailer Nick Scali in June 2026, meaning two of the scheme’s four units are now let. These buildings are BREEAM “Excellent” certified and EPC “A” rated, and adjoin the A45, with links to the Midlands and, via the A14, the East of England. “Two lettings agreed within four months of practical completion says a great deal about occupier demand for well-specified mid-box space on the A45 corridor, as well as sentiment we’re seeing nationally. We’re delighted to have worked closely with GXPS to secure a timely transaction that satisfies their operational requirements” said Greg Dalton, Vice President, Hillwood UK. “Location, quality, and Hillwood’s approval for a comprehensive fit-out were all critical to commissioning our third restricted-access facility in the UK — and Hillwood delivered on every count,” said Jeff Johnson, Director, GXP-Storage Ltd. “Q40 extends our transatlantic network so clients can work with one partner and one consolidated view of their material on both sides of the Atlantic.” Hillwood UK is represented by Bidwells and M1 Agency as retained joint letting agents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bodycare Expands High Street Comeback with New Derbion Studio Store
Bodycare is continuing its return to the UK high street with plans to open its second studio-style store at Derbion shopping centre in Derby later this month. The new opening represents another step in the health and beauty retailer’s rebuilding programme following the collapse of its previous high street business into administration in 2025. Bodycare launched the first of its new studio-style stores in Sheffield in July, with Derby now set to become the second location to introduce the refreshed retail format. The new Derbion store will combine Bodycare’s traditional focus on value-led health and beauty products with an expanded selection spanning skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and wellness. The concept will also introduce additional customer experiences and emerging beauty categories, including Korean beauty collections and a professional piercing studio, broadening the store beyond a conventional health and beauty retail offer. The opening comes as Bodycare gradually rebuilds its physical store estate. Property adviser Newmark was appointed as sole adviser to the retailer earlier this year and has secured leases for six new UK locations, providing the foundations for its renewed high street presence. For Derbion, the letting adds another beauty and wellbeing operator to its retail mix as the Derby shopping destination continues to attract new brands and store concepts. Beth McDonald, managing director of Derbion, said: “We’re hugely excited to welcome Bodycare back to Derbion with a brand new concept store. As well as offering exceptional value for customers, the Creator Studio will be a brilliant addition which is sure to prove extremely popular with our local community here in Derby. “Bodycare is the latest in a raft of new stores that have joined the centre this year and we look forward to announcing further news soon.” The arrival also reflects the continued importance of physical retail space for health, beauty and wellness brands, with retailers increasingly using new store formats to combine traditional shopping with services and more experiential elements. Bodycare’s investment in a refreshed concept provides the retailer with an opportunity to reposition its bricks-and-mortar offer as it begins a new chapter following last year’s administration. With Sheffield already trading and Derby preparing to open, the rollout of the studio format will form an important part of Bodycare’s renewed expansion across the UK retail property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The new standard in 5.0 AH. Milwaukee® introduces the M18™ High Output™ 5.0 AH battery range
The new MILWAUKEE® M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ 5.0 Ah battery range is engineered to deliver improved performance, durability and efficiency. Elevating the experience for all existing and new M18™ users and driving confidence in their investment by significantly raising the core across the M18™ platform. Designed to run cooler, the M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ 5.0 Ah battery range supports up to 50% more productivity** while reducing overheating during heavy-duty applications. The pack can be supercharged to 80% in only 28 minutes, fully recharged after 39 minutes with Milwaukee’s super chargers. Its durable, user-focused design features latches that are easy to operate with or without gloves, enabling quick and convenient battery changes in any working environment. The new M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ resistant 5.0 Ah battery is specifically engineered for harsher environments, featuring a chemical-resistant housing that provides increased protection against oils, solvents and greases. This housing material helps extend product life and ensures reliable performance in applications where exposure to fluids is common. An enhanced onboard fuel gauge, engineered for clear readability even in direct sunlight, allows users to monitor remaining charge at a glance, supporting better planning and minimising downtime. MILWAUKEE® is committed to improving productivity by providing performance-driven and trade-focused solutions so users can perform an entire day’s work on one battery system. The M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ 5.0 Ah and M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ resistant 5.0 Ah battery is fully compatible with the entire M18™ line, now offering more than 325 solutions. *In medium and high demand applications vs. M18 B5 under the same test conditions. **Up to 50% more work completed in medium and high demand applications vs. M18 B5 under the same test, driver by sustained power output and reduced thermal shutdown. Specifications M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ 5.0 Ah Battery M18 HB5 M18™ HIGH OUTPUT™ resistant 5.0 Ah battery M18 HB5-CR To find out more about the M18™ HIGH OUTPUT ™ 5.0 Ah battery range, see video footage of it in action or find your nearest store, please visit www.milwaukeetool.eu Visit Milwaukee Tool UK’s Instagram and LinkedIn for further information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals