Fusion21 names 72 suppliers on £350 million UK-wide Responsive Repairs and Void Property Framework
Following a competitive open tender process, Fusion21 has appointed 72 suppliers — 78% of which are SMEs — to its £350 million UK-wide Responsive Repairs and Void Property Framework (2026-2030), supporting social housing landlords with compliant procurement for responsive repairs, void property improvement and property maintenance services. The framework gives housing sector members a compliant and flexible route to market, helping them access the right mix of regional specialists and national contractors for repairs, maintenance and related property services. Shaped through a strategic consultation process, the framework incorporates feedback from members and suppliers to reflect current sector needs and demands, while ensuring compliance with relevant statutory requirements. The appointed suppliers range from SMEs to Tier 1 organisations, giving Fusion21 members access to a broad supply chain with regional and national delivery capacity. The framework is split into five lots: A key feature of the new framework is the introduction of a national lot covering England as a whole for Lots 1, 2 and 4, complementing the existing sub-regional structure. This is designed to create greater capacity at regional level, opening more opportunities for SMEs, whilst retaining national suppliers with the ability to deliver complexity across a wider geography, enabling greater competition and thus benefiting members. Fusion21 said the approach strengthens national capacity while maintaining regional coverage, creating a diverse and resilient supply chain across the framework. Peter Francis, Group Executive Director (Operations), said “We are delighted to announce the suppliers who, after a robust selection and award process using a Most Advantageous Tender approach, have been appointed to our Responsive Repairs & Void Property Framework (2026-2030). “Their appointment will give Fusion21 members flexible call-off options, through either competitive or direct selection, supporting more efficient procurement. The framework also offers robust quality and compliance standards, multiple pricing options and delivery models that can be tailored to local, regional or national requirements. “We received over 170 bids across the five lots, demonstrating the continued strength of both the framework and Fusion21’s reputation as a trusted procurement partner and reputable framework provider for the public sector. “ Successful suppliers appointed to Fusion21’s national Responsive Repairs & Void Property Framework (2026-30): AA Molyneux Builders Limited Access-able (Uk) Limited All Service 4 U Limited ARPG Eco Ltd Aspect Group Services Limited Axis Europe Limited Bidvest Noonan (UK) Limited Brendan Loughran & Sons Ltd Buston & Maughan Limited Cardo (South) Limited Cavendish Construction Ltd CBM Group Ltd Chas Berger Limited Chigwell (London) PLC Combined Facilities Management Ltd Connect Lettings And Management Limited D C K Construction Limited D R Jones Yeovil Ltd. Davies Group Limited DLP Services (Northern) Limited Ecosafe Heating Limited Elect Building And Maintenance Limited EQUANS Regeneration Limited Etec Contract Services Limited First Fix Heroes Ltd Foster Property Maintenance Limited Frank Rogers (Building Contractor) Limited Hardyman & Co Limited Hindley Contractors Limited Ian Williams Limited Jeakins Weir Limited JOS Property Services Limited Laker Building Management Solutions Limited Lukemans Limited Lura Constructions Ltd M.D. Building Services Limited Maintenance Management Limited Mamo Building Services Limited Matthews & Tannert Limited Maurice Flynn & Sons Ltd Mears Limited Midlands Building & Maintenance Limited Milestone South East Limited MNM Property Services Limited MP Group U K Limited Mulalley & Co. Limited Mullen Property Services Ltd NC Range Site Limited Orbis Protect Limited P.F.L. Electrical Ltd P.K. Murphy Construction Limited Prestige Domestic Property Maintenance Ltd PropCall Ltd R. Benson Property Maintenance Limited Rapid Response Maintenance Ltd Re-Gen (UK) Construction Limited Saltash Enterprises Limited SCS Facility Services Ltd SEE Services Ltd SER Contractor Ltd Southwest Voids Ltd Sovini Property Services Limited Sterling Services (Northern) Limited Structec (N.W.) Limited Sureserve Energy Services Uk Limited Synergize Ltd T Brown Group Limited T Gilmartin Limited UI Social Infrastructure Limited UPS Building & Maintenance Limited Wates Property Services Limited Wright Build Ltd More information on the Responsive Repairs and Void Property Framework can be found on the Fusion21 website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global Infrastructure Giants Battle for £5.7bn Oxfordshire Reservoir Megaproject
Three heavyweight contracting teams have been shortlisted to compete for the £5.7 billion contract to deliver Thames Water’s proposed White Horse Reservoir in Oxfordshire, one of the largest infrastructure construction opportunities currently progressing in the UK. The three competing joint ventures bring together some of the world’s biggest civil engineering and infrastructure contractors, with teams led by Webuild, Bouygues and Balfour Beatty now moving into the next stage of procurement. The shortlisted consortia are WFH JV, comprising Webuild, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and FCC Construcción; BMV+, bringing together Bouygues Travaux Publics, J Murphy & Sons and VolkerFitzpatrick; and BBV, comprising Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering and Vinci Construction Grands Projets. Thames Water has invited all three teams to prepare detailed tenders, which are expected to be submitted next spring. The main works contract is then scheduled to be awarded in autumn 2027. Located south west of Abingdon, the proposed White Horse Reservoir will require a vast programme of civil engineering and construction work covering design, construction, testing and commissioning. At the heart of the project will be major earthmoving operations to create the reservoir and its surrounding embankments. The programme will also require extensive tunnelling and pipeline construction, river structures, new roads and associated infrastructure. With a proposed capacity of around 150 billion litres, White Horse Reservoir would become the second-largest reservoir in the UK. Its scale means construction is expected to take approximately a decade, followed by two winters to fill the reservoir, with water currently planned to become available from 2040. The construction programme alone is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs, creating significant opportunities across the civil engineering, utilities and infrastructure supply chain. Previously known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option, the scheme is being developed to strengthen the resilience of water supplies serving around 15 million customers across the Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water regions. Simon Adams, White Horse Reservoir programme director, said: “Few projects offer the chance to help secure the country’s water future for decades to come, which is why we’ve selected world-class companies who will bid to build White Horse Reservoir. “As we move into the next stage of the procurement process, we look forward to seeing bids that match our ambitions for this once in a generation project.” The financing and delivery structure will also make the scheme particularly significant for the UK infrastructure market. Thames Water intends to use the regulated infrastructure provider funding model previously adopted for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Under the proposed approach, a separate infrastructure provider will be competitively selected to finance the project and work alongside the successful main works contractor. Selection of that infrastructure provider is currently scheduled for 2029. With three major international contracting teams now preparing to compete for the main construction package, White Horse Reservoir is moving towards a critical procurement stage. Beyond its sheer construction value, the project represents a major long-term investment in UK water resilience and a substantial pipeline of work for contractors, consultants, engineers and specialist infrastructure suppliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
YTL Developments reveals first Build to Rent projects at Brabazon
YTL Developments has unveiled two major investments in Build-to-Rent (BTR) homes as it continues to accelerate the speed of delivery at Brabazon: the new town for the West of England being built on the historic former Filton Airfield. Construction is now underway on the first major Build to Rent project at Brabazon. Three residential buildings will deliver 239 new homes, including 189 Build to Rent apartments, seven Build to Rent houses and 43 affordable properties for shared ownership. In addition, a design team has now been appointed to develop plans for a second Build to Rent project at Brabazon. HTA Design has been appointed as architects with a brief to deliver a further 900 properties for rent in the urban heart of Brabazon, close to where the 20,000-capacity Aviva Arena is under construction. Both BTR projects are located less than 250 metres from the new Bristol Brabazon rail station, which is expected to open before the end of 2026. YTL Developments is also currently delivering a range of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses for open-market sale, while the first phase of its 1,514-bed purpose-built student accommodation project – known as The Propeller Quarter – has opened for the current academic year. 239 new homes to be built in first project Designed to meet demand for high-quality rental accommodation in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the homes for rent in the first project, to be built by YTL Construction UK, will offer a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and houses. Residents will also benefit from landscaped communal podium gardens, creating a private outdoor space at the heart of the neighbourhood. The start of construction marks the next stage of YTL Development’s commitment to rental living. As an important part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon, the broad range of homes of differing sizes and tenures is designed to appeal to residents at different stages of life – allowing people to rent, own or move within the community as their circumstances change, whilst also building a multi-generational, vibrant place to live and work. 900 High-Amenity BTR apartments in design The second BTR project at Brabazon has now commenced design development. Featuring up to 900 additional Build to Rent apartments, delivered across a series of future phases, the project will establish Brabazon as both one of the largest but also the most diverse and ambitious mixed-tenure neighbourhoods in the UK. These premium rental properties will include a mix of studio, one, two and three bed luxury apartments. Residents will be able to access an estimated 21,000 sq ft of shared amenity space with a comprehensive range of facilities centred around lifestyle and wellness, including access to landscaped roof terraces – all designed to create a best-in-class rental experience unlike anything currently available in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This second stage of rental living will also include retail and commercial space spread across 26,000 sq ft of active frontages at the start of one of the primary pedestrian high streets at the centre of Brabazon. Seb Loyn, Planning Director at YTL Developments, said: “Starting construction on our first Build to Rent homes represents another important milestone in the delivery of Brabazon. “We have always believed that creating a successful new town means providing homes of all types and sizes to buy and rent at Brabazon to cater to people at every stage of their life. Build to Rent is a key part of that vision, delivering professionally managed homes that offer flexibility, quality and a strong multi-generational community. “This first stage is just the beginning. Over the coming years we will create a substantial rental neighbourhood that forms an integral part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon and reinforces our long-term commitment to Bristol.” Jon McDiarmid, Director at YTL Developments, said: “Build to Rent continues to attract significant interest from both residents and institutional investors because of the quality of homes, customer experience and long-term operational model it provides. “Brabazon offers a unique opportunity to deliver rental housing at scale within one of the UK’s most exciting regeneration projects. As the new Bristol Brabazon train station, Brabazon Park and Aviva Arena come forward, residents will benefit from an exceptional place to live and work that has been designed from the outset for long-term sustainable growth.” The first Build to Rent apartments are expected to complete by the end of 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Europa puts warehouse rooftop to work – but warns barriers are slowing solar progress
Millions of square metres of warehouse roof space across the UK could be used to generate renewable energy, but complex lease arrangements and divided responsibilities between landlords and occupiers continue to slow progress. Independent logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group (EWG) has partnered with its landlord, Prologis, to install a 600 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its £30 million Dartford site. Expected to generate 541,800 kWh of renewable electricity annually, it is Europa’s first rooftop solar installation and could save the business approximately £80,000 in the first year, based on current electricity rates. In its first month of operation, over 40 per cent of the site’s consumption came from solar energy. The project shows what landlords and occupiers can achieve when they work together, while highlighting the practical barriers that must be overcome for rooftop solar to be adopted more widely across the UK warehouse sector. At a time when the UK must increase renewable energy generation while managing growing pressure on land, warehouse rooftops offer an opportunity to make better use of existing commercial buildings. Around 140 large-scale solar farm schemes were reported to be under construction across the UK in August, with further projects competing for land. Warehouse rooftops offer untapped capacity Analysis by the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) suggests that existing warehouse rooftops could provide 17.3 GW of solar generating capacity. However, research examining more than 300 warehouse rooftops found that just five per cent had solar installed. Europa has explored opportunities to install solar at Dartford for several years. The site is its European road freight hub and is also home to the company’s specialist 3PL services, creating substantial daytime energy demand. However, the number of parties involved, and the complexity of the process presented significant barriers. UKWA has identified grid connection delays, structural considerations, insurance requirements, lease restrictions and a lack of alignment between landlords and tenants as persistent obstacles. Tom Jenkins, Central Services Director at Europa Worldwide Group, said: “We have wanted to utilise solar panels on our Dartford headquarters and transit hub for a long time. The environmental and commercial case is compelling, particularly for a large logistics facility with substantial daytime energy demand, but there are way too many barriers. Warehouse occupiers may not own their buildings, while landlords, energy providers, network operators and legal teams all need to be involved. The process can quickly become lengthy and difficult to navigate, even when every party supports the principle of renewable energy. Our partnership with Prologis has enabled us to overcome those challenges. It shows what can be achieved when landlords and occupiers work closely together, but the wider process needs to become much easier if rooftop solar is to reach its full potential across the logistics sector.” Partnership removes cost and contractual barriers The installation was led by Jon Margetts, Head of Health & Safety and Facilities, at Europa – and delivered through a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement with Prologis. This removes the upfront capital expenditure that would otherwise have been required and allows Europa to purchase renewable electricity generated at the site. Through Prologis Essentials, the property company has provided a turnkey solution, with its energy specialists managing each stage of the project. This has included assessing the site’s energy profile, determining the appropriate system size and overseeing design, approvals, procurement, installation and commissioning. The agreement runs alongside Europa’s property lease and does not create dilapidation or exit charges should the company leave the building before the solar term ends, removing two potential barriers for the occupier. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “This project demonstrates how landlords can play a practical role in helping customers progress their sustainability ambitions. By removing the upfront investment and managing the technical, contractual and delivery process, we have helped make renewable energy commercially and operationally accessible to Europa. Through Prologis Essentials, we are investing in solutions that help our customers improve energy resilience, reduce emissions and unlock the value of renewable energy across our logistics portfolio.” As Prologis’ 48th rooftop solar installation in the UK, the project supports the company’s wider environmental, social and governance commitments to increase on-site renewable energy generation. Clare Bottle, CEO of the UKWA, said “Europa’s experience chimes with what we hear from other UKWA members. The appetite to invest in rooftop solar exists, and the potential commercial, environmental and energy-security benefits are clear, but there are still too many practical and contractual barriers. The Europa and Prologis partnership is a strong example of how a landlord-led model can remove some of those obstacles. We need to see more collaboration of this kind, alongside solar-ready new warehouse developments, faster grid connections and tax incentives for connection fees” Europa’s 26,368 square metre Dartford site opened in 2015 on the former site of Littlebrook Power Station, which was decommissioned the same year. The solar PV system is expected to provide locally generated renewable electricity for the next 30 years, supporting Europa’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Europa was recently awarded the EcoVadis Committed badge, with a sustainability score of 48. The business is also certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001, supporting its work to track and improve environmental performance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fire safety rules reshape drainage specification at White City
Brymec has supplied the cast iron drainage package for White City Living Phase 4, a 28-storey residential development in west London. Amendments to Approved Document B, coming into force this September, are prompting a wider reassessment of material selection on high-rise residential schemes. Non-combustible performance is now a specification requirement at every stage of design, including drainage. At 28 storeys, White City Living Phase 4 falls within scope. The project is being developed by St. James Group, part of Berkeley Group. The scheme comprises 503 apartments across three residential blocks, with completion expected in December 2027. Berkeley Group PLC is the main contractor and A&J Ryan Mechanical Services Ltd is the MEP contractor. Cast iron drainage was specified for its fire performance, durability, acoustic properties and long operational lifespan. Brymec’s system is rated non-combustible and achieved an A1 fire classification when tested to BS EN 13501-1 as a system. Brymec was subsequently appointed to manufacture, supply, and deliver the cast-iron drainage package, following a technical submittal process. Installation began in December 2025, with Brymec supplying 642 metres of cast iron pipe to site across more than 30 deliveries to date. Once installation was complete, Brymec’s Specification Director inspected the work on site and provided A&J Ryan with a formal quality assurance report for Berkeley Group. Jeremy Douglas, Specification Director at Brymec, said: “On a building of this height, the drainage system has to perform as one certified system, not a collection of individually tested components. Cast iron’s A1 fire rating and its acoustic and durability credentials made it the right specification for White City Living. We documented the technical case from the design stage, so the project team had the assurance they needed throughout.” Gary Thorp, Projects Manager, A&J Ryan Mechanical Services Ltd, said: “Berkeley Group’s standards on this development are exceptionally high, which demands the same standard from every supply chain partner involved. Brymec provided a well-supported technical solution from the outset and has delivered consistently throughout the project.” For more information, please visit Brymec. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Navien and Passiv UK partner to bring smarter heat pump control to UK homeowners
Heat pump manufacturer Navien and heating technology company Passiv UK have partnered to offer an integrated heat pump and smart control offering to homeowners and tenants across the UK. Customers can now install the Passiv Smart Thermostat with Navien’s PEM750 air source heat pump. Designed to optimise heat pump operation, the Passiv Smart Thermostat intelligently adjusts flow temperatures and automatically takes advantage of smart tariffs and excess solar generation to reduce heating costs. Its smart heating feature, ecoHeat, has been independently verified by the Energy Saving Trust to improve heat pump efficiency by 17% and can reduce heating bills by up to 30%. The Passiv Smart Thermostat works with Navien heat pumps out-of-the-box, requiring no additional hardware. Installers can now avoid the complexity and challenges of setting static weather compensation curves, while end customers avoid the headache of trying to optimise heating and hot water schedules to time-of-use tariffs and solar generation. Ian Rose, Managing Director at Passiv UK, said: “Heat pumps shouldn’t require homeowners to become energy experts. The technology should do the hard work in the background – keeping the home comfortable, responding to electricity prices and making the most of renewable energy when it is available. Our partnership with Navien brings that intelligence together from the outset, making smart heat pump ownership much simpler.” Navien is headquartered in South Korea and is the world’s fourth-largest gas boiler manufacturer. Greg Banham, Commercial Director at Navien UK, said: “By working with Passiv, we can bring together Navien’s heat pump technology with intelligent controls that can automatically take advantage of cheap electricity available from time-of-use tariffs, or free electricity available from rooftop solar generation, to help customers minimise their heating bills.” Installers will have free access to remote heat pump monitoring and diagnostics through the Passiv Portal, while the system also gives homeowners the ability to control how and when their heat pump uses electricity. End customers will also be eligible to sign-up to Passiv’s Greener Grid Payment scheme, which rewards households for allowing their heat pump to intelligently flex its operation during periods when electricity demand and supply on grid networks is constrained. Passiv delivers flexibility services without compromising household comfort, helping accelerate the roll-out of renewable generation and adoption of low-carbon heating and transport in the UK. The Navien and Passiv integrated solution is available through Ultimate Renewables Supplies, UKPS and select merchants. For a limited time, to celebrate the launch of the partnership, Installers receive a £100 discount on the Navien PEM750 and Passiv Smart Thermostat when they purchase the kit bundle through participating merchants. For more information, visit www.passivuk.com and www.navien.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals