Henry Boot Construction appointed to deliver new energy-efficient homes in Chesterfield
Henry Boot Construction has been appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver 18 brand-new energy-efficient homes in Mastin Moor, marking a key step in the council’s commitment to expanding its affordable housing supply. Work is now underway on site. This project marks one of the first housing developments to be supported by the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA) Brownfield Housing Fund. This initiative, funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and delivered in partnership with Homes England, will unlock stalled residential developments and breathe new life into under-used land across the region. The development will see 13 new council homes built on Miller Avenue, whilst a further five houses will also be constructed on Edale Road. In total, Henry Boot Construction will deliver seven four-bedroom homes and eleven two-bedroom homes, all allocated to families on the council’s housing register. Each home is designed to achieve A-rated energy performance, with sustainability measures built in from the start of construction. Solar PV panels and air-source heat pumps will be installed across all plots, helping reduce running costs for future tenants and reducing carbon emissions across the borough. External works will provide private gardens and off-road parking for residents, while both locations are situated close to public transport routes for easy access to local services. Additional environmental features include bat and bird boxes on every plot and electric vehicle charging points. Mat Clarke, Head of Construction at Henry Boot Construction, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Chesterfield Borough Council in its mission to deliver affordable, energy-efficient homes for families across the borough. “It’s great for us to be back in Chesterfield after recently working with the council on its largest housing development in decades at Badger Croft, and we’re delighted to continue playing our part in increasing the local housing supply.” Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “As a council, we remain committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing for local people and this latest project is helping us to achieve this. “We are really pleased that EMCCA has allocated part of its Brownfield Housing Fund to help deliver this project that will provide much needed homes for local families. We look forward to working with EMCCA and Henry Boot Construction and watching the project progress. “With the cost of living continuing to rise, we know how important it is to our tenants to keep homes warm but energy costs down, so we’re really pleased to be delivering new properties with the top energy efficiency rating.” To mark the start of the project, Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, joined the Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Councillor Tricia Gilby, and the council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Jean Innes for a site visit hosted by Henry Boot Construction. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This project is a powerful example of how we’re turning our vision for inclusive growth into reality. Through the Brownfield Housing Fund, we’re creating high-quality, affordable homes that meet the needs of local families while supporting greener, more sustainable communities. By investing in places like Mastin Moor, we’re making the East Midlands a region that everyone is proud to call home.” EMCCA has secured a devolved allocation of Brownfield Housing Fund investment from the UK Government to support the delivery of housing on brownfield sites in the East Midlands. The funding commitment will deliver more than 2,000 high-quality homes, supporting Mayor Claire Ward’s ambition to build 100,000 new homes in the region by 2035. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chalegrove Properties unveils new duplex penthouses at One Thames Quay
Chalegrove Properties (CPL) has revealed two new duplex penthouses at One Thames Quay, the recently completed residential landmark on South Quay in Canary Wharf. Positioned on the 47th and 48th floors, the penthouses—named The Merchant and The Mariner—take inspiration from the Docklands’ maritime heritage and offer expansive views across London’s skyline. The two homes have been designed to reflect the landscape and character of their surroundings. Both feature double-height balconies and floor-to-ceiling glazing that frame views across Canary Wharf, the River Thames and the wider city. Inside, the residences include refined herringbone flooring, contemporary integrated kitchens and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. Facing Canary Wharf is The Merchant, a fully dressed penthouse now open for private viewings. Its design draws on the area’s transformation from an 1800s trade hub handling goods such as sugar and spices into the global business district it is today. Split across two levels, the home features an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area with a corner balcony on the lower floor, and two en-suite bedrooms arranged on the upper floor in a calm, neutral palette that mirrors the surrounding towers. The Mariner, an east-facing apartment, offers sweeping views over the O2 Arena, the Greenwich Peninsula and the Thames as it curves toward the sea. Designed with subtle nautical influences and blue and bronze accents, this light-filled home features two generous bedroom suites, a bright open-plan living space and a private balcony. Residents of One Thames Quay also have access to the newly completed lifestyle amenities located just below the penthouses. These include a 5,795 sq ft indoor–outdoor garden space, a sky lounge and bar, co-working areas, a private dining room and a sky gym fitted with Technogym equipment. Further facilities on the second floor include a canopy garden, children’s play area, a bookable bowling alley, games room and media lounge. Rami Atallah, Director at Chalegrove Properties, said the penthouses represent the most exclusive homes within the development, combining panoramic views with high-quality facilities and sustainable design principles. Each residence incorporates integrated zero-fossil-fuel heating and cooling, triple glazing and rainwater harvesting systems to support long-term energy efficiency. Residents also benefit from a five-star concierge service, 24-hour security and secure parcel management. Situated moments from the shops, restaurants and leisure offerings of Wood Wharf and the wider Canary Wharf estate, One Thames Quay is well connected, with the DLR, Underground and Elizabeth Line all within walking distance. Travel to key locations across London—including Heathrow and London City Airport—is achievable in under 40 minutes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oxford North milestone as innovation district creates 2,000th construction job
Oxford North, the £1.2 billion global innovation district, has reached a significant employment milestone with the creation of its 2,000th construction job since building works commenced in August 2021. The 2,000th employee is Costa Tanasa, who works for Morgan Lovell delivering the fitted laboratories at 2 Fallaize Street and lives near Didcot. Costa first joined Morgan Lovell in 2022 through an agency placement and has since progressed to become a permanent team member, demonstrating the career progression opportunities the project is creating across Oxfordshire. Costa said: “It’s a real privilege to be part of such a prestigious project, where many top-tier construction companies are working together for Oxford North Ventures to build Oxford’s newest landmark. “Working at Oxford North is a great experience, the site has a really positive energy, and there’s a strong sense of collaboration with everyone involved. Morgan Lovell has been focused on delivering high-quality laboratory spaces that reflect the ambition of the wider scheme, and it’s exciting to see how the development is already starting to shape the future of the area. “Being based locally makes it even more meaningful as it’s not often you get to work on a project that’s right on your doorstep.” The landmark figure of 2,000 employees represents a near doubling of construction employment since December 2023, when the scheme reached 1,025 jobs. Significantly, 29% of all roles have been filled by local Oxfordshire residents, nearly double the project’s 15% target set out in its Community Employment Plan agreed with Oxford City Council. The scheme has also created 61 apprenticeships to date, with construction partners which include Laing O’Rourke, The Hill Group, Careys, Mace, Alandale, Maylim, Morgan Lovell, and Flynn James all contributing to the workforce development across the 64-acre site. The district is forecast to boost the economy by circa £150 million per year in GVA. Simon Ruck, managing director of Oxford North, said: “Reaching the 2,000th on-site employee is a tremendous achievement and a real marker of the momentum behind Oxford North as we deliver world-class laboratory and workspace for the UK’s science, technology and innovation sectors. “We’re proud to be creating meaningful opportunities for local residents and supporting the wider regional economy as Oxford North continues to grow. Happy International Men’s Day to Costa and fellow colleagues working at Oxford North!” Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture between Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope. The project collaborates through its Social Value Steering Group, which meets quarterly and includes representatives from Oxford City Council, Enterprise Oxfordshire, Department for Work and Pensions, Oxford Jobcentre Plus, CITB, Aspire, Abingdon & Witney College and Activate Learning. Victoria Collett, development director, Thomas White Oxford and chair of the social value steering group added: “This significant milestone and our latest jobs’ monitoring underscores the tangible social value Oxford North is delivering for people who live locally. We’re not just building infrastructure and buildings; we’re generating opportunities that help people develop new skills and build careers. “Our thanks go to our construction partners and their social value leads who work tirelessly to ensure we exceed our Community Employment Plan commitments through apprenticeships and community outreach.” Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council said:”Oxford North is a great example of how large, new developments can bring real benefits to our communities. It has created 2,000 construction jobs, with 29% of those roles going to local people, showing the impact of the work Oxford City Council’s Economic Development Team and our Community Employment Procurement Plans (CEPP) can have on making new developments work for local residents. When I visited the site, I also saw firsthand young people gaining valuable work experience. We are working hard to deliver more opportunities like this. “Oxford North has gone beyond the targets we set for them in their Community Employment Procurement Plan, which is fantastic. It shows that it is perfectly possible to bring these jobs to local residents and that there are no limits. I commend the ambition which we would like to see across all major developments. “There is more to do to make sure opportunities, skills training and apprenticeships are being made available for local residents. We are working closely with the Oxford Growth Commission to make sure new developments deliver long-term social value and employment.” When complete, Oxford North will deliver up to one million sq ft of new flexible lab and office accommodation, as well as 480 new homes, a hotel, nursery, three public parks, amenities, and a dynamic seven-day-a-week neighbourhood designed to support the UK’s next generation of science and technology innovators. With Phase 1A now complete comprising 158,500 sq ft of purpose-built laboratory and workspace including The Red Hall, the scheme continues to set new standards for placemaking whilst delivering on its commitment to opportunities and shared prosperity for the region. Storey Consulting acted on behalf of Oxford North Ventures as social value consultancy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Costain awarded five-year contract to continue delivering nuclear services at EDF
Award of £75m Project Control Resources Framework will take Costain and EDF’s partnership to 2030 Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a new five-year framework contract by EDF to continue providing project controls services at EDF’s eight nuclear power stations across the UK. Costain has been working with EDF since 2017, when it was first named on EDF’s Project Controls Resources Framework to support the safe operation, plant life extension, and preparations for the defueling and decommissioning of EDF’s UK nuclear power stations. The extension of the Framework, which is worth £75m to Costain over five years, will take Costain and EDF’s partnership through to 2030. The framework was also extended in 2021 and 2023. Costain’s award winning project controls team will continue to apply its expertise in areas including programme management and quality and safety to grow EDF’s core project controls capabilities, providing specialist capabilities to improve project performance, deliver cost efficiencies, and support strategic resource planning. Costain will also support EDF on its transition from generation to defueling of Advanced Gas Reactors. Costain manages over 400 projects on the Framework, which are delivered by a workforce of more than 170 integrated project controls professionals, 50 of which are trainees and juniors, supporting the growth of skills in the complex, highly regulated nuclear energy sector. Bob Anstey, sector director, defence and nuclear energy at Costain, commented: “The extension of our relationship with EDF is testament to our established position in the UK’s civil nuclear energy market and our delivery of predictable, best-in-class nuclear decommissioning and project controls services. “We’ve been a trusted partner to EDF since 2017, during which time we have consistently delivered and increased the breadth of our services, and we’re very happy to be continuing our partnership for another five years. We’ll continue to deliver projects across a range of complex working environments to the highest safety standards, whilst supporting the development of skills in the sector to help futureproof the workforce and support local prosperity.” Rohan Mulvaney, head of nuclear decommissioning PMO at EDF, said: “EDF is a leader in the UK’s nuclear energy sector and we demonstrate a long-term commitment to low-carbon sources of electricity to power economic growth and deliver energy security. Costain has been a reliable partner to us for many years, and this contract award will support the continued project control services for safe operations and decommissioning activities at our nuclear power stations.” The framework extension comes following a period of success for Costain in the nuclear energy sector. Costain recently secured contracts to deliver utilities infrastructure upgrades at Sellafield and decommissioning work at Trawsfynydd nuclear power station in North Wales. Earlier this year it was also awarded contracts to provide expertise for the construction of Sizewell C and to design Urenco’s advanced nuclear fuels production facility in Cheshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New Kier chief hits ground running as order book swells to £11.6bn
Kier has begun its new financial year on a strong footing, with trading in line with expectations and its order book rising by £600m to £11.6bn. New chief executive Stuart Togwell (pictured), who formally stepped into the role this month, said he was starting his tenure with 94% of this year’s revenue already secured – a position he described as among the strongest in the sector. Togwell said he was excited to steer the business into its next phase of growth after what he called a robust start to FY26. The increased workload follows a series of major contract wins. These include Norfolk County Council’s highways and infrastructure deal, worth up to £700m over as long as 14 years, seven lots on the Crown Commercial Service’s Transport Technology Framework, and a £205m reservoir improvement contract for United Utilities under AMP8. In its construction division, Kier has secured four education schemes with a combined value of about £190m, along with £116m of new prison expansion work at HMP Lancaster Farms through the Ministry of Justice’s Small Secure Houseblocks Alliance. The property business is also active, having obtained planning permission for a 452,000 sq ft logistics development in Andover and begun work on the pre-let Riverwell Town Square project in Watford, where tenants include Travelodge, Tesco and Greggs. Kier has further bolstered its financial position with a new £190m revolving credit facility running to 2030, which it said reflects lenders’ confidence in the group’s long-term outlook. The company added that strong cash generation remains on track and that, as in previous years, its performance is expected to be weighted towards the second half. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kajima Properties Europe Completes 405-Bed Student Housing Development
Kajima Properties Europe (‘Kajima Properties’ or ‘KPE’), the vertically integrated investment, development and asset management subsidiary of the NIKKEI-listed Kajima Corporation, has completed the expansion of its existing 466-bed Student Depot residence in Poznań, transforming it into two interlinked buildings with 871-beds, the largest in Student Depot’s operational portfolio. This milestone marks Student Depot’s first-ever extension of a fully occupied building, demonstrating its ability to deliver complex projects while maintaining uninterrupted service for existing residents. Delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, the new extension introduces a wider variety of room types and standards at different price points, giving students in Poznań greater flexibility and choice. The development is already in use, with most residents having moved in for the start of the academic year. The existing building has also been upgraded with thoughtfully designed common areas that support both academic and social life. These include dedicated study zones, fitness facilities, a cinema room, and gaming spaces. As part of the investment, the building’s façade was renovated and thermally insulated to enhance energy efficiency. Each Student Depot residence is professionally managed in-house, offering 24/7 staffing, controlled entry, CCTV monitoring, and on-site management to ensure a safe and supportive living environment. The Poznań extension strengthens Student Depot’s presence in a key academic hub, opening at over 93% occupancy in response to strong demand for modern PBSA in Poland. According to Savills’ latest market research, there are more than 1.2 million students nationwide in Poland, but only 1.5% can secure a place in modern private dormitories. Poznań was the first asset in Student Depot’s portfolio, acquired in 2014. Following an initial investment from Kajima Europe (‘Kajima’) in 2019, Student Depot has since established itself as Poland’s largest PBSA platform by units under management. The platform now operates over 4,500 beds across nine PBSA assets in Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Łódź, Lublin and Poznań, with a secured pipeline of more than 1,000 additional beds. Jan Trybulski, Head of Poland at Kajima Properties Europe, said: “The extension of our Poznań asset, combined with the upgrade of the original scheme, marks a significant milestone for Student Depot. Delivering such a complex project on time, within budget, and exceeding our targeted occupancy level is a testament to the team’s capability and commitment. “Student Depot’s market-leading position and deep operational know-how enable us to enhance the offer continually, from diversified room types and upgraded amenities to improved building efficiency, ensuring we remain the first-choice private student accommodation in Poland. “Our strategy focuses on investing in high-quality, well-located residences across undersupplied academic cities. With over a decade of operational experience, we are uniquely positioned to identify the right locations and structures that deliver strong long-term performance. We see a significant opportunity to continue expanding across Poland’s major university hubs, supported by a secured pipeline of over 1000 additional beds.” Michał Obara, CEO of Student Depot, said: “The successful delivery of the Poznań extension is a very important step for Student Depot – not only because it enhances our offer in one of Poland’s most important academic cities, but also because it was our first ever expansion project delivered within a fully operational and occupied building. It was a highly complex challenge, but thanks to excellent planning and execution, we completed it with minimal disruption to residents. “This success would not have been possible without the continued support and engagement of our investor, Kajima. Their long-term commitment, expertise and trust in our team have been crucial in helping us grow into Poland’s largest PBSA platform, with even more projects in the pipeline.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals