Robertson Construction Secures £29m Contract to Transform Aberdeen School for 434 Pupils
Robertson Construction has been appointed as main contractor for the £29 million redevelopment of St Peter’s RC School in Aberdeen, following financial close on a major education project that will transform Old Aberdeen House into a modern primary school. The ambitious scheme, commissioned by Aberdeen City Council and designed by JM Architects, will combine the refurbishment of an existing building with a substantial new extension, creating improved teaching facilities and specialist learning environments for up to 434 pupils. The project is being delivered through hub North Scotland’s North Schools Programme and represents a significant investment in Aberdeen’s education infrastructure, supporting the council’s commitment to providing high-quality learning environments for children and the wider community. Construction is scheduled for completion during winter 2027/28, with the new school expected to become operational in early 2028. Major Refurbishment and New School Facilities The redevelopment will see Old Aberdeen House comprehensively refurbished and adapted to accommodate the educational requirements of St Peter’s RC School. The existing building will be transformed to provide 14 modern classrooms, alongside a general-purpose teaching room and dedicated nurture and sensory facilities. These specialist spaces will support a range of learning needs, providing flexible environments designed to enhance pupils’ educational experiences and wellbeing. A new extension will complement the refurbished building, introducing a purpose-built sports hall, dining hall and staff facilities. Together, the refurbished accommodation and new construction will create a two-stream primary school capable of accommodating up to 434 pupils. The scheme has been designed by JM Architects, with the architectural approach bringing together the adaptation of an existing property and the provision of new educational accommodation. For the construction and public sector property industries, the project demonstrates the opportunities associated with repurposing established buildings for modern educational use, while incorporating new facilities to meet changing operational requirements. The combination of refurbishment and extension will require careful coordination between the existing structure and newly constructed elements, ensuring the completed school operates as a cohesive educational environment. Investment in Modern Learning Environments The £29 million redevelopment forms part of Aberdeen City Council’s investment in education infrastructure, with a focus on creating improved learning spaces and facilities that can support pupils and teaching staff for years to come. The inclusion of dedicated nurture and sensory accommodation is a particularly important element of the project, reflecting the growing emphasis on providing inclusive and adaptable educational environments. Alongside traditional classroom accommodation, these facilities will offer additional spaces to support pupils with different learning and developmental needs. The new sports and dining halls will also enhance the school’s wider facilities, creating improved spaces for physical education, school activities and daily operations. Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Robertson Group, welcomed the appointment and highlighted the importance of the organisation’s established relationship with Aberdeen City Council and hub North Scotland. “Reaching contract close at St Peter’s is an important milestone and reflects the strength of our longstanding partnership with hub North Scotland and Aberdeen City Council,” he said. “Together, we are building on a strong track record of delivering high-quality schools and creating a modern learning environment that will support pupils, staff and the wider community for generations to come.” Strengthening Aberdeen’s Education Infrastructure The project represents another important milestone in the delivery of public sector education facilities across the north of Scotland. Through hub North Scotland’s North Schools Programme, local authorities and delivery partners are working together to progress investment in school buildings and improve educational accommodation. Robertson Construction’s appointment will bring its construction expertise to the refurbishment and extension of Old Aberdeen House, with the programme focused on delivering a modern school environment within the agreed timeframe. The redevelopment will also demonstrate how existing buildings can be adapted for educational purposes, combining refurbishment with new construction to provide facilities suited to contemporary teaching requirements. Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, welcomed the progress being made. “I am delighted that we are actioning this important priority. Pupils will benefit from the significantly enhanced learning environment that is being created for them,” he said. “The new build will have excellent facilities, high-quality spaces and improved amenities. It’s great to see this advanced stage of construction. It is very satisfying to make this major project happen.” Completion Targeted for Early 2028 With financial close achieved and Robertson Construction appointed as main contractor, the project is progressing towards the delivery of a significantly improved educational facility for Aberdeen. The construction programme is scheduled to conclude during winter 2027/28, allowing the new St Peter’s RC School to become operational in early 2028. Once complete, the development will provide 14 classrooms, specialist teaching and support spaces, a new sports hall, dining facilities and accommodation for staff. The £29 million investment will create a modern two-stream primary school with capacity for 434 pupils, bringing together refurbished accommodation and new facilities within a single educational environment. For Aberdeen City Council, the project represents a substantial commitment to improving local school infrastructure, while for Robertson Construction and JM Architects, it provides an opportunity to deliver a major public sector development combining architectural adaptation, modern construction and enhanced educational facilities. The transformation of Old Aberdeen House will ultimately provide St Peter’s RC School with a new home designed to support the educational needs of future generations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mesh Works with Hampshire & IOW Fire & Rescue to Improve the Energy Efficiency of its Estate in the Drive to Net Zero
Building performance specialist Mesh has worked with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service to develop a decarbonisation strategy for its 62-building estate. Mesh was appointed to assess the Service’s headquarters in Eastleigh – parts of which date back to the 1930s – and six different types of fire station to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, running costs and carbon emissions. The project has given the client a practical, evidence-based improvement strategy for each building type and provides a replicable framework that can be applied across its wider estate to inform investment decisions and long-term decarbonisation planning. Doug Johnson, Founding Director of Mesh: “Public sector estates often include buildings of varying ages, construction types and patterns of use, so there is rarely a single solution for improving energy performance, reducing carbon emissions and maintaining a comfortable working environment for occupants as the climate changes. This project for Hampshire Fire & Rescue demonstrates the value of understanding how individual buildings actually perform before deciding where to invest. It allows organisations to prioritise cost-efficient practical improvements, assess the business case for larger interventions and develop a more informed long-term approach to decarbonisation and the drive to net zero.” Carrie Dickson, Energy and Sustainability Officer – Property and Facilities at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service: “Our aim with this project was to optimise the energy performance of each building and to apply those learnings to our wider estate across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The assessments provided detailed insight into precisely how the seven building types currently perform and in relation to climate and weather patterns. The studies also allow us to see how those buildings align with national trends. We now have the evidence-based analysis needed to understand which buildings perform well and where improvements and technical adjustments should be targeted to reduce energy consumption. The project data and feasibility studies will also be valuable to inform larger capital projects – both new build and refurbishments.” The fire stations studied varied in age, scale and construction – to reflect the diverse range of facilities in the estate. Mesh analysed energy consumption data in line with occupancy levels, weather patterns and climate change, and carried out detailed building fabric assessments, building services surveys, thermal modelling, and heat loss calculations. Renewable heating feasibility studies looked at the options for transitioning away from fossil-fuel heating and hot water. Air source heat pumps were calculated to have the potential to reduce energy consumption for space heating by around 50%. However, because of the cost and disruption associated with adapting existing heating and pipework systems for heat pumps, Mesh explored a hybrid approach, using heat pumps to deliver the majority of annual heating demand whilst retaining gas boilers for peak cold-weather periods. For more information, see www.mesh-energy.com or email info@mesh-energy.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Galldris clears lithium-ion charging from canteens and offices at Sizewell C
Batteries were being charged where people eat and work. Armorgard’s VoltHub, a purpose-built ventilated unit, now gives civil engineers at Galldris a dedicated place to store and charge them on site. Galldris Group has moved lithium-ion battery charging out of canteens and offices at Sizewell C and into Armorgard‘s VoltHub, a purpose-built, ventilated unit with integrated fire suppression. As a major UK civil engineering contractor, delivering complex, often critical infrastructure projects, Galldris manages a large volume of power tools and battery-powered equipment on busy, high-risk sites. Before VoltHub, batteries were being charged in canteens and offices which put a fire hazard in the rooms where people eat and work, while trailing cables added trip hazards of their own. Furthermore, there was no purpose-built, lithium-ion-specific storage or segregation and nothing in place to deal with thermal runaway if a battery did fail. Chargers were regularly misplaced, meaning batteries weren’t always charged properly. This set-up presented a serious risk as well as a major compliance issue, prompting calls from Galldris’ own health and safety team to urgently address the situation with a scalable solution. From Hinkley Point C to Sizewell C Galldris were drawn to Armorgard as a lithium-ion battery storage and charging partner having seen its technology in action at a Safety Forum led by the Sizewell C health and safety team. The principal contractor was also encouraging a safer charging setup. In particular, it saw Armorgard’s flagship VoltHub unit as the right solution ahead of new Class-L fire-safety standards coming into force, and wanted a unit that could connect directly to the site’s fire alarm system. The selection was further reinforced by the direct experience of Julian Beard, Galldris Group’s Health and Safety Manager on the Sizewell C project, who had used VoltHub while part of the safety team in the intake tunnels at Hinkley Point C How VoltHub works on site VoltHub is a ventilated unit, purposefully-developed for storing and charging lithium-ion batteries on site, with integrated fire suppression that deals with battery-related incidents while high-performance ventilation stops heat building up inside. The batteries themselves are held in lockable storage, which gives the site clear accountability for who has what. Offering further risk mitigation, an integrated fire alarm connection means VoltHub becomes part of the site’s emergency systems, and its IP-rated construction is built for demanding site conditions. For added portability, it’s easy to move so teams can set up safe charging wherever and whenever they need it. Commenting on choosing VoltHub, Julian Beard, Health and Safety Manager for Galldris Group on the Sizewell C project, said: “Introducing VoltHub across the site was one of the first initiatives I implemented, especially after seeing the benefits it offered when I worked on Hinkley Point C, including easy storage, improved fire safety, no trailing cables, and desks and tables free from clutter. This enables people to eat and work in peace, without constant beeping in the background. Since using the VoltHub station at SZC, we have reduced damage and product loss, as it has enabled operatives to take responsibility for their own equipment.” The results Charging at Galldris is now organised and centralised, and health and safety teams and site management have greater confidence in how batteries are stored and charged. Galldris reports stronger compliance with the new Sizewell C fire-safety standards (a closer fit with what tier-one contractors require) and the company says this has helped it to be seen as a leader across the project and the wider business. Matt Partridge, Head of Product Development at Armorgard, said: “Charging batteries in canteens and offices puts a fire risk in the rooms where people eat and take their breaks. VoltHub gives site teams a dedicated place to do it instead, with ventilation to stop heat building up and fire suppression in case a battery does fail. “Julian first used VoltHub at Hinkley Point C, and he chose it again as one of his first initiatives at Sizewell C. That means a lot to us because it’s a decision made by someone who has seen the unit working on a live site, and we’re also pleased to hear it has reduced damage and product loss at Galldris. When operatives have a secure place to charge their own equipment, they take more responsibility for it.” To find out more about VoltHub or to arrange a demonstration, contact the Armorgard team on 023 9238 0280 or visit https://www.armorgard.co.uk/products/battery-charging-units/volthub/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PERI UK now offers HS&E Operatives test alongside scaffolding and formwork training
Candidates can now sit the mandatory Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Operatives test at PERI UK’s facilities immediately before their CISRS-accredited scaffolding course or formwork training, removing a common cause of delayed starts. As a CISRS Centre, PERI UK has incorporated the Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Operatives test into its training provision, enabling candidates to complete this mandatory pre-course requirement alongside their practical training and simplifying the route to professional capability. The initiative helps address a common issue PERI UK has identified as being experienced by training providers across the industry, where delegates arrive for courses without a current HS&E test certificate, preventing them from starting their scheduled training and creating unnecessary delays to a construction timeline. Making training more accessible The HS&E test is an established industry-recognised assessment associated with construction competence and card schemes. Candidates undertaking CISRS-accredited scaffolding training must have a current HS&E test, with tests valid for five years. “People were arriving ready to complete their training only to discover their health and safety test had expired or they hadn’t completed one at all,” explains Terry Hall, field services manager at PERI UK. “That meant they couldn’t continue with the course and had to leave to arrange another assessment. “By offering the test alongside our training, we’re removing that obstacle. Candidates can complete everything they need in one place and continue with their training without unnecessary delays.” Previously, candidates would typically have taken the HS&E test at a separate test centre, often at locations that also provide driving theory tests. PERI UK’s approach provides greater flexibility by bringing the assessment closer to the practical training environment. While the service is currently available at PERI UK’s dedicated training facilities in Brentwood, the arrangement can also be extended to other PERI facilities where appropriate. Supporting competence across PERI’s training programme The HS&E test is relevant across PERI UK’s training provision and is not limited to scaffolding courses. It complements the company’s wider training programmes covering scaffolding, formwork, climbing systems, and other product training. All candidates receive joining instructions confirming that a current HS&E test is required before training. However, where a candidate arrives without a valid test, the availability of the assessment at the training centre provides an opportunity to complete it on the day rather than having to postpone their training. “Training shouldn’t simply be about compliance,” Terry states. “It’s about ensuring people are genuinely competent before they go onto site. The better prepared someone is before they begin work, the safer they’ll be, the more confident they’ll become and the better the outcome for the project.” The HS&E Operatives test assesses candidates’ knowledge of general construction health and safety, helping to demonstrate that they understand the fundamental requirements for working safely on site. Investing in workforce competence PERI UK continues to invest in training and workforce development across its product portfolio, supporting contractors through accredited learning programmes covering formwork, climbing systems, and scaffolding. The integrated HS&E testing provision is the latest addition to PERI UK’s training offering, complementing accredited product training, technical demonstrations, and The Brentwood Experience visitor programme. Together, these initiatives reflect PERI UK’s long-term commitment to helping contractors improve competence, raise safety standards, and ultimately get more from modern construction systems and improve the industrial landscape from the ground up. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Budgeting Strategies for Regional Retrofits
The UK’s plans to reach net zero by 2050, alongside rising energy costs, have increased homeowners’ interest in retrofitting older properties. The benefits of embracing this initiative are well-proven. A typical UK home with a standard rooftop solar PV system can save up to approximately £700 per year on electricity bills. Combined with grid export payments, homeowners frequently see total annual benefits of £500 to over £1,000. If you are thinking of making the switch to a greener way of living, creating a smart, accurate budget is key. The costs of retrofitting a home can vary significantly depending on your home’s location, age, and local regulations, so taking time to conduct thorough research is vital. Birmingham as a Case Study Birmingham is the perfect example of an area with a high concentration of Victorian terraced housing, particularly in the inner-city postcodes B8, B9, B10, B11, B19, and B21. Approximately 68% of homes (around 300,000 in total) have an EPC rating of D or below. There are specific reasons why older homes consume more energy and produce higher carbon emissions. One is that homes built before the 1920s have solid walls rather than cavity walls, making them harder and more expensive to insulate. These homes also typically have shallower foundations, limiting renovation or extension of homes and potentially requiring additional structural assessments before major retrofit work commences. Many older homes also lack a damp-proof course, which prevents moisture from rising from the ground into the walls. On the upside, Birmingham has participated in various schemes to improve energy efficiency in homes, including insulation, heat pump installations, and support for low-income housing. The Importance of Calculating Retrofit Costs Homeowners can begin their budgeting tasks by researching the costs of specific work in their area, including loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal solid wall insulation, external solid wall insulation, draught proofing, double-glazing, an air-source heat pump, a ground-source heat pump, solar PV, smart heating controls, and consumer unit upgrades or rewiring. Each of these upgrades can vary considerably in cost. For instance, depending on the size of a home, rewiring can cost between £1,500 and £4,000. Homeowners can start by requesting an assessment and budget for rewiring from a trusted Birmingham electrician. Obtaining more than one budget is recommended, particularly for measures with big potential price gaps. For instance, ground-source heat pumps can cost anywhere from £18,000 to £25,000, making a few calls and visits to local suppliers a worthwhile time investment. Steps for Creating a Retrofit Budget When you are ready to draft your budget, start by conducting an energy assessment. Review your current EPC rating and find pertinent recommendations by visiting the official government EPC register. Identify the biggest sources of heat loss (these could be your walls, roof, windows, floors, and/or draughts) and use EPC data to prioritise measures with the greatest impact. Next, prioritise improvements, starting with high-impact, lower-cost measures (including loft insulation, draught proofing, and smart heating controls), then moving on to larger investments (such as heat pumps, solar PV, double glazing, and solid wall insulation). Add contingency funds to your budget. These should amount to around 10 to 20% of your total budget. Because older homes in Birmingham often have unsafe wiring or hidden issues such as damp and mould, your retrofit may cost more than you initially anticipated. Taking Advantage of Available Grants, Incentives, and Finance Options Many government and local authority schemes offset retrofit costs, so find out what is available in your area. Funding can change over time, so make sure the information you rely on is up to date. Just a few schemes that have aided many Birmingham residents include the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)—which has been extended to March 2028, the Warm Homes Local Grant (for low-income private homeowners and landlords in homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G), and the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) for eligible low-income households off-gas (with an EPC E, F, or G rating). Green loans, energy-efficient mortgages, home improvement loans, and energy company initiatives have also made many retrofit projects more affordable. Make it a point to check the Birmingham City Council website and speak with local retrofit and energy advisors to discover any initiatives that may be of assistance. Retrofitting an older home can require a substantial upfront investment, but careful budgeting will help you prioritise the improvements that deliver the greatest long-term value. Local housing characteristics, labour requirements, and available funding can all influence retrofit costs. Make sure to plan ahead, obtain two or three quotes, and explore available grants and finance options.
UK commercial property returns expected to strengthen from 2027 despite near-term pressures
Colliers forecasts average annual total returns of 7% over five years, with retail expected to outperform A recent Colliers’ report has revealed that UK commercial real estate total returns are forecast to reach 4.4% in 2026 before strengthening to 6.3% in 2027 and 8.2% in 2028. Over the five years to 2030, total returns are forecast to average 7% per annum According to the latest Q3 UK Real Estate Investment Forecasts report, the 2026 total return forecast has been revised down from 5%, reflecting higher gilt yields and increased uncertainty. Colliers expects all-property capital values to decline by 0.3% in 2026 before returning to growth of 1.6% in 2027, with limited property yield movement expected over the next few years. UK commercial real estate investment volumes increased from £10 billion in Q2 to around £11 billion in Q3. While this was ahead of Q3 2025, volumes remained 13% below the five-year quarterly average. Year-to-date investment reached £31 billion, marginally below the corresponding 2025 figure. Oliver Kolodseike, Head of Research & Strategic Insights at Colliers, commented: “Higher gilt yields and borrowing costs continue to create a challenging investment environment, limiting the potential for significant capital growth in the near term. However, occupational fundamentals remain resilient across parts of the market and we expect returns to strengthen from 2027. “With limited scope for yield compression, income and rental growth will be increasingly important drivers of performance. Retail continues to stand out, while demand for high-quality office and industrial space is supporting rental growth in those parts of the market.” Looking into specific sectors, retail is expected to lead performance over the next five years, with total returns forecast to average 8.5% per annum between 2026 and 2030, compared with 7% for all property. Shopping centres are forecast to generate the strongest returns at more than 10% per annum, while retail warehouses are expected to return around 8.9%. The outlook for offices and industrial remains more polarised, with demand continuing to favour higher-quality assets. Both sectors are forecast to deliver average total returns of 6.6% per annum over the five years to 2030. Industrial is expected to deliver the strongest mainstream-sector rental growth over the period, averaging 3.3% per annum. Overall, the report points to a market where income resilience, rental growth and asset quality will be increasingly important to performance as higher financing costs limit the scope for significant yield compression in the near term. Access the full Q3 UK Real Estate Investment Forecasts report here.