Burges Salmon acts for Benniman on back-to-back transactions delivering major UK logistics and industrial projects
The Construction and Engineering team at Burges Salmon has advised independent construction company Benniman Limited on a series of significant projects across the UK. Led by director Christian Mulvihill, the firm provided legal support on large-scale developments for leading names in the logistics and industrial sectors. Notably, Burges Salmon advised Benniman on the creation of three new logistics and distribution facilities at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) in Northamptonshire. Totalling 618,000 sq ft, the schemes will deliver high-quality space and strengthen DIRFT’s position as a key hub for rail-connected logistics, supporting efficient supply chain operations and sustainable freight solutions. Further advice was provided across three other projects including on the construction of a c. 50,000 sq ft best-in-class industrial and warehousing estate in Reading, the development of eight industrial units in Milton Keynes totalling 200,765 sq ft., as well as recent work delivered for property developer Clowes Developments. The team also advised Benniman in relation to the construction of three industrial units in Birmingham on behalf of Coltham as well as a 57,000 sf ft unit in Worcester Six Business Park for Stoford. Christian Mulvihill, director at Burges Salmon, says: “We are delighted to have supported Benniman on these projects, which demonstrate the strength of the UK logistics and industrial sectors. Completing five transactions back-to-back within a short timeframe required careful co-ordination and a thorough understanding of contractual and regulatory issues. It is a testament to the strength and agility of our team that we were able to deliver seamless advice across multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring our client could move forward with confidence and efficiency.” Paul Barfoot, Commercial Director at Benniman, comments: “Delivering major projects concurrently was a significant undertaking, and Burges Salmon’s ability to manage the legal complexities was outstanding. Their proactive approach, responsiveness and sector expertise gave us the confidence to progress each development without delay.” With over 40 specialist lawyers working across the firm’s Built Environment, Infrastructure and Energy & Utilities sector groups, Burges Salmon has one of the largest construction and engineering legal teams in the UK and is a first port of call for highly complex and innovative projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GLP celebrates the legacy of the Lutterworth Community Fund and latest G-Tour charity donations
GLP marked the closing of its Lutterworth Community Fund (the “Fund”), having reached the end of its funding cycle, with a celebratory lunch to recognise the local organisations, sponsors and partners who have helped deliver more than £1.4 million in community support. The initiative was set up in 2020 by GLP, the developer and owner of Magna Park Lutterworth now part of Ares Management Real Estate, to support the local community, charities and voluntary organisations in and around Magna Park. The Fund has been administered through Lutterworth Area Community Projects Limited (LACPL), which was formally launched on 1 November 2020 with a five-year lifespan to invest in the parishes surrounding Magna Park. Since inception, the Fund has supported a wide range of local initiatives spanning education, wellbeing, youth services, the environment and local infrastructure. This has included: These awards reflect GLP’s long-term commitment to building strong, sustainable relationships in the regions where it operates. GLP remains deeply committed to community investment across the UK through its wider G+ Community programme, which continues to fund and deliver social impact projects linked to GLP developments nationwide. Alongside the Fund’s local activity, GLP also contributes to national causes through its annual G-Tour cycling challenge, a Europe-wide event that brings together employees, partners and customers to raise money for charity. The G-Tour’s donations for the last two years have been a combined £45,000 distributed among five UK charities: Dementia UK, LandAid, Parkinson’s UK, The Christie Charity & Mind. Bruce Topley, Managing Director at GLP UK, said: “The Lutterworth Community Fund and the G-Tour represent two sides of the same commitment: supporting both the communities around our developments and wider causes that matter to our people and partners. Over the years, the Fund has provided real and lasting benefits for local organisations, while G-Tour continues to bring together our network to raise vital funds for national charities. The scale of what’s been achieved reflects the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone involved, from our sponsors and partners to the colleagues who give their time each year. On behalf of everyone at GLP, I want to thank them all for helping us make a meaningful difference, both here in Lutterworth and across the UK”. The celebratory lunch was attended by representatives from the community partners marking the formal close of the Fund and celebrating the collective achievements it has enabled. Since its inception, the Lutterworth Community Fund has formed a central part of GLP’s G+ Community programme, the company’s pan-European initiative to deliver social value through local investment, volunteering and fundraising. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Altrad RMD Kwikform opens second training academy in Aldridge to strengthen industry skills and innovation
Altrad RMD Kwikform (Altrad RMDK) has officially opened its second dedicated Training Academy at the company’s Head Office in Aldridge, West Midlands. The new facility builds on the success of the first academy in Skelmersdale, further reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to developing skills, safety, and technical excellence across the construction industry. Unveiled by Managing Director Mark Pickard, the Aldridge Training Academy will serve as a central hub for advancing knowledge in above and below ground temporary works systems. It features purpose-built training areas, a live demonstration zone, and digital resources that replicate real-world site environments, enabling employees and customers to deepen their understanding of Altrad RMDK’s innovative systems and engineering solutions. Together with the Skelmersdale academy, the Aldridge facility forms a unified learning network. The combined facilities increase training capacity and make learning more accessible for employees and customers across the UK, promoting continuous improvement, technical excellence, and best practice throughout the temporary works sector. Mark Pickard, Managing Director at Altrad RMD Kwikform, commented: “The opening of our Aldridge Training Academy represents the next phase in our investment in people and the future of the industry. By expanding our training offering, we’re giving our teams and customers the opportunity to strengthen their technical expertise, improve safety standards, and deliver excellence on every project. “It’s a proud moment for everyone at Altrad RMDK as we continue building on the success of the Skelmersdale academy and look ahead to shaping the next generation of construction professionals.” The addition of the Aldridge facility ensures that training is now accessible to Altrad RMDK teams and customers from North to South, supporting the company’s growing workforce and customer base throughout the UK. For more on Altrad RMD Kwikform, please visit www.rmdkwikform.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction reaches fast-track milestones at Panattoni Park Swindon
Construction is advancing at pace at Panattoni Park in Swindon, with McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) firmly on track to deliver the landmark 545,000 sq. ft. logistics and industrial scheme within the 39-week programme. McLaren is delivering the speculative design and build contract on behalf of Panattoni, supported by UMC Architects, KAM Project Consultants, BWB Consulting and Construction CDM Services. The project continues to hit key milestones of the 39-construction week schedule, and the steel frame is now complete, the internal roof largely finished, windows are being installed, and cladding installation is progressing steadily. Roofing works are well advanced with lining sheets due for completion, and externally, concrete slab works are underway, the multi-story car park deck is poured, kerbs are being installed, alongside power and water service installations. The office area is fully glazed and cladding of the striking link bridge – connecting the main building to the multi-storey car park – is now taking place. First-fix mechanical and electrical services have begun within the warehouse, and internal finishes and the office fit-out is progressing well. On completion, the development will offer premier logistics space with two storeys of high-spec office accommodation and a decked car park. The scheme is targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+/A ratings, with a commitment to achieving net zero upfront carbon emissions. Historically, the site was used as brownfield land before being an airfield during World War II, and then later it was redeveloped for car manufacturing by Honda in the late 20th century. This regeneration is part of Panattoni’s wider plan to bring new life and jobs to the area following the closure of Honda’s operations in 2021. Luke Arnold, Regional Director at McLaren Midlands & North, said: “We’re proud to be delivering this project at pace and to such a high standard. This is a flagship scheme, not only for Panattoni but for the wider region, and our team is focused on maintaining momentum right through to completion in early 2026.” Panattoni Park Swindon is poised to deliver high-quality industrial space in a location with excellent connectivity and legacy infrastructure, further strengthening Swindon’s position as a key logistics hub in the South West. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning Consent Granted for 102-bedroom Hotel in Edinburgh City Centre
Artisan Real Estate to Partner with Whitbread to Transform 1980s Office on edge of Capital’s New Town into hub by Premier Inn Planning consent has been granted by the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) to transform a sandstone office building on the edge of Edinburgh’s New Town into a sustainable 102-bedroom city centre hotel. Regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate is now set to progress with the redevelopment of Albany House, located at 58 Albany Street on the corner of the capital’s Broughton Street, with completion scheduled for summer 2027. Artisan have agreed terms with Whitbread plc to operate the completed hotel under its popular hub by Premier Inn brand The five-storey Albany House was constructed in the 1980s and was designed to reflect the adjacent Georgian neoclassical town houses along Albany Street. The current occupiers are relocating to new offices in the city centre in 2026. Artisan’s design proposals will retain much of the external structure of the building whilst replacing the top floor facade with a contemporary new cladding and finish to meet current building standards. Internally, the hotel’s design specification will meet high environmental and sustainability standards, with air-sourced heat pump technology replacing the existing fossil fuel heating and hot water system. Welcoming the planning consent for Albany House, Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater, said: “This exciting hotel development will bring continued interest and investment to a vibrant corner of Edinburgh’s eastern city centre. We are pleased to be once again working with Whitbread to create a modern and contemporary hotel interior providing the high levels of insulation and energy technology, delivering both a sustainable and attractive addition to Edinburgh’s successful hospitality sector. The existing sandstone building is well-suited to hotel development with high levels of natural daylight and an established entrance area.” He added: “Albany House is the latest in a succession of high-profile planning proposals delivered by Artisan in Edinburgh’s city centre during the last 12 months and reinforces our stated commitment to bring substantial investment coupled with high quality development to the heart of Scotland’s capital.” Whitbread currently welcomes close to a million visitors to its established network of 14 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the City of Edinburgh Council area. The business calculates its guests staying at these hotels generate more than £32 million in visitor expenditure to the Edinburgh economy every year. Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager for Whitbread, said: “Albany House is an excellent location for a hub by Premier Inn hotel, and I am very pleased to be working with Artisan to expand our footprint in the city in a sustainable way through the proposed conversion of the 1980s office building. “Our hub by Premier Inn hotels are designed to appeal to budget, short-stay travellers, looking to stay in the most interesting and connected city centre locations. It offers all the comfort, consistency, and reliability of Premier Inn, but with a smaller bedroom and the format allows us to offer great value rooms in the most vibrant places.” She added: “Premier Inn has been part of Edinburgh’s hospitality scene for more than 30 years. We’re incredibly proud to have built a network of popular, good-value hotels across the city, and we see great potential for further investment driven by our own high occupancy in the city and the fact that budget hotels like Premier Inn account for just 20% of the city’s bedroom stock.” Artisan Real Estate has an established track record of delivering innovative hotel development in architecturally sensitive city centre locations. This includes three hotels as part of the award-winning New Waverley development in the heart of the Edinburgh’s Old Town – including partnering with Whitbread to deliver a Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn (trading as Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile). Most recently, the developer has completed the transformation of Glasgow’s historic Clydeside Custom House into a new hotel quarter. The Albany House planning proposal follows Artisan’s successful application to transform the city’s historic Caledonian Brewery into a new residential neighbourhood which received planning consent from CEC in May 2025. The developer is also progressing with the homes-led regeneration of a vacant office block on the city’s Ferry Road, to the north of the city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orbit Homes starts construction of 272 new homes in Norfolk at Victoria Gardens in Great Plumstead
Leading affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, has started construction on 272 new homes in the East at Victoria Gardens, a new development in Great Plumstead. At Victoria Gardens, Orbit Homes is delivering 138 affordable homes for social rent and Shared Ownership, alongside 134 homes for market sale. The new development will comprise a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes. All homes at Victoria Gardens will follow Orbit Homes’ tenure-blind approach, meaning that regardless of whether a customer moves into their new home via market sale, shared ownership or social rent, they will receive the same commitment to sector-leading design, specification, and safety, alongside outstanding customer service. Victoria Gardens is designed to embrace sustainability and support Orbit’s wider commitment to The Wildlife Trusts’ 30by30 campaign to enable nature’s recovery by 2030 with large areas of public space including an orchard. With works underway on the Smee Lane site, the first homes are set to be available for purchase in Spring 2026. Brian Nearney, Chief Development Officer at Orbit, said: “We are delighted to have started on site at Victoria Gardens, where we’re working to build 272 quality new homes that will be ideal for those at all stages of life. We’re also very proud to be delivering over half of these homes in affordable tenures to support the local housing need and further our commitment to building thriving mixed-tenure communities. “Our team is excited to share more details about Victoria Gardens in the coming months, and we encourage anyone interested to register their interest now and be the first to find out more.” Victoria Gardens is supported by grant funding from Homes England for the delivery of affordable homes. The new development is situated in Great Plumstead, a parish village on the outskirts of Norwich, where locals can enjoy the best of both worlds with the beautiful countryside and a range of amenities nearby, including Norwich city centre and Norwich train station less than five miles away. For more information about Victoria Gardens and to register your interest, visit: www.orbithomes.org.uk/victoria-gardens Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals