Natural Power appointed by ScottishPower Renewables to expand support for Scottish windfarm operations
Natural Power has strengthened its position as one of Scotland’s leading providers of renewable energy services after securing a contract with ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) to support five onshore windfarms across southern Scotland. The new five-year contract sees Natural Power appointed to provide operations and maintenance services at Ewe Hill 1, Ewe Hill 2, Hagshaw Hill 2 and Wether Hill, while its existing contract at Black Law Windfarm has also been extended. The award forms part of ScottishPower Renewables’ latest operations and maintenance framework, representing a record investment of £102.9m in the UK’s onshore wind supply chain and reinforcing the important role that local businesses play in supporting the country’s clean energy infrastructure. Matthew Kelly, Director of Operations and Asset Management at Natural Power, said: “We’re delighted to have strengthened our long-standing relationship with ScottishPower Renewables through this latest contract award. It reflects the confidence in our people, our operational expertise and our ability to safely deliver high-quality services across its onshore wind portfolio. “As a business headquartered in south-west Scotland, we’re particularly proud that this investment supports skilled jobs within local communities while helping maintain the reliable operation of renewable energy assets that are making an important contribution to Scotland’s clean energy ambitions. “We’ve invested in expanding our teams in both Dumfries and Lanark to support the contract, creating new opportunities for skilled engineers and strengthening our operational capability for the future. We look forward to continuing to work closely with ScottishPower Renewables and continuing to support the production of reliable, clean energy.” Headquartered in Dumfries and Galloway, Natural Power has expanded its local operational teams to deliver the contract, creating new engineering roles alongside employees who transferred into the business under TUPE. The company has employed an additional 23 dedicated staff across its Dumfries and Lanark operations, supporting the delivery of services across the five windfarms. The project team in Dumfries comprises ten employees, including wind turbine technicians, a lead technician and a logistics coordinator. In Lanark, the business has further strengthened its capabilities with a team of 13 employees, including newly created leadership positions to support contract delivery and future growth. The investment demonstrates Natural Power’s continued commitment to developing skilled employment opportunities within Scotland while ensuring experienced, locally based teams are supporting critical renewable energy infrastructure. Natural Power has been providing technical and operational services to the renewable energy sector for almost three decades and supports wind, solar and battery storage assets throughout the UK and internationally. The latest contract further strengthens the company’s operations and maintenance portfolio while reinforcing its commitment to supporting Scotland’s growing renewable energy industry through local expertise, long-term investment and highly skilled engineering teams. Find out more about operations and asset management at Natural Power here: Renewables Operations & Asset Management | Natural Power Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis to develop GSK’s new global R&D centre at Cambridge Biomedical Campus
GSK has announced plans to open a major new global research and development centre at Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The 300,000 sq ft centre will become home to GSK’s R&D operations in the UK, representing a £400 million investment commitment by the company. Prologis is the development partner for the new centre, which will be located at Discovery Drive on Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The centre is planned across three interconnected buildings – 2000, 3000 and 4000 Discovery Drive. Construction is under way on 2000 Discovery Drive, 3000 Discovery Drive has full planning permission whilst 4000 Discovery Drive recently received planning committee approval, subject to formal planning permission. Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for Cambridge Biomedical Campus, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading life-sciences ecosystems, where biomedical research, patient care, academia and industry come together to support the discovery and development of new medicines. For Prologis, the commitment marks an important milestone in the delivery of Phase 2 expansion at the campus. With 1000 Discovery Drive fully occupied, GSK’s commitment means that Phase 2 will be fully committed once the remaining buildings are delivered. The phase represents $635 million (£500 million) of foreign direct investment by Prologis. The commitment also demonstrates the value of investing ahead of demand in specialist life-sciences infrastructure. By bringing forward high-quality laboratory and research space, Prologis is helping ensure that the infrastructure is available when globally significant organisations choose to establish or expand their operations in the UK. Andrew Blevins, SVP, Life Sciences, Prologis, said: “GSK’s decision is a powerful endorsement of Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the unique ecosystem that has been created here. Prologis invested ahead of demand at Discovery Drive because we believed global life-sciences organisations would continue to choose Cambridge. Having the right specialist infrastructure available allows companies to establish world-class facilities more quickly and strengthens the UK’s ability to compete for internationally significant life-sciences investment.” Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, said: “The UK is a genuine world leader in the life sciences, an industry providing life-saving new treatments to patients, while creating and supporting jobs in postcodes across the country. “This announcement from GSK is yet another vote of confidence in the sector and demonstrates the success of the Government’s Industrial Strategy in unlocking vital private investment into the UK, one year on from the launch of the Life Sciences Sector Plan. “This is great news for the sector and Prologis’ multi-billion pound future investment ambitions at Cambridge Biomedical Campus, demonstrating the success of the life sciences sector in the UK in attracting investment and supporting innovation which will drive discoveries that save and improve lives.” Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “Cambridge Biomedical Campus has become one of Europe’s leading centres for life sciences because it brings together pioneering research, outstanding healthcare and ambitious businesses in one place. GSK’s expanded presence is another vote of confidence in our region and demonstrates the continued appeal of Cambridgeshire as a place where global organisations choose to innovate and grow.” Prologis is working in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to deliver Phases 3 and 4, with the potential to create a further 2.4 million sq ft of life-sciences space and representing an additional investment ambition of $4 billion (£3 billion) over the next two decades. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton complete £19m Lancaster University Management School transformation
Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton have completed the £19m refurbishment of the East Estate at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), delivering a fully reconfigured 6,778 sqm, four-storey academic building within a live campus environment. The scheme comprised a full internal strip-out of the existing 1970s structure, including removal of partitions, finishes and all mechanical and electrical services, followed by a complete reconfiguration of the building to deliver modern teaching, research and collaboration spaces, designed by principal architect, Cassidy + Ashton. The completed facility provides new and upgraded seminar and teaching rooms, meeting spaces, breakout and informal study areas, and specialist facilities including a Bloomberg Suite, prayer rooms, café and staff lounge. A new glazed link corridor has also been delivered, connecting the East Estate to the University Spine and West Pavilion, requiring structural alterations and façade modifications. Acting as main contractor, Conlon delivered the works within a constrained live campus environment using a single-point logistics access route, with phased delivery across four floors and multiple concurrent workfaces. Fire-rated hoarding and controlled pedestrian routes were installed throughout to maintain safe segregation between construction areas and university operations. The project involved full replacement and integration of building services, including mechanical and electrical systems, ventilation distribution and electrical infrastructure, alongside connection into Lancaster University’s district heating network. Externally, the building was upgraded with replacement roof coverings, façade repairs, masonry works and new energy-efficient glazing. Internally, the building was fully refurbished with new partitions, acoustic treatments, flooring, ceilings, and doors, alongside installation of a new passenger lift and improved accessibility routes. The refurbishment has created a carbon saving of more than 80 per cent compared to an equivalent new build. This, combined with revised design principles that allow more effective uses of space, has led to an estimated saving of more than 4,700 tonnes of carbon expenditure, equivalent to the carbon produced by more than 400 homes in a year. The scheme was also delivered in line with Conlon Construction’s social value commitments, with a focus on apprenticeships and the use of local labour wherever possible. Guy Parker, managing director and chair of Conlon Construction, said: “It’s fantastic to deliver a project once again with our long-standing partners Cassidy + Ashton, who we have previously worked with on the recent completion of GVS Filter Technology UK’s HQ in Lancaster, as well as a number of education schemes across the region. “This is Conlon’s biggest education scheme to date, making it a special milestone for the business, and it’s particularly rewarding to see it deliver high-quality facilities that will directly support students and young people in our home of Lancashire.” Lawrence McBurney, director and architect at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We are delighted to see the successful completion of the £19 million refurbishment of Lancaster University Management School, a project that reinforces the University’s position as one of the UK’s leading destinations for business and management education. “Working closely with Lancaster University, Conlon Construction and the wider project team, we have transformed the building into a contemporary, flexible and highly sustainable learning environment that reflects the School’s global reputation for excellence. The refurbished spaces will support world-class teaching, research and collaboration, while enhancing the experience of students, staff and visitors. “We are proud to have helped deliver a facility that matches the ambition, prestige and future vision of Lancaster University Management School.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE appointed to sell Birmingham’s Old Stock Exchange
The office agency team at leading commercial real estate firm, CBRE, has been appointed to sell the Old Stock Exchange building, located in the heart of Birmingham’s commercial district. Comprising six storeys and a basement, the 26,065 sq ft, self-contained office building is currently vacant and is offered with immediate possession. Featuring flexible and adaptable open plan floorplates, the building could be repositioned into an office, hotel or educational space, already holding use class E and F1(a) Education Planning Consent. Built in 1928, the building was the centre of Birmingham’s stockbroking for almost 60 years, before it was refurbished into offices. The building has retained its heritage with period features throughout, including oak panelled rooms, a feature staircase, and the original banking room. Located in the Colmore Business District, one of the city’s most established business areas, the Old Stock Exchange has a number of amenities, including restaurants, bars and hotels on its doorstep. The location is also under a 10-minute walk to both Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham New Street train stations, where trains to Birmingham Airport take approximately 12 minutes, giving it great connectivity across the UK and beyond. Theo Holmes,head of office agency in the Midlands at CBRE, said: “The Birmingham office market is seeing high demand, with take up in Q1 up 45% on the same period last year. There is a particular focus on Grade A office space, and the Old Stock Exchange is one of the few buildings in the traditional core at this size available freehold. Appealing to a variety of future uses, the buildings flexible open plan layout allowing buyers to tailor the space to their needs, while its heritage and period features lend character, charm and gravitas. “Birmingham is an extremely promising investment opportunity, with a host of regeneration projects announced or underway. The Old Stock Exchange benefits from being within spitting distance of both Central Heart, a vibrant new neighbourhood, and the high-speed rail network, HS2. With top quality space in short supply, we’re expecting a surge of interest on this rare opportunity in Birmingham’s City Centre.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MP warns of “Clear Systematic Failure” as more than £21 Million lost to Rogue Builders in Harrogate and Knaresborough
Homeowners in Harrogate and Knaresborough have lost more than £21 million to rogue builders, according to research by the FMB (Federation of Master Builders). Local MP Tom Gordon warns there is a “clear systematic failure of the system” to protect people from cowboy builders. The figures put losses in Harrogate and Knaresborough at £21,461,115, with those affected losing an average of £1,944 each. Across Yorkshire and the Humber, the total is more than £1.1 billion. More than two in five people in the region (42%) say they have hired a builder who turned out to be unqualified or unlicensed. One in five (20%) have been put off having building work done at all because they couldn’t find a builder they trusted and two thirds (66%) say mandatory licensing of builders would increase their confidence. Mr Gordon set out the scale of the problem in his own casework on the latest episode of the FMB’s Build Up from the Basement podcast. Speaking on the podcast, Mr Gordon MP said: “Originally you get one email in and you think, oh, it’s probably a one-off. Then you get the second one and the third and the fourth, and before you know it there’s a clear systematic failure of the system here to actually protect people. “What we’re seeing with some of the people in the industry is that they are completely exploiting people, and ruining people’s lives as well. That’s what it comes down to. “Parliament hasn’t really got a grip of this. The local authorities and the councils who should be regulating and looking at planning and enforcement aren’t doing their jobs. There’s a massive gap that people are falling through.” The MP, who has campaigned on incorrectly installed spray foam insulation since leading a Parliamentary debate on it in December 2024, described one constituent in Knaresborough now effectively living in her garage because her house is covered in mould and damp. “People who cannot escape this are thinking about it 24/7. It can be absolutely catastrophic for people’s mental health. You can physically see that they’re tense, that they’re stressed, that they’re not sleeping.” He went on to criticise the current regulatory protection landscape for consumers, describing it as “quite toothless” with “ineffective organisations”. On licensing small building companies, Mr Gordon said he was open to it: “I’m really flexible about who takes up that responsibility. I think there’s definitely a space there where it could be the likes of the FMB. But it needs to be easily accessible to the consumer. If you invest upfront in enforcement, what you get back down the line in savings makes a better system for everyone. “My frustration is that quite often when it comes to legislation, we like to reinvent the wheel. There are great examples already from devolved nations, or various other countries around the world, where we can take inspiration from what they do.” Carolyn Frank, Director of FMB North, added: “£21 million lost in one constituency, and £1.1 billion across Yorkshire, is the price homeowners are paying for an industry that anyone can walk into with no checks whatsoever. “What worries me just as much is the one in five people here who’ve been put off having work done altogether because they can’t find a builder they trust. That’s money not being spent with the good local firms in Harrogate and Knaresborough who do the job properly, employ local people and stand behind their work. “Our members are vetted and inspected before they join. A Licence to Build would extend that basic protection to every homeowner in Yorkshire, and it’s encouraging to hear an MP dealing with this casework every week reach the same conclusion.” FMB CEO Brian Berry concluded: “It’s a national scandal that anyone can call themselves a builder and start work on someone’s home with no qualifications, no checks and no accountability. £21 million lost in Harrogate and Knaresborough alone is what that failure costs – but there is also the emotional and mental stress that each victim goes through too after being affected by a rogue builder. “A Licence to Build would help protect both homeowners and reputable builders and we are delighted to have Tom Gordon MP’s support on this. Hearing how his casework every week has reached the same conclusion – with no resolution for victims – proves that the Government needs to act.” The podcast can be watched on Youtube Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GB Bank provides £20.5m structured funding facility to support acquisition of 214-unit residential portfolio
GB Bank has provided a £20.5m structured funding facility to support a specialist funding partner in the acquisition of a 214-unit residential portfolio in the North West. Working closely with the funding partner, GB Bank established a bespoke structure designed to support the transaction while meeting the commercial objectives of all parties. The facility was structured at 75% LTV with an agreed exit strategy involving the division of the portfolio across four SPVs to facilitate a flexible refinance, while supporting the ongoing management of the portfolio. The transaction also involved a detailed assessment of the portfolio’s rental income, with all 214 properties fully occupied at completion and generating immediate income. Alongside this, GB Bank considered the borrower’s wider financial position, including personal liquidity and surplus rental income, as part of its underwriting process. The transaction highlights GB Bank’s ability to work alongside partners by providing tailored solutions that support larger and more complex property transactions. Working in partnership with the funding partner, GB Bank structured a funding solution that supported the underlying bridging facility whilst ensuring valuation, credit and completion requirements were met. Hardik Gogia, Relationship Manager at GB Bank commented: “As specialist lending continues to evolve, lenders increasingly require funding partners that can provide flexible capital solutions for larger and more complex transactions. “This transaction demonstrates our ability to work alongside specialist lenders, providing tailored funding solutions that enable them to deliver complex bridging transactions with confidence. By combining commercial thinking with responsive decision-making, we’re able to support lending partners on opportunities that require a more bespoke approach. “Our structured funding capability is designed to complement the expertise of specialist lenders, giving them confidence that they have a responsive funding partner capable of supporting complex transactions without compromising on speed or service.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals