SevenCapital Takes Control to Restart £500m 100 Kensington Development
Construction is restarting on the £500 million 100 Kensington development in West London after developer SevenCapital stepped in to take direct control of the project following the administration of main contractor Ardmore. SevenCapital has confirmed that Seven Capital (Woodrow) Ltd, an existing group company incorporated in 2016, is now acting as main contractor on the major West Cromwell Road scheme, allowing work to resume following a temporary halt caused by Ardmore’s collapse. The 1.7-hectare mixed-use development will deliver 462 homes across seven buildings, comprising 276 private and 186 affordable properties alongside new leisure, retail, office and community space. A new senior construction management team has been established to oversee delivery under SevenCapital Chief Operating Officer James Moody, working alongside the developer’s construction director and existing site management team. SevenCapital expects activity to ramp up significantly over the coming months, with more than 500 construction workers anticipated to be back on site by the autumn. The developer said it had been aware of financial difficulties facing Ardmore and had developed a contingency strategy to protect the delivery of the scheme in the event of the contractor entering administration. Moody said: “We had previously been aware of some of the financial issues facing Ardmore, which allowed us the time to develop a solid contingency plan to secure the completion of 100 Kensington should the effective administration happen, and at the same time diversify and extend SevenCapital’s capabilities for future schemes.” Existing development finance remains in place through Maslow Capital, which originally provided a £258 million four-year facility for the joint venture between SevenCapital and MARK Capital Management. The project has already passed the 30% completion milestone, with construction progressing across one of the most significant residential developments currently underway in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. At the heart of the scheme will be Oria, a 29-storey residential tower containing 129 private apartments and penthouses. SevenCapital is targeting an October topping-out for the tower as the wider construction programme gathers pace once again. The architectural masterplan for 100 Kensington has been produced by John McAslan & Partners, with Corstorphine & Wright responsible for the detailed design. Alongside its residential element, the combination of commercial, leisure and community uses will create a substantial new mixed-use destination on West Cromwell Road, with affordable housing representing a significant part of the overall development. The decision to bring construction delivery under a SevenCapital group company provides the developer with greater direct control over the remaining programme while limiting disruption following Ardmore’s administration. Phased completions are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2027, with the entire development currently scheduled for completion towards the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028. With work restarting and the existing funding package remaining in place, the focus will now turn to rebuilding site activity and maintaining momentum towards the October topping-out of Oria and subsequent phased delivery of the wider 100 Kensington development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pipeline perks up as project starts plateau
Short-term economic easing indicates construction sector recovery still on track for 2027 Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product (Glenigan), one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2026 edition of its Construction Review. The August Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2026, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report providing a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the past year. Glenigan’s August Construction Review reveals a few rays of sunshine poking through an otherwise overcast industry landscape. It will provide some much-needed optimism to a sector that has been battling an extraordinary set of headwinds since the start of the year. A massive jump in Main Contract Awards, which rose 17% against the preceding three months, and soared a staggering 169% compared to 2025, is perhaps the strongest indicator that market confidence is returning. This can, in part be attributed to an activity spike in major projects, particularly in the healthcare, where various schemes in the New Hospital Programme reached the contract awarded stage. This includes the Leighton Hospital scheme, the Frimley Park Hospital as well as various others. Similarly, if somewhat more modestly, Detailed Planning Approvals picked up by 10% during the Review period and, despite dipping 3% year-on-year, this modest rise compared to the previous month indicates the pipeline is gradually refilling. It certainly offers a tentative sign that recovery, if not immediate, is on the horizon, echoing Glenigan’s own Forecast prediction of an 11% sector-wide performance increase in 2027. The refreshingly positive stats in the August Review can be largely credited to substantial gains in a number of commercial verticals, particularly Hotel & Leisure, as well as an acceleration of activity in both public sector and civils. However, before contractors and subcontractors get dazzled by these strong figures, it appears that intent is yet to properly translate into activity. Project starts are still stubbornly stagnant as the appetite to commit shovel to soil remains subdued, against a backdrop of lukewarm investor confidence and renewed uncertainty around public spending. This resulted in a 7% drop against the previous three months. Yet, whilst activity remains low, there are signals that a long period of decline is starting to bottom out, with levels breaking even (0%) compared to 2025. Looking at the results, Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s Economics Director, says, “There are plenty of reasons for readers to be cheerful when going through the August Review, especially following such a tumultuous and unpredictable six-months. Whilst a degree of uncertainty persists, labour and material costs are stabilising. Industry prospects appear to be turning a corner, but, before we get too excited, these green shoots are fragile and, as we’ve seen before, could wither away on the merest market change.” He continues, “the construction supply chain should stay mindful that the recovery will be shaped by wider economic conditions, investor confidence and public sector spending priorities. Remember, in spite of the excellent Main Contract Awards and Planning Approval figures, conversions into actual starts remains the litmus test of the sector’s performance over the back end of the year.” Taking a closer look at vertical highlights… Residential: Housebuilding slips as social housing steadies the ship Residential had a bruising three months, with project starts sliding 39% year-on-year even as main contract awards jumped 60% and detailed planning approvals eased back 22%. Private Housing bore the brunt, tumbling 52% to £2,434m despite holding a 40% share of the sector, while Private Apartments dipped 23% to £1,630m and Social Sector Housing softened 27% to £821m. The awards uplift hints at work waiting in the wings, though the sharp fall in starts underlines the ongoing pressure on near-term workloads. Regionally, London held top spot with starts worth £1,250m, even after a 16% dip. The North West proved the steadiest performer, barely moving at £962m with just a 1% decline. Elsewhere the picture soured, project starts in the South West, West Midlands and Wales all declined sharply against the previous year. However, Wales offered a rare bright spot, posting strong growth in planning approvals that points to a healthier pipeline further down the line. Private non-residential: Offices and hotels shine while industrial cools Private non-residential was a real mixed bag. Offices held firm, with starts dipping just 3% but approvals climbing 54% on the back of a buoyant mid-market: the £20-50m band rose 18% to £627m and the £50-100m band leapt 80% to £361m. Hotel & Leisure told a similar tale, with main contract awards rocketing 787% and approvals up 56%, even though starts eased at 17%. Industrial had a tougher time, with starts down 43%, though a 147% surge in approvals signals a pipeline gathering pace. Retail stayed muted, with starts off 16% but awards up 72%. Regionally, London ruled office activity, with value soaring 30% to £1,531m. The East of England led Industrial starts, up 218% to £465m, while Yorkshire & the Humber topped Hotel & Leisure at £178m and Scotland jumped 177% to £123m. The North West led Retail, climbing 223% to £50m, with Yorkshire & the Humber and Northern Ireland also enjoying strong runs against the previous year. Public sector: Health leads the charge as schools await their moment The public sector offers plenty of cheer. Health stole the show, with starts up 32%, awards rocketing 634% and approvals climbing 65%, buoyed by the New Hospital Programme and NHS capital commitments. Hospitals made up more than half of starts, rising 75%, while Nursing Homes & Hospices climbed 44%. Community & Amenity also impressed on paper, with awards up 182% and approvals up 95% despite starts falling 34%, led by blue light projects and a 466% surge in military work. Education was the odd one out, with starts down 44%, though a 204% jump in awards and the Schools Rebuilding Programme point to brighter days ahead. Regionally, the South East led Health starts
Railpen commences works on South Mimms X industrial development
Railpen, manager of the UK’s around £36bn railways pension scheme, has started construction works at South Mimms X, a 122,820 sq ft exceptionally well-connected logistics and industrial development. With completion targeted for Spring 2027, it will be the latest addition to Railpen’s growing industrial portfolio, which comprises state-of-the-art, prime Grade A industrial and logistics facilities located strategically around the M25. Located at the intersection of the A1(M) and M25, adjacent to South Mimms Services, South Mimms X marks Railpen’s latest milestone in its investment into the logistics and industrial sector, developed in partnership with Wrenbridge. Positioned just 14.5 miles from central London, the 122,820 sq ft scheme will offer a market-leading specification in an unrivalled location, incorporating a 68m secure gated yard. Designed to target a wide range of operators, the facility will also feature 13 dock loading doors, two Euro dock doors, and two level access doors. It will be well-positioned to support the transition to EV fleets, with 18 active EV charging spaces, alongside 98 car parking spaces. Sustainability is embedded throughout the design, which is targeting net-zero carbon, as well as BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ ratings. The scheme will also deliver 2.5 acres of landscaped amenity space, achieving a 30% biodiversity net gain through features including on-site wildlife boxes and an urban orchard. Once complete, the scheme will benefit from the adjacent high-quality, people-focused amenities to support occupier wellbeing and productivity. Alastair Dawson, UK Industrial Sector Lead at Railpen, commented: “South Mimms X reflects Railpen’s ongoing commitment to producing best-in-class developments that support local economies and enhance surrounding communities. The site is exceptionally well located on the M25, with access to the entirety of Greater London within 90 minutes. With well-connected, high-quality industrial space in increasingly short supply, this scheme has been designed to stand out. Building on our established track record and Wrenbridge’s extensive expertise, South Mimms X is well placed to set a new benchmark for logistics in the South East.” Will Jarman, Associate Director at Wrenbridge, added: “Railpen’s X portfolio is becoming a clear example in the industrial and logistics sector of how a landlord can demonstrate ongoing commitment to delivering best-in-class facilities, and one that goes above and beyond the wants, needs, and expectations of occupiers and their employees. There is a clear demand for accessible industrial space in this location, and it is great to be partnering with Railpen once again to deliver another high-quality scheme.” South Mimms X is just one of the many assets included in Railpen’s property portfolio, which currently has over 3 million sq ft of space under construction or with planning consent, with a forecast construction cost in excess of £500 million by the end of 2030. The development will join Railpen’s expanding ‘X’ branded portfolio of industrial sites, alongside Dartford X, Waltham X and High Wycombe X. Each development is strategically located and designed to meet occupier demand for best-in-class, highly sustainable industrial space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester’s Local Plan Review: Final consultation opportunity underway
The Local Plan is a guide to development and growth in the city over the next fifteen years and Manchester people are invited to have their say for the final time yesterday. The Plan is a legal requirement for every Council to set out a long-term framework about how development should be considered through the planning process, including new housing – as well as affordable homes – green spaces, development that creates employment opportunities, infrastructure projects such as roads, health facilities and schools – and how the city will achieve net zero carbon. The Plan complements a range of strategies and policies that look to deliver the vision of the Council. An initial consultation took place in September 2025 starting a process of review and engagement through the last year. This consultation attracted 2,184 responses that have since been considered by planning officers to help update the draft local plan. The Local Plan is currently going through Regulation 19, which is the final version of the plan before it is referred to a government inspector for public examination. The public will be asked for their comments relating to how ‘workable’ the draft plan is in practice, which is a requirement set out by Government. This ‘test of soundness’ asks the public: does the plan meet its objectives. Key changes to the draft local plan following previous consultation: Take part in the Local Plan consultation Local people, community organisations, businesses and stakeholders can take part in the consultation, submitting their views online via an online platform and all details are available on the following council web page A hard copy of the consultation will also be made available in Manchester Central Library. The consultation will remain open until Monday 28 Sept. The previous Manchester Local Plan was adopted in 2012. The current review was delayed while the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone plan was adopted, into which the Manchester Plan must align. Following consultation, the final draft of Manchester’s Local Plan will be submitted to a government inspector with an expectation that the plan will be adopted in the summer of 2027. Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “It’s important that future development plays its part well in making sure Manchester remains a great place to live, with great homes that our residents can afford in attractive neighbourhoods that they want to live in with quality green spaces nearby. This is the role of the Local Plan – to help guide development to help us deliver our vision and ambition. “The Local Plan will complement a range of other strategies delivering for our city, in particular our housing strategy that has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes by 2032 – 10,000 of which will be social, Council and genuinely affordable homes. And the Local Plan looks to increase the target of social rent and affordable homes each year to deliver the homes our residents need. “Last year we saw thousands of responses that have helped guide our Local Plan review. This is the final chance for Manchester people to comment on the updated draft local plan, and we’d encourage as many people as possible to take part of play their part in guiding development in our city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey appointed to deliver additional SEN provision at Rathore School
McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed by the Education Authority as the main construction contractor on the phase 1 expansion of specialist SEN provision at Rathore School, enabling much needed facilities for children in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The scheme, which is being delivered in three stages, is the first construction project in Northern Ireland for the Antrim based firm since the completion of the new distillery at Bushmills in 2021. This first phase of the project will see current and future pupils at Rathore SEN School will benefit from nine new classroom facilities with additional outdoor play areas, car parking and outdoor landscaping, ensuring the school meets the growing needs of the SEN community in the Newry Mourne and Down area. The project is well underway, with the scheme making use of modern methods of construction to minimise disruption to existing staff and pupils, including off-site fabrication of 1,300m2 of classroom and ancillary rooms. Completion is expected by the end of December 2026, with the new facilities ready to receive pupils from August 2027 onwards following further fit out by Rathore School. Gavin Parkinson, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey said: “Our experience working on public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK means we’re ideally placed to deliver a project as important and sensitive as the one at Rathore School. We understand that the need for SEN school facilities across Northern Ireland is a pressing issue, and our approach to modern methods of construction will enable smooth delivery, ensuring classrooms are ready to meet the needs of young people in the area.” “Although our civils team has continued to thrive in Northern Ireland, we’re extremely proud to see our construction team back on site for a Northern Irish project.” Dale Hanna, EA Chief Operations Officer, said: “This project will make a real difference for children and young people with SEN and their families, giving them access to modern, purpose-built accommodation designed around their needs. “EA will continue to consider every available option to increase capacity and support children and young people to access appropriate SEN provision as close as possible to their local community. “This investment forms part of EA’s wider capital programme to expand SEN provision across Northern Ireland and support children and young people now and in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Gets Green Light for £50m RAAC-Hit Stockport School Rebuild
Willmott Dixon has secured planning permission for the near £50 million redevelopment of Bramhall High School in Stockport, paving the way for construction of a new three-storey secondary school to replace the existing RAAC-affected campus. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the replacement school being built alongside the existing facilities to allow teaching to continue while the major redevelopment progresses. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the new school will accommodate 1,350 pupils on the existing 36-acre site off Seal Road. The project will consolidate the current sprawling school estate into a modern purpose-built teaching environment, while addressing problems associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within the existing buildings. Once the new building has been completed, most of the existing school estate will be demolished, although the newer maths block will be retained and incorporated into the future campus. The replacement school will include 25 general classrooms and 10 science laboratories alongside specialist teaching facilities for drama, computing, ICT, art and design. Five dedicated SEND classrooms will also be provided, together with an assembly hall featuring tiered seating, dining facilities, a library and new staff and support accommodation. Sport will form another major part of the redevelopment. Indoor facilities will include a four-court sports hall, activity studio and changing accommodation, significantly improving the school’s provision for pupils and physical education. Externally, the plans include two replacement multi-use games areas and a new 3G sports pitch, while the existing hockey pitch will be retained. The phased construction strategy will be particularly important to the delivery of the project, allowing the existing school to remain operational while Willmott Dixon builds the replacement accommodation elsewhere on the site. The subsequent demolition and external works will then enable the wider campus to be reorganised around the new building. The project forms part of the continuing programme of investment required across the education estate following the discovery of RAAC in school buildings around the country. With planning now secured, the Bramhall High School redevelopment moves a significant step closer to construction, delivering modern teaching, SEND and sports facilities while replacing ageing and RAAC-affected accommodation with a more consolidated school campus for 1,350 pupils. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals