Berkeley and Sheppard Robson secure planning for next phase of Grand Union Masterplan, London
The latest phase of the Grand Union regeneration in Brent will deliver 505 new homes, establishing an active edge to the masterplan’s new central park Berkeley and architects Sheppard Robson have secured planning for the next phase (4C) of Grand Union, a mixed-use development in Brent, northwest London, with Brent Council approving the plans on 26 September. The latest in a series of phases of a masterplan designed by Sheppard Robson, the scheme will deliver 505 private homes across three buildings, completing the north-south green route linking Beresford Avenue to the Linear Park and bringing a new residential edge to life along this central open space. This application follows planning permission being granted earlier this year for 168 Social Rented Homes in phase 4B. This next phase will continue transforming the former Northfields Industrial Estate into a canalside neighbourhood of around 3,350 homes, with commercial, retail, leisure and community spaces woven throughout. Berkeley has been delivering this major placemaking programme since 2019, working in close partnership with Brent Council. Around 1,000 homes completed to date, including 230 social rent and affordable homes, alongside a mix of on-site amenities, including shops, restaurants, a café, nursery, community centre and a network of popular public squares and landscaped spaces. This regeneration project also stands out for its rapid speed of delivery, with Berkeley purchasing the site in 2017, and completing the first homes by December 2021. That four year timeline is half the time it would take today and a reminder to all of what can be achieved by working in partnership with a shared commitment to deliver housing and meaningful community impact. Rooted in the site’s industrial past and its closeness to the Grand Union Canal and River Brent, the masterplan reconnects the local area with the waterways on its doorstep, threading public spaces and green landscape through its heart. This latest phase extends that vision, completing the residential frame of the park and bringing green streets from the park deeper into the neighbourhood. The three buildings – L1, L2 and L3 – form a courtyard arrangement with varied heights and forms, reinforcing the north-south connections established in earlier phases. The massing steps up gradually, from the lower, street-facing character along Beresford Avenue to the taller park-fronting building, creating a considered and gentle transition between the surrounding neighbourhood and the open park beyond. The tallest building rises to 29 storeys, shifting from the warm brick tones of its neighbours to a lighter palette of pale and green precast concrete, with vertical detailing that draws the eye upward. At its crown, a distinctive crescent form gives the tower a landmark presence on the skyline – a gesture echoed at ground level in the curved form of the park-front pavilion, tying the architecture back to the landscape. Green metalwork balconies run consistently across all three buildings, lending a sense of belonging and continuity to the trio, with feature metalwork at each entrance reinforcing their shared character across the site. At park level, a flexible amenity pavilion for residents will be established, opening out onto the landscaped green space and designed to foster a sense of connection between residents and the park right outside their homes. Anna Shapiro, Partner at Sheppard Robson, said: “Grand Union is about creating a sense of living with nature, with a range of settings designed to support people’s everyday connection to the landscape around them. This latest phase completes the residential edge of the Linear Park, framing the neighbourhood’s park as the heart of the masterplan. The three buildings carry forward and evolve the architectural language of the earlier phases, while the crescent crown of the tallest building gives the park frontage a landmark quality that feels right for this moment in the neighbourhood’s story.” Marcus Blake, Managing Director at Berkeley, said: “In partnership with the London Borough of Brent, we have transformed this long derelict industrial estate into a thriving community, with high quality homes, green spaces, amenities, and a reconnected canal for all to enjoy. With close to 1,000 homes completed to date, new businesses open and a fantastic community taking shape, we have built something truly special at Grand Union. The next phase will be a natural continuation of that journey and forms part of the vision that we have worked hard with our partners to achieve from the outset. “Grand Union also stands out for its rapid speed of delivery, with our first home completed just four years after we purchased this complex regeneration site. This fast turnaround stems from our partnership approach with the council, which is determined to solve challenges and get homes built. Grand Union proves that our planning system can move at pace with a truly collaborative and proactive approach.” The landscape strategy at Grand Union embeds green infrastructure throughout, with green and brown roofs, biodiverse planting across the courtyard, roof terraces and public realm, and Sustainable Drainage Systems managing surface water across the site. Phase 4C completes the north-south green route from Beresford Avenue to the Linear Park, extending the accessible landscape network that forms the ecological backbone of the Grand Union masterplan. The masterplan includes improved walking and cycling routes linking to Stonebridge Park tube and rail station. Sheppard Robson is also working with Berkeley to deliver phases 2 and 3 of Grand Union. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Set to Deliver £36m Transformation of Berwick’s Maltings Theatre
Willmott Dixon is set to lead a major £36 million redevelopment of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, following a decision by Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet to support the contractor’s appointment for the landmark leisure and cultural regeneration project. The proposed £29 million construction contract represents a significant step forward for the transformation of the popular arts venue on Eastern Lane, with preliminary works targeted to begin in November, subject to final funding approval. The project will deliver a comprehensive redesign of the existing theatre, creating a modern, accessible cultural destination incorporating improved performance facilities, cinema screens, hospitality spaces and community amenities. Central to the redevelopment is a reconfiguration of the building’s internal layout, bringing the main theatre, café bar and dining facilities together on a single level. The new arrangement is designed to improve accessibility, enhance visitor circulation and take greater advantage of the venue’s prominent position overlooking the River Tweed. The lower floors will undergo substantial remodelling to accommodate a main cinema auditorium alongside a smaller boutique cinema screen, with direct access from Shoe Lane. Additional facilities will include a dedicated rehearsal room, meeting space and new public areas positioned above the principal theatre level. The improvements are intended to strengthen the Maltings’ position as a leading cultural and entertainment destination in Northumberland, supporting the town’s wider visitor economy while providing more flexible facilities for performances, film screenings and community activities. However, the redevelopment remains subject to final financial approval after the overall project budget increased by £7.7 million to £36 million. Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to accept £28.5 million in funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, alongside a further £2 million allocation from the authority’s strategic regeneration budget. A request for an additional £2.6 million in borrowing will now require approval from the full council before the project can proceed. The contractor appointment is also subject to the council’s call-in process. The revised budget incorporates the provision of temporary facilities at Berwick Barracks, allowing the Maltings to continue delivering cultural activities and performances while its existing building undergoes redevelopment. Subject to the remaining approvals, preliminary construction activities are expected to commence in November, with the principal building works scheduled to begin in the new year. The transformed Maltings Theatre is currently programmed to reopen in spring 2029. Beyond the construction investment, the scheme represents an important element of Berwick’s ongoing regeneration ambitions, combining cultural infrastructure with hospitality, entertainment and improved public accessibility. The redevelopment also highlights the role that investment in established arts and leisure buildings can play in revitalising town centres, attracting visitors and supporting local businesses. For Willmott Dixon, the anticipated appointment would add another significant public sector leisure and cultural project to its construction portfolio, delivering a modernised venue designed to serve residents, performers and visitors for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rushbrook: Leasehold Shake-Up Puts Property Managers and Rising Service Charges Under the Spotlight
Nearly five million leasehold homes could face a significant shake-up in how they are managed following Government proposals to introduce an independent regulator for property agents, as new analysis from residential property management specialist Rushbrook reveals that annual service charges have risen by more than 26% in just one year. The proposed reforms would place estate agents, residential managing agents and estate managers under greater regulatory scrutiny, with additional measures being considered to tackle excessive administration fees and strengthen financial transparency across the leasehold sector. Rushbrook has welcomed the proposals, arguing that the growing sums of money handled by managing agents make stronger professional standards and greater accountability increasingly important. The announcement comes as Rushbrook’s analysis of the latest Government figures reveals approximately 4.902 million leasehold dwellings in England, including 4.633 million within the private sector. Almost 1.911 million are privately rented properties, representing 39% of all leasehold dwellings, while flats account for 82.4% of the total. These figures demonstrate the potential impact of greater regulation on landlords, managing agents, residential property investors and the wider block management sector. The growing financial responsibility placed on managing agents is particularly evident in rising service charges. Rushbrook’s analysis of Government data shows that the average annual service charge paid by owner-occupier leaseholders reached £2,169 in 2024–25, representing a 26.2% increase on the previous year. Over five years, average annual service charges have risen by 33.4%, reflecting increasing expenditure associated with maintaining and operating residential buildings. Ground rents have also increased, with average annual payments among owner-occupier leaseholders rising from £235 in 2023–24 to £315 in 2024–25, an increase of 34.3%. While these figures highlight growing financial pressures, Rushbrook emphasises that higher charges do not automatically indicate poor management. Inflation, maintenance expenditure and the wider costs associated with operating residential properties have all placed pressure on budgets. Nevertheless, the scale of expenditure reinforces the need for transparent service charge administration, effective financial planning and clear communication between managing agents, landlords and residents. The Government’s proposed reforms also seek to address additional administration fees, which can vary considerably depending on the managing agent and the service required. Published fee schedules examined by Rushbrook reveal charges of £50 to £60 for permission to keep pets, £60 to £150 for alterations consent and £100 to £250 for management information or LPE1 sales packs. Other examples include remortgage administration fees of £80 to £150, notices of transfer costing £80 to £100 and certificates of compliance ranging from £120 to £150. Roma Sharma, Managing Director of Rushbrook, believes stronger regulation represents an opportunity to reinforce confidence in the residential management profession. “Property managers are entrusted with people’s homes and increasingly substantial sums of their money, so it’s only right that professional standards keep pace with that responsibility,” she said. Sharma acknowledged that inflation and rising property maintenance costs have contributed to higher charges, but stressed that fees must remain fair, transparent and justifiable. She added that reputable operators should welcome greater scrutiny, particularly given the significant number of privately rented properties operating within the leasehold sector. For residential management companies, the proposed changes underline the growing importance of professional competence, financial accountability and consistent service delivery. As the management of residential buildings becomes increasingly complex, the ability to demonstrate value, maintain properties effectively and provide transparent financial information will remain central to building confidence among leaseholders, landlords and investors. With almost five million leasehold homes potentially affected, the proposed reforms could mark an important turning point in the professionalisation of UK residential property and block management. Data tables and sources Government leasehold dwelling estimates show 4.902m leasehold dwellings across all tenures, of which 4.633m are within the private sector. The private rented sector accounts for 1.911m leasehold dwellings, comprising 337,000 houses and 1.574m flats. GOV.UK – Leasehold dwellings 2024 to 2025 Government English Housing Survey data was used for average annual ground rents and service charges paid by owner-occupier leaseholders. GOV.UK – English Housing Survey data on leaseholders Example administrative charges were taken from published fee schedules. Hastoe – Administrative fees Jigsaw Homes – Additional administration fees for leaseholders Enfield Council – Leasehold administration chargesView the full data tables and sources online here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE Appointed to Explore Major Glasgow Growth Fund to Unlock City Centre Development
Glasgow City Council has appointed global property consultancy CBRE, working alongside Mandala Partners, to develop a business case for a new city centre growth fund aimed at unlocking major development opportunities, attracting private investment and accelerating residential regeneration. The proposed investment vehicle could play a significant role in reshaping central Glasgow, supporting the delivery of new homes, commercial developments and wider regeneration projects as the city pursues its ambition to increase its city centre residential population to 40,000 by 2035. The appointment marks an important step in exploring alternative funding mechanisms capable of overcoming the financial viability challenges that can prevent development schemes from progressing, particularly within established urban locations. CBRE will lead the assessment, supported by economics, policy and strategy consultancy Mandala Partners, examining how public and private sector capital could be combined to stimulate investment and bring forward development opportunities. A central element of the study will be identifying potential funding structures that can address viability gaps, helping to make residential and mixed-use schemes more financially deliverable while encouraging further institutional and private sector investment. The work will also consider how a growth fund could be established, financed and operated, drawing on investment and regeneration models already developed by local and regional authorities elsewhere in the UK. These approaches will be assessed against Glasgow’s particular development requirements, economic priorities and the wider Scottish funding environment. Although the initial focus will be on central Glasgow, the Council has indicated that any future investment mechanism could potentially be expanded to support regeneration and development across the wider Glasgow region. The study comes as cities throughout the UK continue to examine new ways of financing urban regeneration, particularly where construction costs, infrastructure requirements and development viability present obstacles to bringing forward major projects. For Glasgow, increasing the number of people living in the city centre is a central part of its longer-term regeneration ambitions. Additional residential development could support greater demand for retail, leisure, hospitality and local services, while encouraging investment in existing buildings and underutilised urban sites. A dedicated growth fund could potentially provide a more coordinated approach to investment, helping public and private sector partners address the financial barriers associated with delivering new development. However, the establishment of such a fund remains at the feasibility stage, with no final decision taken on whether it will proceed. The business case is being prepared in accordance with HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance, which provides the framework for assessing the economic, financial and strategic justification of public sector investment proposals. A Glasgow City Council steering group, comprising elected members and senior officers, will oversee the preparation of the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The findings will inform the Council’s consideration of whether a growth fund represents a viable and effective mechanism for supporting future investment. Any subsequent decision to establish the fund, including its financial structure, governance and potential investment priorities, will require further consideration and approval by the Council. The appointment of CBRE and Mandala Partners highlights Glasgow’s ambitions to strengthen its investment proposition and explore new partnerships capable of supporting long-term urban transformation. With residential growth, commercial investment and city centre regeneration increasingly interconnected, the proposed fund could become an important mechanism for unlocking development opportunities and supporting Glasgow’s next phase of growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones Reaches Major Construction Milestone on 204-Bed Bristol PBSA Development
Watkin Jones has reached a significant construction milestone on Skywalks, a new 204-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Bristol, after celebrating the topping out of the scheme being delivered for a joint venture between Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments. The milestone marks the completion of the building’s principal structural phase, bringing the project another step closer to delivering much-needed student accommodation within Bristol’s rapidly evolving Temple Quarter regeneration district. Comprising four interconnected buildings, Skywalks will provide a mixture of ensuite cluster apartments and self-contained studios, designed to accommodate the changing requirements of students seeking modern, well-connected accommodation. The development is positioned to help address the continued shortage of dedicated student housing in Bristol, where demand remains strong and the delivery of new accommodation is an important consideration for the city’s expanding higher education sector. Once completed, the scheme will be operated by Host Students, the student accommodation management business of Tiger Developments, providing professionally managed accommodation within one of Bristol’s most strategically important regeneration locations. Situated within the wider Temple Quarter regeneration area, Skywalks forms part of the ongoing transformation of a substantial section of the city, where investment in residential, commercial and supporting infrastructure is helping establish a more connected urban environment. The development also reflects the growing importance of sustainability in the design and construction of new student accommodation, with increasingly demanding environmental performance expectations influencing investment and development decisions across the PBSA market. Skywalks is targeting an EPC A rating alongside BREEAM Excellent certification, demonstrating the project team’s commitment to delivering energy-efficient buildings with reduced operational environmental impacts. A range of low-carbon technologies and infrastructure connections will be incorporated into the scheme, including rooftop photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity. The development will also connect to Bristol’s district heating network, providing an alternative to conventional individual building heating systems and supporting the city’s wider ambitions to reduce carbon emissions. These measures are intended to improve long-term building performance while supporting more efficient operation and management throughout the development’s lifecycle. For investors and developers operating within the PBSA sector, energy efficiency and environmental credentials have become increasingly important considerations, particularly as operators seek to balance sustainability commitments with the long-term costs of managing student residential buildings. The topping out ceremony brought together representatives from Watkin Jones, Moorfield Group, Tiger Developments and key project partners to recognise the progress achieved and the contribution of those involved in delivering the development. The event also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the construction teams responsible for bringing the four-building scheme through a major stage of its delivery programme. With the principal structural works reaching completion, attention will increasingly turn towards the remaining construction activities, building services installations, internal fit-out and the completion of the accommodation and communal areas. Skywalks adds to the pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation being delivered in major UK university cities, where the availability of high-quality student housing continues to influence development and investment strategies. For Bristol, the project represents another addition to the Temple Quarter regeneration programme, combining new residential accommodation with sustainable building design and investment in an increasingly important part of the city. The development highlights the continued role of specialist contractors, developers and institutional investment partners in delivering modern student accommodation that supports university communities while contributing to the wider regeneration of urban centres. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Natural Power supports Valorem on €220m refinancing of 192 MW renewable portfolio in France
Natural Power, a leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, has provided technical due diligence to support the successful €220 million refinancing of Valorem’s Project Atlas, a 192 MW portfolio of renewable energy assets across France. The transaction involved the refinancing and legal restructuring of 15 renewable energy assets, comprising eight onshore wind farms, six operational solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and a battery energy storage project. Natural Power was appointed as technical advisor to the lenders, undertaking comprehensive technical due diligence across the portfolio. Its assessment covered asset technologies, operational performance, grid connections, electricity offtake arrangements, operations and maintenance contracts, asset management agreements and the technical assumptions underpinning the financial model. Axelle Foix, Principal Due Diligence Advisor at Natural Power, said: “Project Atlas is a significant transaction involving a diverse portfolio of renewable energy technologies. Our role was to provide the lenders with a comprehensive and independent technical assessment, examining operational performance, contractual frameworks, energy yield and long-term asset considerations. “By drawing on our multidisciplinary expertise across wind, solar and battery storage, we delivered the detailed technical insight needed to support the refinancing process. “We’re delighted to have contributed to this important transaction, which strengthens Valorem’s ability to invest in future renewable energy projects and supports the continued growth of clean energy infrastructure in France.” Gauthier Leibenguth, Project Finance & Investment Manager, said: “We would like to thank the Natural Power team for its key role as technical advisor on the ATLAS portfolio. “Mobilising a broad team across multiple asset technologies while meeting tight timeline constraints was essential to this deal. Natural Power’s deep familiarity with our wind assets, built through previous standalone financing audits, combined with strong reactivity and a collaborative approach, was key to keeping the transaction on schedule.” The transaction demonstrates Natural Power’s ability to deliver multidisciplinary technical advisory services for complex renewable energy portfolios, supporting lenders, investors and asset owners throughout the financing and refinancing process. More here: www.naturalpower.com/uk/expertise/service/advisory/due-diligence Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals