GRAHAM Clears Gateway 2 Hurdle for £530m Manchester PBSA Megaproject
GRAHAM has secured full Gateway 2 building control approval for the University of Manchester’s £530 million Fallowfield Campus redevelopment, clearing all 29 buildings within the major PBSA scheme to progress into construction. The milestone covers the entire 3,300-room student accommodation development, including seven buildings classified as higher-risk under the Building Safety Act because they reach at least 18 metres or seven storeys. Gateway 2 approval has now been secured for all seven higher-risk buildings, alongside approval for the remaining 22 lower-rise blocks, representing a significant regulatory achievement for one of the UK’s largest student residential developments. The project team adopted an early approach to the new building safety regime, submitting its first application to the Building Safety Regulator several months before planning approval was secured. Neil McFarlane, strategic development director at GRAHAM Investment Projects, said: “Reaching Gateway 2 approval across the whole of Fallowfield Campus is a huge achievement for the entire project team. “We submitted our first application to the Building Safety Regulator several months ahead of planning approval, and that early, proactive approach to design and fire safety has been central to getting here.” Fallowfield Campus is being delivered through a 50-year partnership between the University of Manchester, Equitix, GRAHAM and Rothesay, combining major investment in new student accommodation with ambitious long-term energy and sustainability objectives. The first 1,000 student rooms are scheduled to open in 2028, with the remaining accommodation expected to be completed by 2030. Beyond its scale, the project is targeting recognition as the world’s largest single-phase Passivhaus-certified purpose-built student accommodation development. Operational energy consumption is expected to be around 50% lower than a conventional new-build student accommodation scheme, placing building performance at the centre of the design and construction strategy. Modern methods of construction are also playing an important role in delivering the 29-building campus. Techrete is manufacturing approximately 4,150 precast façade panels across its production facilities in Balbriggan, Ireland, and North Lincolnshire. The low-carbon concrete panels will incorporate reconstructed stone and clay brick finishes, while their structural and insulation layers are being manufactured as single sandwich units. The approach brings significant elements of the façade construction into a controlled factory environment before installation on site. The combination of offsite manufacturing, Passivhaus principles and early engagement with the Building Safety Regulator demonstrates the increasingly complex technical and regulatory environment surrounding the delivery of major PBSA developments. For the University of Manchester, the £530 million programme represents a substantial investment in the future of its student residential estate. For the wider construction sector, Fallowfield is emerging as an important example of how large-scale student accommodation can combine modern construction methods, enhanced building safety requirements and demanding operational energy targets. With Gateway 2 approval now secured across all 29 blocks, the project has reached a major delivery milestone as GRAHAM and its partners push ahead with one of the UK’s most ambitious new PBSA developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
‘Boroughs want to build more’ – ambition for over 50,000 new council homes in capital
London boroughs have identified sites to build over 50,000 new council homes in the capital if sufficient funding is available, analysis reveals. This would represent an almost 15% increase to London’s council housing stock – a significant boost in the face of London’s worsening housing and homelessness pressures[i]. London Councils says the figure demonstrates boroughs’ commitment to building the next generation of council housing across the capital and to working with the government on this agenda. The cross-party group, which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, surveyed its members on their submissions to the London Social and Affordable Homes Programme (LSAHP)[ii]. London Councils’ analysis found that: London Councils has welcomed the government’s increased investment in the social and affordable homes programme and the GLA’s confirmation that council-led projects will account for 60% of the homes delivered through the initial LSAHP allocations Boroughs in the capital are proud of their track record in building council homes. The government has itself acknowledged that “London is already showing what can be achieved through fuller devolution when it comes to council housebuilding”, with half of all council homes built in 2024 to 2025 located in the capital. Boroughs are working together with partners on how best to keep increasing delivery of new council homes, creating good-quality homes and ensuring those homes go to Londoners who need them most. In support of this, London Councils is making the case that further grant funding and other financial measures – including access to low-interest loans – are needed to accelerate progress and maximise delivery of boroughs’ council housebuilding ambitions. Cllr Anthony Okereke, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Homelessness, said: “These figures demonstrate boroughs’ ambitious commitment to building the next generation of council housing across the capital. “London is grappling with the most severe housing and homelessness emergency in the country. Boosting the number of council homes is a key part of tackling this crisis – and London boroughs have a proud track record of delivery in recent years. “Boroughs want to build more. We have identified a pipeline of over 50,000 new council homes we could deliver in the coming years. These are specific development opportunities where we are seeking funding for new council housing. “We have the expertise, we have the vision, we have the determination – we now need the investment to make it happen.” Ahead of the government’s Autumn Budget, London Councils is making the case for additional financial support for council housing, which must sit among a broader sweep of policy reforms tackling housing and homelessness pressures. Policy priorities include: Further targeted grant funding Building on the government’s uplift to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, further grant funding increases would make more council housebuilding projects viable and accelerate delivery. For example, full delivery of the pipeline of over 50,000 potential council homes in London is estimated to cost £12.3 billion. The current LSAHP is worth £11.7 billion and is designed to fund a range of development organisations including housing associations and private developers, as well as local authorities. Reforming nationally set rules on Housing Revenue Accounts (local authorities’ budgets for managing their council housing) Changes should include an urgent reassessment of the 2012 HRA debt settlement, enabling councils to access low-interest lending, and a London Formula Rent reset that would give boroughs extra flexibility in setting social rents to account for the capital’s high property costs. Reforms such as these would strengthen boroughs’ resources for investing in council housing, including building new homes. Additional funding for acquisitions Boosting London boroughs’ ability to buy existing housing is another vital part of the solution to the housing crisis. London boroughs are making good use of the Local Authority Housing Fund and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to fund acquisitions. Boroughs’ acquisitions have unblocked stalled sites, converted market housing into affordable homes, reduced reliance on the private rented sector for finding desperately needed temporary accommodation, and supported London’s wider development sector in a downturn. [i] London Councils’ analysis of homelessness statistics shows that an estimated 210,000 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. This equates to around one in every 50 residents of the capital. London accounts for more than half of all homeless households in England. In addition, more than 330,000 households are on local authority housing registers (commonly known as social housing waiting lists) in the capital.[ii] The Social and Affordable Homes Programme provides government grant funding for new social and affordable housing. In the capital the programme’s funding is managed and distributed by the Greater London Authority. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salboy enters Build-To-Rent market with launch of first 2,000 Everway Homes
New brand, Everway Homes, sits within the Salboy Group Salboy, the nationwide property development and funding group, has entered the build-to-rent (BTR) market for the first time with the launch of its dedicated BTR brand, Everway Homes. Over the next five years, Everway Homes will develop and rent 2,000 brand-new, low-rise homes, targeting young professionals and families in high-demand areas across England and Wales. 1,000 homes are already in the pipeline for development. Salboy aims to hand over the keys to its first Everway tenants by January 2027, with 2,000 homes completed by the end of 2031. The new homes will be built by Salboy’s network of experienced regional delivery partners, as well as by its own low-rise building arm, Salboy Construction. Management lettings and maintenance will be managed by the Salboy team. Everway is spearheaded by Andrew Cavanagh, CFO at Salboy since 2019: “The fall in construction starts in the BTR sector this year has been staggering to watch, and highlights the grim realities facing regional developers and contractors striving to keep their BTR schemes viable. From the cost of labour and supplies to regulatory uncertainty and planning delays, the outlook for BTR developers has been increasingly poor. And, yet, the urgent, pressing need for high-quality rental property remains unchanged. While the dynamics and statistics will encourage others to steer clear of the market, this is the right time for Salboy to enter BTR. For years we have honed our strategy to bring economies of scale to development projects across the UK by working in partnership with a wider network of regional development and delivery partners. And we are confident in our ability to bring the same positive, collaborative approach to BTR now. With Everway, we’re looking forward to working closely with regional contractors who are motivated to get more homes built in their local areas. These regional contractors will benefit from the reduced costs of labour, materials and energy that come with delivering projects as part of a wider group, and their communities stand to benefit as a result.” Everway is a natural next step in Salboy’s strategy to diversify its involvement in and contribution to the UK homebuilding industry. The launch of Everway follows the launch of Salboy Construction in February 2026 to deliver small-scale housing schemes throughout the UK, as well as the launch of Hidden, Salboy’s boutique aparthotel brand, in April 2026. The Salboy Group now counts more than seven active property and construction brands under its wider umbrella. Daisyfields in Staffordshire – the first Everway Homes project Construction began this summer at Daisyfields, Everway Homes’s first scheme, a 37-home development in Staffordshire. Positioned as a convenient commuter development, Daisyfields is a 25-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, and 45-minutes to Derby. In addition to its proximity to major cities and cross-country rail links, tenants of Daisyfields will benefit from professionally managed, energy efficient, pet-friendly homes as well as attractive, spacious landscaping. Additional Everway Homes schemes in the pipeline include sites in Kent, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire and Cornwall. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lendlord launches free Form 4A rent increase notice tool for landlords
Property management and finance platform Lendlord has launched a free Rent Increase Notice (Form 4A) tool within its platform, helping landlords complete the official government form required under the section 13 rent increase process for assured periodic tenancies in England. Since 1st May 2026, landlords have been required to use the section 13 process every time they increase the rent, including where the tenant has already agreed to the proposed increase. Informal emails, WhatsApp messages and rent-review clauses can no longer be used in place of the prescribed process, while a clause agreed before 1st May 2026 but due to take effect after that date does not apply. Under the requirements: Lendlord’s Form 4A tool guides landlords through the current and proposed rent, relevant dates, any charges included within the rent and the landlord or agent signature, before producing the official Form 4A for review. The tool sits alongside Lendlord’s tenancy records and Compliance Hub, allowing landlords to use existing tenancy information rather than entering the same details again. Once completed, the notice can also be signed electronically and shared digitally with the tenant, provided the method of service is permitted under the tenancy agreement. According to the English Housing Survey 2024-25, the private rented sector comprises 4.7 million households in England. Errors in a rent increase notice or its timing can delay a proposed increase and create uncertainty for both landlords and tenants. Aviram Shahar, co-founder and CEO of Lendlord, said: “Landlords need to understand that agreeing a rent increase with a tenant does not replace the formal notice process. For assured periodic tenancies in England, using the correct form and getting the timing right are essential. “We have made the Form 4A tool free to help landlords prepare the official notice using tenancy information already held in Lendlord, reducing the administration involved. Landlords still need to check the details and serve the notice correctly. “The process should provide clarity for both sides: landlords need to know when an increase can take effect, while tenants need proper notice and a clear understanding of their rights.” More information is available at lendlord.io/solutions/manage/form-4a-rent-increase-notice. The official Form 4A and the landlord rent-increase rules are published on GOV.UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fusion21 names 72 suppliers on £350 million UK-wide Responsive Repairs and Void Property Framework
Following a competitive open tender process, Fusion21 has appointed 72 suppliers — 78% of which are SMEs — to its £350 million UK-wide Responsive Repairs and Void Property Framework (2026-2030), supporting social housing landlords with compliant procurement for responsive repairs, void property improvement and property maintenance services. The framework gives housing sector members a compliant and flexible route to market, helping them access the right mix of regional specialists and national contractors for repairs, maintenance and related property services. Shaped through a strategic consultation process, the framework incorporates feedback from members and suppliers to reflect current sector needs and demands, while ensuring compliance with relevant statutory requirements. The appointed suppliers range from SMEs to Tier 1 organisations, giving Fusion21 members access to a broad supply chain with regional and national delivery capacity. The framework is split into five lots: A key feature of the new framework is the introduction of a national lot covering England as a whole for Lots 1, 2 and 4, complementing the existing sub-regional structure. This is designed to create greater capacity at regional level, opening more opportunities for SMEs, whilst retaining national suppliers with the ability to deliver complexity across a wider geography, enabling greater competition and thus benefiting members. Fusion21 said the approach strengthens national capacity while maintaining regional coverage, creating a diverse and resilient supply chain across the framework. Peter Francis, Group Executive Director (Operations), said “We are delighted to announce the suppliers who, after a robust selection and award process using a Most Advantageous Tender approach, have been appointed to our Responsive Repairs & Void Property Framework (2026-2030). “Their appointment will give Fusion21 members flexible call-off options, through either competitive or direct selection, supporting more efficient procurement. The framework also offers robust quality and compliance standards, multiple pricing options and delivery models that can be tailored to local, regional or national requirements. “We received over 170 bids across the five lots, demonstrating the continued strength of both the framework and Fusion21’s reputation as a trusted procurement partner and reputable framework provider for the public sector. “ Successful suppliers appointed to Fusion21’s national Responsive Repairs & Void Property Framework (2026-30): AA Molyneux Builders Limited Access-able (Uk) Limited All Service 4 U Limited ARPG Eco Ltd Aspect Group Services Limited Axis Europe Limited Bidvest Noonan (UK) Limited Brendan Loughran & Sons Ltd Buston & Maughan Limited Cardo (South) Limited Cavendish Construction Ltd CBM Group Ltd Chas Berger Limited Chigwell (London) PLC Combined Facilities Management Ltd Connect Lettings And Management Limited D C K Construction Limited D R Jones Yeovil Ltd. Davies Group Limited DLP Services (Northern) Limited Ecosafe Heating Limited Elect Building And Maintenance Limited EQUANS Regeneration Limited Etec Contract Services Limited First Fix Heroes Ltd Foster Property Maintenance Limited Frank Rogers (Building Contractor) Limited Hardyman & Co Limited Hindley Contractors Limited Ian Williams Limited Jeakins Weir Limited JOS Property Services Limited Laker Building Management Solutions Limited Lukemans Limited Lura Constructions Ltd M.D. Building Services Limited Maintenance Management Limited Mamo Building Services Limited Matthews & Tannert Limited Maurice Flynn & Sons Ltd Mears Limited Midlands Building & Maintenance Limited Milestone South East Limited MNM Property Services Limited MP Group U K Limited Mulalley & Co. Limited Mullen Property Services Ltd NC Range Site Limited Orbis Protect Limited P.F.L. Electrical Ltd P.K. Murphy Construction Limited Prestige Domestic Property Maintenance Ltd PropCall Ltd R. Benson Property Maintenance Limited Rapid Response Maintenance Ltd Re-Gen (UK) Construction Limited Saltash Enterprises Limited SCS Facility Services Ltd SEE Services Ltd SER Contractor Ltd Southwest Voids Ltd Sovini Property Services Limited Sterling Services (Northern) Limited Structec (N.W.) Limited Sureserve Energy Services Uk Limited Synergize Ltd T Brown Group Limited T Gilmartin Limited UI Social Infrastructure Limited UPS Building & Maintenance Limited Wates Property Services Limited Wright Build Ltd More information on the Responsive Repairs and Void Property Framework can be found on the Fusion21 website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global Infrastructure Giants Battle for £5.7bn Oxfordshire Reservoir Megaproject
Three heavyweight contracting teams have been shortlisted to compete for the £5.7 billion contract to deliver Thames Water’s proposed White Horse Reservoir in Oxfordshire, one of the largest infrastructure construction opportunities currently progressing in the UK. The three competing joint ventures bring together some of the world’s biggest civil engineering and infrastructure contractors, with teams led by Webuild, Bouygues and Balfour Beatty now moving into the next stage of procurement. The shortlisted consortia are WFH JV, comprising Webuild, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and FCC Construcción; BMV+, bringing together Bouygues Travaux Publics, J Murphy & Sons and VolkerFitzpatrick; and BBV, comprising Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering and Vinci Construction Grands Projets. Thames Water has invited all three teams to prepare detailed tenders, which are expected to be submitted next spring. The main works contract is then scheduled to be awarded in autumn 2027. Located south west of Abingdon, the proposed White Horse Reservoir will require a vast programme of civil engineering and construction work covering design, construction, testing and commissioning. At the heart of the project will be major earthmoving operations to create the reservoir and its surrounding embankments. The programme will also require extensive tunnelling and pipeline construction, river structures, new roads and associated infrastructure. With a proposed capacity of around 150 billion litres, White Horse Reservoir would become the second-largest reservoir in the UK. Its scale means construction is expected to take approximately a decade, followed by two winters to fill the reservoir, with water currently planned to become available from 2040. The construction programme alone is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs, creating significant opportunities across the civil engineering, utilities and infrastructure supply chain. Previously known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option, the scheme is being developed to strengthen the resilience of water supplies serving around 15 million customers across the Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water regions. Simon Adams, White Horse Reservoir programme director, said: “Few projects offer the chance to help secure the country’s water future for decades to come, which is why we’ve selected world-class companies who will bid to build White Horse Reservoir. “As we move into the next stage of the procurement process, we look forward to seeing bids that match our ambitions for this once in a generation project.” The financing and delivery structure will also make the scheme particularly significant for the UK infrastructure market. Thames Water intends to use the regulated infrastructure provider funding model previously adopted for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Under the proposed approach, a separate infrastructure provider will be competitively selected to finance the project and work alongside the successful main works contractor. Selection of that infrastructure provider is currently scheduled for 2029. With three major international contracting teams now preparing to compete for the main construction package, White Horse Reservoir is moving towards a critical procurement stage. Beyond its sheer construction value, the project represents a major long-term investment in UK water resilience and a substantial pipeline of work for contractors, consultants, engineers and specialist infrastructure suppliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals