First ultra-rapid EV hub in Fastned & Places for London partnership lands near Heathrow Airport with a week of free charging
Major milestone as new 12-bay ultra-rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub opens at Hatton Cross, the first of 25 planned to open across London by the Places for London and Fastned partnership Taxis, cars and commercial vehicles benefiting from easier ultra-rapid 24/7 charging, powered entirely by 100 per cent renewable energy, with toilet facilities, extra wide bays and two fully accessible charging spaces to ensure EV charging is sustainable and accessible for everyone To celebrate the official opening, the Hatton Cross charging hub will offer five days (a ‘working week’) of free charging from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June 2026 The Fastned and Places for London partnership has officially opened its first state-of-the-art ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Hatton Cross Underground station, marking a major milestone for London’s green transport infrastructure. Launched by Seb Dance (Deputy Mayor for Transport), Mete Coban MBE (Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy), and Andy Lord (London’s Transport Commissioner), alongside Fastned Co-founder and CEO Michiel Langezaal and Fastned UK Director Tom Hurst, the event also featured a zero-emission capable black cab, ambulance, and TfL van, showcasing the growing range of electric fleet capability now available. To celebrate the official opening, the new Hatton Cross charging hub will offer five days of free charging, from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June 2026. Drivers just need to turn up, authorise their charge with their normal payment method and then enjoy free charging on Fastned. The new EV hub, part of work to deliver on the Mayor’s manifesto target of up to 40,000 charge points in London by 2030, is the first of 25 planned to be delivered across London by the partnership, has been designed with accessibility and comfort in mind. It includes extra-wide bays and two fully accessible charging spaces in line with the latest British Standards Institution guidance, alongside weather protection provided by Fastned’s signature yellow solar canopies. The hub also has CCTV coverage throughout the site and 24/7 multilingual customer support, ensuring a safe, easy and enjoyable experience for all users. Open 24/7 and powered entirely by renewable energy, the hub features 12 ultra-rapid (400kW) charging bays, capable of delivering up to 100 miles (around 160 kilometres) of range in just five minutes. It is strategically located within easy access to Heathrow Airport, the M25, M4 and A30, making it a convenient stop for airport commuters, residents, taxi and private hire drivers, and business fleets. Many drivers, particularly in London, depend on public charging, with the UK having around 2 million battery electric vehicles on the roads now, and around 40 per cent of UK households lacking off-street parking. Designed for vehicles of all sizes, from cars and taxis to vans and smaller commercial vehicles, the hub helps tackle London’s space constraints, providing a welcome option where home or depot charging is not available. The capital leads the way in EV uptake nationally, with more than 175,000 battery electric cars and vans already registered in the capital. EV numbers on the road in London are projected to reach to over 1 million by 2030, making up to 36 per cent of London’s car and van fleet. This hub contributes directly to 2030 forecasts for EV infrastructure and marks a tipping point for London as over half of the high-powered chargers needed by the end of the decade have now been delivered. The partnership aims to make ultra-fast charging more accessible by creating a city-wide network of hubs which are thoughtfully designed for all users, with planning already in place for a flagship 36-bay location at Hanger Lane and an 8-bay hub at East Finchley Underground station car park. Three other sites are within the planning process across Newham, Haringey, and Barking and Dagenham, with a further seven sites due to be submitted for borough review by the end of the year. Alongside accessible charging, every site will also deliver community benefits, with a share of revenue supporting local projects and climate initiatives. The partnership is also dedicated to tackling the growing “green skills” gap, providing apprenticeships, work experience placements, and employment opportunities to help upskill Londoners and secure the future of the city’s green transition “Hatton Cross is a landmark moment for our joint venture with Places for London, and a major step in powering up the capital where it matters most. Positioned on a key route near Heathrow, this hub is built for constant movement and for the switch to electric to happen at pace. “With ultra-rapid charging, weather-protected bays and effortless access, this site is designed around people on the go. Whether you’re commuting, visiting, running a fleet or living with or without a driveway, we’re making charging simpler, faster and more reliable for everyone.”Tom Hurst, Fastned UK Country Director “Opening our first hub at Hatton Cross with Fastned shows what collaboration can achieve. This is a sustainable, inclusive infrastructure that drivers can rely on where it’s needed most. This is just the start of a city-wide network of ultra-rapid hubs, which sets a benchmark for future EV charging developments, supporting a cleaner, more sustainable transport network across the capital with Hatton Cross perfectly positioned to serve the high volumes of traffic around Heathrow in a safe and comfortable environment.” John Colgan, Places for London Electric Vehicle Charging Hubs Project Manager “The opening of this new charging hub is an important step in helping more Londoners switch to electric vehicles and play their part in tackling the climate crisis. As more people choose electric cars, vans and taxis, it’s vital that we provide the charging infrastructure needed to support them, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and supporting our transition to a net zero city. “This is the first of 25 new ultra-rapid charging hubs planned across London, helping make charging easier and more convenient, particularly for people who don’t have access to off-street parking. These new hubs also represent important progress towards delivering on the Mayor’s manifesto commitment to support the rollout of up to 40,000 electric vehicle charge points across London by 2030.
Multibillion-pound theme park will inspire youngsters to pursue construction careers, hopes Actis
The buzz surrounding the planned creation of a multibillion-pound theme park in Bedfordshire is to be used to encourage children to consider careers in the construction industry when they leave school. That’s the aim of insulation specialist Actis, a long-term champion of encouraging young people into the sector, often via outreach sessions in schools and colleges. And with developers Comcast NBCUniversal promising to provide training and apprenticeships via colleges and universities throughout the construction and resort phase, the development of the newly named Universal United Kingdom Resort should be good news for the wider construction industry, believes Actis. The US entertainment giant, which says it will invest an initial £5 billion into the resort and a further £1bn over its first decade, wants the theme park to become the most visited in Europe. It says the work will generate around 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 created after its opening in 2031. The government will support the surrounding infrastructure development and transport links to the tune of £1.3 billion. Actis East and Scotland regional sales director, Steven Ellis, who lives near the planned theme park, is due to take part in a ‘careers and aspirations’ day at a village school literally a stone’s throw from the site in the coming weeks. He plans to reference the resort as an example of the kind of imaginative project open to those choosing a construction career path. “The popular appeal and glamour of a theme park is a tangible and exciting example of the kind of project likely to strike a chord with those still at school. I’m hoping it will give them a real passion to be involved in an industry which can bring so much joy to millions of people all over the world,” he said. “With the theme park’s creators predicting there will be 8.5 million visitors a year initially, rising to 12 million within 20 years of opening, the magnitude of the resort points to a great need for skilled tradespeople and apprentices. “These will be required to work not only on the 476-acre theme park but also on the road and rail links being created and upgraded to allow access to the site. This is a career opportunity on their doorstep and I’m hoping they will share my enthusiasm!” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK cities entering a new era of mixed-use development
City centre development is becoming more integrated, with residential rental tenures now dominating delivery, prime office supply tightening, and retail reshaping regeneration across the UK’s major regional cities, according to a new report by Savills. This new phase of regeneration within UK cities is becoming defined by increasingly integrated mixed-use development, as residential, commercial and leisure uses become more interdependent in response to shifting economic dynamics, changing patterns of urban living and evolving investor preferences. Across regional markets, the balance between demand, development viability and structural change is shaping the next cycle of urban growth. According to the latest report by Savills Research – UK Cities: a mixed-use perspective – the decade leading up to the global financial crisis saw city centre development in the Big Six regional cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester) dominated by private sale housing. Over the last 10 years, however, a much broader mix of uses has emerged, with Build to Rent (BTR) overtaking private sale as the primary driver of city centre housing delivery, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) expanding rapidly, and co-living emerging as a new asset class. This shift reflects strong demand fundamentals and the growing role of institutional capital, which has supported large scale, placemaking-led regeneration. Savills notes that rental growth across the Big Six has averaged between 4% and 7.5% per year over the last five years, supporting strong returns – although continued build cost increases and growing affordability pressures mean developers and local planning authorities will need to take a pragmatic approach to viability in order to maintain strong development pipelines. The report also highlights a significant structural shift in office markets. In the post-pandemic environment, uncertainty around hybrid working contributed to rising vacancy in older, less efficient buildings, but demand has become increasingly polarised as occupiers prioritise modern, highly sustainable offices in central, well-connected locations. More than 60% of expected 2026 office take-up is forecast to be Grade A and prime, underlining the depth of demand for high-quality space. At the same time, the office development pipeline remains exceptionally thin. Savills states that only Manchester and Leeds currently have new schemes under construction that are due to complete beyond 2026, leaving supply constrained just as occupiers focus on securing prime accommodation. Prime headline office rents have risen by an average of 30% over the past five years and, if that trajectory continues, could soon approach the £60 per sq. ft. threshold that many developers consider necessary to re-establish viability. Retail is also evolving, moving away from traditional formats towards mixed-use environments centred on experience, leisure, and food and beverage. In this context, retail plays an essential role in placemaking by supporting footfall and enhancing the attractiveness of city centres. Ground-floor activation – including shops, bars, restaurants and cafés – is increasingly recognised as the element that connects homes, offices and hotels, helping to attract target occupiers and residents while maximising value across the wider scheme. Research from Savills also illustrates the scale and diversity of delivery across the UK’s major urban markets between 2016-2025. Among the Big Six, Manchester recorded 5.3 million sq. ft. of office delivery, 15,650 BTR homes and 3,448 co-living beds, while Birmingham delivered 3.4 million sq. ft. of offices, 6,397 BTR homes and 6,985 student beds. Leeds delivered 10,042 student beds, while Edinburgh recorded 947,000 sq. ft. of retail delivery. Looking ahead, Savills says city centre development will continue to be driven by strong underlying demand, but increasingly constrained by viability challenges. Emily Williams, Director of Residential Research at Savills, says: “Residential is expected to remain at the heart of city centre regeneration, particularly through rental-led models, although rental growth is expected to moderate as affordability limits are reached. High construction costs, borrowing costs and regulation are all expected to continue restricting new supply and widening the gap between demand and delivery.” Jonathan Lambert, Co-lead of Savills’ Mixed-Use Sector Group, adds: “Market polarisation is certainly a defining theme, with larger and more established cities best placed to sustain development, while smaller or more constrained markets may struggle in a higher-cost, higher-risk environment, particularly where planning obligations present too many challenges. “Local authorities will need to adopt a pragmatic approach to viability, with public-private partnerships and the attraction of long-term patient institutional capital likely to be key to unlocking future opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McAlpine Exits £4bn Agratas Gigafactory Project as TSL Takes the Helm
Sir Robert McAlpine is stepping away from one of the UK’s most significant industrial developments after agreeing to part ways with client Agratas on the next phase of the £4bn electric vehicle battery facility in Somerset. The contractor has confirmed that it will no longer be involved in the delivery of the Agratas gigafactory at Bridgwater, having successfully completed the initial phase of the landmark project. Buckinghamshire-based engineering and construction specialist TSL has now been appointed as the new construction partner. McAlpine secured the prestigious contract in 2024, winning the race to deliver the first phase of the major battery manufacturing plant, which is being developed by Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business. Tata Motors subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is expected to be one of the anchor customers for the facility, which represents a substantial investment in the UK’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle supply chain. In a statement, Sir Robert McAlpine said: “Having successfully completed the first phase of Agratas’s battery manufacturing facility in Somerset, following extensive discussions, we have mutually agreed to part ways. “We are now working closely with Agratas to support a smooth and orderly transition to a new construction partner.” Agratas said the decision had been made following a review of the project’s evolving requirements and reflected the need for a different approach as the development moves into its next stage. The company stated: “As the project has progressed, we have determined that a different construction delivery model is needed to support the next phase of our development. “Following a review of the project’s requirements, we have decided to transition to a new construction partner. We thank our existing construction partner for their support to date. “This change reflects the evolving needs of the project, positioning us to deliver the next phase with the capability and focus required to meet our objectives safely, efficiently and on schedule.” McAlpine expressed pride in the progress achieved during its involvement with the scheme and highlighted the contribution of its wider project team and supply chain partners. The contractor added: “We are immensely proud of the progress and achievements made to date, done so in true partnership with our supply chain partners and remain committed to supporting Agratas with the effective handover to the next phase.” The Agratas project had been viewed as a flagship example of Sir Robert McAlpine’s strategic focus on key growth sectors, following a business reset that saw the firm prioritise industrial, commercial and healthcare opportunities. Taking over responsibility for the next phase is TSL, the Gerrards Cross-headquartered technical engineering and construction specialist. The company operates across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, with expertise in delivering complex industrial and advanced manufacturing facilities. According to its latest financial results, TSL reported a turnover of £527m in 2024 and achieved a pre-tax profit of £27m, underlining the company’s growing presence within the industrial construction sector. The Somerset gigafactory is one of the UK’s most strategically important manufacturing projects and forms a key part of the nation’s ambitions to strengthen domestic battery production capabilities to support the transition to electric vehicles. Once operational, the facility is expected to supply batteries for Jaguar Land Rover’s next generation of electric vehicles, while also helping to secure thousands of jobs and reinforce the UK’s position within the global automotive industry. Construction on the development continues, with the plant currently scheduled to become operational next year as Agratas advances the next phase of delivery under its new construction model. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Derbion Masterplan Secures Green Light for 1,150 New Homes in Derby City Centre
A major regeneration programme set to reshape Derby city centre has moved a significant step forward after plans to deliver more than 1,150 new homes received planning approval. Shopping centre owner Derbion has secured consent for an ambitious mixed-use masterplan that will transform two prominent redevelopment sites, supporting Derby’s long-term vision to create a more vibrant and sustainable city centre. The approved proposals focus on the former Eagle Market site and the nearby Bradshaw Way Retail Park, both of which have been identified by Derby City Council as priority regeneration areas within its wider Vision for Derby strategy. The largest element of the scheme will see the long-vacant Eagle Market site redeveloped to provide 674 new homes across six residential buildings. The plans aim to breathe new life into a key city centre location that has remained underutilised since the closure of the historic market complex. Meanwhile, the Bradshaw Way Retail Park site will accommodate a further 478 homes, including a landmark 14-storey residential tower that is expected to become a defining feature of Derby’s evolving skyline. Derbion said the development forms a central part of its broader strategy to diversify the city centre by creating a thriving mixed-use destination where people can live, work and socialise. Alongside new homes, the wider vision seeks to strengthen Derby’s retail, leisure and hospitality offer by increasing footfall and supporting local businesses. The company believes that encouraging more people to live in the city centre will help attract additional investment from retailers, food and beverage operators and leisure brands looking to benefit from a growing residential population. The professional team behind the proposals includes Leonard Design Architects, Currie & Brown, Bidwells and Waterman. Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, described the masterplan as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to contribute to the revitalisation of Derby’s historic heart. She said the approval represented an important milestone in delivering much-needed new homes while creating the conditions for further economic growth and investment across the city centre. The development is expected to play a pivotal role in Derby’s regeneration ambitions, helping to transform underused sites into vibrant new neighbourhoods that support the city’s future prosperity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
DMA Group secures Hard FM contract with Thurrock Council through Fusion21 Framework
Property maintenance specialist DMA Group has been appointed by Thurrock Council to deliver Hard Facilities Management services across its corporate estate. The contract was secured through the Fusion21 Workplace & Facilities Management Framework (Lot 4 – Building Engineering Services). Greater Essex based unitary authority Thurrock Council manages a diverse portfolio of civic buildings and community facilities that support frontline services across the borough. As the Council progresses its recovery and transformation agenda, ensuring a resilient, compliant and efficient property estate is central to delivering reliable public services and supporting sustainable place-making. Under the three-year contract, with options to extend, DMA will provide a fully integrated Hard FM solution including reactive repairs, planned preventative maintenance, statutory compliance testing, asset installation and minor project works. The service model is designed to provide single-source accountability, transparent governance and measurable performance improvement. Central to delivery will be DMA’s award-winning BiO® service management platform, which provides real-time visibility of asset condition, compliance status and KPI performance. The platform enables automated scheduling, digital certification, live dashboards and full audit trails, supporting data-led decision-making and improved cost control. The contract incorporates clear sustainability and social value commitments. DMA will prioritise local supply chain engagement and employment opportunities within Thurrock, alongside apprenticeship pathways to support skills development in engineering and building services. In parallel, its energy and sustainability specialists will work with the Council to identify practical, cost-effective carbon reduction initiatives aligned with net zero ambitions. Steve McGregor, Executive Chairman of DMA Group, said: “We are proud to have been appointed by Thurrock Council through the Fusion21 framework. This partnership is about delivering visible improvement, strengthening compliance and providing long-term value. “By combining experienced engineers with our BiO® digital platform, we will deliver a transparent, accountable and future-ready Hard FM service that supports the Council’s operational resilience and sustainability objectives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals