Sheffield Sets Sights on £300m Moorfoot Gateway Regeneration
Sheffield City Council and Homes England are moving forward with plans for a major £300m residential-led regeneration of the Moorfoot gateway site, as the city looks to unlock a new phase of brownfield development. The partners have begun preliminary market engagement with developers and investors for the 12-acre Moorfoot Catalyst Site, located south of The Moor. The scheme is expected to play a key role in reshaping this part of Sheffield city centre, delivering new homes, commercial space, retail uses and improved public realm. The first phase will focus on the former Wickes site and the landmark Moorfoot Building. Together, they are expected to deliver around 725 homes, alongside new commercial and retail space. Around 320 of the homes are planned within the refurbished Moorfoot Building, which council chiefs say would become one of the largest commercial retrofit projects in the UK. At least 10% of the homes delivered through the scheme are expected to be affordable, supporting Sheffield’s wider housing ambitions while bringing new life to a prominent city centre site. Plans also include a new public square and improved connections between London Road, Ecclesall Road and Sheffield’s main retail and business districts. These links are intended to make the area more accessible and better connected, while encouraging movement between key parts of the city. A central part of the vision is the retention and reuse of the Moorfoot Building. Sheffield City Council said this approach would preserve an estimated 14,400 tonnes of embodied carbon, underlining the project’s focus on sustainable regeneration and the value of adapting existing buildings rather than replacing them. The current market engagement process will help shape the funding model, delivery strategy and procurement route before a formal tender is launched later this year. Interested parties have until 19 June 2026 to respond to the preliminary market engagement questionnaire. Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Moorfoot site to market. “This is a truly unique and exciting development opportunity that will act as a catalyst not only for this site, but for surrounding brownfield land and future phases of regeneration. “The Moorfoot Building itself is a distinctive piece of architecture that always sparks conversation, and its transformation will form one of the largest commercial retrofit projects in the UK.” If delivered, the Moorfoot regeneration could become a major catalyst for Sheffield’s next wave of city centre growth, combining housing, retrofit, placemaking and sustainable urban renewal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bicester Motion unveils plans to support growth and create jobs with 10-year investment plan
Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Oxfordshire, has unveiled plans to enable substantial investment in its estate over the next 10 years to enhance its masterplan vision to foster a connected, dynamic and sustainable community for automotive and aviation experience brands to thrive, alongside the introduction of new and affordable apartments and its strengthened plans for a hotel. Bicester Motion was established in 2013 when the 444-acre former RAF site was acquired to create a world-leading mobility cluster for like-minded mobility manufacturers, artisans, engineers, innovators and change-makers who have a shared passion to deliver the future mobility solutions society needs. Bicester Motion has previously secured a number of major planning consents bringing its total areas of active business space and consents to total circa one million sq ft (92,903 sq m). These include Bicester Heritage, The Hangars, The Command Works, The Rushes, The Ranges and The Hotel. The first five years of ownership focused on regenerating the award-winning technical site to create Bicester Heritage, which has evolved into the mobility-focused and award-winning new build development home to eight buildings forming The Command Works in 2020 and The Ranges’ first HQ with the first phase completed in 2026. Today, the estate hosts a diverse range of businesses in the automotive and aviation sector and is supported by a range of amenities on site that includes cafés, overnight accommodation, vehicle valeting and storage, specialist retail, insurance, events and apprenticeship training. More than £100 million has already been invested to re-purpose the estate, bringing it to new life as a hub for innovation, home to more than 50 companies, the majority of which were new to Bicester employing more than 500 people and training 200 apprentices per year. The cluster currently boosts the economy by circa £500 million in gross value added per annum. Future mobility automotive and aviation brands such as Audi Revolut F1 Team, Polestar, Motorsport UK, Skyports Infrastructure and record-breaking synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero have recently arrived at the estate. TeamSport is also set to open its new indoor e-karting centre later in the year, while Mercedes-Benz-owned electric motor technology company YASA will this summer move into a new HQ at The Ranges bringing with them 400 skilled employees. This activity has demonstrated a strong demand from businesses seeking to be part of Bicester Motion’s community and benefit from its strategic location in the heart of Motorsport Valley. Bicester Motion’s proposed enhanced masterplan will draw upon its experience to deliver distinct and connected areas of its estate by their unique character to enable an additional circa one million sq ft (92,903 sq m) of offices and technical workspace for pioneering companies accelerating the world’s adoption of future mobility technology. It also plans to create a place where people can live, work and thrive, supported by a wider ambition to create in the region of 200 one to three-bedroom new and affordable apartments, while the hotel will support new lodges and include a clubhouse for people to visit and stay. With ecology and biodiversity initiatives already in place, the proposed masterplan will further invest in the landscape and enhancements to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain to enrich its environment through mindful design and development. The plans will foster employment opportunities and career pathways within the traditional and pioneering businesses based on the estate and across its construction programme. As a destination for automotive enthusiasts through its annual events programme, which includes its sold-out Scrambles and attracts circa 150,000 per year visitors from all over the UK and world, the ten year vision is designed to boost growth, bolster the local economy, UK PLC and generate enduring opportunities for people to live, work, and flourish. Also, it will ensure Bicester Motion is further cemented as a proud part of the Bicester community. Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive officer, Bicester Motion said: “As custodians of the estate, we’re proud of the world-leading mobility cluster we have created by investing in Bicester and Oxfordshire, creating skilled jobs, remarkable opportunities and unique experiences. We remain driven to deliver a dynamic and inclusive environment, with thoughtful design, community wellbeing and long-term sustainability all coming together to shape a vibrant place for generations to enjoy. We now look ahead to the next 10 years and welcome people’s feedback as we look to further invest in and enhance this unique place.” A four week public consultation has opened on Thursday 28 May 2026 and will run until Thursday 25 June 2026. A public exhibition will be held at Bicester Motion on Friday 12 June from 2pm to 7pm. To view the public consultation, please visit: https://consultation.bicestermotion.com/ Ridge, Edgars, Nicholsons, Stantec, Motion, Auroch Ecology, Worlledge Associates and LDA Design acted on behalf of Bicester Motion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
STARK UK launches real-time delivery update service
STARK Building Materials UK (STARK UK) has launched a digital delivery tracking and notification service providing real-time updates on orders. Launched as part of STARK UK’s ‘trusted deliveries’ strategy, the new service firstly informs customers of a two-hour delivery window before sending a second update, narrowing it to a one-hour slot. Alongside this, a live tracking link allows the customer to monitor the driver’s route in real time. Customers must simply add their mobile telephone number when making an order to ensure they benefit from the service. Following development, STARK UK undertook an extensive six-month customer trial period of the software, which received positive feedback from pilot users and enabled the business to fine-tune its capabilities ahead of launch. So far, the service has been rolled out to Jewson, Minster, and Frazer customers and will soon be expanded across other STARK UK businesses, including Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) and Major Build Solutions (MBS) in coming months. Ian Goldsmith, Chief Operating Officer for STARK UK, said: “Real-time delivery updates have become part of everyday life, and customers increasingly expect the same level of visibility and convenience from their builders’ merchant. Our new service has been designed to bring that experience into the construction supply chain, giving customers clearer communication, greater confidence around delivery times, and improved visibility from dispatch through to arrival. “The feedback throughout the trial period was extremely positive, with customers welcoming improved visibility and communication around deliveries. Several pilot users commented that this level of service feels special for a builders’ merchant, and over time we expect it will also help reduce the need for customers to contact branches to check on delivery times or order status, letting them focus more of their time on their projects. “This is another example of how we continue to invest in customer experience across STARK UK, and we’ll be developing the platform further to ensure it continues to meet and exceed expectations in the future.” The launch of STARK UK’s new digital delivery and tracking service comes alongside its #LetsGetBritainBuildingNOW petition, which calls on the government to get Britain’s building and construction sector out of crisis and into positive economic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire Businesses Expand Operations at Howley Park Estate
Two Yorkshire businesses have expanded into new premises at Logistics Hub at Howley Park Estate in Morley, taking more than 17,000 sq ft of industrial space as they grow operations within West Yorkshire. The lettings, completed by J Pullan & Sons Ltd (Pullans), reflect continued demand for well-located industrial accommodation across the region, particularly from occupiers seeking larger operational bases with room to expand and units featuring large service yards. Total Resource (UK) Limited has taken 8,586 sq ft at Unit 7 on a 10-year lease, expanding from its previous Leeds depot. The company supplies traffic management and maintenance equipment across the UK and will use the premises as a combined storage, servicing and office facility. Bespoke office accommodation was constructed by Pullans within the unit to support the company’s operational requirements and future growth plans. At neighbouring Unit 6, comprising 8,488 sq ft, Thermo King UK Limited has expanded and relocated from South Kirkby. The business specialises in the servicing and maintenance of refrigerated units for commercial vehicles and has fitted out the premises to provide workshop space, secure external parking and improved customer vehicle handling facilities. Both businesses cited the estate’s accessibility, extensive yard provision and proximity to Junction 28 of the M62 motorway as key factors in their decision to relocate to Morley. Bruce Strachan, Property Director at Pullans, said:“It’s encouraging to see Yorkshire businesses continuing to invest and expand within the region. Demand remains strong for industrial space that can support a range of operational requirements while also giving occupiers the flexibility to adapt and grow over time. Both businesses were looking for practical facilities that could support day-to-day operations as well as their future plans, and we are pleased that the Logistics Hub units at Howley Park were able to provide that.” James Proctor, Regional Manager at Thermo King UK said:“The facility has proven to be an excellent fit for our business. The combination of workshop space and external parking allows us to respond quickly to customer demand across the region, while also providing a secure and accessible environment for customer vehicles. We also found that having a landlord who understood our operational requirements and could respond quickly during the relocation process made a significant difference in helping us get established smoothly in the new facility.” Laura Winfield, Area Manager at Total Resource (UK) Ltd added:“Howley Park offers the combination of unit size and yard space that we were looking for as part of our expansion. The motorway access supports our distribution operations across Yorkshire and beyond, while the office accommodation provides a professional environment for both staff and visitors. The move gives us the flexibility and capacity needed to support the next stage of our growth.” Strategically located just outside Leeds adjacent to the M61/M621, Howley Park Estate extends to around 170 acres and provides more than 700,000 sq ft of industrial and commercial accommodation, supporting a broad range of regional and national occupiers including Asda, Currys, DPD, Stax Trade Centres and Walkers Transport. CBRE and Carter Towler are joint agents for the estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National Homeownership Month: Five ways First-Time Buyers can climb the property ladder
June is officially National Homeownership Month, but for many, it feels more like a month of window shopping. With the average deposit required to buy a home skyrocketing out of reach for most, first time buyers are having to get seriously creative with how they secure their first rung on the property ladder. Instead of waiting for a miracle, savvy buyers are rewriting the rulebook. Owning a stake in your home, whether that’s through a 25% Shared Ownership property or by exercising your Right to Buy your council home, is infinitely better than owning 0% of a rental home. From hunting down bargain-priced ‘doer-uppers’ at auction to utilising alternative lending, it’s time to stop waiting for the ‘perfect’ 100% traditional mortgage dream and start looking at the alternative routes that can get you the keys to your first home. Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together, the specialist mortgage lender, shares his top tips to help hopeful renters and FTBs get on the property ladder this summer: The biggest mistake first-time buyers make is looking at the total property price and panicking. When you’re trying to save while renting, huge house prices can make homeownership feel totally out of reach. For example, if a house is £300,000, you don’t need a massive £30,000 upfront. Through Shared Ownership, you buy a portion you can actually afford—usually 25% to 75%—and pay a subsidised rent on the rest. This means a 10% deposit on a 25% share of that £300K home is slashed to just £7,500. Best of all? This isn’t just ‘part-renting’ forever. It unlocks a process called ‘staircasing’ where, as your salary grows, you can buy more shares until you can potentially own the whole property. You’re building your own long-term wealth and turning those monthly payments into an investment in your own future instead of someone else’s. For those willing to be a bit more adventurous, and who want to bypass the fierce competition of the traditional first-time buyer market, the auction room can uncover hidden gems. You might think houses under the hammer are all run-down “problem properties,” but they often offer a golden chance for newbies to secure a home way below market value and create a unique space entirely to your taste. There is also a clever investment play here; by flipping the property—renovating it and selling it on—you can potentially make a serious profit that provides a larger deposit for your ultimate forever home. However, auctions are a high-stakes “sprint” finish that can catch first-timers off guard. When the hammer goes down, you have effectively exchanged contracts and are legally obliged to complete. You’ll need a 10% deposit on the day and typically only 28 days to pay the balance in full. If you miss that deadline, you lose your deposit and the property, which is a nightmare scenario. That’s why having specialist “auction finance” ready to go is the only way to step into the auction room and bid with absolute confidence. When you are trying to buy alone, the numbers can feel incredibly restrictive. But who says you have to do it solo? Savvy buyers are increasingly pooling their resources. Some specialist lenders will allow up to four applicants to join forces on a single mortgage, meaning you could buy with friends or siblings to get that first crucial foothold on the ladder. If you’ve been renting from a local authority, council, or housing association, you could be sitting on a major discount without even realising it. The Right to Buy scheme is one of the most overlooked shortcuts to homeownership for current renters. Depending on how long you’ve lived there, you could qualify for a substantial discount on the property’s actual market value. The real game-changer here? Specialist lenders can often use that built-in council discount as your deposit. This means you could potentially buy the very roof over your head with zero cash deposit required upfront. You get to keep the home you already know, entirely skip the stress and cost of moving day, and instantly swap paying rent for building your own equity. Many “Generation Renters” don’t even bother applying for a mortgage because they think their situation is too “complex” to ever be accepted. This could mean you’re a freelancer, a side-hustler with two part-time jobs, or carrying a minor credit blip from years ago. When you’re trying to buy your first home, high-street banks use rigid computers that love to say “no,” especially when an applicant doesn’t match their ‘one size fits all’ standard. But don’t give up hope. On the other hand, specialist lenders, like Together, look at the real human behind the paperwork and support first-time buyers keen to make the next step. Don’t let a ‘non-standard’ life stop you from landing the keys to your very first place. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Students now learning the key points of Renters’ Rights Act 2025
Students at New College Durham Learn About Major Renters’ Rights Reforms and what Landlords need to Know. From 1 May 2026, sweeping changes to the private rental sector have been in effect under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, fundamentally reshaping how tenancies are managed across England. The new legislation introduces stronger protections for tenants while placing clearer legal responsibilities on private landlords. The reforms apply to individuals renting privately under assured or assured shorthold tenancies. They do not generally affect those living in social housing or lodgers sharing accommodation with a resident landlord. One of the most significant changes is the abolition of so-called “no-fault” evictions, previously issued under Section 21. From May, landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without providing a valid legal reason. Instead, all evictions must be based on specific and lawful grounds for possession. Paul Bandeen of New College Durham emphasised the importance of awareness and education as the changes take effect:“The reforms are a significant shift in the private rental sector. It’s crucial that both tenants and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities under the new legislation. We are committed to providing clear, accessible information and guidance at New College Durham.” The Act also brings an end to fixed-term assured tenancies. All qualifying tenancies will automatically become rolling (periodic) agreements, continuing indefinitely unless ended by either party in line with the new legal framework. Existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies will transition seamlessly into Assured Periodic Tenancies, ensuring continuity for tenants. Further changes relate to how and when rent can be increased. Rent review clauses written into tenancy agreements will no longer be valid. Instead, landlords must follow a standardised legal process under Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988. This limits rent increases to once per year and requires at least two months’ formal notice using a prescribed form. Any increase must reflect the current market rate, with tenants given the right to challenge excessive rises through a tribunal. As the new rules come into force, tenants and landlords alike are encouraged to review their current agreements and seek advice where needed to ensure compliance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals