Glencar Wins Major Role on £100m+ Green Data Centre Expansion at Brent Cross
Glencar has secured a major new contract to deliver the next phase of Pure Data Centres’ rapidly expanding Brent Cross campus in North London, reinforcing its growing reputation within the fast-moving data centre sector. The contractor has been appointed to construct the latest stage of the development, known as LON1B2, a 70MW facility extending to more than 23,000 sq m. The project represents an investment of more than £100m and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2029. The appointment marks another significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of the Brent Cross campus, which is emerging as one of the capital’s key digital infrastructure hubs. The site is being developed within a live operational environment, with one facility already operational and a further phase currently under construction. Glencar’s scope of works includes piling and foundations, the structural frame, connections to adjacent buildings, concrete and slab works, stair cores, as well as the full building envelope and roofing package. One of the most striking elements of the scheme will be a substantial living wall installation covering approximately 7,400 sq m of the building’s façade. Featuring more than 750,000 plants, the system is believed to be among the largest living wall installations of its kind anywhere in the world. The green infrastructure has been designed to enhance biodiversity, improve local air quality and help reduce noise levels adjacent to the Brent Reservoir Site of Special Scientific Interest. The approach reflects the increasing focus on sustainability within the data centre sector as operators seek to balance growing digital demand with environmental responsibilities. Eddie McGillycuddy, chief executive of Glencar, said the project demonstrates the company’s growing expertise in delivering complex data centre developments within operational environments. He added that the scheme requires careful coordination across multiple active construction zones and phases. The project also highlights the continued growth of the UK data centre market, driven by increasing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services and secure data storage. For Glencar, the Brent Cross appointment adds another high-profile scheme to a portfolio that continues to expand across industrial, logistics, commercial and mission-critical infrastructure sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Waitrose Accelerates Expansion with New London and Manchester Stores
Waitrose has unveiled plans to open two new supermarkets in London and Manchester as part of its ambitious long-term growth strategy and £1bn investment programme. The retailer will launch new stores in Hale Barns, South Manchester, and Cricklewood in North West London, strengthening its presence in two key markets while continuing to modernise and expand its national estate. Together, the new supermarkets will provide more than 30,000 sq ft of retail space and are expected to open this autumn. The Hale Barns location is currently trading, while the Cricklewood store forms part of a newly developed site. The latest openings represent another significant step in Waitrose’s wider strategy to bring the brand closer to more customers through carefully selected locations and modern retail formats. Tina Mitchell, retail director at Waitrose, said the new stores are an important part of the company’s plans to expand its reach while continuing to deliver the quality, service and convenience that customers expect. The investment forms part of a broader programme that extends well beyond new store openings. Waitrose has identified supply chain modernisation, network expansion and estate improvement as key priorities for future growth. As part of this commitment, the retailer plans to refurbish 28 existing stores during the year, enhancing customer experience and ensuring its portfolio remains fit for the future. The programme reflects a growing trend among major retailers to invest in both physical stores and operational infrastructure as consumer expectations continue to evolve. The openings also support local employment, with existing Asda employees at the Hale Barns store set to transition into roles within Waitrose, while additional recruitment will take place across both locations. The announcement follows Waitrose’s recent move into the travel retail market, with its products now being stocked in four RELAY stores at Heathrow Terminal 2. The initiative marks the retailer’s first entry into airport retailing and forms part of a wider effort to reach customers through new channels and locations. With further investment planned across its store network, supply chain operations and customer experience initiatives, Waitrose continues to position itself for long-term growth while reinforcing confidence in the future of bricks-and-mortar retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Progress continues on Sturry Link Road with major Homes England backing
VolkerFitzpatrick is continuing to progress works on a £61 million infrastructure scheme designed to ease congestion and improve journey times for residents, businesses and visitors in Canterbury, Kent. The Sturry Link Road scheme began in April and will create a new route between the A28 and the A291 at Sturry. It will provide a bypass for the heavily congested Sturry Level Crossing and the busy Island Road junction, helping to improve connectivity across the area. Kent County Council (KCC) has secured £48.5 million in funding from Homes England to support delivery of the project, with the agreement signed in March 2026. This funding will play a vital role in enabling the scheme to progress. The Sturry Link Road scheme includes the construction of a new viaduct spanning the River Stour, its floodplain and the railway line. The scheme also features new roundabouts at either end, connecting to a future east–west route north of the railway that will link Sturry Hill and Shalloak Road. Once complete, the wider Sturry Relief Road will address long-standing congestion issues in the area, where traffic on the A28 is frequently delayed by the level crossing. The new route will provide an alternative option for road users, reducing queues, improving journey reliability and enhancing access to Sturry railway station. The project also incorporates a range of features to support sustainable travel and safety, including a shared footway and cycleway, a dedicated southbound bus lane towards Canterbury, new pedestrian crossing points and road lighting along the route. In addition to improving transport connections, the scheme will support planned housing growth in Sturry and Broad Oak, ensuring that essential infrastructure is delivered alongside new homes, jobs and economic opportunities. Representatives from KCC recently visited the site on Thursday 28 May to view progress being made on the scheme alongside the VolkerFitzpatrick project team. Peter Osborne, KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:“This is a major investment for the area, and the support from Homes England is vital in helping us deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock new homes, support local businesses and improve everyday journeys. “It’s great to see work progressing well on the Sturry Link Road, which will make a real difference to people who regularly experience delays at the level crossing. “Once complete, the new road will provide a more reliable route for residents and visitors, while also creating better connections across the local network.” Pauline Schaffer, Homes England Director of Housing and Infrastructure Grant Funding, said:“This latest milestone is an excellent example of how funding from Homes England is helping to deliver the vital infrastructure and homes needed to unlock thriving places that communities can be proud of. “It’s great to see progress on the Sturry Link Road, and we look forward to continuing to support KCC to achieve its ambitions.” Andrew Avery, Senior Project Manager at VolkerFitzpatrick, said:“We are delighted that construction has begun on this vital scheme. The new route will ease congestion at the level crossing, improve journeys and unlock growth for local communities. Working in partnership with Kent County Council, we’re proud to be delivering long-term infrastructure that will make a real difference across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Celnor Group companies appointed by Imperial War Museums
Riverside Environmental has been appointed to part of a prestigious, £4.5m consultancy framework for specialist services by Imperial War Museums (IWM). Riverside Environmental will be supported in the three-year contract by fellow Celnor Group (Celnor) companies Brownfield Solutions and CHPK Group, demonstrating the collaborative capabilities of the £250m revenue Group. IWM’s estate comprises of five diverse and historically-significant sites which attract over 2 million visitors each year to tell the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War. In central London are Churchill War Rooms, which are housed in Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall, the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast and IWM London, which has recently transformed with new, permanent and free Second World War Galleries, The Holocaust Galleries and the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries. The additional two locations include IWM Duxford, Britain’s best preserved wartime airfield and IWM North, a museum housed in an iconic award-winning building in Manchester designed by Daniel Libeskind. Riverside Environmental is the only SME out of the five companies awarded a place on the specialist services framework, which covers a range of services for IWM’s estate including; surveying, fire strategy & risk assessment, principal designer/health & safety and ground contamination/remediation consultancy. Riverside will be partnering with Celnor Group sister companies Brownfield Solutions and CHPK Group to provide a breadth of expertise working in diverse and protected environments. Jonathan Francis, Managing Director at Riverside Environmental, said: “Imperial War Museums is a nationally-significant project and we are looking forward to working with our colleagues at Brownfield Solutions and CHPK Group to provide the services in Lot 1 of the framework. With access to skills and services across the country, and globally if needed, as part of Celnor Group, we can satisfy complex contract requirements and embark upon a broad range of exciting and diverse projects.” Simon Parrington, CEO and Founder of Celnor Group, said:“This high-profile framework appointment reflects the strength of the Group’s capabilities and the collaborative approach employed by the companies. Uniting specialist companies in the TICC sector, all of whom are entrepreneur-led, creates a unique group of experts who can effectively combine to deliver interesting and important contracts such as this.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Expert shares 5 practical ways to improve sustainability in the timber industry
Sustainability continues to become a greater priority across the construction and manufacturing sectors, with the timber industry improving their working models with this goal. While responsibly sourced materials are important, adopting more sustainable working practices throughout the production process is equally as vital. The UK is the third largest importer of wood and timber products across the world* and we are slowly moving to a better approach to create sustainable timber. Below, Emily Green, garden maintenance expert at Howarth Timber, shares 5 ways timber suppliers can become more sustainable in 2026. Creating a clear waste strategy can help timber companies better understand exactly how much waste is being produced and where it is coming from. By monitoring waste more efficiently, timber businesses can identify areas for future improvement, reduce unnecessary material loss and set better measurable targets. Introducing an energy management system allows timber businesses to track utility usage more accurately across operations and sites. This data can then be used to establish intensity metrics, improve efficiency and set realistic long-term sustainability targets for reducing energy consumption and emissions. Sourcing materials and services locally can help reduce transport emissions while supporting regional businesses. Shorter supply chains can also lead to faster delivery times, improved transparency and a lower overall environmental impact. Making operational changes such as introducing EV vehicles, upgrading to LED lighting and investing in solar panels can help businesses significantly reduce their carbon footprint. These improvements can also lower long-term energy costs while supporting wider environmental commitments. Instead of discarding leftover materials and sending them to landfill, timber companies can repurpose offcuts for secondary products, packaging or supply them to other businesses that can reuse the materials. Finding ways to extend the lifecycle of timber wherever possible helps reduce waste and supports a more circular approach to production. Final thoughts: “Creating a more sustainable future within the timber industry requires businesses to look beyond responsible sourcing and also focus on reducing waste and making better use of resources throughout the production process. From implementing waste and energy management systems to upcycling materials, even small operational changes can make a meaningful difference. “By adopting more sustainable working practices, timber companies can not only reduce their environmental impact, but also build a more resilient and efficient industry for the future. As sustainability expectations continue to grow across construction and manufacturing, businesses that prioritise practical, long-term improvements will be best placed to meet changing industry demands.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission secured for landmark transformation of Bristol’s Canons Wharf development
Kinrise and Mactaggart Family & Partners (MF&P) announce next chapter for iconic Harbourside site, set to become a best-in-class workplace and cultural destination Kinrise and Mactaggart Family & Partners (MF&P) has secured planning permission for the transformation of Canons Wharf, one of Bristol’s most recognisable waterfront sites, marking a major milestone in the reimagining of the iconic Grade II listed estate on the city’s Harbourside. The ambitious redevelopment will see the former Canons House building re-positioned as a vibrant, mixed-use campus, delivering 197,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace alongside industry-leading amenities, cultural spaces and public-facing destinations. Located in the heart of Bristol’s thriving Harbourside, the development will combine striking architectural heritage with contemporary design, creating a working environment like no other that reflects the city’s dynamic business and cultural community. The scheme will enhance the landmark crescent and circular buildings overlooking Lloyds Amphitheatre, reinforcing their status as one of the city’s defining architectural statements. The approved plans will deliver a range of premium facilities designed to support modern ways of working and wellbeing, including: Together, these amenities will position Canons Wharf as a destination workplace, blending productivity, wellbeing and community with a strong cultural offer, akin to the city’s identity. Sustainability is also central to the scheme, which will adopt a low-carbon retrofit approach, retaining and enhancing the existing structure while introducing energy-efficient systems, water-source heat pumps and all-electric infrastructure. Once complete, the development will provide highly flexible Grade A office space suitable for both single occupier headquarters and a multi-tenant campus, supporting Bristol’s continued growth as a leading UK regional business hub. Kilian Kleine, Investment Director & Head of Development at Kinrise, said;“Securing planning permission for Canons Wharf is a significant step forward in bringing this exceptional building back to life. Our vision is to create a workplace that is not only best-in-class in terms of design and sustainability, but one that genuinely adds to the energy of Bristol’s iconic Harbourside. “By combining architectural design with carefully curated amenities, from social and cultural spaces to wellbeing-led facilities, we are creating a destination where businesses and people can truly thrive. Canons Wharf will be a place that reflects Bristol’s ambition, creativity and sense of community, and we’re excited to move into the next phase of delivery.” Widely recognised as one of Bristol’s most distinctive buildings, Canons Wharf has long played a central role in the city’s commercial life. Its transformation will re-establish the site as a focal point for business, innovation and cultural events, while opening up new opportunities for engagement with the local community. With a preferred contractor in the wings, the works are expected to begin imminently, with the redevelopment set to deliver a new chapter for Bristol’s Harbourside, one that blends heritage, sustainability and forward-thinking design to create a truly iconic workplace destination Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals