Citrus Secures Planning For £340M Second Phase Of Integra 61
Durham County Council Gives Green Light For Extra 3M Sq Ft Citrus Durham has secured planning consent from Durham County Council for the next £340M investment at its Integra 61 mixed-use development at J61 of the A1(M). Approval has been granted for an extension to the west of the Integra 61 scheme to accommodate a further 3 million sq ft of employment space. The plans for the second phase follow the success of the existing £400M Integra 61 development, where 90% of the 3m sq ft of developable space is already complete. The major investment into the second phase has the potential to create some 300 new jobs throughout the build resulting in up to £30m in additional economic output (GVA) into the economy each year. Operationally the development could support c3000 jobs once operational dependant on occupiers, generating up to £100m of additional economic output (GVA) into the economy each year. The outline planning consent allows for a range of storage/distribution and manufacturing units of varying sizes, to reflect market demand from regional businesses as well as those looking to invest in premises in the region. Now that the fundamental development principles of bringing a scheme forward have been approved, later reserved matters applications will evolve the exact design and scale, following the principles now established. The proposed development will, dependant on speed of uptake and demand, require the delivery of the Bowburn Development Route (relief road) in conjunction with Durham County Council and other stakeholders. Integra 61 is already home to Amazon’s 2m sq ft fulfilment centre, a further 640,000 sq ft of speculative logistics space at Connect at Integra 61 and an impressive roadside portfolio including Costa and Greggs along with an incoming £4 million EG On The Move petrol station with a convenience store and separate Starbucks drive-thru. Tesla has also installed 19 new Superchargers on site. Construction is well underway on Marton Care’s new 73 bedroom care home facility to complement the 260 new homes already developed by Persimmon and Bellway. James Taylor, Regional Director at Citrus, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured outline planning consent, which is a significant milestone and the culmination of a long-held vision to expand Integra 61 and build on our successes across two phases, together once complete creating one of the region’s largest employment destinations. We’d like to thank the many stakeholders that continue to support us on this journey and we look forward to delivering this exciting phase with our partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Graham lined up for £284m London Met University estate transformation
Contractor Graham is poised to take on a central role in London Metropolitan University’s £284m estate overhaul after emerging as the sole bidder for the long-running procurement. The contractor is expected to be appointed as strategic delivery partner under a wide-ranging agreement that will run to 2031, with the option to extend to 2036. The deal will cover both capital works and facilities management across the university’s campuses in Holloway, Aldgate and Shoreditch. Under the proposed arrangement, Graham will be responsible for delivering new build and refurbishment schemes, while also providing early-stage buildability and lifecycle advice during design development. Once projects are completed, the contractor will take on ongoing facilities management, creating a fully integrated approach to the estate’s long-term operation and performance. A key focus of the programme will be the decarbonisation of the university’s estate, alongside improving the condition, efficiency and functionality of existing buildings. The partnership is also expected to deliver wider social value outcomes as part of the long-term investment strategy. The redevelopment forms part of London Metropolitan University’s estates strategy, launched in 2022, which set out a roadmap for major investment through to 2032. The programme aims to address ageing infrastructure while creating modern, flexible learning environments. At the heart of the plans is the transformation of the Holloway Road campus in Islington. The masterplan, developed by Design Engine Architects alongside Buro Happold and Gardiner & Theobald, includes the demolition of selected buildings to create a new central courtyard space. This will sit behind the Daniel Liebeskind-designed student building and will be accompanied by a comprehensive refurbishment of the adjacent 12-storey tower. Elsewhere, works at the Aldgate Campus and the Accelerator building will focus primarily on refurbishment and targeted upgrades, enhancing existing facilities rather than wholesale redevelopment. The scheme represents a significant investment in higher education infrastructure in London and reflects a growing trend towards long-term, partnership-led delivery models that combine construction and facilities management. Formal confirmation of Graham’s appointment is expected later this month, marking the next step in delivering one of the capital’s largest university estate transformation programmes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canary Wharf Group advances major One Eden office retrofit scheme
Canary Wharf Group is preparing to bring forward another significant office retrofit on its Docklands estate, with plans progressing for the transformation of the former 33 Canada Square building. The landmark Norman Foster-designed office block has already secured planning consent for a substantial 545,000 sq ft upgrade and will be redeveloped as One Eden, a 17-storey scheme reworked by architect TP Bennett. The project is expected to move ahead once a pre-let agreement has been secured. Positioned next to Eden Dock, the redevelopment will introduce a range of new features designed to modernise the building and strengthen its connection to the surrounding public realm. Plans include new ground floor retail space and the potential addition of a rooftop destination restaurant, enhancing the building’s appeal as a mixed-use destination. At the heart of the scheme is a dramatic new atrium, intended to draw natural light deep into the floorplates while creating stronger links between the building and nearby green and waterside spaces, including Jubilee Park, Canada Square Park and Eden Dock itself. Sustainability is a central focus of the redevelopment. Canary Wharf Group plans to retain 97 per cent of the building’s existing substructure and superstructure, preserving more than 62,000 tonnes of concrete and significantly reducing embodied carbon. The upgraded building will be fully electric and will incorporate heat pump technology, alongside a suite of energy-efficient measures. These include high-performance glazing, upgraded HVAC systems, heat recovery ventilation, LED lighting and smart building controls, all contributing to an anticipated 44 per cent reduction in regulated carbon emissions. Additional features will include winter gardens within the atrium spaces, a rooftop terrace and photovoltaic panels to support on-site renewable energy generation. The scheme will also benefit from dual power supply resilience, supported by tenant generator capacity. One Eden is targeting a range of high-level sustainability and performance certifications, including BREEAM Excellent, WELL Platinum, NABERS 4.5-star, EPC A and WiredScore Platinum. The project reflects Canary Wharf Group’s ongoing strategy to reposition existing assets through large-scale retrofit, delivering modern, low-carbon workspace aligned with evolving occupier expectations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Next commits £300m to major Yorkshire logistics expansion
Retail giant Next is pressing ahead with a significant expansion of its UK logistics infrastructure, committing more than £300m to new warehouse development at its established Elmsall complex in West Yorkshire. The scheme includes plans for a new 1.2 million sq ft distribution facility, known as E4, which has already secured planning consent. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with phased delivery from 2029 and full operational capability targeted early in the next decade. The development forms part of a wider acceleration of Next’s warehouse investment programme, driven by sustained growth in online sales and increasing pressure on existing capacity. The retailer reported that web sales have grown by 28 per cent over the past two years, significantly outpacing earlier forecasts of 10 per cent. At present, the Elmsall site comprises three major distribution buildings, including the recently delivered E3 facility, which added around 50 per cent to the group’s boxed storage capacity. However, stronger-than-expected demand, alongside shifts in product mix and stockholding strategies, has led to higher utilisation levels than originally planned. Next said that warehouse occupancy has already approached peak levels, prompting the decision to bring forward further phases of development to maintain operational efficiency and avoid congestion. Additional short-term capacity will be created through expansion works and the use of nearby facilities, ahead of the longer-term delivery of the new E4 building. The proposed E4 warehouse is expected to increase overall capacity at the Elmsall complex by at least 50 per cent and support up to £2.5bn of additional sales once fully operational. The wider investment programme, totalling £307m over the next three years, will also enhance automation, storage capability and distribution performance across the network. Alongside its logistics expansion, Next continues to report strong financial performance, with pre-tax profits rising to £1.2bn for the year to January 2026. The company said the investment in infrastructure will play a critical role in supporting long-term growth, particularly as international sales continue to outperform the domestic market. The expansion reflects a broader trend across the retail sector, where major operators are investing heavily in large-scale logistics assets to meet evolving consumer expectations around speed, availability and reliability. For Next, the Elmsall development represents a cornerstone of its future supply chain strategy, ensuring the business is equipped to handle continued growth in e-commerce while maintaining efficiency across its UK operations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sudden energy rises provide businesses with opportunity to review strategy, say experts
With a combination of geopolitical tensions, supply constraints, and global demand shifts driving volatility in energy markets, many UK firms are already feeling the effects in their energy bills. Whilst short-term options to reduce costs might be limited, there may be an opportunity for businesses to make lasting savings by reviewing their energy strategy, say electrical experts, Fusion 360. “Market-driven pricing means faster and sharper price increases, especially for businesses using high volumes of energy. The risk doesn’t show signs of diminishing, so a pivot to more efficient technologies and on-site renewable energy can provide the answer” says Joanne Skinner, Commercial Director of Fusion 360. Many businesses are reporting higher unit costs for energy, particularly at contract renewal, with variable and flexible contracts most vulnerable. As well as unit costs, standing charges are also increasing. Unlike consumers, UK businesses do not have the protection of a government energy price cap. However, Fusion 360 point out that a birds-eye view of most commercial and industrial estates will already reveal the wide spread adoption of solar PV panels which now produce a significant proportion of the energy businesses require. “Rising costs are a reality and instability appears the new norm. Adopting more efficient technology, such as low energy lighting and heating, and using on-site solar or wind energy helps firms limit the impact and lower costs” adds Joanne. Prior to the recent conflict involving Iran, energy prices were already experiencing upward pressure due to the Ukraine conflict, global inflation, and wider market factors. However, Fusion 360 believe businesses can take greater control of costs with proactive energy management and decision-making. “Firms can make changes now which swiftly pay dividends. For example, the on-site charging of electric vehicles with solar PV is dramatically reducing businesses’ exposure to higher electricity costs, or worse, rising petrol, diesel and oil prices” states Joanne. Established in 1997, Fusion 360 (formerly Fusion Electrics) specialise in the supply and installation of electrical, security, data and renewable energy infrastructure for businesses across the UK. As energy prices become more volatile, Fusion 360 has increasingly been trusted to install renewable energy solutions for critical operations include supermarket distribution centres and major manufacturing operations. The cost of solar PV (photovoltaic) panels is beginning to experience some upward pressure, with Fusion 360 advising businesses to act early to mitigate potential increases. “Changes to tariffs and subsidies, alongside rising demand, are starting to influence the cost of renewable energy technology. By acting now, businesses can secure current pricing and begin reducing their reliance on rising energy costs sooner” concludes Joanne. More can be found out about Fusion 360 at https://fusion360group.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rolls-Royce powers ahead with Falkirk battery storage project
Rolls-Royce has begun construction of a major battery energy storage facility in Falkirk, marking another step forward in the UK’s transition towards a more flexible, low-carbon energy system. The 43MW project, known as Bankside, is being delivered under an EPC contract for Voltario Helios Energy Storage and will utilise Rolls-Royce’s MTU energy pack systems. Once complete, the installation will provide 86MWh of storage capacity, enabling it to supply power to around 10,000 homes or support large industrial users. Led by Rolls-Royce’s power systems division based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the scheme is scheduled to be connected to the grid later this year, with full operations expected in 2027. The facility will play a key role in balancing electricity supply and demand by storing energy generated during periods of high renewable output and releasing it during peak demand. The UK is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most advanced markets for battery energy storage, with a national target of reaching 27GW of capacity by 2030. Projects such as Bankside are seen as critical in supporting grid stability as renewable generation continues to increase. Rolls-Royce is also drawing on its strategic partnership with battery manufacturer CATL, announced in 2024, which enables the integration of advanced battery technologies into its storage systems. The collaboration reflects a growing emphasis on combining global innovation with local delivery. Nigel Jefferson, chief executive at Voltario, said the Falkirk project represents the first in a planned pipeline of battery storage sites. He highlighted Rolls-Royce’s technical expertise and long-term service offering as key factors in its appointment, alongside its commitment to engaging the Scottish supply chain. Andreas Görtz, president of the mobile and sustainable business unit at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said the company’s role as a turnkey integrator enables it to support the energy transition across the full lifecycle of storage projects, from design and delivery through to intelligent control and ongoing operation. The Bankside development underlines the growing importance of battery storage infrastructure in the UK energy mix, providing the flexibility needed to maximise renewable generation and ensure a reliable electricity network for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals