Wythenshawe’s £500m Makeover Gathers Momentum with Vibrant New Food Hall Plans
Ambitious plans to transform Wythenshawe town centre are accelerating, as Muse submits proposals for a brand-new food hall as part of its £500 million regeneration programme. The proposed food hall forms part of a wider vision to revitalise Wythenshawe Civic Shopping Centre in Manchester, alongside the development of a £32 million Culture Hub currently under construction by Kier. Joel Chandler, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said the project is progressing at speed to deliver the renewal the town centre deserves. He explained that the food hall is set to become a lively destination, showcasing a diverse mix of local food and drink operators. Designed as a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike, it will provide new opportunities for people to gather, socialise and enjoy the town centre — while also giving a significant boost to Wythenshawe’s evening economy. Muse has already begun discussions with prospective vendors, following positive engagement with the local community about the types of cuisine they would like to see represented. The goal is to create an inclusive offering that reflects the tastes of local people and celebrates the very best of Wythenshawe. In addition, Muse has submitted three separate planning applications to deliver 422 new affordable homes for social rent across three town centre locations. This initial phase forms part of a long-term masterplan that will see up to 2,000 new homes built over the next 10 to 15 years, reshaping Wythenshawe into a thriving, modern neighbourhood fit for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£1bn Eastgate Quarter Vision Moves Forward with Expert Team Appointment
The £1 billion regeneration of Eastgate Quarter in Leeds city centre has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of a specialist consultant team to help deliver the ambitious scheme. Danish planners and British architects have been selected to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of a four-hectare site in the heart of Leeds. The mixed-use project will span from Vicar Lane in the west to Bridge Street in the east, and from Lady Lane in the south to the A64(M) in the north. Leeds-based developers Khalbros and Torsion Group formed a joint venture after acquiring the Eastgate Quarter site in April 2025. Their plans aim to expand the footprint of the city centre and establish a vibrant new neighbourhood featuring homes, workspace, leisure and hospitality destinations. To realise this vision, the joint venture has appointed FeildenCleggBradley (FCB) Studios as lead architect and masterplanner, alongside Danish urban design practice SLA. FCB Studios already has strong ties to Leeds, having designed Broadcasting Place for Leeds Beckett University and developed the masterplan for Wellington Place. Planning consultancy services will be delivered by Leeds-based ID Planning, while Roscoe will provide structural and civil engineering expertise. AMA has been appointed to advise on highways and transport matters. A further 15 specialist consultants and advisers will support the core team. These include Urban Wilderness for townscape visual impact assessments, Futuresecology for ecological consultancy, Prospect for archaeology services, and Social for communications and public consultation support. Additional expertise will be provided by FD Global on wind consultancy, Levrant on heritage conservation and repurposing, GIA Consulting on daylight and sunlight surveying, and Tace on services and utilities consultancy. The proposals are currently progressing through a pre-application process with Leeds City Council to ensure alignment with the ambitions set out in the Eastgate Quarter masterplan. David Khalastchi, Managing Partner at Khalbros, described Eastgate Quarter as a defining moment for Leeds, calling it the final major regeneration opportunity within the inner city centre. He said the appointments signal the project’s international significance while remaining rooted in Leeds’ distinctive character, adding that the team and its investors are proud to contribute to the city’s long-term transformation. Dan Spencer, Chief Executive of Torsion Group, said the consultant appointments represent a pivotal step in bringing the vision for Eastgate Quarter to life. He highlighted the strength of the team, combining local and international expertise, and said the calibre of advisers reflects the scale of ambition behind the scheme and its commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth while creating a lasting legacy. Alex Whitbread, Senior Partner at FCB Studios, said the area has been overlooked for decades. He outlined plans to create a new mixed-use neighbourhood grounded in Leeds’ identity, where sustainability, density and high-quality placemaking work together. The scheme will breathe new life into long-vacant buildings, replace empty plots and car parks with a dynamic public realm, and reconnect surrounding residential communities as the city centre continues to expand. Rasmus Astrup, Design Principal and Senior Partner at SLA, added that the team is excited to be working on such a transformative project. Drawing on Leeds’ heritage, the ambition is to reimagine Eastgate as a ‘Greengate’ — a neighbourhood shaped by nature, public life and green infrastructure as key drivers of regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
From Swansea to Gravesend: Willmott Dixon Breaks Ground on Major New Sports Hubs
Willmott Dixon is stretching from Wales to Kent as it mobilises on two landmark leisure developments set to transform community sport and wellbeing facilities on either side of the country. In Swansea, early works are now under way on the new National Institute for Sport & Health (NISH), while in Gravesend preparations are gathering pace for the long-awaited Cascades Leisure Centre. In Wales, the four-storey NISH development for Swansea University is being constructed at the entrance to Swansea Bay Sports Park. The project is funded through the Swansea Bay City Deal, with backing from Swansea Council and local health boards. Work began last month to replace the existing pavilion at Sketty Lane, with full construction scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. Project management is being led by Pick Everard, working alongside architects Powell Dobson. The 2,000 sq m facility is designed to unite public, private and academic sectors engaged in sports and health research and development. NISH aims to support start-ups and growing businesses in advancing product innovation, while also serving as a key anchor for a broader Science and Innovation Park. Keith Lloyd, Director of NISH, said the institute will position Swansea — and Wales — firmly on the global stage for pioneering research, product development and community health innovation. He described it as a catalyst for discovery, inward investment and improved wellbeing. The building is expected to open its doors in 2027. Further east in Gravesend, Kent, Willmott Dixon is working with Gravesham Borough Council to prepare the site for a new £43 million leisure centre. Early site activity is under way, with demolition works scheduled to begin in early spring to clear the existing structures and ready the ground for construction. The new Cascades Leisure Centre will replace the current ageing facility. Plans feature a 25-metre swimming pool, a 17-metre learner pool, an aqua play and flume area, spectator seating, a six-court sports hall, a multi-level soft play zone, dedicated party and community rooms, and a café. Willmott Dixon was appointed as the council’s construction partner in September 2025 for the pre-construction phase via a direct award through the Pagabo framework. Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the South, said it is an exciting stage of the project as visible activity begins on site. He added that the new leisure centre will provide an outstanding, sustainable facility designed with families and the wider community in mind. Over the past decade, Willmott Dixon has delivered more than 160 leisure facilities across the UK, including 108 swimming pools. The new Cascades Leisure Centre is expected to open in 2028, marking a significant investment in the future health and wellbeing of the Gravesend community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry partners with Sage Homes as it starts work on 163 new homes at Mastin Moor, Chesterfield
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has officially started work on 163 homes in Mastin Moor, Chesterfield. Delivered in partnership with Sage Homes, England’s largest provider of newly built affordable homes, the scheme will offer a diverse range of housing options for local people. Situated to the east of Bolsover Road, the development forms part of a wider 650‑home masterplan, being delivered by Devonshire Property Group, which includes proposals for later living, a local centre, extensive new parkland and an extension to the existing community garden. The wider site is also home to the Construction Skills Hub operated by Chesterfield College. Dave Bradley, Managing Director of Vistry North Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be moving forward with this project, which is all about creating opportunities for local people. Our focus is on building not just 163 high-quality homes, but a thriving, inclusive community where families can grow and friendships can flourish. We’re committed to working closely with our partner Sage, local authorities, and residents to ensure this development delivers real value for Mastin Moor and the wider Chesterfield area.” Alex Dawkins, Acquisitions Director, Sage Homes, said: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Vistry and, as England’s largest provider of newly built affordable homes, are proud to be providing much needed high quality, energy efficient, affordable homes for people on the local authority’s housing waiting list.” Andrew Byrne, Director of Devonshire Property Group, said: “Seeing this second phase of Mastin Moor commence is a huge step forward in the delivery of the wider masterplan. We are delighted to welcome Vistry and their partner Sage Homes to Mastin Moor and Chesterfield. Their commitment to the provision of affordable homes to rent or buy, helping create diverse and vibrant communities, is a key factor in the partnership and something that aligns with the core values of the Devonshire Group. Vistry’s use of timber frame buildings also demonstrates their commitment to creating sustainable homes for the future. We wish them well.” Vistry will continue to work with local stakeholders throughout the construction process to ensure the new neighbourhood reflects community aspirations and supports long‑term growth in the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EDC and Stoford secure 209,000 sq ft logistics unit at Axis Works in Bristol
Canadian real estate development and investment firm Epta Development Corporation (EDC), and its development partner Stoford, has secured a freehold turnkey transaction for a 209,319 sq ft last-mile logistics unit at Axis Works, Bristol. The high-specification unit will be developed on a 27.91-acre plot at Central Park, Avonmouth, on behalf of an undisclosed occupier. This represents a significant investment by the purchaser and continues the success of EDC and Stoford at Axis Works. The building will target EPC A and BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards and incorporate a range of sustainability measures, including photovoltaic panels and electric vehicle charging provision. Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor. In addition, construction on a new £74 million M&S logistics facility at Axis Works has reached a key milestone, with the completion of the building’s steel frame. EDC and Stoford are delivering the 390,000 sq ft high-specification warehouse on behalf of LondonMetric Property Plc, which is pre-let to M&S on a 20-year lease. The unit is now progressing through the next phase of construction, with cladding and roofing works underway. Both developments at Axis Works are scheduled for practical completion in October 2026 and will be accessed via a new internal estate road, which has already achieved sectional completion. Chris Tsakumis, Principal at Epta Development Corporation, said: “Axis Works continues to prove its appeal to best-in-class occupiers. This latest development reflects the site’s attractiveness and its growing reputation as a premier industrial destination in the region. This marks another step in EDC’s vision to deliver top-tier industrial environments, responding to sustained demand from leading occupiers in one of the UK’s strongest markets.” Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director at Stoford, added: “Axis Works continues to attract strong occupier interest due to its excellent connectivity and ability to deliver bespoke, high-quality logistics buildings. Progress across the estate, including significant infrastructure delivery, highlights the scale and momentum of the scheme.” Axis Works is a 101-acre site located at Central Park, South Gloucestershire, within the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area. The scheme benefits from hybrid planning consent to deliver c.2 million sq ft of new industrial, warehouse and logistics space. CBRE and Knight Frank are joint agents on the scheme. For further information, visit www.axis-works.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic establishes Data Centres as fourth core sector
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre solutions to meet growing market demand, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting the digital economy. Data Centres is Winvic’s fourth core sector, sitting alongside Industrial & Logistics, Multi-room, and Civils & Infrastructure. As a Tier 1 partner of the UK’s most complex industrial and infrastructure developments, Winvic has built an enviable record of disciplined delivery and the highest standards of quality. Its move into the Data Centre market is part of its ongoing growth and diversification, bringing its core values and expertise to a rapidly expanding market. Danny Cross, Director – Head of Data Centre Delivery at Winvic, said: “Over the last eighteen months we have focused on developing our supply chain, upskilling our teams and recruiting new expertise. Working alongside specialist MEP partners, we’re combining civil engineering scale and management with technical precision to deliver data centres designed for uptime, resilience, and scalability. “This marks a significant milestone in Winvic’s evolution as we expand into one of the fastest-growing construction sectors whilst maintaining our commitment to quality, collaboration, and excellence.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Our entry into the Data Centre market is a natural evolution of our capabilities as these developments share similar attributes to buildings we’ve been specialising in for over 25 years. Our proven delivery of large-scale and complex industrial and logistics projects, rigorous safety and quality standards through our ‘Doing It Right’ culture, and a collaborative approach gives us a strong advantage. “ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals