Building Design and Construction Magazine

Shift project makes positive change for customers

The UK’s biggest electricity distributor is opening the way for local residents to join the energy ‘flexibility’ market to help cut the costs of running their electric vehicles (EVs). New ways of smart charging have been successfully tested by UK Power Networks to deliver greener energy at a lower cost

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The Construction Projects Changing the Face of Blackpool

Blackpool is a town that has had to reinvent itself on countless occasions. While it might be known as a seaside resort today, it was once nothing more than a few small villages which turned into a fashionable place for sea bathing in the 18th century; back then, this was

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Exploring the Ease to Install a New Shed

Having that space in your garden to tidy things away is a must for many people in today’s day and age. The much-needed storage space comes in the form of your very own shed. Sheds speak to your practicality and organisation. The nicer the shed, the nicer your garden space

Read More »

New £16M council hub handed over in Ellesmere port

CHESHIRE West and Chester Council, together with its partners, has taken possession of a new transformational £16m public services hub to complete the first phase of redevelopment in Ellesmere Port town centre. The building, named The Portal, was designed by leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. The

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Regenerated site ready for two new communities

As part of two major regeneration projects, leading housebuilder Harron Homes has commenced construction of nearly 300 new homes on recently acquired land in Doncaster and Harworth. Both sites are the product of extensive investment schemes led by Harworth Group PLC, one of the UK’s leading land and property regeneration

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Latest Issue
Issue 331 : Aug 2025

Building Design and Construction Magazine

KEYLAND COMPLETES SALE OF 500,000 SQ FT WAKEFIELD EAST SITE TO OPUS NORTH AND BRIDGES 

Site Sold For Proposed New Major Employment Scheme Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has completed the sale of its Wakefield East site in West Yorkshire to Opus North and Bridges Fund Management for an undisclosed sum. A planning application for the 31-acre employment scheme, now branded ‘City Fields’, was recently submitted by Keyland. The indicative layout proposes employment space totalling up to 500,000 sq ft, which could generate around 800 new jobs for the local area. The majority of the commercial site will benefit from Class B2, B8 and E(g) consent for urban logistics, as well as industrial accommodation in a varied range of unit sizes, whilst also offering scope for the development of a trade counter scheme and associated pub/restaurant/drive-thru options. Previously part of the redundant Yorkshire Water Calder Vale treatment works, the site will now form a key strategic element of the overall City Fields development which, at 375-acres, will play a significant role in creating a new, important, and sustainable primary employment hub to the east of Wakefield. The site runs adjacent to the £33m Wakefield Eastern Relief Road (WERR) which opened in 2017.  Regeneration of the broader City Fields community also includes the construction or (re)development of around 2,500 houses, a primary school, health facilities, district and neighbourhood centres. Appointed agents Avison Young and Knight Frank facilitated the sale of the land on behalf of Keyland with Square One Law acting as legal team.  Carter Towler and Walker Morris advised the purchaser. Peter Garrett, Managing Director of Keyland Developments, said; “We are delighted that the sale has now completed and look forward to the planned development forming the main commercial element of this significant regional regeneration scheme.” Ryan Unsworth, Development Director of Opus North, said; “The acquisition of this strategic site continues our strategy of sustained growth in the northern commercial sector. The surrounding area has witnessed a considerable surge in investment and regeneration and the development of this pivotal site will make a further significant economic contribution. We are looking to commence works on site in early 2023 with a targeted completion of the first units later that year. In addition to bringing about new jobs, the development will help ease the well documented shortages of high quality industrial/commercial accommodation in the region.” Guy Bowden, Partner at Bridges Fund Management partner, added: “The City Fields development will allow us to revitalise a previously redundant site and create over 800 new jobs for the surrounding area. Aiming to incorporate important sustainable features into the design, this development will both benefit occupiers and provide the wider Wakefield community with a high-quality commercial and industrial hub, contributing to the catalysing of local economic growth. We are looking forward to working with Opus North on delivering another successful project.” Iain McPhail, Partner at Knight Frank, said; “City Fields is an exciting new commercial opportunity which benefits from not only access to the region’s motorway network via the M1 and M62, but also to Wakefield town centre itself. The site is ideally positioned to capitalise on the significant demand in the current market for urban logistics and distribution as well as manufacturing and trade.” Rob Oliver, Principal at Avison Young, added; “‘Due to the range of plots across the development, we have considerable flexibility and are able to accommodate a wide range of unit sizes. We are already talking to a number of businesses, some already local and looking to relocate or expand, others would be new to the area. There is a severe lack of units available in the West Yorkshire area, particularly on the M62 corridor, and with continued occupational demand we are confident that the scheme will prove very successful. Occupiers are increasingly keen to occupy new premises which will meet their ESG agenda’s as well as staff wellness and retention in addition to presenting their brand positively, having lower operating costs and greater efficiency.”

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Businesses in the construction sector urged to act now and signup for Making Tax Digital 

The way businesses file Value Added Tax (VAT) returns has now changed, as part of Making Tax Digital (MTD). HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging businesses in your sector to join over 1.7 million taxpayers who are already benefitting from MTD to make the change.  From 1 April 2022, MTD for VAT became mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses, regardless of turnover. This means businesses need to keep digital business records, sign up to MTD and file all their future VAT returns using MTD-compatible software.   If they do not file their VAT returns through MTD, they may have to pay a penalty. Even if a business currently keeps digital records, they must check their software is MTD compatible and sign up for MTD.  MTD’s aim is to help businesses get their tax right first time and to support the UK to go digital. More than 15 million returns have been successfully submitted through MTD, with businesses reporting that MTD has increased their confidence in managing their tax affairs and using technology.   There is a range of compatible software products available for VAT, allowing businesses to choose which tools they use to run their business and tax affairs. A list of software compatible with Making Tax Digital for VAT, including low-cost options, is available on GOV.UK.  HMRC has continued to work with smaller businesses below the £85,000 VAT threshold to ensure they are ready and to remind them of the actions they need to take. A range of accessible help is available online through GOV.UK, webinars and videos as well as through HMRC’s Extra Support Service.   Giles McCallum, Director of Making Tax Digital at HMRC, said:  “We continue to support those businesses who have yet to sign up and are encouraging traders in the construction sector to help them make the change to Making Tax Digital. Using MTD helps businesses reduce errors, making it faster to prepare and submit returns.   “In order to gain benefit from MTD and to avoid any penalty as many others have already, we urge all businesses to sign up to MTD now.”  Federation of Small Businesses National Chair Martin McTague said:  “MTD software can improve productivity and open up opportunities to tighten internal processes beyond just the tax side of things. Even if you’re not obliged to be a part of MTD at the moment, it’s worth looking into different platforms, especially now Help To Grow Digital is live. If you’re an FSB member, we can help you get up to speed in this area.”  To comply with MTD for VAT, businesses or an agent on a business’ behalf need to take three simple steps:   If a business hasn’t signed up to MTD yet, they must do so before they submit their next VAT return otherwise they could receive a penalty. Find out how to sign up on GOV.UK.  Agents can sign up on behalf of a business, although businesses remain responsible for meeting their VAT obligations.  Details on how to avoid being charged a penalty can be found here. 

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NSM APPOINTS NEW PROPERTY MANAGER TO ITS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIVISION

Industrial asset and property management specialists NSM has appointed Kim Howey as its new Property Manager for the North West. Kim joins the growing company – with offices in Warrington and Doncaster – to help manage a range of logistics, SME and office assets across the M62 corridor and Midlands. Its current portfolio under management has grown to £374m so far this year. She was previously residential and commercial property manager for The Next Big Thing, based in Liverpool, and before that worked for Regus as a Community Manager in Cardiff. Kim reports into Associate Director Jacqui Saunders and will be part of the Property Management team that manages 577 units nationally with a rent roll in excess of £20.67m. NSM Managing Director Nicky Jones said: “Kim’s experience in both commercial property and asset management is a welcome addition on to the team and she has hit the ground running. Her knowledge of the North West property market is very strong and is already proving to be a real asset, both with our clients and their tenants.” Kim added: “I’m delighted to be joining NSM which holds a large and diverse portfolio of assets. My background has been in commercial space but more recently I’ve moved into residential property management, so the fit with NSM is ideal. I’m looking forward to being able to add to my knowledge in the larger commercial property section and I’m very excited to be starting this new chapter in my career.”   NSM is in a uniquely strong position, in addition to managing more than 5.4 million sq. ft of industrial property across the north, the company also markets many of the properties, handles lettings and is overseeing the delivery of new builds which will ultimately come into the management portfolio. 

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Shift project makes positive change for customers

The UK’s biggest electricity distributor is opening the way for local residents to join the energy ‘flexibility’ market to help cut the costs of running their electric vehicles (EVs). New ways of smart charging have been successfully tested by UK Power Networks to deliver greener energy at a lower cost for customers who charge their EVs at certain periods. With energy prices rising, smart charging enables customers to use electricity not only when it is greenest, but cheapest too. Project Shift, led by UK Power Networks in partnership with Kaluza, Octopus Energy and ev.energy, developed and trialled three different ways to incentivise EV charging outside of peak times, more attractive to EV owners. The world’s largest trial of smart charging incentives has shown that only 19% of the time customers spend plugged in at home, is needed to meet their charging needs. This makes ‘smart charging’ a possibility for people who can shift their charge times to when demand on the electricity network is lower, using cheaper, greener electricity to charge their car ready for the next day. Findings included that 85% of customers were open to smart charging, so long as their mobility requirements were met. EV demand during the evening peak was reduced by an average of 79% due to Smart charging with ongoing financial incentives. The median daily reduction in EV demand between 6-9 pm was 82%. Customers are now charging their car cheaper at certain times on a routine basis and earning rewards for charging, while avoiding the need for local electricity grids to be reinforced. As the distributor of electricity to 8.4 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England, UK Power Networks is a key enabler of the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy and forging a path to Net Zero. Smart EV charging is critical to enabling the lowest cost electrification of transport, especially important as consumers are facing increased cost of living. As more people opt for a low carbon way of life, demand on the electricity grid rises with customers wanting the choice of how and when they charge. Project Shift means people can easily access the benefits of the fast-emerging flexibility market while supporting the increased adoption of EVs. Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “It is great that customers can receive incentives for charging their electric vehicles outside of peak times at home. “Smart charging will ultimately save everyone money and offers new opportunities for domestic households and businesses to contribute to a smarter UK energy system. It is key to helping us deliver Net Zero at the best cost for both customers and the network.” William Goldsmith, head of grid & data services at ev.energy, said: “It’s been fantastic working with UK Power Networks on such world leading innovation and I am delighted that the learnings from Project Shift have already been integrated into UK Power Networks’ first-of-a-kind flexibility tenders. “Charging electric vehicles smartly to unlock grid services is a critical part of delivering a green, affordable energy future. This can only be done by engaging and incentivising EV drivers to take part.”

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The Construction Projects Changing the Face of Blackpool

Blackpool is a town that has had to reinvent itself on countless occasions. While it might be known as a seaside resort today, it was once nothing more than a few small villages which turned into a fashionable place for sea bathing in the 18th century; back then, this was seen as a cure for many ailments.  The town really came alive in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it became the first town to install street lighting. Tourists flocked from all over to get a glimpse of this new technology for themselves, a tradition that lives on to this day.  However, today’s Blackpool is very different from the town in its heyday, when it was the place to be for Brits from all across England who were looking for a fun break away from work. Cheap international air travel facilitated by low-cost airlines put an end to that.  While Blackpool is not the must-visit tourist destination it once was, it still attracts more than 18 million visitors each year. Those guests bring a huge boost to the local economy, spending £1.5 billion with local businesses.  But to keep these visitors coming back, Blackpool has had to reinvent itself several more times as it looks to stay fresh and appealing to visitors of all kinds. To do that, the town has had to invest millions in construction projects to improve the built environment. Some of these projects are already complete and providing benefits to locals and visitors alike, though others are still in the planning stages.  New Hotels Blackpool has a very broad range of hotel options that extend from quaint bed and breakfasts all the way up to a giant castle-shaped complex packed with a whole range of amenities.  However, aside from a few exceptions, much of the accommodation in the town feels a little tired as chronic underinvestment and tough economic conditions have driven standards down.  A new project that will see the redevelopment of a large section of the central part of the town promises several new hotels opening near the seafront. It will include the Sands Resort Hotel & Spa, a Premier Inn, and a Holiday Inn.  The bulk of this construction work is due to be completed in 2022.  A Casino Blackpool has long flirted with the idea of building a large casino. The town already has several small gaming establishments ranging from the arcades where you can play coin pusher games, to slot salons where you’ll find a range of different fruit machines to spin.  In the 2000s, Blackpool bid to be the home of the country’s only “super casino” but it ultimately lost out to Manchester.  In recent years, politicians have begun to revive the idea of opening a large casino in the seaside town, arguing that it will help to create jobs and attract even more visitors to Blackpool.  Unlike hotels, building a casino requires a lot more regulatory approval before you can even start breaking ground. It’s unclear as to whether this one will happen, though, because the entire gaming landscape has changed since the original plans were put forward. For a start, casino gaming has become much more accessible through the internet, with online casinos offering numerous convenient options.  Competition among these sites is incredibly strong, with many looking for ways to set themselves apart from the crowd. They’ve all taken different approaches, with some focusing on bigger bonuses and others creating unique games that can’t be found anywhere else. Another tactic has been to develop slot games that have higher return-to-player rates. These higher RTP slots mean that players can theoretically expect to receive more of their wagers back if they were to play for an exceptionally long time, so, while not a guarantee, it is a good way to measure expected average payouts.  With more people choosing to play online, any potential casino operators will need to assess the economic viability before committing to making such an investment.  New Transport Infrastructure Blackpool is one of few places in Britain that retained its tram service, even as the mode of transport fell well and truly out of fashion. Despite these road-going trains still being in operation, the town has become very car-centric.  Major changes to the town’s roads and footpaths have already been undertaken to help make it easier for pedestrians to get around on the seafront, with many more changes in the works.  In addition to £20 million that’s been spent to avoid stormwater flooding, a total of £7.84 million will be spent on upgrading streets to make them more appealing and will involve resurfacing works, new trees, upgraded crossings to improve accessibility and safety, enhanced street furniture, and additional public art.  In addition to improving the look, the work will help make cycling easier, boosting the uptake of active travel around the town. 

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Exploring the Ease to Install a New Shed

Having that space in your garden to tidy things away is a must for many people in today’s day and age. The much-needed storage space comes in the form of your very own shed. Sheds speak to your practicality and organisation. The nicer the shed, the nicer your garden space will look. As a quick reference, Sheds Liverpool is a convenient place to look. What is a Garden Shed Used For? A shed is a small structure with a base, walls and a roof, mean for outdoor garden and backyard spaces. It’s usually used for storage, hobbies and as a workshop. They can vary in size, building material and just about anything else. They may have windows and even electricity. It all depends on how much time, effort and money you can invest in the making of one. Building a shed is now a project that can be completed in a weekend, or even a few hours if you’ve done your research and are well prepared. So, this is how to build a shed yourself. How to Build a Garden Shed Step by Step? A great place to visit for a new shed is SHEDPLANS.org, you can get a full insight on the procedure & protocol of the cost to build a shed here.

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New £16M council hub handed over in Ellesmere port

CHESHIRE West and Chester Council, together with its partners, has taken possession of a new transformational £16m public services hub to complete the first phase of redevelopment in Ellesmere Port town centre. The building, named The Portal, was designed by leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. The three-storey building provides a range of services to the public from several different agencies, as well as providing accommodation that meets the demands of the council’s modern workforce strategy. The new space will be home for 580 staff employed by the council, DWP and other service providers. The scheme also incorporated a new bus facility and extensive public realm works to improve transport links and facilities for the public. Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – was appointed to provide architecture, interior design and landscape services through SCAPE’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework.  Andy Robinson, director at Pick Everard, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council has a fantastic new facility in the heart of Ellesmere Port. We promised to deliver a scheme that places greater emphasis on the use of the space and The Portal’s 4,000 square metres and surrounding external areas truly accomplish this. “Value for money is essential for our public sector clients and this has been achieved to great effect on this project. Through close collaboration and consultancy, we’ve been able to ensure that the completed scheme represents the priorities identified by the council.” The Portal is a single shared hub that facilitates agile working, therefore reducing the demand for space and enabling the council and other agencies to consolidate their presence into a smaller footprint. As a result of this, money is being saved and carbon emissions are being reduced while also providing a much-improved work environment. With the intention to improve access to public services and bring all the disparate arms and services of local government into a single shared hub, The Portal is a regeneration project that serves its practical purpose and acts as the catalyst for regeneration in the town. Importantly, the building is designed to improve the customer experience enable them to access a wider range of services in one location. This includes employment, skills and learning, welfare and benefits support, advice and information, community safety and prevention, health and well-being and housing support. The building contains public art that is on permanent display. Consultation with the local community during the design stage led to creations that represent the purpose of the space, which has been developed in the interest of the local area and not only those who use the on-site facilities. Civic Way was a critical element of the scheme. Road priorities have changed with Civic Way now only accessible to buses and service vehicles, reducing traffic on a previously busy thoroughfare. The area is now a much more pedestrian friendly environment as a result of the careful public realm design its relationship with the new bus facility. The widening of the street to allow for bus lay-bys and new bus stands enabled the opportunity to relocate the old poor quality bus interchange and create space for The Portal.   Public realm improvements did not stop with Civic Way. The Port Arcade entrance from Wellington Road has been made more pedestrian friendly, with accessibility and enjoyment of the space receiving attention due to the high footfall. Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The opening of The Portal is an exciting moment for the community as it is providing a versatile building for a range of stakeholders. “The project team has completed a scheme to be proud of following an important consultation process and we can’t wait to share the newly improved space with the people of Ellesmere Port.” The importance of the project to the local workforce and wider community meant that public engagement was maintained throughout. To create learning opportunities, contractor Vinci Construction engaged with The West Cheshire College to make site visits and construction talks a possibility for students. David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We’re pleased to have supported Cheshire West and Chester Council on the development of The Portal, as it adopts the government’s One Public Estate programme. “The Portal marks another project within our portfolio that has achieved BREEAM Very Good certification, proving the growing opportunity for sustainable solutions in towns likes Ellesmere Port that are undergoing regeneration.” For more information on Pick Everard, visit www.pickeverard.co.uk/

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G F Tomlinson continues 15-year relationship with SCAPE as it’s appointed to new £750m regional framework

Midlands based contractor G F Tomlinson has been appointed as an approved partner on the new £750m regional framework by SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities. The four-year framework will invest in the public sector across the Midlands and East of England, helping local authorities and organisations deliver ambitious, community-focused construction projects. Following a competitive selection process, the Midlands-based construction company is just one of eight contractors chosen to deliver up to £750m of new investment for the public sector, via SCAPE’s Regional Construction framework, with G F Tomlinson being appointed to undertake projects up to £7.5m across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland. G F Tomlinson’s 15-year relationship with SCAPE has seen the company deliver over 500 projects valued at £240m on previous iterations of the framework. Through this ongoing collaboration the company has also provided communities with positive social, economic and environmental impacts including 82% of local spend and 89% of local labour achieved within 40 miles of each project and 98% construction waste recycled and diverted from landfill. With a broader value range of up to £7.5m, more public sector projects can benefit from the range of services provided by G F Tomlinson, including early input on design development, risk management, cost certainty, construction delivery and post completion support. G F Tomlinson has a strong focus on sustainability and social value and the SCAPE framework allows for the delivery of four key areas of investment, including: employment and training, sustainability and environmental protection and support. In particular, inspiring individuals into the construction industry from local schools, apprenticeship opportunities, commitment to local spend and the use of local labour and supply chains and helping public sector clients achieve their decarbonization targets. Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed to the framework, continuing our long association and success with Scape. The framework allows us to continually focus on delivering high quality, value for money projects across the Midlands, ensuring social and sustainable values are considered to support the local communities. “In addition to providing communities with the prospect of job opportunities and apprenticeships, the framework has agreed to a ‘net-zero ready’ lifecycle, assisting communities in achieving their net-zero ambitions as an effective response to the current climate emergency.  “We are extremely proud of the work already undertaken within this framework and cannot wait to continue to raise the bar and deliver tangible benefits to our clients and the wider community.” John Simons, group procurement director at SCAPE, said: “The next four years represent a pivotal time for public sector construction across the Midlands and East of England to deliver infrastructure that empowers local communities and generates regional economic growth. “After receiving positive feedback from clients, we’ve enhanced the framework to provide our public sector colleagues with the tools to not only deliver value-driven infrastructure in their areas but support their journey toward a net zero built environment. “Aligned with SCAPE’s 15-year heritage of empowering local authorities to achieve their infrastructure objectives, the direct award framework is designed to achieve value for money, drive sustainability and deliver a local economic impact on every project.” Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “As we continue to play our part in delivering infrastructure projects across the region that are more sustainable and strengthen local communities, our new framework will help our clients meet their goals and allow local contractors to build long-term relationships to grow their business. “The addition of a new lifecycle contract form as part of the framework’s ‘net zero ready’ offering is testament to SCAPE’s commitment to supporting clients with energy conservation and the operational efficiency and performance of their assets. “The new framework will act as a vehicle for contractors to champion greener infrastructure and upskill their teams to be able to deliver on the sustainability ambitions across the Midlands and East of England.” For full details on SCAPE’s Regional Construction framework, please visit www.scape.co.uk.

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Godwin signs forward funding deal with CBRE Investment Management for Milton Keynes development

Work already underway for first major residential scheme of affordable homes in central Bletchley UK property developer Godwin Developments has agreed a forward funding deal with CBRE UK Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) – a fund managed by CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM) to deliver 184 affordable homes in central Bletchley, Milton Keynes. The four-acre scheme, named Bletchley View, will provide a mix of affordable and shared ownership properties, a combination of one and two bed flats as well as 12 three-bedroom houses. CBRE UK Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) invests in affordable housing with the aim to have a significant social impact across the United Kingdom. Bletchley View will cater to the growing demand for affordable homes in the area, especially from young people and families, seeking quality housing within commuting distance to employment opportunities. It will consist of two six and five-storey buildings, a row of townhouses as well as commercial spaces for the benefit of residents and the neighboring communities. Aligning with the sustainability ambitions of AHF and Godwin, air source heat pumps for hot water and a mechanical ventilated heat recovery system will be installed. The scheme is also located close to a train and bus station to help promote the use of public transport. Stuart Pratt, Founder and Director at Godwin Developments said: “With its proximity to Milton Keynes, the UK’s newest and fastest growing city, Bletchley has significant potential to become a modern thriving urban destination as outlined in the plans for its regeneration. “We are therefore thrilled to have partnered with CBRE IM in delivering the first major new residential scheme in the area which will ensure local and new residents have access to a range of quality affordable homes. This scheme aligns perfectly with our strategy for developing a range of residential opportunities across key growth locations nationwide.” Andrew Davey, Head of Liability Aware Strategies at CBRE Investment Management commented: “We are particularly proud of our partnership with Godwin as it demonstrates the commitment we have to providing affordable homes where they are needed most. Our business plan proactively manages the scheme by setting rent levels and shared ownership prices to meet the specific affordability requirements of the local population. “We look forward to working with all our partners on this development and are excited to be delivering affordable, sustainable homes to the community of Bletchley.” Part of the multi-million-pound redevelopment plans for the Buckinghamshire town, famous for its role in World War II code breaking, Bletchley View will also support ambitious local plans for delivering more homes, wider infrastructure upgrades and amenities to the area. Located adjacent to Bletchley station, with connections to London and across Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire as a part of East West Rail, the scheme will be close to a range of existing amenities, with more to be delivered soon as a part of the metropolitan hub. When completed and fully occupied, it will sustain a diverse range of local shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, niche retail and SMEs which are expected to make Central Bletchley a destination in its own right. National business Winvic Construction has been appointed as the main contractor on the scheme with work on site already underway and expected to complete in Q2 2024. Godwin was advised by agents CBRE and lawyers Hamlins. Simply Planning were the planning consultant. Advisors to CBRE Investment Management were Penningtons and CS2. Godwin Developments has a fast-growing nationwide portfolio, including nearly 3,000 residential units nationwide some of which are set to begin construction in the second half of 2022. The business operates across the BTR sector covering both multifamily and single-family housing as well as affordable homes with a number of residential developments covering Nottingham, Doncaster, Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes and Derby, and many more in the pipeline. The company’s commercial and industrial divisions work includes recent developments in Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Dorset and Cambridgeshire, alongside a strong UK-wide pipeline.

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Regenerated site ready for two new communities

As part of two major regeneration projects, leading housebuilder Harron Homes has commenced construction of nearly 300 new homes on recently acquired land in Doncaster and Harworth. Both sites are the product of extensive investment schemes led by Harworth Group PLC, one of the UK’s leading land and property regeneration companies. Simpson Park Street Scene Plots 54-57-min… Harron Homes previously worked with Harworth Group at its Thoresby Vale site in Edwinstowe, where Harron has built 143 homes surrounded by beautiful views of Sherwood Forest. As two of the largest sites in Harworth Group’s portfolio, both Simpson Park and Riverdale Park look set to provide valuable opportunities for retail, residential, commercial, employment, leisure and green infrastructure developments. Simpson Park is located on the former Harworth Colliery site in Harworth, Nottinghamshire, where the coal mine operated for over 80 years, before being decommissioned in 2002 and demolished in 2016. The name of the site was chosen to respectfully commemorate the world-famous cyclist, Tom Simpson. Local to the area, Tom Simpson was a champion cyclist who sadly died ascending Mont Ventouz during the 1967 Tour de France. Harron Homes’ area of the development constitutes 13 acres, where they have commenced building 132 of their high-specification properties. There are plans for a nearby primary school to be extended to serve the development, and other amenities will be available on site, such as a family public-house and restaurant and extensive green public open spaces. Within 30 minutes driving distance of Worksop and Doncaster, the area is approximately a mile north of Junction 34 of the A1(M), providing access to the larger motorway network. Riverdale Park, located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, has been regenerated from the old McCormick tractor factory site. Harron Homes has acquired the plot adjacent to the riverside, where 139 new homes are being positioned along river frontage ideal for delightful waterside living. The area has great commuter access to the M1, A1 and M18 and is under an hour away from Leeds and Rotherham. The development will also benefit from the proposed commercial infrastructure, several amenities of which have already been built. Nick Hague, Land Director of Harron Homes, says: “On these two new sites we are creating a host of new homes in really idyllic locations rich with cultural history. We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Harworth Group in the past and are excited to be working with them again. The regeneration schemes they’re known for really boost these areas and pave the way for new, vibrant communities to be established. We’re very satisfied with the work we’ve done so far and look forward to developing these two popular housing locations.” Ed Catchpole, Regional Director for Yorkshire & Central at Harworth, says: “Harron Homes is a valued and trusted partner of Harworth, with a track record of high-quality housebuilding. We are delighted to be working with them again at Simpson Park and Riverdale Park, where they will help us to create vibrant and sustainable communities where people want to live and work.” For more information on Harron Homes please visit www.harronhomes.com.

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