Willmott Dixon is helping Stockport Council to develop a state-of-the-art Community Hub in Marple, supported by a £20 million grant from the Levelling Up Fund. Stockport Council has submitted a planning application for a new Community Hub in Marple, procured through the Procure Partnerships Framework. The project will deliver a
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has submitted a planning application to Darlington Borough Council to build a four-storey government hub to support the ongoing success and growth of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC). The government is investing around £118 million in the project, which is a significant indication of its
Kori Construction has scooped a £12.2m project that will see the site of a former Milton Keynes fire station turned into a high-quality care home. Kori was awarded the contract by leading UK care provider Porthaven Care Homes after being appointed to a similar project for a client in Harpenden,
Plans to develop a new multi-million-pound Student Village at Staffordshire University have been given the go-ahead. The proposal was submitted to completely transform the student experience at the University and provide more high-quality accommodation with enhanced service provisions and student social spaces. The plans were discussed by the Planning Committee
O’Brien Contractors has scooped a deal with Chesterfield Canal Trust to deliver infrastructure works to the area. The works are part of a £6 million restoration project. Connecting the Trans Pennine Trail with the Arkwright Trail across the canal, the works will facilitate the delivery of a 38-metre-long pedestrian and
Mace has been appointed by Norfolk County Council (NCC) as Principal Contractor to deliver improvements on over one hundred properties across the region under the Future Ready (FR) Property Enhancement Initiative. The initiative will focus on modernising the Council’s property portfolio through a comprehensive program to ensure long-term cost savings,
HS2 has launched its sixth Innovation Accelerator programme, as the company behind Britain’s largest infrastructure construction programme seeks new ways to deliver major projects. Working in partnership with the Connected Places Catapult, the HS2 innovation accelerator programme is looking to new and existing tech firms to suggest innovative technologies to
Major refurbishment plans for Chorlton Library in Manchester have been revealed to enhance the existing structure of the building and the fabulous dome hidden for years will be unveiled when it reopens. The library closes its door for two weeks on 24 March and will reopen with a temporary reduced
The West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has established plans for a tram system between Leeds and Bradford to revolutionise the region’s transport network. It is hoped that spades will be in the ground in 2028 when construction of the early stage of the project will begin. Phase one would include
Plans to develop a 60-acre site in East Leeds have moved closer following its confirmed allocation into the Leeds Site Allocation Plan (SAP) for major employment use. The site, known locally as Brown Moor, is adjacent to the hugely successful Thorpe Park Leeds business destination and The Springs retail and
Willmott Dixon is helping Stockport Council to develop a state-of-the-art Community Hub in Marple, supported by a £20 million grant from the Levelling Up Fund. Stockport Council has submitted a planning application for a new Community Hub in Marple, procured through the Procure Partnerships Framework. The project will deliver a two-storey community hub located in Marple Memorial Park with a five-lane swimming pool, a ground-floor library with a small cafe, a 60-station fitness suite, shared community spaces, and the relocated Marple clinic. The formal planning submission follows an extensive consultation process to finalise the designs, which will see the Marple’s existing police station, library and health clinic demolished to make way for the new Community Hub with all of those uses retained on the site. The Library and Clinic will be relocated into the new complex with the Police relocated into Hollins House. The hub project will also replace the village’s previous swimming pool which closed in 2018. Pending planning permission, the project will be completed by the end of 2025 and comes hot on the heels of the official opening of Stockport’s transformational town-centre Viaduct Park and Interchange, delivered by Willmott Dixon for Transport for Greater Manchester. Earlier this month Stockport was also officially named the Best Place to Live in the North West of England by the Sunday Times. Anthony Dillon, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the North: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Stockport Council once again, and to be playing our part in creating a vibrant and innovative community hub for the people of Marple. In delivering Stockport Interchange and Viaduct Park, we worked alongside incredible local organisations such as Pure College, the Webb Lane Community Allotments, The Wellspring and The Samaritans and we look forward to continuing to support more amazing local causes. “At Marple Community and Leisure Hub, we are committed to delivering a social return on investment of £3.78m including 132 weeks of apprenticeship training and 40 weeks of work placements. We look forward to also running two bespoke ‘Building Lives Academy’ skills programmes for students with special educational needs and care leavers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has submitted a planning application to Darlington Borough Council to build a four-storey government hub to support the ongoing success and growth of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC). The government is investing around £118 million in the project, which is a significant indication of its commitment to sparking economic growth in the town and wider region; according to research from the CBI, every £1 spent in the UK’s construction sector helps create £3 of value to the wider UK economy. When completed, Brunswick Street will form part of a government campus of three buildings, including Feethams House and Bishopsgate House, all located within Darlington town centre. Construction of the new government hub is set to begin later this year and be completed in early 2027. The new hub will increase the total number of Darlington-based civil servants working to over 2,300, 1,450 of whom will be located in the Brunswick Street hub. Since 2021, 762 civil service roles have been relocated to Darlington under Places for Growth. Over 800 civil servants are currently based in Darlington across eight departments, including His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT), the Department for Education, and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), for whom Darlington is their second headquarters. The DBT itself has more than 250 staff stationed there, over 200 of which have been locally recruited. Darlington has been a welcome addition to DBT’s Places for Growth network, which now boasts five other locations, including Belfast, Cardiff and Salford. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kori Construction has scooped a £12.2m project that will see the site of a former Milton Keynes fire station turned into a high-quality care home. Kori was awarded the contract by leading UK care provider Porthaven Care Homes after being appointed to a similar project for a client in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Demolition of the former fire station building, which has stood empty since 2020 when the fire service was relocated to a new Blue Light Hub at West Ashland, has already been completed. It will be replaced by a four-storey, 75-bed care home described as ‘tranquil and settled’ by the developer, which will provide comprehensive care services for older people as well as those living with dementia. Jordan Connachie, Managing Director of Kori Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Porthaven Care Homes again, to bring forward this much-needed development. “The scheme has been designed as a high-quality landmark building which will provide a safe and relaxed environment for residents, both inside and out. Residents will also benefit from a range of first-class amenities as well as main views that look out across green space. Couple this with the high standard of care Porthaven is renowned for providing, and it will be a fantastic asset to the local community.” The care home will consist of 75 bedrooms over three floors, complete with wet rooms, with staff and service facilities located on the fourth floor. Amenities include a gym, hair salon, café, cinema, activity room, community lounge, community and private dining areas, and private, landscaped gardens. Work to prepare the site got underway in November 2023 and the development will take around 18 months to complete. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to develop a new multi-million-pound Student Village at Staffordshire University have been given the go-ahead. The proposal was submitted to completely transform the student experience at the University and provide more high-quality accommodation with enhanced service provisions and student social spaces. The plans were discussed by the Planning Committee at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 20 March 2024, and they will now be considered by the University’s Board of Governors in the coming weeks who will have the final decision on the proposal. The plans for the new Student Village, on the University’s Leek Road site, detail the construction of more than 700 new student rooms in a mix of cluster blocks and townhouses, plus the refurbishment of the University’s Clarice Cliff Court accommodation which currently houses just under 300 students. A village ‘hub’ facility would also be built as part of the development, enhancing the vibrancy of the student experience with an events and wellbeing space, individual and group study areas and multi-activity spaces, as well as a rooftop terrace with an outdoor seating area. The hub and village would be linked to the Leek Road campus via a new pedestrian bridge and boardwalk. A new car parking area would be developed on the former Squires View site to the east of the University’s campus to service the village and wider University campus. Pending approval from the Board of Governors, once construction of the village is completed in 2026, the University’s existing accommodation on Leek Road would be demolished to make way for new parkland and open spaces which would be accessible by the local community, as well as students and staff. Open space developments would include an 800m fitness loop encircling the village with a surfaced path for jogging and walking. The parkland would also incorporate a new outdoor teaching facility for the University’s Woodlands Forest School which would make nature more accessible for local schoolchildren. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
O’Brien Contractors has scooped a deal with Chesterfield Canal Trust to deliver infrastructure works to the area. The works are part of a £6 million restoration project. Connecting the Trans Pennine Trail with the Arkwright Trail across the canal, the works will facilitate the delivery of a 38-metre-long pedestrian and cycle bridge. The project will form part of the first stage of the Staveley Canal restoration, funded by the government’s Levelling Up programme. Works are due to start on site in April, with groundworks due to commence in May; the project will run for 20 weeks, with an opening ceremony planned for September. Tony Mitchell, Director at O’Brien Contractors, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been appointed by The Chesterfield Canal Trust to provide the new bridge at Staveley. This prestigious project will be a huge benefit to pedestrians and cyclists all over the region and the restoration of this historic route will benefit the community for many years to come. “As O’Brien Contractors turns 65, we are more committed than ever to assisting our local communities in a long-term sustainable way. This project will not only create a safe and beautiful bridge for pedestrians and other trail users, but it will also benefit the local wildlife and biodiversity of the canal. We look forward to working with the Trust and their team throughout this exciting project.” Chesterfield Canal Trust Development Manager, George Rogers, said: “This is a big milestone for the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and we are delighted to appoint O’Brien Contractors to deliver this statement structure over the canal. Installing this bridge will open up the route for future restoration in multiple ways and I am looking forward to seeing it progress over the summer.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mace has been appointed by Norfolk County Council (NCC) as Principal Contractor to deliver improvements on over one hundred properties across the region under the Future Ready (FR) Property Enhancement Initiative. The initiative will focus on modernising the Council’s property portfolio through a comprehensive program to ensure long-term cost savings, longevity, and functionality, supporting an ever-evolving, dynamic and diverse workforce. The FR Initiative aims to improve energy efficiency and thermal integrity, eliminate the use of fossil fuel across multiple assets and prioritise structural integrity as well as address wear and tear issues. Solutions will include ASHP, PV panels and in some cases new facilities being added to meet the demands of an evolving workforce and community. Included in the initiative are community hubs, offices, children’s homes, fire and rescue service facilities, libraries and the museums portfolio. In line with the NCC’s commitment to achieving net zero across all operations by 2030, Mace’s appointment will be fully compliant with the PAS2030 retrofit accreditation, contributing to overall energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Mace has ensured the correct designer appointments within the professional team with an appointment which commences at RIBA stage 2, under an NEC 4 contract to support the rigorous PAS design process. With no two properties alike, each building will bring its challenges, for example, those which are listed and of historical importance. Mace will build upon its reputation of delivering a lasting legacy for the community with a dedicated social value team, providing local employment opportunities, training and apprenticeships, supply chain events and a commitment to bolstering green skills through educational services across Norfolk. Stewart Ward, Managing Director for Mace Fitout and Retrofit, said: “We are honoured to be working with Norfolk County Council once again, harnessing our industry-leading expertise in delivering complex transformational net zero programmes. “The Future Ready Initiative is a step in the right direction for the decarbonisation of public sector estates across the UK. By making these buildings fit for the future, we are ensuring they can be used by local communities for generations to come while creating a blueprint of what can be achieved nationwide.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has launched its sixth Innovation Accelerator programme, as the company behind Britain’s largest infrastructure construction programme seeks new ways to deliver major projects. Working in partnership with the Connected Places Catapult, the HS2 innovation accelerator programme is looking to new and existing tech firms to suggest innovative technologies to speed up design, automate construction handover and strengthen the role of the circular economy during site decommissioning at a project’s end. Construction of HS2, which will link London and Birmingham, is now well underway. Once complete, it will almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities and free up space for more local trains on the most crowded parts of the existing West Coast mainline. The civil engineering programme is now at peak construction and over the coming years, the project will start to transition into a working railway. The first phase of the line between West London and the West Midlands is due to open between 2029 and 2033. HS2 Ltd senior innovation manager Jon Kelly said: “HS2 is at peak construction in 2024 and there’s still a vast amount to do on what remains Britain’s largest investment in transport infrastructure. It therefore offers a huge opportunity to develop and or hone technologies to help deliver Britain’s new high-speed railway. “HS2’s innovation accelerator is a metaphorical laboratory and test bench to develop new tech solutions to drive improved productivity and efficiencies for the high-speed rail programme and future projects – both large and small.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major refurbishment plans for Chorlton Library in Manchester have been revealed to enhance the existing structure of the building and the fabulous dome hidden for years will be unveiled when it reopens. The library closes its door for two weeks on 24 March and will reopen with a temporary reduced library offer from the library extension at the back of the library from 8 April. Additional work will include improvements to the exterior stonework and windows as well as the renewal of electrical and mechanical systems, to ensure the building contributes to lower carbon emissions to help the council meet its target of becoming zero carbon by 2038. The refurbishment will also create additional meeting rooms within the existing structure and when the building reopens in 2025 the library will benefit from Open + technology which will allow the library to be open and accessible for more hours every day. Services in the reduced library offer from April 8 will include free internet and Wi-Fi, a small selection of stock, and a reservation pick-up point. These reservations can be made for free on the Manchester libraries catalogue. Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said: “Chorlton Library is one of the last of our libraries to benefit as part of our Library renewal programme. It is a unique building, a great asset to the city and one of our oldest libraries. It is a much-loved library and continues to be at the heart of the Chorlton community as it has been for the last 100 years. This work will bring it right up to date and ensure it continues to be better equipped to serve the local community and fit for purpose for the next 100 years and more as well as meeting our sustainability plans and carbon neutral targets. “As one of the busiest libraries in the city, I know it will be missed but I can assure you that the revamp will be worth the wait.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has established plans for a tram system between Leeds and Bradford to revolutionise the region’s transport network. It is hoped that spades will be in the ground in 2028 when construction of the early stage of the project will begin. Phase one would include two lines serving Leeds and Bradford, The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre, Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre. The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre – also linking Bradford Forster Square station with the new Bradford rail station. This line supports Bradford’s plans to regenerate the city’s southern gateway, which includes the new Bradford rail station. The Combined Authority would also work with Kirklees Council to look into how to include a Dewsbury Line in future. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “This is a key milestone in our plan to create a better-connected region that works for all. By setting out our plans to submit to the government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago. “This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity. “We know that mass transit systems have successfully helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity, opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that happens here in West Yorkshire.” The Combined Authority will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that future phases of a mass transit network reach Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale, ensuring no part of West Yorkshire is left behind. The submission of the Combined Authority’s “strategic outline case” document to the Department for Transport is set to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on March 14. The document will then be sent by the Mayor to the government for approval to continue with the development of the scheme. The project will be subject to a full business case and approval process. The Combined Authority will ask the public to have their say in the summer on the possible routes, with the two “phase one” Leeds and Bradford lines expected to be joined later by potential further schemes covering the rest of the region. It will also work on a £1 million Mass Transit development fund to be set aside to support the Dewsbury Line Development Project, which will look into how to get Mass Transit to connect Kirklees with Leeds. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to develop a 60-acre site in East Leeds have moved closer following its confirmed allocation into the Leeds Site Allocation Plan (SAP) for major employment use. The site, known locally as Brown Moor, is adjacent to the hugely successful Thorpe Park Leeds business destination and The Springs retail and leisure centre. Bounded by the M1 motorway and TransPennine railway line, the site already benefits from connectivity to key infrastructure such as the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) and established bus routes through Thorpe Park Leeds. Last year, leading property regeneration and placemaking experts, Scarborough Group International (SGI) tabled proposals to develop the site for a major new employment park, submitting an outline planning application for up to 55,417 sq m (596,500sq ft) of purpose-built accommodation. ‘Integral’, as the proposed development has been named, aims to deliver a range of high-quality buildings suitable for companies of different sizes within the advanced manufacturing, logistics and industrial sectors, with the potential to support around 1,700 new jobs. In a welcome departure from traditional industrial estates, the scheme will retain the vast majority of the established woodland and hedgerows across the site, while adding to these with new green spaces and landscaping corridors to seamlessly connect into the existing amenities and public rights of way within the adjacent Thorpe Park Leeds, The Springs, and local conurbations to the East and West of the site. Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI, said: “We are delighted that Brown Moor has been allocated with the Local Plan following recommendations from the Planning Inspectorate. We see that site as a key strategic site to allow the expansion of Thorpe Park Leeds and our development proposals support the continued growth of the park and future diversifying the mix of employment opportunities generating major economic benefits for the region. “The logistics sector is one of the fastest growing areas of employment in the UK and our plans and proposals for the scheme will deliver against a tight supply of prime space within West Yorkshire designed to cater for sustainable business practice and to attract exceptional talent.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
