Watkin Jones has reached a significant milestone with the topping out of its 397-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development at Grove Crescent Road in Stratford, East London. The PBSA project, funded through a joint venture with Housing Growth Partnership (HGP), Lloyds Banking Group, and Homes England, will provide 241
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new residential and community space in London’s Notting Hill area. The £17.5 million Acklam Road project, which consists of 32 residential flats alongside community space, was procured via the Southern Construction Framework and delivered on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
Wates has submitted a planning application for a new development of temporary modular homes at Waterloo and Queen Street, marking a significant step forward in addressing the urgent housing needs in Havering. The project is part of Wates’ ongoing 12-year Joint Venture partnership with the London Borough of Havering, aimed
Developer Regal has successfully secured a £115 million development loan from specialist finance provider Maslow Capital. The loan will fund the construction of a 264-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project, alongside 30 affordable residential units and nearly 9,000 square feet of commercial space, all located in the heart of Camden,
GRAHAM has been appointed to deliver stage two of the major Didcot and surrounding area infrastructure scheme (HIF1), which aims to tackle traffic congestion, improve travel times, and enhance connectivity in the region. The key elements of the GRAHAM project include the design of the Clifton Hampden Bypass and the
Henry Brothers has successfully completed the construction of an £11 million welfare hub at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Surrey, England. The Soldiers’ Centre at Alexander Barracks brings existing retail and wellbeing services across the site into a single location, enhancing the training experience for recruits while modernising the
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 new affordable homes across two sites in the city. The developments, which will be owned and managed by Dérive, the council’s wholly-owned housing company, will provide much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and ECF, a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse, have selected Vinci as the preferred contractor for Phase 1 of Stockport 8, a £350 million residential development west of Stockport town centre. The decision follows a competitive collaborative dialogue tender process,
Wilten Construction has been awarded a second Design and Build contract at Gateway 14 by client Gateway 14 Ltd and Jaynic. The project involves the development of a state-of-the-art, three-storey Skills and Innovation Centre spanning 35,000 sq ft in the heart of Gateway 14. Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent standards,
The regeneration of Hartlepool waterfront has reached a significant milestone with a £631,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funding will support the development phase of the ‘Tides of Change’ project, aimed at transforming the visitor experience at the Museum of Hartlepool and the historic paddle steamer, Wingfield
Watkin Jones has reached a significant milestone with the topping out of its 397-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development at Grove Crescent Road in Stratford, East London. The PBSA project, funded through a joint venture with Housing Growth Partnership (HGP), Lloyds Banking Group, and Homes England, will provide 241 en suite cluster bedrooms and 156 self-contained studio apartments across three blocks, all delivered by Watkin Jones. Designed with student life in mind, the development will offer a range of high-quality amenities, including landscaped roof terraces, a gym, group study spaces, a games lounge, a karaoke room, a media room, a tea point and social area, as well as dedicated podcast and social media rooms. Private dining facilities will also be available to residents. Located in close proximity to several prestigious London universities, including UCL East, London College of Fashion, Birkbeck, and the University of East London’s Stratford campus, the development offers excellent transport links. Stratford Station provides direct connections to central London and the East of England, while Westfield Stratford City, just a short distance away, offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options. The development will also include 2,000 square meters of commercial space, contributing to the area’s growing student-friendly environment. Sustainability is a key focus of the Grove Crescent Road development, which is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for energy efficiency and environmental performance. The development will feature an all-electric heating system, eliminating the use of gas, and an engineered facade designed to minimise heat loss. It will also meet the latest building regulations for insulation and energy efficiency. To encourage sustainable transport, the development will include dedicated cycle spaces for residents and visitors, while on-site parking will be limited to DDA use only. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new residential and community space in London’s Notting Hill area. The £17.5 million Acklam Road project, which consists of 32 residential flats alongside community space, was procured via the Southern Construction Framework and delivered on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC). Of the 32 homes that have been built, the majority (20) are social rent homes. The seven-storey building incorporates ground floor community units open to the public, with residential space starting on the first floor in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Four of these homes will be fully wheelchair accessible and all the apartments feature a fully enclosed balcony or winter garden. The homes were officially opened in a ceremony attended by Deputy Leader Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, representatives from Morgan Sindall, members of Swinbrook Residents’ Association and Golborne Youth Centre, local councillors, Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Sof McVeigh. The scheme was recently named the best affordable housing development for under £20million at the Inside Housing Development Awards. Situated near Portobello Road market, Acklam Road has been constructed with a brick facade to complement the building’s surroundings. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) have been installed to provide the new homes with a sustainable energy source and making the site completely gas free. Morgan Sindall’s London business leveraged its Intelligent Solutions approach to incorporate advanced fire safety measures into Acklam Road. This included installing an enhanced, commercial grade sprinkler system in each apartment and throughout non-residential areas. The building also includes two staircases and two emergency evacuation lifts as well as a dry riser. A high-end smoke detection and alarm system as well as an evacuation alert system has also been added to every apartment. The site’s proximity to the busy A40 presented a logistical challenge during construction. The project team utilised its Intelligent Solutions approach to think innovatively and utilised only a small pocket of land in an efficient manner to ensure that the work could continue at pace. Additionally, the Acklam Road development is situated opposite the Al-manaar cultural heritage centre, to ensure minimal disruption the team organised delivery schedules to avoid Friday prayer times while the road is at its busiest. As part of the tier one contractor’s commitment to generating as much social value as possible, the site team engaged in a wide variety of educational, volunteering and community projects. Among other things, this included creating a new kitchen for Golborne Youth Centre, engaging with 483 students, putting on 19 local education events and creating seven jobs for Kensington and Chelsea residents. The development also hosted eight apprentices, five work experience placements, five people on a week-long employability programme, one T-Level student, and three year-out placements. The amount of social value activity Morgan Sindall conducted onsite meant the project far exceeded the Employment and Skills plan requirements. This level of social value generation is especially impactful in the local community as there is a limited pool of construction labour and skills in the area. The Morgan Sindall team also worked in collaboration with numerous key partners including The Children’s Book Project, Metropolitan Police, Morley College, Construction Youth Trust, and several schools and engaged in educational events such as open days, volunteering within the local community, and donating to community-led projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates has submitted a planning application for a new development of temporary modular homes at Waterloo and Queen Street, marking a significant step forward in addressing the urgent housing needs in Havering. The project is part of Wates’ ongoing 12-year Joint Venture partnership with the London Borough of Havering, aimed at revitalising local communities and providing much-needed housing across the borough. The proposed development includes the installation of 18 modular homes, designed to provide high-quality temporary accommodation for families in need. The homes will be equipped with modern amenities and constructed to the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency. The proposals place a strong emphasis on design and place making, featuring entryways to the front of the homes that works with the local area and provide shade. Thoughtfully planned landscaping will enhance the site, creating a natural environment that encourages biodiversity and a sense of community. Whilst the original Phase 1 was paused due regulatory requirement to re-design with dual stair cores, the joint venture has proposed bringing forward the lower Blocks 9 and 10. These two blocks will be 100 percent affordable, which includes 66 social housing (London affordable rent) and 43 Shared Ownership homes. This will enable those who left the old Waterloo and Queen Street estate to make way for the regeneration to take place will be given the choice to return, with the remainder of the properties helping to reduce housing pressures for those with the greatest need. The joint venture aim to deliver all remaining phases ahead of the final phase, where the temporary modular homes will be located, in or around 2031/2. The modular homes could then be relocated to other areas of the borough where there is a need and suitable sites. Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Member for Housing Property said: “This represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide suitable temporary housing solutions for homeless families in the borough. “The temporary modular homes are situated on the plot of land that forms part of the final construction phase and will provide safe and comfortable living environments for families currently living in hostels and hotels. Blocks 9 and 10, which will provide affordable housing for local people, will be the next phase to progress.” The planning application can be reviewed, and includes an opportunity for the public to share their views about the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Regal has successfully secured a £115 million development loan from specialist finance provider Maslow Capital. The loan will fund the construction of a 264-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project, alongside 30 affordable residential units and nearly 9,000 square feet of commercial space, all located in the heart of Camden, London. The development will be situated on Chalk Farm Road, a prime spot next to the iconic Grade II-listed Roundhouse. This strategic location places the project in one of London’s most vibrant and culturally rich districts, with a design that aims to enhance both student and residential living. The scheme will include four blocks, with heights reaching up to twelve storeys. Focusing on both student housing and affordable residential options, the development will feature cutting-edge amenities, such as an external study courtyard, breakout spaces, a gym, and dedicated study areas. With over 2.06 square metres of internal amenity space per room, the project is designed to cater to modern living standards. It also aims to achieve top-tier ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) certifications, including BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, and WiredScore Platinum. The Regal development, which received a loan from Maslow Capital, is strategically positioned for easy access to central London, with Chalk Farm Underground Station just a two-minute walk away. This provides direct links to major transport hubs like King’s Cross and Euston, along with several key university campuses across the city. The site is also close to Primrose Hill and Camden’s famous entertainment and cultural venues, making it an appealing location for both students and residents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GRAHAM has been appointed to deliver stage two of the major Didcot and surrounding area infrastructure scheme (HIF1), which aims to tackle traffic congestion, improve travel times, and enhance connectivity in the region. The key elements of the GRAHAM project include the design of the Clifton Hampden Bypass and the Didcot to Culham River Crossing. The scheme is part of a broader effort to address growing traffic issues and support the economic development of the Science Vale area by facilitating smoother transportation links and creating new jobs. Detailed design work is currently underway, with construction expected to begin in early 2026. The project, which has received strong backing due to its potential to improve local infrastructure, is designed to meet the demands of a rapidly developing region. Andrew Henry, GRAHAM Contracts Director said: “GRAHAM has been working closely with Oxfordshire County Council and key stakeholders since April 2023 through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI). “This collaborative approach has enabled us to develop the detailed design for these significant infrastructure projects while actively engaging with third-party stakeholders such as Thames Water and Openreach to coordinate necessary utility diversions”. “As we deliver this transformative project, we will focus on working closely with the local community to create a lasting impact that benefits everyone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henry Brothers has successfully completed the construction of an £11 million welfare hub at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Surrey, England. The Soldiers’ Centre at Alexander Barracks brings existing retail and wellbeing services across the site into a single location, enhancing the training experience for recruits while modernising the facility. The building’s construction incorporates a Glulam structural frame and photovoltaic panels for on-site renewable energy generation and is expected to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology (DREAM). The investment was joint-funded by the British Army and the Army Central Fund (ACF) which provided a £7m grant – the single biggest donation ever made by the ACF. David Henry, Managing Director at Henry Brothers, said: “With extensive experience in the defence sector, Henry Brothers is delighted to have completed The Soldiers’ Centre – a facility that reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional builds for our clients. “In line with our sustainable values, The Soldiers’ Centre is fit for future purpose, built with eco-friendly construction methods that contribute to the Government’s commitment to Net Zero. “We are pleased to further build on our existing relationship with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, helping it make a significant and positive contribution to the experience of recruits as they embark on their Army careers.” Measuring approximately 2000m2 over two storeys, The Soldiers’ Centre design was delivered by CPMG Architects and supports The Soldier Academy, which delivers the 13-week Basic Training course to every soldier. Chris White, Director at CPMG Architects, said: “The Soldiers’ Centre is a result of the excellent relationship between CPMG and Henry Brothers, as well as our combined experience in the UK defence industry. We’re proud to demonstrate that affordable sustainability is possible, without comprising on quality design and delivery. “It is a significant project, delivered from our London studio, and will undoubtedly be appreciated by the new Army recruits who can now access retail and wellbeing services under one roof.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 new affordable homes across two sites in the city. The developments, which will be owned and managed by Dérive, the council’s wholly-owned housing company, will provide much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The first development, located on Bridgewater Street in Little Hulton, will comprise 12 homes, including three two-bedroom and four three-bedroom family houses, and eight one-bedroom apartments specifically designed for young people aged 18 to 25. The second development, located on Tully Street South in Higher Broughton, will consist of ten self-contained apartments for young people experiencing homelessness. “These developments are part of our commitment to increasing the number of good quality, affordable homes, with support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” said Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council. “The new, spacious low energy apartments will help tackle youth homelessness and the under-provision of young persons supported accommodation in the city.” The Tully Street South development will be delivered under the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), a government-led initiative aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. “There is real need for schemes such as these in our city, with over 5,000 households on the city’s housing register and over 6,000 homeless presentations made to the council in 2023-24,” said Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett. “It’s vital we continue to work to provide truly affordable housing in our city. Housing is so important for the wellbeing of everyone. Without a stable, secure, affordable place to live everything else suffers, from health to education to employment prospects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and ECF, a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse, have selected Vinci as the preferred contractor for Phase 1 of Stockport 8, a £350 million residential development west of Stockport town centre. The decision follows a competitive collaborative dialogue tender process, with Vinci emerging as the successful candidate. Vinci will now work alongside the project team on design development, and pending planning approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2026 with the demolition of the existing bus depot. Stockport 8, situated on land flanking King Street West and adjacent to the iconic railway viaduct, is one of the largest developments within the 130-acre Town Centre West masterplan. The project aims to seamlessly reconnect the area with the town centre, fostering a walkable and integrated community beneath the railway arches. At the core of Stockport MDC’s vision to transform Stockport Town Centre West into the UK’s most sustainable and liveable urban hub, the development will feature a high-quality, green neighbourhood catering to a range of housing needs. The ambitious plans, shaped through an extensive two-stage consultation process that began in January 2024, outline the creation of up to 1,300 energy-efficient homes designed for diverse demographics. The project will integrate: Stockport 8 forms a key part of a broader £1 billion investment currently reshaping Stockport town centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wilten Construction has been awarded a second Design and Build contract at Gateway 14 by client Gateway 14 Ltd and Jaynic. The project involves the development of a state-of-the-art, three-storey Skills and Innovation Centre spanning 35,000 sq ft in the heart of Gateway 14. Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent standards, the centre will focus on fostering emerging industries linked to green and digital skills, supporting high-growth start-ups, creating jobs, and stimulating the local economy. The 50-week construction programme is set to commence this month, running in parallel with the completion of Wilten Construction’s initial contract at Plot 1600 for Bauder. The Skills and Innovation Centre will feature: Upon completion, the facility will serve as a dynamic mixed-use hub attracting diverse business users and young professionals. Key benefits of the centre include: Naim Basha Director / Co-Founder Wilten Construction said: “Wilten is delighted to have been appointed for the second time by Gateway 14 and Jaynic for the Design and Build Contract for the Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14, delivering our Wilten promise and maintaining a repeat business relationship. Having recently completed Space City Docks 3, 4, and 5 (Pioneer Park) at Leicester, and with an already established presence on site at Gateway 14, Wilten will add great value to this scheme. We look forward to undertaking this prestigious project that will have a positive impact on both the local economy and the community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The regeneration of Hartlepool waterfront has reached a significant milestone with a £631,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funding will support the development phase of the ‘Tides of Change’ project, aimed at transforming the visitor experience at the Museum of Hartlepool and the historic paddle steamer, Wingfield Castle. This investment will enable further development of plans to revitalise the two iconic attractions, making them a dynamic destination for both locals and tourists. The project will tell the story of Hartlepool in a new, engaging way, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility. Pending additional funding, the transformation will involve upgraded exhibition spaces, improved entrances, enhanced access, interactive features, new community and learning spaces, and the restoration and reopening of the Wingfield Castle. The redevelopment will also complement the ongoing work at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool and the broader waterfront regeneration, which includes the construction of the Highlight active wellbeing hub. The Tides of Change development phase will also include a series of community activities, pilot projects, and consultation events designed to ensure the project meets the needs of local residents. These initiatives will offer hands-on opportunities for volunteers, including maritime skills training, walking tours of the area’s coastal ecology, a folklore music event, and educational programs for schoolchildren. If further funding is secured, the goal is to complete the transformation of both the Museum and Wingfield Castle by 2029. The project has also appointed award-winning LDN Architects to reimagine the visitor experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
