Bellway is finalising its Indigo Park development in Chichester as the three-year construction project approaches completion. The housebuilder has transformed the former Portfield Quarry and UMA House site off Shopwhyke Road into a collection of new houses and apartments. A total of 66 properties at the 88-home development have now
McCoy Contractors is playing a pivotal role in the £40 million redevelopment of Coundon Court School in Coventry. The project is part of the Department for Education’s 10-year Schools Rebuilding Programme. Working alongside main contractor Wates Construction, McCoy Contractors has successfully delivered an extensive groundworks package for two key structures,
Laing O’Rourke has officially handed the Everton FC’s new stadium over to the football club, after three and a half years’ construction work. Wxecutive Chairman Marc Watts and Interim CEO Colin Chong joined Laing O’Rourke Project Director Gareth Jacques for a ceremonial handover of the stadium. Everton will now oversee
The sale of two plots of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme to Legal & General Affordable Homes will deliver 487 affordable homes, including a mix of rental and Shared Ownership properties. This, combined with another plot retained by Birmingham City Council for council housing, brings the total number of affordable
Plans have been submitted for the regeneration of Baltic Wharf in Totnes. The application for a new vision is to create a bespoke, high quality and sustainable mixed-use development, including improving the existing boatyard facilities, has been submitted by Baltic Wharf Developments Ltd – a joint venture between Acorn Property
South Cambridgeshire District Council has granted planning permission for up to 4,500 new homes at Waterbeach New Town East, marking a major step in the development of the area into a new town. The outline permission, issued to RLW Estates, includes plans for housing as well as business, retail, community,
The City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications-Sub Committee has approved the plans for what will become the City’s tallest tower, One Undershaft. Standing at 309.6 metres (74 storeys), the office tower is set to become a prominent feature in the Square Mile’s skyline, nestled between the iconic ‘Gherkin’ and Leadenhall
Blackpool Council has announced plans to appoint new commercial marketing agents to promote the Blackpool Central site to international leisure investors, aiming to attract fresh investment for the high-profile location. The move signals the termination of the previous agreement with developer Nikal Ltd. and marks a new phase in the
Bristol City Council has announced the start of major construction work on Victoria Street aimed at improving accessibility and making the area more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. The project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The transformation will include several significant upgrades to enhance the experience of walking,
An essential transport infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and promote sustainable travel in Didcot and its surrounding villages has been granted planning permission. The HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas project received approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner. The decision follows a
Bellway is finalising its Indigo Park development in Chichester as the three-year construction project approaches completion. The housebuilder has transformed the former Portfield Quarry and UMA House site off Shopwhyke Road into a collection of new houses and apartments. A total of 66 properties at the 88-home development have now been occupied, and work on the final homes is to be completed in March next year. The scheme is delivering 77 properties for private sale and 11 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership, alongside public open space with a children’s play area. The homes range from one and two-bedroom apartments to three and four-bedroom houses. As part of the planning agreement for the development, Bellway has contributed £230,120 towards improvement work on the A27 and £51,000 towards Chichester Harbour Special Protection Area. Daniel Williamson, sales director for Bellway South London, said: “As we approach the final stages of construction, it’s wonderful to see how a strong sense of community has developed here. “Indigo Park has welcomed a diverse range of residents, from first-time buyers and downsizers to growing families, attracted by the varied mix of apartments and houses, attainable prices and attractive location on the outskirts of Chichester. “We’re proud to have delivered a development which has provided high-quality new homes and breathed new life into a previously vacant brownfield site. “Alongside this, our financial contributions have supported vital infrastructure and environmental schemes which will benefit not only new residents but the wider community.” Bellway’s plans for the Indigo Park development were approved by Chichester District Council in November 2021 and construction work began on site in April the following year. The first residents moved into their homes in May 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McCoy Contractors is playing a pivotal role in the £40 million redevelopment of Coundon Court School in Coventry. The project is part of the Department for Education’s 10-year Schools Rebuilding Programme. Working alongside main contractor Wates Construction, McCoy Contractors has successfully delivered an extensive groundworks package for two key structures, Block 1 and Block 2. The redevelopment aims to transform the school into a modern, net-zero carbon campus while preserving its historic buildings and respecting the surrounding green belt. Six outdated blocks are being demolished and replaced with three state-of-the-art teaching facilities. Meanwhile, four teaching blocks and two locally listed buildings will remain, blending modern infrastructure with the school’s heritage. Spanning a 3,500m² site, McCoy’s work has included earthworks, site drainage, concrete floor slabs, installation of new utility services, and hard landscaping. One of the project’s significant challenges has been ensuring the school remains operational during construction. This has required the creation of temporary classrooms, fencing, barriers, and alternate access routes to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff. The redevelopment represents a key step forward in providing sustainable, future-ready educational facilities for Coundon Court School and its community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Laing O’Rourke has officially handed the Everton FC’s new stadium over to the football club, after three and a half years’ construction work. Wxecutive Chairman Marc Watts and Interim CEO Colin Chong joined Laing O’Rourke Project Director Gareth Jacques for a ceremonial handover of the stadium. Everton will now oversee a six-month fit-out phase, with interior designers, tradespeople, and audio-visual engineers completing the stadium’s bars, restaurants, and other facilities. Laing O’Rourke will maintain a presence at the stadium in the early months of 2025 to ensure quality standards are met. Everton’s Executive Chairman Marc Watts said: “I feel privileged to be here today to be part of the handover of this magnificent stadium in this stunning, unrivalled location. It is an illustrious moment in the history of Everton and marks a new era for the Club on many levels. The stadium will play a key role in supporting our commercial vision for the Club – hosting events and activities all-year round – but first and foremost, I have no doubt that it will be a venue that every Evertonian will be proud to call home.” A series of three test events will take place in 2025 before the Club stages its first competitive fixture at the stadium at the start of the 2025/26 season. More information on how Evertonians can qualify for and access the test events will be released in the New Year. Everton Interim CEO Colin Chong added: “Our thanks go to Laing O’Rourke, their workforce and extensive supply chain, along with the many people who have helped bring our vision to fruition. “Everton’s passionate supporters deserve immense praise for investing fully in this journey, right from the initial consultation phases and throughout the three-and-a-half-year build process. “Construction has not been without its challenges, but we have remained on schedule despite a worldwide pandemic and a war in Ukraine, which threatened to affect the delivery of materials and destabilised financial markets. “That is a testament to everyone involved and I am sure I speak for all our staff and supporters by saying we are absolutely delighted to take control of a site which will soon become one the best football stadiums in world football. “I often describe our new home as Liverpool’s Fourth Grace, and I truly believe this magnificent stadium is one that the whole city can be proud of.” The Club formally took possession of the site on Monday, 26 July 2021, with construction partners Laing O’Rourke immediately working on putting in place welfare facilities for their 12,000 construction staff. Everton Stadium, recognised as the largest single-site private sector development in the country, will contribute an estimated £1.3bn to the UK economy and attract 1.4m visitors to the city of Liverpool, annually. The scheme, which has led to the creation of thousands of jobs and forms part of Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters project in the city’s Northern Docks, will act as a catalyst for more than £650m worth of accelerated regeneration directly benefiting the nearby Ten Streets development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The sale of two plots of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme to Legal & General Affordable Homes will deliver 487 affordable homes, including a mix of rental and Shared Ownership properties. This, combined with another plot retained by Birmingham City Council for council housing, brings the total number of affordable homes in the first phase of the scheme to 700. This significantly exceeds the initial affordable housing target of 312 homes set out in the planning application. Legal & General Affordable Homes is committed to providing high-quality, affordable housing options and has a strong track record of delivering community-focused developments. Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “Delivering much needed affordable housing for the city through the Perry Barr Residential Scheme has been a key priority for me. “The number of people on the housing register in Birmingham has never been higher, selling these plots will provide a welcome boost to the supply of affordable homes in the city. “We are pleased to sell these plots to such a reputable operator of residential properties, one with a commitment to addressing the chronic undersupply of affordable housing in the UK. “Legal & General Affordable Homes have an excellent pedigree for investing, growing, and maintaining communities in the long term. We could not have asked for a better partner in Legal and General Affordable Homes and are pleased that we will be working with them towards the long term regeneration of Perry Barr. “Selling these plots delivers on our aims to provide a sustainable future and legacy for Perry Barr. This multi-award winning scheme provides a catalyst for the continued regeneration of the area and ongoing housing growth for the city.” Ben Denton, Chief Executive at Legal & General Affordable Homes, said: “Our vision is to provide everyone with an affordable, high-quality and environmentally sustainable place to live and grow. Our acquisition of the Perry Barr homes shows our commitment to delivering on this and investing in high quality stock, improving our asset portfolio and achieving improved returns. “Perry Barr is an exciting opportunity to help create a thriving new neighbourhood that contributes positively towards the local area and supports the council with tackling its housing challenges.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted for the regeneration of Baltic Wharf in Totnes. The application for a new vision is to create a bespoke, high quality and sustainable mixed-use development, including improving the existing boatyard facilities, has been submitted by Baltic Wharf Developments Ltd – a joint venture between Acorn Property Group and TQ9 Partnership LLP. Across a nine-hectare site at the southern end of the town of Totnes, the scheme – coined ‘Riverside at Baltic Wharf’ – will secure the future and ongoing viability of the boatyard, offer the potential for a major employment boost to the town and deliver much needed homes and care home. The scheme updates an extant planning permission from 2012 and builds on the first phase of development of 95 homes delivered by Bloor Homes in 2013. The updating from the original permission was required to replace the Retirement Village, which has proved impossible to deliver for over ten years, with a Care Home and respond to increased flood risk requirements with a raised walkway through the site. The delivery of the residential units will help to future-proof the boatyard by funding the new boatyard facilities and marine business space. In addition, Acorn will also provide a 25-year lease for the boatyard to ensure a sustainable and viable long-term future. The application has potential for significant uplift in employment and economic benefits from the site. It is estimated that the scheme will create around 350 full-time jobs with purpose-built employment areas in the boatyard, the care home, and office and café/restaurant facilities. In addition to providing 194 new homes, 31 of which are anticipated to be classed as affordable in the first phase, a 55-bed care home is included in the application, in line with the previous consented scheme and allocation. The number of dwellings is similar to the numbers in outline application with residential dwellings replacing the retirement village dwellings. This is in line with the Local Plan which was wholly based on the approved outline scheme. Sustainability sits at the heart of the application for the redevelopment of this underutilised brownfield site. This is due to the proximity to the town as well as measures including a ‘fabric first’ policy, electricity replacing gas and a transport policy promoting alternative transport measures and limiting the number of cars and also including solar panels and EV charging points. Ed Lewis, regional director at Acorn Property Group and on behalf of Baltic Wharf Developments Ltd, commented: “Since we began preparing the proposals for this application in 2020, we have undertaken a significant consultation programme with the District and Local Council, other stakeholder organisations and with the public. “We have listened to the thoughts and views of local people and considered the future needs of the town. As a result, we believe this application sets out a scheme which meets these needs, delivers a viable regeneration project compatible with the Local Plan. “We believe that this scheme sets out a positive vision for the future, for the local people and local businesses. Crucially, it will help to secure a sustainable future for the boatyard, an important local employment site in need of modernisation and regeneration.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Cambridgeshire District Council has granted planning permission for up to 4,500 new homes at Waterbeach New Town East, marking a major step in the development of the area into a new town. The outline permission, issued to RLW Estates, includes plans for housing as well as business, retail, community, leisure and sports facilities. The project will also provide new primary and secondary schools and a sixth form centre. Combined with earlier approval for 6,500 homes by developer Urban&Civic, this latest decision completes the vision outlined in the council’s 2018 Local Plan for the new Waterbeach settlement. The original planning application was approved in principle by the council’s Planning Committee in January 2021, subject to infrastructure agreements and conditions. These included commitments to affordable housing, new schools, and community facilities secured through a Section 106 agreement. Progress on the project faced delays due to concerns raised by the Environment Agency over water supply adequacy. Cambridge Water’s plans to meet future demand prompted the agency to object to the application. To address these concerns, the Water Scarcity Group, established in 2023, brought together local stakeholders, including the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, to work toward a resolution. In November 2024, the Environment Agency withdrew its objection, recommending the imposition of specific conditions to address water supply challenges. One significant condition of the approval is the relocation of Waterbeach Railway Station, which must be completed before any new homes are occupied. The Greater Cambridge Partnership, in collaboration with Homes England, has taken responsibility for delivering the station relocation. With these challenges resolved and conditions in place, the council has now given the final go-ahead for the project, paving the way for significant housing and infrastructure development in Greater Cambridge. This approval marks a critical milestone in the delivery of a sustainable and vibrant new community at Waterbeach. Image: LDA Design Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications-Sub Committee has approved the plans for what will become the City’s tallest tower, One Undershaft. Standing at 309.6 metres (74 storeys), the office tower is set to become a prominent feature in the Square Mile’s skyline, nestled between the iconic ‘Gherkin’ and Leadenhall buildings. Designed to be a key component of the City Cluster, the 1 Undershaft tower will play a central role in the City Corporation’s broader goal of delivering 1.2 million square metres of new office space by 2040. The revised design aims to meet the evolving needs of the post-pandemic office environment, while also aligning with the City Corporation’s ‘City Plan 2040,’ which aims to transform the area into a vibrant, seven-day-a-week destination for all communities. The new 1 Undershaft tower will provide 154,156 square meters of high-quality Grade A office space, as well as several public amenities. It will feature a 1,000 square metre free-to-visit elevated public space on levels 72 and 73, including a children’s education area operated in partnership with the London Museum. This space will be open seven days a week, extending into the evening, and is part of the City Corporation’s ‘Destination City’ initiative, which aims to increase foot traffic and stimulate economic growth across the area. In addition, 1 Undershaft will boast a 2,500 square metre publicly accessible podium garden, located 42 meters above street level. The garden will include food, drink, and retail amenities, along with cultural attractions. A striking structural glass floor will offer stunning views of the surrounding historic landmarks, including the Lloyds building. The project will also revamp the surrounding public realm, transforming St Mary Axe and parts of Leadenhall Street into a step-free, pedestrian-friendly area, complete with new greenery, seating, wayfinding, and a large digital screen for public events and screenings. This approval comes amidst a positive outlook for construction activity in the Square Mile, as highlighted in the latest Deloitte Crane survey, which showed an uptick in new construction projects in the City, despite a decline across other areas of London. With demand for office space in the City of London remaining high, global property consultancy Knight Frank reports that availability in newly built office buildings has fallen to just 0.5%, leading to a 16% rise in prime rents over the past year. One Undershaft is set to become a flagship project, driving both economic growth and community engagement, and cementing the City’s status as a leading global business hub. Image: DBOX Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Blackpool Council has announced plans to appoint new commercial marketing agents to promote the Blackpool Central site to international leisure investors, aiming to attract fresh investment for the high-profile location. The move signals the termination of the previous agreement with developer Nikal Ltd. and marks a new phase in the site’s redevelopment, which is already underway. Earlier this year, the first stage of the Blackpool Central project was completed with the opening of a 1,306-space multi-storey car park, funded through private sector investment under the former agreement. Demolition work at the site is scheduled to begin early in the new year, following the appointment of contractor DSM Demolition. The project will see the removal of the old police station, municipal courts, and a former joke shop on Central Drive. The demolition costs will be covered by funding from the Blackpool Town Deal, part of a UK Government initiative announced in 2022. Located near the iconic Blackpool Tower and adjacent to the Promenade, the Blackpool Central site spans up to 15 acres and boasts prime accessibility, including a direct route from the motorway to the new car park. Once the site of the world’s busiest train station, it now presents a significant opportunity to add to Blackpool’s £1.7 billion visitor economy and generate new jobs for the local community. The Council has retained ownership of most of the Blackpool Central land, ensuring it remains available for future development while safeguarding public finances. The agreement with Nikal generated £4.5 million for the Council, supporting local services and providing an option to acquire the new car park for a nominal fee in the future. In the coming months, Blackpool Council will begin working with international marketing agents to attract private sector investors and developers. The goal is to secure a new leisure attraction that will complement the town’s existing offerings and further boost Blackpool’s status as a premier destination. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bristol City Council has announced the start of major construction work on Victoria Street aimed at improving accessibility and making the area more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. The project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The transformation will include several significant upgrades to enhance the experience of walking, wheeling, and cycling along the street. Planned improvements include: The project is part of the broader A37/A4018 transport corridor initiative, which is focused on enhancing the number 2 bus route, a key 15-mile route connecting Stockwood and Henbury. The work will be carried out in phases over approximately 15 months, with completion expected in early 2026. Victoria Street will remain open for most of the construction period, though temporary traffic signals will be in place, potentially causing delays. Side streets connecting to Victoria Street may also face temporary closures. Road resurfacing will occur overnight towards the end of the project. To ease the transition and encourage sustainable travel, the council is offering incentives during the construction period. Residents and commuters can access up to £100 in travel offers, including free bus and train travel vouchers, bike loans, and cycling training. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An essential transport infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and promote sustainable travel in Didcot and its surrounding villages has been granted planning permission. The HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas project received approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner. The decision follows a recommendation from a planning inspector after a comprehensive 21-day conjoined public inquiry earlier this year. The major infrastructure initiative in Didcot aims to provide critical transport upgrades, fostering improved connectivity and reducing traffic bottlenecks. It is set to deliver enhanced travel options for residents and support sustainable development across the region. Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “The approval of this application is fantastic news, as securing planning consent is a key milestone in proceeding with this project. “This work is a big step towards tackling congestion in Didcot and the surrounding villages. It will transform travel in the Didcot area for current and future residents as well as commuters, reduce congestion in the surrounding villages, and improve air quality and noise levels.” The £332 million project is fully funded. Successful discussions with government in early 2022, and again in early 2024, resulted in additional grants from Homes England. Approval was also given to underwrite up to £30m from Oxfordshire County Council’s capital budget in February 2022, while Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership contributed a £10m capital investment generated from Enterprise Zones’ business rates retention. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
