Morgan Sindall has been selected by Blackpool Council as the main contractor on a pre-contract services agreement to build a new £65m state-of-the-art education campus in the town centre. The appointment follows a competitive tendering process through the Pagabo Framework. The Multiversity mixed-use educational development will bring up to 3,000
Work on a new residential care scheme designed to promote and maximise independent living has been completed in London, providing 70 new homes and tackling the wider housing crisis in the area. Reardon Court in Enfield, located on the site of a former care home in Cosgrove Close, has been
Plans to refurbish and transform the lakeside Wynyard Hall Spa designed by GT3 Architects have been approved by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Nestled downhill from Wynyard Hall overlooking the lake, the spa is set to undergo an extensive transformation to expand its offering with more wet spa facilities and treatment rooms,
Plans to develop a modern government office development in York have been approved. The application to build a six-storey, 195,000 sq ft government hub, put forward by partners the Government Property Agency (GPA), Homes England and Network Rail, was given the green light by the City of York Council. Earmarked
Mace has scooped a £184 million contract to deliver the next expansion phase at The Oxford Science Park, The Daubeny Project. The project will see the construction of three new state-of-the-art laboratory and office buildings, further cementing Oxford’s position as a world-leading centre for scientific innovation. The expansion will add
Stelling Properties has reached a major construction milestone to restore a historic site in the centre of Southampton. The installation phase for all 121 studio apartments, which were manufactured and fully fitted out offsite, has now been completed on-site. 31 High Street is a landmark project which is bringing a
Ballymore has put forward an outline planning application to redevelop the Edgware Broadwalk Shopping Centre, the bus station and the garage, in partnership with Places for London. The masterplan, designed by Howells, proposes to deliver 3,365 new homes, including 1,150 affordable homes, and 463 student accommodation spaces. A significant increase
Persimmon South West has received approval for detailed planning for a new scheme for 40 homes in Exeter. Exeter City Council gave the green light for 40 high-quality homes, on land adjacent to Blakeslee Drive in Newcourt. This follows the outline planning consent that had previously been granted in March
Citu has secured plans for Phase One of the Attercliffe Waterside urban regeneration scheme in Sheffield. The 23-acre brownfield site is owned by Sheffield City Council and straddles either side of Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, once a vital waterway in powering the city’s Industrial Revolution. The transformational scheme will celebrate
Castlemere Developments has completed its first major airspace project in Tunbridge Wells. The Windsor-based company has expanded into the airspace development sector and has a range of projects in the pipeline having completed this first project in Kent. The 11-unit scheme at Hamilton Court, located on Chilston Road, features five
Morgan Sindall has been selected by Blackpool Council as the main contractor on a pre-contract services agreement to build a new £65m state-of-the-art education campus in the town centre. The appointment follows a competitive tendering process through the Pagabo Framework. The Multiversity mixed-use educational development will bring up to 3,000 students and staff into Blackpool town centre and allow Blackpool and the Fylde College to relocate from out-of-town facilities into a world-class campus off Cookson Street in Blackpool. Land for the development is currently being assembled with the site offering a perfect location situated next to tram, train and bus services, making it accessible to students across the Fylde Coast and beyond. The Multiversity would be leased to the College, offering more than 70 individual courses and enhancing its existing higher education provision which is directly linked to local employment needs. The Multiversity would also support a wide range of qualifications, from further education, through to higher education and adult learning. The proposed development would include two phases, starting with an education campus on the corner of Cookson Street and George Street, followed by future development across the southern end of the site by Milbourne Street and Grosvenor Street. The plans would deliver up to 32,600 sqm of education space and commercial space across several phases, starting with the new Multiversity building. Outline approval for the scheme was granted in April 2024, with a reserved matters application to follow this summer. The main campus building would be designed to be carbon-neutral in operation, with the surrounding area on George Street landscaped and pedestrianised to make it a safer environment for students and local people. The Multiversity has been designed by established architects Hawkins\Brown and aims to complement the rest of the Talbot Gateway regeneration. Steven Gregory, Morgan Sindall Construction’s North West Area Director, said: “We’re excited to be appointed to the Multiversity Campus project with Blackpool Council and the Blackpool and The Fylde College, which promises to deliver precious benefits for the local community. Once complete, the campus will boost access to advanced skills for Blackpool’s resident and support the town centre’s wider regeneration. “The Morgan Sindall team is committed to maximising the social and economic value generated during the development. This will be achieved in several ways, such as utilising local contractors and creating a Knowledge Quad to provide training and learning opportunities, such as hosting the Blackpool Community Skills Academy employability programme. We’ve also already partnered with Blackpool and The Fylde College to provide ongoing education support to help students become ‘work ready’.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work on a new residential care scheme designed to promote and maximise independent living has been completed in London, providing 70 new homes and tackling the wider housing crisis in the area. Reardon Court in Enfield, located on the site of a former care home in Cosgrove Close, has been designed to enhance individuals’ quality of life through access to a multi-purpose environment. Two communal courtyards, a central social space, and several auxiliary function rooms come together to deliver a community within itself, with hobby rooms, a library, and a hairdressing area promoting a sense of independence and connectivity between residents. Encircling the internal courtyards, accessible corridors have been incorporated into the design to enhance communal living and promote social inclusion. Leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the scheme, collaborating closely with contractor GRAHAM and Enfield Council to deliver architecture, landscape architecture, project management, contract administration, clerk, technical advisory, M&E, sustainability and energy, and civil and structural engineering services. John Clarke, director at Pick Everard, said: “This has been a rewarding project, focusing on a specialist area of residential living that draws on our vast experience in delivering affordable and high-quality care environments. “The different elements of the scheme come together to create a mini-community within Enfield where residents can enjoy a varied offering of active social and wellbeing opportunities, aided by an inclusive and disability-conscious design. Each flat benefits from an outward-facing balcony, with those on the ground floor having access to a garden space to really enhance a sense of independence that is present throughout the scheme. “We now look forward to seeing residents and staff make use of this fantastic new space, which will positively impact generations to come.” The Enfield scheme has been commended by local delegates for its wider impact on aiding housing shortages in the area, with older residents able to move into high-quality housing, while increasing the availability of family homes in the borough. In addition to maximising housing opportunities, the scheme has also incorporated a green design philosophy, with more than 100 solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof alongside sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to help with rainwater management. Social value was a key part of the project, with career talks held at nearby schools and material suppliers chosen in the local area. Pat O’Hare, regional director at GRAHAM, said: “Reardon Court will provide independence, safety, and comfort for residents for years to come. This project underscores the importance of meeting the evolving needs of an ageing population who require extra support and care. “With its thoughtful design, comprehensive care services, and commitment to fostering a sense of community, Reardon Court sets a new standard for independent living in later years.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to refurbish and transform the lakeside Wynyard Hall Spa designed by GT3 Architects have been approved by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Nestled downhill from Wynyard Hall overlooking the lake, the spa is set to undergo an extensive transformation to expand its offering with more wet spa facilities and treatment rooms, as well as increased accessibility for users. The approved plans will see the existing ground floor building extended, along with the introduction of a new-look outdoor space. New features will include an infinity pool and ice plunge pool, two barrel saunas, fit pit seating areas alongside two hot tubs, and external terraces. A café area accommodating 40 covers will be positioned on the lower floor by the lake, fostering fluidity of movement with easy access to outdoor seating spaces. The lower floor will also feature changing rooms and indoor spa facilities, which include a herbal sauna, steam room, frigidarium, experience showers, salt therapy room, and plunge pools. A new-build upper-level will house six single and one double treatment rooms, a manicure room, and relaxation rooms. Anna Cumberland, senior architect at GT3 Architects, said: “It’s fantastic to see the design proposals for Wynyard Hall Spa now approved and we very much look forward to getting work underway and bringing the new facility to fruition. “Everything we do is rooted in people architecture, making sure that every design is truly focused on the people who will interact with the space, whether that be as a visitor or staff. In the case of Wynyard Hall Spa, this includes improving accessibility to allow more people to visit. Readdressing the entrance and circulation around the spa facilities, as well as re-aligning the building levels, introducing a lift, and adding accessible parking with an access route will all improve the spa in its current form. “The designs combine the luxury aesthetic expected by visitors with a sensitivity to the overall setting, particularly with the listed nature of Wynyard Hall and its gardens, which date back to the early 19th century. A clean and simple exterior using a buffbrick base to the lower level creates this cohesion with the setting, while a timber finish with feature glazing to the upper level adds a contemporary element which frames views across the grounds and creates an all-important connection to nature.” Taking inspiration from Nordic spa experiences, the building orientation takes spa users on a journey through their visit using the contrast of hot and cold, and dark and light alongside a blend of tactile materials. Meanwhile, close consultation with the spa manager ensured that the operational functions of the spa were considered and would be efficient for staff, while also not impacting the visitor experience. The design team for the approved plans includes Southern Green Landscape Architects, Portland Consulting Engineers, TGA Consulting Engineers, SAJ Transport Consultants, and ELG Planning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to develop a modern government office development in York have been approved. The application to build a six-storey, 195,000 sq ft government hub, put forward by partners the Government Property Agency (GPA), Homes England and Network Rail, was given the green light by the City of York Council. Earmarked for completion in 2027/2028, the hub will be home to up to 2,600 civil servants. Building features include solar panels, air source heat pumps and a green roof, as well as 230 cycle spaces and a planted pedestrian area. The development includes 135,000 sq ft of flexible office space, with ground floor retail and ancillary space. The hub is the first part of York Central – a major initiative to redevelop a substantial area of land close to York city centre and boost the regional economy. Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to achieve planning permission to develop this new facility, which will deliver a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient office development for up to 2,600 civil servants. “The new hub will help to accelerate the York Central development, stimulate economic growth and investment in the North of England as well as supporting the transformation of the Civil Service. “It’s another milestone for us at the Government Property Agency to deliver smart, modern, sustainable and digitally connected workplaces that focus on improving productivity and wellbeing.” York Central is one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK, and is located next to the city’s railway station. The scheme is being brought forward by a collaborative partnership between Homes England, Network Rail, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum. It will be developed by private sector partners McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mace has scooped a £184 million contract to deliver the next expansion phase at The Oxford Science Park, The Daubeny Project. The project will see the construction of three new state-of-the-art laboratory and office buildings, further cementing Oxford’s position as a world-leading centre for scientific innovation. The expansion will add 400,500 sq ft of premium laboratory and office space to the park, addressing the critical demand for high-quality facilities in the thriving life sciences sector. The Oxford Science Park is majority-owned by Magdalen College, Oxford, and is at the heart of its strategy to support discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. The new buildings are designed with sustainability and occupant well-being as primary considerations, featuring biodiverse landscaping, extensive photo-voltaic energy generation and optimised building orientation for natural light and energy efficiency. Mace, in collaboration with the client and the design team, has been working to ensure that sustainability translates into the build, using innovative ground engineering solutions that will save around 3000 tonnes of embodied carbon. The facades will also be the largest use of recycled aluminium for a stick curtain wall project in the UK, saving over 500 tonnes of embodied carbon. These solutions demonstrate Mace’s ability to add value beyond traditional construction services and deliver its vision to build sustainable communities. Rory Maw, CEO of The Oxford Science Park, commented: “Mace’s knowledge and expertise in large-scale construction projects will be crucial to helping us deliver The Daubeny Project, our most ambitious development to date. “These new high-performance laboratory and office buildings will offer much needed space for life science and biotech companies to scale and allow them to benefit from being located at the heart of Oxford’s thriving innovation ecosystem.” Robert Lemming, Managing Director, Public Sector and Life Sciences, Mace Construct said: “The Oxford Science Park is home to some of the most forward thinking and innovative companies, and these new cutting-edge facilities will help unlock ground-breaking research that people will rely on for decades to come. “As our population grows and ages, more sites like these will be needed to meet the pressing demand for high-quality laboratory space, and at The Oxford Science Park we are setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stelling Properties has reached a major construction milestone to restore a historic site in the centre of Southampton. The installation phase for all 121 studio apartments, which were manufactured and fully fitted out offsite, has now been completed on-site. 31 High Street is a landmark project which is bringing a fire-damaged building back to life after it remained derelict for more than a decade. The Portland stone façade of the former Bank of England building has been restored and other parts of the original building have been retained including the historic bank vaults in the basement. The development represents a £12m investment by Stelling to regenerate this prominent site on Southampton High Street whilst helping to meet the critical undersupply of student accommodation in the city. The five-storey scheme will provide 121 high-specification, self-contained studio apartments which will be operated by Unilife and are due for completion later this year. Steel-framed, 8m long modules, each weighing up to 12 tonnes, contained a single apartment and arrived on site finished, with kitchenettes, shower rooms, fitted and loose furniture, flooring, doors, and glazing already in place. These were lifted into position over a six-week installation phase and using a 230-tonne crane. Dan Smith, COO of Stelling Properties, said: “This high-profile project follows another modular student scheme that we have already delivered on Southampton High Street, and we are about to start a third. These developments are an important part of the regeneration of the city centre. “31 High Street has been a hugely challenging and constrained site to develop. It demonstrates the enormous potential of offsite construction and our technical capabilities very well. The site is completely enclosed on three sides, which would have been extremely difficult for in-situ construction as there is no storage space for plant, materials or equipment.” “This is a locally listed building in a Conservation Area but with a fantastic modular design developed by our inhouse team and the retained Portland stone façade, it will blend sympathetically into the locality. “Speed of construction was absolutely critical to reduce disruption in the city centre. By manufacturing and fully fitting out the apartments offsite, we reduced time on site by around 50 per cent. The tremendous progress so far is a real credit to our design, production and site teams.” To complement the local architecture and reflect the heritage aesthetic of the retained façade, the studio apartments will be finished in light stone-coloured external cladding. The final phase of construction will include mechanical and electrical connections on site, fitting out the extensive social and amenity spaces for residents in the original retained part of the building, roofing works, solar panel installations and landscaping of a large roof terrace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ballymore has put forward an outline planning application to redevelop the Edgware Broadwalk Shopping Centre, the bus station and the garage, in partnership with Places for London. The masterplan, designed by Howells, proposes to deliver 3,365 new homes, including 1,150 affordable homes, and 463 student accommodation spaces. A significant increase in green space for the town centre includes a new Deans Brook Nature Park, which is to be created by unlocking nearly five acres of land which has been inaccessible to the public for almost 100 years. To complement the high street offer, the new town square and centre will more than double the existing volume of commercial space and reintroduce a cinema following the loss of the former Ritz cinema over 20 years ago. Edgware’s daytime and mid-week economy will be bolstered by new office, and workspace for small and medium businesses. The development will open up access to green space that has been closed off to the public for almost 100 years, by creating the 4.7 acre Deans Brook Nature Park. The current scrubland will become a nature trail with wild planting, walking routes, seating and play areas for the local community to relax, enjoy and spend time in nature within the Town Centre. Across the project, landscape design by Gustafson Porter + Bowman includes 400 new trees, as well as 2.5 acres of new play space for children of all ages integrated across the site. The development aims to generate zero emissions once in operation and includes the use of renewable energy sources, such as air heat pumps, and will incorporate solar panels, green roofs and community growing gardens. Plans will more than double the existing commercial, retail and leisure space on the site, with 460,000 sq. ft. for new shops, cafes and restaurants as well as a new larger Sainsbury’s, cinema and leisure centre, plus flexible floorspace that can deliver office, workspace and hotel uses – centred around a new town square that will complement the existing amenity offer in the town centre. The masterplan will prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and encourage active travel with significant improvements to connectivity within the town centre and a new public cycle hub offering 200 cycle spaces. The development will deliver a future-proof transport interchange including a new bus garage which can be easily adapted to EVs in the future. The garage will contribute towards future use of electric buses across London – improving air quality and helping to tackle the climate emergency. Subject to consent, the first phase will be delivered by 2031 which includes: the new nature park, retail, leisure, cinema, around 1,000 homes, a new Sainsbury’s store, office, bus station and garage as well as the library and community centre. The whole development has an anticipated completion date of 2036. The application will now be validated by the Barnet Council, after which an extended eight-week period of statutory consultation will be undertaken by the council. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Persimmon South West has received approval for detailed planning for a new scheme for 40 homes in Exeter. Exeter City Council gave the green light for 40 high-quality homes, on land adjacent to Blakeslee Drive in Newcourt. This follows the outline planning consent that had previously been granted in March for up to 50 new homes. The 3.2-hectare site will feature family housing, comprising about a third of the area, with the remaining space dedicated to open areas. To the south, the open space will extend an existing pond to support the new development, incorporating additional planting to enhance biodiversity. Existing quality trees, including a significant Oak tree, will be preserved as part of the enhanced open space within the development. The five-star developer has collaborated closely with the Local Newcourt Community Association throughout the process and will undertake road works to widen the bend on Omaha Drive adjoining River Plate Road. Persimmon has a presence in Exeter and its East Devon outskirts. Currently, it has two sites at Tithebarn – Ashworth Place and Cherrywood Grange, where homes are available for purchase from £259,995 – and is one of the developers contributing to the expansion of Cranbrook. The builder’s Community Champions initiative – which donates over £700,000 annually to good causes and organisations across Britain – has recently supported local groups such as Hospiscare, Stoke Hill AFC U9s, and Ladysmith Infant & Junior School. Persimmon Homes South West Managing Director Dan Heathcote said: “This achievement is a testament to our planning team and the collaborative efforts with residents, officers, and stakeholders. Together, we have brought 40 new homes to Exeter, providing much-needed affordable housing in the South West, as recognised by Exeter City Council. “Alongside the S106 commitments and green initiatives associated with the site to enhance the area, this project exemplifies the high standards at Persimmon and our commitment to supporting sustainable communities through collaboration. “As a responsible partner, Persimmon looks forward to continuing its engagement with the Council and the local community as we progress with delivering quality new homes for local people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Citu has secured plans for Phase One of the Attercliffe Waterside urban regeneration scheme in Sheffield. The 23-acre brownfield site is owned by Sheffield City Council and straddles either side of Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, once a vital waterway in powering the city’s Industrial Revolution. The transformational scheme will celebrate the rich heritage of the site which has been derelict for years and is now destined to become one of the largest low-carbon communities in the UK. Around 1,000 homes will be delivered in three phases across the scheme, complemented by community-focused leisure opportunities and creative workspaces. Phase One – which includes 362 homes, a new public realm, a new pedestrian bridge across the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, and the repurposing of existing buildings – was approved by Sheffield City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee. The first phase on the north side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal will form the heart of the new district, with work expected to begin this autumn on the leisure and commercial elements, ahead of construction of the first homes on site. Six existing historic buildings will be reimagined at the centre of the new neighbourhood which will include a café, bar, bakery, restaurant, offices and multi-purpose venue. Contemporary designs and surviving architecture will be interwoven to create a new Attercliffe Waterside that respects its industrial heritage and paves the way for a sustainable future. A public and commercial square will also be created, alongside a series of south-facing courtyards and walkways down to the canal. The new pedestrian and cycling footbridge will connect Phase One to the south side of the river, opening up the community to Sheffield’s wider East End, additional green space and a tram stop for easy access to the city centre. The first homes to be built on the site will consist of 3 & 4-bedroom townhouses and 1 & 2-bedroom apartments, all constructed using Citu’s ground-breaking timber-framed housing system. This combines bold architecture with flexible designs alongside sustainable, low carbon materials to ensure the highest standards of energy efficiency. The houses will be constructed on a podium which sits above an under-croft car park, with plans to remove cars from specific stretches of Effingham Road which will be replaced with pedestrianisation, public realm and a cycle lane, all part of the scheme’s vision to create a landscape that prioritises people over cars. Public art by local artists will also be introduced throughout the public and private spaces, with murals on building facades, existing building structures being repurposed as sculptural artefacts and imaginative new play areas integrated into the local landscape. Chris Thompson founder and co-director from Citu said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for Phase One of Attercliffe Waterside that will kickstart the wider regeneration of Sheffield’s East End. “It’s an area steeped in history and our plans have been inspired by the heritage industries that were powered by the waterways running through it. The area presents huge opportunities from its location alongside the canal and the River Don, with green space, the Olympic Legacy Park and easy access to the city centre by tram in just ten minutes. “We are creating a new community in this beautiful waterside location that will have its own identity; one that pays homage to the area’s rich history but that adapts the landscape to address the various challenges of our day, not least the climate emergency.” He added: “Attercliffe Waterside will enable future generations to live more sustainable lifestyles, in homes that are built to the highest environmental performance standards, setting an exemplar nationally for this type of regeneration.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Castlemere Developments has completed its first major airspace project in Tunbridge Wells. The Windsor-based company has expanded into the airspace development sector and has a range of projects in the pipeline having completed this first project in Kent. The 11-unit scheme at Hamilton Court, located on Chilston Road, features five two-bedroom and six one-bedroom apartments. Each apartment will deliver aspirational and affordable modular penthouse living. Prices for one bed will be from £210,000 and £280,000 for a two bed. Each apartment offers premium designer kitchens complete with Bosch appliances, quartz worktops, fully tiled bathrooms and oak flooring. Heating is provided via heat pumps to ensure no carbon-burning appliances are used. In addition, each apartment has fibre broadband and assigned parking with dedicated electrical vehicle charging. Hamilton Court has been built off-site, with Castlemere Developments embracing the modern methods of construction (MMC) approach with all of its properties before lifting them into place for the finishing touches. It has purposely chosen off-site MMC so that it can deliver projects much quicker than onsite developments, reduce the disruption to current residents, and ensure its developments are as environmentally friendly as possible. Kris Collett, managing director of Castlemere Developments, said: “Hamilton Court is a stunning addition to the residential property market in Tunbridge Wells. We are incredibly pleased with it. Our plan was to deliver stylish, environmentally friendly accommodation which we have achieved. “We have chosen to adopt MMC best practices for this scheme – and future ones. This is more cost-effective, and quicker and also we believe that building airspace apartments offsite is less complex. There is a huge demand for residential properties and we will continue to source suitable locations that we can develop to help meet this need.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
