Thames Water has issued a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) to update potential suppliers and investors about the next phase of its market engagement programme, aimed at supporting the development of a new reservoir in Oxfordshire. The proposed reservoir, with a capacity of up to 150 million cubic meters and a
Plans for a cutting-edge Day Case Surgery and Imaging Centre at Harrogate District Hospital are moving ahead, following the signing of a construction contract between Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) and Morgan Sindall Construction. The £50 million project, funded by HDFT and NHS England, will see the construction
Vistry Group has joined forces with Paradigm Housing Group and Leaf Living to deliver 370 homes on a newly acquired site in Kidlington, near Oxford. The development, situated near Oxford Parkway station and Oxford Park and Ride, has outline planning permission. Vistry is collaborating with Cherwell District Council to finalise
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
Thames Water has issued a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) to update potential suppliers and investors about the next phase of its market engagement programme, aimed at supporting the development of a new reservoir in Oxfordshire. The proposed reservoir, with a capacity of up to 150 million cubic meters and a surface area of approximately 7 square kilometers, will serve as a key regional asset, providing water to 15 million people across the area. Designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the reservoir was recently included in the company’s Water Resource Management Plan 2024, which was approved by the government. Set to be operational by 2040, the reservoir will support Thames Water, Southern Water, and Affinity Water in ensuring a safe and secure water supply during droughts. It will also help address the growing challenges of climate change and the increasing demands of a rising population. As part of its early market engagement, Thames Water is seeking to inform contractors and investors about the development of the reservoir, including the commercial and procurement strategies for two major opportunities: The market engagement also offers a chance for cross-sector discussions to align the project with market trends and gather insights from both contractors and investors. Interested organisations are invited to register for the SESRO spring market engagement event, which will take place on Monday 17 March 2025. Registration closes on Friday 24 January 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for a cutting-edge Day Case Surgery and Imaging Centre at Harrogate District Hospital are moving ahead, following the signing of a construction contract between Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) and Morgan Sindall Construction. The £50 million project, funded by HDFT and NHS England, will see the construction of a two-storey facility housing state-of-the-art medical equipment and patient care areas. The new centre will include two operating theatres, two treatment rooms, a day case ward, and an imaging department, with construction set to begin in February 2025 and completion expected in 2026. The imaging department will feature enhanced diagnostic capabilities, including two MRI scanners, two CT scanners, three x-ray rooms, seven ultrasound scanners, bone density (Dexa) scanning, and fluoroscopy technology, which provides real-time imagery of tissues and organs. The centre will be built on the site of the former Therapy Services building, which was demolished earlier this year as part of the Trust’s initiative to eliminate reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) from its infrastructure. This project is the latest milestone in the Trust’s ongoing transformation programme, which has already delivered major upgrades, such as the redevelopment of Harrogate District Hospital’s Emergency Department, the establishment of Emergency Department 2 for minor injuries and illnesses, and the launch of a Community Diagnostic Centre at Ripon Community Hospital to provide faster access to tests and scans. Throughout the construction phase, patient care will remain uninterrupted, with services maintained and minimal disruption for patients, visitors, staff, and the local community. The building site will be self-contained, ensuring access to other hospital areas is unaffected. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group has joined forces with Paradigm Housing Group and Leaf Living to deliver 370 homes on a newly acquired site in Kidlington, near Oxford. The development, situated near Oxford Parkway station and Oxford Park and Ride, has outline planning permission. Vistry is collaborating with Cherwell District Council to finalise a Reserved Matters application for the site. As part of its broader strategy, Vistry has pre-sold 139 homes to Paradigm Housing Group. These homes will be offered under shared ownership and affordable rent tenures, providing vital housing options for local residents. Additionally, Leaf Living has acquired 56 homes to be offered as private rentals. This marks another milestone in Leaf’s ongoing partnership with Vistry, announced last year. Vistry will also sell 46 homes under the First Homes scheme, offering discounted market rates for qualifying buyers, while the remaining 129 homes will be sold on the open market through its Bovis Homes brand. Beyond housing, the development will provide significant benefits to the local community. Plans include new allotments, public open spaces, play areas, and an on-site sports pitch. Vistry will also invest approximately £8 million in local infrastructure, including improvements to education, transport, and sports facilities. Construction is set to begin once final approvals are in place, with the site poised to deliver much-needed homes and amenities for the Kidlington area. Supriya Ray, Regional Managing Director of Vistry Cotswolds, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Paradigm and Leaf Living here in Kidlington. The site will deliver a significant number of high quality, mixed-tenure homes, giving local people a real chance to own or rent a new home, whilst we will also be providing a range of other community services and facilities. Additionally, we will utilise the quality of our Bovis Homes brand to sell the open-market homes, perfectly demonstrating the unique strengths of our Group.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
