Hines has secured plans from Southwark Council to build a new, landmark office and residential development at 18 Blackfriars Road. The approval secured working with architects Foster + Partners, and Lipton Rogers, allows Hines to breathe new life into a two-acre brownfield site that has remained undeveloped for 20 years. 18 Blackfriars Road is designed to be fossil fuel free, 100% electric and Net Zero Carbon in operation, with 95% of the site heat demand served by ground source heat pumps that share, store and offset energy. Beyond decarbonisation, it is set to deliver affordable homes, free workspace for local businesses and entrepreneurs and a cultural hub for locals as it aims be the first high-rise scheme in the UK to achieve the WELL Community Gold Standard, which certifies developments that support health and wellbeing. Ross Blair, Senior Managing Director and Country Head of Hines UK, said: “Our plans will transform an undeveloped piece of land, most of which has lain empty for over 20 years, into much needed new homes and first class, sustainable and tech-enabled offices, built around a central hub which we hope will become a brand new convening space for the local community.” The location benefits from fantastic transport connectivity and proximity to numerous cultural landmarks as well as being a stone’s throw from the River Thames. The new scheme will consist of three buildings, two delivering over 400 new homes, with 40% being affordable. The third will create 800,000 square feet of office space featuring a series of bustles that provide space with exceptional quality natural light inside and outdoor terraces on every third floor. Plans also include 20,000 square feet of new affordable workspace for local and socially minded enterprises, assembly rooms for use by the local community, modern educational space with links to local institutions, children’s play areas and a new, central public space with retail and food outlets situated at the heart of the development. A 150% increase in biodiversity is also planned for the site, including the planting of around 100 new trees. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Crest Nicholson has acquired land at Branston Locks in East Staffordshire. The housebuilder received reserved matters planning approval for the greenfield parcel, where it plans to build 284 new homes, in April of last year. The purchase marks the next step in the latest phase of a Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) at Branston Locks, Burton-on-Trent. Sitting within a larger development site being delivered by multiple developers, Crest Nicholson will provide a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes which will contribute towards the 2,500 homes being delivered by the wider scheme. The homes will include several of Crest Nicholson’s house types such as the three-bedroom Hadleigh and four-bedroom Yorkley, with 22 homes available as affordable Shared Ownership properties. Proposals for the site also include public open spaces including a play area and walking and cycling routes. In addition, residents will benefit from a range of commercial, educational and leisure facilities on the wider development, including a primary school, pub, care home and hotel of up to 80 rooms. Tim Brickley, Managing Director at Crest Nicholson Midlands, said: “We’re excited to have completed the purchase of land at Branston Locks and look forward to delivering high-quality homes. The Branston Locks development will create a vibrant, sustainable community in a great location while providing much-needed homes within the area and we’re thrilled to be part of this wonderful development.” The SUE will also include vehicular access connections from Branston Road and Shobnall Road, green infrastructure comprising public open space, structural landscaping, sustainable urban drainage basins and associated drainage, as well as sports and recreation facilities. Staffordshire offers residents access to a range of fun activities with the likes of Alton Towers and Peak District in close proximity. The town is centrally located, with great commuter links to major cities such as Manchester and Birmingham. The M6 runs through the centre of the county and connects it to the rest of the UK by road, while there are several train stations in Stoke, Stafford, Lichfield Trent Valley and Rugeley Trent Valley running high-speed, nationwide services. For those looking to travel internationally, Birmingham, East Midlands and Manchester airports are within easy reach. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals