Wavensmere Homes has submitted plans to City of Wolverhampton Council for the proposed £150 million residential-led Canalside South development. The 17.5-acre former industrial site is located within the city centre and benefits from frontage onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton Branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal.
Puma Property Finance (Puma) has announced that it has facilitated £20 million in loans (£13 million and £7 million) for Zephyr X to develop two new care homes in the South-East. The projects will create new facilities in areas with a significant shortage of care beds, specifically in Reigate, Surrey,
Bellway has completed a land deal on Golbourne Road in Winwick, with planning consent granted by Warrington Borough Council for 153 family homes. The site, which is 15 acres in size, was formerly privately owned farmland. With build due to start by the end of the month, the land will
The Island Quarter’s latest phase has progressed significantly with construction work complete at Winfield Court, the site’s 693-bed student accommodation phase. With construction work now concluded by Bowmer+Kirkland, Fresh will be managing the student scheme on behalf of The Conygar Investment Company. Leonard Design Architects has also completed the dressing
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has announced a £19 million deal to bring 77 affordable apartments to Nottinghamshire in partnership with Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. Work on the apartments, which will include access to communal
South Liverpool Homes has been granted planning permission for a major redevelopment project in Speke. Its development will rejuvenate dormant sites in and around South Parade, Conleach Road, Conleach Crescent, Dam Wood Road, and Ganworth Road after it recently received planning permission from Liverpool City Council. It will bring 92
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
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
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
Wavensmere Homes has submitted plans to City of Wolverhampton Council for the proposed £150 million residential-led Canalside South development. The 17.5-acre former industrial site is located within the city centre and benefits from frontage onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton Branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal. Over 530 high EPC-rated homes, seven acres of vibrant green space, and a range of commercial amenities are proposed to regenerate the site, which has lain derelict for 15 years. Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the low-rise development plans emulate the surrounding conservation area and maximise the canalside setting. The scheme is also set to open up a new walkway to the city core, reducing the previous walk time by 20 minutes, and igniting investment into a commercial corridor. The waterfront development opportunity sits on the eastern edge of the city centre and is made up of the Canal & River Trust-owned former Crane Foundry site, and the Council’s former British Steel site and land off Qualcast Road – all brought together to ensure a comprehensive development takes place. Wavensmere Homes is proposing 378 two-and three-bedroom townhouses, designed to target an EPC-A rated specification, together with 145 one-and two-bedroom apartments. A building of 10 co-living units – each containing six bedrooms – is also proposed. The multi-award-winning urban regeneration specialist has also submitted plans to redevelop and reanimate disused railway arches on the site into 1,338sqm (14,400 sq ft) of lettable commercial space. Wavensmere Homes proposes future-proofing the Canalside South site by installing electric only heating systems. A range of technologies will be utilised across the development, consisting of air source heat pumps, solar panels and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). The development plans also feature EV charging to each house or parking space, alongside an array of EV chargers for visitors. The overall vision for the Wolverhampton Canalside masterplan is the delivery of around 1,000 homes to meet both the city and wider region’s housing needs, with sustainability and place-making at its heart. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Puma Property Finance (Puma) has announced that it has facilitated £20 million in loans (£13 million and £7 million) for Zephyr X to develop two new care homes in the South-East. The projects will create new facilities in areas with a significant shortage of care beds, specifically in Reigate, Surrey, and Whitchurch, Reading. The £13m loan will deliver an 80-bed all electric new care home in Reigate, Surrey, the site of a former independent hospital. The new home will include amenities such as a hairdresser, cinema/entertainment room, private dining room, café area and a gym. With 100% wet room provision the new home will address the significant shortfall in the well populated Reigate area with only 25% of the existing supply having been built since 2000 and a 474 wet room shortfall1. Construction is underway and the care home is expected to reach practical completion in December 2025. The £7m loan will deliver a new 45-bed care home in Whitchurch, Reading to address significant demand in the area. In particular, there is a notable shortfall in ensuite wet rooms, with only 29% of the existing supply providing this product. The new care home is being built in a well populated area where the demand for care beds exceeds 800 per 100,000 people1. The home will offer all ensuite wet rooms, plus extensive amenities for residents including lounges, dining rooms, therapy room, hair salon plus a café/bistro. Construction is progressing and the care home is expected to reach practical completion in January 2025. Puma has now supported Zephyr X on four care home developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has completed a land deal on Golbourne Road in Winwick, with planning consent granted by Warrington Borough Council for 153 family homes. The site, which is 15 acres in size, was formerly privately owned farmland. With build due to start by the end of the month, the land will be transformed into a picturesque development comprising a mix of three and four bedroom homes. The new development will be known as St Oswalds Place, and appealing to a family audience, will offer an array of semi-detached and detached houses, all providing garages and/or off road parking. Each property at St Oswalds Place has been expertly designed to an exceptionally high standard, with the development benefitting from a lovely open aspect yet well connected to local transport links, including the M6 and M62 motorways as well as Winwick Quay train station. Garce Yarlett, Sales Director at Bellway, said: “Winwick is a wonderful location for a new residential development. It is a particularly popular place to live for families, so we expect our range of three and four bedroom homes to be in demand once released for sale. Having only just completed on the land deal, we are thrilled to be making an immediate start on site at St Oswalds Place.” With construction commencing imminently, it is anticipated that the two stunning showhomes will open in June 2025, along with first occupancy. Bellway plans to release for sale the first few properties later this year, in November. In addition to the new development in Winwick, Bellway has made several significant Section 106 contributions, totalling more than £2m. Some of these include £897,241 towards primary and secondary school education, £154,154 towards healthcare, £120,000 towards highways and £321,082 towards sport. Bellway worked with APD Architects and Gateley Solicitors on the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Island Quarter’s latest phase has progressed significantly with construction work complete at Winfield Court, the site’s 693-bed student accommodation phase. With construction work now concluded by Bowmer+Kirkland, Fresh will be managing the student scheme on behalf of The Conygar Investment Company. Leonard Design Architects has also completed the dressing of the communal spaces, which have been in high demand for prospective occupants, ahead of the accommodation opening to students in September for the 2024/25 academic year. Amenities in the new facility include high-level sky lounges that offer projected views across the city and private courtyard spaces that will provide the opportunity for working, socialising, dining and exercising. Christopher Ware, property director at The Island Quarter, said: “With Nottingham home to two outstanding universities attracting students both nationally and internationally, Winfield Court will be a thriving student community with high-quality housing while they study in the city. “This phase is an example of the highest quality student accommodation available and will be an excellent addition to The Island Quarter with plenty of entertainment, relaxation and future employment opportunities for them.” Following the planning submission in February for a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side of the 36-acre site, The Island Quarter could eventually be home to more than 1,000 students. The new student block is the latest planning submission by developer The Conygar Investment Company, following last May’s approval for a new 250,000 sq ft biosciences campus on the northern side of the site. Mark Cordin, head of division (central) for Fresh, said: “The completion of Winfield Court to Fresh marks the beginning of a vibrant student community at The Island Quarter. With its exceptional amenities and thoughtful design, complemented by our award winning Be wellbeing programme, Winfield Court will provide students with more than just a place to live – it offers a dynamic and welcoming environment for learning, socialising, and thriving. Nottingham is a flourishing student city.” Christian Parnell, regional director at Bowmer+Kirkland, said: “The buildings now stand proud across key vantage points of Nottingham City Centre and highlights the striking design and quality that ourselves, Conygar, design team and supply chain have focused on throughout the construction. “The project has been a pleasure to be a part of especially around its local connection and a true example of great collaboration and teamwork from everyone involved. Our team is really proud to have been involved in such an amazing facility for students to enjoy for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has announced a £19 million deal to bring 77 affordable apartments to Nottinghamshire in partnership with Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. Work on the apartments, which will include access to communal areas and landscaped gardens, will start imminently, addressing the strong demand for later living in the area. The new development from Vistry Group and Anchor, built on brownfield land, will consist of one and two-bedroom apartments and is located in Edwaltong to the south of Nottingham and the River Trent. Edwalton is an area of West Bridgford and boasts some of Nottinghamshire’s most exclusive properties. Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be working with Anchor to build beautifully designed assisted living apartments for the affordable market.” “We’re excited to be leading the way in meeting the requirements of those needing this type of accommodation when housing is in such high demand. These much-needed new homes will be built to an exceptional standard to create a thriving and sustainable community.” Victoria Mager, director of development delivery at Anchor, said: “The development at Edwalton will offer residents the opportunity to be part of an open, inviting, and warm community. We’re looking forward to work starting in the next month and offering the opportunity for people to enjoy living in later life.” “This new community will deliver much-needed accommodation for older people in the local area. We anticipate delivering an average of at least 500 homes a year over a rolling ten-year period. This is in addition to growing the number of homes we provide in residential care.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Liverpool Homes has been granted planning permission for a major redevelopment project in Speke. Its development will rejuvenate dormant sites in and around South Parade, Conleach Road, Conleach Crescent, Dam Wood Road, and Ganworth Road after it recently received planning permission from Liverpool City Council. It will bring 92 new homes to the area, with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses, bungalows and apartments. Each of the bungalows and apartments will be available for affordable rent, while the houses would be offered as either affordable rent, rent to buy, or shared ownership. To address the shortage of adaptable and accessible homes, 14 homes will be wheelchair-accessible and the inclusion of bungalows will help address the needs of the growing older population in the area. The homes will all have high energy performance ratings and will feature solar PV panels, highly efficient electric heating and electric charging points. All these measures will support customers to keep their energy bills down and reduce their carbon emissions. At the heart of this ambitious project is a substantial area of open public realm, for new and existing residents of Speke to enjoy. The space will be a focal point of the development, encouraging a strong sense of community and providing a welcoming environment for families and individuals to come together. Over 150 trees will also be planted across the development, including the re-instatement of a tree-lined boulevard along one of perimeters. South Liverpool Homes’ Executive Director of Assets and Development, Angela Perry said: “We are delighted to receive planning permission for this exciting new development in Speke. The mixed-tenure housing options will help met the diverse needs of the area, and the open green space will help protect our natural environment, creating a vibrant and inclusive community for generations to come. “As the development progresses, it is anticipated that it will not only provide much-needed homes but also continue to stimulate economic growth in the area and support the ongoing regeneration of Speke.” 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
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
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
