Designs for a new neighbourhood at the St George’s site in Wolverhampton are set to be unveiled for the first time at a city centre event. Since spring, four award-winning teams of architects have been working up their vision for the brownfield plot – a key gateway site for the
Willmott Dixon has been appointed construction delivery partner for the Staffordshire University new Student Village being built on its main Stoke-on-Trent campus, which is due for completion in 2026. The development received planning permission in March and Willmott Dixon is set to start on site imminently. The contractor has been
BDP and the University of Cambridge have unveiled ambitious plans to restore the Grade II listed History Faculty Building, which is also the home of the Seeley Library. This landmark project will restore and revitalise one of the iconic ‘Red Trilogy’ – the triumvirate of highly significant university buildings designed
Jigsaw Homes Midlands has selected a new contractor to complete the development of over 130 homes at Rolleston Drive in Arnold. Midlands-based Morro Partnerships was appointed following a procurement process and will start work on the scheme from July. Morro will complete the homes, originally manufactured off site by ilke
Plans to create a new cultural hub in Coventry city centre have reached a significant milestone. Construction on the city’s former IKEA building to transform it into a large-scale cultural landmark with facilities for residents and visitors will be starting this summer. The City Centre Cultural Gateway will be developed
Plans for a skills and cyber campus of national significance in Blackburn have officially been lodged. A planning application submitted by Maple Grove Blackburn – a joint venture between Maple Grove Developments and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – is seeking planning permission for the first phase of the works,
Preparation work has commenced to develop nearly 400 new homes in Congleton, Castle Green Homes has announced. The homebuilder is primed to begin developing a 57-acre site on Viking Way to provide 396 new homes. Around two-thirds of the development will be affordable housing under a partnership with Torus. The
Willmott Dixon has been selected by Bridgend College for the £60 million project to build its new Town Centre Campus development. The College is relocating from its current base at Cowbridge Road Campus to a site previously occupied by the former Police Station and a multi-storey car park at Cheapside,
Beard Construction has commenced restoration work on the historic Hilsea Lido for Portsmouth City Council. The contractor was appointed to the multi million pound project, through Pagabo frameworks procurement process, shortly after opening its new Southampton office. The scheme is expected to be complete by spring 2025, with the lido
Colchester City Council has approved outline planning permission for Weston Homes new £220 million (GDV) residential development for Viridis in Stanway. The new scheme will feature a mix of 420 private units and 180 affordable units, complete with large areas of high-quality public realm and landscaping, including ponds, play areas
Designs for a new neighbourhood at the St George’s site in Wolverhampton are set to be unveiled for the first time at a city centre event. Since spring, four award-winning teams of architects have been working up their vision for the brownfield plot – a key gateway site for the city. It’s part of a landmark competition led by City of Wolverhampton Council, social impact developers Capital&Centric and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The architect teams will now unveil their respective ideas at a free event at Wulfrun Hall, The Halls, North Street, Wolverhampton on Wednesday 17 July, 2024. Anyone is welcome to attend the showcase, to be hosted by architect Angela Brady OBE, a past president of RIBA who’s overseeing the competition. Visitors can choose from one of two sessions (3pm or 5.30pm) and can expect a Dragon’s Den style format, as each of the 4 shortlisted teams get 10 minutes to pitch their vision for what will become an impressive new neighbourhood. Attendees will then get a chance to wander around, speak to the teams to explore their ideas and provide valuable local feedback. It will be the first time that the designs will be seen in public since the competition launched. Speaking ahead of the event, Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “St George’s is a fantastic opportunity to create a game changing neighbourhood of which the city can be proud. It’s a critical part of our citywide plan to unlock investment in considered development that delivers much needed homes and new opportunities for our communities. “Through this competition we have secured designs from award winning architects that we hope set a new design benchmark for brownfield regeneration in Wolverhampton. I cannot wait to see what local residents make of the designs the shortlisted teams have come up with and hope as many people as possible get along to the event at The Halls on 17 July.” Social impact developers Capital&Centric are aiming to replicate the approach they’ve successfully delivered in other cities, attracting investment into imaginative and creative communities that feature restored historic buildings alongside contemporary new builds, as well as providing lush green public gardens. The intention for the former Sainsbury’s supermarket site is for a neighbourhood with a kaleidoscope of hundreds of homes, community spaces and green streets, centred around a repurposed Grade II listed church. It’s anticipated to feature shops, workspaces, café bars and lots of community open space, adding a vibrant new quarter to Wolverhampton’s city centre, with links to the £61 million City Learning Quarter set to open in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has been appointed construction delivery partner for the Staffordshire University new Student Village being built on its main Stoke-on-Trent campus, which is due for completion in 2026. The development received planning permission in March and Willmott Dixon is set to start on site imminently. The contractor has been appointed by Staffordshire Campus Living for an improved student residential offering as part of the scheme. Staffordshire Campus Living is a consortium formed by Hochtief PPP Solutions UK and Ireland, Willmott Dixon, Plenary, Pinnacle Group and Staffordshire University. Willmott Dixon has a well-established track-record delivering major projects on university campuses, including being behind the Stirling Prize winning Town House project at Kingston University in 2021. It will bring its expertise for sustainable construction and net zero in use property to meet the student village’s important ambitions that include low operational and embodied carbon, and EPC A-rated homes. Dan Doyle, operations director at Willmott Dixon, said: “This new Student Village at Staffordshire University is a significant investment in the student experience. What’s exciting is how it has been designed to blend contemporary sustainable architecture with nature in a unique natural setting. We will be incorporating modern methods of construction and offsite manufacturing to ensure it is a low-carbon development. Combine this with renewable energy sources, building to Passivhaus design principles and structures that are directly inspired by the setting, the university will have a development with a strong character and identity – fostering a sense of place and community. Offering a safe, secure, and inclusive environment, students can expect a true home from home.” Designed by Corstorphine & Wright, FIRA and Ramboll, the village will provide 700 new student rooms in a mix of cluster blocks and townhouses. It includes the refurbishment of the Clarice Cliff Court accommodation that will improve its energy efficiency by 250% through new low-energy solutions. Demolition of existing student accommodation on the university’s Leek Road site following the completion of the Student Village will make way for accessible parkland, which will result in a project biodiversity net gain of 12%. The Student Village also includes a net-zero carbon in operation ‘hub’, which will provide individual and group study areas, flexible use space, and an outdoor seating area on the rooftop terrace. A new pedestrian bridge and boardwalk will link the new accommodation and ‘hub’ with the university’s wider Leek Road site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BDP and the University of Cambridge have unveiled ambitious plans to restore the Grade II listed History Faculty Building, which is also the home of the Seeley Library. This landmark project will restore and revitalise one of the iconic ‘Red Trilogy’ – the triumvirate of highly significant university buildings designed in the 1960s by prominent, post-war architect, James Stirling. The project presents a once in a generation opportunity to provide a new range of enhanced learning and working environments at the heart of the University’s Sidgwick site while improving the building’s accessibility, safety and comfort and provide a new range of learning and working environments at the heart of the University’s Sidgwick site. The comprehensive refurbishment will safeguard the use and enjoyment of the building; repairing and upgrading building fabric and replacing services to improve thermal comfort, while introducing a range of carbon saving and climate resilient measures. The project has followed a meticulous conservation-led approach that embraces the value, significance and distinctive character of the building while recognising the need for change to meet contemporary requirements. After considering the multiple adaptations to the building, careful judgements have been made about the recovery and reinstatement of materials and details. In conjunction with an approach to new and repaired fabric, this project will breathe new life into the building, making its architectural value more tangible. A key driver for the project is to meet equality, diversity and inclusion goals. Critically, the project will significantly improve step-free access throughout the building, including external terraces, to ensure equitable entry and circulation for all users. Internal treatments will also provide a more comfortable range of environments, recognising the needs of a broader spectrum of people. Construction is due to start from 2025, subject to university approvals, including a Grace to Regent House, and planning and listed building consent approvals from Cambridge City Council. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jigsaw Homes Midlands has selected a new contractor to complete the development of over 130 homes at Rolleston Drive in Arnold. Midlands-based Morro Partnerships was appointed following a procurement process and will start work on the scheme from July. Morro will complete the homes, originally manufactured off site by ilke Homes before the company went into administration, and build the four remaining homes on site. The Homes England-backed scheme, known as Birch Fields, will have 45 two-bedroom homes, 73 three-bedroom homes and 13 four-bedroom homes and will be available for either shared ownership or affordable rent. The affordable rent homes will be advertised through Gedling Borough Council’s Homesearch scheme and allocated accordingly to meet local housing needs. Garnet Fazackerley, Operations Director of Development at Jigsaw Homes Group said: “This was an incredibly challenging time following the collapse of ilke Homes in June 2023. However, we remained committed and confident that we could find a suitable partner who could complete the scheme and provide much-needed affordable homes and we are delighted to be working with Morro Partnerships to complete this development. “The homes will have NHBC warranty following stringent quality and compliance checks and will be finished to a high standard as they have been kept watertight and secure since the development stalled. We appreciate the patience from Gedling Borough Council, Homes England and local residents as we know this has been a frustrating time for all concerned, but we are now on the right track to deliver new homes for those most in need.” Giovanni Corbo, Head of Technical and Design at Morro Partnerships said: “Morro are delighted to have been selected on this project and to be working in partnership with Jigsaw Homes and Gedling Borough Council. As a sustainable partnerships’ developer, we are keen to showcase our delivery of affordable homes on this project and complete the homes on this much needed affordable housing scheme, though a modern and sustainable form of build system. “Morro specialise in the delivery of affordable high efficiency homes developments in the Midlands for Registered Providers and Local Authorities, and our current pipeline of over 2,500 plots will help meet the growing demand for affordable housing across the region. We are exciting to be embarking on our first scheme with Jigsaw Homes and are looking forward to working with them on other developments to jointly deliver significant numbers of mixed tenure, highly efficient homes across the region. “Works will commence on these high-performance modular homes in July 24 with phased handover of plots allowing new residents to occupy the homes within the first few months of our 12-month programme. We hope to engage with local subcontractors where possible as part of our sustainability policy.” Chief Executive of Gedling Borough Council, Mike Hill said: “We’re very pleased to hear that the homes will be completed and we can get families, who have been waiting for such a long time, into these much needed affordable homes. This has been a very stressful time for families, and it has also impacted housing waiting lists in the borough, so we look forward to being able to reduce that list and get people out of temporary accommodation. “We know that this has been an incredibly difficult time for Jigsaw Homes to resolve this exceptionally unfortunate situation and we welcome this news that Morro Partnerships will be delivering these homes for local people.” The first homes are expected to be completed in October with the whole scheme aiming to finished by September 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to create a new cultural hub in Coventry city centre have reached a significant milestone. Construction on the city’s former IKEA building to transform it into a large-scale cultural landmark with facilities for residents and visitors will be starting this summer. The City Centre Cultural Gateway will be developed by international construction specialist, ISG, with initial site mobilisation activities taking place this month and construction due to start in August. The work is scheduled for completion in autumn 2025. In addition to transforming the external appearance of the building, with a new combination of cladding and spray-painted finishes, ISG will increase the levels of natural light entering the existing structure by installing panoramic windows across the top two floors. As part of changing the use and purpose of the building a major internal reconfiguration will be undertaken, including structural alterations throughout, mechanical and electrical services upgrade, and a full strip out of the 60,000 sqm accommodation. This work also includes the careful and systematic removal of elevated travellators, lifts and associated distribution systems. A key-note element of the scheme sees the transformation of the existing nine-metre-high warehouse area into a highly specialised temperature-controlled art storage facility. This facility will be served by a newly installed state-of-the-art oversized heavy load lift – nearly three times the size of a standard lift – which will be used to transport large art installations up to the third floor. Cllr David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m delighted that we have appointed a contractor and that work is now starting on what will be a really impressive new cultural landmark in the city. One that will be enjoyed by local people, visitors and of course the creative sector. “The start of the construction process is a milestone to be celebrated and there will be even more to come as we see changes to the building that will soon become a cultural destination in our city. We’re really looking forward to sharing more in the coming months and of course even more excited to see the work finished next year.” As the project takes shape, it aims to not only enrich Coventry’s cultural landscape but also stimulate economic growth. High-level economic projections suggest the potential for significant job creation and economic value, bolstering Coventry’s position as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and tourism. Louise Daville, Director of Public Sector Strategy at ISG, said: “This is a bold and innovative vision to reimagine former retail space as a cultural hub for the City of Coventry. The Cultural Gateway brings together complementary, yet distinct, partners within a key central location, providing a richly diverse experience for visitors, students and academics. “The legacy of transformational projects is hugely impactful regionally and on a national scale. With schemes as complex and technically demanding as the Cultural Gateway, the use of the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) construction works framework has been instrumental in assisting early-stage collaboration and driving efficiencies and innovation across the construction process. As we pass this key milestone, we have a highly motivated team focused on delivering an outstanding cultural destination for Coventry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for a skills and cyber campus of national significance in Blackburn have officially been lodged. A planning application submitted by Maple Grove Blackburn – a joint venture between Maple Grove Developments and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – is seeking planning permission for the first phase of the works, including two new contemporary buildings with landscaping and a public realm. The development has been earmarked for the former Blackburn Market site in Brown Street and is part of the £250 million Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan – a blueprint for town centre development developed by BDP to transform the area, including the land where the Thwaites Brewery historically stood. The application for the Blackburn cyber campus seeks full permission for the first building together with the public realm and new urban greenspace. Outline planning permission is also being sought for the second building – both being very similar in design to those within the neighbouring Cathedral Quarter development. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has successfully secured £20m of Levelling Up Funding towards the scheme and is in discussion with UCLAN for its training company, Training 2000 (T2000) to expand and re-locate to the development and occupy the first building. Growth Director at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Simon Jones, said: “This is an opportunity for us to bring thousands of learners into our town centre every single year to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities. We’re already in talks with UCLAN to relocate and expand their Training 2000 offer here, and what an opportunity this is.” The masterplan is part of the Council’s £1bn vision for the future – delivering on its commitment to create a more prosperous borough where no one is left behind. It’s the anchor of a wider Blackburn Growth Axis with the ability to support 100,000 jobs across the borough – positioning it as an important, regional economic centre. Also part of the Blackburn Business Innovation District – where the new development will be based – is St John’s Church with planning permission secured to transform the fire-hit building into an Innovation Hub with works proposed to commence in 2025. Linked to the neighbouring The Making Rooms and Blackburn College’s already strong cyber capabilities, it’s part of the Council’s drive to unlock the opportunities that the re-location of the National Cyber HQ to neighbouring Samlesbury will bring. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Preparation work has commenced to develop nearly 400 new homes in Congleton, Castle Green Homes has announced. The homebuilder is primed to begin developing a 57-acre site on Viking Way to provide 396 new homes. Around two-thirds of the development will be affordable housing under a partnership with Torus. The initial phase of works will be carried out by civil engineering contractors who will create the roads and sewers for the development, along with the substructure of the homes. It’s expected that construction of the homes will begin in September. Partnerships director for Castle Green Eoin O’Donnell said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Torus to deliver much-needed new homes in Congleton. Around 60% of the overall development will be affordable homes, available for shared ownership or affordable rent. The remaining 160 will be private sale homes. “We’re aiming to deliver homes to Torus at a record pace so they can place local families in well-designed, fuel-efficient homes as soon as possible. To do this we’ll have two phases of affordable homes being built simultaneously with between 100 and 200 people working on the site. Alongside this, we’ll have around 70 people building the private sale homes on the Woodland Manor phase of the development.” Castle Green expects to handover the first affordable homes over to Torus by the middle of 2025. The homebuilder is targeting delivering 16 homes a month for the housing group, with the aim that all homes being built for Torus will be completed by December 2026. Director of development & technical at Torus Developments Steve Alcock said: “Partnerships, like the one we have with Castle Green Homes, allow us to build even more affordable homes in sought after areas across the region. Congleton will see us deliver the largest number of affordable homes on a single site to date. There is real synergy between Torus and Castle Green to create a thriving new community together.” The first of the 160 private sale homes at Woodlands Manor are due to be released for sale off plan next month, with show homes scheduled to open in spring 2025. The first private sale homes are expected to be ready to move into in spring 2025. It’s anticipated the overall development will be completed by the middle of 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has been selected by Bridgend College for the £60 million project to build its new Town Centre Campus development. The College is relocating from its current base at Cowbridge Road Campus to a site previously occupied by the former Police Station and a multi-storey car park at Cheapside, in the heart of Bridgend. The new 13,000 m² development, which Willmott Dixon was procured to build under the SEWSCAP 3 framework, will target net zero in operation when completed in the summer of 2026. Encompassing two new buildings, it includes a 200-seat theatre, hair and beauty salons, recording and dance studios, design workshops, flexible meeting spaces and more. Willmott Dixon is teaming up with Rio Architects on the new campus, providing exceptional teaching and learning facilities for a wide range of courses for post-16-year-old education in Bridgend. It represents one of the biggest-ever investments in Bridgend for the training of young people and members of the community who need to retrain and gain valuable employability skills. Neal Stephens, managing director for Willmott Dixon in Wales: “We are delighted to be chosen for this transformational project in Bridgend. With a strong presence across south Wales, it follows our work to deliver the Police Learning Centre for South Wales Police in Bridgend, which was completed three years ago. “Just like then, our focus will be on supporting the ‘local pound’ by using regional supply chain partners where possible and working with students at Bridgend College to support their own learning journeys.” The redevelopment is partly funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme and will play a key role in the regeneration of Bridgend Town Centre, supporting local businesses and utilising public transport links into the town. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has commenced restoration work on the historic Hilsea Lido for Portsmouth City Council. The contractor was appointed to the multi million pound project, through Pagabo frameworks procurement process, shortly after opening its new Southampton office. The scheme is expected to be complete by spring 2025, with the lido open to the public for the summer season in time for its 90th anniversary celebrations. The lido opened in 1935, hosting a demonstration by the Olympics British diving team a year later. Beard is starting the work with the removal of some of the fountain parts at the west end of the site as pipework under the fountain needs to be taken out. Portsmouth based stonemason Darren Somerville is creating an exact replica of the fountain which will be restored in pride of place in the middle of the site when the project is complete. Pat Hughes, Southampton Director, said: “Beard is hugely honoured to be chosen to complete this wonderful restoration project which will be the first to be run out of our new Southampton office. It is a fantastic way to mark the opening of the office and will allow us to showcase more than a century of skills and experience in delivering exceptional builds. This includes our work on outdoor public swimming venues in the UK. We look forward to working with Portsmouth City Council and all parties to deliver the exciting vision for this iconic attraction.” The spectator stand at the north of the site has been declared unsafe and will be demolished. Other work includes clearing away the old pool equipment which will be replaced with a modern filtration system. The pool will also be drained, ready for work to stabilise the base and restore the original lagoons that had been removed. Once the initial phase of the work is complete, Beard will move into the build stage where new pipework will be installed in deep trenches. This delicate part of the project will involve installing a new pool inside the existing pool, with a significant amount of dowels drilled in the base of the old pool beforehand, to prevent water leaking and the new pool lifting. Beard will also build new modular changing units. International construction and consultancy firm Mace is also driving the restoration through project and cost management services for the Portsmouth City Council through the SCF Consult Framework. Mace also lead the Design Guardian Team, ensuring all design aligns with the vision. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colchester City Council has approved outline planning permission for Weston Homes new £220 million (GDV) residential development for Viridis in Stanway. The new scheme will feature a mix of 420 private units and 180 affordable units, complete with large areas of high-quality public realm and landscaping, including ponds, play areas and extensive pedestrian and cycle routes throughout. Viridis will offer a variety of housing options: two, three and four-bedroom houses for private ownership, and one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses as affordable housing. The project, designed by PRP Architects, will create a vibrant community with beautifully designed homes surrounded by nature and will fulfil part of a government requirement for Colchester City Council to build 920 homes annually. All the homes will feature Weston Homes’ premium, fully inclusive specification, high ceilings, large windows, and open-plan layouts to maximise natural light. The development will also offer fibreoptic superfast broadband, ensuring residents stay connected. Additionally, there will be a wide choice of on-trend finishes for personalising the interiors, which are all included within the price. The scheme is also designed to provide an abundance of green open space, with an emphasis on sustainability and providing homes with numerous eco-friendly features. Viridis is ideally located just a four minute drive from Marks Tey Station, which provides direct train links to London Liverpool Street in under an hour. This prime location makes it perfect for commuters. Bob Weston, Chairman and Managing Director of Weston Homes said: “Weston Homes is delighted by the resolution to grant outline planning consent for Viridis, which underlines our dedication to developing affordable, well-connected homes perfect for modern living. This new development in Stanway, Colchester is part of our ongoing major growth and expansion. We are looking forward to beginning the delivery of this fantastic new community for the people of Essex.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
