News in Brief: October 2025

Working on behalf of developer Richardson Barberry, Caddick Construction has started work on a DPD distribution centre near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. The 19,200m² warehouse is located next to Junction 59 of the A1(M) and is aiming to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

Gravesham Borough Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to lead the pre-construction phase for the new £43 million Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend. The centre will include a 25m pool, a 17m learner pool, an aqua play and water flume area, along with a spectator viewing area. There will also be a six-court sports hall, a multi-level soft play zone, party and community rooms and a café.

Ashe Construction has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to construct a new SEND school in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The local council is working in partnership with the Agora Trust to deliver Journeys Academy, which will provide 60 new special school places for primary aged pupils with complex communication and autism needs.

Working on behalf of The Oxford Trust, Beard Construction has started work on a £7 million expansion of the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington. Known as the Aspen Building, the 1,600m² BREEAM ‘Excellent’ facility will provide high quality laboratory and office space over two floors and will also feature a STEM resources room.

Birmingham City Council has granted planning permission for Aston Villa’s North Stand expansion scheme, which will add 6,000 seats to the Villa Park capacity. Work is expected to complete in the second half of 2027, ahead of the stadium hosting matches at the UEFA Euro 2028 championships.

Kier Construction has started work on a new landmark development comprising 11 high-quality logistics and trade counter units in the heart of Bognor Regis’s commercial enterprise zone. The scheme will deliver a total of 62,481m² of industrial space, with the units ranging in size from 1,036m² to 16,100m².