Planning permission has been granted for a new library at Wath, bringing the completion of the new community facility a step closer.

York Handmade Brick Company has played a pivotal role in a new mixed-use development in the heart of London’s West End. York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has supplied 200,000 specially manufactured bricks for a state-of-the-art development at 25 Baker Street. This significant contract was worth £180,000 to York Handmade. 25 Baker Street is a joint venture development between Derwent London and The Portman Estate. The project features a 200,000 sq ft office building, 42 residential apartments, 10 affordable housing units developed in conjunction with Native Land, and 20,000 sq ft of prime retail space. A public arcade beneath the centre of the office block will lead to a new landscaped courtyard, and a route out through the Georgian terrace on nearby Gloucester Place. Chairman of York Handmade David Armitage said: “This is a very important commission for us. Baker Street is one of the most famous streets in the whole of London and 25 Baker Street is a landmark development there. We are very proud to have played our part in creating such a special and distinctive mixed-use destination.” Mike Taylor, Principal, Hopkins Architects, who designed 25 Baker Street, said: “We were looking for a brick that fitted into the Georgian heritage setting but needed to work well with our setting out in a stretcher bond. The 327x50mm York Handmade gave us a subtle variation of colour and texture and the elongated shape provides an elegant modern appearance.” David Armitage continued: “In a wider context, our work on this stunning development marks over a decade of York Handmade Brick’s involvement in reshaping the look of England’s capital city. During the past 14 years we have provided the bricks for some of London’s most stunning new buildings. “Apart from 25 Baker Street, we have successfully completed commissions at Lancer Square, an iconic multi-million pound mixed-used development close to Kensington Place, Cadence, an award-winning residential development at Kings Cross, the iconic Shard, London Bridge Station, London Bridge Place, Highgate School, Carmelite House on the Victoria Embankment, the redeveloped Highbury Stadium and One Molyneux Street in Marylebone. “We are extremely proud to have played a key role in the reshaping of modern London over the past decade and more. It is wonderful to have a little bit of Yorkshire in the heart of the capital. These high-profile, award-winning commissions have strengthened our position as the independent brick supplier of choice for London architects and developers.” 25 Baker Street will be completed next year.

Helmsley Group’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan has been given the green light. At a meeting of City of York Council’s planning committee, members commended Helmsley’s approach to community engagement, said its vision would revitalise a neglected area, and described the scheme as a “fantastic use of unused space.” Concluding the discussion, Councillor Jonny Crawshaw, chair of the planning committee, said it was positive that Helmsley planned to sensitively put listed buildings back into use. “This scheme is long overdue and is a really positive thing for York,” he said. Members voted both the masterplan planning application and a separate listed building application through with overwhelming majorities. The Coney Street Masterplan, led by the York-based property specialist, will see the creation of 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial and residential space. A riverside walkway will be established alongside nationally significant green and accessible public realm, both on the waterfront itself and also through the creation and rejuvenation of historic lanes and passageways between Coney Street and the River Ouse. Situated in York’s Central Conservation Area, the site consists of 19-33 Coney Street and 39 Coney Street to 2 Spurriergate and includes four listed buildings and two buildings of merit, and is in close proximity to a number of other listed buildings and buildings of importance. The planning committee heard from supporters of the scheme, including Flick Williams, a prominent York disability campaigner, who described Helmsley’s approach to inclusivity as “a breath of fresh air.” “I would like to commend and thank Helmsley for its inclusive approach,” she said. “Going forward they should stand as a beacon and example to others when they approach inclusive design.” Andrew Lowson, executive director of York BID, also spoke in favour on behalf of the organisation, and said the Coney Street Riverside masterplan was an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into one of York’s most important areas. Following the meeting, Max Reeves, development director at Helmsley Group, thanked everyone who had supported and been involved in the scheme to date. Max said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the planning committee approved both the full application for our Coney Street Riverside masterplan and also the separate listed building application. “As a business based in York and with more than 40 years of experience delivering impactful development, we have always said that we are committed to this scheme for the long term and that it will bring many positive benefits to the city and wider region. “We are pleased that these factors were taken into consideration by the planning committee alongside our positive efforts working together with City of York Council, the public and stakeholders to ensure these plans are shaped collaboratively and supported. “This is a wonderful opportunity to sensitively and sustainably redevelop historic Coney Street into the social heart of York and reconnect it with its riverfront. “We now look forward to moving forward with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in continued partnership with others to deliver this truly mixed-use, vibrant development.” Subject to planning conditions, Helmsley aims to start on site by 2026. A separate planning application for another, smaller area of the site is expected to be approved within weeks. The masterplan will now be formally approved, subject to the Secretary of State not calling in parts of the application relating to listed buildings. The project team for the scheme includes Helmsley Group, brown + company, O’Neill Associates, Corstorphine and Wright, Montagu Evans, Aspect4, Gillespies, Troup Bywaters & Anders, Billinghurst George & Partners, Jane Simpson Access, Knight Frank, DS Emotion and Aberfield Communications.

Law firm The PM Law Group has a new city location to add to its South Yorkshire portfolio. As part of its business development plans, the firm, with clients across Yorkshire, has taken a 7,500 sq ft office at ARBA Group’s Meadowhall Business Park, complimenting its Shepcote Lane premises. The PM Law Group will occupy the ground floor of Block 1 of the 70,000 sq ft park, joining existing and longstanding tenants including NG Bailey, TATA Steel UK, Galaxy Insulation and Dry Lining, JNP Group and Preventx Ltd at the development. It will operate both WB Pennine Solicitors and Proddow Mackay Solicitors from the business park. Chairman Donald Mackay from The PM Law Group said: “Meadowhall Business Park suited all our requirements. We wanted modern, welcoming, ground floor and easily accessible premises for our clients in a great location with good on-site parking. “We also wanted to provide modern facilities, including open plan spaces for collaborative working, and more private client space when we need it. “Being a South Yorkshire firm we also wanted to keep some of the bespoke Sheffield designs that already take pride of place in the office. “Meadowhall Business Park is located perfectly for us, and it is clear that we are moving to a vibrant working environment, with great eating and relaxation facilities on the doorstep.” The PM Law Group’s move follows Link Financial Outsourcing’s relocation to Meadowhall Business Park earlier this year, meaning tenants now occupy every block in the development. ARBA Group converted the five former council buildings in 2016 into more than 72,000 sq ft of office units on the 3.2 acre site. Former Parcels delivery giant Tuffnells Parcel Express moved out last year after going into administration, leaving Block 1 available. Robert Eaton, director at ARBA Group, said: “The key factor in attracting all our tenants is the location of Meadowhall Business Park, as it offers all of the benefits of city-centre office space, without the associated costs. “The high quality of finish to the offices and the business community that has been created is also key to our tenants staying put.” Peter Whiteley, partner at Knight Frank in Sheffield, which is marketing MBP with Eaton Commercial, added: “The Meadowhall area continues to be a pull for businesses wanting excellent transport links to the city centre and the motorway network, great local entertainment and leisure facilities and secure parking for staff or visitors. “Offices in this area also attract employees from the labour markets in both Sheffield, Rotherham and further afield.”

Associated British Ports has signed a strategic agency partnership with Jones Lang LaSalle to help promote the property portfolio across its 21 ports in England, Scotland and Wales. As part of the partnership, ABP and JLL will raise market awareness of the strategic importance of ports in future-proofing the businesses of occupiers, as ABP continues to invest in acquisitions and regeneration. Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP CEO, said: “When businesses choose to locate on ABP’s port estate, they are choosing the future. Our ports are at the epicentre of building a greener tomorrow, providing businesses with access to multimodal distribution links, urban skills centres and the ability to plug into a vibrant community of like-minded industry partners, committed to clean growth, decarbonisation and energy generation.” Melinda Cross, Head of Industrial and Logistics at JLL, added: “This partnership with ABP represents a significant opportunity to bring cutting-edge industrial and logistics spaces to the market. JLL’s extensive network and understanding of occupier needs will help showcase ABP’s diverse portfolio, which offers businesses resilient, future-proof locations and emerging clean energy hubs. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to driving sustainable growth and supporting the evolving needs of modern supply chains.” ABP is one of the largest commercial landowners in the UK, with a portfolio of 8,600 acres, over 2,400 acres of development land and a rent roll of £130m. ABP’s locations provide development options, including the recently-acquired 227 acre-Stallingborough Interchange at Immingham. These locations provide the access to major distribution hubs via road, rail and sea. ABP is also leading the way in creating clean growth hubs, offering competitive, sustainable options to help prepare businesses located on port estate for the future.