The Gelder Group has secured a new contract marking a special collaboration between the construction business and Lincoln Cathedral. The company will further expand at its headquarters, to build a stone-cutting facility, which will provide tailored stone to keep the city’s world-famous Cathedral in great shape for centuries to come. Gelder Group CEO Steve Gelder said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both parties. The new centre will house modern equipment for future Cathedral projects, starting with the second stage of its Chapter house project. “The centre will boost efficiencies for the Cathedral and reduce costs because of its ability to cut pieces of stone to size, thereby reducing wastage to virtually zero. “Lincoln Cathedral is the only Cathedral to be listed in its entirety on English Heritage’s At Risk register, so we are really proud that the new centre will support this vital work and also the Cathedral’s drive to promote heritage skills.” Work on the new centre began in January and the facility will be available to the Cathedral by way of a 20-year lease. Lincoln Cathedral Director of Estates and Facilities Mark Wheater said that following phase two of the Chapter House project, future work is waiting in the wings. “We have an over-arching 50-year plan and then a five-year plan of works. Maintaining the building and promoting the heritage skills needed to conserve it are huge priorities for us. The new facility means we are able to cut pieces of stone to size, rather than buying pre-cut blocks and then trimming them down. “This will be much more cost-effective for us, with the ability to handle much larger pieces of stone. We will also be installing solar panels with battery storage to make the development as sustainable as possible.” The Very Reverend Dr Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln said: “This partnership with Gelder Group to create a bespoke cutting facility is a vital step in our commitment to conserving the built heritage of Lincoln Cathedral in a financially and environmentally sustainable way. “The Cathedral has stood as a beacon on the skyline of Lincoln for almost 1,000 years, and one of our greatest daily challenges to ensure that it does so for many more centuries to come. “The cutting facility will also support our reputation as a centre of excellence for heritage skills by providing our craftspeople with the literal building blocks to continue to conserve this internationally important building for the future, and ensure that these vital skills continue to be shared with the next generation of stonemasons.”

Harmony Energy has submitted plans for a battery energy storage facility in Kiveton Park, Rotherham, designed to store enough electricity to power 130,000 homes for two hours.

The 40 MW project will be built on low-grade agricultural land near the Kiveton Park substation. It is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by over 5,500 tonnes annually and contribute more than £90,000 annually in business rates to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. A £400,000 community fund will also be established over the project’s lifetime.

Following public consultation, the plans have been revised to minimise visual impact by incorporating green-coloured battery units and creating new habitats. They aim for a biodiversity net gain of over 35%.

A seven-storey office building in Bradford city centre has been put on the market, weeks after plans emerged to convert it into residential flats.

Vanquis Banking Group, which occupies the property on Godwin Street, announced in December that it would relocate to a smaller office space next door by November. At the same time, a US-based developer proposed converting the building into more than 100 flats with two ground-floor business units.

The property is now listed as a “prime city centre office building with approval for residential conversion.” Built in 2010 as part of the £45 million Southgate development, it was initially a key part of Bradford’s regeneration efforts. Vanquis, formerly Provident, has occupied the building since its completion.

The asking price has not been publicly disclosed and is available only to potential buyers.

Manchester-based MCR Group has acquired the 69,351 sq ft Moorside office development in Monks Cross in York for an undisclosed sum. The Grade A, two-storey site houses tenants including Aviva, Garbutt & Elliott, Rollits Solicitors, Portakabin, and Shepherd Group.

MCR plans to work closely with the existing asset management team to ensure a smooth transition and engage with tenants to shape the site’s future. The company views the acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the regional office market, with other projects in Bridlington and surrounding areas.

York is seen as a key commercial hub in Yorkshire, attracting businesses looking to establish headquarters. MCR aims to solidify Moorside’s position as a prime business location while focusing on long-term development plans.

Residential development company Vivly Living has received planning permission for a housing development at Grange Moor, an old quarrying and mining site near Huddersfield. Kirklees Council has given the green light for 12 two- to four-bed homes at Denby Lane, Grange Moor, comprising seven bungalows, three family houses and two affordable homes. Oliver Bottomley, Associate Director, Land and Development for Vivly, said: “This is tremendous news. After a very drawn-out planning process, we are very pleased planning has been granted for these 12 homes. The site is very exciting for Vivly, as it will create a real community. “The houses on site will appeal to a wide demographic. The first-time buyer will be attracted to the two-bed affordable first homes, while families will like our three-bed, semi-dormer bungalows and four-bed detached houses and downsizers and design and property savvy individuals will love our contemporary bungalow.” Oliver added: “These highly energy efficient homes will be set in a structured and attractive landscaping, which we feel will add to the character of Grange Moor village. As part of the development, and as part of our commitment to the community, we will be providing a defibrillator. “We expect a good deal of interest in this development. There is a shortage of new-build developments in the Kirklees area, which is not currently achieving national housing supply standards. We trust we will meet this pent-up demand.” There is a good deal of remediation work to be undertaken, with various government departments’ consents required, so Vivly expects to start on site in May. The development also provides access to an adjoining site, with a further 21 homes planned. Meanwhile, planning permission has also just been granted to Vivly Living for a residential development at Shepley, near Huddersfield. Kirklees Council has given the go-ahead for 52 new homes at Knowle Grange, which will form Phase 2 at Vivly’s development in the village.