Biofuel station plans at Wakefield site withdrawn after local opposition

April Lara
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Biofuel station plans at Wakefield site withdrawn after local opposition

Plans for a 24-hour biomethane HGV fuelling station at a former abattoir in Wakefield have been withdrawn following significant community opposition.

CNG Fuels Ltd had proposed to develop the facility at Flanshaw Business Park, installing 14 pumps connected to the mains gas network. The site, intended to support logistics and distribution operations in the area, including operators such as Amazon, would have operated around the clock without on-site staff, using key-fob access for permitted vehicles.

The station aimed to serve HGVs with biomethane, a compressed natural gas derived from organic waste. It was part of the company’s broader expansion to support decarbonisation in freight transport. CNG Fuels currently operates 13 UK stations, including one near Castleford.

Despite the proposal aligning with government goals to lower emissions in the transport sector, the plan attracted 539 formal objections. Concerns raised included potential night-time noise, traffic volume increases, and environmental impact due to the site’s proximity to residential housing. No letters of support were filed.

According to Wakefield Council’s planning portal, the application was formally withdrawn on 12 May.

Pension funds commit billions to private UK assets in industry-backed push

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Pension funds commit billions to private UK assets in industry-backed push

Seventeen major UK pension schemes and providers have pledged to allocate at least 10% of their defined contribution (DC) default funds to private markets by 2030, half of which will be earmarked for investments in UK-based assets. This initiative, the Mansion House Accord, is a collaboration between the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and the City of London Corporation.

The move is expected to mobilise over £50 billion in capital across the next five years, with £25 billion directly targeted at UK investments. This represents a significant potential capital boost for British businesses, particularly those seeking venture capital or growth equity.

The agreement follows an earlier 2024 pledge, the Mansion House Compact, which revealed UK pension funds held just £800 million in unlisted equity, equating to around 0.36% of their total DC default fund holdings. The new targets aim to substantially improve that figure and bring the UK more in line with international peers regarding private market exposure.

The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is using this momentum to lobby for greater inclusion of venture capital in pension fund portfolios, positioning the asset class as capable of delivering strong long-term returns. The group emphasises that much of the benefit from UK innovation is currently being captured by overseas investors and calls for domestic funds to take a more active role in supporting UK growth sectors, including life sciences, AI, and net-zero technologies.

The government has also signalled continued support for reforming pension regulations to help unlock greater capital flows into British scale-ups.

National Grid expands Lincolnshire transmission plans to boost energy capacity

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National Grid expands Lincolnshire transmission plans to boost energy capacity

National Grid has outlined new proposals to upgrade electricity transmission infrastructure in Lincolnshire and neighbouring regions. The aim is to support growing energy demands and facilitate the transition to renewable power sources.

The latest proposal involves a 37-mile overhead power line connecting a planned substation at Weston Marsh near Spalding to a grid connection point in eastern Leicestershire. The project is in early development, and some routes would use existing transmission corridors.

This follows an earlier controversial proposal for a separate 87-mile pylon route between Grimsby and Walpole, which has met resistance from local authorities, including Lincolnshire County Council.

In parallel, National Grid is advancing its Eastern Greenlink project series (EGL3, EGL4, and EGL5), designed to bring offshore wind-generated electricity from Scotland to England. These primarily undersea cables would land at Anderby Creek near Skegness, with underground connections extending inland.

EGL5 is planned to terminate at a new converter station near Alford, with two potential sites under consideration: Bilsby or Huttoft. Previous plans for converter and switching stations in Bilsby and a separate underground line have been scrapped.

Each Greenlink cable is expected to transmit enough power to supply approximately two million homes, reflecting a strategic shift from imported fossil fuels to domestic renewable energy.

Public consultations for EGL3–5 are underway, with meetings scheduled this month, and separate consultations for the Weston Marsh pylon line set for June.

Nissan to slash 11,000 more jobs and shut seven plants amid global reset

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Nissan to slash 11,000 more jobs and shut seven plants amid global reset

Nissan has announced plans to cut 11,000 more jobs and close seven factories worldwide, intensifying a cost-cutting programme driven by falling global demand, rising competition, and weak performance in key markets, including China and the US. The move brings total layoffs over the past year to around 20,000, roughly 15% of the company’s workforce.

The Japanese carmaker has faced sustained pressure from sliding sales in China, where local electric vehicle brands like BYD have surged, and from margin-eroding discounting in the US. Last year’s failed merger talks with Honda and Mitsubishi, which aimed to create a $60 billion global automotive player, further stalled recovery efforts.

Roughly two-thirds of the new redundancies will affect manufacturing roles, with the rest spread across admin, sales, R&D, and contracted staff. Details on which locations will be impacted, including Nissan’s Sunderland facility, which is home to around 6,000 jobs, have not yet been disclosed.

These cuts follow a previous round of 9,000 layoffs announced in November as part of a broader initiative to reduce production capacity by 20% globally. Nissan has also cancelled plans to build a new EV and battery plant in Japan, signalling a pullback on capital investment.

Nissan’s annual financials revealed a loss of ¥ $670 billion ($4.5 billion), citing ongoing uncertainty around US tariffs and rising operational costs. No income forecast was issued for the current year. Despite a slight increase in US retail sales, global demand remains soft. Sales dropped 12% in China and declined across Japan and Europe.

£5m award to help commercialise Lincoln-led agri-tech research

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£5m award to help commercialise Lincoln-led agri-tech research

A new partnership led by the University of Lincoln, to develop a globally recognised agri-tech innovation cluster in the East of England, has received a major national funding award from Research England to advance commercialisation of research through new spin-out companies.

Agri-tech Commercialisation Ecosystems (ACE), a partnership project from the universities of Lincoln, Cambridge and East Anglia, has been awarded £5 million by the UKRI-Research England CCF-RED Fund. This will enable the creation of a national agri-tech ‘Technology Transfer Office’ and the new company Ceres Agri-Tech Ltd that will support the commercialisation of early-stage agricultural innovations. Ceres Agri-Tech is a collaborative initiative founded by and located at Cambridge Enterprise, the innovation arm of the University of Cambridge. The project targets key regional challenges, including low wages, workforce skills gaps, and climate resilience by supporting high-quality, inclusive employment and environmentally focused agri-tech innovation. Professor Simon Pearson, founding director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are thrilled that the ACE project has received a vital £5 million award from Research England, which will enable incredible growth within agri-tech and the creation of many new ‘spin-out’ businesses over the next decade and beyond. “Within the next 10 years, ACE aims to fund 95 research projects, create over 1,300 new jobs within the sector and bring a projected £506 million into the UK economy. “In a world where geopolitical instability, climate change and resource scarcity seem to be threatening food security, we now have a great opportunity to create an innovation cluster for the UK that will deliver positive economic, societal and environmental impacts for many years to come.” The ACE project will harness the agricultural and research strengths of Greater Lincolnshire, East Anglia, and Cambridgeshire, turning them into a globally competitive innovation cluster. The region’s dense concentration of crop production, agri-tech infrastructure, and civic support creates a unique platform for high-impact investment and sustainable food system development.

UK vertical farm operator collapses after failed funding efforts

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UK vertical farm operator collapses after failed funding efforts

The Jones Food Company, the operator of the UK’s largest vertical farms, has entered administration following an unsuccessful attempt to secure new investment. The collapse resulted in the closure of its operations on 7 April and the redundancy of 61 employees.

The company operated two large-scale indoor farms in Scunthorpe and Gloucestershire, the latter housing its most advanced site, which only opened in 2023. These high-tech facilities used LED lighting and controlled environments to produce salad crops and herbs at accelerated rates compared to traditional farming.

Despite backing from major online grocer Ocado, which held a substantial stake, no additional funding was provided. Administrators confirmed that attempts to attract new investors failed, leading to the company’s insolvency.

York clean energy firm to relocate to new city centre HQ

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York clean energy firm to relocate to new city centre HQ
A clean energy solutions provider has agreed to lease 3,660 sq ft of workspace at Hudson Quarter in York’s city centre in a deal supported by real estate services firm JLL. Founded in York in 2014, Apatura is an infrastructure developer delivering large-scale clean energy and advanced grid solutions that power the digital economy. With a pipeline of over 10GW, the company specialises in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and co-located infrastructure that enables the development of sustainable, energy-resilient data centres. JLL and Sanderson Weatherall acted as the letting agents on a deal that will see the business relocate its headquarters to Hudson Quarter, a Grade A listed building adjacent to York train station. It was previously owned by Palace Capital but has recently been sold to commercial real estate firm STR Capital Partners. Apatura were advised by Carter Towler and will be joining firms including Knights plc, Great Rail Journeys and Arcadis at Hudson Quarter. Christabelle Day, senior surveyor at JLL, said: “For many potential occupiers, having somewhere that can support their sustainability ambitions is as important as providing a high-quality office space – and Hudson Quarter certainly fits this bill for Apatura. “At the same time, the building’s central location in a well-connected city makes it an attractive prospect for many occupiers. We anticipate there will be continued interest in the building with just one suite still available to let.” Marcus Langlands Pearse, at STR Capital Partners, said: “Having the majority of office space at Hudson Quarter now let out is testament to not only the high-quality workspace it provides, but how it is an ideal location for businesses looking to operate more sustainably. This is especially true for Apatura, who needed a space that aligned with their own efforts to support the UK’s transition to a greener economy. “It will be a welcome addition to the community of exciting business that we are building here, and we’re looking forward to seeing the firm continue to thrive in its new headquarters.” The workspace has achieved BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. It has EV charging points and secure cycle storage to encourage more eco-friendly methods of commuting.

Plans unveiled for housing and care development on former Doncaster industrial site

April Lara
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Plans unveiled for housing and care development on former Doncaster industrial site

Albemarle Homes has announced plans to redevelop the former Bawtry Carbon Plant in Austerfield, Doncaster, into a mixed-use scheme featuring residential housing, a care facility and community infrastructure.

The proposal outlines approximately 267 energy-efficient homes, a mix of two—to five-bedroom properties. A 66-bed care home and a new community hub are also planned for the 32-acre brownfield site, which has been inactive for several years.

The development would include public green spaces and a play area, aligning with broader regeneration and sustainability goals. The project forms part of a trend toward repurposing former industrial land to meet housing needs, particularly in regional growth areas like South Yorkshire.

Albemarle Homes has launched a public consultation period running from 7 to 30 May to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. A community event is scheduled for 15 May at the Austerfield Study Centre, offering attendees the opportunity to review the plans and engage directly with the project team.

This proposed development reflects continued private sector interest in brownfield regeneration as a vehicle for housing delivery, particularly with growing demand for sustainable, mixed-use communities outside major metropolitan centres.

Solicitors smash £6k target for Sheffield charity

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Solicitors smash £6k target for Sheffield charity
Wake Smith Solicitors has smashed the £6,000 mark in their annual fundraising efforts for a Sheffield cancer charity. The city law firm chose Cavendish Cancer Care to become its charity for 2024-25 in memory of director of HR Kelly Pashley-Handford, who sadly passed away in 2023 after being diagnosed with cancer. Fundraising events to raise £6,243 included beauty product evenings, a tuck shop, Bake Off-style cake sales, sweepstakes, a wreath making event and seasonal competitions. Biggest fundraisers of the year were the annual Christmas lunch, the Sheffield Half Marathon, the popular staff quiz and a wine tasting evening with local wine merchants Starmore Boss. The firm also offered a discount on normal rates for Wills through its Wills, Trusts and Probate team to Cavendish Cancer Care’s clients, staff, volunteers and supporters as part of its commitment to the cause. Kate Lax, director at Wake Smith and charitable board member, said: “The charitable efforts of our staff and clients to impact positively on our community through Cavendish Cancer Care has been really inspiring. “We all know this money will make a huge difference to many who need help, and to their families, and we look forward to continuing to support our local charities for many years to come.” Kirsty White, head of fundraising at Cavendish Cancer Care, added: We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the team at Wake Smith for their outstanding efforts. As an organisation that is almost entirely reliant on donations, support like this is absolutely vital. These funds will go a long way in helping us continue to be there for anyone affected by cancer in our community.” Last year’s fundraising campaign at Wake Smith collected more than £5,200 for Sheffield charity PACES which offers life changing support for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and other motor disorders.

Rail upgrade between Huddersfield and Sheffield moves forward with new funding

April Lara
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Rail upgrade between Huddersfield and Sheffield moves forward with new funding

An upgrade to the rail link between Huddersfield and Sheffield has entered its next phase as Kirklees Council secures £1.5 million in initial funding to develop a business case for the project. The investment is part of a larger £48 million initiative supported by the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The scheme aims to reduce journey times to under an hour and increase train frequency, benefiting regional connectivity and supporting economic development. The improvements will affect key rail services and stations along the Penistone Line, including Lockwood, Berry Brow, Honley, Brockholes, Shepley, Stocksmoor, and Denby Dale.

The project is being advanced in partnership with Barnsley and Sheffield councils, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and local MPs. It complements broader investment in the Trans-Pennine route, focusing on strengthening infrastructure and enhancing transport efficiency for businesses and communities across northern England.

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