The long-awaited Scotch Corner Designer Village, a luxury retail park near Richmond, has once again pushed back its opening. Now set for spring 2027, this marks a significant delay from the original plan, which aimed for a 2018 launch.

The developers, Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, have reported that half of the first phase of construction is complete, with work on the second phase slated to begin in September. The project aims to create over 1,300 jobs and become a major retail and leisure destination, drawing an estimated four million visitors annually. Retailers including Monsoon, Lindt, M&S, Calvin Klein, and Levi’s have already committed, with 82% of units leased.

The development is set to feature local artisans and incorporate sustainable design, including more than 250 electric vehicle charging stations. Upgrades to the local power infrastructure are underway to support the site’s future needs.

Concerns about delays have centred on the nearby A66 roadworks, necessary for the outlet’s access. Road widening and additional exits are required, with National Highways confirming the work will be completed ahead of the planned opening in 2027.

Construction of new affordable homes in a Yorkshire village that will feature an energy saving solar power battery storage system, has started. The move sees affordable housing developer Adderstone Living onsite in the village of Swinton, north of Malton, where a mix of one, two, three and four-bed houses and bungalows are under construction for northern housing association Karbon Homes. The 20 homes, which will be available for a mix of tenures, including affordable rent, shared ownership and Rent to Buy, are the first where Karbon has included communal solar power battery storage for all the properties. When completed in summer 2026, all the properties will be linked to the system, enabling residents to store any surplus energy generated by the solar PV panels on the roofs for use at a later time. Zoey Hawthorne, assistant director of development delivery for Karbon Homes, said: “It’s great to see work getting underway on this rural flagship scheme for us, the first where all our homes will benefit from battery storage. “When the cost of living is high, providing homes that are not only affordable for local residents in terms of rent, but utilise technologies that have the potential to help customers save on their utilities bills, has never been more important. “We hope these new homes, designed to meet the needs of residents wanting to move to, or stay living in the village, will play a role in helping the community thrive.” Alongside benefitting from the battery storage, all the homes aim to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate rating A and will include enhanced energy efficiency measures, including air source heat pumps and EV charging points. Stephen McCoy, managing director of Adderstone Living, said: “When complete, this groundbreaking scheme will be a valuable asset to the village and wider community. Beyond bricks and mortar, we’re also delivering broader community benefits as part of the development. “Social housing is rightly back in the spotlight, with a growing recognition of its vital role in building resilient communities. We’re pleased to be playing our part in this renewed focus delivering high quality, innovative homes that balance affordability, sustainability and long-term value. “The need has never been greater, and the sector must continue to respond with purpose in places where people truly want to live and thrive.” The development has been part funded through Karbon’s strategic partnership with Homes England, which provided the housing association with £181m in funding to deliver 2,324 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2026. Karbon has committed to delivering 10% of these new homes in rural communities such as Swinton.

Wates, Stepnell, Morgan Sindall, Kier and BAM have partnered with the newly formed Centre for Construction Best Practice (CCBP) as Gold Corporate Partners, in a move that signals growing momentum behind a sector-wide push for collaboration, innovation and improved delivery standards. The five firms are committed to supporting CCBP’s mission to tackle long-standing issues in the industry, including supply chain instability, skills shortages, and the need for stronger, more collaborative relationships between clients and delivery teams. As founding partners, they will contribute their knowledge and expertise to help shape the Centre’s future direction. The centre is focused on closing the gap between academia and practice by facilitating meaningful collaboration through its academic Advisory Boards and Corporate Partner network. This unique partnership ensures feedback and research flows both ways to encourage tangible improvements in project delivery, sustainability and sector culture. Robbie Blackhurst, chair of the Centre for Construction Best Practice, said: “At CCBP, we believe innovation and best practice in the built environment can only happen through collaboration. The commitment from BAM, Kier, Wates, Morgan Sindall, and Stepnell shows they share that vision. “With major government investment underway and urgent challenges around skills, net zero and delivery capability, we need joined up and research-led action. CCBP connects industry and academia to address these issues head on, not through a talking shop, but by driving practical change through research and collaboration. “It’s encouraging to see companies who normally compete working together for the benefit of the wider industry.” Stephen Beechey, group public sector director at Wates Group, said: “Improving how we deliver the built environment requires more than technical solutions – it takes genuine collaboration, shared learning, and a long-term view of value. “That’s why we’re pleased to support the Centre for Construction Best Practice. Its focus on bridging industry and academia aligns with our belief that thriving places are created when expertise is shared, and delivery is reimagined.” Rebecca Boundy, managing director for clients and markets at Kier, added: “We joined CCBP because we believe in the value of bringing together industry expertise and academic research to drive meaningful change. “Working alongside other contractors and researchers, we will create practical solutions which improve how we deliver projects. It’s about combining knowledge, technology, and collaboration to raise standards and create lasting impact. “We’re excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities this partnership will bring—not just for Kier, but for the wider industry.” Adrian Blackie, pre-construction director at BAM echoed this point, commenting: “As a corporate partner for the Centre for Construction Best Practice our ambition is to collaborate with industry partners and academia to drive best practice, promote innovation, and make our vision possible.” CCBP recently hosted its first roundtable, where partner organisations agreed a focus on improving the UK’s construction delivery model. Key concerns raised included a lack of early contractor engagement, inconsistent accountability, and poor risk allocation, all of which can lead to programme delays and cost overruns. The Centre will work to promote earlier collaboration between clients, designers and contractors, with an emphasis on role-based competency frameworks, transparent risk sharing, and quality-led procurement strategies. Steffan Speer, technical director, Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “At Morgan Sindall Construction, we’re always seeking better ways to deliver. To create real, lasting value for our customers and communities. My role allows me to work across the business to embed best practice and explore innovation wherever it can drive positive change – whether through technology, quality, or collaboration. “That’s why becoming a corporate partner of CCBP made sense. It connects us with like-minded businesses who are equally focused on improving how we design and build – not only in terms of performance, but in purpose. We want to be part of something that challenges the status quo, shares learning openly, and accelerates change and innovation across our industry. “This partnership is an opportunity to shape the future of construction in a more conscious, efficient and impactful way. That’s something I’m proud to support, and something I believe will benefit the entire built environment.” Tom Sewell, regional director of Stepnell, added: “We’re proud to align ourselves with an organisation that shares our ambition to shape a more conscious, forward-thinking built environment. This partnership offers valuable opportunities to collaborate with like-minded peers, contribute to meaningful research, and help influence the future of policy.” With backing from its Gold Corporate Partners, the Centre will now press ahead with its research agenda and sector engagement programme. This will include the publication of government whitepapers, industry-wide working groups, and events that bring together practitioners and academics to address real world challenges and shape practical solutions that can be adopted across the supply chain.