Wykeland appoints new finance director
Contractor appointment made for new Halifax leisure centre
Endless LLP acquires specialist battery supplier
Nuclear waste site talks face shutdown in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council is preparing to exit discussions over hosting a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the UK’s nuclear waste. This move would formally end the county’s involvement in a multi-year siting process led by Nuclear Waste Services (NWS).
A council scrutiny board has recommended withdrawing from the Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership, with a final decision expected from the Executive on 3 June. This follows East Lindsey District Council’s decision to pull out in April.
The partnership, established in 2021, was initially focused on repurposing a former gas terminal near Theddlethorpe. However, in early 2025, NWS shifted its proposed location inland, targeting undeveloped countryside between Gayton le Marsh and Great Carlton, triggering opposition and claims of inadequate community engagement.
Lincolnshire is one of three areas under consideration for the underground repository, alongside Mid and South Copeland in Cumbria. A recent geological assessment highlighted Lincolnshire’s clay formations as highly suitable for long-term waste isolation. Nonetheless, public sentiment in the area has turned against the project, with community surveys indicating strong opposition.
Under the GDF programme, host communities are eligible for up to £1 million in annual government funding during the siting phase, with over £2 million already allocated to local initiatives in Lincolnshire. However, ongoing concerns about transparency, shifting site plans, and long-term uncertainty have led local representatives to question the benefits of continued involvement.
NWS maintains that community consent is a prerequisite for any development and has pointed to international precedents, such as Canada’s recent GDF siting process, to justify the timeline and complexity. Still, if Lincolnshire formally exits next week, the agency will be left with just the two Cumbrian sites in active evaluation.
Infrastructure funding targets Lincolnshire school and healthcare sites
A total of 18 schools across Lincolnshire will undergo repairs and upgrades as part of a government infrastructure initiative set to begin this summer and continue through to April next year. The funding is drawn from a wider £40 million allocation earmarked for schools throughout the East Midlands.
Projects include essential fire safety upgrades at Spalding Grammar School to prevent potential closure, and asbestos removal at Westgate Academy in Lincoln. Other recipients include Boston Grammar School, The King’s School in Grantham, and Branston Community Academy, reflecting a geographic spread of improvements across both primary and secondary institutions.
This round of investment signals continued public sector capital expenditure on essential facilities, with a focus on safety compliance and modernisation. For B2B service providers, particularly those in construction, engineering, compliance, and building materials, the pipeline of work offers partnership opportunities within government-backed programmes.
In parallel, the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston has been allocated £7 million for upgrades to its electrical systems and fire safety. Additionally, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will receive £750,000 for similar improvements across its estate, supporting healthcare infrastructure resilience.
These investments suggest a sustained demand for skilled contractors, compliance consultants, and building systems suppliers across the education and healthcare sectors.
Thurston Group expands with acquisition of Alsim assets
Modular construction firm Thurston Group has acquired the assets, IP, and customer base of Hull-based portable building maker Alsim System Building Ltd, following Alsim’s recent insolvency.
The deal will enable Wakefield-headquartered Thurston to enhance its Cabins division and introduce a new line of temporary living accommodation products to its portfolio, thereby expanding its capabilities in the modular and secure accommodation market.
Alsim, founded in 1992, was a known supplier of temporary accommodation solutions before entering administration in late 2024. At the time, it employed 52 staff and had a presence in sectors requiring secure, short-term living units.
The acquisition follows Thurston’s earlier 2025 investment in Storplan, a specialist fabrication business, which increased the firm’s production capacity and enabled it to deliver more complex structural steel and modular projects.
Thurston, established in 1970, currently operates across four sites in East and West Yorkshire, employing around 380 people. The company serves over 100 clients and is forecast to generate £60 million in turnover this year. The Alsim acquisition is part of its ongoing strategy to diversify offerings, scale up operations, and strengthen its position in the UK modular construction sector.
£7.5bn data campus proposed for North Lincolnshire
A planning application has been submitted to significantly expand Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate with a multi-billion-pound data centre campus, signalling a major boost for the local B2B economy.
The development proposes large-scale infrastructure, including data centres, office facilities, and supporting energy systems, to be delivered in phases. If approved, the total investment could reach between £5.5 billion and £7.5 billion, positioning the site as a critical hub for high-tech operations and digital infrastructure in the UK.
The phased build is expected to support up to 5,100 construction jobs annually. Once operational, the site could employ up to 1,200 people in skilled roles, with projected average salaries of £57,000. The application also outlines plans for apprenticeship and training initiatives to develop local talent for technical and engineering roles.
The scheme represents one of the most significant private investment opportunities in North Lincolnshire, further cementing the region’s reputation for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and now digital infrastructure. The public consultation is currently open, with full planning details available online.
Strike threat grows over major cuts at University of Bradford
Industrial action looms at the University of Bradford following a staff vote in favour of strike action, driven by a proposed £16 million budget reduction. The planned cuts could result in over 300 job losses and the closure of several academic programmes, including chemistry and film & television.
The University and College Union (UCU) reported that 82% of participating members backed the strike, with a turnout of 57%. Action could begin as early as 12 June unless the university withdraws its plans for compulsory redundancies.
Current proposals would bring staffing levels back to those of 2019, putting more than 230 professional services staff and at least 90 academic positions at immediate risk. An additional 200 academic roles are expected to face scrutiny in the coming weeks.
The university, citing sector-wide financial pressures, is undergoing a review of its operational model. While management has stated its commitment to supporting staff during the transition, union leaders argue that the cuts will not only affect employees but also impact regional businesses and diminish educational and cultural offerings for students.
This development adds to growing concerns within the higher education sector around funding stability, workforce planning, and the sustainability of course portfolios.
Battery storage project approved in West Yorkshire despite community pushback
A major battery energy storage system (BESS) in Holmfield, near Halifax, has been approved by Calderdale Council, advancing plans by Masdar Arlington Energy to develop a 500MW facility aimed at supporting the UK’s clean energy transition.
The project, situated within an existing industrial estate, will store excess electricity generated from renewable sources and feed it back into the grid during periods of peak demand. This comes as part of a broader national effort to stabilise the electricity network as renewables make up a larger share of the energy mix.
Despite technical backing from council planning, heritage, and highways officers, the decision was contentious. Over 400 individual objections were lodged, with concerns ranging from fire safety and noise to traffic disruption and perceived impacts on local tourism and property values. A petition opposing the project gathered 1,500 signatures.
The council’s planning committee narrowly approved the scheme, passing the vote only via the chair’s casting ballot after a deadlock among the seven members.
The site is located near Holdsworth House, a listed property that operates as a hotel and restaurant. Heritage assessments were conducted to evaluate the potential impact on surrounding historic assets.
£40M build-to-rent scheme completes in Leeds
Rise Homes has completed Spinners Yard, a £40 million build-to-rent (BTR) development in Leeds city centre, delivering 185 new apartments to the market. Clegg Construction built the 11-storey, U-shaped scheme on Regent Street and features a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.
The project features a suite of tenant-focused amenities, including co-working areas, a fitness suite, private dining rooms, resident lounges, and both ground-level and rooftop terraces. The ground floor also includes parking and management facilities.
Designed with sustainability in mind, Spinners Yard is connected to the Leeds PIPES district heating network, which collectively saved more than 6,400 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2024. The heating scheme, backed by a £62 million investment, continues to support the city’s net-zero goals.
CBRE has been appointed as the sole letting agent, with early interest driven by the scheme’s location and high-spec offering. The development will open to residents in mid-June, following an open house event in early June.
This marks Rise Homes’ second regional collaboration with Clegg Construction, following their previous delivery of a £28.7 million BTR project in Sheffield. Key project partners include Gresham House, 5Plus, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Dalbergia, Leeds City Council, and CBRE.
