- Bringing together a pipeline of small sites which will enable economies of scale in development
- Enabling private funding investment into the programme to develop the small sites
- Providing Government financial and expert support to enable Councils to get sites ready for development
Sheffield to be part of project developing small brownfield sites for housing
Sheffield is set to be part of a government-led partnership with Bristol City Council and the London Borough of Lewisham looking to accelerate the development of small plots of brownfield land for housing.
The Small Sites Aggregator scheme will see Sheffield City Council work alongside the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), developers and private sector funders.
It will look at better accessing smaller plots of brownfield land which are usually challenging to develop. This will help meet housing demand nationwide.
The scheme looks to support the delivery of housing on Council-owned small sites in a number of ways:
Barwood Capital expands self-storage portfolio with Doncaster acquisition
Barwood Capital has acquired a vacant former car showroom in Doncaster as its third self-storage investment in partnership with Flexiss Group. The deal was completed through Barwood’s Regional Property Growth Fund V, which focuses on repurposing underutilised commercial assets into modern, energy-efficient storage facilities.
The site, a 33,592 sq ft former Arnold Clark showroom on Wheatley Hall Road, is located in an established commercial area approximately one mile from Doncaster city centre. Plans for the redevelopment include over 60,000 sq ft of self-storage space across two levels, with additional external drive-up units. The scheme is targeting an EPC rating of A, aligning with Barwood’s focus on sustainable asset transformation.
This acquisition follows two earlier investments: a former Matalan warehouse in Chester acquired in January 2025, and the Scott Self Storage Facility in Lincoln, acquired in summer 2024. Flexiss Group continues to serve as operator and development partner across all three assets, bringing operational scale and sector expertise to the portfolio.
The Doncaster site is positioned along a key arterial route, with high traffic volume and access to a major logistics hub, factors that support its potential to meet growing demand in an underserved self-storage market.
Espersen considers Grimsby site shutdown amid continued losses
Danish seafood processor Espersen is reviewing the future of its Grimsby processing facility, citing ongoing losses and shifting market conditions. The site, acquired in 2023, is reportedly underperforming, contributing to a group-wide pre-financing loss of DKr57 million (£6.48 million) in the last financial year. Group revenues also decreased 4.7% to DKK 3.3 billion.
Key factors behind the potential closure include reduced overall production volumes, increased raw material prices, particularly for Norwegian Atlantic Cod, and weaker market demand. The company attributed part of the cost pressure to sanctions on Russian imports and decreased quotas in the Barents Sea.
Although Espersen had announced investment plans for the Grimsby site in 2023, it now says those plans have been undermined by unexpectedly high capital requirements and deteriorating economic conditions.
If the closure proceeds, the wind-down is expected to take about 12 months. Espersen has not confirmed how many jobs could be affected. This would mark the company’s exit from UK processing operations, though it intends to maintain a local sales presence.
The move follows Espersen’s earlier closure of its Lithuanian site in Klaipėda, with production relocated to Poland as part of a broader cost-efficiency strategy that includes ongoing optimisation efforts in its Polish facilities.
Government accelerates reservoir plans to bolster future water supply
The UK government has reclassified two major reservoir projects in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire as “nationally significant infrastructure,” fast-tracking them through the planning system to secure long-term water resilience.
The move shifts approval authority from local planning bodies to the Environment Secretary, aiming to streamline a process that typically faces delays from local objections and regulatory bottlenecks. The Fens Reservoir is scheduled for completion by 2036, while the Lincolnshire Reservoir is set for completion by 2040.
These projects are part of a broader strategy to address rising water demand driven by climate change, population growth, housing developments, and increased industrial use, including pressure from sectors like data centres. The fast-track announcement follows a dry spring and growing concerns over the frequency of droughts, particularly in eastern England, one of the driest and most water-stressed parts of the UK.
The government also confirmed plans to classify seven additional reservoir proposals as nationally significant, supporting a wider initiative announced in 2023 to develop nine new reservoirs by 2050. Together, these projects aim to supply an extra 670 million litres of water per day.
While welcomed by infrastructure and water industry leaders, the announcement has raised concerns over costs, public opposition, and the timeline; none of the new reservoirs are expected to be operational this decade.
Sheffield Forgemasters appoints new CFO
Patrick Davison has been appointed as chief financial officer (CFO) to the board of Sheffield Forgemasters.
Patrick is a UK qualified accountant (CIMA) with more than 18 years’ experience including executive roles in international businesses, engineering, manufacturing, and aerospace industries.
Most recently, Patrick acted as group finance director for Masonite Europe, overseeing a $40 million transformation programme and joins the board at MoD-owned Sheffield Forgemasters as it recapitalises its defence-critical assets.
Gary Nutter, chief executive officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We are delighted to welcome Patrick to the Board of Directors.
“As CFO, he will be closely working with a highly experienced senior team as we steer the business into new markets.
“His role will be fundamental to securing long-term success for the business, through sound financing decisions, plant upgrades and investment in our workforce.
“Patrick was appointed after a full recruitment process for the role and impressed the Board with his track record of managing demanding transitions and complex operating models across engineering and manufacturing enterprises.
“He joins Sheffield Forgemasters as we work to increase supply of crucial UK Defence components, maintain supply into a global customer base, whilst transforming our business through a major investment programme.”
In previous roles, Patrick acted as group finance director for Radius Aerospace Europe, divisional finance director at Doncaster’s Group’s UK Fabrications and acted as EMEA controller at Stanley Black & Decker Inc, where he led the acquisition and integration of CRC Evans into the Stanley Black & Decker Group.
Patrick Davison said: “This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining one of the world’s most recognised engineering companies, and I look forward to working with the Board to deliver dynamic change for the future.”
Patrick joins Gary Nutter (CEO) and Gareth Barker (COO) as executive directors of the board at Sheffield Forgemasters and takes up position from 2nd June.
Hobson & Porter wins major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Construction company Hobson & Porter has won a major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the firm install the latest sustainable technology and refurbish hundreds of homes and buildings each year.
The work will be worth approximately £15 million over a four-year period and will see Hobson & Porter refurbishing around 200 council owned homes each year, and significantly improving their energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings to either B or C. The company will also work on homes that the council is currently buying to supplement its existing housing stock.
Hobson & Porter has already been tasked with installing 1.5kWp ‘in-roof’ solar panels on more than 20 residential streets as well as making efficiency upgrades to the loft spaces.
Structural repairs will also be carried out alongside the full refurbishment of a mix of council owned buildings including offices, industrial units and storage depots. This will include replacing reinforced concrete floor slabs for insulated ones, rewiring, installing new heating systems, underpinning, drainage repairs and internal structural work.
In addition, Hobson & Porter will be improving communal areas in assisted living schemes and apartment buildings, as well as refurbishing and demolishing a series of garage blocks.
Sam Robertson, from Hobson & Porter, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is a longstanding client so we’re very pleased to win this new contract. Having worked on East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s previous frameworks for the last seven years, I am happy we have been recognised as a key partner in delivering this latest scheme, which is testament to our team’s hard work and high standards of workmanship.
“It’s particularly rewarding because it involves a wide variety of work, from refurbishing all types of homes, which will make a genuine difference to local people, through to installing the latest sustainable technology. All this will significantly improve the council’s property portfolio across a large swathe of East Yorkshire, as well as future-proofing buildings and homes for future generations of residents, staff and visitors.”
Councillor Gary McMaster, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for planning, housing and infrastructure, said: “This contract has been designed to ensure that as many of the homes and buildings that we own and run as possible can benefit from modern and sustainable technology. This will ensure that they are fit for purpose for many years to come and guarantees the most efficient and cost-effective use of resources.”
Established Lincolnshire care home sold
The Bassingham Care Centre in Lincolnshire has been sold.
The ‘Good’ rated care facility comprises a former rectory, a 31-bedroom building, and specialist care bungalows with a further 28 bedrooms. This accommodation sits on large grounds located between Newark and Lincoln, accessed off the A46 in the village of Bassingham.
It has been owned by My Care since 2013 and was brought to market as part of a strategic disposal.
Following a confidential sales process with Rosie Turner at Christie & Co, it has been sold to first-time buyers, Jijo Benedict and Anil Varghese John of Confident Care Homes Ltd.
Rosie Turner, senior business agent – care at Christie & Co, said: “Having worked with our client for a number of years, we are delighted to complete on this sale for them.
“After a competitive marketing process, which achieved a high proportion of interest from first-time operators due to the home’s established reputation, profits, and strong management team, Confident Care Homes Ltd has become the proud new owner.
“The sale of Bassingham Care Centre demonstrates that there is strong demand for quality care homes, and we were pleased with the level of interest expressed in this home during the marketing process.”
The Bassingham Care Centre was sold for an undisclosed price.
Bayswater targets northern England growth with Leeds acquisition
Bayswater Education has acquired Leeds English Language School in a move to strengthen its UK footprint and expand its offer of vocational and English language training in the North of England.
The deal marks Bayswater’s second acquisition in the region and adds a fifth UK location to its global portfolio of campuses across Europe, Africa, and North America. The Leeds-based school, which has been operating since 2001, will continue under Bayswater’s management, with the current staff retained throughout the transition.
A new city-centre campus is set to open in 2025 under the Bayswater Leeds name. It will deliver English language training alongside short professional courses, with plans to introduce micro-credentials in areas such as digital marketing and international business, sectors aligned with Leeds’s growing reputation as a commercial and tech hub.
The move signals Bayswater’s strategy to increase its presence in key regional cities and meet rising demand from international students seeking both language skills and career development pathways. The acquisition also reflects growing investor interest in UK education assets outside London, as providers seek growth through localised expansion.
Planning shake-up aims to fast-track small housing projects
The UK Government has unveiled a package of planning reforms designed to accelerate housing delivery by making it easier for small and medium-sized developers (SMEs) to build homes. The move is part of efforts to meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029–30.
A key proposal includes delegating planning decisions for developments of up to nine homes and most minor technical applications to professional planning officers, reducing the role of local councillors in smaller cases. The aim is to streamline approvals and reduce delays. A new tiered system will categorise applications to determine whether they are handled by officers (Tier A) or referred to planning committees (Tier B).
Developments between 10 and 49 homes will be reclassified as medium-sized, benefiting from reduced costs and simplified biodiversity requirements. These sites will also be exempt from the building safety levy.
To address concerns around nature preservation, consultations will be launched on applying biodiversity net gain rules to minor, medium, and brownfield sites. Conservation groups have raised concerns about weakening environmental protections.
Financial support is also being ramped up. A £100 million accelerator loan scheme is being introduced to improve cash flow for SME developers, alongside a new National Housing Delivery Fund to be confirmed at the next spending review. This will provide access to long-term financing, including revolving credit facilities.
Homes England will release more land exclusively for small builders, while a new pilot programme in Bristol, Sheffield, and Lewisham will target unlocking smaller, underused sites.
Additionally, the Government announced £10 million for local councils to hire environmental specialists to speed up assessments and £1.2 million in PropTech funding to support small-site innovation using digital planning tools.
The changes are open for consultation under the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The reforms are presented as an effort to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate longstanding barriers faced by smaller developers in a market traditionally dominated by large firms.
Content intelligence provider Ad Signal secures £3m
Foresight Group, a regional private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has made a £3 million investment in Ad Signal, a provider of content intelligence for the media and entertainment industry.
Foresight’s investment will allow the company to accelerate the rollout of new products and expand its commercial footprint, capitalising on growing demand from broadcasters, platforms and post-production houses.
Tom Toumazis MBE will join the team as non-executive chair, bringing a wealth of experience in the media and entertainment industry, as well as being involved with several early-stage technology businesses.
Based in York, the company was founded by Tom Dunning and Mike Duffy in 2018. Since then, it has experienced significant growth and broadened into a suite of proprietary tools designed to help customers remove duplicate content, stay compliant, and reduce digital storage needs.
Improving digital sustainability is a core focus for Ad Signal, with its tools lowering its customers’ storage requirements, providing associated carbon reduction.
Ad Signal works with major names including Sky, Clearcast and the Broadcasters Audience Research Board.
Tom Dunning, founder and CEO, Ad Signal, said: “This investment is a major milestone for Ad Signal and a strong endorsement of the vision we’ve built over the last few years.
“With Foresight’s support, we can supercharge the development of our technology and bring new products to market faster. Watch this space – we are about to set a new standard for how content could be understood with a sustainability-focused approach.”
Samir Rea, investment manager at Foresight Group, said: “We are delighted to partner with Tom and the whole team at Ad Signal on what we believe will be an exciting journey. The combination of a compelling commercial opportunity, whilst also lowering customers’ carbon requirements, hopefully makes this a promising investment for Foresight.”
Tom Toumazis, non-executive chair, Ad Signal, said: “What drew me to Ad Signal was the clarity of its mission and the industry-wide challenges it’s solving – ones I’ve faced first-hand throughout my career in media.
“From improving how content is monetised to reducing the cost and environmental impact of storage, the team is tackling issues that matter commercially and sustainably. I’m excited to support the business in its next phase of growth alongside Foresight Group.”
