Community conversation launched for East Bank Urban Village project in Hull

Tess Egginton
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Community conversation launched for East Bank Urban Village project in Hull
Hull City Council and lead developer partner ECF have launched a community conversation ahead of the East Bank Urban Village project. The sustainable, residential-led development will deliver approximately 850 new homes on brownfield land east of the River Hull. Opposite the old town, the scheme will comprise new homes and public spaces in the heart of the city, transforming the east bank of the River Hull into a contemporary urban village. The regeneration is backed by £9.875m of Levelling Up Partnership funding and will be a long-term investment into the city, significantly contributing to meeting the council’s Local Plan aspiration for 2,500 new dwellings within Hull city centre. The new homes will be developed across 15 years alongside ground floor commercial uses and an interconnected network of streets, plazas and green spaces to promote a pedestrian and family friendly atmosphere. Now, the council and ECF want to hear the views of residents, businesses and other stakeholders on the plans to help to shape the site’s design, landscaping and play areas as well as how best to restore its heritage assets. The public can have their say until Wednesday 8 October with an online questionnaire and can look at the plans and talk with the team at in-person sessions at Victoria Dock Village Hall (Tuesday 9 September, 2:30-4:45pm), Little Learners Day Nursery (Victoria Dock, Tuesday 9 September, 6:30-8pm), and Trinity Market Hall (Thursday 2 October, 4-8pm). Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for economic renewal, housing and organisational development at the council, said: “East Bank Urban Village is one of Hull’s largest ever regeneration projects and will act as a catalyst for further urban renewal and help to increase investor confidence in the city with all the economic benefits that will arise. “The development is the future of Hull’s city centre living and so it’s important that our residents and other stakeholders and interested parties share their thoughts to help shape it.” Raife Gale, senior development manager at ECF, said: “This is a project that will have a hugely positive impact on Hull, delivering much needed new homes in the heart of the city centre while breathing new life into a site with a rich heritage and maritime past. “We want to ensure the local community are involved in shaping what our plans look like, so we are looking forward to working closely with them as we progress the first stage of this important new development.”

Third-party logistics provider takes 61,000 sq ft at Sheffield business park

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Third-party logistics provider takes 61,000 sq ft at Sheffield business park
Mileway, the last mile logistics real estate company, has signed a lease agreement with 4S Distribution Limited, a third-party logistics provider, for 61,000 sq ft of fully refurbished warehouse and office space at Parkway Business Park in Sheffield. The facility provides eaves height of 10.8 metres, dual elevation loading with two separate yards, multiple loading doors, LED-lit and fully refurbished office space, and a separate staff entrance linking parking to reception and office facilities. Externally, the secure, self-contained site offers two dedicated loading yards and parking provision. 4S Distribution, a major third-party logistics provider in Yorkshire, will use the space to support business expansion following new contract wins. Andrew Jones, Mileway managing director UK & Ireland, said: “This lease underscores our ability to deliver high-quality, modern space in locations that enable our customers to succeed in the fast-moving last mile logistics sector. Parkway Business Park is perfectly placed for regional and national operations, and we’re proud to welcome 4S Distribution as they continue to grow.” Tim Cooper, 4S Distribution managing director, said: “Our new premises are in an excellent location for serving our customers across Yorkshire. Mileway’s team responded swiftly and professionally to secure and complete the lease, enabling us to move in and focus on expansion with no downtime.” Knight Frank & CPP served as joint leasing agents.

83 new homes approved in Sibsey

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83 new homes approved in Sibsey
Planning and design consultancy Boyer has secured planning consent on behalf of Towey Homes for a new 83-home scheme in Sibsey, Lincolnshire. The development secured unanimous approval from East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee. At the 3.8-hectare site in Sibsey, four miles north of Boston, the housebuilder will deliver 83 homes in a variety of types and styles, including four one-bedroom maisonettes, 11 two-bedroom homes, 44 three-bedroom homes and 24 four-bedroom homes. The development will provide tree-lined streets, landscaped public spaces and a Local Equipped Area of Play (LEAP). In addition, the scheme will contribute to local infrastructure through Section 106 funding for the NHS and education provision. Olivia Price, planner in Boyer’s Midlands office, said: “There were a number of significant viability challenges to overcome in bringing this scheme forward. “We worked closely with the council and consultees to ensure that appropriate levels of infrastructure could be delivered to meet local need, including the additional requirements brought about by this new development. I’m delighted that we were able to achieve a viable and policy-compliant solution, which was unanimously supported by committee.”

Econ Engineering hits 1,000 Mercedes-Benz hire gritters

April Lara
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Econ Engineering hits 1,000 Mercedes-Benz hire gritters

Econ Engineering has reached a milestone with the delivery of its 1,000th Mercedes-Benz gritter for its hire fleet. The vehicle marks over 20 years of collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK, which began in 2003 when Econ launched its winter maintenance hire service.

The milestone vehicle, supplied by Northside Truck & Van in Leeds, features the latest Econ Spargo gritter body and specifications for the 2025 winter season. The gritter, originally yellow, was wrapped in blue to mark the occasion and has been displayed at industry events, including the Road Transport Expo. It will also appear at the Resource & Waste Management Expo in September 2025.

The Mercedes-Benz AROCS chassis continues to be the standard for Econ’s winter maintenance vehicles, offering all-wheel drive and adaptability for UK gritting operations. Econ operates the largest own-brand winter service fleet in the UK, with more than 1,000 vehicles available for hire, providing local authorities and contractors access to modern, reliable equipment through flexible contract hire arrangements.

Econ’s hire fleet has grown annually, with the company supplying approximately 85% of the gritters in use across the UK. The partnership with Mercedes-Benz and Northside Truck & Van underpins the company’s focus on quality, innovation, and aftersales support in the winter maintenance sector.

Avison Young appoints new Leeds regional managing director

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Avison Young appoints new Leeds regional managing director
Commercial real estate firm Avison Young has appointed James Pitt as regional managing director for Leeds. With more than 30 years of expertise in property development, urban regeneration, and placemaking, James joined Avison Young in May 2025 as a director within the Place Advisory team. James began his career at JLL in the national offices team, before spending 12 years at Evans Property Group as development director, leading projects including the University of York’s Heslington Campus. He was also key to securing the Leeds Enterprise Zone at Gateway 45 and unlocking the East Leeds Orbital Ring Road, facilitating planning permission for 2,000 homes. Prior to joining Avison Young, James served as regional managing director for Yorkshire and the North East at Muse Places. There, he led a team focused on partnerships with public sector bodies, social housing providers, and landowners across the North of England. In his new role as regional managing director for Leeds, James will spearhead Avison Young’s growth across Yorkshire, collaborating closely with colleagues to deliver best-in-class real estate advisory services to clients locally and nationally. Meanwhile, outgoing regional managing director for Leeds, Stuart Howie, takes on a new national role, supporting Avison Young’s clients across both the public and private sectors to leverage investment and expertise to enable the delivery of major regeneration projects. Howie has over 30 years’ experience of providing commercial, financial and strategic advice to some of the UK’s most complex and challenging regeneration and economic development projects. He advises both the public and private sectors and specialises in shaping deals that unlock investment, economic growth and prosperity. Stephen Cowperthwaite, principal and managing director, UK regions at Avison Young, said: “James brings deep regional knowledge and exceptional leadership experience to this role. His track record in delivering impactful development and regeneration projects makes him ideally placed to lead our Leeds office and grow our presence across Yorkshire. “We’re thrilled to have him step into this position as we continue to invest in talent and regional leadership to support our clients’ evolving needs. “Stuart’s transition into a national role is also a major milestone in our commitment to building our presence in all corners of the UK, delivering projects that advance the regions and facilitate strategic economic development. I’m looking forward to working alongside Stu to make sure that Avison Young is helping those with devolved responsibility to maximise impact and delivery.” James Pitt, regional managing director, Leeds at Avison Young, added: “This is an exciting time for both Avison Young and the Yorkshire region, and I’m thrilled to take on the role of Regional Managing Director for Leeds. “The region’s potential is immense, with increased devolution and the promise of a mass transit system set to energise the local economy and unlock new real estate opportunities along its corridors. Leeds and Yorkshire have a strong tradition of innovation, resilience, and collaboration, and I believe the market is at a pivotal moment where public and private partnerships can really accelerate growth. “I look forward to working alongside our talented team, deepening relationships with clients, and helping to shape places that deliver long-term value for businesses, communities, and investors alike.” Stuart Howie, principal and devolution delivery lead at Avison Young, added: “I’m excited to take on this new role, helping regions use their devolved resources and powers to maximise regional investment and impact. “It’s clear that devolution, when implemented effectively, can act as a powerful tool to attract investment, driving development ambitions across the country. But devolution alone is not a fix-all solution – it needs strategy, commercial discipline, market awareness, resource and strong project management, which is where we hope to take this new service offering, extending the work we already do for our clients. “I’m delighted to pass the regional leadership baton to James. Having worked with him both prior to and since his arrival at Avison Young, I know that our business, clients, and team are in great hands.”

gunnercooke expands global footprint with five new offices

April Lara
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gunnercooke expands global footprint with five new offices

gunnercooke has opened five new offices to meet rising demand for its entrepreneurial legal model. The expansion increases the firm’s presence to 16 locations across England, Scotland, Germany, Austria, and the US. New offices have launched in London, Frankfurt and Chicago, while Manchester and Leeds locations have been relocated to larger, upgraded spaces.

The firm reports annual revenue growth exceeding 15%, reaching £82 million in 2024. In 2025, 77 new appointments brought headcount to 842, including 607 advisors, of whom 409 are partners. Gunnercooke has positioned itself as a leading entrepreneurial law firm focused on helping advisors establish and scale their practices.

The second London office occupies 1 Great Cumberland Place, offering meeting and collaboration spaces alongside access to a private members’ bar and restaurant. Manchester headquarters moved to a 16,000 sq ft office at Pall Mall, within Bruntwood SciTech’s redevelopment project, converting a Grade II-listed building into a net zero carbon innovation hub. The Leeds office now hosts 18 desks at West Village, supporting 45 partners in the region.

International expansion includes Chicago, the firm’s second US office, and Frankfurt, its fifth German office. Frankfurt hosts 47 lawyers providing cross-border legal services.

Gunnercooke’s client base exceeds 45,000, including Google, Jet2.com and Santander, with more than 90 industry awards and a 2025 NPS score of +97. The firm’s foundation supports 150 charities through 14 mentor-led hubs. Recent work includes high-profile IP, pensions, and Web3 transactions, alongside the launch of dedicated teams in sports and crypto law.

Global law firm to move to Leeds’ Aire Park

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Global law firm to move to Leeds’ Aire Park
Vastint UK, the developer behind Leeds’ 24-acre Aire Park, is set to welcome global law firm Eversheds Sutherland as the first tenant of its latest commercial building. Due to move in early 2027, following the building’s completion, Eversheds Sutherland will occupy nearly two thirds of the building, taking a lease on floors three to five, and part of level six. In addition to this, the firm will have exclusive use of the building’s roof terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city, and the evolving green space that is set to become the UK’s largest new urban park. Currently situated at Bridgewater Place, Eversheds Sutherland will relocate its 600+ strong team to the new building. Offering 75,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and almost 7,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor retail and leisure space, the latest building at Aire Park, now named Kellstone, is targeting BREEAM Excellent, along with WiredScore and WELL certifications. Stephen Lindley, managing director at Vastint UK, said: “We are incredibly proud of Kellstone, which is not just our latest building but a landmark for Aire Park and Leeds as a whole. “It’s fantastic to see a global business like Eversheds Sutherland recognise this and select it as its new home in the city. I look forward to welcoming the whole Eversheds Sutherland team to our growing Aire Park community, and what is becoming one of the leading office locations in the North.” Simon Harris, Leeds senior office partner, Eversheds Sutherland, added: “Our relocation to Aire Park marks a significant investment in our colleague and client communities and our commitment to the city of Leeds. “Aire Park presents a unique and exciting offering and we’re looking forward to reaping the benefits of the regeneration of the South Bank and becoming a key part of the Aire Park community.” Vastint UK and Aire Park is being represented by joint agents Colliers and Savills, with CBRE acting on behalf of Eversheds Sutherland. Charles Preston, senior surveyor at Colliers, said: “The letting to Eversheds Sutherland is testament to the quality of the office space available at this building and throughout the wider Aire Park development, which is now established as the premier office scheme in Leeds city centre. “Vastint UK’s bold vision to speculatively develop this scheme, alongside the broader regeneration of Leeds’ South Bank is a remarkable achievement and the area has been truly transformed. We are delighted to welcome Eversheds Sutherland to their new office, and we look forward to welcoming several new tenants in the near future.” The Aire Park development as a whole will span 24 acres of the city’s South Bank, delivering an eight-acre public park, over 1 million sq ft of commercial space and over 1,350 homes.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport secures £160m funding for reopening

April Lara
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Doncaster Sheffield Airport secures £160m funding for reopening

South Yorkshire councils have approved nearly £160 million to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, aiming to restart freight operations in 2027 and full passenger services by summer 2028.

The airport, located on the former RAF Finningley site, first opened in 2005 and closed in 2022 after Peel Group deemed it financially unviable. Previous operations included airlines such as Tui and Wizz Air, serving destinations across Europe, including the Canary Islands, Balearics, Greece, Turkey, Poland, and the Baltic states.

The funding comes through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and is expected to support up to 5,000 jobs while contributing approximately £5 billion to the regional economy, with broader benefits projected at £2 billion by 2050. Plans include establishing a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub.

Doncaster Council has created FlyDoncaster to operate the airport, with German firm Munich Airport International contracted to provide operational and management services. Stakeholders emphasise a measured approach to investment, avoiding unrestricted funding.

The project has faced scrutiny from local political groups, citing concerns over public financing and private-sector interest. Campaigners and regional leaders, however, highlight the potential economic benefits and improved connectivity for businesses and communities across South Yorkshire.

Sheffield cooling systems firm secures £250,000 export finance to meet global AI demand

April Lara
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Sheffield cooling systems firm secures £250,000 export finance to meet global AI demand

CSH, a Sheffield-based developer of liquid cooling systems for data centres, has secured a £250,000 trade finance facility through Dynamic Funding following a referral from UK Export Finance (UKEF). The funding supports the company in fulfilling rapidly growing international orders.

Founded in 2016, CSH initially operated in general heating, ventilation and air conditioning before specialising in modular liquid cooling technology. The company supplies secondary fluid networks that support AI data centres, a sector experiencing increased global demand.

The financing enables CSH to cover supplier invoices and process £1.5 million worth of orders between April and May 2025. The company plans to expand its workforce by 11 staff members by the end of the year, with further growth projected at its Sheffield base.

CSH’s client base is predominantly international, with nearly 99% of orders coming from Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. The firm has strengthened its footprint in Europe and North America while increasing engagement with multinational technology companies in Asia and the Middle East.

UKEF continues to provide export support for UK SMEs, facilitating access to flexible financing to reduce missed opportunities. In 2024/25, the agency provided £14.5 billion in new financing, assisting more than 667 UK companies to export and supporting up to 70,000 jobs.

Taziker appointed to lead Corporation Road Bridge restoration

April Lara
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Taziker appointed to lead Corporation Road Bridge restoration

Restoration work has resumed on Corporation Road Bridge in North East Lincolnshire, following the appointment of Taziker, a UK-based bridge restoration specialist.

The Chorley-headquartered company has over 50 years of experience in repairing and conserving historic and complex structures across the country. Its portfolio includes the Grade I listed Royal Albert Bridge in Cornwall, a National Trust Grade B listed bridge in Scotland, and the 1779 Iron Bridge in Shropshire, recognised as the world’s first iron bridge.

The project recently secured a £495,000 grant from Historic England to support the bridge’s restoration. Taziker’s appointment comes shortly after the funding announcement, positioning the firm to manage the next phase of works on the structure.

The restoration forms part of North East Lincolnshire Council’s broader efforts to maintain and preserve key transport infrastructure while ensuring heritage structures are carefully conserved.

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