Independent property regeneration and development consultancy AspinallVerdi has doubled the size of its head office with a move at The Calls in Leeds. The move comes in the wake of growth in staff numbers and rising demand for its services from an increasing number of clients. The consultancy has moved from its 975 sq ft location at Studio 7 46 The Calls to occupy the 1,630 sq ft entire top floor at number 31, accommodating 24 staff and providing space for further expansion. The firm’s new HQ reflects its sustained and ongoing growth, strong financial performance and its commitment to reinforcing its regional and national presence for an expanding workload across the public and private sectors. AspinallVerdi now employs more than 30 staff in total at Leeds and offices in London, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham. Executive chairman Atam Verdi, who co-founded the consultancy with managing director Ben Aspinall in 2009, said: “We’ve almost doubled the space of our previous home, enjoy a 270-degree view of The Calls and provide a contemporary, professional and inspiring workspace for our growing team in Leeds. “We recently recruited four new members of staff and plan to add to our numbers in 2025 as we continue to attract and retain top talent. We are a client focused consultancy that is increasing its range of services and through recruiting and retaining excellent staff we can continue to provide high quality service to our clients. “Our financial performance at Leeds and our other offices remains strong and demand for our expert and tailored services from our public and private sector clients continues to grow.”

Plans for a new mainline railway station at Parkgate in Rotherham are moving forward. To secure funding, supporters are emphasising the project’s economic regeneration potential.

A masterplan has been completed, but local officials acknowledge that current government evaluation criteria show “weak transport benefits” for the integrated mainline station and tram train stop. The project remains under the Department for Transport’s oversight, requiring a business case aligned with Treasury guidelines.

In 2022, the government blocked £8 million in regional transport funding for the station, citing the need for integration with national networks.

In a major step forward for the redevelopment of Hull’s former BHS building, Hull City Council is seeking a lead developer partner to help to deliver the next stage of its Albion Square project. The council’s cabinet have given permission to commence procurement activity for development of the former BHS building and the remainder of the site. This approach from the council will improve scope for securing external funding, brings in external expertise for the project and shares risks between the council and the partner. The council is aiming to regenerate a derelict and underused brownfield site into a high-quality mixed-use development which will increase footfall, add to the city centre living offer and boost Hull’s city centre economy. Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing at the council, said: “Albion Square is a major regeneration project that will bring significant benefits to our city centre. “Securing a lead developer partner is key to delivering Albion Square as successful tenders can advise on the latest market demands and help leverage external funding to help make sure the city has a worthy finished product delivered on sound financial footings.” The redevelopment of the former BHS building will complement the predominantly NHS-funded Community Diagnostic Centre, which is due to open this spring. Cllr Drake-Davis added: “Since the Albion Square development’s initial inception, there have been significant shifts and changes to the economy, both locally and nationally, as well as the way people use buildings and perceive urban centres. “The imminent arrival of the Community Diagnostic Centre on the north-eastern corner of the site has shifted the scope again, but the council welcomes the development and the benefits it will bring to the city centre in terms of footfall to support local businesses.” VINCI Construction UK Limited will continue to manage the site until a lead developer partner is secured.

Work has begun to transform an area of Doncaster City Centre into an open space ready to be used for future development.

The project will see the council working with a developer, with the full length of the project anticipated to be three-to-five years (phase one) and then a further three years to complete. The redevelopment works will be part-funded by the UK Government and through gainshare funding from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “Doncaster Waterfront has been earmarked as a site for development and investment into Doncaster. “It is a site with a huge amount of potential – especially as it is part of one of the biggest brownfield sites in an urban centre in the North of England. The development of Doncaster Waterfront will support the wider regeneration of our city centre. “With 22 acres of land and easy access to the city centre, Doncaster Markets, rail network and establishments such as the Colleges and the Civic and Cultural Quarter, it is an incredibly important strategic site to the city. “This is another element of our current city centre redevelopment programme, continuing our work to create a modern, revamped and safer city centre right through 2025 and beyond.” Plans for the temporary open space include maintained grassland, trees and footpaths, which will improve the local area until the time may come to develop the site further in the future.

Work has started on a brand new £6 million 60-bedroom care home at Clifton Moor near York. Lime Trees is due to open in 2026 and will offer residential, dementia, respite and day care. Located off Shipton Road in Clifton, the new care home is being developed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter for Yorkare Homes, whose headquarters is in Brough. This marks the ninth collaboration between the two companies, and the new facility will be Yorkare’s sixteenth care home to open across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Work to demolish the Lime Trees Medical Centre, which previously occupied the site, began at the end of 2024. As part of the development, Yorkare has gifted a parcel of land to the neighbouring York Sports Club, allowing for the creation of additional new pitches. Nicola Anderson, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Yorkare, said: “Breaking ground on Lime Trees is a significant milestone for us. Our development will transform a disused site into a vibrant space, providing much-needed residential care to people in the Clifton area of York and beyond, while also creating around 80 new jobs. “The fact that we’ve been able to contribute to the delivery of vital community sports facilities at the same time makes this a win for everyone.” Lime Trees will feature 20 en-suite rooms on each of its three floors. One floor will be dedicated exclusively to dementia care, ensuring specialised support for those who need it. The home will also include a variety of communal spaces and amenities. Nicola shared: “We aim to create a nurturing and comfortable atmosphere where everyone feels valued and cared for, making it a truly special place for both residents and the local community. “Our facility will feature two in-house bars, including one with a barista station, alongside restaurant standard dining rooms, a beauty and hairdressing salon, a cinema, a bowls green, a greenhouse with raised garden beds, and outdoor terraced balconies offering views of the grounds. “It will truly feel like a home away from home, complete with a wide range of exceptional on-site amenities.” Richard Hunter, from Hobson & Porter, said: “We are thrilled to be building our ninth home for Yorkare. Last summer we completed our eighth project for the company in less than 10 years – Haxby Hall. “The £10million, 63-bedroom care home in Haxby, that’s four miles north of York city centre, has proved so popular with residents and we are confident Lime Trees will be just as successful. “The home will have all the latest sustainable features, including solar panels and high-efficiency heating and hot water systems, and we plan to build an EPC ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated building. “All the rooms have en-suite wet rooms and emergency call systems, and the ground-floor bedrooms have doors leading out to private patio areas. It’s going to be a fabulous home which will become a landmark in Clifton Moor when work completes early next year.”