Doncaster-based housebuider Keepmoat is to invest more than £50 million in creating a housing development in the Wiltshire town of Warminster following exchange of contracts on a 24-acre plot. Work is due to start later this year at the development – now named Cley Hill View – to deliver 227 homes, of which at least 30 per cent will be affordable homes. As part of the significant £50 million commitment to the Wiltshire area, Keepmoat will also create new green spaces, and play areas alongside pedestrian, road and cycle routes to and from surrounding communities. Expected to be completed in 2028, the development will offer a variety of much-needed multi-tenure one, two, three, and four-bedroomed homes, catering to first-time buyers, working professionals, and families. Ben Leather, Regional MD at Keepmoat West Midlands, said: “Keepmoat is excited to announce contracts have successfully been exchanged on Cley Hill View. Acquisition of this land highlights Keepmoat’s commitment to providing quality homes in the South West of England and aligns with our ambitious growth plans in the region. “With Wiltshire experiencing a population increase of 8.4 percent from 2011 to 2021 , the demand for housing has grown significantly. We’re pleased to be contributing towards addressing the region’s housing shortage. “Keepmoat’s Cley Hill View development will not only provide new homes, it will also create a thriving new community. In addition, we will be creating strong employment, apprentice and training opportunities for local contractors and labourers.”

Work is about to start on a major affordable housing project which will deliver 28 new homes on the Queenshill estate in north Leeds.  

It is the second phase of a two-part Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) initiative to replace old properties with an impressive blend of modern accommodation, including additional supported housing for older members of the local community and more family homes.

The first phase – completed in 2022 in partnership with Homes England and named Best Housing Development at the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Awards 2023 – is made up of 85 new properties including 51 sheltered housing apartments for those aged 55 and over, and 34 general needs apartments.

Phase two, known as The Island Site, will comprise 14 two-bed and 12 three-bed homes, together with a one-bed home and a two-bed apartment.

The scheme, which has again won the backing of Homes England, is due for completion in spring 2026.

LJHA has selected Jack Lunn Limited as design and build contractor for the project.

As families began the process of vacating their homes in preparation for the site to be cleared, LJHA approached Leeds City Council to discuss options for temporary accommodation usage in the period between the properties becoming empty and the start of demolition.

These discussions led to a partnership with local homeless charity Turning Lives Around which enabled 90 families to receive emergency accommodation on short-term lets.

Mark Grandfield, LJHA Chief Executive, said: “We are excited to begin the second phase of our regeneration masterplan which, collectively, will deliver 113 new high quality homes in place of 52 outdated houses and flats.

“Phase two will incorporate 28 new homes in place of the 40 outdated flats. However, this will create 121 bed spaces, a significant increase on the 56 bed spaces in the flats, the majority of which were single occupancy.

“Winning the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Award for phase one underlined the high standard of build that was achieved.  I am confident that the new development will be of equally stunning quality.” 

A £63m contract for new Single Living Accommodation at RAF Digby has been awarded to Galliford Try with Arcadis as a Technical Support Provider. It’ll mean the building of four new blocks of bedrooms for junior ranks, with each block containing a kitchenette, drying rooms, laundry rooms and social spaces, as well as 69 single ensuite rooms. RAF Digby is the RAF’s oldest station, established in 1918, but is now operated by Strategic Command. The buildings have been designed to be as carbon efficient as possible as part of MOD and wider government push towards net zero. They will benefit from solar panels and be heated using air source heat pumps. Other energy efficiency measures include:

• provision for a system to recover heat from the waste water in the showers
• temperature-controlled heating zones
• energy efficient LED lighting
• electric car charging points

The contract value also includes provision of car parking, street lighting and landscaped outdoor communal areas. The contractors will be using local suppliers and labour as much as possible to benefit the local economy. John Weatherby, DIO’s Principal Project Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to have reached this important milestone in our goal to transform the accommodation provision at RAF Digby with some high-quality new rooms for junior ranks serving at the station. We look forward to working with Galliford Try on the designs as we prepare for the start of construction in the coming months.” Wing Commander Neil Hallett, Station Commander RAF Digby, said: “This is an eagerly anticipated announcement welcomed by the service men and women stationed here. Having modern Single Living Accommodation will significantly improve the lived experience and there is buzz of excitement across the station following this contract award.

“This investment into Royal Air Force Digby is a clear demonstration by the MOD of its intent to enhance the accommodation offer to our personnel while making buildings more sustainable.”

Bill Hocking, Chief Executive of Galliford Try, said: “We have a strong track record in providing this kind of facility to the armed forces and look forward to ensuring the personnel receive the high-quality living spaces they deserve.”

Ekistics Property Advisors LLP has acquired the 76,460 sq ft 3 St Paul’s Place office building in Sheffield from M&G Real Estate for £16.8m. Ekistics was advised by Till AM and Cushman & Wakefield acted for M&G. 3 St Paul’s Place is a 9-storey, Grade A office building adjacent to the ‘Heart of the City’ development in Sheffield City Centre. Aside from half a floor, the Grade A building is fully let to a number of high-profile occupiers including Handelsbanken, BDP, Arup, Freeths, TES Global and Ansys UK Ltd. The acquisition forms part of a wider UK investment strategy for Ekistics, who already has a European investment portfolio of some EUR 497 million. The investor works with advisor Till AM to seek best in class buildings across the UK and the purchase of 3 St Paul’s Place represents its first investment in Sheffield. Liam MacCarthy, Director at Till AM, said: “As one of the best buildings in Sheffield with a strong tenant line-up, 3 St Paul’s Place stood out as an excellent investment opportunity. We will be looking to make further upgrades to the building in due course.” Andrew Meikle at Cushman & Wakefield acted for the vendor.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded a £65 million contract for new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire. RAF Digby is the RAF’s oldest station, established in 1918, but is now operated by Strategic Command. The contract was awarded to Galliford Try with Arcadis as a Technical Support Provider and will see four new blocks of bedrooms created for junior ranks. Each block contains a kitchenette, drying rooms, laundry rooms and social spaces, as well as 69 single ensuite rooms. The buildings have been designed to be as carbon efficient as possible as part of MOD and wider government push towards net zero. They will benefit from solar panels and be heated using air source heat pumps. Other energy efficiency measures include provision for a system to recover heat from the waste water in the showers, temperature-controlled heating zones, energy efficient LED lighting, and electric car charging points. The contract value also includes provision of car parking, street lighting and landscaped outdoor communal areas. The contractors will be using local suppliers and labour as much as possible to benefit the local economy. John Weatherby, DIO’s Principal Project Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to have reached this important milestone in our goal to transform the accommodation provision at RAF Digby with some high-quality new rooms for junior ranks serving at the station. We look forward to working with Galliford Try on the designs as we prepare for the start of construction in the coming months.” Wing Commander Neil Hallett, Station Commander RAF Digby, said: “This is an eagerly anticipated announcement welcomed by the service men and women stationed here. Having modern Single Living Accommodation will significantly improve the lived experience and there is buzz of excitement across the station following this contract award.

“This investment into Royal Air Force Digby is a clear demonstration by the MOD of its intent to enhance the accommodation offer to our personnel while making buildings more sustainable.”

Bill Hocking, Chief Executive of Galliford Try, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the DIO to deliver this much-needed facility for those serving at RAF Digby. We have a strong track record in providing this kind of facility to the armed forces and look forward to ensuring the personnel receive the high-quality living spaces they deserve.” Construction is expected to start in March.