A dispute has arisen over the Business Improvement District (BID) levy in Spalding, with a group of business owners refusing to pay the charge. The BID, which was created following a local vote in July 2024, aims to fund town centre improvements and increase foot traffic. However, some businesses argue the vote was flawed due to missing ballots and have vowed not to pay the levy.
The levy is calculated based on a business’s rateable value, meaning larger businesses contribute more. Despite the backlash, South Holland District Council has defended the process, asserting the vote was legally conducted and in line with national guidelines.
Small business owners, including photographer Julian Wheeler and beautician Macie Harman, are among those opposing the BID. While Wheeler has expressed his intent to challenge the legality of the vote, Harman has opted to pay the levy to avoid further costs, but still plans to fight the BID’s validity.
The council has maintained that the ballot and levy collection process were fair and properly managed, with strict oversight from an electoral services provider and the returning officer. Recovery actions have been handled in accordance with national regulations, with the council standing firm on the legitimacy of the levy.
Vistry Group, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, has signed contracts with Sigma Capital Group, a provider of Build To Rent Housing (BTR), for the development of 153 homes at Linby Meadows, Nottinghamshire.
The homes form part of Vistry’s 763-home development, 2km north of Hucknall town centre at Top Wighay, which has been hailed as Nottinghamshire County Council’s (NCC) flagship mixed-use scheme.
It will feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, maisonettes and apartments, of which 269 will be available for the affordable market, 153 BTR homes through Sigma and the remaining 341 homes available on the open market through Vistry’s Linden, Bovis and Countryside Homes brands.
Rory Keys, acquisitions and investment director, Sigma, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this flagship development site with our partners, Vistry. Once built, these homes will be available via Sigma’s BTR brand, Simple Life, offering the local community high quality, professionally managed, pet friendly homes to rent.
“Sigma has a strong history in regeneration and place making and we are looking forward to being part of what is set to be a thriving, new community at Linby Meadows.”
Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry Group’s partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sigma to provide these much-needed new family rental homes at Linby Meadows, Hucknall.
“Over the past year, we have consulted with the community to finalise the details of the scheme and ensure it meets local people’s needs and now we are on site, ready to create a new community of high-quality, mixed-tenure properties for people in the area to call home.”
The land was acquired from the Council in March 2025 triggering the start of a £6m investment to bolster local services. This includes £4.75m for education, £800,000 for highways and bus improvements, and £436,000 towards healthcare. The scheme also includes new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, pedestrian and cycle routes, and a new primary school.
This development will also house an on-site Skills Academy in partnership with Chameleon School of Construction.
A proposal for 150 new homes on the outskirts of Derby is facing significant opposition, primarily due to concerns over its potential impact on Chaddesden Wood, a designated ancient woodland. The land, spanning 20.3 acres, is currently under review by Derby City Council after being submitted by JGP Properties Ltd. The developer claims the scheme has been designed with environmental considerations in mind, aiming for a seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.
However, the proposal has garnered nearly 1,500 objections, including from prominent groups such as CPRE Derbyshire, the Woodland Trust, and the Friends of Chaddesden Wood. These groups express concerns about the loss of habitats, potential harm to wildlife, and the erosion of green wedge land north of the city. Chaddesden Wood is recognised as both a nature reserve and ancient woodland, home to veteran trees that are irreplaceable.
A council report highlights the already significant human activity within the woodland and warns that new housing would exacerbate pressure on the area. Additionally, the development would fragment the remaining Oakwood green wedge, isolating the woodland from the surrounding open countryside.
Despite the developer’s assertion that the project represents a respectful transition between urban and rural areas, the proposed development faces strong pushback. Planning officials are expected to recommend refusal when the application is discussed later this week.
Law firm Howes Percival’s turnover increased 22% in 2025, according to its latest annual results.
The firm, which has offices in Leicester and Northampton, posted turnover of £41.7m for the year ending 31 March 2025.
The result is the third double-digit turnover rise in three years and represents an increase of over 77% in the last four years.
The growth has been across all practice areas, with the Corporate and Banking team and newly formed Commercial, Technology and Intellectual Property (CTIP) team seeing growth between 27% and 29%, Commercial Property 26% and Private Client 17%.
The firm has created over 100 new roles in the last four years and increased the number of partners to 72, alongside investments in IT and office infrastructure including opening an office in Oxford, the refurbishment of the Leicester office and new offices for the Cambridge team, as part of its ongoing investment and growth plan.
Howes Percival’s chairperson, Geraint Davies, said: “This is a fantastic result and testament to the hard work our whole team has put in over the last 12 months. Growth was a key goal.
“It enables us to keep investing in developing our service to clients and in making Howes Percival a place where talented people want to work and enjoy working. All our teams have developed three-year growth plans based on the target of £50m turnover by 2028. Currently we are ahead of those plans.
“We will continue to invest in improving every aspect of the service we provide to clients. Developments in tech and AI will transform the way that legal services are delivered over the next few years, and we are investing significantly in these areas.
“But we remain a relationship driven business and our focus will always be on helping our lawyers build stronger relationships with clients, ensuring they engage with them empathetically, discussing what they need from us and responding to those requests.”
Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, nominations will close on Friday 15th August for the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards.
With 10 categories available to enter, the independent awards and publicity programme recognises development projects, businesses and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also showcase the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes.
Amongst this year’s categories is Excellence in Design, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will have shown true originality in design excellence across a scheme or schemes over the last 12 months, whether this be aesthetically, functionally or in any other manner.
It’s completely free to submit a nomination and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony.
Last year the award was won by Distinctive Developments, for Woodwell and Meadow Barn, with G F Tomlinson (for The Air and Space Institute, Newark) and Design Haus (for Musters Road) runners up.
Upon winning, Richard Evans of Distinctive Developments said: “Winning the Bricks award for our Woodwell and Meadow Barn project is a huge honour for the Distinctive Developments team. This project truly reflects our passion for blending traditional design with sustainability. Turning a steel barn into two beautiful farmstead homes, we’ve used local materials and eco-friendly features to create homes that fit perfectly into the Rutland countryside, while still offering modern luxury. We’re so grateful to the judges for recognizing our hard work and commitment to quality design and craftsmanship. What a super event as well for networking and business connections, thankyou Business Link.”
Submit your nominations for Excellence in Designhere before entries close on Friday 15th August.Property and construction professionals gather for the East Midlands Bricks Awards
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands.
Other award categories open for entry include: Responsible Business of the Year, Developer of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Most Active Agent, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive agrand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm)
Where: Derek Randall Suite,Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham
Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands
Tickets: Available hereDress code: Standard business attire
Thanks to our sponsors:
A major carbon capture initiative is set to transform the cement and lime industries in the Peak District, with the creation of thousands of jobs across the Midlands and North West of England. The £59.6 million Peak Cluster project aims to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement and lime factories in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and the North West, transporting it via pipeline to be stored in depleted gas fields beneath the Irish Sea.
The project, described as the world’s largest cement decarbonisation effort, is expected to generate around 300 permanent jobs and support over 2,000 roles in cement and lime production. In addition, approximately 1,200 temporary positions will be created during the construction phase. Together with the Morecambe Net Zero carbon storage project, the initiatives are anticipated to support up to 13,000 jobs across the region.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which prevents CO2 from entering the atmosphere, is seen as a vital part of the UK’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions. The Peak Cluster project will significantly reduce emissions from the cement and lime sectors, which are among the hardest to decarbonise due to their high CO2 output. The scheme is expected to prevent more than three million tonnes of CO2 from being released each year.
The government has committed £28.6 million from the National Wealth Fund (NWF), with additional funding from private sector partners, including Holcim, Tarmac, Breedon, and Progressive Energy. The initiative is part of the UK’s broader push to build a resilient carbon capture industry, with further investments in sectors such as hydrogen, electric vehicle supply chains, and steel.
The Peak Cluster project is also seen as a catalyst for the UK’s clean energy transition, driving job creation and economic growth in the industrial heartlands. It is expected to help modernise the cement and lime industries, positioning the UK as a global leader in carbon capture technology.
A hospice in Leicestershire is making significant reductions in patient services to address a £2m funding shortfall. LOROS Hospice, a vital community resource, has announced cuts to inpatient beds, day therapy, and a range of other patient support services.
The charity has cited rising operational costs, decreased income, and increased demand due to an ageing population as contributing factors to the financial strain. As part of the adjustments, the number of inpatient beds will be reduced from 31 to 20, and day therapy services will experience a 25% cut. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, chaplaincy, and complementary therapies will also see reductions of up to 50%. Additionally, the volunteer home visiting service will be discontinued.
LOROS estimates that 69 jobs could be affected, although the final count may fluctuate due to reduced hours and staff transitioning into NHS roles.
The hospice, which operates on a budget of approximately £932 per hour, relies heavily on fundraising, with only 20% of its funding provided by the NHS. The charity needs to raise £9m annually to maintain operations. In response to the financial challenges, LOROS has ramped up its summer fundraising activities, including the “Stomp Round Leicester” art trail.
Despite these challenges, LOROS has pledged to continue offering high-quality care, ensuring that the services that remain will still support the needs of the community.
Sheet Anchor Evolve, part of M Core – the privately held property investment and management collective – has acquired Vicar Lane in Chesterfield, an open-air retail destination at the heart of the town centre.
The acquisition reinforces M Core’s commitment to investing in convenience-led retail and delivering long-term value through intensive asset and property management. The 202,000 sq ft scheme comprises 34 units and a 400-space car park, with a mix of fashion, food, and essential services retailers.
Vicar Lane is home to a range of national and regional occupiers including JD Sports, H&M, Superdrug, Iceland, River Island, and The Works. The scheme also includes civic space at St James’ Square and is adjacent to several major regeneration projects including the Chesterfield Waterside scheme.
Danny O’Keefe, founding partner at Sheet Anchor Evolve, said: “Vicar Lane is a well-positioned retail destination in a town with ambition and momentum. As a long-term investor, our strength lies in our ability to invest in places, work closely with tenants and local stakeholders, and use our in-house expertise to unlock value.
“This is exactly the type of asset we can evolve through intensive management – enhancing its relevance to the community and supporting its role in Chesterfield’s wider regeneration.”
Bradley Maher, Cited and Oliver Horton, GCW acted for Sheet Anchor Evolve and James Hessey, Time Retail Partners acted for the vendor.
Planning permission has been granted for the transformation of an existing apartment building at Broadmead Court in Northampton into supported accommodation for homeless individuals with complex needs. The redevelopment will create 20 apartments, along with updated communal areas and improved landscaping.
West Northamptonshire Council secured funding for a feasibility proposal, which outlines plans for a full refurbishment. The project aims to provide high-quality living spaces, enhance shared amenities, and improve energy efficiency through building fabric upgrades.
GSSArchitecture has been appointed as the architect, lead designer, and principal designer for the project, working alongside Steele & Bray as the principal contractor. The project team also includes Expert MEP for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services, Blackwell Consultants as civil and structural engineers, and Gleeds as quantity surveyors and employers’ agent.
Key upgrades will focus on improving energy efficiency, with the installation of insulated render on external walls, high-performance windows and doors, and better insulation on the ground floor. The goal is to reduce heat loss and enhance building performance.
This development aligns with broader homelessness prevention and sustainable housing objectives in the region.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has confirmed that the highly anticipated renovation of Newark Castle will begin on 7 July 2025. This project, backed by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Government’s Towns Fund, and the Council, aims to secure the future of the historic site, improve accessibility, and protect the surrounding gardens and green spaces.
Newark Castle, which has stood for nearly 900 years, is a key landmark in the town and the most complete example of its kind, according to Historic England. Central to the renovation will be the restoration of the Castle’s gatehouse, including new gallery spaces, lift access, and an elevated viewing platform that will offer panoramic views of the Trent Valley. Enhancements will also include a new lighting scheme, creating a safe, illuminated environment at night, while features like bat corridors will help protect local wildlife.
The development has been shaped by community feedback, ensuring that the project includes wildlife-friendly planting, wheelchair-accessible paths, and more seating areas. The Castle’s revitalisation is expected to attract more visitors, contributing to the economic growth of Newark’s town centre and benefiting local businesses.
While the project progresses, Newark Castle will close its grounds for safety reasons from 7 July 2025. The gardens will partially reopen on 14 July, but the site will remain closed until autumn 2026 for completion of the works. Public drop-in sessions will be held throughout the construction period to keep the community informed.
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