Keepmoat, will invest more than £102 million into creating hundreds of new homes in Nottingham, with work having already commenced at a flagship parcel of land on the site of a former Boots factory. Partners from Platform Housing Group and Boots joined Charlotte Goode, Paul Hulme and Philippa Stewart from Keepmoat, at the 286-acre site near Beeston yesterday (Thursday 20th June) to celebrate the start of work on site and to witness first-hand the progress that’s already been made. When complete, the housebuilder will deliver 604 new, multi-tenure homes, regenerating the disused land and creating a thriving new community in Nottinghamshire. Of the new properties, Platform Housing Group will offer 319 affordable homes. Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair at Keepmoat, said: “Keepmoat is delighted to be regenerating this landmark development on a very special site that will bring much needed, high-quality new homes and significant investment to the city. For this historical site alone, we are investing £102 million into creating a fantastic community and we’re proud to stand alongside our partners at Platform Housing Group today to mark the beginning of a wonderful community. We’re committed to delivering new homes for the people of Nottingham and the surrounding areas to transform the area and provide quality new homes.” Laura Osborne, Sales & Marketing Director at Platform Housing Group, added: “At Platform Housing Group, we’re thrilled to collaborate with our partner, Keepmoat, to build new homes in Beeston. “This is a hugely important scheme for Platform, to be contributing to the growth of a thriving town and to provide much needed affordable housing in the area. Beeston is an up and coming area with fantastic potential to become one of the most sought-after commuter locations in the Midlands, so to be leading the way with such a large scale development is rewarding.”

FHP have sold Unit 17 Maisies Way, South Normanton to owner occupier Secur-It, the provider of security services, fire protection and risk mitigation. The property comprises 8,289ft² of self-contained office accommodation situated across two floors offering a mixture of open plan and cellular floorplates throughout the property. Situated just off Junction 28 of the M1 Motorway, Maisies Way is an office development scheme. Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, said: “It was a great result to get this over the line for my client and secure a strong price on the property. Unit 17 had been on the market for some time and even though we explored several marketing options such as leasehold / freehold disposal and renting individual floors, interest was slow. “Secur-It were after a good level of office space near J28, and this property seemed perfect for their requirement. After the initial viewing, it was clear the property was suitable for them and we were under offer within a short timeframe following on from this. “The property highlighted the difficulty we face within the office market, especially on larger floor plate within out-of-town office locations. It is evident that marketing is essential in the disposal of these types of properties and exploring all options available to secure a tenant / purchaser. “After the initial interest was slow on the rental side, it emphasized the push for a purchaser, especially given the vacancy period my client was facing. I am delighted to have got this over the line and welcome Secur-It onto Maisies Way, they will be a great asset to the estate and I wish them all the best in their next endeavours.”

Sterling Property Ventures (Sterling) has snapped up Nottingham mixed-use scheme Chapel Quarter. It comes as part of a wider deal for a portfolio of seven commercial property assets acquired from BlackRock – acting on behalf of British Airways Pensions Trustees Limited – for £236 million. Comprising 144,906 sq ft in the centre of Nottingham, Chapel Quarter includes a 120-bed Premier Inn, 66,054 sq ft of fully let offices and five retail/leisure units (one vacant). All properties in the portfolio, which includes a shopping centre, retail and logistics warehousing, offices, a hotel and food and beverage space, are freehold or held on long leases and boast a combined income in excess of £18.5 million. James Howarth, Sterling’s managing director, said: “Our plan is to have a minimum of £1billion of assets under management. Acquiring a property portfolio from British Airways Pensions is a significant stepping stone towards that target. We are seeking high quality assets, ideally with the opportunity to add value, allowing us to bring our skills to bear. As this latest purchase demonstrates, we are sector agnostic.” The seven new assets will be held in Sterling’s SPV Endeavour Ltd vehicle, which is backed by equity investor LetterOne. Fund manager BlackRock, through its Real Estate business, led the deal on behalf of British Airways Pension Trustees Limited, with joint agents ACRE Capital, Morgan Williams and Capital Real Estate Partners handling the sale. Sterling was represented by Knight Frank and HP Four LLP. Colliers undertook building surveys, with MAPP providing property management advice.

Work has officially started on a much-needed £13 million high quality build-to-rent residential scheme set to transform Nottingham’s Grade II listed former British Waterways building on the canal side area at Castle Wharf. The project, which is being developed in partnership with The Canal & River Trust (CRT), H2Ourban – the joint venture between bloc Group and CRT – and Citra Living, part of Lloyds Banking Group, will see the building converted to provide 95 residential units including 12 studios, 42 one-bedroom apartments and 41 two-bedroom flats, this includes a rooftop extension housing eight apartments. The scheme, which will help bridge the gap in Nottingham’s rental market, is set to breathe new life into the west of the city – helping to enhance a destination well known for its historic buildings. Richard Thomas, CEO for H2O, said: “H2O is committed to delivering high quality developments that go beyond providing much needed housing, creating thriving communities and promoting health and happy lifestyles as well. This project is the latest in our pipeline and follows this ethos to its core. “Working with our project partners, we’re revitalising an area of Nottingham with a brand new and modern offering, while maintaining and protecting enough of its character that we don’t lose its rich history. “The H2O partnership goes back two decades and specialises in creating exemplary waterside developments that provide both economic and social value, and this latest project certainly does that.” Located in the Canal Conservation Area, the six-storey former warehouse dates back to 1919 and was originally built to help move goods along the Nottingham and Beeston Canal. Ground floor amenity space for residents will also be included. Designed by Franklin Ellis Architects, it is being constructed by Jessops Construction Limited and completion is due in March 2025. Speaking about the project Andy Hutchinson, CEO of Citra Living, said: “Bringing disused buildings back in to use and regenerating areas into new communities is central to what Citra is about. Regenerating the warehouse at Castle Wharf will bring much needed homes to the area, allowing more people to live in the type of quality homes they want in the areas that give them access to the facilities and amenities they want.”

MK2 Real Estate, acting on behalf of Royal London Asset Management Property, has sold Unit 21 Thorpe Way, Leicester, for an undisclosed sum. The 93,000 sq ft prime distribution warehouse has been acquired by Wesleyan Assurance Society. Located on Grove Business Park, in Enderby, Leicester, within the established logistics ‘Golden Triangle’, the unit is let to fashion retailer White Stuff until 2028 at an annual rent of £706,276. MK2 was instructed to market the property for offers in excess of £11 million. Mark Rooke, director in MK2 Real Estate’s investment team, said: “We are pleased to have concluded the sale of Unit 21 to Wesleyan Assurance Society, on behalf of Royal London Asset Management Property. “The industrial and distribution market in Leicestershire has proven to be a strong performer over recent years, with rental growth above the national industry average. Coupled with high levels of demand for space in the region and a shortage of available and pipeline industrial stock, the investment fundamentals are compelling.” Joe Curlett, head of property at Wesleyan Assurance Society, said: “The acquisition of Unit 21, Grove Park, Leicester, is a great addition to Wesleyan’s growing commercial property investment portfolio.”

The Garage Bakehouse is moving into a 1,500 sq ft unit at Market Harborough’s E1 Welland Business Park. The bakery’s retail outlet is on Roman Way in the town – an area of huge commercial activity for Eddisons, where employees understand the bakery element of the business will move to E1 Welland Business Park to allow for business growth in expanding its current Roman Way setting.

Two major student accommodation schemes have been approved for Nottingham, creating more than 980 new bedspaces in the city. The first development, on Norton Street, on part of the former John Player factory in Radford, is to comprise two accommodation blocks of 7 storeys. Each block would accommodate a mix of studios and 3 to 10 bed cluster apartments, comprising 587 bedspaces in total. The ground floor of ‘Block D’ would have extensive communal and ancillary areas including a lounge, study area, gym, spa, laundry room, and bike storage. A lounge area with roof garden is additionally included at level 7. ‘Block E’ would also have a lounge area at ground floor level. Landscaped outside space is to be provided within a ‘green heart’ area. Hyson Green Developments are behind the plans for the site, currently a former car park. The second development, which sits at the junction of Wilford Road and Traffic Street, involves the erection of an up to 17 storey building. The site has historically been used for industrial and commercial purposes since the 1880’s and was latterly occupied by Sentinel House, used by Boots as offices and a laboratory. This was demolished and the site cleared in 2008. The site is currently hoarded and in use as a construction compound and parking area associated with the development of sites on Traffic Street. The scheme comprises 396 bedrooms across a range of cluster flats and studios. The lower ground, ground and first floors would accommodate communal facilities such as a gym, cinema, private dining space, games area, amenity spaces, meeting rooms, a cycle store, laundry and waste storage facilities. Externally, a sunken entrance space incorporates soft landscaping and tapering steps to provide informal seating, whilst a further courtyard space with soft landscaping and seating is also proposed. Jensco is behind the plans.

Charjen Capital has purchased the 19^th century Horsley Lodge Golf Club in Derbyshire for an undisclosed sum – with long-term, multi-million pound plans to transform the 200-acre site into one of the UK’s outstanding golf and lifestyle destinations. Led by Derbyshire-based entrepreneur Marc Brough, Charjen has kickstarted its overarching programme by enhancing the existing golf course and members’ areas – as well as refurbishing 14 hotel rooms and creating two new ones. In just three months since the purchase, Charjen has invested £500,000 on works to the golf course and equipment, members’ area and bar. With further significant investment on the horizon, Charjen has kicked off further plans for Horsley Lodge by applying for planning permission to demolish existing conservatories within the main members’ building to create brand new restaurants and terraces for member and non-members alike. Originally built by the Earl of Sitwell as a wedding present for his son in 1863, Horsley Lodge has earned a reputation as one of Derbyshire’s finest golf courses, country hotels and wedding venues, set in the foothills of the Peak District. Marc Brough of Charjen said: “We saw an opportunity to own one of Derbyshire’s finest golf courses in a stunning location and have grand plans to enhance the golf course itself – as well as upgrade the hotel and venue space in a sensitive and sustainable manner. “We have a three-year strategy to make the most of this vast, stunning destination, creating a larger wedding venue, enhanced facilities for golfers – including a new driving range with simulators – more rooms for guests to stay and, of course, an elevated dining experience for all, supporting local producers. “We intend to build on the existing success of Horsley Lodge – investing in a planned programme of works. We have short-term plans for refurbishment which includes the upgrading of the current wedding venue on site, and longer-term plans to create fantastic new facilities.” The former Horsley manor house was restored by the Salt family creating the golf club itself, retaining the original character and charm – from the sweeping drive into the exposed limestone walls and original tiled floors. In its current application to Amber Valley Borough Council, Charjen’s architect Sigma has set out transformational designs to create a high-end brasserie of 85 covers, a signature fine dining space with 18 covers and a chef’s table for eight people and private dining space for 22. There will be a kitchen garden growing produce for the restaurants and providing a stunning backdrop for diners – overlooking the garden and ninth hole. If planning is approved, the restaurants are expected to open later this year. “We are really excited about the new restaurants – creating a destination for diners locally and nationally and using the finest local producers in Derbyshire. Horsley Lodge will be opening its doors to members and non-members alike to enjoy all the fantastic upcoming facilities that we have in store,” added Marc. “The golf course will be at its core – and one we want to appeal to local and regional golfers and guests, but also create a venue that appeals to a national audience with the ‘Soho House’ crowd in mind,” he said. “We intend to put Horsley Lodge on the map as a great place to play golf, stay a few days, enjoy our fantastic dining experiences and leisure facilities – and of course, to enjoy this stunning part of Derbyshire and all that it has to offer.” In the longer term, Charjen intends to build a new wedding venue with space for hundreds of guests, further accommodation throughout the estate, a new state-of-the-art driving range and simulators, high end spa facilities and swimming pools. Charjen purchased Horsley Lodge from the Salt family. Lawyers involved in the deal were Browne Jacobson.