Work has begun on a new residential scheme in Countesthorpe. Miller Homes will build 170 properties on a 19.2-acre parcel of land adjacent to Leicester Road and Foston Road, between Cherry Lane Garden Centre and Meadow Sports Ground in the south Leicestershire village. Planning consent for the 170-home scheme was granted by Blaby District Council at its planning committee meeting in July. The development – known as Willowbrook Rise – will contain one to five bed properties, with 25 per cent of the homes being affordable housing. There will also be a children’s play area and open spaces for new and existing residents to enjoy. Emma Weston, sales director of Miller Homes East Midlands, said: “Our development in Countesthorpe will provide high quality, energy efficient, sustainable new housing to this area of south Leicestershire. It will complement its existing surroundings while helping to meet the local housing need. “Willowbrook Rise will be conveniently placed close to Countesthorpe’s village centre, with transport links to South Wigston and Blaby directly leading from the site. We are also making improvements to the roads in the immediate area of the development to help traffic flow and reduce queues. “A total of 25 per cent of the homes to be built will be provided by Miller Homes as affordable housing, while areas of public open space and additions to landscaping throughout the site will benefit the environment and local community. “Our on site sales team are now available to speak to about the new homes coming to Countesthorpe, and will be based at the development itself. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to Willowbrook Rise as we continue our work on the site to deliver much needed new housing to this part of south Leicestershire.” Miller Homes East Midlands, based in Derby, say the plans also include improvements to the existing mini roundabout at the Foston Road and Leicester Road junction to form a standard roundabout to reduce queues and delays. As part of the planning agreement for the new housing scheme, Miller Homes will pay around £1m to support local services in Countesthorpe and across the Blaby district, including £183,560 for primary school education, and £131,648 towards healthcare services at Countesthorpe Health Centre.

Construction has reached a key milestone at Twycross Zoo as the building frame of its £25m Global Conservation Centre completes. Due to open in 2027, the facility is set to become a world-first hub for conservation research, education, and collaboration, strengthening Twycross Zoo’s role as a UK charity dedicated to protecting endangered species. The centre has received £18m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the largest single Government grant ever awarded to a UK zoo, and is being built by Henry Brothers Construction in partnership with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and UK universities. Craig Dunkerley, CEO of Twycross Zoo, said: “Reaching this stage of the Global Conservation Centre is a landmark moment for Twycross Zoo. “This isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about the bold future we are building for wildlife, and the extraordinary opportunities it will create for scientists, students, and conservationists to work together to protect endangered species. “The centre embodies our vision to inspire the next generation of wildlife heroes and make a lasting impact on global conservation.” Ian Taylor, MD at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are very proud to be delivering the Global Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo. “The topping out of the orangutan building marks a milestone in the construction of this exciting development which will also feature a two-storey building with lecture theatre, research and teaching spaces, and a science lab, along with a two-storey residential facility. “The Henry Brothers team is thrilled to be working with our partners on a world-class project that will make a game-changing contribution to the fight against extinction for endangered wildlife and we are looking forward to progressing with the other elements of this state-of-the-art scheme.” Once complete, the Global Conservation Centre will feature a 200-seat lecture theatre, classrooms, wildlife gardens, and a science lab overlooking a new Bornean orangutan habitat. A 24-bedroom residential wing will host visiting experts and students, helping train the next generation of conservation leaders. Dr Rebecca Biddle, chief conservation officer at Twycross Zoo and vice chair of EAZA, said: “This facility will allow scientists, educators, and conservationists from across the globe to work alongside the species we are striving to protect, developing practical solutions for some of the world’s most threatened wildlife. “By connecting our research and education programmes with the new Indonesian-themed land, including a world-class orangutan habitat, the centre will offer unparalleled opportunities to learn, collaborate, and act for conservation.” The project will also benefit the local community, creating 90 new jobs and generating an estimated £3.9m in GVA per year.

A substantial industrial unit in Derby has changed hands, enabling Michael Pepper Joinery Ltd to continue its expansion in the region. The 45,612 sq ft unit on Trafalgar Park attracted considerable interest thanks to its substantial and flexible manufacturing and warehousing capacity. William Speed of Salloway Property Consultants, who brokered the deal, said: “We’re delighted to have facilitated this sale to Michael Pepper Joinery, an innovative and highly respected business within the Midlands manufacturing sector. “1A – 1D Trafalgar Park offered an ideal opportunity for Michael Pepper Joinery to expand its operational footprint, and we’re proud to have played a part in enabling this. “Despite strong levels of interest and a high number of enquiries when the property came to market, the transaction wasn’t entirely straightforward – but it’s incredibly rewarding to have reached a satisfying conclusion for our client.” Josh Pepper, director of Michael Pepper Joinery Ltd, said: “We’d been searching for the right property to support our expansion plans for some time. Securing 1A – 1D Trafalgar Park is a pivotal milestone for our business. “It gives us the space and infrastructure to scale our operation, invest further in technology and carry forward the legacy of quality and service that has defined us for over half a century. We’re excited about the opportunities this brings for our team, our clients and the wider Derby manufacturing community.”

The Conygar Investment Company has finalised an unconditional agreement to sell its 203-acre brownfield site at Rhosgoch, Anglesey, to Rhosgoch Property Ltd, a subsidiary of Stena Line (UK) Ltd. Completion is expected within ten working days.

The £18.5 million sale will generate net proceeds of £18.3 million. Conygar will use part of the funds to fully repay its £5.6 million loan with ASK Partners, which was secured against its 36-acre Island Quarter development in Nottingham city centre. The remainder will support the company’s operations and working capital requirements, with a focus on advancing work at The Island Quarter.

Based on the site’s March 2025 valuation of £2.5 million, the transaction will deliver a profit of £15.8 million. The Rhosgoch site did not contribute to Conygar’s earnings in the previous financial year. Freddie Jones, Property Director, commented: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of this asset to Stena and to continue our strong working relationship with them.”

On Wednesday 8th October, representatives from Clowes Developments welcomed Michelle Welsh MP for Sherwood Forest to Harrier Park, Hucknall, a site rooted in the region’s proud aerospace and engineering legacy, as part of a continued commitment to champion regional regeneration, job creation, and inward investment.

Michelle Welsh MP toured the Harrier Park site to see first-hand the transformational progress being made at the former Rolls-Royce site by the new owners, Clowes Developments. Once a dormant industrial area, Harrier Park is now emerging as a key strategic employment hub for the East Midlands and further afield with major investment unlocking opportunities for local and national businesses of varying sizes.

During the visit, discussions focused on:

• Celebrating Hucknall’s rich aerospace heritage, including the site’s link to the Rolls-Royce Harrier Jump Jet Engine and the creation of the nearby Hucknall Flight Test Museum.
• The socio-economic impact of regenerating previously brownfield land.
• The scale and ambition of Clowes Developments’ investment, providing infrastructure and enabling occupation with an impressive 36-week delivery programme.
• Attracting high-value occupiers and creating hundreds of skilled jobs, utilising a healthy local work force in logistics, manufacturing, engineering, and office-based roles.

Michelle Welsh MP commented:

“Harrier Park is a shining example of how we can honour our industrial past while building a strong, sustainable future. This regeneration brings real opportunity for Hucknall and the wider Ashfield area, through jobs, investment and innovation.”

Kevin Webster, Associate Development Director at Clowes Developments, added:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Michelle Welsh MP to Harrier Park and share the progress we’ve made. We’ve worked hard to expedite the site’s potential and create a high-quality, strategically located development that meets the needs of today’s businesses. This isn’t just about building, it’s about long-term economic growth, skilled employment and putting Hucknall firmly on the map as a place where business can thrive.”

The visit underlined Harrier Park’s critical role in Ashfield District Council’s long-term growth strategy and its wider contribution to the East Midlands’ economic resilience.

Offering a rare opportunity for businesses to customise their facilities and secure freehold premises ranging from 60,000 to over 200,000 sq ft, Harrier Park combines flexible space with robust infrastructure, including up to 8.1MVA power capacity and a rapid 36-week build programme, making it an ideal destination for ambitious businesses looking to invest in the region.

Clowes Developments are working in partnership with FHP Property Consultants and Fisher German to market the site with units available from 60,000 to 206,000sq ft. Opportunities are available on both a freehold and leasehold design-and-build basis. For enquiries, please contact Tim Gilbertson on tim@fhp.co.uk or Rob Champion on rob.champion@fishergerman.co.uk.

Clowes Developments has successfully completed the sale of Units G1 (A&B) at Beauchamp Business Park to UK Material Handling Association.

The UK Material Handling Association is the official trade body representing forklift truck manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and end users across the UK’s material handling industry. The newly acquired semi-detached 8,400sq ft unit will serve as the organisation’s operational base for UKMHA and its subsidiary CFTS Ltd.

Robert Fisher of UK Material Handling Association commented on the purchase,

“We are delighted to have secured what will become the new home for UKMHA and our subsidiary, CFTS. This move not only provides the space to grow and enhance our training offer, but also positions us to innovate, collaborate, and better serve the evolving needs of our members”

Jack Brown of TDB Real Estate, one of the joint agents on the scheme, commented:

“We’re delighted to have completed another successful sale at Beauchamp Business Park, this time to a well-established organisation within the material handling sector. This deal reinforces the continued demand we’re seeing for high-quality freehold units from both local and regional occupiers looking to invest in their own premises.”

Following the latest sale and with additional units currently under offer, only three freehold or leasehold opportunities remain at Beauchamp Business Park. The available space is located in Terrace G3 and can be used either as separate units, at 2,271sq ft, 3,401sq ft and 4,563sq ft or combined to create a larger facility totalling 10,235sq ft.

Fairham Business Park in Nottingham continues to go from strength to strength, attracting a wide range of high-quality occupiers and reinforcing its position as one of the East Midlands’ most exciting mixed-use developments.

Home to a mixture of businesses, Fairham Business Park is already proving to be a magnet for major names. The site boasts occupiers ranging from household brands such as Ocado and Vision Express to local and national enterprises such as ABB, MacFarlane Packaging, SLS Medical, Clean Linen and Fathomtree, bringing with them hundreds of new jobs and millions of pounds on inward investment for Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Commenting on the success of the business park, Tim Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants said:

“There’s no doubt that Fairham Business Park in Nottingham is one of the East Midlands’ finest mixed-use schemes, ultimately offering industrial, distribution, trade counter, roadside and retail uses, plus others as yet to be announced!

The calibre of occupiers is superb, ranging from household names such as Ocado and Vision Express through to blue chip covenants that are perhaps less well known such as Davenham Switchgear, who have already recruited over 100 staff for their new venture in the region.

The prime location is being matched by the quality of occupier and with more deals in the pipeline, I’m sure we will be able to advise of further sales or lettings in the very near future.”

Rob Champion of Fisher German added,

“The commitment shown by these leading businesses is a testament to the location’s quality, the flexibility of tenure, and Clowes’ consistent delivery of exceptional buildings.

Fairham is proving to be an exemplar development, a place where innovative and forward-thinking organisations can grow and thrive, supported by best-in-class workspace and outstanding landscaping that offers significant wellbeing benefits.”

Located within Fairham, the flagship 606-acre new neighbourhood just minutes from Nottingham city centre, Fairham Business Park offers one million square feet of purpose-built commercial space in a highly accessible, levy-free location outside the Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy zone.

With over half of Phase One now either sold, let, or under offer, only a limited number of design and build opportunities remain at this high-profile site, which benefits from a prominent position alongside the A453. Two further buildings are nearing completion, with additional developments in the pipeline.

Clowes, in partnership with agents FHP Property Consultants and Fisher German, are now marketing Phase Two of Fairham Business Park. This next phase offers bespoke design and build opportunities of up to 50,000 sq ft, available on both freehold and leasehold terms. All units can be tailored to meet the individual requirements of occupiers, providing flexibility and scalability for growing businesses.

MyPad Group and Pelham Homes are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of their latest properties at their residential development Baxter Green. This next stage at the development features an exclusive collection of ten executive homes nestled in between Beeston and Bramcote in west Nottinghamshire. These latest homes follow the launch of 15 two- and three-bedroom apartments at the development earlier in 2025, with a Show Apartment available to view from the end of November 2025. 

This boutique development will feature five four-bedroom homes known as The Sherwin, priced at £895,000, and five five-bedroom homes called The Willoughby, available from £1.1 million. The first plots are expected to be build-complete by Spring 2026, with reservations opening in Autumn 2025. 

Situated between bustling Beeston and suburban Bramcote – both areas popular with families and professionals thanks to their good schools and strong commuter links. 

Speaking about the upcoming launch of the development, Sales Manager Maria Baker commented: 

“We are really excited to introduce our Sherwin and Willoughby Housetypes at our Baxter Green development. We have taken great care to refine the internal layouts and elevate the overall design. The result is a collection of homes that offer a touch of everyday luxury in a secluded yet vibrant setting. We truly believe these homes bring something unique to the market – style, comfort and quality that you won’t find anywhere else.” 

Baxter Green has been carefully designed to blend into the tree-line surrounds of this area of west Nottinghamshire, offering homeowners a sense of privacy and space while remaining close to the local towns’ amenities and key commuter routes including the M1 and Beeston railway station. Both the Sherwin and Willoughby designs are characterised by generous living spaces, high-quality finishes and striking architectural features that nod to both contemporary and traditional designs. 

As with all MyPad Group and Pelham Homes developments, the Baxter Green scheme will prioritise environmental sustainability and community engagement. This partnership is committed to supporting local tradespeople, subcontractors and suppliers throughout the build programme, while also working with schools and colleges to create opportunities for work experience and apprenticeships. 

Baxter Green’s sales suite is situated on Peache Way, with Nottinghamshire estate agent Robert Ellis selected as the site’s official sales agent. 

 

Construction on a major regeneration project in Northampton town centre is scheduled to begin in January, marking the start of plans to transform the Market Walk site into a large-scale food and leisure complex.

The development, led by West Northamptonshire Council in partnership with STACK, is designed to revitalise the area adjoining Market Square by introducing a multi-purpose venue for dining, live entertainment, and community events.

Originally planned to start earlier, the project experienced delays linked to technical and preparatory work. The revised schedule now targets completion in winter 2026.

Cllr James Petter, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC said: “As with any major regeneration scheme, dates are always indicative and subject to change. Both teams are working hard to bring this project forward, and we’re confident that STACK Northampton will be worth the wait.

“This development will create a vibrant destination for food, drink, live entertainment and events, and play a key role in the wider regeneration of the town centre. We look forward to sharing further updates as the scheme progresses.”

Once complete, the venue is expected to support Northampton’s economic growth by attracting visitors, increasing footfall, and supporting local hospitality and retail businesses as part of the council’s wider regeneration strategy.