The Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) has signed a 15-year lease for office space at Elizabeth Quarter, a newly developed council-owned building in Scunthorpe.

The three-storey property includes a ground-floor café and reception area, with modern office space spanning approximately 1,250 sqm across the upper floors. The building was marketed for lease and attracted strong interest from potential tenants.

RDaSH will use the offices for clinical consultations, patient appointments, and as the headquarters for its Community Mental Health and Talking Therapy workforce. The trust, which provides mental health and children’s services in the region, sees the move as a key part of its expansion in North Lincolnshire.

The council expects the agreement to drive further commercial interest in the site, particularly for the ground-floor café. The move aligns with its strategy to support local economic growth and ensure value for money for taxpayers.

The UK government will sell RAF Scampton on the open market, rejecting West Lindsey District Council’s bid to acquire the site for a £300 million redevelopment project.

Earmarked initially by the previous Conservative government for migrant housing, the site’s asylum plans were scrapped in September. The Home Office cited regulatory requirements preventing a direct sale to the council, emphasising that disposal of public land must follow market rules.

Since March 2023, the site has cost over £60 million. Government officials claim the sale will prevent further taxpayer losses. Meanwhile, the council, which had partnered with Scampton Holdings Ltd. for regeneration, argues that contamination, heritage issues, and infrastructure limitations make a public-private partnership the only viable option for redevelopment.

Scampton Holdings remains committed to the project despite setbacks. Chairman Peter Hewitt criticised the delays, while local MP Sir Edward Leigh called the government’s decision “madness,” arguing it wasted time and resources on failed asylum plans.

A proposal to develop vacant land in Thurnby’s conservation area into nine bungalows, a public car park, and green space has been submitted to Harborough District Council (HDC).

The site, located next to Grange Lane, is overgrown and not publicly accessible. Developer D.W. Hicks Holding Ltd plans to build a mix of semi-detached and detached bungalows, along with a 16-space car park intended to support nearby amenities, including a café and sports field.

Previous proposals for larger housing developments on the site were withdrawn in 2014 and 2015. The latest plan divides the land into residential housing, an expanded green area, and community parking.

Developer Derrick Hicks stated that the project would enhance the area while addressing local demand for bungalows. A consultation is open until 16 April, with a council decision expected by 12 May.

Commercial developer Wykeland Group has acquired a landmark site in Grimsby and announced new investment is on its way. Wykeland has purchased the former Ramsdens Superstore site from the Grimsby-based retail and cash and carry business Ramsden Group and, as the new owner, will take the lead in rejuvenating it. That has already begun with Wykeland announcing that, in a linked transaction, a deal has been agreed to sell part of the site to family-owned retailer Farmfoods, for the development of a new 15,000 sq ft store with car parking. The sale of just over an acre of land to Farmfoods is subject to full planning permission for the new frozen food and groceries store. A planning application has been submitted and, if approved, the store is expected to create up to 15-20 new jobs. Wykeland will retain the remaining 1.8 acres and explore opportunities to attract further investment and regeneration, while investing around £100,000 to improve the site, including structural repairs to a property fronting Cleethorpe Road. Wykeland has also renamed the development as Ramsden Park, in tribute to the site’s history as the place where the Ramsden Group business was founded, with the opening of the Ramsdens store in 1946. Ramsden Group and Wykeland have previously secured investment by coffee house chain Starbucks in a drive-thru and eat-in café on the corner of the site facing Cleethorpe Road and Park Street. The Starbucks facility has traded successfully for more than three years. Now, with Farmfoods also coming on board, Wykeland is exploring further opportunities to revitalise the site. Wykeland Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “We’re pleased to announce we have acquired the site from Ramsden Group and have also concluded a deal, subject to planning consent, to bring in new investment from one of the UK’s most popular food retailers. “As well as supporting Farmfoods through the planning process, we’ll be investing in improvements on site and exploring further development opportunities. “We’re committed to the regeneration of this important location on the main route between Grimsby and Cleethorpes and keen to hear from investors who would like to work with us to realise its potential.” The site has existing planning approval for 65,000 sq ft of retail development, with units ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft. Wykeland will also consider other viable options for development.

Salloway Property Consultants has let a prime city centre former office and training facility. Potters House Christian Fellowship, an established global network of churches, has secured a new location at 2-3 St Peters Churchyard in Derby, further expanding their presence in the community. This newly let property, located in the heart of the city, will serve as a central hub for the congregation’s worship, community outreach, and various social initiatives. William Speed, of Salloway Property Consultants, acted on behalf of a private landlord client to secure the new tenant for the 12,000 sq ft former office and training facility after development attempts were unsuccessful at the property. William said: “I am delighted to be able to let the property to a group that will add back to the local community. The building at St Peters Churchyard offers a wonderful space for both worship and community outreach. It is a prime example of repurposing city centre property to encourage more people to use the city centre. “It is no secret that Derby City Centre has been struggling in recent years but with new developments such as the Becketwell Scheme, the Nightingale Quarter and the upcoming Friar Gate Goods Yard there is real confidence that these developments will improve Derby City Centre to its former glory.” Chiso Nwokoro of Potters House Christian Fellowship said: “We are thrilled to begin this new chapter at 2-3 St Peters Churchyard. This is a significant step for us as we continue to build a vibrant church environment where people from all walks of life can come and find support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. “The location is ideal for our growing congregation and will serve as a beacon of hope and community service for many years to come.”

A market-ready large scale commercial development in the East Midlands expects to announce a series of major deals in the coming months. New Stanton Park in Derbyshire will see the former Stanton Ironworks site redeveloped into a major destination for manufacturing and logistics businesses, with the site capable of hosting 2.2 million square feet of space and up to 4,000 jobs. The site has been brought to market by Verdant Regeneration, which has also revealed that it has been successful in attracting international company Fassa Bortolo from Italy to build a bespoke new manufacturing plant at the site. It is also in advanced talks with a number of other national and international businesses looking to expand into the East Midlands by moving to New Stanton Park. David Grier, a director of Verdant Regeneration, said: “New Stanton Park was an industrial landmark in the East Midlands for decades and with the investment we have made in redeveloping the site it will become a major commercial destination again. “Remediation of the full site means that this is the most deliverable major industrial development in the region. Our ability to accommodate people swiftly is one of the key reasons for the significant interest we have attracted from businesses looking to expand.” Verdant has already welcomed DX Group to New Stanton Park, the delivery solutions specialist opening a 22,000 sq ft regional hub on the site. Verdant is now working closely with the planners at Erewash Borough Council to bring forward further development at the site. New Stanton Park will also include branches of McDonald’s and Starbucks, while fast EV charging will also be available. New Stanton Park has been highlighted by East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward as one of the most important development sites in the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s Investment Prospectus, which is being promoted at the national and international UKREiiF event in Leeds next month. The site is being marketed by agents M1, Kimmre and Innes England. James Keeton, of M1 Agency, said: “The Verdant team has invested heavily in preparing the site for occupiers, with site infrastructure and outline planning in place. “This is capable of delivering 28m eaves height, utilities support is excellent and with the sheer scale of the plot sizes – plot 2 alone is 70 acres and capable of accommodating a single 1m sq ft building – we’re confident that New Stanton Park will soon be home to major national and international occupiers. “Verdant is currently building out speculatively on plot 1, with occupier deals secured and further announcements across the wider plot expected shortly. The principal development land is all being supported by the amenity plot for McDonald’s and Starbucks, which is also on site. Cumulatively, this is a hugely positive inward investment story for the region and the UK.” Verdant’s investment in the site also reflects the long-term commitment to the area of its director David Ward, whose recycling business already employs hundreds of local people. He said: “We have huge ambitions for New Stanton Park – this was a significant industrial landmark for many decades and will certainly become one again. “Besides the site remediation and infrastructure, we have also invested in the environment so that the green spaces, recreational fishing ponds, and wildlife around New Stanton Park are protected and nurtured. “We want to see this become a major source of employment for Erewash and to support the Mayor’s ambitions for the growth of the wider East Midlands economy.”

Derby City Council is considering purchasing a 7.5-acre brownfield site on Stores Road to accommodate infrastructure for a new weekly food waste collection service, set to launch in April 2026. The land will house a Highways Hub, freeing up space at the existing depot, which is already operating at capacity. The purchase is part of the Stores Road Depot Scheme under the Council’s Capital Programme.

Under new ‘Simpler Recycling’ regulations, local authorities must introduce separate weekly food waste collections. Derby currently provides fortnightly collections mixed with garden waste. To meet the new requirements, £1.6 million in capital funding from Defra will support the purchase of 14 collection vehicles, food waste caddies, and staff. An additional £500,000 in revenue funding will be provided in March 2025 to assist with public awareness efforts.

The new service aims to improve waste management efficiency, reduce disposal costs, and increase recycling rates. Food waste collected in caddies will be processed separately rather than sent to landfills. As the council develops the service, businesses involved in waste management, transport, and infrastructure may see contract opportunities.

Rula Developments has secured a 39-acre site in Bingham, located 8 miles east of Nottingham, from The Crown Estate to create a new business park, Bingham 46. The site has outline consent for employment uses, with plans to offer a mix of trade counters, offices, manufacturing, warehousing, general industrial, and roadside facilities.

The park will provide over 500,000 sq ft of space, with units ranging from 10,000 sq ft to 350,000 sq ft, subject to planning approval. The development will feature low site density and exceed current biodiversity net gain standards, aiming for a 15% increase. Sustainable design features include photovoltaic panels, air-source heat pumps, and energy-efficient lighting. The project will also target an A-rated EPC and BREEAM Excellent certification.

Strategically located near the A46 dual carriageway, the site benefits from strong transport links to Nottingham, Newark, Grantham, and Leicester and regular bus and train services. The masterplan includes pedestrian and cycle linkages and connections to the adjacent housing development, offering access to the town centre’s amenities.

Rula Developments is working closely with The Crown Estate on the scheme and will submit a reserved matters application soon. The development aims to attract both local and regional businesses by offering high-quality facilities and access to a skilled workforce.

Savills and M1 Agency are handling the forward letting and sale of the development, which is expected to provide significant local employment opportunities.

Grimsby’s new Horizon Youth Zone has reached a major construction milestone, with work now complete on the roofline of the final building, which offers a first glimpse of how the development will look on the town’s skyline. Located on Garth Lane, the development is being delivered by national charity OnSide in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, which is contributing to the development as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, and the Department of Culture Media and Sport, through the Youth Investment Fund. The site is being transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter and is due to open this autumn. As part of the work, a series of Grade II listed 19th century maltings and grain store buildings, known as West Haven Maltings and Migar House, have been fully restored and repurposed. The middle part of the building sits at the heart of the development alongside the River Freshney and on a river wall which had to be rebuilt using a pontoon in the river to create a safe working platform. The building had fallen into a state of disrepair but it has been rebuilt, and work is now complete on its new roof structure. In addition to the refurbishment and restoration aspects of the project, the final piece of the scheme will see Hobson & Porter constructing a large outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA). Horizon Youth Zone will offer a safe and inspiring place for young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, to enjoy their leisure time. Joe Booth, Business Development Director from Hobson & Porter, said: “With construction due to complete this summer ahead of the Youth Zone opening in autumn, this part of the development and restoration of the building, which was in a poor state of disrepair, is an achievement worth marking for the whole project team. “It’s been a highly complex part of the scheme, that also required a retaining river wall to be built, but it’s the final piece of the jigsaw that now shows how Horizon Youth Zone will integrate into Grimsby’s skyline. “The feedback we’ve received from the people of Grimsby has been fantastic, regardless of whether or not they’re connected to the project, because it’s given these buildings and this site a new lease of life and is going to make a huge difference to so many local young people, as well as bringing a state-of-the-art facility to the town.” Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “We’re delighted with how work is progressing and to see the completed roofline on this final building feels like a major milestone ahead of our opening later this year. “There’s a genuine buzz across North East Lincolnshire about Horizon Youth Zone and what it means for young people throughout the region, especially because so many local businesses, organisations and patrons are supporting us and making it possible, which is very exciting for everyone involved.” Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private sector led board, and once opened, it will be part of the OnSide network of 15 Youth Zones nationwide, which support over 50,000 young people annually. After completion, it’s estimated that Horizon could benefit up to 4,000 young people from North East Lincolnshire each year. Capital funders of Horizon Youth Zone comprise of Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Youth Investment Fund, Evergreen Life, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK. Horizon Youth Zone is also building a family of Founder Patrons, comprising of local organisations and philanthropists, who will support the Youth Zone during its first four years.