Wavensmere Homes has sold 40 off-plan houses to a club of existing customers who have already purchased two or more of its homes. With a total value of £11.6m, the two- and three-bedroom homes located in Derby will be build complete from Q3 2027. James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Our inaugural Clique event has exceeded all our expectations. “We invited our loyal customers to socialise with the team and each other at an information evening, where they had preferential access to a limited release of 40 plots. Before the event ended, these two- and three-bedroom houses were assigned to purchasers – over two years before they will be build complete. “While the buy to let market is not without its challenges, investing in quality homes off-plan in well-located developments that offer a range of amenities can reap significant dividends. “Clique members have already been through the investment journey on other Wavensmere developments. They are benefitting from attractive yields and the pick of a pool of aspirational tenants. “These people keep in touch with us, follow planning updates, share our excitement for upcoming development launches, and enthusiastically ask for first dibs. The Clique concept was inspired by them as a way of formalising the gratitude we have for our repeat customers.” Wavensmere provides Clique members with a dedicated sales relationship manager, access to exclusive mortgage products, and tenant benefits from the point of completion. Wavensmere Homes is highly active across Derby, with its £175m Nightingale Quarter development in the final phase of being transformed into a new community, including over 900 houses and apartments. In autumn 2024, Wavensmere commenced work on site to regenerate and redevelop Friar Gate Goods Yard in Derby city centre, with 276 houses and apartments to be available for occupation from 2026, together with commercial opportunities. At the start of this year, the housebuilder also commenced construction work at the £22m redevelopment of Milford Mills, which overlooks the River Derwent, located between Belper and Duffield in north Derbyshire. 69 new homes are being delivered on the historic site, which is within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, pre-construction work is well underway at Cathedral One, within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter, where 195 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments will be delivered.

All units in phase one at Stud Brook Business Park have now achieved practical completion, and have been officially handed over to their new occupiers. Industry leaders including Argon Medical, Bucher Municipal, Unilode, and Shawpak are either fully operational or finalising their fit outs, with plans to be fully operational by summer 2025. Phase one features a range of industrial and distribution units from 8,500 to 30,000 sq ft. Delivered on time and in line with a tight construction programme, the development overcame several challenges. Duncan Paterson, contracts manager at TanRo, said: “Stud Brook was a logistically and technically complex scheme, located adjacent to an ongoing residential development and East Midlands Airport. Working under strict working-at-height restrictions presented significant challenges, but our team rose to the challenge. “None of this would have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our on-site team. We also extend our gratitude to our subcontractors, who overcame every challenge with professionalism and delivered excellent results throughout. “We are proud to have successfully delivered another major project for our client, Clowes Developments, on programme and to the exceptional standards they rightly expect.” The project delivery was supported by IMA Architects, Millward Consulting Engineers, Geldards LLP, and Postins Project Services. Meanwhile, Roe Developments has commenced construction of Units 1B to 1F, which will comprise five new trade counter units, ranging from 3,229 to 4,606 sq ft. The units will wrap around the now fully operational Starbucks Drive-Thru, located prominently at the front of the park. Plot 1 also neighbours the newly opened Sainsbury’s Local, offering added convenience and footfall for future occupiers. Several tenants are already lined up, with announcements expected soon. James Richards, director, Clowes Developments, said: “With household names like Starbucks and Sainsbury’s on site and prominent industrial occupiers such as Unilode, Argon Medical, Bucher Municipal, and Shawpak, Stud Brook is quickly becoming a vibrant commercial destination. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and excited about what’s still to come.” Richard Sutton, director at NG Chartered Surveyors, said: “Stud Brook Business Park is another great example of what Clowes Developments does best. Its success comes down to a prime location, high-quality sustainable buildings, and a well-thought-out mix of amenities. With only three units remaining at completion, it’s clear the market has responded strongly. “The addition of Sainsbury’s Local and Starbucks has been a real plus, making the park even more attractive for businesses and their staff. Future phases will build on this, adding more retail and trade counter units to serve the growing community. “Quite simply, the quality of what Clowes delivers, and the way they support their occupiers, is second to none.”

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has secured £2.6 million in government funding to address high-risk maintenance issues and modernise critical hospital infrastructure across five of its sites.

The funding, drawn from the Government’s Critical Infrastructure Risk (CIR) capital programme, will go towards essential upgrades at Rampton Hospital, Wathwood Hospital, Arnold Lodge Hospital, The Wells Road Centre, and Thorneywood Mount. All five facilities are specialist mental health hospitals, providing varying levels of secure care to patients across the Midlands and South Yorkshire.

Work will focus on replacing or upgrading ageing systems tied to fire safety, water and energy infrastructure, and electrical networks. At Rampton, a full-scale overhaul of fire alarms and suppression systems is planned. At The Wells Road Centre, the outdated mechanical plant will be replaced to improve reliability and energy performance. Arnold Lodge will see major improvements to its electrical and energy systems, contributing to the Trust’s wider Net Zero targets.

The projects are part of the Trust’s long-term Estates Strategy and Green Plan, which aims to create safer, greener, and more resilient healthcare environments. Works begin this summer and will be phased through to spring 2026 to minimise disruption to services.

H&M has relocated to a new unit in Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre, supported by a £2 million loan from West Northamptonshire Council. The funding is part of a broader local initiative to revitalise the town centre and attract higher foot traffic through improved retail and commercial offerings.

This investment forms one of two council-backed loans aimed at enhancing the shopping centre’s appeal and functionality. The second, worth £1 million, is earmarked for developing flexible workspaces within the centre to accommodate demand for hybrid and remote working environments. Both measures are part of the council’s strategic push to stimulate economic activity in central Northampton by supporting commercial tenants and enhancing business infrastructure.

H&M’s move from its former site on Abington Street aligns with the council’s efforts to modernise retail space and attract major high street names back to the area. The Grosvenor Centre’s management has highlighted the reopening as a significant boost to its tenant mix and overall commercial offering.

The dual investment in retail and workspace reflects a trend in urban commercial redevelopment, combining experiential shopping with flexible working to future-proof town centres.