Construction has started on Marefair Heritage Park in Northampton, a project designed to boost footfall and create a more welcoming town centre. The site will feature a castle-themed play area, a community garden, and a walking trail highlighting the history of Northampton Castle.

The project is backed by £1.6 million from the Towns Fund, developer contributions, and West Northamptonshire Council. Initial work includes utility disconnections, securing the site, and relocating heritage features. Future phases will involve tree root protection, structural reinforcements, and excavation for historical displays under archaeological supervision.

The park aims to enhance connections between Northampton railway station and the town centre, supporting local businesses and tourism. Construction is set to be completed by late summer 2025.

The Gelder Group has secured a new contract marking a special collaboration between the construction business and Lincoln Cathedral. The company will further expand at its headquarters, to build a stone-cutting facility, which will provide tailored stone to keep the city’s world-famous Cathedral in great shape for centuries to come. Gelder Group CEO Steve Gelder said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both parties. The new centre will house modern equipment for future Cathedral projects, starting with the second stage of its Chapter house project. “The centre will boost efficiencies for the Cathedral and reduce costs because of its ability to cut pieces of stone to size, thereby reducing wastage to virtually zero. “Lincoln Cathedral is the only Cathedral to be listed in its entirety on English Heritage’s At Risk register, so we are really proud that the new centre will support this vital work and also the Cathedral’s drive to promote heritage skills.” Work on the new centre began in January and the facility will be available to the Cathedral by way of a 20-year lease. Lincoln Cathedral Director of Estates and Facilities Mark Wheater said that following phase two of the Chapter House project, future work is waiting in the wings. “We have an over-arching 50-year plan and then a five-year plan of works. Maintaining the building and promoting the heritage skills needed to conserve it are huge priorities for us. The new facility means we are able to cut pieces of stone to size, rather than buying pre-cut blocks and then trimming them down. “This will be much more cost-effective for us, with the ability to handle much larger pieces of stone. We will also be installing solar panels with battery storage to make the development as sustainable as possible.” The Very Reverend Dr Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln said: “This partnership with Gelder Group to create a bespoke cutting facility is a vital step in our commitment to conserving the built heritage of Lincoln Cathedral in a financially and environmentally sustainable way. “The Cathedral has stood as a beacon on the skyline of Lincoln for almost 1,000 years, and one of our greatest daily challenges to ensure that it does so for many more centuries to come. “The cutting facility will also support our reputation as a centre of excellence for heritage skills by providing our craftspeople with the literal building blocks to continue to conserve this internationally important building for the future, and ensure that these vital skills continue to be shared with the next generation of stonemasons.”

Clowes Developments has reached practical completion on Unit 7 at Stud Brook Business Park, as they hand the keys over to Argon Medical Devices. Argon Medical Devices are a medical equipment manufacturer, serving a global network of hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in more than 114 countries. The company have made the move to Stud Brook following the success and expansion of their business. In a deal agreed by Tim Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants on behalf of Clowes, a new build unit of 20,000 sq ft for Argon was agreed at the entrance to the estate. The unit benefits from two storey office and ancillary space with Argon adding in extra office and laboratory accommodation with welfare facilities to meet their business needs. There is a large secure yard at the front of the property with 17 car parking spaces including two disabled spaces and four EV charging bays. The signature ‘Clowes’ roof is Polar Voltaic (PV) ready with 10% natural roof lights. In line with planning conditions, all the units at Stud Brook Business Park have been designed to include an external natural wood effect panelling feature to soften the aesthetic and blend with the neighbouring landscape. This unit has achieved an EPC rating of ‘A’ and a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ which surpasses the recommended planning requirements of ‘very good’. James Holman, Finance & Operations Director at Argon Medical Devices, said: “Ever since we were shown the designs for Stud Brook Business Park, we knew it would be the perfect location. Our expanding international operations mean we will serve over 70 countries across 3 continents from this building. “As well as its close proximity to East Midlands Airport and great accessibility across the Midlands region, we were especially drawn to this development because of its quality design and environmental sustainability. “Our customers demand a strong commitment to carbon reduction and energy efficiency; and this building allows Argon Medical to fulfil this for many years to come. We’re excited to get the keys today and start on our fit-out process!” TanRo were appointed as lead construction contractors to deliver the industrial and distribution units ranging in size from 8,500 to 30,000 sq ft at Stud Brook Business Park. Unit 7 is the first unit to officially be handed over to the client. Clowes Developments together with TanRo and their wider professional team including IMA Architects, Millward Consulting Engineers, Geldards LLP and Postins Project Services have delivered the unit to Argon on time and according to schedule. James Richards, Development Director at Clowes Developments UK Limited, said: “Handing over the keys to Argon Medical Devices today was a significant milestone in the development of Stud Brook Business Park. It’s great to see units in their final stages of construction and businesses starting to move into their brand-new premises. “Having Starbucks and Sainsbury’s open has provided much needed amenity for the area, having these conveniences available for employees and visitors at the business park is such a benefit. “It’s been a pleasure working with the team at Argon, I’m looking forward to seeing how their fitout programme comes together and seeing them fully operational within the next few months.” Argon will now start their seven-week fit out programme which will see the shell finessed into a fully functioning warehouse, distribution and office centre for around 30 employees and will be looking to be operational at the earliest opportunity. Elsewhere on the business park, Unit 2, a 22,000 sq ft stand-alone unit located opposite Argon Medical has also achieved practical completion and is now being marketed to potential leasehold occupiers. Units 3A, an 8,800 sq ft unit, and 6B, another 22,000 sq ft unit, are also nearing practical completion and will be ready for occupation within the next few months. Additionally, Plot 1 comprises of five trade counter units ranging in size from 3,200 to 4,600 sq ft, with planning consent obtained. Clowes Developments will be instructing Roe Developments to begin construction from as early as April this year. Tim Gilbertson, Director at FHP Property Consultants, said: “I am particularly pleased to see Argon take occupation of their new unit at Stud Brook Business Park, being the first occupier on the site and indeed the first deal agreed some time ago. “To see this land transformed from a grassy field into a prime business park is fabulous and I would echo our client’s comments that Argon have been a pleasure to deal with throughout. I look forward to watching them grow and expand from their new base.” Richard Sutton, Managing Director at NG Chartered Surveyors, added: “We are delighted to see the continued success at Stud Brook Business Park with only three units available as all others are either let or have deals agreed.”

Acting on behalf of long-established Nottingham-based business, Pedigree Wholesale, FHP has completed two important transactions for the expansion of the firm. Pedigree Wholesale was first established as a family run business in 1972 and is now one of the UK’s leading suppliers of food and products to the pet industry. FHP has advised on the off-market sale of Harrisons Mill in Radcliffe on Trent. This mill property dating back to the early 1900s had been producing bird foods and products for the business but was outdated and inefficient. Production was outsourced to a respected family run supplier and the majority of production staff continued employment within the group. The property has been sold to Synergy Healthcare for demolition and construction of a modern care home facility. Phil Daniels of FHP said: “This site of just over 1 acre on the edge of the affluent village of Radcliffe on Trent was ideal for the construction of a care home. “We directly approached, off market, developers and operators in this sector and attracted very significant interest. Following a competitive best bid process, we were able to secure a sale on an unconditional basis at in excess of the guide price.” In preparation for the sale FHP also advised Pedigree Wholesale on the relocation of the pet food and product retail outlet that also operated from Harrisons Mill. Given the very limited availability of retail shops in Radcliffe on Trent, FHP canvassed and identified an off-market opportunity. Liaising directly with the owners of a vacant premises on Bingham Road on the edge of the village centre, FHP were able to secure the purchase of the freehold on favourable terms. The site is now open and trading under Pedigree Wholesale’s retail brand ‘Just for Pets’. Jack Shakespeare of FHP said: “It was a pleasure to represent Pedigree Wholesale in this important relocation. Our expertise and tenacity allowed us to relocate the former store in a timely manner which was integral to the sale of Harrisons Mill.” Steve Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Pedigree Wholesale, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with FHP on these important transactions which will be integral to the future expansion of our business.”

Lincolnshire County Council has launched a new paint recycling initiative at Louth Household Waste Recycling Centre to reduce waste and encourage reuse. The scheme allows residents to donate unused paint, which is then made available for free to the community.

The initiative follows the success of a similar scheme in Grantham, which has prevented 1,000 litres of paint from being discarded since December 2024. According to government data, paint accounts for 71,500 tonnes of waste annually, costing local authorities £20.6 million to manage.

Councillor Daniel McNally, executive member for waste, highlighted that 55 million litres of usable paint are wasted in the UK each year. He encouraged residents to donate leftover paint, which could benefit other households and charities.